SWASHBUCKLING OLD-SCHOOL WESTERN adventure as only the late, great Elmer Kelton could do it–with finesse. B PLUS

TEXAS STANDOFF: A NOVEL OF THE TEXAS RANGERS
Doherty, Tom Associates, LLC
2010

BANNED IN BOSTON! Engaging look at the history of the Watch and Ward Society, a private group of censors. SOLID B

BANNED IN BOSTON
Beacon
2010

JASPER FFORDE is back with another metafictional adventure for his sleuth Thursday Next–or a version of her…

GRACEFUL, TENDER MEMOIR of a composer’s experience of living apart from his twin, who has severe disabilities. B PLUS

TWIN
Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
2010

A MAGICAL LONDON with a jazz-flavored film noir feel + a tough detective/sorcerer hero = memorable fantasy. B PLUS

MOON OVER SOHO
Del Rey Books
2011

MEMOIR OF A COMPLICATED girlhood in 1960s Buffalo and beyond has clarity and charm amid all the craziness.

GRACEFUL, GENTLE, COMPLEX first novel follows an everyman bank manager through his daughter’s wedding day. SOLID B

YOU DON’T LOVE THIS MAN
HarperCollins Publishers
2011

WARM-HEARTED WOMEN’S FICTION looks at all kinds of love, including ’70s celebrity crushes. Sweet and fun. B PLUS

I THINK I LOVE YOU
Knopf
2011

HEART-STOPPINGLY BEAUTIFUL, terrifying memoir of a writer’s Southern Gothic childhood, quest for the divine. SOLID A

HOUSE OF PRAYER NO. 2
Nan A. Talese
2011

OLD-SCHOOL DETECTIVE YARN like only Loren D. Estleman can write ’em; Detroit setting, scruffy characters shine. B PLUS

THE LEFT-HANDED DOLLAR (AMOS WALKER SERIES #20)
Doherty, Tom Associates, LLC
2010