Time to answer some letters...

letter one
What's up with no Salinger on the top ten list? How does that happen?

Jim Caldwell
Boston, MA

70 proof: We love ourselves some J.D. Salinger. We're big fans of his work. "Nine Stories" was actually in contention for the top ten but lost out to Sherwood Anderson's "Winesburg, Ohio."

For those of you, our valued readers, unfamiliar with either title, they're both collections of shorts with "Winesburg, Ohio" being unified by the events all taking place in the same town.

"Nine Stories" is Salinger at his best. It's flawless, with "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" and "Laughing Man" leading the way. But "Winesburg, Ohio" won out on the strength of "Adventure" alone. It's the story of a young woman coming to grips with the realization that she's been jilted by her one true love and that her life may be doomed to be spent alone. It's the kind of story that sticks with you. The final line is positively haunting. Good stuff.

Getting back to Salinger, everyone sweats "The Catcher in the Rye" but his other work may not get the attention it deserves. "Franny and Zooey" is quite special in its own right, as the Glass family takes center stage. "Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour an Introduction" is sort of a mixed bag. The first section, which follows Buddy Glass through an afternoon of memories and social awkwardness, is the usual crisp, concise Salinger. The second part, which attempts to give more background to the Seymour Glass of "Bananafish" fame, seems self- indulgent and is more of a chore than a pleasure. But it's still worth a read.

letter two
It seems to me that most of the books on your top ten or even the ones that get positive reviews are all rather depressing. What if I'm not looking to read something that's going to change my life or make me miserable? Any light-hearted recommendations?

Katherine Webb
Pittsburgh, PA

70 proof: Well, Iris Murdoch's "Under the Net" and Evelyn Waugh's "The Loved One" have both been reviewed in the past and are extremely witty and smart. Of course, "Under the Net" has philosophical leanings and "The Loved One" is dripping with death, so maybe they're not really what you'd call "light- hearted."

The first book that comes to mind is John Steinbeck's "Sweet Thursday." It's a pleasant little love story involving the same folks from "Cannery Row" with an ending that can only be described as cute. It's so light I have to tie it to the bookshelf in fear it might float away.

Another option would be William Faulkner's "The Reivers." It takes place back in the good old days when automobiles were first making an appearance on the American scene. It's the story of three buddies that "borrow" a car from one of their grandfathers for a weekend of fun. The car ends up getting traded for a racehorse and all kinds of monkeyshine ensues.

letter three
Can you tell me how to make a Killer Bee?

Lou Harper
New Rochelle, NY

70 proof: 1/2 ounce of ice cold Jager layered on 1/2 ounce of ice cold Barenjager in a shot glass.

letter four
Hey, would it kill you to review some new books once in awhile?

Susan Lepik
Parts Unknown

70 proof: As a rule, we pretty much only read something if the author is dead, close to death, or a complete recluse. We prefer to study the classics rather than some flavor of the month. The new fiction we've encountered is often overdramatic, overwritten, and lacks the snap of individuality.

Of course, there's probably plenty of deserving titles and authors out there, we just don't have time to search. If you know of a new book that is worthy of attention, and you'd like to get 70 proof's take on it, feel free to drop us a line at staff@70proof.org and let us know.