I doubt that's a solution here, but I might do it. However, I'd really hope we can choose one that isn't so natively expensive. (And there's NO library option for it, at least not up here.)

It's available on Overdrive (the Ottawa Public Library offers it).

Sadly, it's not in the BC library at all. So no help, i'm afraid. :(

As we count down the final 1/2 day or so this looks closer than I was expecting.

Indeed. The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes is only 8 votes away from the win!

Well, Proulx's nominator has yet to vote, so I anticipate a tie. I'm hoping for Penzler, which seems like a fun read for December. I plan to dip into it in any case.

I'm hoping for anything but the Penzler, only because of cost. Other wise, I'd agree.

Another tie! Be back soon with the runoff poll.

The runoff poll has been posted.

You called it!

This is the 5th tie this year, there weren't any last year and only two in 2013.

The Leskov book is pretty good too. I'm starting to read the title story. Oddly, there is a blurb on the cover: "Stories as strong as fables and crazy as life." - Alice Munro :)

Oh, good! I still mean to read it, but Christmas stories have to be read sooner.

Reading previews this month was maddening! Since they're short stories, the preview can be a large chunk of the first story but not all of it, as with the Leskov. I really enjoyed the story but now need to finish it somehow. I don't want to buy the book since I won't be reading it entirely for the time being, so maybe I'll have a look at the local library, or actually stop by a true-blue brick and mortar bookstore again (for once) and have a cup of tea while finishing it up.