American

American Wife: A Novel (New York Times Notable Books)
$15.00
After reading this book, I've decided that things like the NY Times Book Review is sort of like the literary equilvalent of the Billboard Charts. It seems more and more these days, "sexy", "easy" artists are the most popular. A fiction book based on the life of Laura Bush will draw readers in much like a flashy pop video. But when you really look (or read), you realize it's not much more than a cotton candy trying to convince ou that it's good for you. I read "Prep" by Sittenfeld and enjoyed it; "The Man of My Dreams," not so much. I gave "American Wife" a chance because I too was drawn in by the luster of it all. But I was no more then 20 pages in when I realized Alice/Laura was the same character as the main characters in Prep & Man (I can't remember either of their names)--neurotic, overly focused on minute details that bogs down the narrative, obsessed with sex (seriously, were all these sex scenes necessary??) I really cannot believe how well-reviewed this book was. I guess, just like in the music world, you have to look past the fanfare to find the artists with real substance.

The Americans
$39.95
This collection of photos didn't attract much attention when first published. Some believed race issues were a problem. Don't think so. I graduated from college during this period. The photos then would have been ordinary scenes in black and white during a period when most photos were color. The collection captures the time nicely. One of the photos is misidentified as to place. Several others have explanations different from my assessment. It isn't about the narrative and black and white makes the subjects stand out. There is a newspaper stand in one of the photos. Who is on the cover of Look?

The American Patriot's Almanac: Daily Readings on America
$32.99
This is a great way to learn the important and funny things about your country.

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Sixth Edition
$28.95
I have not yet bought this edition, though I need to very soon. I know that there were numerous errors with the first printing of the sixth edition. I agree that it is inexcusable to have so many errors in a publication manual. However, I believe that the second printing is already available for purchase, with all of the corrections. I also got the following information from the APA website for those who already own the first printing:

"Many people have found that the corrections supplement meets their needs; if you find, however, that it doesn't meet yours, we will provide you an exchange replacement copy of the second printing of the Publication Manual at no cost to you. (The second printing corrects all identified errors.) We are making this replacement process available to individuals and institutions who have purchased the manual.

In order to receive an exchange replacement manual, you must return your current copy of the sixth edition to APA no later than December 15, 2009.

We would like to make this transaction as cost neutral to you as possible. A process has been created to provide you with a UPS postage paid return label that you can use to return the book to us. Please call the APA Service Center at 800-374-2721 for more information about the paid return postage process."