For many people the concept of valuing one book over another, of sifting good from bad, important from irrelevant, conjures up an image of a highly subjective process. At DDG, as we worked out the details of our
Weekly Top 2 newsletter, we were unwilling to settle for a subjective process. Instead we worked tirelessly to develop a title selection methodology so objective that it would have made Rene Descartes blush. Though the details of this methodology are not only completely secret, but unrevealable, we thought you might be interested to learn of our development of so perfect a title selection method. In any case the fruits of the process are revealed below!
Here they are! Our weekly picks for the two best: two hardcover, two paperback, and two children's books. The very best new arrivals to leap out of the box and onto our shelves this week. Call or email us if you want more information on any of these titles, or to have us hold you a copy. Or stop in and check them out in person. We'd love to see you. Thanks as always for sharing your reading with us!
The Billionaire's Vinegar: The Mystery of the World's Most Expensive Bottle of Wine
By Wallace, Benjamin 2008/05 -
Crown Publishing Group (NY)
9780307338778 -
Hardcover
List Price $24.95 - Your Price: $19.96
The quest by non fiction writers and editors to find a quirky topic which will sustain a full length treatment, have good doses of bad judgment, sex, obscure but fun historical anecdotes, and a mystery which is actually mysterious, will itself soon be the topic of a new non fiction book, I'm sure. In the meantime check out The Billionaire's Vinegar. This account of a 1787 bottle of Chateau Lafite Bordeaux, reputed to have been from Thomas Jefferson's cellar, and auctioned for $156,000, is a completely engaging account, not only of a truly interesting historical anecdote, but of the inner workings of the rare wine world. ...More
The Downhill Lie: A Hacker's Return to a Ruinous Sport
By Hiaasen, Carl 2008/05 -
Knopf Publishing Group
9780307266538 -
Hardcover
List Price $22.00 - Your Price: $17.60
Ok. Carl Hiaasen has written a golf book. Hiaasen has already done well in so many different genres that we are inclined to suspect the best here too. ...More
Einstein: His Life and Universe
By Isaacson, Walter 2008/05 -
Simon & Schuster
9780743264747 -
Trade Paper
List Price $17.95 - Your Price: $14.36
Given Einstein's compelling character it might have been more of a challenge to write a an uninteresting book about him, but Isaacson has taken the easy road here and written a fascinating one. The book benefits both from the recent release of all the remaining Einstein papers and Isaacson's sure hand....More
The Ladies of the Corridor
By Parker, Dorothy D'Usseau, Arnaud Meade, Marion 2008/05 -
Penguin Books
9780143105312 -
Trade Paper
List Price $12.00 - Your Price: $9.60
Originally a big hit in France My Animals comes to the U.S. leaving a trail of happy French infants and toddlers in its wake. Deneux's animals are charming, and the book also features simple cut outs on every page that will delight and engage toddlers to find the continuity elements between pages. My Animals is an absolutely fabulous black and white board book, with high production values, at a great price!...More
My Baby and Me
By Reiser, Lynn Gentieu, Penny 2008/05 -
Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
9780375852053 -
Hardcover
List Price $16.99 - Your Price: $13.59
This book for young children with brand new siblings couldn't be any cuter. Gentiue's engaging photographs of siblings at play and learning together, along with Reiser's simple, upbeat text, reinforce everything parents could wish to convey to a new older brother or sister....More
May 13, 2008
