Hannah

It isn’t often that you get to read this side of the story. Here we’re privy to first hand accounts of women as they struggle to resist the powers that are rapidly shrinking their world. Using their unique placement in Nazi-occupied France, these disparate women defied danger and protested in any way possible . From smuggling Jews, to graffiti, women worked in tightly knit groups and desperate isolation to keep their souls above water in the darkest of times. An inspirational book that never stoops to trivialities, Moorhead’s writing has me wishing more history books understood the power of research well told.

As a biological Oreo, I heartily recommend this book. Having often been asked, “are you really black?” and suffered such compliments as, “you talk good for a black person” (yes, “talk good”), I found solace, humor, and hope in this book. Part biography, part round table, this book reaches beyond its jokes to the awkwardness and suffering we all experience over race in America. From how to celebrate black history month if you are white, to being the token black person in the workplace, Thurston offers all the advice you need to live in a postblack, age-of-Obama, Tyler Perry world and not lose your mind and/or respect for your fellow human.

Part rollicking history lesson, part fanfiction, Beaton’s second book takes the hilarious comics from her popular website and puts them into print with her own witty annotations. Beaton has the answers to all your questions: Does Canadian history actually matter? Sort of. How many Watsons has Sherlock fandom created? Well, there’s Gay Watson, Stupid Watson, Lady-Killer Watson... Vagrant!’s art is as playful as its wit, and the book itself has an appealing layout. Whether you’re a lit nerd, history buff, comic fan, or just plain nerd, you’ll get a thrill out of Vagrant and leave feeling like the author is your new, better-educated friend.

If Dorothy L. Sayers and a French bistro had a baby, it would be this novel. The adventures of chief magistrate Antoine Verlaque are grounded in the sensuous descriptions of the French countryside and its food. When the discovery of the dead body of aristocrat-turned-documentary-artist Etienne de Bremont is not enough to prove foul play, the lack of evidence has Verlaque searching for an avenue into the world of the private family. The characters’ desires and the ambiance of the novel becomes its mystique and will keep you reading past your bedtime.

The first book in a stellar series, King’s novel keeps everything you love about Doyle’s original Holmes and still manages to be inventive. Holmes has retired to Sussex, and despairs of ever having an intelligent conversation again when the young Mary Russell literally stumbles upon him. Written from the perspective of the elderly Russell, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice brings Holmes alive in the way we’ve always pretended to know him. Maddened by his stubbornness and eager for his knowledge, Russell moves from awkward teen genius to Holmes’ legitimate sparring partner. Each installment further develops the partnership and Holmes’ place in a quickly modernizing world. King’s mysteries are adventurous, full of red herrings, and gleefully written. You will not regret taking the plunge into her alternate world.