Week 3:

Conversation #1:
What I Heard:
The customer says she liked brave women, details about countries, humorous stories, and meditative or introspective stories like Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. In addition, the customer liked all of Oprah's book recommendations and now she needs a recommendation for her book group.
What I recommend:
I recommend the customer try Wild by Cheryl Strayed. She is a strong, courageous woman who ventures out into the wilderness as a means to face her demons. Just like Eat, Love, Pray by Elizabeth Gilbert, Wild is a book about a personal journey filled with reflection and a strong sense of place. It is descriptive and it is written in a conversational style. The wilderness provides Strayed with an avenue to rethink her past, present and future life all the while venturing into unknown territory. This book is also recommended by Oprah as a book club favorite.

Conversation #2:
What I Heard: Customer wants to read vampire story without a teen lover story and angst.
What I recommned: It is not obvious if this customer is an adult or a teen since so many readers of the Twilight series were both teens and adults. I would suggest titles that would appeal to both age groups. The classic vampire story Dracula by Bram Stoker would be a great start. There is no one out there that would second guess what the word Dracula suggests, and thus, we experience the first vampire. It does expose Victorian sexual issues, amongst others, but the focus is the traditional gothic horror of a vampire not a love story.
In addition, one can not forget the vampire images exposed in Anne Rice's writing. Start with Interview with the Vampire and Lestat which are more good vs. evil, occult fiction and horror stories all written in  the gothic vein.

Conversation #3:
What I Heard: I liked the book The River of Doubt because it was a fast-paced, nonfiction adventure story about Teddy Roosevelt. I did not hear the customer state he liked it because it deals with the presidents, so this leaves me the opportunity to suggest any historical adventure nonfiction.
What I recommend:
The first book that comes to mind is Devil in the White City. What a great a parallel story: one is the edification of the Chicago exhibition(vs. a trip down the Amazon) intertwined with the rise of many murders during this exhibition(vs.murder in the Amazon). Like The River of Doubt, it is fast-paced, nonfiction, and the main storyline is parallel to a murder mystery.  If the interest lies on the history of presidents, then I would suggest books by David McCullough such as Mornings on Horseback focusing on the life of a younger Teddy Roosevelt.