Weekend Cooking: 2 Good Books for Foodies

Happy Saturday! As always (lately), I want to start out by wishing  you all health and safety, and I hope you are all finding enough to eat and drink as you continue to stay home and practice social distancing.

This week was my final trip to my mother's house to get the items I really wanted to keep and to take home with me. Travel was a bit stressful, but we were able to make the drive without stopping and without seeing, talking, or being near another human being. Playing it safe for us and for others was our goal.

Because I can't quite cook the way I'd like when I can't acquire needed ingredients, I don't have a cookbook review today. Instead, I'm giving you a quick overview of two foodie books I have on my reading list. One is a biography and the other is cookbook; both come out next week.

Even if I'm not cooking and baking the way I used to, reading helps me envision better days and dream of social gatherings--but not before it's safe. Here are my recommended books, in no particular order. The summaries are adapted and taken from the publishers.

The Planter of Modern Life: Louis Bromfield and the Seeds of a Food Revolution by Stephen Heyman (Norton, April 14). This biography is about Louis Bromfield, who was a well-rounded young man: a World War I ambulance driver, a Paris expat, and a famous Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist. He turned his back on the literary world, though, to return to his native Ohio to follow a wild agrarian dream. On his 600-acre farm, Malabar, he created a bit of utopia, inspiring modern America’s first generation of organic farmers and becoming an early advocate of environmentalism. Though he devoted himself to his farm, he was still very much a part of the celebrity scene, even providing the setting for Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall's wedding. A fascinating and well-wrought examination of an interesting life.

Everyone Can Bake: Simple Recipes to Master and Mix by Dominique Ansel (Simon & Schuster, April 14). This cookbook, written by a well-known French pastry chef, provides much more than just recipes for tasty desserts. Ansel helps us home bakers learn the foundations by showing us how to master simple recipes for tarts, cakes, and more, including the delicious fillings. Once we have the basics down pat, he shows us how to mix and match flavors and techniques to create our own signature treats or to copy his unique ideas, like the Cronut, which is what happens when a doughnut marries a croissant. Ansel's own story of his life in France and many of his tips and tricks fill the pages of this innovative cookbook. Get ready to be inspired.

_______

Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.

NOTE: Mr. Linky sometimes is mean and will give you an error message. He's usually wrong and your link went through just fine the first time. Grrrr.
_______

Click for more

6 December Thrillers Written by Women

The further we get into December the less interested I am in books that make me think. I want escape, and I want to be entertained. The most I want to ponder when I'm reading this month is along the lines of whodunit.

Here are a half dozen thrillers and mysteries that will suit me just fine. Which ones call to you?

A Madness of Sunshine by Nalini Singh (Berkley, Dec. 3): This is a missing person thriller set in a small town in New Zealand. The characters include an outsider big-city detective who ends up as the town's only cop and a prodigal daughter who's returned home after an eight-year hiatus. The two team up to search for clues and sort through the suspects, churning up old crimes and deep secrets among the villagers. The New Zealand countryside plays a role in this dark thriller in which everyone seems to be hiding something. Opening lines:

She returned home two hundred and seventeen days after burying her husband while his pregnant mistress sobbed so hard that she made herself sick. Anahera had stood stone-faced, staring down at the gleaming mahogany coffin she’d chosen because that was what Edward would’ve wanted. Quiet elegance and money that didn’t make itself obvious, that had been Edward’s way. Appearances above everything.

Audiobook: Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld (Penguin Audio; 10 hr; 59 min) [digital and audio copies provided by the publisher]

Reputation by Sara Shepard (Dutton, Dec. 3): This thriller involves a small Pennsylvania college town, hacked email, and a murder. When tens of thousands of personal emails are dumped into a searchable public database, all hell breaks loose. When an investigative reporter returns home to help her newly widowed sister, they can't help but start looking into the husband's death, unearthing secret upon secret while a killer remains on the loose. Opening lines:

Maybe you got it at birth. Maybe you gained it through hard work. Perhaps you have yours because you’re charitable, or ambitious, or an asshole. It’s your reputation. Everyone’s got one. And if you think reputations don’t matter, you’re wrong.

Audiobook: Narrated by Lisa Flanagan, Allyson Ryan, Phoebe Strole, Brittany Pressley, and Karissa Vacker (Penguin Audio; 13 hr, 3 min) [digital and audio copies provided by the publisher]

The Wives by Tarryn Fisher (Graydon House, Dec. 30): This psychological thriller is set in Seattle and is told through the eyes of a woman who is knowingly in a polygamist marriage, even though she has never met the other women. All is fine until it's not, and the legal wife discovers the identity of one of the other woman. She meets her, incognito, and discovers her mild-mannered husband may have a violent streak, and she begins to fear for her own safety. Opening lines:

He comes over on Thursday of every week. That’s my day, I’m Thursday. It’s a hopeful day, lost in the middle of the more important days; not the beginning or the end, but a stop. An appetizer to the weekend. Sometimes I wonder about the other days and if they wonder about me. That’s how women are, right? Always wondering about each other—curiosity and spite curdling together in little emotional puddles. Little good that does; if you wonder too hard, you’ll get everything wrong.

Audiobook: Narrated by Lauren Fortgang (Harlequin Audio; 9 hr) [digital and audio copies provided by the publisher]

All That's Bright and Gone by Eliza Nellums (Crooked Lane Books, Dec. 10): In this mystery, set in the Detroit area, six-year-old Aoife and her slightly older neighbor set out to find out what really happened to Aoife's dead brother, why her mother has been hospitalized, and what her lawyer uncle isn't telling her. The story, with themes of family, grief, secrets, and redemption, is told through Aoife's eyes. Opening lines:

I know my brother is dead. I’m not dumb like Hazel Merkowicz from up the street says.

Sometimes Mama just gets confused, is all.

Like every year on the feast of Saint Theodore, his birthday, Mama sets out an extra plate for Theo, with a candle on it instead of food because I guess Theo isn’t hungry. And Mama says, “Isn’t this nice? It’s like we’re all together again.”

Audiobook: Narrated by Jesse Vilinsky (Blackstone; 9 hr, 16 min) [digital copy provided by the publisher]

Thin Ice by Paige Shelton (Minotaur, Dec. 3): In this first in a new mystery series, a thriller author takes on a new identity and hides out in a small Alaskan town while police try to track down a man who kidnapped her. Settling into her new home, she agrees to help both the local police department and the newspaper, which gives her a good platform for researching her own assailant. Small, remote towns, however, are not always as safe as one would think. Opening lines:

The good thing about being suddenly overcome with fresh terror is that you forget everything else you were afraid of. At least temporarily.

The pilot next to me in the two-seat prop plane angled his almost toothless grin my direction and said loudly, “A little bumpy today. You’ll get used to it.”

Audiobook: Narrated by Suzie Althens (Dreamscape; 9 hr, 17 min) [digital copy provided by the publisher]

Good Girls Lie by J. T. Ellison (Mira, Dec. 30): When a British high school student gets a scholarship to an elite boarding school in Virginia, she thinks she is leaving all her troubles and dark past far away across the ocean. But mean girls, secret societies, and shadowy corners of campus haunt her and any other girl who refuses to play along with the popular kids. Can our hero truly escape her past? Opening lines:

The girl’s body dangles from the tall, iron gates guarding the school’s entrance. A closer examination shows the ends of a red silk tie peeking out like a cardinal on a winter branch, forcing her neck into a brutal angle. She wears her graduation robe and multicolored stole as if knowing she’ll never see the achievement. The last tendrils of dawn’s fog laze about her legs, which are five feet from the ground. It rained overnight and the thin robe clings to her body, dew sparkling on the edges.

Audiobook: Narrated by Fiona Hardingham (Harlequin Audio; 11 hr, 53 min) [digital and audio copies provided by the publisher]

Click for more

Today's Read: Just Watch Me by Jeff Lindsay

What's a successful professional thief with a silent conscience to do after he's already pulled off the most audacious burglary ever? Riley Wolfe has an idea: Why not steal the prize diamond of the very heavily guarded crown jewels of Iran?

Here's the beginning of the story about our new favorite anti-hero:

It was supposed to be almost spring. It didn't feel like it. Not if you were standing outdoors on the brand-new Nesselrode Plaza. A hard and bitter wind with a cold edge to it blew across the wide open space of the plaza. Nobody was surprised. This was Chicago, the Windy City. It was tough to be shocked when it lived up to its name.

—Just Watch Me by Jeff Lindsay (Dutton, Dec. 3, p. 1, ARC)

Quick Facts

• Setting: Chicago, New York, and elsewhere, contemporary times
• Circumstances: Riley Wolfe may be a thief, and sometimes a murderer, but he has his standards. The greedy, selfish one-percenters need to be brought down a peg or two, especially those who prey on the unwashed masses. Despite his questionable morals, Wolfe isn't all bad . . . after all he loves his mother and has a complex relationship with his ex-lover art forger, who sometimes helps him pull off his capers. Wolfe also has skills: he's a master of disguises, can scale the sides of tall buildings, is extremely patient and thorough, and can remain cool-headed under stress. Although Wolfe hasn't yet been caught, he isn't totally off the radar: FBI agent Frank Delgado is dead set on catching him red-handed. Can Wolfe pocket the $15 million diamond before Delgado cinches the net?
• Genre & themes: thriller, caper, suspense
• Gleaned from reviews: The plotting is supposed to be very tight with few clues to how the book is going to end. Riley Wolfe is one of those bad guys you can't help but root for. I haven't started Just Watch Me, but it's on my December list.
• Something to know: Jeff Lindsay is the author behind the Dexter Morgan character (inspiration for the Showtime series Dexter); he's no stranger to creating a good anti-hero.
• Audiobook information: Read by the author (Penguin Audio; 12 hr, 22 min).
• Acknowledgments: Thanks to the publisher for the review copy of Jeff Lindsay's Just Watch Me.

Click for more

6 True Stories for Adult Readers

Happy holiday weekend if you’re celebrating something in your part of the world (it’s Father’s Day for some, Labor Day for others). We don’t have any particular plans, but I sure hope to get in some reading time. I am backed up on my adult nonfiction (I read and reviewed kids’ nonfiction last week), and I’m bummed because there are so many great titles this month. Here are six that remain on my list. If I’m lucky, I’ll have a review for at least one of these on Monday.

Death on the Derwent: Sue Neill-Fraser’s Story by Robin Bowles (Scribe US, Aug. 27). What it’s about: In the summer of 2009, a man disappeared from his yacht on Australia Day. His partner of almost 20 years was convicted of the murder, despite the lack of evidence, including a body and a weapon. Thanks to a change in Tasmanian law, Sue Neill-Fraser has recently been given a chance to prove her innocence. Why I want to read it: The tagline of book caught my attention—“Don’t fool yourself that the innocent never go to jail.” Bowles is a well-known true-crime writer. Reviews: The book hasn’t gotten stellar reviews, though the story is definitely timely, with a potential witness coming forward and Neill-Fraser's new trial on the horizon.

Searching for Family and Traditions at the French Table by Carole Bumpus (She Writes Press, Aug. 27). What it’s about: Part travel writing, part culinary adventure, Bumpus introduces us to the French families who invited her into their homes and to their dining tables to talk about food, life, wine, and cooking. The book is organized by regions and is full of stories and musings on everyday food and kitchens, gathered from more than 70 interviews. Why I want to read it: This is so me and sounds like something I’ll eat up (pun intended). Even better, the book is subtitled “Book One,” so I hope there’s more to come. Oh, and did mention the included maps and recipes? Reviews: This book has gotten universal praise from both everyday readers and professional reviewers.

Five Days Gone by Laura Cumming (Scribner’s, Aug. 27). What it’s about: When the author’s mother was three years old (in the 1920s), she was kidnapped but recovered five days later, apparently unharmed. Her parents sheltered their daughter thereafter but never told her about the incident. Later, however, Betty learns about the kidnapping as well as other secrets concerning her early life. This book is Cumming’s attempt to help her aging mother uncover all the truths. Why I want to read it: It sounds like a fascinating story that is a mix of investigative work, the story of a family, and the story of a mother and daughter. Reviews: Reviewers have good things to say about the way Cummings was able to tease out the facts from the family stories, photographs, documents, and other sources.

Faber & Faber: The Untold Story by Toby Faber (Faber & Faber, Aug. 13). What it’s about: On the 90th anniversary of the publishing house that brought many of the greats—T. S. Eliot, Sylvia Path, Lawrence Durrell, and Marianne Moore among them—to print, the founder’s grandson, Toby Faber, tells us the stories behind the books and authors, including how the company survived the war and which books they rejected. A story of publishing, books, and a changing world. Why I want to read it: As a book lover and a long-time book editor, I must read this. I particularly relish and celebrate what the New Yorker calls “small major” independent publishers. Reviews: The history has been earning many positive reviews for its insights and behind-the-scene stories.

The Mosquito by Timothy C. Winegard (Dutton; Aug. 6). What’s it about: The subtitle explains why you should be interested in the annoying mosquito—“A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator.” You may find it hard to believe, but the mosquito has been a direct driver of human genetics, human migrations, human conflicts, and so much more. It has killed tens of billions of people throughout history and hasn’t stopped yet. The mosquito is much more than a summer annoyance. Why I want to read it: As a former anthropologist and geneticist, I’ve been thinking about the interconnections between humans and mosquitoes for decades. I want to know the newest research. (I’m planning on an audio/eGalley co-read.) Reviews: This book has gotten mixed reviews, the negatives mostly related to its length and style.

Travel Light, Move Fast by Alexandra Fuller (Penguin Press, Aug. 6). What's it about: In her latest memoir, Fuller pays tribute to and tells the story of her father, Tim. Fuller morns her father’s loss while celebrating everything about him that made her life what it is: living in the moment, hanging on to hope, embracing everything life gives you. She writes about how Tim ended up in Africa after he left England, about how he met his wife (Fuller's mother), and about his life in Zambia as a family man. She also writes about what her life has been like without him. Why I want to read it: I’ve read pretty much everything Fuller has written, and I love her observations about her family and life in general. I’ve always wanted to know more about her father. Reviews: Reviewers have nothing but positive reactions to Fuller’s storytelling abilities.

Click for more

Today's Read: Never Tell by Lisa Gardner

If you were a police detective and found a woman holding a literal smoking gun in the same room as her freshly shot and dead husband, who would you pin for the murder? Boston Sergeant Detective D. D. Warren makes the obvious connection. The book opens from the perspective of Evie, the woman with the gun:

By the time I pull my car into the garage, my hands are shaking on the wheel. I tell myself I have no reason to feel so nervous. I tell myself I’ve done nothing wrong. I still sit there an extra beat, staring straight ahead, as if some magic answer to the mess that is my life will appear in the windshield.

It doesn’t.

—Never Tell by Lisa Gardner (Dutton, Aug. 6, p. 1, paperback)

Quick Facts

• Setting: Boston, modern times
• Circumstances: Although police find pregnant schoolteacher Evelyn Carter holding a just-shot gun, she swears she's innocent of her husband's death. Detective Warren has cause to disbelieve Evie, especially because years ago Warren investigated her for the supposed accidental shooting of her father. On the other hand, one of Warren's informants, Flora Dane, disagrees. Dane, a kidnapping survivor, recognizes the late-Conrad Carter as being a friend of her captor. The two woman are on the same case but not necessarily on the same side. Yet each wants the answer to this question: Did Evie kill her husband?
• Genre & themes: police procedural murder mystery mixed with psychological thriller; themes of family, marriage, secrets, PTSD
• Why I want to read it: Gardner is a master of suspense, and this latest pairing of D. D. Warren and Flora Dane has gotten nothing but praise.
• Extra things to know: This is the tenth book in the Warren series and the third featuring victim-turned-vigilante Flora Dane. The paperback edition, along with a great new cover (shown here), comes out today. For more on Gardner be sure to visit her website.
• Acknowledgments: Thanks to Dutton for the digital review copy of Lisa Gardner's Never Tell.

Click for more

7 Crime Fiction Picks: The Shallow Edition

I often judge a book by its cover. Yeah, admit it, you do too. I’m also big into escape reading (see last Friday’s post). Thus today’s mystery/thriller round-up is heavily into the covers and all about getting lost in someone else’s problems. Hello, summer; I welcome your long days of reading on the porch (on the deck, by the pool, on the beach, on the train, in the cabin . . .).

I Want to Go There

I’m in love with the cover of Bone Deep by Sandra Ireland (Gallery Books, June 11). I downloaded an eGalley of this psychological thriller set on a semi-isolated estate because of it. The plot involves a baker, a writer, an unlikely assistant, supposed accidents, and long ago deaths. I’ve already started it and I’m hooked. Can you sense a theme? I was absolutely drawn to the cover photo of The Perfect Plan by Bryan Reardon (Dutton, June 18) and was also swayed by the comp to The Marsh King’s Daughter, which I really liked. This one involves a kidnapping, brothers, politics, and a hidden past and is set in Delaware. Anyone ready for a walk around the pond?

Show Me Your Face

It’s so typical of crime fiction to hide the face of the women on the covers. Is it because we’ll guess the ending if we could see their faces? (That’s a joke, folks.) I picked Dear Wife by Kimberley Belle (Park Row; June 35) because it involves a missing woman, new identities, secrets, and possible crimes. Plus, Belle wrote the very popular Three Days Missing. We get a better glimpse of the woman on the cover of The Starter Wife by Nina Laurin (Grand Central; June 11) but still can’t quite ID her. This one revolves around a supposed drowning, a second wife, an unreliable narrator, and a past that comes back to haunt. Laurin is a sure bet for suspense. Even historical mysteries get into the Who’s that woman? act, as seen on the cover of Jennifer Ashley’s Death in Kew Gardens (Berkley, June 4). This third in a series set in Victorian London features Chinese tea, a murder, government officials, and a downstairs cook. Lots of fun and well-researched period details.

Deceptively Attractive

At first glance the dragonfly and bright flowers on the cover of Her Daughter’s Mother by Daniela Petrova (Putnam; June 18) look pretty. But a closer look shows the wilty petals and hints at something darker. Set in New York City, this thriller features a stalker, obsession, and fertility alternatives. Oddly, this too is comp’d to The Marsh King’s Daughter. I love the fun cover—including the kitties!—on Kate Carlisle’s The Book Supremacy (June 4, Berkley), but appearances can be deceptive. This cozy mystery series, set in San Francisco, features twisty multiple murders that always have a bookish theme. If you like light mysteries, I strongly recommend Carlisle, one of my go-to authors.

Click for more

5 Books about Ourselves and Our World: June Nonfiction

A few days ago I was involved with an email conversation with a blogger friend of mine about the path our reading lives have taken in the last couple of a years. We were in agreement: we find ourselves turning more and more to escape reading (with some nonfiction thrown into the mix) and less and less to heavy, deep books. Coincidentally, I saw a similar conversation between two other blogger friends on Twitter just yesterday.

Perhaps it's the political climate or perhaps it's 11 years of blogging. I don't have the answer, but I'm happy to know that I'm not alone. Today's post is all about June's nonfiction that I still plan to read. I've made some headway on some of these, and hope to have fuller thoughts soon.

Childfree by Choice by Amy Blackstone (Dutton, June 11): This look at "redefining family" is written by a research sociologist and professor who is herself, child free by choice. Blackstone's book (and her research) explores why choosing not to be a parent is still controversial, how that choice affects a couple's relationship to their extended families and friends, and what it all might mean for our world at large. Spoiler: she sees many positives. Granted, you might dismiss her as defending her own lifestyle choice, but Blackstone backs up her conclusions. You can get a sense of her work and her humor on her popular blog, We're {Not} Having a Baby. Why I want to read this: I'm drawn to Childfree by Choice for a couple of reasons. First, I too am child free, mostly by choice and somewhat by failing to choose. Second, I'm interested in the author's academic viewpoint, which I suspect will differ from some of the more popular (trade) reporting on what it means to opt out of parenthood.

Giants of the Monsoon Forest by Jacob Shell (Norton, June 11): This is a kind of ethnography written by a geology professor about the relationship between humans and elephants in Burma and India. Most of us have two visions of elephants: wild and roaming the African savanna or serving the tourist industry in southeast Asia or perhaps doing tricks in a circus. In fact, elephants of the southern Asian rain forests have had a long relationship with humans, similar to the Western idea of humans and horses. They work with and for people, and develop lifelong attachments to their riders. In this book Shell introduces to the forests, the elephants, and the people who bond with them and we learn how even though the Asian elephant is not bred to be domesticated, these intelligent animals nonetheless help humans and at the same time may save an ecosystem. Why I want to read this: I jumped at the chance to read Giants of the Monsoon Forest first and foremost because I have a lifelong interest in animal behavior. In fact, my undergraduate thesis was on nonhuman primate behavior. I also have a love of elephants that I inherited from one of my grandfathers, who liked all things elephant.

The Ice at the End of the World by Jon Gertner (Random House, June 11): This book, written by a journalist, focuses on Greeland's melting ice sheet and its implications for our future. Did you know there were entire branches of science devoted to studying ice cores and that Greenland is one of the places to go if ice is your thing? Ice cores reveal not just Earth's history--climate, creatures, polutants--but they also hold keys to our future. Gertner talks about the island's transformation from hostile wilderness to major scientific  laboratory and then introduces us to contemporary scientists who are racing the climate-change clock to recover as much data as possible before Greeland's trillions and trillions of tons of ice melt into the sea. In addition, he gives us perspective on what it means now and what it will mean for younger generations when Greenland at last turns primarily green. Scary and fascinating stuff. Why I want to read this: If you follow my blog then you know I love nonfiction about the cold regions of our world, so The Ice at the End of the World seems a good fit for me. I'm of course interested in climate change and the fate of our planet, And, finally, I've met one of the leading ice core scientists (he's the husband of a woman I know through fiber arts), and I've been curious about his and his colleagues' work for years.

The Way Home by Mark Boyle (June 11, Oneworld): This modern-day Walden story, set in Ireland, is written by a former businessman. Most off-the-grid memoirs have an element of wacky about them, but Boyle's experience of living without electricity (and thus without the internet) in a house he build himself follows in the footsteps of Thoreau. He's no isolationist, either, and his story is as much about life in rural Ireland as it is about reconnecting with self and nature. It's my understanding that is also an account of living without money (or very little of it), which has both benefits and risks (though healthcare is less of a worry in Ireland than it is in the United States, though I digress). Why I want to read this: I realize it wouldn't be the life for everyone, but when I was younger, I was drawn to the homesteading idea The Way Home describes a similar experience. I also like the fact that Boyle is not a cultist; he's just a guy who found a way to live with less in a world that always seems to want more, whether that's money, things, or connectedness.

One Giant Leap by Charles Fishman (Simon & Schuster; June 11): This history of how we went from a president's speech to a moon landing in less than decade is written by a journalist. Perhaps in this day and age of technology, the idea that United States successfully landed two men on the moon isn't all that shocking, but at time when color television was definitely not in every household, it was a pretty amazing accomplishment. Fishman gives us the backdoor look at the people, technology, and politics behind the moon landing. We visit the research laboratories, learn about how space suits where made, and discover the engineering behind the Apollo program. It's a story of invention and bravery and everyday acts of devotion to the project. Why I want to read this: I grew up with the manned space program and still remember watching the moon landing on our family's (black-and-white) television. I'll never stop being fascinated with space. This is the 50th anniversary of the first human to have walked on the moon and this book is just of many that tell the story.

Click for more

10 Thrillers to Look Forward to (or Find at BookExpo 2019)

Last week I talked about the general fiction I'd look for if I were attending BookExpo this year (starting in just a few days!). Today is all about some of the crime fiction I added to my wish list when I was reading BookExpo buzz and looking through publishers' catalogs.

As you know, I'm a series addict, and I found one or twenty new mysteries to look forward to in the coming months. Today, however, I decided to feature thrillers that can be read as standalones. Like last week, I'll tell you why I want to read each book and then quote from the publisher's summary.

Great Location

To the Lions by Holly Watt (Dutton, Sept.). Why: Features a journalist, includes a conspiracy theory, and takes us to Saint-Tropez and Africa

Casey Benedict, star reporter at the Post, has infiltrated the lives and exposed the lies of countless politicians and power players. Using her network of contacts, and her ability to slip into whatever identity suits the situation, Casey is always on the search for the next big story, no matter how much danger this might place her in, or what the cost might be, emotionally.

Tipped off by an overheard conversation at an exclusive London nightclub, she begins to investigate the apparent suicide of a wealthy young British man whose death has left his fiancée and family devastated. The young man’s death, however, is only the tipping point of a much more sinister and dangerous scandal involving the world’s most powerful leaders and magnates—men who are gathering in Northern African for an extreme and secret hunt. With fellow reporter Miranda and former soldier Ed by her side, Casey’s determined hunt for the truth will take her from the glitz of St Tropez to the deserts of Libya and on to the very darkest corners of the human mind.

The Accomplice by Joseph Kanon (Atria, Nov.). Why: I'm curious about a World War II-based story that's set in South America

Seventeen years after the fall of the Third Reich, Max Weill has never forgotten the atrocities he saw as a prisoner at Auschwitz—nor the face of Dr. Otto Schramm, a camp doctor who worked with Mengele on appalling experiments and who sent Max’s family to the gas chambers. As the war came to a close, Schramm was one of the many Nazi officers who escaped  Germany for new lives in South America, where leaders like Argentina’s Juan Perón gave them safe harbor and new identities. With his life nearing its end, Max asks his nephew Aaron Wiley—an American CIA desk analyst—to complete the task Max never could: to track down Otto in Argentina, capture him, and bring him back to Germany to stand trial.

Unable to deny Max, Aaron travels to Buenos Aires and discovers a city where Nazis thrive in plain sight, mingling with Argentine high society. He ingratiates himself with Otto’s alluring but wounded daughter, whom he’s convinced is hiding her father. Enlisting the help of a German newspaper reporter, an Israeli agent, and the obliging CIA station chief in Buenos Aires, he hunts for Otto—a complicated monster, unexpectedly human but still capable of murder if cornered. Unable to distinguish allies from enemies, Aaron will ultimately have to discover not only Otto, but the boundaries of his own personal morality, how far he is prepared to go to render justice.

The Sacrament by Olaf Olafsson (Ecco, Dec.) Why: I like the setting; addresses child abuse in the Church, and super cover

A young nun is sent by the Vatican to investigate allegations of misconduct at a Catholic school in Iceland. During her time there, on a gray winter’s day, a young student at the school watches the school’s headmaster, Father August Franz, fall to his death from the church tower.

Two decades later, the child—now a grown man, haunted by the past—calls the nun back to the scene of the crime. Seeking peace and calm in her twilight years at a convent in France, she has no choice to make a trip to Iceland again, a trip that brings her former visit, as well as her years as a young woman in Paris, powerfully and sometimes painfully to life. In Paris, she met an Icelandic girl who she has not seen since, but whose acquaintance changed her life, a relationship she relives all while reckoning with the mystery of August Franz’s death and the abuses of power that may have brought it on.

Authors I Like

The Butterfly Girl by Rene Denfeld (Harper, Oct.). Why: I loved her first two novels; addresses important issue of homeless children

A year ago, Naomi, the investigator with an uncanny ability for finding missing children, made a promise that she would not take another case until she finds the younger sister who has been missing for years. Naomi has no picture, not even a name. All she has is a vague memory of a strawberry field at night, black dirt under her bare feet as she ran for her life.

The search takes her to Portland, Oregon, where scores of homeless children wander the streets like ghosts, searching for money, food, and companionship. The sharp-eyed investigator soon discovers that young girls have been going missing for months, many later found in the dirty waters of the river.

Though she does not want to get involved, Naomi is unable to resist the pull of children in need—and the fear she sees in the eyes of a twelve-year old girl named Celia. Running from an abusive stepfather and an addict mother, Celia has nothing but hope in the butterflies—her guides and guardians on the dangerous streets. She sees them all around her, tiny iridescent wisps of hope that soften the edges of this hard world and illuminate a cherished memory from her childhood—the Butterfly Museum, a place where everything is safe and nothing can hurt her.

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell (Atria, Oct.). Why: I'm always attracted to books with family secrets; Jewell is great at suspense

Gifted musician Clemency Thompson is playing for tourists on the streets of southern France when she receives an urgent text message. Her childhood friend, Lucy, is demanding her immediate return to London.

It’s happening, says the message. The baby is back.

Libby Jones was only six months old when she became an orphan. Now twenty-five, she’s astounded to learn of an inheritance that will change her life. A gorgeous, dilapidated townhouse in one of London’s poshest neighborhoods has been held in a trust for her all these years. Now it’s hers.

As Libby investigates the story of her birth parents and the dark legacy of her new home, Clemency and Lucy are headed her way to uncover, and possibly protect, secrets of their own. What really happened in that rambling Chelsea mansion when they were children?

Long Bright River by Liz Moore (Riverhead, Jan. 2020). Why: I've enjoyed her other novels; address the opioid crisis

Two sisters travel the same streets, though their lives couldn’t be more different. Then one of them goes missing.

In a Philadelphia neighborhood rocked by the opioid crisis, two once-inseparable sisters find themselves at odds. One, Kacey, lives on the streets in the vise of addiction. The other, Mickey, walks those same blocks on her police beat. They don’t speak anymore, but Mickey never stops worrying about her sibling.

Then Kacey disappears, suddenly, at the same time that a mysterious string of murders begins in Mickey’s district, and Mickey becomes dangerously obsessed with finding the culprit—and her sister—before it’s too late.

Debuts

Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin (Celadon, Feb. 2020). Why: Uncovering past secrets, understanding the truth of family stories

Claire is only seven years old when her college-age sister, Alison, disappears on the last night of their family vacation at a resort on the Caribbean island of Saint X. Several days later, Alison’s body is found in a remote spot on a nearby cay, and two local men—employees at the resort—are arrested. But the evidence is slim, the timeline against it, and the men are soon released. It turns into national tabloid news, a lurid mystery that will go unsolved. For Claire and her parents, there is only the sad return home to broken lives.

Years later, Claire is living and working in New York City when a brief but fateful encounter brings her together with Clive Richardson, one of the men originally suspected of murdering her sister. It is a moment that sets Claire on an obsessive pursuit of the truth—not only to find out what happened the night of Alison’s death but also to answer the elusive question: Who exactly was her sister? . . . Claire doggedly shadows Clive, hoping to gain his trust, waiting for the slip that will uncover the truth.

All That's Bright and Gone by Eliza Nellums (Crooked Lane Books, Dec.). Why: child protagonist, the Detroit setting

I know my brother is dead. But sometimes Mama gets confused.

There’s plenty about the grownup world that six-year-old Aoife doesn’t understand. Like what happened to her big brother Theo and why her mama is in the hospital instead of home where she belongs. Uncle Donny says she just needs to be patient, but Aoife’s sure her mama won’t be able to come home until Aoife learns what really happened to her brother. The trouble is no one wants to talk about Theo because he was murdered. But by whom?

With her imaginary friend Teddy by her side and the detecting skills of her nosy next door neighbor, Aoife sets out to uncover the truth. But as her search takes her from the banks of Theo’s secret hideout by the river to the rooftops overlooking Detroit, Aoife will learn that some secrets can’t stay hidden forever and sometimes the pain we bury is the biggest secret of them all.

TV Connection

Just Watch Me by Jeff Lindsay (Dutton, Dec.). Why: Lindsay is the author of the Dexter novels, unique setting

A masterful thief plots an impossible crime—stealing the Iranian Crown Jewels.

Riley Wolfe is an expert at disguise and violent when he needs to be. It’s no accident, though, that Riley targets only the .1% and is willing to kill when necessary: He despises the degenerate and immoral possessors of the objects that he steals.

In this series launch, Riley targets an extraordinary set of crown jewels, a heist that will hopefully land him with a sensational collection of heirlooms and leave their owners bereft and embarrassed—or worse. Yes, these jewels are worth millions, but the true attraction for grabbing the jewels comes down to one simple fact: These jewels are absolutely unstealable. There is just no way anyone could get past the airtight security and dream of getting away with even a single diamond from the Imperial Collection. Riley Wolfe has always liked a challenge.

The Chestnut May by Soren Sveistrup; trans. Caroline Waight (Harper, Sept.). Why: Sveistrup is the author of the show The Killing; set in Denmark

If you find one, he’s already found you.

A psychopath is terrorizing Copenhagen. His calling card is a “chestnut man”—a handmade doll made of matchsticks and two chestnuts—which he leaves at each bloody crime scene.

Examining the dolls, forensics makes a shocking discovery—a fingerprint belonging to a young girl, a government minister’s daughter who had been kidnapped and murdered a year ago. A tragic coincidence—or something more twisted?

To save innocent lives, a pair of detectives must put aside their differences to piece together the Chestnut Man’s gruesome clues. Because it’s clear that the madman is on a mission that is far from over. And no one is safe.

Click for more

8 True Stories to Read This Month

Do you have genres you just can't say no to? I do, and one of them is nonfiction.As you may have noticed, I've been on a true-story kick lately. Lucky me, because May is full of great new nonfiction of all types. I tried to restrain myself, but I couldn't resist the list I'm sharing today. Memoirs, history, architecture, crafting, biography, and the outdoors--bring it on!

Here's just some of my nonfiction list for this month. I've already read some of the books featured here (see next Monday's post), but others are still to come.

Biography

Do you like green eggs with ham? Or will you not eat them here or there, will not eat them anywhere? If you know what I'm talking about then you'll want to pick up a copy of Becoming Dr. Seuss: Theodor Geisel and the Making of an American Imagination by Brian Jay Jones (Dutton, May 7). I sure hope all of you grew up with Dr. Seuss. When I was very small, I loved his books and poems and illustrations. He was publishing some of his most famous books (Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat) when I was learning to read, and even though I know most of his work from the 1950s and early 1960s, I don't know anything about the man who created the Grinch. I'm looking forward to discovering the arc of his life and career, and I trust Jones to do Seuss right. First line: "On paper, Mulberry Street doesn't look like much." Audiobook: Read by Mike Chamberlain (Penguin Audio, 18 hr)

When I was in college I had a half dream of opening a restaurant. Fortunately (or maybe not), I woke up and went on to become a few other something elses. I still love cooking for others, even all these years later. I also still remember when I read Kitchen Confidential. It's hard to believe that was almost 20 years ago, but I've followed Anthony Bourdain ever since. I was so sorry to hear about his death by suicide last year, but I'm glad to have a chance to revisit him in CNN's Anthony Bourdain Remembered (Ecco, May 28). This book is not a memoir but a collection of photographs and tributes, stories and memories from his friends, fans, and acquaintances. It's beautifully put together and will tug at your heart. It will also make you want to travel and to eat! First line: "When we met Tony for the first time in 2012 to discuss developing and hosting our first CNN Original Series, he explained that he did not consider himself a journalist." Audiobook: none.

Curious Minds

Here's another thing about me: despite the hardships and dangers, I'm forever sorry that I was not around during the pioneer days of the American West. I've read quite a few firsthand accounts of the journey from St. Louis to parts unknown so it comes as no surprise that The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West by David McCullough (Simon & Schuster, May 7) is on my list. I'm kind of saving this book for deck-reading weather, thinking I'll do an alternating read and listen--one of my favorite ways to read history. McCullough starts in the late 1780s with the settling of Ohio country and ends just short of a 100 years later in the aftermath of the Civil War. The print/digital book has maps and photo inserts, which I'll look at while I'm listening. First line: "Never before, as he knew, had any of his countrymen set off to accomplish anything like what he had agreed to undertake—a mission that, should he succeed, could change the course of history in innumerable ways and to the long-lasting benefit of countless Americans." Audiobook: Read by John Bedford Lloyd (Simon & Schuster Audio; 10 hr, 23 min)

Whenever I visit a new place, especially a big city like New York City, I love looking at the buildings. My eye, and my camera, are drawn to the details: the muntin patterns, the shape of the brackets and braces, the adorning statues, and the stonework. Did you know that the current Madison Square Garden--that round, rather nondescript building above the train station--is actually the third arena to grace that corner? Suzanne Hinman's The Grandest Madison Square Garden: Art, Scandal, and Architecture in Gilded Age New York (Syracuse University Press, May 15) is all about building two, completed in 1890. How I would have loved to see that tower, topped with the shining nude sculpture of the goddess Diana. Oh the shock! This book introduces us to the architects and visionaries who build the Garden and places the entire project in the context of the city and the splendors and excesses of the Gilded Age. Period photographs and maps are found throughout the book. First line (prologue): "New York City, 'the diamond stickpin on the shirtfront of America.' " Audiobook: none

Women's Stories

As you might have guessed by the number of books I read set in cold, sparsely populated places, I love the northern climes. I've never been to Iceland, but if I visit, it's the northern tip I'm interested in. In Wild Horses of the Summer Sun: A Memoir of Iceland (Pegasus Books, May 7), Tory Bilski describes her love of horses and life on a remote farm far away from the stresses of the modern world. Each June, Bilski and a few other women move to Iceland to spend the long summer days with Icelandic horses and with each other. Although married and working at Yale, Bilski finds a deep sense of her inner self and a connection to nature when on horseback in this wild area of the world. Over the years, the women have gotten to know each other, sharing their joys and sorrows and finding strength in their joint commitment to the horses and their growing friendship. The print/digital copy includes color photos. First Line: "First time, right off the bat, years before the technical advantages of GPS or iPhones, we get lost." Audiobook: none

You know how if it's a woman's problem then no one talks about it? I'm reassured in this new(ish) century that things are changing. Menopause has emerged from taboo land, and now so has postpartum depression. It's real, and until recently women kept their sorrows and struggles private. Modern mothers are telling their stories, offering empathy and support to others who suffered from PPD. In her graphic memoir, Dear Scarlet (Arsenal Pulp, May 7) Teresa Wong writes honestly and frankly about the darkness that overcame her after the birth of her first child. Wong sets her memoir up as a letter to her daughter and writes about thinking she wasn't a good enough mother and of feeling overwhelmed. Despite getting domestic help, seeing a therapist, and accepting support from her family, she could not find the light within. Wong's journey ultimately turns out okay, offering hope to other new mothers. The black and white drawings nicely convey Wong's roller-coaster emotions. First line: "The other day, you told me that when you grow up, you want to be a mommy." Audiobook: none.

Men's Stories

Did you know that I come from a sailing family? My parents had a boat that they sailed on the Great Lakes pretty much all the way up to the day my father died. My mother was a freelance journalist, and boats and sailing were her beat. One of my cousins built a boat or two, and one of our closest friends has also built seaworthy small boats. Thus Jonathan Gornall's How to Build a Boat: A Father, His Daughter, and the Unsailed Sea (Scribner, May 7) caught my eye. In his memoir, Gornall talks about his unlikely decision to build a wooden Viking-style small boat for his newborn daughter. This venture led him to learn about wood, about boats, about tools, and about becoming a better father this second time around. Throughout he also talks about his own childhood, his relationship with his grown son, and his (sometimes failed) experiences on the open water. First line: "There are, I suppose in my ignorance, two foolproof ways to find out if a newly built wooden boat is watertight." Audiobook: Read by the author (Simon & Schuster, 9 hr, 22 min)

I grew up in farm country, and though I moved to a different state, I still make my home in (dwindling) farm country. I've never, however, been a farmer. John Connell grew up on a farm in Ireland, but he spent his early adulthood away from home, earning his way as a filmmaker and journalist. The call of the land finally became too strong to ignore, and he returned home. The Farmer's Son: Calving Season on a Family Farm (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, May 7) is his story of homecoming, of reconnecting to Ireland, of the endless farm chores, of tending to the animals, and of living under the scrutiny of his father. The work is physically demanding and living with his father is rocky, but Connell notices a lifting of his blues as he settles back into the community and finds a place among the animals under his care and on the land that nurtured generations of his family. First line: "I’m twenty-nine and I’ve never delivered a calf myself." Audiobook: Read by Alan Smyth (Highbridge, 7 hr, 56 min)

Need More?

Here are a few more books I really want to read:

• Unspeakable: The Things We Cannot Say by Harriet Shawcross (Canongate, May 7): A multi-perspective look at silence
• The Walking Life: Reclaiming Our Health and Our Freedom One Step at a Time by Antonia Malchik (De Capo, May 7): An anthropological, sociological look at human locomotion
• Every Tool's a Hammer: Life Is What You Make It by Adam Savage (Atria, May 7): A maker's life.
• How to Think Like a Fish: And Other Lessons from a Lifetime in Angling by Jeremy Wade (De Capo, May 21): A life lived in the outdoors.

Click for more

Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: The Traveler's Edition

This turned out to be the summer of big travel. It seems as if every weekend is a long weekend. While that’s fantastic for my social life and has given me lots of time with family and friends, I’m really feeling the pressure to keep up with work.

That also means I’ve barely read a blog let alone a book for weeks. This is so unlike me! And the summer isn’t over yet. I still have another big trip coming up. I’m so happy to get a chance to explore the world, but I’m also looking forward to September. Is too much to ask if I can just stay home for an entire month?

Here are my short thoughts on what I’ve read and listened to over the last couple of weeks. My book count is way, way down, but that’s okay. It’s not like I’ve lost interest in reading; it’s that I’ve been out and about.

I listened to America for Beginners by Leah Franqui (Harper Audio; 10 hr, 49 min), read by Soneela Nankani, for a review assignment. I enjoyed this story of a widow who leaves her home in India to travel across America in the hopes of learning why her son loved living abroad. She makes arrangements ahead of time through a New York City tour company and is accompanied on her journey by a Bangladeshi male tour guide and a (white) American young woman companion. The trio seems to have little in common, yet all three are unsure of what they’re going to do after the tour is over. I really liked the way the three characters grew and changed over the course of the book and how they were able to form bonds, despite their very different backgrounds. The end was, perhaps, a little too neatly tied up, and some sections felt rushed, but it’s still a solid read. I’ll watch for more books by Franqui. Although Narrator Nankani can come across as too earnest, she held that in check for this audiobook and did a good job rendering the diverse accents needed for the story. (For more, see AudioFile magazine.) America for Beginners is worth your time in either medium.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh (Penguin Audio; 7 hr, 14 min), read by Julia Whelan. The gist of the book is this: An unnamed protagonist decides a yearlong hibernation will cure all her woes and give her a fresh outlook on life. With the help of a prescription-writing psychiatrist, a girlfriend, an ex-boyfriend, an up-and-coming artist, and an inheritance, she manages to sleep away the better part of a year. As you can imagine, there isn't much action, but Moshfegh’s sharp observations of New York and her subtle wit kept me invested. The real credit, however, goes to Whelan. Her brilliant narration made this novel for me. I really loved her characterizations and perfect pacing and the way she performed the story as told by our somnolent hero. Honestly, I’m not sure I would have stuck with this in print, but the audiobook is highly recommended. (For more, see AudioFile magazine.)

The Shortest Way Home, coming out next week from Dutton, was written by Miriam Parker, whom I’ve know since my early days of blogging. I received a copy of Parker’s debut novel several months ago, but I waited to read it because I wanted to review the book just before it hits the stores. Let me say right up front that I loved this story about Hannah, a brand new business school graduate who is suddenly questioning her career decisions and her feelings about her live-in boyfriend. Instead of moving from Berkeley to New York to start her high-power life, she says good-bye to an internship and to her man to work for a family winery in Sonoma, helping them revive their business. I could totally relate to Hannah’s feelings and decision, seeing as I, too, turned my back on my academic field after grad school, and I’ve never regretted it. Parker’s characters are easy to root for, while defying cookie-cutter clichés. The details of the family wine business are interesting, and Hannah’s enthusiasm for her new job feels real. Hannah, a woman of her time, knows what works on social media (especially Instagram photos of the winery’s dog) as well as she knows bookkeeping software. The Shortest Way Home is fun summer reading, peppered with literary references and realistic relationships. This is smart contemporary fiction, perfect for your beach bag and for your book club. Just one warning: You’ll want to pour some wine and get into the kitchen—good food scenes ahead.

I enjoy reading books in translation for the broader perspective they provide, and Other Press is one of my go-to sources of the best books from around the world. In the Distance with You by Carla Guelfenbein (translated by John Cullen), set mostly in Chile, is a quiet, character-driven novel that creeps up on you in increments. There are four main characters, but only three have a voice. The silent one is Vera, an elderly reclusive author who is in a coma after a fall. The others are Emilia, a Chilean French grad student whose thesis is about Vera; Daniel, Vera’s neighbor and friend; and Horacio, a well-known poet who was Vera’s lover when they were young. The story is told from the latter three characters' viewpoints via alternating chapters. Guelfenbein creates an almost misty atmosphere for her layered novel, which explores relationships and finding one’s true path. The book also includes a mystery of sorts. In the Distance with You isn’t an easy novel to become lost in, but it will reward those who stick with it. The book has weaknesses, though; one is in how the mystery is resolved and the other is the foreshadowing of what I think was supposed to be a twist. This is another novel I’m not sure I would have stuck with in print. The audiobook (Highbridge Audio; 11 hr, 24 min) was read by Nicol Zanazarella (who took on Emilia’s chapters) and Robert Fass (who read the two men’s chapters). Their performances were well matched in pacing, mood, and characterizations, and I credit them with keeping me engaged. (For more, see AudioFile magazine.)

Click for more

Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Science to Pop Culture

What a crazy couple of weeks! As some of you know, my very active and fun-loving mother turned 90 in late June. My brothers and I planned three full days of activities, including a half day of fishing, a visit to a historic village, shopping, and eating out. We all had a great time.

Of course, I haven’t read much in the last 10 days and I haven’t had much time to visit blogs, since I’ve had to cram full workweeks into just a few days. Can you say tired? The fun isn’t over yet, since I have another short week coming up. Life will return to normal soon, I hope.

Once again, audiobooks have saved me, especially on the long car trips to and from my mom’s house. Here are my thoughts on my recent reads.

She Has Her Mother’s Laugh by Carl Zimmer (Dutton, May 29, 2018): As a former geneticist, I’m always hesitant to pick up a book that is meant to explain genetics and heredity (separate concepts) to the general population. Thus I was pleasantly surprised and pleased that Zimmer got the science right and presented it in a way that is accessible, personal, and fascinating. If you’ve sent your DNA to an ancestry company, if you’ve wondered why your brother is the only tall person in your family, if you’ve thought about IVF, or if you’ve worried about a possible inherited disorder, this book is for you. Zimmer’s approach is loosely based on his quest to understand the results of his own DNA analysis; along the way he examines the past and present cultural, political, and medical implications of genetic differences between individuals and the many avenues of current genetic research and how it affects our everyday life. The overriding message that all humans are united on the cellular level is particular important these days. I thoroughly enjoyed Joe Ochman performance of the unabridged audiobook (Penguin Audio; 20 hr, 32 min). His no-nonsense delivery and clear and expressive voice kept my attention throughout. (More on the audiobook via AudioFile magazine.)

All Summer Long by Hope Larson (First Second; May 1, 2018): I really liked this graphic novel (comic) about Bina and Austin who have been inseparable friends since they were babies. In the summer between seventh and eighth grade, though, things start to get weird. Austin starts to pull away and barely texts when he’s away at soccer camp. Bina, left on her own most of the summer (everyone seems to be on vacation), practices her electric guitar and hangs out with Austin’s older sister a few times. When Austin comes back home, their friendship is strained until Bina finally confronts him. This is a great story about how true friendships can mature right along with you, about how people can like each other even if they have different interests, and about the importance of following your own passions. The graphic novel is geared to middle grade readers, but the message is, actually, universal. The drawings are fairly simple but very expressive. The colors are black and golds, which didn’t initially attract me, but I quickly got used them. There are diverse characters (different skin tones and facial features), a minor LBGTQ theme, and a strong focus on the women. Recommended. (Review copy provided by the publisher.)

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren (Gallery, April 10, 2018): This is a dual time-period story about the relationship between Macy and Elliot. The two meet as young teenagers and bond over their shared nerdiness. Over the years, their relationship becomes much more, until on New Year’s Eve of their 18th year, things happen, and Macy walks away from Elliot and cuts all communication. A decade later, they meet by chance, and the couple is forced to confront the events of that fateful night. There’s much to like about this novel. Macy and Elliot’s friendship had a unique twist in that it was limited to weekends, holidays, and summer, when Macy and her father stayed in their vacation home, which was next door to Elliot’s permanent family home. So, though the pair grew close, much of their time was spent apart. I especially liked Macy’s father, who, as a single parent, did his best to honor his late-wife’s wishes for their daughter. The mystery of why Macy and Elliot split is held until the end, and the plot device kept me invested. Unfortunately, the big reveal wasn’t completely realistic. I mean, what happened was realistic, but the secretiveness of it was hard to buy. Narrator Erin Mallon did a great job reading the unabridged audiobook (Simon & Schuster Audio; 8 hr 21 min). She captured the personalities and emotions of the characters perfectly. (More on the audiobook via AudioFile magazine.)

Pop Culture: New York City by Bob Egan (maps by Jim Egan) (Applause Theatre & Cinema; June 26, 2018): This is not your usual tourist guide to New York City. The book consists of lists and maps of all kinds of pop culture things to see in the city (mostly Manhattan but also the other boroughs). For example, with this book you'll be able to find the exact spots where album cover photos where taken, where superheroes fought their battles, where sports stars grew up, and where iconic hotels are located. If you like music, books, sports, the performing arts, television and the movies, and more, you’ll discover hundreds of sites to explore next time you’re in New York. Besides identifying film locations of your favorite television shows, you'll also find lists of bookstores and music stores, nightclubs and restaurants. Egan covers a vast range of people, places, and themes, so no matter your age and interests (classic movies, punk rock, public art, reading), you’ll find plenty of places you’ll want to visit. Check out PopSpotsNYC.com to see the author’s popular website and to get an idea of how he tracks down each location. (Review copy provided by the publisher.)

Click for more