5 Books for Space Lovers

Here's a little-known fact about me: when I was in junior high, I saved all my baby-sitting, birthday, and holiday money to buy a good-quality telescope, which I still own. At one time I dreamed of becoming an astronomer. Although my life went in a different direction I haven't lost my love of looking into the night sky and learning about space. This week's roundup is all about books that will take us to the far reaches of the universe or maybe just into orbit around Earth.

For Adults

Accessory to War: The Unspoken Alliance between Astrophysics and the Military by Neil deGrasse Tyson and Avis Lang (Norton, September 2018). What's it about? As indicated by the subtitle, this book is about the tight connections between the Defense Department and space research, especially during the cold war. I'm never disappointed with deGrasse. Opening lines:

On February 10, 2009, two communications satellites—one Russian, the other American—smashed into each other five hundred miles above Siberia, at a closing speed of more than 25,000 miles an hour. Although the impetus for building their forerunners was war, this collision was a purely peacetime accident, the first of its kind. Someday, one of the hundreds of chunks of resulting debris might smash into another satellite or cripple a spaceship with people on board.

Into the Black: The Extraordinary Untold Story of the First Flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia and the Astronauts Who Flew Her by Rowland White (Touchstone, April 2016). What's it about? Again, the subtitle reveals the contents, but what's different about this book is its reliance on declassified materials and firsthand accounts. I don't know if you remember this flight, but there were some majorly tense moments. Opening lines:

Dottie Lee's mother thought it was unusual for her ten-year-old daughter to display such a love of classical music. That, though, seemed positively conventional next to Dottie's keen interest in astrophysics. Growing up in New Orleans in the 1930s, Dottie and known that there would one day be men on the moon.

For Young Adults

It's a Question of Space: An Ordinary Astronaut's Answers to Sometimes Extraordinary Questions by Clayton C. Anderson (University of Nebraska Press, July 2018): What's it about? Written by a man who spent almost a half year on the International Space Station, this book reveals everything you always wanted to know about life in orbit and being an astronaut. The questions range from scientific to fun and silly, and Anderson's answers reveal his engaging personality and zest for life. Sample question:

Question: What is NASA hiding from the world about aliens?

Answer: What is NASA hiding from the world about aliens? Beats the heck outta me! [and then he goes into his own thoughts on the subject]

For Middle Grade Readers

Space, Stars, and the Beginning of Time: What the Hubble Telescope Saw by Elaine Scott (HMH Books for Young Readers, August 2018). What's it about? The author explains how scientists have used the data and images obtained from the Hubble Space Telescope to study the nature of the universe, the birth of stars, and more. Includes a history of the Hubble mission, short biographies of inventors and scientists, and stunning photographs. Opening lines:

Have you ever wished you could travel back in time? Or visit another planet? Or see a star close up? Have you ever wondered about the mysteries of the universe, and whether other life forms, similar to humans, exist somewhere? These are important questions that people have been asking for hundreds of years.

Path to the Stars: My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist by Sylvia Acevedo (Clarion, September 4, 2018). What's it about? In her memoir, Acevedo pays tribute to the Girl Scout program for fostering her interest in math and science and giving her the confidence, despite her underprivileged background, to eventually become a rocket scientist for NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab. Also available in Spanish. Opening lines:

My Papá wasn't much for telling stories. He liked facts and information. if you asked him about the Mexican Revolution or about the freezing point of water, he'd go on all day, sounding grown-up and important, like the men who read the news on television. Mami was the storyteller in our family--as long as the subject was people. I thought she must know everybody in the world--who their family was, where they came from, and what they did all day.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: I'm in a Reading Mood

Yay for cooler weather! I've been re-energized with the official start of fall. I've been baking, reading, knitting, and getting a head start on the end-of-season yard work.

With indoor living comes a reckoning of the accumulated clutter, and I'm once again facing a major book culling. Thanks to summer travel, I let my book acquisitions get out of hand--both recent book purchases and review copies. Thus it's time to reassess the shelves that hold older books, including my always accumulating cookbooks.

You wouldn't know it from looking at my house, but I'm not a fan of having books on every available horizontal surface. I need to get everything back on a shelf or in a giveaway/donation pile.

Here's what I read over the last two weeks.

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (Putnam, August). There was so much buzz about this book, I decided to hold off a bit until I forgot the reviews and could go in mostly blind. Set in the North Carolina marshland during the Vietnam War era, Where the Crawdads Sing is the story of a young girl who is gradually abandoned by her family before she's even 10 years old. Wise in the ways of the marsh and with the help of a very few trusted friends, Kya manages to fend for herself and avoid much contact with the outside world, until as a young woman, she's forced to give a reckoning of her character. Part coming-of-age story, part mystery, part character study, this book was almost impossible to stop reading. Kya's struggle for survival and self-identity is both heartbreaking and tender, and I grew to love the marsh and its birds almost as much as she did. The book is well deserving of all its praise. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Penguin Audio; 12 hr, 12 min) read by Cassandra Campbell, whose performance enveloped me in Kya's world. The quality of Campbell's voice perfectly matched the mood of this book, and she nailed the characters' personalities. It's a don't-miss listen. (Audiobook review copy provided by the publisher.)

The Husband Hunters by Anne de Courcy (St. Martin's Press, August). Even before I watched Downton Abbey, I knew of the Gilded Age phenomenon of rich American women marrying into European (especially British) upper-class families, giving the women a title and their husbands much needed income. De Courcy's fascinating book explores the hows, whys, and consequences of these cross-Atlantic marriages. The book does more than follow the courtship of a few young girls; it also compares and contrasts U.S. and British culture in the areas of social class, social climbing, views of marriage, feminism, the raising of children, family obligations, and parents' expectations. The Husband Hunters is an easy read, combining sociology and history with good gossip and firsthand accounts of dinners, balls, and fabulous mansions. American and British attitudes toward husband hunting varied, but in the United States, women who married overseas were often criticized for taking their large inheritances out of the country. In England and Europe, they saved struggling estates but had to deal with the realities of everyday life in their drafty castles. These women gave birth to a generation of 20th-century British leaders, including Winston Churchill. Did you know Prince William's great-great-grandmother was American? The print version includes a couple of photo inserts. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Macmillan  Audio; 10 hr, 41 min) read by Clare Corbett, who did a fine job. My audiobook review will be available from AudioFile magazine. (Print copy: personal collection.)

The Lost Queen by Signe Pike (Touchstone, September). I really liked this novel about Languoreth, the twin sister of the man who would inspire the Merlin legend. Set in 6th-century Scotland, the book follows the fates of the siblings--one destined for a strategic marriage, one destined to be a Druid priest. Languoreth wanted to be a keeper of the old faith, but instead finds herself mired in the politics of her husband's court and the escalating conflict (often violent) between the new Christians with their strict god and the practitioners of and believers in the traditional ways. Woven throughout is an account of the rise of the Pendragons as well as stories of star-crossed lovers, battles, and betrayals. If you're interested in the Arthurian legends and/or medieval Scotland, you'll find plenty to hold your interest. Languoreth's strength and intelligence are balanced by her heart and trust, making her a believable character. The author's note at the end of the book helps place the novel in the context of scholarly research. I took this book with me on vacation and alternated between listening and reading. The unabridged audiobook (Simon & Schuster Audio; 17 hr, 44 min) was read by Toni Frutin, whose accent and expressive delivery added immensely to my enjoyment of The Lost Queen. Her good pacing and an understanding of the characters' motivations brought the story alive. (eGalley provided by the publisher; audiobook from my personal collection.)

The Sisters of the Winter Wood by Rena Rossner (Red Hook; September). I have mixed thoughts about this novel, which combines historical fiction with fairy tale retelling and is set in Ukraine during the early days of the Russian pogroms. Teenage sisters Liba and Laya, who live in the woods outside the town of Dubossary, are left on their own when their parents rush to their grandfather's deathbed. Before leaving, their parents tell the girls that they are descendants of shapeshifters: Liba, like her father's Hasidic family, can become a bear, whereas Laya, like her mother's non-Jewish family, can become a swan. They are told to rely on their inner strengths and to take care of each other. Left to their own devices, the normally obedient girls find themselves attracted to boys their father wouldn't approve of and face danger on several fronts. The story alternates perspectives--Liba's in prose and Laya's in verse--and describes historical events with a layer of folklore. The girls contend with divisions within the Jewish community, their own desires, their parents' wishes, and antisemitism. Both the historical and the magical aspects of The Sisters of the Winter Wood were well done, from the details of everyday life to the enchantments of the woods. On the negative side, some of Rossner's lessons were heavy handed and oft-repeated, and the verse sections didn't always work for me. In an author's note, Rossner explains her sources and provides historical and personal context. There is a glossary of Yiddish and other terms. (review copy provided by the publisher.)

Whiskey When We're Dry by John Larison (Viking; August). I'm jumping to the chase: this novel will be on my list of top-ten books of the year. Set in the 1880s in the high plains or Rocky Mountain foothills, this is Jessilyn Harney 's story. Jess, motherless just hours after being born, is raised by her Civil War-veteran father and older brother (Noah) in a homestead cabin on a struggling cattle spread. Just a couple of years after her brother heads out to make his way in the world, Jess is orphaned, left with few resources and limited by being a woman. Although Noah has become an outlaw with a price on his head, Jess is determined to find him, her only known kin. Disguised as a man, skilled with a gun and rifle, and blessed with gumption, she finagles a place in the territorial governor's personal militia. The steady job provides an anchor, but she never stops searching for her elusive brother. I was bowled over by the way Whiskey When We're Dry mixes Jess's story of survival and the consequences of her choices with the details of the unforgiving and almost lawless west. In some ways it reminded me of Only Killers and Thieves, but this is a fully American tale and one that explores what happens to women who choose an alternative path. I listened the unabridged audiobook (Penguin Audio; 15 hr, 24 min) read by Sophie Amoss. I can't believe I almost turned off the audiobook after the first 3 minutes. My initial impression of Amoss's accent for this book was, No, ugh, I can't listen to that for hours on end. Thankfully I did not turn off my phone. Amoss's performance was brilliant. Her gruff voice and uneducated accent worked beautifully, and I was soon transported across time and space, fully invested in Jess's fate. Amoss has a great sense of timing and created believable characterizations. A highly recommended listen. (eGalley and audibook provided by the publishers.)

A Winter's Promise by Christelle Dabos (Europa, September). This novel is the first installment in The Mirror Visitor series, which has been translated from the French. This story is a kind of mix of dystopian, fantasy, and science fiction in which Earth has been splintered, though the "arks" (sections of the planet) remain in relatively close proximity. Each ark has its own ruling spirit, political families, and social customs, and the citizens display different extra-human abilities. Ophelia, our hero, is a bookish girl who would rather work in her ark's archives than socialize, let alone marry and have children. Despite her protests, though, she is used to forge a political alliance with Pole, the northernmost ark, and is betrothed to Thorn, a member of one of the leading families. What ensues after Ophelia moves to Pole to await her marriage is an awaking to a life beyond her beloved books: it's a world of shifting alliances, political intrigue, and a cold and distant fiancé. The fantasy elements are in the individuals' powers or talents. Ophelia can travel through mirrors and can determine the history of objects just by touch. Thorn has a deep and impeccable memory, going back to the day of his birth, and is a member of Dragon Clan, which gives him various strengths. A Winter's Promise is the first in a quartet and is very much the setup book: we learn the workings of this alternative world, we get an idea of Ophelia's and Thorn's personalities, and we meet what I assume will be the major players. A million cheers that Ophelia remains true to herself and can be pushed and manipulated only so far. More cheers for the absence of insta-love, for imperfect characters, for a complex plot, and for a unique world. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. (review copy provided by the publisher)

Sudden Sea: The Great Hurricane of 1938 by R. A. Scotti (Back Bay Books, 2004). Huge, destructive hurricanes are becoming more commonplace as we feel the effects of climate change, but in the late 1930s, the idea that a hurricane could do damage to New England was unimaginable. It had been over 100 years since the last super storm came ashore in the Northeast, and in the days before satellites, it was near-impossible to track a system over the ocean--so when the Great Hurricane slammed into Long Island, Rhode Island, and farther north, no one was prepared for nightmare of death and destruction that changed families, communities, and the physical landscape forever. Sudden Sea follows specific New York and Rhode Island families, railways, passenger boats, and towns as they experienced the storm from that calm September morning through to the frightful realization that they were about to enter into a watery, windy hell. Scotti uses a variety of sources, including firsthand accounts and news reports, to  describe how people survived and died and how entire towns were wiped off the map in a matter of hours. There are no particular lessons to be learned here (except, perhaps, to be grateful for storm tracking and to always err on the side of caution), but the stories of the Great Hurricane are gripping. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio; 7 hr, 6 min) read by L. J. Ganser, who managed to amp up the drama and emotional impact while avoiding the theatrical. His delivery was expressive and engaging and held my interest. A huge thanks to Hachette for providing a PDF of the maps and photos with the digital download edition. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this. (Audiobook review copy provided by the publisher.)

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8 Books for Nonfiction Lovers

Little known fact: I was one of those nerdy kids who loved September because it meant the start of a new school year. Even though I'm *&^%# years past my last college exam, I still love to learn. These days, I turn to nonfiction to get my dose of, "Hey! I didn't know that!" moments. I've fallen a little behind in my nonfiction reading this month, but here are 8 books at the top of my list.

• The Financial Diet by Chelsea Fagan & designed by Lauren Ver Hage (Holt paperbacks; Jan 2): Perfect for getting a fresh start to the new year, this guide to learning how to be better with money is full of down-to-earth, real-life advice that's made all the more accessible through fun graphics and an appealing design.
• The Girl on the Velvet Swing by Simon Baatz (Mulholland; Jan 16): The true story of a 16-year-old artist's model who was date-raped by a rich and famous architect, who was in turn shot--4 years later--in Madison Square Garden, by the girl's then-husband. The 1901 murder trial, which reached the Supreme Court, was both scandalous and important.
• Mothers of Sparta by Dawn Davies (Flatiron, Jan 30): A moving, frank, and emotionally charged collection of nonchronological, linked essays that look at the varied stages and roles of Davies's--and Everywoman's--life: childhood, postpartum depression, marriage, divorce, motherhood, new beginnings, sacrifices, and power.
• The Last London by Iain Sinclair (Oneworld Publications; Jan 9): Sinclair takes us on an exploration of the ancient city of London, along the streets, into history, from The City to the ends of the underground, and into the post-Brexit future. For both armchair travelers and those of us who know and love the city.

• Bringing Columbia Home by Michael D. Leinbach and Jonathan H. Ward (Arcade; Jan 2): Even though the Columbia disaster occurred 15 years ago next week, the public knows very little of the massive search and recovery operation conducted by multiple federal agencies and hundreds of volunteers. The tireless and often heartbreaking efforts of these people, provided answers and closure as well as hope for future space missions.
• Cræft by Alexander Langlands (Norton; Jan 2): Why is it that with all our technology and high-tech factories so many of us seek out handmade, artisan products, from jewelry and furniture to beer and cheese? Archaeologist Langlands sets out to explore the true meaning of craftsmanship and our deep connections to those who master their craft.
• It Occurs to Me That I Am America edited by Richard Russo, Joyce Carol Oates, Neil Gaiman, Lee Child, Mary Higgins Clark, & Jonathan Santlofer (Touchstone; Jan. 16): Dozen of authors and artists have come together to celebrate the real America--in all its diverse, multicolored, many layered glory. Through short stories, comics, art, and more embrace freedom and acceptance.
• The Stowaway by Laurie Gwen Shapiro (Simon & Schuster; Jan. 16): In the late 1920s, teenage Billy Gawronski, wanted more than a workaday life in New York City, so he jumped into the Hudson River and sneaked aboard a ship destined to explore Antarctica. This is his story.

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12 New Crime Fiction Books Written by Women

There's something about long winter nights that say crime fiction to me. Maybe it's because these books tend to draw me in completely and beg to be read in one long go, testing my solving abilities and sometimes making me get up to double-check that the doors are locked. This week I'm featuring 12 mysteries and thrillers, all written by women and published this month, to get you through snowy evenings. You'll recognize some of the titles, but I hope you find a few new books too.

• Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan (Atria/Emily Bestler Books): When a high-profile British politician and family man is accused of rape, the ensuing trial pits two women lawyers, each determined to win the case. This very timely story, told from three view points, will have you adding up the evidence to make your own guilty or not guilty declaration.
• Best Friends Forever by Margot Hunt (MIRA): When two Florida women, Kat and Alice, meet by chance while flying home, they form a tight, trusting friendship, despite their lifestyle differences. But when Kat's husband dies under questionable circumstances, Alice is forced to reassess what she really knows about her friend, especially when Kat stops answering her texts.
• Blood Sisters by Jane Corry (Pamela Dorman Books): Alison, an art teacher, still suffers from survivor's guilt after a childhood car accident left her sister brain damaged and institutionalized and their young friend dead. The women's lives are good as can be expected, until Alison starts to find notes implicating she had a role in the tragedy and someone is out for vengeance. Secrets and twists.

• The Burial Society by Nina Sadowsky (Ballantine): An American businessman is murdered in Paris, setting off a chain of events that threatens to expose his grown children's secrets. When the siblings meet a mysterious woman who heads a dark net organization that helps people disappear, they discover their family may be the target of a dangerous killer.
• In a Cottage in a Wood by Cass Green (HarperCollins): An escape to the country is just what Neve needs to set her life back on course. But the little country cottage she unexpectedly inherited isn't at all what she had envisioned. Is the house haunted or is someone playing mind games and watching her every move? What exactly drove the previous owner to suicide? A creepy psychological thriller.
• Need to Know by Karen Cleveland (Ballantine): A CIA analyst is hot on the trail of a Russian sleeper cell embedded firmly on American soil. She's about to celebrate her successful mission when she discovers one of the enemy agents is someone she knows very well: her husband. Now she must weigh family, country, and loyalties and decide on her next move without tipping her hand to anyone.

• The Other Side of Everything by Lauren Doyle Owens (Touchstone): A serial killer is targeting elderly women in a small Florida town, bringing three generations of townspeople together in unexpected ways. For the survivors, the past doesn't seem to want to stay in the past, and the prime suspect begins to worm his way into the heart of a local lonely teenager. Kirkus calls this a slow-burning thriller.
• Scones and Scoundrels by Molly MacRae (Pegasus): A killer is afoot in the small Scottish town of Inversgail, and the owners of the bookstore / tea room are among the prime suspects because the victims were patrons of their establishments. Janet and her partners must find the villain before he (or she) strikes again. This is the second installment in a twisty cozy mystery series.
• Sunday Silence by Nicci French (William Morrow): London psychologist Frieda is no stranger to crime, as she often works with the police, but this time murder and danger are hitting too close to home. While she works to keep herself and her loved ones safe, she must also try to figure out if the killer is a nemesis returned from a faked suicide or a copycat killer--or maybe there're are two men out to get her.

• The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey (Soho Crime): Set in 1920s Bombay, this first in series introduces Perveen Mistry, one of the first woman lawyers in India. While doing the paperwork for three Muslim widows who are donating their shared inheritance to charity, Perveen smells a rat. Why would the women give up their future security and who is encouraging them to do so? Great period details.
• The Wife by Alafair Burke (Harper): This domestic thriller set in New York City has all the elements of a great read: a whirlwind romance, a wife with secrets, a husband with even more secrets, a crime, and a possible coverup. Can Angela trust her new husband and just how much is she willing to risk to insist on his innocence after one of his female interns goes missing? Solid plotting and plenty of twists.
• The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen (St. Martin's Press): Newly divorced from her controlling husband, Vanessa is out to prevent his remarriage to a much younger preschool teacher. Meanwhile Nellie might be having second thoughts on giving up her freewheeling party life to settle down as the perfect businessman's wife. Everyone has secrets, everyone has a story, but who is telling the truth? Read this thriller all in one go.

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12 True Stories to Read in September

Hello fans of the true story. Whether you like history or biography, memoir or science, this month's new book releases include a host of great nonfiction titles. It's been difficult to narrow down the books I'm adding to my "hope to read it" list. Here are 12 I don't want to miss.

Memoir

In The Best of Us (Bloomsbury, Sept. 5), Joyce Maynard shares the joys of finally finding her true soul mate, the heartbreak of losing him before they had barely begun a life together, and the struggle to find her new place in the world after his death.

In Fire in the Heart (Arcade, Sept. 5), Mary Emerick tells us about her life as a forest-fire fighter, including the physical demands, the life-threatening dangers, and the friendships. After the death of a fellow firefighter, Emerick began to reassess her career path.

In Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies (Atria, Sept. 12), journalist Michael Ausiello uses humor to temper the darkness in this unforgettable tribute to his beloved late husband. Reviewers have commented on the emotional impact of Ausiello's story.

History

In Alone (Liveright, Sept. 19), Michael Korda turns his careful attention to the story of Dunkirk, both the horrors and death and the amazing British spirit that ultimately let to victory in Europe. His own childhood memories inform this well-researched account.

In Bloodlines (Ecco, Sept. 12), Melissa del Bosque tells the fast-faced story of how two FBI agents took on a major Mexican drug lord by going after his money-laundering scheme, which was set in the world of American Quarter Horse racing.

In The Templars (Viking, Sept. 19), Dan Jones explores the spectacular rise of a band of crusading knights to a position of wealth and power, until a king of France plotted to bring them down in a single day: Friday the 13th in October 1307. The legacy of the Templars is still felt today in the West's relationship with the Mideast and Islam.

Biography

In Darwin's Backyard (Norton, Sept. 5), James T. Costa reveals the personal side of the father of natural selection, who had a lifelong curiosity about the natural world. The book includes experiments you can conduct in your own backyard.

In The Disappearance of Emile Zola (Pegasus, Sept. 19), Michael Rosen explores the novelist's life, politics, and passions while in exile from France in the aftermath of the Dreyfus Affair. Zola's story is relevant in  light of today's sociopolitical climate.

In The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder (Timber Press, Sept. 20), Marta McDowell anchors the Little House books in the natural world of Laura's life and travels through the open prairies. Illustrations, photographs, maps, and botanical information round out this unique biography.

Other True Stories

In Clockwork Futures (Pegasus, Sept. 5), Brandy Schillace looks at the roots of Steampunk technology--from flying machines to automatons--including the impact the inventions and inventors had on the greater society.

In Koh-i-Noor (Bloomsbury, Sept 12), William Dalrymple and Anita Anand trace the history of one of the world's most celebrated diamonds. From the East India Company's acquisition of the jewel, the Koh-i-Noor has been steeped in controversy and myth and for some has symbolized the worst of colonialism.

In The Last Castle (Touchstone, Sept. 26), Denise Kiernan takes us inside the walls of Biltmore House to show us the world of the rich and famous who built the mansion and graced its halls. At 175,00 square feet, the chateau is the nation's largest single-family dwelling.

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Today's Read: 'Round Midnight by Laura McBride

Do you think of yourself as resilient? Is it possible for any of us to know the answer if we haven't been tested? June, Honorata, Coral, and Engracia discover the character of their inner strength after each faces a personal crisis.

To celebrate victory in Europe, June Stein dove headfirst off the Haverstraw Bridge.

A few months earlier, she had bought an eighteen-inch silver cigarette holder on a day trip to the city--snuck into the shop while her mother was choosing a hat next door--and spent the spring flicking ashes on the track as she smoked behind the stairs of the boy's gym. In April she ripped her hose in chemistry class and ate lunch in the cafeteria with one leg crossed over the other, bare calf exposed. Leon Kronenberg said he had touched her breast. When Mr. Sawyer came back from the summer holidays with a goatee, June Stein breathed in, licked her lips, and shuddered.

She was bad for the neighborhood.

Things happened to other girls because of June Stein.

—'Round Midnight by Laura McBride (Touchstone, 2017, opening paragraphs [galley])

Quick Facts

• Setting: Las Vegas, 1960s to present
• Circumstances: A Las Vegas casino is the hub connecting four women of different backgrounds and generations. Each experiences upheaval and must find the will to keep moving forward.
• Genre: literary fiction
• Themes: marriage, motherhood, loss, adapting to changing times and fortunes, friendship, self-reliance
• Characters: June, a New Jersey native who runs the casino with her second husband; Honorata, who leaves the Philippines to marry a man she's never met; Coral, a biracial music teacher at a local school who is unsure of her parentage; Engracia, an illegal immigrant who is trying to give her son a better life; the city of Las Vegas itself as it changes through the decades
• Reviews: Almost all reviewers agree that McBride has written an engaging story about women who will capture your emotions. Although some noted a few flaws (for example, the men seemed to be either good or bad), the overall consensus is that 'Round Midnight is a recommended read, especially for book clubs.
• More information: In an interview with the Washington Independent Review of Books, author Laura McBride talks about her book, her research methods, and her personal life. Simon and Schuster's website includes book club discussion questions for 'Round Midnight and another interview with the author. In the following short video, McBride introduces us to her novel.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Reading with My Ears

Monday morning after BookExpo is always a day of mixed feelings. I'm already missing my friends, but I'm also happy to wake up at home. I'm sorry that today is not going to be a day full of book events, authors, publicists, and publishing companies, but I'm also ready to get back to work and everyday life.

Coming up this week: As you can imagine, I'll have one or two posts about BookExpo coming up later this week and into next. I'm not quite sure about the specifics, but expect round-ups of books I'm excited about.

What I read last week. June is Audiobook Month, so it's appropriate that I turned to audiobooks last week during my travels and my down time in New York. I managed to finish two books.

The Scribe of Siena by Melodie Winawer (Touchstone; 2017): If you like art, historical fiction, time travel, and/or medieval Italy, you'll find a lot to like about this novel. Beatrice, a neurosurgeon, gets involved in finishing her late-brother's research into why Siena, Italy, was so hard hit by the plague and why it lost its political power to Florence during the 1300s. While reading the journal of a lesser-known painter, she finds herself transported back in time, where she witnesses firsthand the arrival of the Black Death, meets the painter, and has run-ins with the Medici family. I liked the book for its historical details and as pure escape reading. On the other hand, I couldn't help but compare it to the Outlander series and thus found The Scribe of Siena a little lacking. The plot was somewhat predictable, and although I enjoyed meeting the characters, I didn't form a lasting connection to them. The unabridged audiobook (Simon & Schuster Audio; 16 hr, 12 min) was read by one my favorite narrators, Cassandra Campbell. Campbell's voice is always a pleasure to listen to: she is expressive, creates consistent characterizations, pronounces the Italian and Latin believably and with ease, and is easy to understand. Unfortunately, I could hear obvious breath noises during the first hour or two of the audiobook and almost gave up listening; the good news is that they eventually disappear and the rest of the production was well done.

Beartown by Fredrik Backman (Atria, 2017): I was hesitant to read Backman's newest novel because it was getting so much buzz; I was sure it could never live up to its reputation. Plus I heard it was about hockey, a sport I've watched but hardly follow. Thank god I ignored my doubts and gave this brilliant novel a try. Yes, it's about hockey, but it's really about families, loyalty, friendship, small towns, sexuality, gender equality, marriages, what sports heroes can get away with, and really so much more. I was so utterly taken up by this town and these people that I almost literally couldn't stop listening. I started the book on the train home from New York on Saturday morning and by Sunday late afternoon I had finished. Backman's writing is gorgeous: sparse, poetic, and powerful. The characters are fleshed out slowly, just the way they would be in real life: At first we know the superficial: she's a lawyer, he's a coach, she's a musician, he's a troublemaker. Then, as we get to known the town's citizens better, we begin to understand why they behave and react as they do, and we start to polish our opinions. The novel is emotional and tender, brutal and beautiful. (Kudos to translator Neil Smith, who did an amazing job.) Do not miss this book. The unabridged audiobook (Simon & Schuster Audio; 13 hr, 11 min) was read by Marin Ireland, who totally nailed the novel. There is a specific verbal hook in this story, repeated throughout, that could have tripped up a lesser narrator, but Ireland gives it the perfect tone and emphasis. Not only are her characterizations pitch perfect but she hits that sweet spot of creating an emotionally charged atmosphere while still leaving the listener ample room to form her own reactions. I see awards in this audiobook's future.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: 5 Short Book Reviews

Happy Memorial Day to everyone in the United States. Hope you've got something fun planned for today--either quiet time or cooking out with friends and family. It's raining here, but I'm confident it will clear up enough to enjoy at least some outdoor time this afternoon and evening.

I'm spending the day getting ready for my quick trip to BookExpo (aka BEA). Besides getting most of my packing done, I want to do a few house chores, organize my work so I'm not not lost when I get back from my trip, and maybe cook ahead to make it easier on Mr. BFR when I'm gone. We'll see how much time I have for the extras.

This week on the blog: I think I'm going to go very light this week on Beth Fish Reads. Besides today's post, I'll have a Wednesday photograph and a Saturday Weekend Cooking post. I don't think I'll have time to write more before I leave.

What I read last week: I had a great reading week, making up for last week's poor showing. I received several of these books and audiobooks from the publishers for review.

Eight Flavors by Sarah Lohman (Tantor Audio; 8 h, 33 min): This is a well-researched look at the history of how eight foods became staples in mainstream American households (black pepper, vanilla, curry powder, chili powder, soy sauce, garlic, MSG, and Sriracha). Lohman talks about the intertwining of economics, exploration, politics, and immigration with our diets and introduces us to some of the people who were instrumental in bringing these flavors to the American public. The book was interesting, but if you're well read in food history you won't find much new or surprising. In addition, Lohman goes off on some tangents that seem to be more distracting than rounding out the text. Lohman herself reads the unabridged audiobook; her odd pauses and halting delivery likely took away from my overall enjoyment. (More on the audiobook at AudioFile magazine.) Regardless, this is a good place to start if you're new to the field of food history.

The Story of a Brief Marriage by Anuk Arudpragasam (Flatiron Books; 2016): I read this book for my email book club and was surprised by how big of an emotional punch this slim volume delivered. The story takes place in about 24 hours at a refuge camp in Sri Lanka during their civil war and concerns a young man who once wanted to be doctor but is now a laborer who helps at the medical clinic by carrying the injured to triage and burying the dead. All alone in the world, he is surprised when a older man approaches him, offering his daughter in marriage with the hope of protecting her and giving her some kind of future if the war allows one. The book explores how life changes both materially and psychologically when war chases you from your home, takes your loved ones, and gives you few choices. Is it possible to find a way to become emotionally vulnerable again and make a real connection with another person? This is a book you won't soon forget.

The Dying Detective by Leif G. W. Persson (translated by Neil Smith; Random House Audio; 15 h, 27 min): I was curious about this Swedish crime novel about a retired captain in the national police force who is brought down by a stroke. While recovering, Lars cannot stop thinking about a cold case involving the rape and murder of a little girl that took place decades earlier, and so he enlists the help of his best friend (also retired from the detective force), his brother-in-law, and his in-home aid. Once I started listening to the audiobook, I found it difficult to put down: I liked the characters and the way the case gnawed at Lars. I also liked the descriptions of Lars's struggle with regaining his old life and his frustrations with his new physical limitations. Erik Davies narrated the audiobook, bringing the characters to life by using appropriate accents (Swedish and Russian) and distinguishing between spoken and inner dialogue. My only issues had to do with the translation, especially the rendering of idioms. The literal translation was sometimes strange and I had to mentally rework the text into common everyday English. Regardless, I recommend this standalone Scandinavian mystery.

The Whole Thing Together by Ann Brashares (Listening Library; 7 h, 36 min): This short novel is billed as young adult but the themes and characters make this a great adult crossover book. The book mostly takes place on Long Island at the beach house owned jointly by a long-divorced couple who never see each other. They share three children (now in their twenties) and each have a seventeen-year-old from their second (and current) marriages. The two teens have shared a room at the beach house all their lives, each getting the room every other week for the entire season, but they have never met because their parents have kept them apart. Although they share the same half-sisters, they themselves have no genetic connection. This is the messy, broken, and dysfunctional foundation of the summer that everything changes for these two families. I liked the story, though I sometimes felt the parents needed a good talking to. There are family secrets and drama and a few emotionally rough moments. The main themes are self-identity and seeing yourself as separate from your parents. Brittany Pressley did a nice job with the narration of the unabridged audiobook. Although not a particularly outstanding performance, she was expressive, kept the characters separate, and had a good sense of pacing. I would give both the book and audiobook an above average rating; not the best book ever but worth the read or listen.

Eggshells by Caitriona Lally (Melville House, 2017): I had high hopes for this story of an isolated young woman who inherits her great-aunt's house in Dublin. She takes rambling walks around the city, believes in the Irish folk tales, and still imagines that she was left by fairies for her parents to find. Although she hides from her neighbors, she is determined to make a friend, as long as that person is named Penelope. I read about 40 pages of this novel and just couldn't find a way to connect to Vivian. I think her quirkiness was just too quirky for me. I have put the novel aside and doubt I'm going to pick it up again. You may have better luck, seeing as Kirkus, the New York Times and other print sources seemed to have loved the novel, which was also a finalist for Irish Book of the Year.

The Scribe of Siena by Melodie Winawer (Touchstone; 2017): I've just stared a combo read and listen (audiobook read by Cassandra Campbell) of this time travel novel. I like it so far but hope it doesn't end up being an Outlander wannabe.

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9 Books to Put on Your Reading List

So many great books, so hard to keep up with what's new and interesting. Today I hope to tempt you with books that might have slipped off your radar. Whether you like memoir or mystery, contemporary stories or history, I hope you find something to add to your reading list.

• All the Best People by Sonja Yoerg (Berkley; May 2017): Psychic realms, psychological disturbances, the past, and the present all collide as a young mother tries to hold on to reality and keep her family together. Set in 1970s Vermont, this novel explores mental health, family legacies, and rural America.
• The Cure of La Fontaine by M. L. Longworth (Penguin; April 2017): A new restaurant, a possible curse, and a haunting past lead to murder and mayhem in Aix-en-Provence, France. The latest entry in the Verlaque and Bonnet mystery series is as much about the food as it is about the crime.
• I Found You by Lisa Jewell (Atria; April 2017): This multi-layered contemporary novel, set in England, involves three men--a missing husband, a man with no memory, and a predatory tourist--and the women whose lives they're affected. A well-paced dark mystery with "intriguing characters" (Shelf Awareness).

• I'm Traveling Alone by Samuel Bjork (Penguin; March 2017): Attention Scandinavian crime fans! This police procedural set in rural Norway involves a disturbing murder of a young girl and the possibility of more deaths. A twisty plot and a flawed female protagonist will keep your attention until the end.
• Man of the Year by Lou Cove (Flatiron; May 2017): In 1978, Howie Gordon decides he wants to be Playgirl's Man of the Year and enlists his friend's son, thirteen-year-old Lou Cove, to manage his bid for centerfold fame. A true-life coming-of-age story that captures both an era and a family in transition.
• Pretend We Are Lovely by Noley Reid (Tin House; July 2017): Over the course of a 1980s Blacksburg, Virginia, summer, a family grapples with past grief and shattered relationships, both among themselves and with food. Told from four different perspectives, this novel explores emotional attachment, the bond between sisters, and the hope for hope.

• Quiet Until the Thaw by Alexandra Fuller (Penguin; June 2017): Fuller's debut novel is set in the Lakota Oglala Sioux Nation in South Dakota and follows two cousins over the course of decades as they struggle to balance their traditional heritage with American culture. The story explores themes of family, being an outsider, and self-acceptance.
• Roads by Marina Antropow Cramer (Academy Chicago; May 2017): This World War II story, set in Yalta and beyond, looks at the effect of war on an ordinary Russian family that is simply trying to stay alive and together. With the Nazis on one side and the Communists on the other, where can they find safety and how, if they are separated, will they discover each other's fates at the end of the war?
• The Scribe of Siena by Melodie Winawer (Touchstone; May 2017): This time-travel novel transports a contemporary woman surgeon to fourteenth-century Italy, where she finds herself in the middle of political conspiracies, the plague, and the art world. Mystery, well-researched historical details, and romance make for top-notch reading.

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12 Novels to Read in January; Or What's on My eReader

It's a new month (and a new year), and I'm in the mood to look forward. Although I still have plenty of backlist books that live near the top of my reading list, today I'm all about what's coming out in January. I was just looking at my ebooks for my next read, and found 12 novels that caught my eye.

Thrills and Chills

• Different Class by Joanne Harris (Touchstone): Harris's newest novel is a thriller set in a British prep school and involves a Latin teacher, a new headmaster, and a past scandal.
• Containment by Hank Parker (Touchstone): The first sign of trouble is seen in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in this bioterrorism thriller that pits a mad scientist against the good ones.
• My Husband's Wife by Jane Corry (Pamela Dorman): A newly married London lawyer makes some questionable friends who, years later, threaten to turn her world and marriage upside down.

Leave the USA Behind

• Savage Theories by Pola Oloixarac (Soho): Set in Argentina, this novel in translation tells the story of a student gone slightly off-kilter and explores humanity: past, present, and future.
• Dance on the Volcano by Marie Vieux-Chauvet (Archipelago): Newly translated into English this story about sisters is set during the Haitian revolution and looks at racial and economic divides.
• A Word for Love by Emily Robbins (Riverhead): An American exchange student in Syria gets caught up in the life, loves, and secrets of her host family.

Past Wars

• Days without End by Sebastian Barry (Viking): In the mid-1800s, a young man, newly arrived from Ireland, joins the U.S. Army to fight first the western Indians and then the southern Rebels.
• The Signal Flame by Andrew Krivak (Scribner): Set in the Vietnam War era in a small town in Pennsylvania, this novel focuses on the effects of war on three generations of men and their families.
• The Echo of Twilight by Judith Kinghorn (Berkley): In 1914 England, a young woman accepts a position as lady's maid for a Northumberland family, unprepared for how war would affect her relationship with the family.

Contemporary Life

• The Antiques by Kris D'Agostino (Scribner): Set in upstate New York, this book is about a dysfunctional family reunited as their father lies dying during a hurricane; humor lightens the mood.
• Traveling Light by Lynne Branard (Berkley): This road trip story is about a woman who decides to leave North Carolina for the west after inadvertently becoming the caretaker of a stranger's ashes.
• Perfect Little World by Kevin Wilson (Ecco): In a psych experiment / utopia gone wrong, can a young mother and an idealistic child psychologist find a brighter future?

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Today's Read: The Last Good Girl by Allison Leotta

What if you joined a much-too-large college women's club, becoming one of thousands of rape victims? Emily, daughter of the university's president, isn't sure what to do after she has been sexually assaulted after attending a frat party.

The guy had beautiful white teeth and a dimple that appeared when she made him laugh, but all Emily could think of was, College is where romance goes to die.

They stood on prime real estate, belly-up to the bar at Lucky's, pressed together by the swell of bodies around them.

—The Last Good Girl by Allison Leotta (Touchstone, 2016, opening page)

Quick Facts

• Setting: outside Detroit, on a college campus, modern times
• Circumstances: Emily is filled with optimism on her first day of college as she heads off with her new roommates to her first fraternity party. What happens after she meets Dylan, a cute older boy, is not what Emily wanted. Devastated and ashamed, she tries to move past the sexual assault, until months later—against all advice—she decides to press charges. Then one evening in March, Emily fails to come home. Dylan is the last person to have seen her. When Anna Curtis, federal prosecutor is assigned the case, she won't stop looking until Emily is found . . . dead or alive.
  
• Genre: legal thriller
• Themes: campus sexual assault, date-rape drugs, Greek life, university politics, social class differences
• Characters: Emily, student and victim; Dylan, fraternity member, rich kid; Anna, federal lawyer; various FBI agents, frat members, and university staff and students
• Thoughts: Lots to like in this legal thriller. Although the sense of danger/tension was low, the plot was tight, and the main characters were clear and consistent. The author took on a couple of contemporary sociocultural issues, making the case for action without letting the larger themes detract from the plot. The Last Good Girl is the fifth book in the Anna Curtis series, but I didn't feel lost in terms of the backstory.
• Recommendation: Not the most heart-pounding thriller I've read, but Allison Leotta wrote a solid novel based on important contemporary issues. Don't hesitate to read The Last Good Girl, especially if you have an interest in seeing sex crimes brought to justice.
• Audiobook: I listened to the unabridged audiobook edition (Simon & Schuster Audio; 9 hr, 23 min) read by the talented Tavia Gilbert. Although I usually love Gilbert's work, her performance here felt rushed, and I noticed some breathiness. My advice: Don't shy away from the audio, but keep your expectations in check.

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Today's Read: Ink and Bone by Lisa Unger

Imagine that you had psychic abilities. What would your responsibilities be—to the dead, to the living, and to yourself? Finley Montgomery is aware that her grandmother has helped solved crimes, can she do the same?

Daddy was on the phone talking soft and low, dropping behind them on the path. Nothing new. He was always on the phone—or on the computer. Penny knew that her daddy loved her, but she also knew that he was almost never paying attention. He was "busy, sweetie," or "with a client," or "just a minute honey, Daddy's talking to someone." He was a good storyteller, a bear-hugger, always opened his arms to her, lifted her high, or took her into his lap while he worked at his desk. Mommy couldn't lift her anymore, but Daddy still could. She loved the feel of him, the smell of him. He was never angry, always funny, but sometimes she had to say his name like one hundred times before he heard her, even when she was right next to him.

—Ink and Bone by Lisa Unger (Touchstone, 2016, p. 1; Prologue)

Quick Facts

• Setting: modern times, the Hollows (a town in the Catskills, New York)
• Circumstances: A young girl is kidnapped while on vacation with her family. Although it's been a little more than a year, the girl's mother, Merri, is back in the Hollows after hiring a local PI, Jones Cooper, to try one more time to find her Abbey. Cooper turns to Eloise, a psychic whom he's worked with on other cases, but discovers that her granddaughter Finley is the one who seems to have made a connection with spirits who can help them locate the missing child. Can Cooper and Finely figure out what happened to Abbey?
  
• Genre, style: thriller / mystery with paranormal elements told from alternating points of view 
• Themes: family; marriage; responsibility to oneself and one's community; how to live with psychic abilities
• Characters: Finley Montgomery, a college student with psychic abilities; Eloisa, her grandmother, with whom Finley lives; Rainer, Finley's tattoo artist boyfriend; Abbey Gleason, the missing girl; Merri, Wolf, and Jackson Gleason, Abbey's family; Jones Cooper, ex-policeman, now PI; various people from the Hollows; people whom Abbey meets; the Gleasons' friends and family in Manhattan; other missing people and children
• Things I liked: The slow build up of the tension and the underlying creep factor. Finley's struggle with her psychic abilities: how to control her visions and how to interpret them, when to trust herself and when to listen to her grandmother and Cooper. The chapters told from the missing girl's point of view had a youthful feel and made me shudder.
• Things I didn't like: Some parts of the Gleasons' personal and family life were distracting. I liked getting to know Abbey's family, but I was more interested in Finley, the Hollows, and the case.
• Something to know: Although Unger has set other novels in the Hollows (what a creepy place!), Ink and Bone can be read as a stand-alone with no problem.
• Recommendations: I generally liked the book a lot, even though parts of the story veered off from the main plot. It's a quick read with decent tension, a few surprises, and a creepy feel. Some of the chapters told from Abbey's point of view were initially confusing, but all made sense in the end. This psychological thriller with a paranormal bent and good characters is a great choice for an afternoon at the pool.
• Notes on the audiobook: I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Simon & Schuster Audio; 11 hr, 49 min), read by Molly Pope. I think this was my first time with Pope, and I enjoyed her performance. The narration was expressive, and Pope did a particularly good job capturing Abbey's voice and distinguishing among the characters. There were times when she came close to too dramatic for my tastes, but she never crossed the line. I can recommend the audio, and I liked Pope enough to see what else she's narrated. I bet she'd be great reading middle grade or YA.

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12 Books to Read in April

I often talk about the physical (print) books on my reading list, but I sometimes forget to let you know what's new on my eReader. Here are 12 books (all to be published in April) that caught my attention.

Traveling to New Places

• The Alaskan Laundry by Brendan Jones: Set in Alaska, this novel follows Tara Marconi's transformation from Philadelphia athlete and baker to commercial fisherman in the harsh northern latitudes. Themes: friendship, self-discovery, new starts (Mariner Books) • Before We Visit the Goddess by Chitra Banerjie Divakaruni: Set in India and America, this is the story of three generations of women whose choices have unexpected consequences. Themes: mothers & daughters, cultural expections (Simon & Schuster) • Chasing the North Star by Robert Morgan: Set in the 1850s, this novel follows the journey of Jonah Williams who escapes from his South Carolina plantation to find freedom in the north. Themes: human spirit, friendship, survival (Algonquin). • A Fierce and Subtle Poison by Samantha Mabry: Set in Puerto Rico, this murder mystery finds its foundation in folklore and tales of the "girl filled with poison," who may or may not be dangerous. Themes: first love, culture clash, folk beliefs (Algonquin Books for Young Readers)

Nonfiction Picks

• Jungle of Stone by William Carlsen: This is the true story of the early-1800s discovery of the fabled cities of the ancient Maya. Facing an unforgiving environment, two men survived a 2,500-mile journey to tell the world of their discoveries. History (William Morrow) • The Last Voyageurs by Lorraine Baoissoneault: In 1976 a group of Midwestern teens and high school teachers set out to reenact the 3,300-mile journey of French explorer La Salle. This is the story of their adventure told against the backdrop of the original 1680 expedition. History, travel (Pegasus) • The Path by Michael Puett and Christine Gros-Loh: Written for the general public, this book is based on Harvard professor Puett's very popular Chinese philosophy class, which has transformed the lives of hundreds of students. Philosophy (Simon & Schuster) • Pistols and Petticoats by Erika Janik: The subtitle tells it all--"175 Years of Lady Detectives in Fact and Fiction." This book explores the trials and tribulations of the strong women who found a place in real-life law enforcement or in the pages of crime novels. Women's issues (Beacon Press)

Family and Women

• The Railwayman's Wife by Ashley Ray: Set in 1948 in Australia, this is the story of a young widow trying to come to terms with life as a single parent and a World War II veteran whose poetry seems to have been bled away. Themes: healing, moving forward, friendship (Atria) • Sunday's on the Phone to Monday by Christine Reilly: Set over thirty years in New York City, this is the story of a couple and then a family settling into its maturity. Themes: sisters, loyalty, family love (Touchstone) • Three-Martini Lunch by Suzanne Rindell: Set in the late 1950s in New York City, this novel centers on three young adults whose publishing dreams--as authors or editors--are tested by personal choices and cultural expectations. Themes: ambition, friendship, the price of success (Putnam) • The Year We Turned Forty by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke: Set during modern times, this novel gives three fifty-year-old best friends a do-over of their fortieth year. What would they do differently? Themes: friendship, choices, fate (Washington Square Press)

What's on your eReader for April?

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Weekend Cooking: Vintage by David Baker

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.

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Quick take: David Baker's Vintage is a fun romp through the world of wine as a down-and-out food writer makes a last-ditch effort to save his career and his marriage by attempting to track down a bottle of one the rarest vintages from a small French vineyard.

General plot: Bruno Tannenbaum--a Chicago food journalist--was once a crack reporter and successful book author; however, it's been years since he's felt the spark and confidence to write well. It doesn't help that he drinks a little bit more than he should and that he just can't seem to stick to budget, especially when it comes to food.

After he's been fired from his newspaper job, his friend Aleksei offers Bruno a job cataloging a wine cellar that has recently come into his possession. Bruno knows better than to ask Aleksei how he acquired the wine and happily takes on the task.

But checking out the wine is far from simple. After a series of zany and unfortunate events, Bruno finds himself on the search for a rare bottle of French wine made during the Nazi occupation. With a Russian soldier after him and a competitive reporter racing him, Bruno sets off for Europe with little more than hope and a prayer.

In the end, Bruno discovers much more than what he was looking for.

Thoughts: Vintage is a like a madcap adventure in which Bruno, a techno dinosaur, gets in to more trouble than seems possible. Fortunately, he's a charming man and makes friends easily, so he also gets out of trouble, despite a few bumps on the head. Although I liked Bruno and the story was entertaining, the best parts of the novel were the descriptions of food, cooking, and wine.

Here Bruno's telling someone how to make elk tenderloin:

Stud with garlic spears. Brush with olive oil. Good stuff. Extra, extra. Roll in fresh-cracked black pepper, not too sharp, a bit crunchy You want it seared on the outside but real pink in the middle. You're going for contrast here. Grill it. Soon as the juice is clear, you're done. Got that?

Bruno goes on to suggest serving it with grilled asparagus and wild rice and a good-quality Pommard Premier Cru or Oregon Pinot. Yummm.

Recommendation: David Baker's novel may not be the most literary you've read all year, but if you like wine, food, and a crazy adventure, then give Vintage a try. Start reading on a lazy weekend afternoon--accompanied by a glass of wine, of course--and you'll be finished just in time to cook up a lovely Bruno-inspired dinner.

Published by Touchstone, September 2015
ISBN-13: 9781501112515
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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