Books

New Nonfiction – September 2008

Lynne

Ahead of the Curve: Two Years at Harvard Business School Philip Delves Broughton – A Harvard MBA has been the golden ticket to American business. The author relates his experiences at this vaunted institution.

The Billionaire’s Vinegar: The Mystery of the World’s Most Expensive Bottle of WineBenjamin Wallace – In 1985, in an auction by Christie’s, a 1787 bottle of Bordeaux was sold for $156,000 to a member of the Forbes family.

Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School John Medina – What scientists know about how our brain works and how that can affect our daily lives.

Catching Life by the Throat: How to Read Poetry and Why: Poems from Eight Great Poets Josephine Hart – An introduction to eight great poets that includes a CD featuring readings by notable actors.

Crazy Good: The True Story of Dan Patch, the Most Famous Horse in America Charles Leerhsen – A hundred years ago, the most famous athlete in America was a horse and became the first celebrity sports endorser.

Descent Into Chaos: The United States and the Failure of Nation Building in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia Ahmed Rashid – A Pakistani journalist reports the situation surrounding the United States’ involvement in Central Asia.

For the Thrill of It: Leopold, Loeb, and the Murder that Schocked Chicago Simon Baatz – The brutal murder of a child in Chicago, 1924, became a riveting trial in a city on the brink of anarchy.

The Forger’s Spell: A True Story of Vermeer, Nazis, and the Greatest Art Hoax of the Twentieth Century Edward Dolnick – A true story of Johannes Vermeer and the Dutch painter who impersonated him centuries after his death.

The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully Joan Chittister – The noted spiritual writer reviews the challenges and rewards of aging.

Havana Nocturne: How the Mob Owned Cuba…and Then Lost it to the Revolution T.J. English – The true tale of organized crime, political corruption and roaring nightlife that preceded the Cuban Revolution.

The House on First Street: My New Orleans Story Julia Reed – Fifteen years after falling in love with New Orleans, the author bought a house in the Garden District. Four weeks later, Hurricane Katrina struck.

Iroquois Diplomacy on the Early American Frontier Timothy J. Shannon – The story of the intricate political maneuvering that the Iroquois employed to maintain their way of life against the onslaught of colonial settlers.

Lost on Planet China: The Strange and True Story of One Man’s Attempt to Understand the World’s Most Mystifying Nation, or How He Became Comfortable Eating Live Squid J. Maarten Troost – The complex, fascinating country is viewed through entertaining lens.

Love as a Way of Life: Seven Keys to Transforming Every Aspect of Your Life Gary Chapman – The author of The Five Love Languages returns with wisdom for improving your life.

The Numerati Stephen Baker – Companies like Google are harvesting an average of 2,500 details about each of us every month. An investigation into the mathematical modeling of humanity.

Putin’s Labyrinth: Spies, Murder, and the Dark Heart of the New Russia Steve Levine – Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, Russia is veering toward its authoritarian roots.

Save the Males: Why Men Matter, Why Women Should Care Kathleen Parker – The author asserts that men, maleness and fatherhood have been under siege in American culture for decades.

Serve the People: A Stir-Fried Journey Through China Jen Lin-Liu – The exploding food scene of China is depicted in this cook’s tour that includes a variety of recipes.

Shark’s Fin and Sichuan Pepper: A Sweet-Sour Memoir of Eating in China Fuschia Dunlop – Travel, culture and food all merge in this unique look at China from a British food writer.

Slavery by Another Name: The Re-enslavement of Black People in America from the Civil War to World War II Douglas A. Blackmon – The author exposes the “Age of Neoslavery” that existed after the Civil War and forced thousands of African-Americans into servitude.

So Sexy So Soon: The New Sexualized Childhood and What Parents Can Do to Protect Their Kids Diane E. Levin and Jean Kilbourne – An examination of popular culture and its adverse effects on young people.

Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What It Says About Us) Tom Vanderbilt  – A fascinating tour through the mysteries of the road.

The War for Wealth: The True Story of Globalization, or why the Flat World is Broken Gabor Steingart – An examination of globalization and how this has affected to world’s economy and the outlook for the West.

The Way We’ll Be: The Zogby Report on the Transformation of the American Dream John Zogby – The well-known pollster views the way Americans are headed — politically, culturally and spiritually.

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running: A Memoir Haruki Murakami – The author discusses the influence that running has had on his life and his writing.

Who Killed the Constitution? The Fate of American Liberty from World War I to George W. Bush Thomas E. Woods, Jr. and Kevin R.C. Gutzman – The authors contend that the purpose of the Constitution—to limit the power of government—has been eroding for many decades.

Why We Hate Us: American Discontent in the New Millennium Dick Meyer – What is behind America’s 21st century mood disorder?

New Fiction – September 2008

Lynne

The Beach House Jane Green – When she learns she may lose her beloved house, Nantucket resident Nan takes out an ad — rooms to rent for the summer.

The Betrayal: The Lost Life of Jesus Kathleen O’Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear – An alternate story of the life of Jesus, with notes and a bibliography.

Breath Tim Winton – On the wild coast of western Australia, two boys fall into the thrall of Sando, a big-wave surfer.

The Condition Jennifer Haigh – The McKotch family is devastated upon learning about the medical condition of their only daughter.

The Court of the Air Stephen Hunt – Fantasy and adventure merge in this tale of two orphans, Molly Templar and Oliver Brooks, as they battle to save civilization.

Death Angel Linda Howard – Drea Rousseau flees from crime boss boyfriend, Rafael Salinas, but after taking part of his fortune with her, can she hide?

December Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop – This emotional portrait of a family in crisis, features 11-year-old Isabelle who inexplicably stopped speaking nine months earlier.

Enlightenment Maureen Freely – Social and political complexities along with murder and espionage are featured in this tale of modern Turkey.

Exiles Ron Hansen – In December 1875 the steamship Deutschland ran aground in the Thames estuary. This shipwreck greatly affected the poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins.

Fearless Diana Palmer – Trouble and temptation clash in the Texas town of Jacobsville.

The Franchise Babe Dan Jenkins – Jack Brannon, golf writer, is bored with the men’s professional golf tour, and so he begins covering the LPGA and young Ginger Clayton, the franchise babe.

Gossip of the Starlings Nina de Gramont – As one reviewer writes: “You want a story about prep school? This is a story about prep school.”

House Rules Mike Lawson – Joe DeMarco, secret troubleshooter for the Speaker of the House, is sent on a quest for the truth after two foiled terrorist attacks and a new law is passed targeting Muslims.

The Island of Eternal Love Daina Chaviano – Alone in Miami, Cecilia yearns for the island she left behind. A story of Cuba.

The Law of Second ChancesJames Sheehan – Convict Henry Wilson has eight weeks to live, but will Jack Tobin, a Florida trial lawyer, decide to work on his case?

Mistress of the Sun Sandra Gulland – A fascinating look at the life of Louise de la Valliere as she becomes the mistress of Louis XIV.

Morality Tale Sylvia Brownrigg – The perils and pleasures of a second marriage are portrayed in this comic novel.

My Sister, My Love: The Intimate Story of Skyler Rampike Joyce Carol Oates –The prolific author tells the story of a family that is quite similar to a recent infamous case.

No Choice but Seduction Johanna Lindsey – Danger and intrigue await Katey Tyler on her grand tour of Europe written by a “master of historical romance.”

No One You Know Michelle Richmond – A family drama that focuses on the search for a sister’s killer that leads to secrets, revelations, and damaged lives.

Palace Council Stephen Carter – A political thriller set during the era of Watergate and the Vietnam War written by a highly regarded author.

Promise of the Wolves Dorothy Hearst – Many generations ago, wolves and still-evolving humans communicated and hunted together. Then everything changed and war began.

The Richest Season Maryann McFadden – After more than a dozen moves in 25 years of marriage, Joanna Harrison is lonely and tired of being a corporate wife. Faced with another move, she runs away to Pawleys Island, South Carolina.

Say Goodbye Lisa Gardner – Kimberly Quincy, FBI Special Agent, is searching for a serial killer who may not even exist.

Secrets of a Shoe Addict Beth Harbison – Four friends are in need of thousands of dollars, and fast. The secret that kept Sandra’s shoe addiction alive may be the perfect plan.

Silent Thunder Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen – An American maritime museum has acquired a former Soviet submarine. Is it a trap? Marine architect Hannah Bryson investigates.

The Sister Poppy Adams – Two sisters, reclusive Ginny and her younger sister Vivien meet again after nearly fifty years.

Sweet Love Sarah Strohmeyer – A novel about the power of love … and desert.

This Charming Man Marian Keyes – Four women explore how their love for one man, the debonair Paddy de Courcy, has shaped their lives.

Valfierno: The Man Who Stole the Mona LisaMartin Caparrós – On August 22, 1911, the world was shocked to learn that the Mona Lisa had been stolen from the Louvre. A fictional version of the real life crime.

New Nonfiction – July 2008

Lynne

Against Happiness: In Praise of Melancholy Eric G. Wilson – Are Americans addicted to happiness? Are we supposed to always be happy?

April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Death and How It Changed America Michael Eric Dyson – A review of the impact of the death of the leader whose last speech ended with, “I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight, that we as a people will get to the Promised Land.”

Bad Money: Reckless Finance, Failed Politics, and the Global Crisis of American Capitalism Kevin Phillips – Has the financial sector hijacked the American economy and put the country’s future at risk?

Bastard Tongues: A Trailblazing Linguist Finds Clues to Our Common Humanity in the World’s Lowliest Languages Derek Bickerton – The firsthand story of the scientific investigation of what language is, how it works, and how it passes from generation to generation.

The Blue Zone: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest Dan Buettner – The author relates nine lessons that can help individuals have a longer life.

Cancer on Five Dollars a Day* (*Chemo Not Included) How Humor Got Me Through the Toughest Journey of My Life Robert Schimmel – A stand-up comedian is confronted with stage III non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The Candy Bombers: The Untold Story of the Berlin Airlift and America’s Finest Hour Andrei Cherny – The saga of the men who made the Berlin Airlift a great military and humanitarian success.

The China Price: The True Cost of Chinese Competitive Advantage Alexandra Harney – How can China offer low prices on goods to the rest of the world?

Covert: My Years Infiltrating the Mob Bob Delaney – Currently an NBA referee, the author relates his tale as an undercover agent who infiltrated the New Jersey Mob.

Forward from Here: Leaving Middle Age—and Other Unexpected Adventures  Reeve Lindbergh – As the author turns sixty, she reflects on what her mother, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, once described as “the youth of old age.”

The Great Arab Conquests: How the Spread of Islam Changed the World We Live In Hugh Kennedy – A readable history of the Islamic expansion that created an empire from Spain to China.

Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon and the Journey of a Generation Sheila Weller – Although these three women were the musical representatives of the girls who came of age in the 1960s, each artist is portrayed individually.

Havanas in Camelot: Personal Essays William Styron – A collection of the late author’s essays including the title essay about the cigar smoking President Kennedy.

Human Smoke: The Beginnings of World War II, the End of CivilizationNicholas Baker – A wide-ranging chronological look at the political and social landscape that gave rise to World War II .

In Arabian Nights: A Caravan of Moroccan Dreams Tahir Shah – Tahir travels across Morocco and collects traditional stories and reveals the layers of culture of which most visitors are unaware.

Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation Cokie Roberts – The story of early America’s influential women and their public roles and private responsibilities.

Liberty of Conscience: In Defense of America’s Tradition of Religious Equality Martha C. Nussbaum – Is the legacy of religious freedom that was a triumph of early American history in danger?

Maps and Legends: Reading and Writing Along the Borderlands Michael Chabon – Essays celebrating the creativity and verve of various authors and literary traditions.

Mistaken Identity: Two Families, One Survivor, Unwavering Hope Don Van Ryn – From a national news case, the story of two families whose daughters were misidentified and one was buried under the wrong name.

Pure Goldwater John W. Dean and Barry M. Goldwater, Jr. – The writings of the presidential candidate and an early leader of the conservative movement.

Reappraisals: Reflections on the Forgotten Twentieth Century Tony Judt – Today’s world is so unlike the world of even 20 years ago that we are now part of an “age of forgetting.”

Retribution: The Battle for Japan, 1944-45 Max Hastings – The final year of the Pacific war by a notable author.

Staring at the Sun: Overcoming the Terror of Death Irvin D. Yalom – An encouraging approach to the universal issue of mortality.

The Ten Most Beautiful Experiments George Johnson – Ten of the most fascinating experiments in the history of science are depicted by the New York Times science writer.

Time Bandit: Two Brothers, the Bering Sea and One of the World’s Deadliest Jobs Andy and Johnathan Hillstrand – Fishing in the Bering Sea is a lucrative, but deadly occupation. Two of the masters of this trade have been the focus of TV’s Deadliest Catch and relate the background story of their life’s work.

Twenty Chickens for a Saddle: The Story of an African Childhood Robyn Scott – When the author was 7-years-old, her family decided to move from New Zealand to a converted cowshed in rural Botswana.

Uncertain Peril: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Seeds Claire Hope Cummings – The stories behind the rise of industrial agriculture and plant biotechnology are related along with a description of the Arctic Doomsday Vault that houses millions of seeds.

The World that Made New Orleans: From Spanish Silver to Congo Square Ned Sublette – The remarkable tale of the New Orleans’ first century.

New Mysteries – June 2008

Lynne

The Abyssinian Proof Jenny White – Turkish magistrate Kamil Pasha must deal with the theft of valuable antiquities in nineteenth century Istanbul.

Assassins at Ospreys R.T. Raichev – Hugh and Antonia Darcy try to prevent a murder, but find themselves investigating a gruesome death instead.

Close Call John McEvoy – Celia McCann struggles to keep Chicago racetrack, Monee Park, open, but other forces, including hired thugs, are trying to force her to sell the land to developers.

The Cruelest Month Louise Penny – It’s spring in the tiny Canadian village of Three Pines, but relationships there are less idyllic than they seem.

Dark Tide Andrew Gross – Was a deadly conspiracy behind the explosion at New York City’s Grand Central Station and a suspicious hit-an-run accident in Greenwich, Connecticut?

A Deadly Paradise Grace Brophy – Commissario Cenni investigates the murder of a retired German cultural attaché in the peaceful Umbrian town of Paradiso.

The Death Dealer Heather Graham – Genevieve O’Brien knows about nightmares, but a new menace stalking the streets of New York, is not a dream.

Delusion Peter Abrahams – Twenty years after Nell Jarreau witnessed the murder of her boyfriend, the man who was convicted is being released and has been exonerated on new evidence.

The Devil’s Bones Jefferson Bass – During an investigation into a suspicious death, forensic anthropologist Bill Brockton tries an unorthodox experiment to help solve the case.

Fathers and Sins Jo Bannister – Agnes is drawn into an unknown, complex world of her new fiancé and his strange son.

From Dead to Worse Charlaine Harris – Sookie Stackhouse returns in this tale about the supernatural community in Bon Temps, Louisiana.

The Front Patricia Cornwell – What lies behind the Front? Massachusetts state investigator Win Garano will soon find out.

The Girl of His Dreams Donna Leon – Commissario Guido Brunetti of Venice is faced with the murder of a young gypsy girl in another evocative novel by an increasingly popular author.

Goodbye, Ms. Chips Dorothy Cannell – Ellie Haskell returns to St. Roberta’s boarding school to discover who has stolen an important sports trophy and is seeking to embarrass the school. Can a murder be far behind?

A Grave in Gaza Matt Beynon Rees – Palestinian history teacher, Omar Yussef, travels to the Gaza Strip where is he part of an inspection team of UN schools.

Hold Tight Harlan Coben – Tia and Mike Baye are alarmed to learn that the mother of a young suicide victim believes that their 16-year-old son was involved.

Hollywood Crows Joseph Wambaugh – Seduction, black-market booze, burglary, and murder in Hollywood.

Last Post Robert Barnard – After the death of her mother, Eve McNabb receives a puzzling letter that hints at a mysterious life her mother may have lived.

The Lost Roberta Kray – P.I. Harry Lind doesn’t believe in ghosts, but a brutal murder makes him think again.

The Miracle at Speedy Motors Alexander McCall Smith – The wonderful Precious Ramotswe investigates new problems and discovers that the biggest miracles in life are often the small ones.

Mummy Dearest Joan Hess – Claire Malloy, bookseller from Farberville, Arkansas, has finally married Lt. Peter Rosen of the local police department. Their strange honeymoon in Luxor, Egypt soon has creepy overtones.

The Paper Moon Andrea Camilleri – Italian Inspector Montalbano is beset by some thorny existential problems that have to be put on hold, when a particularly gruesome murder demands his attention.

Seven for a Secret Mary Reed and Eric Mayer – Lord Chamberlain John hopes to find the answer the murder of woman in the smoky streets of Constantinople.

The Sudoku Puzzle Murders Parnell Hall – Cora Felton and her niece, Sherry must solve a puzzle and a murder, before the killer strikes again.

Unknown Means Elizabeth Becka – Forensic specialist Evelyn James is called in to investigate what appears to be a locked-room mystery: a wealthy woman is murdered in a high security penthouse suite.

Vita Nuova Magdalen Nabb – The oldest daughter of the Paoletti family has been killed in their villa outside of Florence. Marshal Guarnaccia is called in.

Wicked City Ace Atkins – An historical crime novel that depicts Phenix City, Alabama, a city that Look magazine called “the wickedest city in America.”

Wild Inferno Sandi Ault – Bureau of Land Management Agent, Jamaica Wild, is deployed to a wildfire on the Southern Ute reservation.

Zapped Carol Higgins Clark – Regan and Jack Reilly return with an adventure that features the New York blackout of 2003.

New Fiction – June 2008

Lynne

The Angel Carla Neggers – Along a remote coast of Ireland, Keira Sullivan pursues the mysterious legend of an ancient Celtic stone angel. During her search, she senses a malevolent presence…

Belong to Me Marisa de los Santos – Cornelia Brown and her husband Teo find that life in the suburbs is one of secrets and complex interactions.

Cathedral of the SeaI Ildefonso Falcones – Translated from the Spanish this worldwide bestseller centers on the building of a church in medieval Barcelona.

Child 44 Tom Rob Smith – In Stalinist Russia, Leo Demidov, an officer with the State Security Force, has been denounced. To save his life he must uncover a criminal, though even suggesting the existence of a murderer is a crime against the State.

Comfort Food Kate Jacobs – The author of The Friday Night Knitting Club focuses on a celebrity cook who learns how to spice up her own life.

The Crystal Skull Manda Scott – A blue crystal skull fashioned by the Maya to save the world from ruin is the focal point a thriller that posits the end of the world on December 21, 2012.

A Dangerous Age Ellen Gilchrist – Controversy and sadness seems to be part of the life of the southern family of the Hands, especially following the events of 9/11.

Dead Heat Joel Rosenberg – As a presidential race heats up in a fiercely contested election, who will lead a bitterly divided country over the next four years? What has the Secret Service learned about a terrorist plot?

Escape Robert K. Tanenbaum – New York City D.A. Butch Karp faces two different situations that become shockingly similar.

Fear and Yoga in New Jersey Debra Galant – Nina, a stressed-out yoga teacher should be calmly guiding her students through their sessions, but instead is worried about … everything.

The Finder Colin Harrison – A tale of global intrigue that takes place in New York City.

A Good Indian Wife Anne Cherian – Neel Sarath, an Indian-American anesthesiologist in San Francisco finds that the marriage his family arranges presents a new and unexpected set of challenges.

The Host Stephenie Meyer – Most of humanity has succumbed to an unseen enemy that inhabits humans as a host, their minds taken over. Melanie is one of the few remaining “wild” humans.

Killing Rommel Steven Pressfield – A tale of World War II based on the real life exploits of theLong Range Desert Group, an elite British special forces unit that took on the “Desert Fox.”

The Lady Elizabeth Alison Weir – A look at the early life of young Elizabeth Tudor who would grow up to become England’s most powerful queen.

Love the One You’re With Emily Griffin – An answer to the question: how can I love the one I’m with when I can’t forget the one who got away?

Moon Shell Beach Nancy Thayer – Lexi Laney and Clare Hart find their adult lives to be quite different than their childhood friendship shared on Nantucket.

The Outlander Gil Adamson – In 1903 a mysterious young woman flees alone across the West, fleeing from those who would avenge her husband’s death.

Practically Perfect Katie Fforde – Anna, a new interior designer, decides to renovate an adorable cottage in desperate need of fixing up.

Secrets Jude Deveraux – Cassandra Madden meets once again with her true love, but must solve the secrets of those around her to find happiness.

Skeletons at the Feast Chris Bohjalian – The brutal landscape of Nazi Germany is depicted as a band of refugees struggle westward ahead of the advancing Russian army.

So Brave, Young, and Handsome Leif Enger – The author of Peace Like a River, returns with the story of anaging train robber on a quest to reclaim his life.

The Steel Wave: A Novel of World War II Jeff Shaara – The story of D-Day, the Allies’ invasion of France, is told through the stories of an array of dynamic characters.

The Sugar Queen Sarah Addison Allen – The follow-up to the author’s Garden Spells sees Josey Cirrini’s life expand -thanks to tough-talking, tender-hearted Della Lee.

Swine Not?: A Novel Pig Tale Jimmy Buffett – A Southern family is determined to hide their pet pig in a fancy four-star hotel in New York City. Vintage Buffett.

The Tenth Gift Jane Johnson – In London, Julia Lovat receives a gift that will change her life. A book of 17th century embroidery patterns sends her to Morocco on a quest to discover the life story of Catherine Ann Tregenna.

We Are Now Beginning Our Descent James Meek – Adam Kellas, journalist and would-be novelist, is teetering toward self-destruction when he accepts an assignment to remote Afghanistan.

The World Before Her Deborah Weisgall – Venice is the setting for the story of George Eliot who came to the famed city for her honeymoon, and a parallel story of Caroline Spingold who also travels to Venice one hundred years later, in 1980.

New Biographies – May 2008

Lynne

Audition: A Memoir Barbara Walters – The legendary television journalist examines her own life and the many individuals she has known and interviewed.

The Bin Ladens: An Arabian Family in the American Century Steve Coll – The history of the family that within two generations emerged from a poor desert canyon to being oil rich millionaires.

Chasing the Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World Samantha Power – Mello, the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights, was killed in a terrorist attack on UN headquarters in Iraq in 2003.

Freedom’s Prophet: Bishop Richard Allen, the AME Church, and the Black Founding Fathers Richard S. Newman – Securing his freedom during the American Revolution, Bishop Allen was a tireless minister, abolitionist and reformer and a very influential figure of the nineteenth century.

The Good Fight: Hard Lessons from Searchlight to Washington Harry Reid – The Senate majority leader recounts the story of his life from very humble beginnings.

Hats & Eyeglasses: A Family Love Affair with Gambling Martha Frankel – The author grew up in a warm, loving family of die-hard gamblers, where just about everything was a situation for a bet.

Home: A Memoir of My Early Years Julie Andrews – The story of the famous actress/singer during her childhood in war-torn Britain and to her new stardom in America.

Hope’s Boy Andrew Bridge – At the age of seven, the author was taken from his mother and spent the next decade in foster care. Having graduated from Harvard Law School, he is now an advocate for children’s rights.

I’m Looking Through You: Growing Up Haunted: A Memoir Jennifer Finney Boylan – The author, an English professor, grew up in a haunted house in Pennsylvania as a boy who longed to become a girl.

The Last Lecture Randy Pausch – The professor of CMU who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer gave a “last lecture” that was a summation of all that he had come to believe.

The Legend of Colton H. Bryant Alexandra Fuller – The short and tragic life of a Wyoming cowboy who goes to work on an oil rig.

Life Beyond Measure: Letters to My Great-Granddaughter Sidney Poitier – The famous actor and author reflects on his amazing life and offers inspirational advice and personal stories.

A Life with Karol: My Forty-Year Friendship with the Man Who Became Pope Stanislaw Dziwisz – A close-up glimpse into the beloved Pope’s life and the critical events of his papacy.

Madness: A Bipolar Life Marya Hornbacher – At the age of 24, the author was diagnosed with Type I rapid-cycle bipolar, the most severe form of bipolar disorder.

Magnifico: The Brilliant Life and Violent Times of Lorenzo de’Medici Miles J. Unger – The uncrowned ruler of Florence during its golden age was a pivotal figure of the Renaissance.

The Man Who Loved China: The Fantastic Story of the Eccentric Scientist Who Unlocked the Mysteries of the Middle Kingdom Simon Winchester – An eccentric Englishman who explored the scientific advances of the Chinese people, is depicted by the author of The Professor and the Madman.

The Man Who Made Lists: Love, Death, Madness, and the creation of Roget’s Thesaurus Joshua Kendall – At the young age of eight, Roget began his quest to put everything in its rightful place, one word at a time.

Marie-Thérèse, Child of Terror: The Fate of Marie Antoinette’s Daughter Susan Nagel – The remarkable story of the royal child who was imprisoned and orphaned during the French Revolution.

Maya Angelou: A Glorious Celebration Marcia Ann Gillespie, Rosa Johnson Butler and Richard A. Long– The life story of Dr. Angelou is featured along with numerous photographs and letters from her years as an activist, writer, performer, and teacher.

Never Give In: Battling Cancer in the Senate Arlen Specter – The senator from Pennsylvania tells the story of his work in the senate and as a cancer survivor.

The Place to Be: Washington, CBS, and the Glory Days of Television News Roger Mudd – A chronicle of the consuming passion for news during this reporter’s career.

The Prince of Frogtown Rick Bragg – The author of All Over but the Shoutin’ and Ava’s Man continues with a tale about fathers and sons.

Shakespeare’s Wife Germaine Greer – The author resets the story of Shakespeare’s marriage in its social context and disputes the negative impression that many authors have assumed about the wife of the Bard.

sTori Telling Tori Spelling – The life of the actress, and daughter of producer Aaron Spelling, who was known for her role in Beverly Hills, 90210.

The Sum of Our Days Isabel Allende – The famous Chilean writer, relates the story of her life after the death of her daughter and shares her thoughts on love, marriage, motherhood, spirituality and memory.

Swallow the Ocean Laura M. Flynn – The author and her two sisters experienced life with a difficult mother who was suffering from schizophrenia.

A Wolf at the Table: A Memoir of My Father Augusten Burroughs – The author of Running with Scissors returns with a heartbreaking look at life with his father.

Woman of the House: The Rise of Nancy Pelosi Vincent Bzdek – A look at the life and career of the country’s most powerful woman.

New Mysteries – April 2008

Lynne

Another Thing to Fall Laura Lippman – Tess Monaghan is confronted with lies, murder and manipulation as a television series is filmed in Baltimore.

Aunt Dimity: Vampire Hunter Nancy Atherton – This 13th Aunt Dimity mystery features the sighting by Lori Shepherd’s 5-year-old twins, of a strange, cloaked figure with bloodstained lips lurking in the woods.

Blood of the Wicked Leighton Gage – In the remote Brazilian town of Cascatas do Pontal, the bishop, arriving to consecrate a new church, is assassinated.

The Blue Door David Fulmer – Ex-boxer Eddie Cero investigates the cold case that involves the lead singer for the Excels, one of Philadelphia’s best soul acts.

Carrot Cake MurderJoanne Fluke – Hannah Swensen, owner of the Cookie Jar bakery, must deal with the murder of Uncle Gus during a family reunion.

Cross Ken Bruen – Jack Taylor searches for the perpetrator of a horrible murder in Galway, Ireland.

Curse of the Spellmans Lisa Lutz – The dysfunctional family of private investigators returns with another entertaining story of suspicion, surveillance and surprise.

Death Walked In Carolyn Hart – One of the author’s Death on Demand Mysteries, features Max and Annie Darling as a strange mystery confronts them during the renovation of the older home they are restoring.

Frail Barrier Edward Sklepowich – As Venice prepares for the annual regatta, Urbino Macintyre finds himself dragged into an intriguing mystery.

Friend of the Devil Peter Robinson – This British procedural, featuring Chief Inspector Alan Banks and Detective Inspector Annie Cabbot, focuses on two chilling crimes.

Gone to Ground John Harvey – A shocking death may have resulted from a biographer getting too close to the truth about fifties film star, Stella Leonard.

Goodbye Sister Disco James Patrick Hunt – Lt. George Hastings of the St. Louis Police Department is working with the FBI to solve the politically motivated kidnapping of the daughter of a wealthy businessman.

The Headhunters Peter Lovesey – Does a seemingly innocent conversation on “how to murder your boss” have more sinister overtones?

Houston Homicide Bill Crider and Clyde Wilson – Houston, Texas, 1969, and Detective Ted Stephens is looking into a gruesome multiple homicide.

An Incomplete Revenge Jacqueline Winspear – Psychologist and investigator, Maisie Dobbs, delves into a strange series of crimes in the quaint village of Kent.

New Mysteries – March 2008

Lynne

The Anatomy of Deception Lawrence Goldstone – A forensic thriller from 1889 Philadelphia features Dr. Carroll as he grapples with the principles of the scientific process to track a daring killer.

The Apostate’s Tale Margaret Frazer – In the spring of 1452, Dame Frevisse is reunited with a lost soul she never expected to see again. This is the latest title in a popular series.

As the World Churns Tamar Myers – Mennonite innkeeper Magdalena Yoder may be newly married, but she is still faced with a new mystery at the Hernia Holstein Competition.

Blue Heaven C.J. Box – A ticking-clock plot finds rancher Jess Rawlins hoping to protect two children who were unintended witnesses to murder, from the author of the Joe Pickett novels.

The Book of Old Houses Sarah Graves – Jacobia Tiptree discovers a mysterious book during the course of her renovation of an 1823 house in a quaint seaside town in Maine.

The Chameleon’s Shadow Minette Walters – When British lieutenant Charles Acland returns from Iraq with a serious head injury, his personality is changed, but would he be capable of murder?

Death of a Gentle Lady M.C. Beaton – The elderly Mrs. Gentle may not be all that she appeared, especially after she is found murdered.

Down Into Darkness David Lawrence – London Detective Stella Mooney is faced with a series of gruesome murders that are connected, but how?

Extracurricular Activities Maggie Barbieri – Alison Bergeron, English professor, is involved in cozy murder replete with romance, humor and suspense.

The Eye of Jade Diane Wei Liang – Mei Wang is a modern, independent woman in today’s Beijing. She is also the city’s first successful female private investigator.

Gas City Loren D. Estleman – The black heart of Gas City is exposed in this tale of lust, power, revenge and madness.

Hand of Evil J. A. Jance – Ali Reynolds becomes involved in a series of grisly murders committed by a killer who is crisscrossing the Southwest.

The Mortal Groove Ellen Hart – Jane Lawless, restaurateur and amateur sleuth is celebrating New Year’s Eve when her party takes a different turn.

Of Blood and Sorrow Valerie Wilson Wesley – Private investigator, Tamara Hayle discovers how the ties that bind can also become a noose.

A Pale Horse Charles Todd – Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge is searching for a missing man, but the result is a shocking killing spree.

Person of Interest Theresa Schwegel – Leslie McHugh is married to an undercover cop, who has more secrets that even she is willing to ignore.

Plum Lucky Janet Evanovich – Stephanie Plum is back with a between-the-numbers, off-the-wall mystery caper.

Prayer of the Dragon Eliot Pattison – Former Beijing investigator, Shan Tao Yun is on parole from a Tibetan work camp when his skills are needed after two men are murdered in a remote village.

The Purrfect Murder Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown – Is Mrs. Murphy and her associate Mary Minor a match for a killer who has made everyone in Crozet, Virginia a suspect?

Saturday’s Child Ray Banks – A hard-boiled British mystery that features Cal Innes who is fresh out of prison, by a writer who has been compared to Ian Rankin.

The Seduction of the Crimson Rose Lauren Willig – Another episode from the Pink Carnation series featuring Lord Vaughn who is a British spy during the Napoleonic era.

The Serpent’s Daughter Suzanne Arruda – Adventure and suspense abound as American adventuress Jade del Cameron faces murder and a kidnapping in 1920’s Tangier.

Stranger in Paradise Robert B. Parker – Police Chief Jesse Stone faces his most fearsome adversary in this latest book by the author of the famed Spenser novels.

T is for Trespass Sue Grafton – The latest Kinsey Millhone adventure may be her most unsettling to date.

Three Shirt Deal Stephen J. Cannell – LAPD detective Shane Scully fights to save a man railroaded for murder.

Touchstone Laurie R. King – Intrigue, terrorism and explosive passions ignite after a visit to a remote cottage in Cornwall and a meeting with the man code-named Touchstone.

Voices Arnaldur Indriđason – The author of Silence of the Grave, the Gold Dagger award-winner, returns with another Icelandic mystery featuring Inspector Erlendur Sveinsson.

Watchman Ian Rankin – Miles Flint, government spy, has been making some serious mistakes, but something else is wrong at the agency that has nothing to do with his errors.

New Fiction – February 2008

Lynne

The Air Between Us Deborah Johnson – A complex story about friendship and honor in a small racially divided Mississippi town during the sixties.

The Appeal John Grisham – A jury returns a shocking verdict against a chemical company accused of dumping toxic waste. The company appeals to the Mississippi Supreme Court in this legal thriller.

At the City’s Edge Marcus Sakey – Jason Palmer, soldier, and Elena Cruz, a Chicago cop, find themselves thrown together as they fight to protect Jason’s young nephew who had seen his father murdered.

Beaufort Ron Leshem – The recipient of the Israel’s top literary prize, this novel illuminates the lives of a handful of Israeli soldiers who occupy the ancient crusader fortress, Beaufort.

Beverly Hills Dead Stuart Woods – Murder, political intrigue and betrayal set in 1940’s Hollywood.

Capitol Conspiracy William Bernhardt – Oklahoma defense attorney Ben Kincaid finds himself in a campaign of terror against key government officials in the nation’s capital.

The Commoner John Burnham Schwartz – In 1959, Haruko marries the Crown Prince of Japan and enters the rarified, controlled world of the Japanese monarchy. Starred reviews.

De Niro’s Game Rawi Hage – A cinematic portrait of life in war-torn Beirut from the perspective of two friends, Bassam and George.

Duma Key Stephen King – Recuperating from a construction accident, Edgar Freemantle’s life takes a supernatural turn as he recuperates on Duma Key.

Fanon John Edgar Wideman – A fictional interpretation of philosopher and political activist, Frantz Fanon, by the well-known Pittsburgh native.

The Heroines Eileen Favorite – Heroines of classic literature seem to find the Homestead Bed-and-Breakfast a favorite destination.

His Illegal Self Peter Carey – A young seven year old, Che, dreams of reuniting with his radical sixties parents, and escapes his grandmother in the hope of finding his mother.

Ice Trap Kitty Sewell – Dafydd Woodruff, a surgeon in present-day Cardiff, Wales, receives a letter from a 13-year-old girl claiming to be his daughter and to have a twin brother. This shattering news sends him to the far reaches of Canada.

Kyra Carol Gilligan – Kyra, an architect, is involved with the design of a new city when she meets Andreas, and faces far-reaching consequences.

L.A. Outlaws T. Jefferson Parker – A celebrity obsessed modern-day Jesse James with the name of Allison Murietta, creates a frenzy in Los Angeles.

Life Class Pat Barker – During the spring of 1914, three young people are part of a love triangle, but the devastation of World War I will change their lives and love.

Light of the Moon Luanne Rice – Susannah Connolly travels to France to fulfill her mother’s dying wish to find a mysterious saint linked to her family’s history.

Like You’d Understand Anyway Jim Shepard – A notable collection of stories that is a finalist for the National Book Award.

Miscarriage of Justice Kip Gayden – Based on actual events, Anna Dotson is a passionate modern woman of the 1900’s who finds herself stifled by the lingering outdated rules of Victorian society.

Monsters of Templeton Lauren Groff – Willie Upton returns to her home in Templeton, New York, and learns how one town holds the secrets of her family.

The Opposite of Love Julie Buxbaum – Manhattan attorney Emily Haxby ends a happy relationship just as her boyfriend is on the verge of proposing.

New Nonfiction – January 2008

Lynne

Basic Black: The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life) Cathie Black – Insights and fascinating stories from the president of Hearst Magazines that can help you move ahead.

Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting: Real Talk for When There’s Nowhere to Go But Up Terrie M. Williams – The author deals with the problem and solutions to depression as experienced by African-Americans.

Blooding at Great Meadows: Young George Washington and the Battle that Shaped the Man Alan Axelrod – As a 22-year-old, Washington led 400 American militiamen against an experienced French army.

The Brain Trust Program: A Scientifically Based Three-Part Plan to Improve Memory, Elevate Mood, Enhance Attention, Alleviate Migraine and Menopausal Symptoms, and Boost Mental Energy Larry McCleary – Ways to improve the overall health of your brain.

Coal River Michael Shnayerson – Dramatic environmental battles are being fought in the mountains of West Virginia, especially against mountain top removal.

Chic: The Guide to Life as It Should Be Colin Cowie – The noted event planner explains how to live a gracious life on any budget.

Come to Think of It: Notes on the Turn of the Millennium Daniel Schorr – The author’s observations on politics and American life over the years from 1990 to the present by the well known commentator.

Details Men’s Style Manual: The Ultimate Guide for Making Your Clothes Work for You Daniel Peres – A well-illustrated guide to the apropos in men’s fashion.

Discover Your Inner Wisdom: Using Intuition, Logic, and Common Sense to Make Your Best Choices Char Margolis – How to make wise choices by tapping in to your own intuition.

Discovering God: The Origins of the Great Religions and the Evolution of Belief Rodney Stark – The origins and development of the great religions from the Stone Age to modern times is discussed in this extensive examination.

Get Rich, Stay Rich, Pass It On: The Wealth Accumulation Secrets of America’s Richest Families Catherine S. McBreen and George H. Walper, Jr. – The authors state that there may be many ways to get rich, but only two ways to ensure perpetual wealth.

Grow Your Money! 101 Easy Tips to Plan, Save, and Invest Jonathan D. Pond – Financial advice from a well-know advisor.

Happy for No Reason: 7 Steps to Being Happy from the Inside Out Marci Shimoff – The author explains how to be a happier person regardless of one’s circumstances.

How Not to Look Old: Fast and Effortless Way to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better Charla Krupp – Another look at an age-old problem.

In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto Michael Pollan – The author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma states that what we should eat comes down to: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

In Pursuit of Excellence: How to Win in Sport and Life Through Mental Training Terry Orlick – The author, a noted sports psychologist, provides a plan to enhance excellence in life as well as sports.

Isn’t It Their Turn to Pick Up The Check? Dealing with All of the Trickiest Money Problems Between Family and Friends—from Serial Borrowers to Serious Cheapskates Jeanne Fleming and Leonard Schwarz – A look at the embarrassing, annoying, and often emotionally charged money-related dilemmas that everyone faces.

Jim Cramer’s Stay Mad for Life: Get Rich, Stay Rich (Make Your Kids Even Richer) James J. Cramer with Cliff Mason – Lifetime investing for readers of any age from the TV guru.

Living Your Unlived Life: Coping with Unrealized Dreams and Fulfilling Your Purpose in the Second Half of Life Robert A. Johnson and Jerry M. Ruhl – Realizing the unmet dreams and hopes from earlier years can provide peace and wholeness in later years of life.

My Answer Is No…If That’s Okay with You: How Women Can Say NO and (Still) Feel Good About It Nanette Gartrell – How to set limits without jeopardizing important relationships.

Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream: A Day in the Life of Your Body Jennifer Ackerman – An exploration of the human body that reveals the importance of synchronizing our actions with our biological rhythms.

Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain John J. Ratey and Eric Haterman – The latest research shows that for your brain to function at its peak, your body needs to move.

Strong at the Broken Places: Voices of Illness, A Chorus of Hope Richard M. Cohen – The author spent three years chronicling the lives of five “citizens of sickness” and examines the situations of the chronically ill.

Surrender Is Not an Option: Defending America at the United Nations and Abroad John Bolton – The former secretary to the United Nations takes a behind-the scenes look at his work there and outlines his vision for a realistic global security arrangement.

Terra: Our 100-Million-Year-Old Ecosystem—and the Threats That Now Put It at Risk Michael Novacek – The author’s synthesis of evolutionary biology, paleontology, and modern environmental science provides an explanation of the current state of the planet.

Truth and Consequences: Special Comments on the Bush Administration’s War on American Values Keith Olbermann – Commentary from the host of Countdown with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC.

Vermeer’s Hat: The Seventeenth Century and the Dawn of the Global World Timothy Brook – A look at how rapidly the world was changing as illuminated through the paintings of Vermeer.

Winning Nice: How to Succeed in Business and Life Without Waging War Dawna Stone – How to be yourself and also have success in life.