"Commonwealth," by Ann Patchett. The most gripping domestic party scene ever written — and then an utterly absorbing sweeping family story (one of those can't-stop-reading books). This is saying a lot, but … one of Ann Patchett's very finest novels. – Louise.

Shelftalker is a new occasional feature of recommendations by booksellers. This week's comes from Birchbark Books' owner, novelist Louise Erdrich.