THE MIDDLE-AGED BRAIN! Recent neuroscience focusing on the ways we get smarter as we age, presented engagingly. SOLID B

THE SECRET LIFE OF THE GROWN-UP BRAIN: THE SURPRISING TALENTS OF THE MIDDLE-AGED MIND
Penguin Group (USA)
2010

WELL-CRAFTED TUDOR ROMANCE follows the adventures of lovely Lettice Knollys through Elizabeth’s court. SOLID B

RIVAL TO THE QUEEN
St. Martin’s Press
2010

GRACIOUS AND ELOQUENT, if not wholly compelling, culinary memoir of a tough childhood and a life in publishing. SOLID B

CAKEWALK: A MEMOIR
Dial Press
2010

DYSTOPIAN ARK of clones in a dying future world still haunted by memories of World War II makes for poetic SF. SOLID B

THE FACILITY (LEAPLIT)
Leapfrog Press
2010

PROFESSIONAL CRANKYPANTS Jen Lancaster’s latest comic memoir follows her through a quixotic quest for culture. SOLID B

MY FAIR LAZY: ONE REALITY TELEVISION ADDICT’S ATTEMPT TO DISCOVER IF NOT BEINGA DUMB ASS IS THE NEW BLACK OR A CULTURE-UP MANIFESTO
New American Library
2010

LATEST PIRATE NOVEL in Arturo Perez-Reverte’s Alatriste series is long on historical detail, short on action. SOLID B

PIRATES OF THE LEVANT
Putnam Adult
2010

FASCINATING STUDY of North Korea’s internal propaganda offers nuanced perspective on the country’s worldview. SOLID B

THE CLEANEST RACE: HOW NORTH KOREANS SEE THEMSELVES AND WHY IT MATTERS
Melville House Publishing
2010

SOME CHARMING PIECES (especially travel) in this second collection from Sloane Crosley, but not enough pizzazz. SOLID B

HOW DID YOU GET THIS NUMBER
Riverhead Books
2010

MAGIC (SOVIET) REALISM in this little parable inspired by the endless lines of Moscow; truly touching moments. SOLID B

THE LINE
Putnam Adult
2010

WELL-CONSTRUCTED MYSTERY, rich in regional Canadian (Saskatchewan!) detail and intrigue; twelfth in a series. SOLID B

THE NESTING DOLLS
McClelland & Stewart Ltd.
2010