ENGAGING TOUR of the world’s most advanced scientific installations and the people revolutionizing physics. B PLUS

THE EDGE OF PHYSICS: A JOURNEY TO EARTH’S EXTREMES TO UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
2010

CHARMING, IMPECCABLY RESEARCHED history of electrical batteries is both educational and fun. B PLUS

THE BATTERY: HOW PORTABLE POWER SPARKED A TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION
Smithsonian
2010

MARVELOUS POLICE PROCEDURAL with a surreal slant, set in fictional Mexican city full of characters. B PLUS #beachread

THE BLACK MINUTES
Grove Press
2010

LIFE IN RURAL and industrializing China, as seen through an American reporter’s eyes. Fascinating true stories. B PLUS

COUNTRY DRIVING: A JOURNEY THROUGH CHINA FROM FARM TO FACTORY
HarperCollins Publishers
2010

DETAILED RECREATION of the Battle of Waterloo is a treasure trove for devoted military history buffs. B PLUS

THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO
Random House (NY)
2010

TOUGH-GUY NOIR set in the deep woods of Maine melds twisty plot and strong sense of place, character. B PLUS #beachread

THE POACHER’S SON
St. Martin’s Press
2010

WELL CRAFTED HIP-HOP soap opera is a fast paced, compulsive page turner a cut above the usual. B PLUS #beachread

PLATINUM
Touchstone Books
2010

COZY COOKING MYSTERY has folksy small-town characters, yummy recipes, and a solid whodunnit plot. B PLUS #beachread

APPLE TURNOVER MURDER
Kensington
2010

CANDID, DETAILED MEMOIR from a former professional dominatrix is thoughtful, if perhaps too graphic for some. B PLUS

WHIP SMART: A MEMOIR
St. Martin’s Press
2010

ANOTHER ENGAGING MYSTERY with a hip chick-lit touch from Kyra Davis; humor, characterization shine. B PLUS #beachread

VOWS, VENDETTAS AND A LITTLE BLACK DRESS
Mira
2010