In the Heart of the Country , J.M. Coetzee: A mad narrator is tricky at the best of times. This is not one of those. Bleak. D . Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress , Dai Sijie: Slim, but atmospheric. I liked it. B . How to Be an Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum , Keri Smith: It is what it is. If you need some assistance in thinking things through or getting creative, this could be your book. C .