CHARMINGLY QUIRKY look at the history of the unicorn myth, and at the real-life animals behind the legend. B PLUS

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF UNICORNS
William Morrow
2009

SPRAWLING, IMPRESSIONISTIC, vividly imagined portrait of Mexico City by expat poet and journalist John Ross. B PLUS

EL MONSTRUO: DREAD AND REDEMPTION IN MEXICO CITY
Nation Books
2009

A MASTER COUNTERFEITER comes under the spotlight in this crisply detailed look at a criminal’s true-life story. B PLUS

THE ART OF MAKING MONEY: THE STORY OF A MASTER COUNTERFEITER
Gotham Books
2009

RICHLY COMPLEX SCIENCE FICTION from Nancy Kress features her trademark combo of alien tech and human dilemmas. A MINUS

STEAL ACROSS THE SKY
Doherty, Tom Associates, LLC
2009

FASCINATING STORY of Henry Ford’s experimental rubber plantation/community in Brazil. Well researched, but dry. B PLUS

FORDLANDIA: THE RISE AND FALL OF HENRY FORD’S FORGOTTEN JUNGLE CITY
Metropolitan Books
2009

FUN AND FLUFFY chick-lit with a Hollywood setting is a goofy, delightful fairytale of a Cinderella cineaste. SOLID B

HOLLYWOOD IS LIKE HIGH SCHOOL WITH MONEY
Grand Central Publishing
2009

SAD, FUNNY, TOUCHING memoir of rebuilding a New Orleans life after Hurricane Katrina; tough but rewarding read. A MINUS

PLENTY ENOUGH SUCK TO GO AROUND
Kensington Publishing Corporation
2009

THE DEAD-END JOB MYSTERIES return with Helen now working at a fancy hair salon, and solving a celeb murder. Fun! B PLUS

KILLER CUTS: A DEAD-END JOB MYSTERY
NAL Hardcover
2009

INFURIATINGLY SELF-INDULGENT book offers some fun stories about the butcher’s craft, too much angsty wallowing. C PLUS

CLEAVING: A STORY OF MARRIAGE, MEAT, AND OBSESSION
Little, Brown and Company
2009

INSIDE STORY of a frequent book thief and the booksellers who brought him to justice is packed with interviews. B PLUS

THE MAN WHO LOVED BOOKS TOO MUCH: THE TRUE STORY OF A THIEF, A DETECTIVE, AND A WORLD OF LITERARY OBSESSION
Riverhead Hardcover
2009