An astonishingly rich re-creation of the land of Oz, this book retells the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, who wasn't so wicked after all. Taking readers past the yellow brick road and into a phantasmagoric world rich with imagination and allegory, Wicked just might change the reputation of one of the most sinister characters in literature.

Plague Ship is the fifth exhilarating new adventure in the bestselling series that charts the exploits of the "Oregon," a covert ship completely dilapidated on the outside but, on the inside, packed with sophisticated weaponry and intelligence-gathering equipment.

Widow Anne Marie Roche owns a successful bookstore on Seattle's Blossom Street, but still feels empty. Anne Marie creates a list of 20 wishes, which leads her to volunteer at a school, where she meets eight-year-old Ellen. Soon, both learn that wishes can come true.

From the author of the bestselling The Omnivores Dilemma comes this bracing and eloquent manifesto that shows readers how they might start making thoughtful food choices that will enrich their lives and enlarge their sense of what it means to be healthy.

With unprecedented candor, one of George W. Bush's closest aides takes readers behind the scenes of the Bush presidency and discusses what exactly happened to take it off course

Sigma Force must battle a group of rogue scientists who've unleashed a diabolical project that could mean the extinction of mankind, in this superb new thriller from the "New York Times"-bestselling author of "Black Order" and "The Judas Strain."

From the #1 bestselling author of "The Cove" comes a stunning new novel of secrets, mayhem, and murder that provides readers with a pulse-pounding mystery that continues until the breathless conclusion

An unforgettable story of two people pursuing happiness from opposite directions, this latest novel by #1 "New York Times"-bestselling author Danielle Steel is a journey of choices and the amazing opportunities that come together--just when life seems to have been successfully rearranged at last.

Stephenie Meyer, the author of the #1-bestselling Twilight series, delivers her brilliant first novel for adults: a gripping story of love and betrayal in a future with the fate of humanity at stake, featuring what may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies.

Anne manages to pull things together bit by bit, but just as they begin feeling like a family again, something catastrophic happens. Survival may be the least of their concerns.

Out this month, the latest in the series of Plum mysteries, Fearless Fourteen, finds Stephanie still working for her cousin Vinnie, this time in a case involving a $9 million bank robbery committed by a relative of her sometimes-boyfriend Morelli.

Clive Barker paints an amazing world in which the magical things the drive our sub-concious have a purpose in the meaning of life. A magical carpet in which has been woven the threads of paradise has been passed from owner to owner for safe keeping. But what happens when greed, bitterness, and hate lays its cold hands upon it and threatens to unravel the paradise that captures all of our hearts and drives our hope for a better existence. Find out...

This is an excellent book for those of you who are interested in eastern religion. While Taoism isn't really a religion more so than it is a life philosophy, those of you familiar and unfamiliar will find this a very good read. The author illustrates the principles of Taoism through the stories of Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne. You have to be curious by now. Winnie the Pooh, and Taoism? The author does an excellent job of illustrating taoism and this book is recognized by scholars, fans, and professors all over the world. This was my gateway to Buddhism and Taoism, and while I won't try and convert you so to speak, we might all find a little more peace out of our day to day lives if we considered what this book has to tell us.

Making a move that is guaranteed to delight his fans, John Grisham returns to form with his first legal thriller in three years, The Appeal. The novel finds Grisham in familiar territory, the courtroom, but it begins in an unconventional way: with the end. When the verdict is announced in the novel's first chapter, readers are immediately thrown into the case and the controversy that surrounds it.

The husband-and-wife legal team of Wes and Mary Grace Payton is representing Jeannette Baker in an effort to prove that her son and husband died as a result of contaminated water. On the other side of this battle is the chemical company accused of dumping toxic waste into the water supply. After a protracted trial and agonizing deliberations, the jury finally delivers its verdict. The chemical company appeals to the Mississippi Supreme Court, though lawyers don't anticipate a favorable outcome. Enter Wall Street billionaire and chemical company owner Carl Trudeau, who purchases a court seat with pocket change, a few million dollars. The fate of the case is left up to the nine state Supreme Court justices, one of whom is ensnared in conspiracy. The judicial system may never be viewed in quite the same way again.

Last Night at the Lobsteris the story of one last day. Perched in the far corner of a run-down New England mall, The Red Lobster hasn't been making its numbers and headquarters has pulled the plug. But manager Manny DeLeon still needs to navigate a tricky last shift. With only four shopping days left until Christmas, Manny must convince his near-mutinous staff to hunker down and serve the final onslaught of hungry retirees, lunatics, and holiday office parties.

The reading is quick and the pages are few. The characters are real and the situation even realer. A great book for a snowy afternoon.

After the sudden loss of her only child, Mary Baxter joins a knitting circle as a way to fill the empty hours and lonely days. The women welcome her, each teaching Mary a new knitting technique and, as they do, reveal their own personal stories of loss, love, and hope.

...More

Peter recommends The Painter of Battles.
The internationally bestselling author of "The Club Dumas" and "The Queen of the South" delivers his most ambitious and profoundly affecting novel to date--a tale that, more than ever, confirms his ability as a writer of extraordinary literary power.

.....More

An intimate portrait of the award-winning TV show "Inside the Actors Studio" as well as the shows founder and host, this book offers a unique glimpse into a star-bedecked world.

....More

The 12 Greek gods of Olympus are alive and well in the 21st century, but they are crammed together in a London townhouse--and none too happy. Two perplexed humans are caught in the crossfire.

....More

Alan Alda played Hawkeye Pierce for eleven years in the television series M*A*S*H and has acted in, written, and directed many feature films. He has starred often on Broadway, and his avid interest in science has led to his hosting the PBS show Scientific American Frontiers for eleven years. He was nominated for an Academy Award in 2005 and has been nominated for thirty Emmy awards.

....More