This was great due to all the unexpected story lines and twists and turns. It was well written all types of emotions were expressed by the well developed characters. To tell more about why I found it so good would mean I spoiled it.

SOME BOOKS AREN'T FOR READING demonstrates how quickly a life can spin out of control. The books anti-hero is not blameless, but his downward spiral is quick and merciless.

I was drawn to the book because of the protagonist's line of work---"picking" and re-selling used books. I was intrigued about the business and the process and hoped that this novel would lead me through the quirks and intricacies of the booksellers and the business. It did--to a degree, but this was really a story of weakness and poor judgment and the unravelling of a marriage due to deception. The protagonist did not emerge as a very sympathetic character, nor did he really demonstrate much growth or redemption as the novel progressed. At best, we can say that he succeeded in sorting out his life, but it seemingly not through enlightenment or personal development.

Chesley introduced a few quirky characters as friends and competitors of the principal character and his nemesis emerged as the most interesting person in the book. For me, the novel would have had more depth and interest if the "sparring partners" engaged earlier in the novel and if their interaction was deeper and more protracted. I loved the dialogue between them--both what was said and what was implied and found it to be the most interesting aspect of the book.

I was also disappointed in the resolution of the story. There was change, but more due to chance than to "work" on the part of our featured character. Perhaps this is the way life is--we muddle along, make mistakes, and find our way through them without any particular virtue on our part. The idealist in me looks for change and redemption.

NETGALLEY provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a candid review.