BREEZY ESSAYS on evolutionary biology and psychology: some intriguing insights, some flimsy generalizations.

THRILL-A-MINUTE SUSPENSE in delightfully chilling conspiracy page-turner; really works, despite its odd premise.

INSIDE THE COLORFUL world of Adult Fans of LEGO with a writer who rediscovers his own love for the iconic toy.

QUIRKY, OFTEN POETIC memoir of art, nature, family, and Native culture from Leslie Marmon Silko.

STYLISH, ATMOSPHERIC mystery with a Manhattan setting: compelling, if mildly improbable. Impressive first novel!

SCIENCE WRITER’S MEMOIR of her daughter’s recovery from anorexia is a tough read, but a helpful resource.

LESBIAN SLEUTH/RESTAURATEUR Jane Lawless’s 18th outing offers tensely plotted scenes, but too much backstory.

EXTRAORDINARY NOVEL: part thriller, part science fiction, part time travel, part historical, totally original.

QUEEN OF SPIES (spy thrillers, anyway) Gayle Lynds’s tensely plotted adventure focuses on a legendary library.

FASCINATING PREMISE–a woman’s diary of a year spent celibate by choice–doesn’t pan out. Psychobabble ahoy!