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THE NATURAL HISTORY OF UNICORNS by Chris Lavers

December 31, 2009

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

Grade: B PLUS

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EL MONSTRUO by John Ross

December 30, 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

Grade: B PLUS

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THE ART OF MAKING MONEY by Jason Kersten

December 29, 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

Grade: B PLUS

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STEAL ACROSS THE SKY by Nancy Kress

December 28, 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

Grade: A MINUS

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FORDLANDIA by Greg Grandin

December 27, 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

Grade: B PLUS

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HOLLYWOOD IS LIKE HIGH SCHOOL WITH MONEY by Zoey Dean

December 26, 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

Grade: SOLID B

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PLENTY ENOUGH SUCK TO GO AROUND by Cheryl Wagner

December 25, 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

Grade: A MINUS

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KILLER CUTS by Elaine Viets

December 24, 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

Grade: B PLUS

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CLEAVING by Julie Powell

December 23, 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

Grade: C PLUS

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THE MAN WHO LOVED BOOKS TOO MUCH by Allison Hoover Bartlett

December 22, 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

Grade: B PLUS

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