Book reviews and more!

THE ROOK, by Daniel O’Malley

July 3, 2012

DELIGHTFUL SUPERNATURAL SPY thriller hits the sweet spot between X-Men and le Carré. Great #beachread!

Grade: B PLUS

THE ROOK: ON HER MAJESTY'S SUPERNATURAL SECRET SERVICE
Little, Brown
2012

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TRIGGERED, by Fletcher Wortmann

July 2, 2012

A COLLEGE STUDENT’S OCD crisis and recovery is detailed in this admirably candid yet oddly lackluster memoir.

Grade: B MINUS

TRIGGERED: A MEMOIR OF OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER
St. Martin's/Thomas Dunne Books
2012

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NIGHT ROUNDS, by Helene Tursten

July 1, 2012

SWEDISH POLICE DETECTIVE Inspector Irene Huss solves a complex series of murders.  Crisp, suspenseful mystery!

Grade: B PLUS

NIGHT ROUNDS
Soho Crime
2012

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APRON ANXIETY, by Alyssa Shelasky

June 30, 2012

A CULINARY IGNORAMUS TRANSFORMS herself into a food writer, accomplished cook in this clever, charming memoir.

Grade: SOLID B

APRON ANXIETY: MY MESSY AFFAIRS IN AND OUT OF THE KITCHEN
Three Rivers Press
2012

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THE COINCIDENCE ENGINE, by Sam Leith

June 29, 2012

SCIENCE FICTION-FLAVORED spy thriller stars a hapless math Ph. D student on the run from shadowy agents. Fun!

Grade: SOLID B

THE COINCIDENCE ENGINE
Crown
2012

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CRUISING ATTITUDE, by Heather Poole

June 28, 2012

A FLIGHT ATTENDANT TELLS all about the airline industry and out-of-control passengers. Eye-opening snark!

Grade: SOLID B

CRUISING ATTITUDE: TALES OF CRASHPADS, CREW DRAMA, AND CRAZY PASSENGERS AT 35,000 FEET
William Morrow
2012

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BEING LARA, by Lola Jaye

June 27, 2012

A LONDON WOMAN’S unexpected, life-changing reunion with her Nigerian birth mother–thoughtful, touching novel.

Grade: SOLID B

BEING LARA
William Morrow
2012

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THE MAN FROM PRIMROSE LANE, by James Renner

June 26, 2012

SERIAL-KILLER SUSPENSE meets time-travel science fiction: plot is intriguing, but characters less so, alas.

Grade: SOLID B

THE MAN FROM PRIMROSE LANE
Farrar, Straus and Giroux/Sarah Crichton Books
2012

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JENERATION X, by Jen Lancaster

June 25, 2012

FUNNY, SNARKY BLOGGER, columnist Jen Lancaster’s latest memoir is about trying to be a grownup in the suburbs.

Grade: SOLID B

JENERATION X
New American Library
2012

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THE WINTER PALACE, by Eva Stachniak

June 24, 2012

SWEEPING HISTORICAL NOVEL tells the story of Catherine the Great’s rise to the Russian throne. Engrossing!

Grade: B PLUS

THE WINTER PALACE: A NOVEL OF CATHERINE THE GREAT
Random House
2012

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