More than thirty years ago, a classic was born. A searing novel of the Mafia underworld, The Godfather introduced readers to the first family of American crime fiction, the Corleones, and the powerful legacy of tradition, blood, and honor that was passed on from father to son. With its themes of the seduction of power, the pitfalls of greed, and family allegiance, it resonated with millions of readers across the world—and became the definitive novel of the virile, violent subculture that remains steeped in intrigue, in controversy, and in our collective consciousness
Brisingr (THE Inheritance Cycle #3) – Christopher Paolini
OATHS SWORN . . . loyalties tested . . . forces collide. Following the colossal battle against the Empire’s warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still there is more at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep. First is Eragon’s oath to his cousin Roran: to help rescue Roran’s beloved, Katrina, from King Galbatorix’s clutches. But Eragon owes his loyalty to others, too. The Varden are in desperate need of his talents and strength—as are the elves and dwarves. When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices— choices that take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice. Eragon is the greatest hope to rid the land of tyranny. Can this once-simple farm boy unite the rebel forces and defeat the king.
The Last Season – Phil Jackson
It was never meant to be easy, meshing talents old and new on-the-fly into a championship ring. But damn, did they get close to their dreams. Phil Jackson provides an insight on the big personalities and egos which comes with the immense talents and personal sacrifices each player has to bring to the team, carrying them to a final showdown. It was the start to a beautiful, tragic ending.
In Her Shoes – Jennifer Weiner
The Feller sisters are equal but opposite. Maggie is the good-looking, dyslexic little sister who knows how to get anything she wants--but not how to keep it. She "felt as if somewhere between the ages of fourteen and sixteen she'd walked off the edge of a cliff and had been falling ever since." Rose is the plump, practical, responsible older sister who knows about law but not much about her own happiness: "What did she like, besides shoes, and Jim, and foods that were bad for her?" When Maggie's latest eviction lands her in Rose's apartment, and Maggie insults Rose by seducing one of her sister's rare boyfriends, what follows is a chain of events by turns hilarious and heartbreaking. Embarrassed Rose evicts Maggie and begins a work sabbatical leading to a new livelihood and way of living. Maggie flees and runs away to Princeton. Masquerading as a student, she learns to love poetry and saves money for a trip to Miami--and a visit to a long-lost grandmother named Ella who might offer her a last shot at sanctuary. But In Her Shoes, the second novel from Good in Bed author Jennifer Weiner, is about more than the sisters' latest sibling rivalry; Maggie and Rose must sort out the childhood vulnerabilities and family mysteries that still linger two decades after their mother's death. In less capable hands, the plot might grow corny, but Weiner's humor and affection for the characters ultimately helps them transcend both neuroses and grief and learn the redemptive power of love. --Jane Hodges
Too Big To Fail: The Inside Story Of How Wall Street And Washington Fought To Save The Financial System And Themselves – Andrew Ross Sorkin
Sorkin writes about the months after the sale of the Bear Stearns brokerage firm, up through the collapse of Lehman Brothers...and, finally, to "the bailout," or what government officials prefer to call "TARP"—Troubled Asset Relief Program. It was a desperate time, one which turned conventional politics on its head. Both parties—voting against their deepest-held beliefs—nearly nationalized the banks (say Republicans) or subsidized the wealthy (say Democrats). What makes the story such fun—oh, yes, it's fun!—are portraits of outsized personalities—brilliant, driven men and women, who get where they've gotten by grueling work schedules, mentors, cut-throat infighting, alliances, and stunning betrayals. In the days leading up to the bailout, we're privy to blow-by-blow accounts of these titans as they clash, curse, plead on bended knee, and wretch over toilet bowls. Finally, reluctantly, politicians, government officials, and bankers forge an agreement. There are no particular villains but plenty of arrogance, blindness, and irresponsibility to go around. There are, however, heroes—Henry Paulson and his team at Treasury; Timothy Geitner, then head of NY-Federal Reserve; and Ben Bernanke, Federal Reserve chairman. This is an ambitious undertaking for any book club. But if you're up to it, Too Big Too Fail is an extraordinary tale about how close, how very close, we came to a total global meltdown.
Daddy’s Girls – Tasmina Perry
It’s the book beaches were made for. Sizzling fiction for fans of Jackie Collins and Tilly Bagshawe. The Balcon sisters are London's paparazzi darlings. Serena, the country's most beautiful actress, Venetia the glamorous designer, Camilla the rising political star and Cate the feisty magazine editor. They have wealth, privilege and sizzling sex lives. When their tyrannical father Oswald Balcon is found dead, the finger of suspicion points towards his glamorous daughters. Suddenly we find that beneath the façade lies a web of deceit and betrayal … From the exclusive fashion houses of Milan to the star-studded streets of Cannes, the Balcon Sisters play out their lives in a whirl of glitz and glamour. But as tragedy and danger stalks each one of them, the scene is set for a stunning climax.
Daddy’s Girls – Tasmina Perry
It’s the book beaches were made for. Sizzling fiction for fans of Jackie Collins and Tilly Bagshawe. The Balcon sisters are London's paparazzi darlings. Serena, the country's most beautiful actress, Venetia the glamorous designer, Camilla the rising political star and Cate the feisty magazine editor. They have wealth, privilege and sizzling sex lives. When their tyrannical father Oswald Balcon is found dead, the finger of suspicion points towards his glamorous daughters. Suddenly we find that beneath the façade lies a web of deceit and betrayal … From the exclusive fashion houses of Milan to the star-studded streets of Cannes, the Balcon Sisters play out their lives in a whirl of glitz and glamour. But as tragedy and danger stalks each one of them, the scene is set for a stunning climax.
The Unauthorised Autobiography – Julian Assange
This autobiography begins with a note from the publisher, explaining that this work is too personal and have decided to withdraw co-operation. However, since legal settlements of the publication contract have been settled, the publisher decided to honour it. As such, this is the "unauthorised first draft... passionate, provocative and opinionated - like its author." Assange describled his childhood days, upbringing and changing environments, which led and molded to his current self. Being curious and hungry for knowledge, he taught himself computer programming, and eventually hacking. Artfully, he supplied childhood scenes to explain the adult outlaw. In the later part of the autobiography, he met other activists while " taking a walk" in some government servers. Towards the end, it gets personal, explaining how his rape allegations were motivated. Clearly, readers can feel his frustration and disappointments. Justified by his sense of justice and his view on authorities, he explained the purpose of leaking these cables. There is also an appendix consisting of the leaks, ranging from Iraq war dairies, to embassy cables, to Raja Petra Kamarudin statutory declaration on Altantuya Shaariibuu murder. The appendix also includes some tinyurl links to some of the above mentioned documents.
The Unauthorised Autobiography – Julian Assange
This autobiography begins with a note from the publisher, explaining that this work is too personal and have decided to withdraw co-operation. However, since legal settlements of the publication contract have been settled, the publisher decided to honour it. As such, this is the "unauthorised first draft... passionate, provocative and opinionated - like its author." Assange describled his childhood days, upbringing and changing environments, which led and molded to his current self. Being curious and hungry for knowledge, he taught himself computer programming, and eventually hacking. Artfully, he supplied childhood scenes to explain the adult outlaw. In the later part of the autobiography, he met other activists while " taking a walk" in some government servers. Towards the end, it gets personal, explaining how his rape allegations were motivated. Clearly, readers can feel his frustration and disappointments. Justified by his sense of justice and his view on authorities, he explained the purpose of leaking these cables. There is also an appendix consisting of the leaks, ranging from Iraq war dairies, to embassy cables, to Raja Petra Kamarudin statutory declaration on Altantuya Shaariibuu murder. The appendix also includes some tinyurl links to some of the above mentioned documents.
Gang Leader For A Day – Sudhir Venkatesh
Sudhir Venkatesh who authored this book gave first hand insights of how the gangs operate in Chicago's South Side. It all began with a research project to understand urban poverty in Chicago. Eventually, the gang leader for Black Kings, J.T., befriended him, and at the same time, chided him for being naive that statistics and questionnaires cannot, and will not, help him to understand the life of urban poor in Chicago. From there, a friendship was forged, with Sudhir slowly gaining J.T.'s trust over some time. J.T. demonstrated his way of running the gang, the daily operations and his way of keeping his henchmen disciplined. In order to effectively convince Sudhir of his CEO-like qualities, he made Sudhir the gang leader for a day. Ultimately, the narration gradually draws to a close with Sudhir's research project came to a conclusion and the FBI started to crack down on the gang Black Kings.
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