Post Date:
January 18, 2003 Issue Date:
January 18, 2003

Bestsellers

Name: WORLD
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The Top 5 best-selling hardback novels as measured by placement on four leading lists as of Jan. 6

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Scoring system:10 points for first place, 9 for second, down to 1 for tenth, on the lists of the American Booksellers Association (independent, sometimes highbrow stores), The New York Times (4,000 bookstores, plus wholesalers), USA Today (3,000 large-inventory bookstores), and Amazon.com (web purchases). 1 PreyMichael Crichton

38 Points

PLOTAn unemployed computer consultant begins to suspect his scientist wife is having an affair. He visits her lab and finds swarms of particles that exhibit sophisticated forms of artificial intelligence and hurt everything that moves.

GISTThe early development of strong characters becomes irrelevant as the plot gives way to Crichton's usual mixture of formulaic thriller and obscure scientific detail.

CAUTIONScattered obscenities.

2 The Lovely BonesAlice Sebold

36 Points

PLOTSusie Salmon, 14, is murdered by her neighbor. From "heaven" she watches the effects of her murder on family and friends.

GISTHeaven in this novel has no God, but is a place where you get what you want. Susie mourns her death and experiences growing up vicariously through her sister. Eventually she sees her friends and family rebuild their lives.

CAUTIONSome bad language, violence, and sexual situations; graphic opening chapters.

3 Skipping ChristmasJohn Grisham

26 Points

PLOTWhen his adult daughter leaves on a mission trip, a cynical dad campaigns to skip Christmas gift-giving and spend his savings on a cruise instead.

GISTA heavy-handed parable that mocks the modern expressions of Christmas (expensive parties, glitzy decorations, extravagant foods, fancy presents) and celebrates the sentimental ones (families and friends). The story is broadly written and predictable.

CAUTIONNone.

4 Four Blind MiceJames Patterson

20 Points

PLOTAlex Cross is back on the case, this time chasing the trail of the "Three Blind Mice," typical serial killers/Vietnam veterans. But who is controlling the Three Blind Mice? Detective Cross solves this mystery, while finding time for a new love on the side.

GISTPatterson churns out another low-quality page-turner with large print, short chapters, cookie-cutter characters, and no surprises.

CAUTIONNone.

5 The Christmas TrainDavid Baldacci

17 Points

PLOTA world-weary journalist finds himself revitalized by a cross-country train ride filled with plot twists and eccentric characters. Along the way he gets a second chance at love.

GISTNo shocks in this story, just a pleasant secular Christmas tale about the joys of a relaxing train ride with good-hearted people. Friends are made, problems are solved, happiness is found, and only occasionally does the book cross the line from cheery to cheesy.

CAUTIONNone.

Bestsellers

The Top 5 best-selling hardback novels as measured by placement on four leading lists as of Jan. 6

Full access isn’t far.

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