Queen Isabella

Queen Isabella: Treachery, Adultery, and Murder in Medieval England, by Alison Weir; Ballantine Books, 2006

Reviewed by Alice Fraser

Queen Isabella is a compelling and accessibly written account of Isabella of France's marriage into the English royal family. Her husband, Edward II, was bisexual, launching Isabella into situations that pushed the conventional boundaries of her time. This is an interesting portrayal of a charismatic and politically astute woman, and her subsequent rise to power. Lord Jim, by Joseph Conrad, is a classic story of Jim, and his momentous personal struggle with ethics, as seen through the eyes of Captain Marlow. Although this book requires some fortitude to wade through the more viscous half of the narrative, Conrad's writing is full of brilliant descriptive passages. The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde, is yet another classic book to enjoy. It is the engrossing story of Dorian Gray and his life of progressive corruption. The novel plays heavily on the themes of beauty, love, death, and morality, and ends with a gruesome twist.

A is for Alibi

A is for Alibi, by Sue Grafton; Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1982

Reviewed by Mike Hamilton

A is for Alibi is a top notch story about Kinsey Millhone, a twice-divorced private eye. Sue Grafton has created a well developed plot studded with interesting places and real characters. Another very good choice is Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, by Mary Roach. How do you write a readable, and quite amusing book about cadavers? This author does, and makes an excellent read by taking a unique approach to issues surrounding death. For a change of pace, try C.S. Forester's The Hornblower Series. The series chronicles the career of Horatio Hornblower, from midshipman to top admiral in the British Navy during the Napoleonic Wars of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The book offers a good glimpse at life in England and other parts of the world at that time.

The Girl With No Shadow

The Girl With No Shadow, by Joanne Harris; Black Swan Publishing, 2008

Reviewed by Cathy Colson

If you enjoy modern fairy tales, read The Girl With No Shadow, the sequel to Joanne Harris' bestselling book Chocolat. The characters have evolved; the romance between Vianne and Roux continues. Do they finally get it together? This book is full of magic and chocolate, with plenty of romance and a contest of wills. Craig Lesley's River Song is the modern-day story of Indian tribes that have historically lived along the Columbia River. This book tells of the process through which they lost all but 40 acres of their ancient homeland. Friends, Lovers, Chocolate, by Alexander McCall Smith, is a very peculiar mystery. This story revolves around the recipient of a heart transplant who needs to find the family of the donor to understand his recurring nightmares. Isabel is a kick!

Comfort Food

Comfort Food, by Kate Jacobs; Putnam, 2008

Reviewed by Diane Allen

Comfort Food is a tasty novel about the competitive lives and occupations of two television cooking mavens--Augusta "Gus" Simpson, and former beauty queen Carmen Vega, who are forced to work together. This rivalry spices up the show, and a rating battle begins. Born on a Blue Day is an interesting memoir written by Daniel Tammet, an autistic savant. Tammet shares his life story, and recounts his meeting with Kim Peek, who was the inspiration behind the movie "Rainman". Tammet was also featured as "Brainman" in a BBC documentary. Hot House Flower and the 9 Plants of Desire by Margot Berwin, is an intriguing blend of botany, betrayal, strange people and exotic locations that enhance the story's magic and thriving romance.