A Prayer for Owen Meany
by John Irving
In this enduring contemporary classic, Owen Meany—the dwarf son of a quarry worker in New Hampshire—accidentally kills his best friend's mother with a baseball when he hits it into the stands during a Little League game. Meany subsequently comes to believe that he is an instrument of God, and his story has resulted in a passionate devotion to this novel—Irving's best. You'll find many copies signed by the author, and you'll also discover first editions that range from affordable keepsakes to high-priced collectibles.
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
by Roald Dahl
Chances are, either you enjoyed this novel as a kid or know someone who did—or both. The consistent appeal of this tale makes it highly collectible. Signed copies are hard to come by, but you will discover many editions in a variety of price ranges that will sit nicely in your collection, commemorating the darkly humorous, slightly creepy tale of a nice guy who just might finish first. In case you're unfamiliar with the story, life changes for a poor but kindhearted boy named Charlie Bucket when he manages to win one of five golden tickets that allows him to tour the chocolate factory of an eccentric and reclusive candy inventor named Willy Wonka. On the big day, Charlie and the other visitors are warned to obey all of Mr. Wonka's strict, but rather strange, rules for behavior. What will happen if they disobey? And why has Mr. Wonka allowed them to tour his factory in the first place?
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Maya Angelou
Perhaps more than any other single text, Maya Angelou's legendary memoir helped to establish the audience and the mainstream status of the renaissance in black women's writing, paving the way for the future success of Alice Walker , Terry McMillan , Sherley Anne Williams , and perhaps even Toni Morrison . With Bill Clinton 's choice of Angelou as his inaugural poet, interest in her works skyrocketed, and she remains a best-selling author with mass appeal. Angelou's autobiography is a must for any serious book collection, whether you add a valuable and sought-after signed volume, a prized first edition, or a more accessible copy.
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