Top shelf: Recommended reading

Recommendations of recent books from the staffs of a rotating list of Bay Area independent bookstores. This week's list is from the Booksmith, 1644 Haight St., San Francisco. (415) 863-8688. www.booksmith.com.

Fiction

The Children's Book,

by A.S. Byatt: This beautiful book was short-listed for the Man Booker prize and was our favorite to win; the author did win in 1990 for "Possession: A Romance."

Return to the Hundred Acre Wood,

by David Benedictus and Mark Burgess: Calling all Pooh fans! This is a sequel to the lovable bear's adventures.

Revenge of the Mooncake Vixen,

by Marilyn Chin: Billed as this veteran poet's first novel, it's actually a collection of sassy and sexy tales of lovable and fallible twin sisters as they come of age.

Half-Minute Horrors,

by various authors, including contributions from Lemony Snicket and Neil Gaiman: This collection of witty shorts is a terrific treat in time for Halloween.

The Book of Genesis,

illustrated by R. Crumb: The veteran underground comic artist's take on the first stories of the holy book.

Nonfiction

The Wordy Shipmates,

by Sarah Vowell: The latest from a very funny lady known for her Jon Stewart appearances and essays on the "This American Life" radio show. Now in paperback.

The Adderall Diaries,

by Stephen Elliott: Occasional ugly situations are scattered through this beautifully written memoir by a writer who is now the editor of the online magazine the Rumpus.net.

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much,

by Allison Hoover Bartlett: What is it to be an obsessed collector? Bartlett takes great care in chronicling the missteps of book thief John Gilkey.

Canyon of Dreams,

by Harvey Kubernik: Music journalist and Laurel Canyon native Kubernik assembles this surprisingly personal and sentimental tribute to the place that spawned many musical acts, including the Doors, Joni Mitchell, and Crosby, Stills & Nash.

Grateful Dead Scrapbook,

by Ben Fong-Torres: A great gift idea for fans of the band, it compiles previously unpublished photos, promotion flyers and fan letters with commentary from one of America's foremost rock journalists.
https://www.sfgate.com/books/article/Top-shelf-Recommended-reading-3213128.php
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