Midnight in the Olive Garden of Good and Evil

by John Berendt and

Atlanta, Georgia is a city of haunting and fascinating stories, of eccentric and beguiling characters. But this book is set in Gary, Indiana, at a suburban Olive Garden restaurant. A rich cast of remarkable characters come through the restaurant, in search of the best and most authentic pasta, soup, and salad outside of Italy -- all at affordable prices. This sparkling book definitely whets one's appetite for literature.

He was tall, about fifty, with darkly handsome, almost sinister features, and he held the menu delicately. "I think I'll have the chicken -- and the manicotti," he said, his voice soft in the spacious and comfortable dining room. "Yes, that sounds good." As a waiter, I had heard Williams's name frequently, but never waited upon him.

"Actually, sir," I said, "the Endless Soup and Salad Deal is still on." I glanced at the rest of the friendly and polite staff, who were watching me. "You choose any pasta entrée, and you get all the soup and salad you can eat for $5.99." Everyone knew how delicious they were, but would he accept? I waited.

He stared at me with piercing black eyes. I held my breath.

"Does that come with the minestrone?" he asked.

We both started to laugh. I brought him an authentic Italian dinner quickly and efficiently...

From a Buick LeSabre

by Steven King and

A group of troopers in Pennsylvania feel an almost supernatural force emanating the car out in Shed B. They feel drawn to it. After all, who wouldn't? The Buick LeSabre not only has remarkable features, but retails at a reasonable $26,590 MSRP. You too might find yourself drawn in by the LeSabre.

"I'm going to have a look at that thing," Bob said, dry-mouthed. The door of the garage flew up with a loud rattle. I watched him go in, barely able to move.

He reached into the window slowly, hands trembling, and hit the trunk release. Thunk. He walked around to the front and pushed it open. I felt my heart pounding.

"What? What is this?" he screamed. "What is this, guys?"

We ran inside. "Why, that looks like a 3800 Series II V6!" the sergeant said. "How 'bout that? Quite the engine, I'd say."

Tom looked into the passenger side. "Whoa! Get a load of this CD player!" We learned later that leather seats and chrome-plated wheels were optional...

The King of Tortes

by John Grisham and

A young lawyer, disillusioned by corrupt class-action law, finds refuge in delicious and creamy Pepperidge Farms tortes (fudge, mint, and raspberry; 1.5 lbs; serves 12).

"I don't know if I feel right, taking all that settlement money," I said.

"Don't worry about it, Clay," Max told me. He slid the torte across the table.

"Is that real fruit filling?" I asked. It was raspberry.

My favorite.

"It sure is," Max said, cutting through the rich icing. "And it's all yours."

A dense, chocolatey raspberry torte. This wasn't about the law anymore. This was about a luscious, economical dessert...

Pray

by Michael Crichton and

(The Christian Coalition)

At a secret nanotechnology testing facility in the arid deserts of Nevada, things have gone terribly wrong. Thousands of tiny machines, each deadly and seemingly with a mind of its own, are spreading toward towns and cities. There's only one thing that can save them now: faith in the saving grace of the Lord.

"We have to get the shield up!" Jerry yelled. The 10-inch thick layer of asdfasmium was the only thing that would keep out the robotic swarm. He ran to the control panel.

Tim followed him over. He picked up his chair and smashed the panel with it. "What are you doing?" Jerry screamed.

"You shouldn't put your trust in material things," Tim said. "It says in Corinthians 1:14 that--"

"You smashed the panel! We're all going to die!" Jerry screamed again.

"Not if you put your faith in God," Tim said. "'Yea, I say unto thee, whoever believes in the eternal--'"

The nanobots began to swarm into the room...