Our Lady of Immaculate Deception by Nancy Martin
Hardcover, published 3/10, $24.99
First off – love the title! You almost have to read it just for that! But, if you insist on knowing what it’s about, meet Roxy Abruzzo. When not avoiding work with her mafia boss uncle, Roxy runs an architectural salvage business and makes a decent living staying on the up and up. But sometimes even Roxy makes bad decisions, like when she tucks away an ancient Greek statue that is not really hers. This little move puts her in the middle of the sordid murder of the statue’s former owner, heir to a billion dollar Pittsburgh steel fortune. Roxy has her sidekicks of course. There’s Nooch Santonucci, the not so bright heavy lifter in the salvage business, her widowed aunt Loretta, a fantastic lawyer with a penchant for big hair and short skirts, and Patrick Flynn, ex-marine, professional chef and former love interest. A fun read in the Janet Evanovich mold.
Recommended by Laura

Altar of Eden by James Rollins
Hardcover, published 12/09, $27.99
I love James Rollins. There – I’ve said it and I’m not taking it back! I admit, it’s not high literature and won’t be winning the Pulitzer any time soon, but each book is a fast-paced thrill ride complete with awesome action and scientific and historical details that I did not know. Altar of Eden opens at the city zoo in Baghdad in 2003. Turns out some horrible experiments have been taking place in secret at the zoo, and someone has come to steal the technology. Fast forward seven years, a ship is found wrecked off the coast of New Orleans. There are no human survivors, but there are several exotic animals aboard, all with something oddly wrong with them. Louisiana state veterinarian Lorna Polk is called in to work with Jack Menard from the border patrol to get to the bottom of things. Little do they know that they have stumbled into an evil corporate plot to redefine nature’s basic DNA in an attempt to create the ultimate fighting machine. That’s what I’m talking about!
Recommended by Laura

The Piano Teacher by Janice Lee
Paperback, published 11/09, $15.00
Set in 1942 and ten years later, The Piano Teacher offers a glimpse into war and its aftermath – especially the fine art of collaboration. The Hong Kong setting is fabulous and offers a rarely glimpsed viewpoint of the beginning of WWII.
Recommended by Laura

Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips
Paperback, published 12/08, $13.99
The Gods – as in Apollo, Aphrodite, Zeus, Hera and the whole family – are living in a rundown flat in London. Being a God is just not what it used to be until two very plain mere mortals come along. Very funny! As an added benefit, I was able to brush up on my mythology – all while laughing out loud.
Recommended by Laura

The Art of Racing in the Rain
Paperback, published 6/09, $14.99
Wonderful, unique perspective! I loved Enzo, the self-educated dog (and car racing aficionado) who narrates this story of love, despair, dignity and joy. Excellent!
Recommended by Karyl

Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
Paperback, published 9/08, $15.00
Such an unusual gem of a book! Keep reading past a few chapters and you will fall in love with these characters. Centered around a Paris apartment building, the book tells the story of Rene, an incredibly well-educated concierge, and Paloma, a brilliant young girl. Both work very hard to hide their true identities until a new tenant moves into the building and helps them drop their disguises.
Recommended by Barbara, Karyl and Laura

The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark
Paperback, published 11/09, $15.00
Wow – Venice, great food and intrigue. This book has it all! I was captivated from beginning to end and I will never look at a cookbook the same way. If you like reading about Italy and Venice – this is the book for you. If you love food writing – this is perfect. And if you like a good bit of intrigue between your Popes, ruthless nobles and honorable men – look no further!
Recommended by Laura

The Condition by Jennifer Haigh
Paperback, published 7/09, $14.99
I’ve read Jennifer’s previous two novels and I am happy to once again recommend her. The Condition presents excellent characters with a unique story to tell. I found it intelligent and thought provoking as well as humorous. This would make an excellent book group discussion book.
Recommended by Karen

Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch
Paperback, published 4/09, $13.99
An excellent take on the power of friendship and love in its many forms. In this tender debut, a less-than-perfect debutante decamps South Carolina for a life in New York City. There, she tries to make sense of city sophistication and to understand the strange and rarefied world she's left behind. Great characters and a great read!
Recommended by Karen

The Last Dickens by Matthew Pearl
Paperback, published 10/09, $15.00
I am a huge fan of Matthew Pearl. The Last Dickens has a very clever plot and it truly reads like a Dickens novel! Pearl reopens one of literary history's greatest mysteries in a tale filled with the dazzling twists and turns and includes the unerring period details, and the meticulous research that I so loved in "The Dante Club" and "The Poe Shadow."
Recommended by Karen

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
Paperback, published 10/08, $14.00
I was intrigued about this book when I heard an interview on NPR. Set in India, this is a creative, touching and, at times, very humorous book. It is gritty, but the main character is amazing and his story is a page turner as well as a clear look into another culture.
Recommended by Karen

Netherland by Joseph O’Neill
Paperback, published 5/09, $14.95
The author of "Blood-Dark Track" delivers a mesmerizing novel about a man trying to make his way in an America of shattered hopes and values, and the unlikely occurrences that pull him back into an authentic, passionately engaged life. Although this has no bearing on the book – I also loved that I was reading it at the same time as the President!
Recommended by Karen

The Wildwater Walking Club by Claire Cook
Coming in paperback 4/10, $13.99
I have read a few books by Claire and enjoyed them all. This book seems especially appropriate as its heroine has just been laid off from her job. While attempting to create a new persona (or get back to her original self) outside of her job, she starts walking. From there she meets a few neighbors, goes on a fantastic trip, finds her calling and maybe even hooks up with Mr. Right. This book is the quintessential summer read!
Recommended by Laura

Something Missing by Matthew Dicks
Paperback, coming 7/14/09, $14.00
In the interest of full disclosure, I’ll tell you that I just met Mr. Dicks and found him funny, wry and clever, realized we went to the same college, and was ready – before turning a page – to like his book. In fact I was a little afraid to read it just in case I didn’t like the book. No worries, mate! I loved his story of the OCD burglar who only takes what his “clients” won’t miss. When he accidentally knocks a toothbrush into the toilet on the job (the horror!) he has to act fast to procure a new, identical brush before his clients arrive home. Working outside of his strict rules, he begins to influence his client’s lives, have unscripted conversations and even gets to play the hero. Once you read this book, you will forever wonder if you just misplaced that extra bottle of detergent, or if you have become someone’s client!
Recommended by Laura