There's Always Next Time

Fans of The Time Traveler's Wife will likely enjoy My Name is Memory, the latest adult offering by Ann Brashares (of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants fame). In it we meet Daniel, a young man who has the unique ability to remember past lives and past loves. In his most recent incarnation, Daniel seeks out Lucy, a young woman he remembers as Sophia, the great love of his lives. Can Daniel convince Lucy/Sophia of their past together, or will he be doomed to yet another lonely life? Told in alternating viewpoints, readers will get to know both characters, their motivations, and the reasons they may or may not be able to be together this time around. A bit confusing and, at times, frustrating, but still a worthy read.

Master of Suspense

If you're wanting to read about blood and guts, keep looking. If, however, you're seeking a subtly spooky story filled with exquisitely well-drawn characters playing out their parts in a setting so gorgeously-descriptive you can almost smell the damp of the lake as you read, rush to the shelf and check out Bag of Bones! In a departure from his typically in-your-face brand of horror, author Stephen King crafts with Bag of Bones a beautifully haunting tale that is driven more by its slowly unfolding suspense than by scariness (although there are a few moments...).

Still reeling from the sudden death of his wife, Jo, author Mike Noonan is mysteriously and uncontrollably drawn to his summer cabin on Dark Score Lake, a place he hasn't been back to in years--not since before he lost Jo. Here he hopes to discover what is drawing him back and, hopefully, find a cure for the writer's block that has been plaguing him. Upon his return, Mike instead finds himself unwillingly pulled into the dirty politics of the community, which are revolving around a nasty and possibly murderous custody battle brought on by a grudge held by the ruler of the area's good ol' boy network. Here at Dark Score Lake, Mike must also learn to confront and deal with his own personal ghosts. In doing so, he uncovers a nearly century-old secret that proves not everything (or everyone) in this outwardly-tranquil lakeside community is what it seems.

Pushing the Limits

Anita Shreve is known for her ability to write compellingly about personal challenges and her latest work, A Change in Altitude, continues in that vein. Married couple Margaret and Patrick have left Boston so Patrick can do medical research in Kenya. They make quick friends with a British couple and decide to trek to the top of Mt. Kenya. The dangerous trip takes a fatal turn and the following events have long-term consequences. Thought-provoking and well-written, this is a good read to the last page.

Da Vinci's Genius

The complex man behind the Mona Lisa had thoughts and theories about such a wide variety of subjects: painting, sculpture, flight, architecture, war, and anatomy, to name a few. Leonardo's Legacy: How Da Vinci Reimagined the World delves into the the mysteries of science that so captivated Leonardo, while revealing personal facts that humanize the brilliant man.

Not Just James Bond

If you like Sean Connery, you will like Being a Scot by Sean Connery and Murray Grigor. The book is loaded with great photos and illustrations providing the story of Connery's life as well as many details of Scottish cultural life and achievements.

More Than Dirty Harry

Clint: A Retrospective is packed with photographs that document the life and career of Clint Eastwood (some even dating back to the 50s). Mr. Eastwood wrote the forward himself and the following chapters illustrate the wide array of ways he's contributed to the film industry as actor and director. Don't miss the accompanying DVD that features clips of his movies.

A year in thirteen chapters.

"Black Swan Green written by David Mitchell, re-creates the universe inhabited by a 13-year-old English boy in 1982. It's a world of superstition, misinformation, obsession with social status, the mystery of girls, popular songs, school, his family's increasing dysfunction, and dimly understood political upheaval. Mostly though, Jason Taylor struggles with his stammer ("the hangman") and bullies. As in previous books, Mitchell's structure is a series of stories that add up to a novel. From Jason's first cigarette to his first kiss, this novel finds the strange in the quotidian. The antique Brit slang delights as often as it baffles. Highly recommended." -Library Journal