Unbecoming , Rebecca Scherm, Penguin Books — To her boss and fellow workers she’s Julie from California. Just another American girl, living quietly in France without a visa, staying under the radar in the Parisian workshop where she repairs and restores antiques.
The Master of the Prado, Javier Sierra, Atria Books — Madrid in 1990 is an exciting place for journalism student Javier Sierra.
Lafayette in the Somewhat United States, Sarah Vowell, Riverhead Books–
Lafayette is an icon to Americans thanks to his unselfish and total commitment to the cause of independence.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Sword of Destiny, Justin Hill, Weinstein Books — The Green Destiny. Sword of legend and fable. Ownership of the exquisite blade confers mastery over the martial world — but at a price.
A Dictionary of Mutual Understanding, Jackie Copleton, Penguin Books — Amaterasu Takahashi and her husband left Japan for America after World War II, seeking a form of self-imposed exile from their native Nagasaki.
Death of an Alchemist, Mary Lawrence, Kensington Books – Bianca Goddard, daughter of an alchemist, puts her talents to good use producing medicines and remedies for the sick and hurt of London.
North of Here, Laurel Saville, Lake Union Publishing – In North of Here, a triple-blow of family tragedies hits Miranda hard, leaving her adrift mentally and emotionally.
The World of Raymond Chandler ,Edited by Barry Day, Vintage Books – Raymond Chandler’s work typifies the pulp fiction era, with his stable of hard-boiled wisecracking private eyes, Philip Marlowe being among the most well known.
A Song of Shadows, John Connolly, Emily Bestler Books–Charlie Parker, PI. The name has struck fear into the hearts of wrongdoers for years.
Beatlebone, Kevin Barry, Doubleday–John Lennon – a legend in his lifetime, lives a life in his own legend. It’s May, 1978. John is thirty-seven, going on thirty-eight, and he hasn’t written music worth the name for years.
