Beatlemania!

If you love The Beatles, (and who doesn’t?) check out George Harrison: Living In The Material World by Olivia Harrison. Numerous black and white photos lead down memory lane. Many direct quotes from George, his family and friends describe how things really were. There are mementos from the early days in Liverpool, the time in Germany and The Beatles’ first trip to America. The second half of the book showcases George’s growth both spiritually and as a musician. It’s a wonderful look at his life. Enjoy! DB

Fun and frothy

Clare Cosi, manager and head barista of the landmark Village Blend coffeehouse, can brew a beverage to die for. But can she stir up some evidence against a bitter killer who has gone loco for mocha? Clare's Village Blend beans are being used to create a new java love potion: a "Mocha Magic Coffee" billed as an aphrodisiac. Clare may even try some on her boyfriend, NYPD detective Mike Quinn-when he's off duty of course. The product, expected to rake in millions, will be sold exclusively on Aphrodite's Village, one of the Web's most popular online communities for women. But the launch party ends on a sour note when one of the Web site's editors is found dead. Murder by mocha is a light and fun mystery with recipes and coffee-making tips! KR

A Holiday Classic -- With A Twist

I have a love/hate relationship with Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker. I like the music, but having spent my formative years in over 6 productions of the ballet, I know the score inside and out -- which somewhat hinders my enjoyment of the holiday classic. For a new take on some familiar tunes, I checked out Harlem Nutcracker, a collection of jazz-inspired renditions arranged by Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, and David Berger. Close listeners of Tchaikovsky's original music will be able to pick out "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" in "Sugar Rum Cherry" and the "March" in "Peanut Brittle Brigade." So instead of the same old Nutcracker, try something a little different this holiday season! HM

Author Les Standiford delves into the story of one of the most ubiquitous tales in Western culture in The Man Who Invented Christmas: How Charles Dickens's 'A Christmas Carol' Rescued His Career and Revived Our Holiday Spirits. Beginning with Dickens' own impoverished childhood, Standiford chronicles the writers' ascent to stardom and fall to near bankruptcy at the time of his penning A Christmas Carol in 1843. With his story of the miserly Scrooge, Dickens was able to turn his career around and ignite a public sentimentality that had been long missing from the Christmas holiday (along with a massive increase in turkey sales).

Be sure to also check out some of Oxford's movie adaptations of Dickens' classic. HM

Winter in the Country

Fans of Flavia de Luce,the bratty,chemistry obsessed eleven year old, will want to read the latest in the series. In I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley, it's Christmas, and a film crew is at the crumbling mansion in the country Flavia shares with her befuddled dad and two mean older sisters. When the star of the film turns up with film tied around her neck in a strangulation bow, Flavia solves the mystery in spite of the adults who try to dampen her zest for all things sinister. Engaging writing,a precocious heroine and the gloomy country house that contributes to the mood make this a winner. M.L.

Death, in the style of Jane Austen

P.D. James is one of England's premier mystery writers and usually sets her mysteries in contemporary times. In her new novel, Death Comes to Pemberley, she writes in the style and era of Jane Austen. We pick up where Pride and Prejudice left off, with Jane living at her husband's grand estate, Pemberley. When her flighty and disgraced sister and husband come to visit, a comrade of her husband is found slain in the woods. If you are a fan of mysteries or Jane Austen this will be an interesting read. M.L.

"Everyone Has the Right to Enjoy It"

For anyone who has visited the Louvre, for those who would like to, and for art lovers everywhere The Louvre: All the Paintings is the must-see reference book at the Library. This catalog of paintings on display at the Louvre (over 3,000 in all) is priceless and will give hours of enjoyment. This book includes essays on each school of art represented in the book (Italian, North, French, and Spanish) and commentary by art historians on over 400 pieces. For anyone who has ever looked at a painting and wondered "what is that all about?" the commentaries will facsinate you as they talk about the artist, symbolism and historical significance. Just as you can't see everything in the Louvre in one visit, plan on visiting this book over and over again. SG