Here are some books that have crossed our desks recently.
HARDBACKS
"HESTER: The Missing Years of The Scarlet Letter," by Paula Reed, St. Martin's Press, $24.99 (f)
What did Hester Prynne do from the time she cast off her Letter and left New England with her daughter? This story opens with Hester leaving the colonies for England in search of a quieter life. What she finds instead is Oliver Cromwell, the most powerful Puritan of all time. Thought to be a sorceress, Hester soon finds herself entangled in a web of political intrigue, espionage and forbidden love.
More hardbacks recently released:
"Quotidiana," by Patrick Madden: Essays, on things such as the origins of human language, the curative properties of laughter, the joys and woes of fatherhood — the musings of everyday life. "Frame Up," by John F. Dobbyn: Legal thriller featuring Michael Knight, an up-and-coming criminal defense lawyer investigating the death of his friend John, a lawyer for the mob. "Raw Edges," by Phyllis Barber: A memoir about Barber's redefining herself after a 33-year marriage disintegrated and reconciling her idealistic Mormon vision of marriage and the painful reality of disparate needs.
"Whirlwind: The Air War Against Japan 1942-1945," by Barrett Tillman: Tillman, a widely recognized expert on aerial warfare, tells for the first time the full story of the Allied bombardment of Japan. "One Good Dog," by Susan Wilson: A story about Adam, a man who's ruined his life, and Chance, a mixed-breed pit bull who escapes a life of fighting, and how they find one another and help each other to a new life. "Love Is the Best Medicine: What Two Dogs Taught One Veterinarian About Hope, Humility, and Everyday Miracles," by Nick Trout.
PAPERBACKS
"I AM NUJOOD, AGE 10 AND DIVORCED," by Nujood Ali and Delphine Minoui, Three Rivers Press, $12 (nf)
Forced by her father to marry a man three times her age, 10-year-old Nujood Ali was sent away from her family and made to live with her husband in an isolated village in rural Yemen. There she suffered daily from physical and emotional abuse by her mother-in-law and nightly at the hands of her spouse. Unable to endure the pain and distress any longer, Nujood fled. When a renowned Yemeni lawyer heard about the young victim, she took on Nujood's case. Since their unprecedented victory in April 2008, Nujood's defiance has attracted a storm of international attention. Here, Nujood tells her full story for the first time.
More paperbacks recently released:
"Bulletproof Mascara," by Bethany Maines: Debut thriller that deals with a top-secret all women espionage agency. "How to Escape From a Leper Colony," by Tiphanie Yanique: A novella and stories set mostly in the U.S. Virgin Islands of oral history and narrative by an author from the area. "Playing With Fire: The True Story of a Nurse, Her Husband, and a Marriage Turned Fatal," by John Glatt. "Obabakoak: Stories from a Village," by Bernardo Atxaga: Collection of stories about life in Obaba, a remote Basque village (f, translated from the original Spanish, reprint).
"The Gridlock Economy: How Too Much Ownership Wrecks Markets, Stops Innovation, and Costs Lives," by Michael Heller (reprint). "Forever Blue: The True Story of Walter O'Malley, Baseball's Most Controversial Owner, and the Dodgers of Brooklyn and Los Angeles," by Michael D'Antonio (reprint). "Change the World, Change Your Life: Discover Your Life Purpose Through Service," by Angela Perkey: Perkey, the founder of Students Serve, shows young people how to get involved and effectively address the problems they care most about.
"Honolulu," by Alan Brennert: A historical novel about a young, immigrant "picture bride" who leaves her native Korea and journeys to Hawaii in 1914 in search of a better life (reprint). "Party Animals: A Hollywood Tale of Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll Starring the Fabulous Allan Carr," by Robert Hofler: A book about the rise and fall of Hollywood producer and impresario Allan Carr.
— compiled by Kari Morandi