FICTION

‘The Red Squad’

By E.M. Broner (Pantheon, $24)

Anka Pappas, a professor at an Ohio university, is startled when an envelope containing a confidential file that was kept on her during the 1960s by the Red Squad is tossed on her front porch. She wonders who sent the file to her and why. This profoundly crafted story involves Anka, a group of instructors, a spy, and the separate trails their lives have taken.

‘Cemetery Dance’

By Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (Grand Central Publishing, $26.99)

The popular characters Pendergast and D’Agosta are tapped once again when William Smithback, a New York Times reporter, and his wife, Nora, a Museum of Natural History archaeologist, are attacked in their apartment on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Eyewitnesses claim and a security camera shows that the assailant was a strange, sinister neighbor, a man who by all reports had died two weeks before. This tale of magic, cults and sorcery will keep readers entertained to the last page.

‘Sunnyside’

By Glen David Gold (Knopf, $26.95)

This uneven story set in 1916 features Charlie Chaplin at its center. The narrative is a mix of real characters including Mary Pickford, Doug Fairbanks and Adolph Zukor, and a doomed expedition staged against the Bolsheviks. Swept up in the events is Chaplin, who faces such complications as studio moguls, questions about his patriotism, his unchecked heart, and, perhaps, most frightening of all, his mother.

‘Perforated Heart’

By Eric Bogosian (Simon & Schuster, $25)

The third novel by the author of “Talk Radio” is a meditative and lacerating portrait of a writer as he morphs from callow young man to aging literary lion. Partly autobiographical, this double narrative slyly moves back and forth between New York’s underground arts scene of the 1970s and ’80s to the present. While recovering from surgery in his Connecticut country home, Richard Morris finds a cache of old journals and rediscovers the voice of his younger self. Intriguing characters, memorable dialogue and a well-crafted story bring into sharp focus the underbelly of the American Dream.

‘The Secret Speech’

By Tom Rob Smith (Grand Central Publishing, $24.99)

In his second novel, Smith, author of “Child 44,” sets his story against the turmoil and upheaval of the post-Stalinist Soviet Union. Leo Demidov, a former member of the state security force, struggles to build a new life with his wife and their adopted daughters. As the Soviet Union begins to fracture, the dark legacy of Leo’s past career resurfaces to threaten both him and his family.

NONFICTION

‘Why Your World Is About to Get a Whole Lot Smaller: Oil and the End of Globalization’

By Jeff Rubin (Random House, $26)

The chief economist at CIBC World Markets for almost two decades and one of the first to accurately predict soaring oil prices in 2000, is one of the country’s leading energy experts. His new book maps out a plan of how we can benefit – politically, personally and economically – from a future that might in its physical limits resemble the distant past. He builds a convincing case that the American economy can be made stronger if we work to forge “green” alliances between labor and management that are good not just for business but also the very air we breathe.

‘The Center of the Universe: A Memoir’

By Nancy Bachrach (Knopf, $24.95)

When Bachrach’s father is killed in an accident aboard his cabin cruiser, she leaves Paris for the family home in Providence, R.I. Her mother, Lola, is on a ventilator and near death. As Nancy rearranges her life, she rediscovers her brother, Ben, a surgeon who was born with three thumbs, and Helen, the “wild child” and now an “abnormal psychologist.” This memoir is a fascinating blend of dark humor, stark reality and crisp writing.

‘WWII Behind Closed Doors: Stalin, the Nazis and the West’

By Laurence Rees (Pantheon, $35)

This gripping new history of World War II by an award-winning author and documentary filmmaker provides documentation of the little-known secret deals that were struck that helped make the war possible. These deals, which involved Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt, will change not only the way we think about the war but also the relationships that existed between the Allied powers. Drawing on archives in the East and testimony from nearly 100 separate witnesses, Rees presents a new and disturbing history of the war, raising such questions as: Was it necessary for the British and Americans to surrender so much to Stalin at Yalta? Did the British behave honorably toward the wartime Poles? And were Churchill and Roosevelt as friendly as legend would have us believe?

‘The Silence and the Scorpion: The Coup Against Chavez and the Making of Modern Venezuela’

By Brian A. Nelson (Nation Books, $26.95)

Nelson, who has lived in Venezuela and studied its culture and history extensively as a Fulbright scholar, presents a balanced account about the coup that attempted to topple Chavez during the spring of 2002. As an estimated 1 million citizens marched on the presidential palace demanding the resignation of the democratically elected President Hugo Chavez, a bloody confrontation ensued and within the subsequent 72 hours the country would go through three presidents. What exactly happened during this turbulent period is revealed in depth and through multiple perspectives in this meticulously researched and masterfully written new book.

‘Lowside of the Road: A Life of Tom Waits’

By Barney Hoskyns (Broadway Books, $29.95)

As a fiercely private, enigmatic, talented and mischievous man, Waits is the perfect candidate for a biography. Part carnival barker, part beatnik poet, part avant-garde rabble- rouser and part crooner, Waits began his musical career during the 1970s in Los Angeles. Hoskyns, a British music critic who has written extensively for such publications as The Times, The Guardian, and The Observer, gained unprecedented access to the closest people in Wait’s world. The result is a book that peels away many of the myths as it serves up one of the most nuanced and completed portraits of this remarkable one-of-a-kind artist.

‘Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs: The Making of a Surgeon’

By Michael Collins (St. Martin’s Press, $24.95)

Even though Collins enjoyed his work breaking concrete and throwing rocks for a construction company, he knew that there was more to life than crushing rocks and drinking beer. In his first memoir, “Hot Lights, Cold Steel,” Collins recounted his 4-year surgical residency at the prestigious Mayo Clinic. In his new book, he takes readers back to his early days as a Chicago construction worker and how he reached his soul-searching decision to leave that life and become a doctor. This is an extraordinary book of how one man went from construction worker to medical doctor by hard work, determination and beating the odds.

PAPERBACKS

‘Easy Company Soldier’

By Sgt. Don Malarkey with Bob Welch (St. Martin’s Press, $14.95)

Malarkey was drafted in 1942 and two years later he and his fellow paratroopers provided ground cover for the largest amphibious military attack in history, the Normandy Invasion. In this dramatic account of the bloody battles and dangerous rescue missions he took part in, he paints memorable portraits of the men he trained and fought beside. The Easy Company soldiers were featured in both the “Band of Brothers” book and the HBO miniseries.

‘Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Cancer Book’

By Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and David Tabatsky (CSS Books, $14.95)

When Elizabeth Bayer, a vibrant Tucson resident, was diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer, she was determined to fight it. Even though she would eventually lose the battle, her determination and courageous fight are an inspiration to others. In this memoir, her cancer diagnosis, treatment, remission and return are documented along with many of the valuable lessons she learned along the way. In addition to Bayer’s story, there are other real-life experiences that can help others embrace life with cancer as Elizabeth did.

‘Up Till Now: The Autobiography of William Shatner’

With David Fisher (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Griffin, $15.95)

One of the real pleasures of this autobiography is its unexpected wit. After almost 60 years as an actor, musician, producer, director and celebrity pitchman, Shatner has stories to tell. Even though he was emerging as an important Broadway actor during the 1950s, it was his role as Captain Kirk in “Star Trek” that brought him lasting fame. Written with all of the kicked-back style of a personal visit, this is a show business tale that is fun, entertaining and out of this world.

‘Country Cooking’

By the editors at Betty Crocker (Wiley, $25.95)

What makes this recipe collection so appealing is that most of the featured dishes are family favorites and authentic.

The 325 recipes are divided into eight main categories: Rise-and-Shine Breakfasts; Blue-Ribbon Lunches and Lighter Fare; Down-Home Poultry and Fish; Country Meats and Mainstays; Fresh from the Garden; Warm Up the Oven; Homespun Desserts; and Icebox Creations. These chapters are in addition to menus, helpful nutrition and cooking information, a glossary of cooking terms and even a metric conversion guide.

The recipes are fast, easy and foolproof. Even though some of recipes are heirloom favorites, all have been adjusted to accommodate the labor-saving resources of today’s modern kitchen. Looking through many of the recipes brought back memories, especially of my grandmother’s country kitchen. The Country Fried Steak with Milk Gravy is almost identical to the way she prepared it. The Wilted Spinach Salad is the real deal as is the Hoppin’ John. I suspect the Chocolate Chiffon Icebox Cake recipe is also the same that was used by my mom when I was a youngster.

More than 80 full-color photos and clear cooking instructions make this collection essential. Whether you want to make a Hot Fudge Cake that doesn’t require eggs, and can be made in less than an hour, or Candied Sweet Potatoes that are reminiscent of family dinners, this cookbook is just one example of why more than 65 million Betty Crocker collections have been sold since 1950.

Three recipes were tested from Country Cooking. Since I have a bumper crop of lemons in my yard, I made a Lemon-Filled Coconut Cake that was moist and absolutely scrumptious. The Avocado-Citrus Salad, which featured lime juice, grapefruit, one large orange and mint leaves, was a perfect pick for a hot afternoon. My third and favorite was a zesty Mexican Beef-and-Bean Casserole.

Mexican Beef-and-Bean Casserole

1 pound lean ground beef

2 cans (15- to 16-ounces each) pinto beans, drained

1 8-ounce can tomato sauce

1/2 cup mild chunky salsa (I used hot, hot, hot)

1 teaspoon chili powder (I used chili powder from Santa Cruz Chili Co.)

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeño peppers

Heat oven to 375F.

Cook beef in 10-inch skillet over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until brown. Drain.

Mix beef, beans, tomato sauce, salsa and chili powder in ungreased 2-quart casserole.

Cover and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring once or twice, until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake uncovered for about five additional minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve.

Tucsonan Larry Cox’s “Shelf Life” reviews of fiction and nonfiction books and his “Treasures & Trends” antiques column run Thursdays in Calendar Plus. For more, go to tucsoncitizen.com/calendar.
E-mail: contactlarrycox@aol.com

A woman takes a copy of "Sex as you don't know it: For married couples who love God," a new book by the Rev. Ksawery Knotz, from a bookstore in Warsaw, Poland. Knotz's book provides a theological and practical guide for Catholics that have little in common with the dour view of sex traditionally associated with the Roman Catholic Church. The main message is that sex is an important way for a man and wife to express their love and grow closer to God.

WARSAW, Poland – The Rev. Ksawery Knotz has a message for all married Catholic couples out there: there’s nothing wrong with a steamy sex life.

In fact, it’s a good thing.

In his new book “Sex as you don’t know it: For married couples who love God,” the Polish friar provides a theological and practical guide for Catholics that has little in common with the strait-laced attitudes often associated with the Roman Catholic Church.

“Some people, when they hear about the holiness of married sex, immediately imagine that such sex has to be deprived of joy, frivolous play, fantasy and attractive positions,” Knotz writes. “(They think) it has to be sad like a traditional church hymn.”

But Knotz, a Franciscan friar from a monastery outside Krakow in southern Poland, wants to change all that. His book aims to sweep away the taboos and assure Catholic couples that good sex is part of a good marriage.

“The most important message is that sexuality does not deviate at all from religiousness and the Catholic faith, and that we can connect spirituality and a search for God with a happy sex life,” Knotz told The Associated Press by telephone.

Much of the book stems from questions that Knotz encountered while counseling married couples.

“I talk with a lot of married couples and I listen to them, so these problems just kind of sit in my mind,” he said. “I would like for them to be happier with their sex life, and for them to understand the Church’s teachings so there won’t be unnecessary tension or a sense of guilt.”

Clergymen, including Knotz’s countryman Pope John Paul II and his successor Pope Benedict XVI, have written about the ethics of love, marriage and sexuality before, and laymen have penned steamy sex guides for married Catholic couples.

But few if any priests have taken Knotz’s explicit approach to sex — including everything from the theological to the practical, from oral sex to contraception and the number of children a Catholic couple should have.

“Every act — a type of caress, a sexual position — with the goal of arousal is permitted and pleases God,” Knotz writes. “During sexual intercourse, married couples can show their love in every way, can offer one another the most sought after caresses. They can employ manual and oral stimulation.”

The book falls squarely within the commonly held view of the Church’s teaching on sex: Knotz discourages the use of condoms or birth control pills, and says they “lead a married couple outside of Catholic culture and into a completely different lifestyle.”

But some Poles have been surprised by the overriding message of the book: sex is an important way for a man and wife to express their love and grow closer to God.

“Married couples celebrate their sacrament, their life with Christ also during sex,” Knotz writes.

“Calling sex a celebration of the marriage sacrament raises its dignity in an exceptional way. Such a statement shocks people who learned to look at sexuality in a bad way. It is difficult for them to understand that God is also interested in their happy sex life and in this way gives them his gift.”

The book received the necessary approval from Poland’s church authorities that it is theologically in line with Catholic teachings. There also has been no sign of a backlash in the heavily Catholic and conservative homeland of the late Pope John Paul II.

Still, Knotz acknowledges that a priest writing a book about sex “is in and of itself a bit of a sensation.”

The book hit stores across Poland last month. The Sw. Pawel publishing house has ordered a reprint after readers quickly snapped up the first 5,000 copies.

The publisher said it is in talks about possible English, Italian and Slovakian translations of the Polish-language book.

FICTION

‘Red April’

By Santiago Roncagliolo (Pantheon, $24.95)

This stunning debut novel, set in Peru during Holy Week in March 2000, centers on a charred body that is found in a hayloft. Felix Chacaltana, a hapless by-the-book prosecutor in Lima, is put in charge of the bizarre and horrible murder investigation and soon realizes what it means to be ethical in a lawless land. This fast-paced book is by one of Latin America’s most promising authors and is full of plot twists.

‘The Winter Vault’

By Anne Michaels (Knopf, $25)

In 1964, Avery, an engineer, and Jean, his wife, a botanist, settle into a houseboat that is moored on the Nile River. Avery, who is responsible for the dismantling and reconstruction of a temple that is being rescued from the rising waters of the Aswan Dam, is a “machine worshiper.” His wife is interested in everything that grows. This story of forgiveness and consolation is stunning in its exploration of both the physical and emotions worlds of its two main characters.

‘Hold Love Strong’

By Matthew Aaron Goodman (Touchstone, $24.99)

This debut novel is a literary paean to the power of family and belonging in the African-American community. Abraham Singleton, born to a 13-year old girl in the Ever Park Housing Projects in Queens, learns from an early age what it feels like to struggle. As he grows older, his mother becomes addicted to crack, his uncle is arrested and convicted of a serious crime, and the cousins begin dealing drugs. Somehow, Abraham learns to survive through love and hope. This spellbinding coming-of-age story is about learning to cope and surviving the odds.

‘Assegai’

By Wilbur Smith (Thomas Dunne Books, $27.95)

Smith combines the passions of Africa and the intrigue that stretches from England and Germany to the Masai tribal region of the African continent in this latest novel about the Courtney family. Set against the backdrop of pre-World War I, the story finds Leon Courtney recruited by his uncle to gather information from Count Otto Von Meerbach, a German industrialist whose company builds aircraft and vehicles for the Kaiser. His plan is doomed for failure when he falls in love with Eva von Wellberg, the Count’s mistress.

‘The Bascombe Novels’

By Richard Ford (Everyman’s Library, $35)

This trilogy of brilliant novels – “The Sportswriter,” “Independence Day” and “The Lay of the Land” – was written by an author whose rich body of work includes six novels and three collections of short stories. His gifted writing instantly pulls readers into lives that have been irrevocably changed, whether by the loss of a marriage, a career or the death of a child. “Independence Day” was awarded both the Pulitzer Prize and the prestigious PEN/Faulkner award.

‘Dust and Shadow: An Account of the Ripper Killings’

By John H. Watson by Lyndsay Faye (Simon & Schuster, $25)

During the summer of 1888, Scotland Yard’s Inspector Lestrade reluctantly calls on Sherlock Holmes to help track down Jack the Ripper, a serial murderer terrorizing the East End district of Whitechapel. A possible break is Mary Ann Monk, a struggling young woman and a friend of Jack’s first victim. Twists and turns continue as Holmes becomes more and more obsessed with the investigation. After a careless moment when he is stabbed and the unidentifiable culprit escapes, the great detective realizes he must break every rule to catch “the Knife” before it is too late.

‘The Sign’

By Raymond Khoury (Dutton, $26.95)

This novel is built on a intriguing premise, namely what if there was a phenomenon so special that it would end all wars and unite all of humanity regardless of race, religion and political affiliation? When a scientific expedition drops anchor to witness a cataclysmic breakup of the ice shelf in Antarctica, a massive, shimmering sphere of light suddenly appears in the sky, enveloping the ship in a mysterious white glow. The light vanishes and people throughout the world begin to wonder if it a sign from God or merely a hoax?

NONFICTION

‘Kazan on Directing’

With a foreword by John Lahr (Knopf, $30)

Without a doubt, Elia Kazan was the mid-20th century’s most celebrated director of both stage and screen. Born in Istanbul, he studied at Yale, worked with Lee Strasberg, eventually founding the Actors’ Studio in 1947. His credits include such seminal productions as “A Streetcar Named Desire” (both stage and screen), “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” On the Waterfront,” “East of Eden” and “Baby Doll.” Drawn from his notebooks, letters, interviews and autobiography, this remarkable book shows the master at work.

‘The Protest Singer: An intimate Portrait of Pete Seeger’

By Alec Wilkinson (Knopf, $22.95)

Pete Seeger’s amazing talent and his musical grace and passion for social justice helped transform folk singing into a high form of peaceful protest during the second half of the 20th century. Seeger became a professional musician during the 1930s. With Woody Guthrie, he formed the Almanac Singers, a union that helped trigger the protest movement of the 1960s. Along the way, he got himself blacklisted. This highly readable book is the story of a true American original.

‘A Day in the Life: One Family, the Beautiful People, and the End of the Sixties’

By Robert Greenfield (Da Capo, $24.95)

During the 1960s, Tommy Weber and Susan “Puss” Coriant were two young and extraordinarily beautiful members of the British upper class. They palled around with the likes of Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix. “A Day in the Life” is the story of their fortunes and misfortunes that ended with Puss’ death in 1971, and Weber’s arrest and eventual sentence at Wormwood Scrubs prison, one of London’s most notorious. This highly readable cautionary tale centers on two privileged people who lost their bearings in a hazy world of drugs, free love and unfulfilled dreams.

‘Gabriel Garcia Marquez: A Life’

By Gerald Martin (Knopf, $37.50)

This is the first full and authorized biography of the best-selling novelist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. Born in 1927 and raised by grandparents and a clutch of aunts in a small backwater town in Colombia, Garcia Marquez is, perhaps, best known for “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” an epic novel he published when he was 40. This balanced, superbly researched book is a sumptuous literary banquet filled with insight, perception and an absolute passion for life.

‘Lost Boy’

By Brent W. Jeffs with Maia Szalavitz (Broadway, $24.95)

The author is the nephew of Warren Jeffs, the “President and Prophet Seer and Revelator” of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and grandson of Rulon Jeffs, the group’s former prophet. In this book, he provides an unflinching, inside look at this sect and explains that he was excommunicated for maintaining contact with his “gentile” relatives. The first in his immediate family to speak out, Brent Jeffs reveals his harrowing youth including the painful memories of abuse and of his eventual escape from the cult during his adolescence. This is religion on crack and it is not a pretty picture.

‘Your Best Birth: Know All the Options, Discover the Natural Choices, and Take Back the Birth Experience’

By Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein (Wellness Central, $22.99)

To help women take back the birth experience, advocates Lake and Epstein explore both the positive and negative effects of epidurals and investigate the country’s staggering C-section rate. In addition to never-before-told birth stories by such celebrities as Cindy Crawford, Laila Ali and Melissa Joan Hart, their guide provides crucial advice from medical professionals, served up in a down-to-earth, engaging and honest format.

‘Bottom of the Ninth: Branch Rickey, Casey Stengel, and the Daring Scheme to Save Baseball from Itself’

By Michael Shapiro (Times Books, $26)

Shapiro, author of the previous best-seller “The Last Good Season: Brooklyn, the Dodgers, and Their Final Pennant Race Together,” has once again hit it out of the literary park. This is the story of two baseball legends at their watershed moment in baseball history: Branch Rickey, the retired executive who pioneered racial integration and the modern-day farm system, and Casey Stengel, one of the most famous managers in baseball, and the stunning climax in the seventh game of the 1960 World Series. This retelling of a little-known chapter in baseball history is exemplary sports reporting.

‘World War One: A Short History’

By Norman Stone (Basic Books, $25)

Stone’s latest book draws on his vast knowledge of World War One to provide a fresh and refreshingly brief perspective for an event that killed 14 million combatants, wounded an additional 20 million and destroyed four empires. Concise, captivating and highly readable, this is a brilliant piece of reporting by one of the world’s authorities of European history.

‘The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt’

By T.J. Stiles (37.50)

In this elegantly written biography, Stiles, a San Francisco-based writer and former professor at Columbia, tackles the incredible life of Cornelius Vanderbilt. He was born on Staten Island, left school when he was 11, and five years later bought a boat that he used to ferry passengers between Staten Island and Manhattan. By the time he was 40, he had a fleet of ships, eventually turning his attention to railroad financing. In what could have been a rather dry book, Styles humanizes this iconic man and explains how he, more than any other individual, helped create the economic world in which we live today. This is exciting history that is crisply written and full of fascinating details and unexpected surprises.

PAPERBACKS

‘Was Superman a Spy? and Other Comic Book Legends Revealed’

By Brian Cronin (Plume, $14)

Cronin, producer of the Comics Should Be Good blog and a noted comic book historian, answers such questions as which comic book hero inspired Elvis Presley’s trademark hair, what black superhero was changed at the last moment to a white hero, and was Superman a spy. The 70-plus years of comic book industry history are filled with myths and rumors, and quicker than a speeding bullet, Cronin sorts out the truth from the fiction.

‘Busy Woman Seeks Wife’

By Annie Sanders (Grand Central Publishing, $13.99)

Alex Hill, a high-flying marketing executive at a global sportswear company, is dismayed when she discovers her cleaning lady has been using her apartment to turn tricks in the afternoon. With so much to juggle, she begins to realize that she doesn’t need just another cleaning woman, she needs a wife.

‘A New Breed of Leader: 8 Leadership Qualities That Matter Most in the Real World’

By Sheila Murray Bethel (Berkley, $16)

Global leadership expert and bestselling author Murray Bethel is convinced that becoming a good leader depends on eight essential qualities: competence, accountability, openness, language, values, perspective, power and humility. Filled with stories about and interviews with successful leaders such as Andrea Jung, CEO of Avon, Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks, and Indra Nooyi, CEO of Pepsico, Bethel’s guide provides valuable insights on how to take advantage of her immediately usable action steps.

‘The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death: Reflections on Revenge, Germophobia, and Laser Hair Removal’

By Laurie Notaro (Ballantine, $14)

A word of warning: This book is so funny, it will cause you to snort coffee out your nose, if you’re drinking coffee. This collection of true-life essays, her fifth, includes stories of how her cat broke its nose, the best way to laser away unwanted hair, and the sad fact that you can’t be a badass while driving a Prius. Notaro, who loves goat cheese, is better therapy than a year on the couch.

YOUNG READERS

‘Too Perfect’

By Trudy Ludwig with illustrations by Lisa Fields (Tricycle Press, $15.99)

Masie thinks Kayla is perfect. She’s pretty, she’s thin and she wears cool clothes – but is she really happy? This story explores the relentless and destructive drive for perfection and the freedom that comes from accepting oneself. (Ages 3-8)

‘Down by the Station’

By Jennifer Riggs Vetter with illustrations by Frank Remkiewicz (Tricycle Press, $15.99)

This book is certain to attract the attention of young readers who are fascinated by trains, trucks, boats and planes. In this action-packed expanded version of the classic children’s rhyme, toddlers and preschoolers will love to make the same sounds that the machines make, from waHONK to WeeOOO. (2-4 years)

‘What Can You Do With a Paleta’

By Carmen Tafolla with illustrations by Magaly Morales (Tricycle Press, $14.99)

A paleta, the traditional Mexican fruity popsicle treat, is at the center of this colorful new book. With a paleta you can find a new friend, cool off on a hot day and even create a masterpiece. (Ages 3-6)

‘America’s Best BBQ: 100 Recipes from America’s Best Smokehouses, Pits, Shacks, Rib Joints, Roadhouses, and Restaurants’

By Ardie A. Davis and Chef Paul Kirk (Andrews McMeel, $19.99)

Being a seventh-generation Southerner, it’s no secret that barbecue is embedded in my DNA. I have driven hundreds of miles out of my way to sample a good barbecue joint.

In recent years, I’ve sampled such delights as the spicy pit barbeque at The Dixie Pig in Blytheville, Ark., munched my way through a platter of smoked pig snoots at Smoki O’s in St. Louis, and tracked down a Texas gourmet treat, namely brisket nachos, a staple at Tom’s Ribs in San Antonio.

Ardie A. Davis, a certified judge in several barbecue events and cook-offs, and Chef Paul Kirk, barbecue guru and winner of more than 475 cooking awards, crisscrossed America in search of the best barbecue joints in the country. After investigating some 8,000 restaurants, they listed their top 100 picks in a fascinating new book.

In addition to recipes for meat, meat and more meat, there are dozens of delicious entries for starters, sides and even desserts. This is one of the more fun collections I’ve seen and it is being published just in time for the summer backyard cooking season.

Barbecue joints from 25 states are represented including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. The only Arizona restaurant to make the cut is Joe’s Real B-B-Q in Gilbert, renown for its Root Beer Cake.

Three recipes were tested from this collection. Coleslaw from Woody’s Bar-B-Que in Waldenburg, Ark., was a snap to prepare and required only three ingredients in addition to salt and pepper. Smoked hot links, a draw at Barbara Ann’s Bar-B-Que & Motel in Chicago, were spicy and served with baked beans.

My third and favorite tested recipe was for Glazed Barbecued Ribs, a specialty at North Main BBQ in Euless, Texas. The secret spice used is fairly easy to prepare and the finishing mop and glaze added just the right touch.

Glaze for Barbecued Ribs

Serves 6 to 8

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup seasoned salt

3 tablespoons chili powder

1/4 cup garlic salt

1 tablespoon paprika

1 tablespoon finely ground black pepper

1 tablespoon cayenne

2 slabs of St. Louis-style spareribs

Finishing Mop and Glaze

1/4 cup ketchup

1/4 cup yellow mustard

1/4 to 1/3 cup distilled white vinegar

1 cup packed light brown sugar

To make the secret spice, combine all of the ingredients in an airtight container and blend well. Store in a cool, dry place until ready for use or can be saved for up to six months.

Preheat your smoker to 230-250 degrees. Season the ribs all over to taste with secret spice. You can store the rest of the secret spice for up to six months. Place in your smoker and cook for 4 to 6 hours, or until done.

When the ribs are smoking, make the finishing mop and glaze. Combine the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.

In the last 10 minutes of cooking time, mop the ribs all over with the finishing sauce.

Tucsonan Larry Cox’s “Shelf Life” book reviews and “Treasures & Trends” antiques column run Thursdays in Calendar Plus. For more, go to tucsoncitizen.com/calendar.
E-mail: contactlarrycox@aol.com

FICTION

‘No Such Creature’

By Giles Blunt (Henry Holt & Company, $25)

Mangus “Max” Maxwell and his 18-year-old adopted nephew, Owen, team up to tour the country in a tricked out Winnebago. Their plan is to swindle the rich, but things take a deadly turn in Las Vegas when they come in contact with the “Subtractors,” a gang of crooks who target fellow thieves and “subtract” body parts one by one until they surrender their loot. There is so much to admire in this fascinating novel, a brilliant concept, interesting characters and unexpected plot twists, all guaranteed to keep readers engaged until the very last page.

‘Darling Jim’

By Christian Moerk (Henry Holt & Company, $25)

In this masterfully written suspense thriller, two sisters and their aunt are found dead in their home just outside of Dublin. A third sister is missing. The plot thickens when Niall, a young mailman, finds a mysterious diary in the post office’s dead-letter bin that provides information about a mysterious itinerant storyteller at the very heart of the murders. Set against the bucolic backdrop of the Irish countryside, this is an enthralling tale of love, jealousy, deep family feuds, resentment, sexual obsession, envy and murder.

‘The Faraway War’

By Enrique Clio (Thomas Dunne Books, $24.95)

Nineteen-year-old Henry Reese leaves Brooklyn for Cuba in 1853 to join Cuban insurgents who are fighting the Spanish Army. Captured during his first battle, he is lined up before a firing squad and shot. He survives his wounds, is rescued and rejoins the fight, eventually becoming a brigadier general in the Liberation Army. Based on the life of a real character, this engaging novel is lively, entertaining and a page-turner of the highest sort.

‘The Contractor’

By Colin MacKinnon (St. Martin’s Press, $24.95)

Rick Behringer uses his small telecom company located near Washington, D.C., as the perfect cover for his second, more secretive job as a spy for the CIA. When he learns that a mysterious Pakistani Islamist is attempting to acquire highly enriched uranium, his colleagues at the CIA encourage him to track down the elusive man and find out more. As, perhaps, the only man who can stop “an Islamic bomb” from bringing disaster to America, he has his work cut out for him in this fast moving, nail-biting thriller.

‘Germania’

By Brendan McNally (Simon & Schuster, $26)

In this remarkable debut novel, the Flying Magical Loerber Brothers, once the biggest stars on the German cabaret circuit, find themselves in danger during the final days of World War II. Determined to defeat the Nazis from within, two of the four become spies for the Allies, using their positions to supply the British and Russians with much needed intelligence. A third brother joins the German navy and the final member of the team is presumed dead but in reality has joined the radical group The Blood of Israel. Thrilling and laced with dark humor, “Germania” is unpredictable and highly entertaining.

‘Choral Society’

By Prue Leith (St. Martin’s Press, $25.95)

This crisply written story pivots around three women who meet when they join a choir. One widowed, one divorced and one never married, they form a tight bond. In this delightful story of friendship and discovery, three women share their disappointments, hopes and dreams while in the process discovering the possibility of love – if they dare to open themselves up to it.

‘Feathered Serpent’

By Xu Xiaobin and translated by John Howard-Gibbon and Joanne Wang (Atria, $25)

This Chinese novel, first published in 1998, was a literary breakthrough, selling a record number of copies in Chinese women’s literature. Powerful, lyrical and haunting, the central story spans a century, from 1890 to the 1990s, following five generations of women from one family. Xu Xiaobin, born in Beijing in 1953, and one of China’s most celebrated writers, has written a passionate story that is a deft blend of women’s fiction, mysticism and socio-political literature that is both rich and insightful.

NONFICTION

‘The Talent Code’

By Daniel Coyle (Bantam, $25)

Coyle, an Alaskan-based writer and frequent contributor to Outside magazine, focuses on nine of the world’s most prolific hotbeds of talent to uncover the key to unlocking human potential. Along the way he discovers why one impoverished Russian tennis club is able to field more Top 20 women players than any other country, how all three Brontë sisters became literary all-stars and the methods used by a music school in a mall in Texas that enables it to produce a string of pop stars including Jessica Simpson and Demi Lovato. The secret, according to the author, boils down to three elements: the right kinds of practice, coaching and motivation. Combining vivid examples with expert analysis, this book is geared to help you reach your full potential.

‘All My Patients Have Tales: Favorite Stories from a Vet’s Practice’

By Jeff Wells, DVM (St. Martin’s Press, $24.95)

Wells grew up in Iowa, surrounded by pets that ranged from cats and dogs to cows and pigs. His dad, who made a living teaching agriculture at the local high school, was the reason why the author’s home was much like a petting zoo and why he eventually became a veterinarian. His new book documents his first job in the farmlands of South Dakota and follows his career as he relocates to the foothills of Colorado where he establishes a successful practice. As he points out, vets need not only animal skills but people skills as well. This touching, poignant look at the daily life of a busy, dedicated veterinarian is witty, inspirational and an absolute treat.

‘Warren Oates: A Wild Life’

By Susan Compo (University Press of Kentucky, $34.95)

Even though Warren Oates never reached leading actor status, his work, especially during the 1970s, made him one of the more interesting and talented supporting actors in the business. In the first published biography of Oates, the author serves up a lively and studious look at this extraordinary man, chronicling his early life in Kentucky as well as his later achievements and misadventures. Drawing on interviews and new materials, Compo builds a convincing case that Oates was a talented rebel often haunted by long periods of hard drinking, drug abuse and infidelities.

‘Real Solutions for Busy Moms’

By Kathy Ireland (Howard, $23.99)

Ireland, chief designer and CEO of Kathy Ireland Worldwide, is convinced that no job is more rewarding, fulfilling or empowering than that of a mom. Sometimes that job can be difficult, demanding and overwhelming. Ireland believes that moms can do it all – just not all at once. This supermodel, entrepreneur and mom of three provides a road map for dealing with tough times. She addresses such tough issues as managing money, establishing a happy home environment, developing a healthy lifestyle, keeping children safe and balancing tasks and responsibilities. With compassion, encouragement and empathy, she offers both tools and solutions to cope.

‘Let Me Eat Cake: A Celebration of Flour, Sugar, Butter, Eggs, Vanilla, Baking Powder, and a Pinch of Salt’

By Leslie Miller (Simon & Schuster, $25)

Miller, A Baltimore-based writer, graphic designer and photographer, is a self-confessed cake addict. Her new book is a lively, loving testament to cake that explores its long history and legends, its celebratory significance, its quirky practitioners and even Miller’s own successes and failures in baking the perfect pastry. One of the more intriguing episodes in her book is when she insinuates her way into what she calls the underbelly of cake, namely the lives and bakeries of Baltimore’s bakers, including celebrity baker Duff Goldman, the darling of the Food Network.

‘How to Win a Cosmic War: God, Globalization, and the End of the War on Terror’

By Reza Aslan (Random House, $26)

Reza Aslan is a Senior Fellow at the Orfalae Center for Global and International Studies at U.C. Santa Barbara and a frequent commentator on CNN, CBS and NPR. In his new book, he provides both an in-depth study of the ideology behind al-Qaida, the Taliban and like-minded militants throughout the Muslim world, and the tradition of religious violence found in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Surveying the global scene from Israel to Iraq, and from New York to the Netherlands, he concludes that the only way to win a cosmic or religious war is by, first, addressing earthy grievances. This will, he writes, remove the appeal of Jihadism as a social movement. He believes the next steps are to change the narrative between Islam and the West, support the democratic aspirations of Islamist parties in places such as Indonesia, Morocco, Palestine and Turkey, and – perhaps more importantly – recognize that our present War on Terror cannot be won militarily.

‘The Marriage-Go-Round: The State of Marriage and the Family in America Today’

By Andrew J. Cherlin (Knopf, $25.95)

Cherlin, one of the nation’s leading experts on the American family, concluded after more than three decades of study that marriage in the United States is different than in other Western countries and in a way that no one was writing about. He points out that marriage in the United States is seen as a cultural ideal and our government spends a great deal of money to promote its continuation. He adds that Americans have come to embrace two contradictory models of personal and family life: marriage, a formal commitment to share one’s life with another; and individualism, which emphasizes personal growth and development. Each model is culturally reinforced by two basic, powerful institutions: religion and law.

‘The Body Broken: A Memoir’

By Lynne Greenberg (Random House, $25)

When she was 19, Greenberg narrowly survived a terrible car crash. Her fractured neck eventually healed, or so she thought, and she resumed an active life that included a devoted husband, two wonderful children and a fulfilling career as an English professor in New York City. Twenty-two years later, the crippling pain returned. After two years of doctors, specialists and tests, it was determined that her neck had not healed as originally thought. Her heartbreakingly, honest memoir is how she had to learn to cope with chronic pain while finding the strength to return to a productive yet irrevocably changed life.

‘When I Married my Mother’

By Jo Maeder (Da Capo, $25)

Maeder was a DJ on New York’s WKTU when she realized that her estranged mother could no longer live alone. Against the advice of her colleagues and friends, she left the bright lights of the Big Apple, bought a house in Greensboro, N.C., and moved her mother in so they could live together. This book highlights the growing trend of intergenerational households in America, a 57 percent increase since 2000. This insightful, true-to-the-bone account documents one woman’s decision to leave her glamorous career in New York City to become an informal caregiver for her mother in the Bible Belt.

PAPERBACKS

‘Stone Me: The Wit and Wisdom of Keith Richards’

Compiled by Mark Blake (New American Library, $12.95)

This little book is apparently as thin as Richards’ intellect. For example, one of his more colorful observations compares The Beatles to an enema, adding that their impact made the Rolling Stones a great toilet bowl. While you’re mulling that one over, there’s more. He claims you are never alone with a Smith and Wesson, that Mick, when drunk, is a sight to behold, and that occasionally you want to strangle even the closest of your friends.

‘The 7th Infantry Regiment: Combat in the Age of Terror, the Korean War Through the Present’

By John C. McManus (Tor/Forge, $15.95)

Acclaimed military historian McManus provides readers with a compelling glimpse of the history of the 7th Infantry Regiment. This collection of unremarkable, ordinary soldiers who through their struggle, anguish, fear, sacrifice, triumph and pride, have established themselves as the very soul of the U.S. Army. This is required reading for anyone interested in the true and gritty stories that have made this special unit so extraordinary.

‘Summer in Tuscany’

By Elizabeth Adler (St. Martin’s Griffin, $14.95)

Gemma Jericho is an overworked New York doctor. When her mother, Nonna, learns of a mysterious inheritance in Tuscany, she talks Gemma and her teenage granddaughter into accompanying her to Italy to claim it. When the three women get to Tuscany, they find a divided village and Ben Raphael, an unnervingly handsome American, occupying their villa.

‘Who Do You Think You Are?’

By Alyse Myers (Touchstone, $15)

Raised in a housing project in Queens, Myers, the oldest of three girls, spent most of her childhood witnessing the disintegration of her parents’ marriage and her father’s constant vanishing acts. She came to the conclusion that she didn’t care much for her mother and suspected she felt the same about her. When her mother dies, she becomes obsessed by a locked wooden box. Could the contents shed some light on her stormy history with her mother and, perhaps, even her parents’ troubled relationship? More importantly, does she have the courage to open the box? This heart-wrenching and ultimately uplifting memoir of a mother and daughter is powerful and unforgettable.

‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’

By Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith (Quirk, $12.95)

“Pride and Prejudice” is one of the most beloved novels ever written. It has been adapted into several Hollywood films, a Broadway musical, a BBC miniseries, and is even the basis for Bridget Jones’s Diary. Who could have imagined that in 2009 it would be given the zombie treatment? The real shock in this book is how well it works. This book features most of the original 1813 text with zombie narratives neatly inserted. Featuring 20 illustrations and a reader’s discussion guide, this is perfect summer reading. Can a heart-pounding edition of “David Copperfield: London Vampire” be far behind?

‘The Scandinavian Cookbook’

By Trina Hahnemann with the photography of Lars Ranek (Andrews McMeel, $29.99)

Trina Hahnemann is a chef and food writer who began her culinary work as a caterer for such rock stars as Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and members of the Rolling Stones. In addition to her numerous awards and achievements, she owns and runs a cafe in Denmark’s House of Parliament.

Hahnemann has helped define the New Nordic movement, a movement that focuses on purity, freshness and simplicity. In her new collection, she brings that aspect of Scandinavian cooking into the American kitchen. Most of the recipes require fresh, seasonal ingredients, and use user-friendly cooking techniques.

The recipes are supplemented by the images of Lars Ranek who has contributed to more than 20 cookbook collections.

The 115 recipes are grouped into 12 chapters, each part representing a month of the year. The changing seasons with their shifting daylight conditions, as well as strong agricultural and fishing traditions in Norway, Denmark and Sweden, helped to develop a highly differentiated approach to cooking and dining. Those factors are what make this collection so interesting.

More than just a collection of recipes, this new cookbook is a celebration of Scandinavian culture.

Two recipes were tested from “The Scandinavian Cookbook.” Vanilla Custard with Red Currants was rich yet called for just five ingredients. The Kransekage, or almond cake, was a little more complex but equally delicious. This is a collection that is as delightful to look at as it is delicious to test.

Vanilla Custard with Red Currants

Serves 4

1 vanilla bean

6 pasteurized egg yolks

2/3 cup of superfine sugar

1 1/4 cups heavy cream

1 cup red currants

Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with the tip of a knife. Put the seeds in a bowl with the egg yolks and sugar and beat until pale and fluffy. Whip the heavy cream until it forms soft peaks, then gently fold into the egg mixture.

Pour the mixture into one or more freezer-proof containers and freeze for six hours. The parfait is now ready. Serve with red currants or other fresh fruit.

Tucsonan Larry Cox’s “Shelf Life” reviews of fiction and nonfiction books and his “Treasures and Trends” antiques column run Thursdays in Calendar Plus. For more, go to tucsoncitizen.com/ calendar. E-mail: contactlarrycox@aol.com

NOVELS

‘Everything Hurts’

By Bill Scheft (Simon & Schuster, $24)

In his third novel, Scheft, the 15-time Emmy-nominated writer for David Letterman, zeroes in on the self-help industry as he digs deep into the universal themes of aging, family and mortality. At the center of the story is Phil Camp, a neurotic writer who tries to come to terms with life’s imperfections. As he grapples with crippling leg pain, a nutty ex-wife and a career built on a lie, his depression deepens as he falls in love with the daughter of one of his harshest critics.

‘An Accomplished Woman’

By Jude Morgan (St. Martin’s Press, $24.95)

Lydia Templeton rejects the county’s most eligible bachelors, a move that scandalizes society. Ten years later, fiercely independent and incredibly intelligent, Lydia is confronted by her grandmother, Lady Eastmond, who requests that she takes her young ward, Phoebe, to Bath for the social season. Lydia declines but then has second thoughts. This witty, romantic story is as frothy and light as a meringue.

‘Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi’

By Geoff Dyer (Pantheon, $24)

Every two years, the international art world flocks to Venice for the opening of the Biennale. Jeff Atman, a jaded and dissolute journalist, attends and meets Laura. The experience makes him feel ecstatic and rejuvenated. This superbly crafted story is about romantic fulfillment and spiritual yearning against the backdrop of two old, watery cities. Are the two stories set in two different cities actually one and the same? That’s part of the fun of this irresistibly entertaining novel.

‘How It Ended: New and Collected Stories’

By Jay McInerney (Knopf, $25.95)

This collection of stories by McInerney is reminiscent of Fitzgerald and Hemingway at their peak. Written with bold literary strokes, the novel find McInerney returning to many of the same characters and places originally introduced in his previous novels including “Bright Lights, Big City” and “The Good Life.” Even though only seven of the stories have been collected in a book, all 26 unveil and re-create the manic flux of our society. Intelligent, insightful and a rare contemporary voice, McInerney has established himself as one of our most essential modern writers.

‘Hunted: A House of Night Novel’

By P.C. and Kristin Cast (St. Martin’s Press, $17.95)

This Oklahoma-based mother-daughter writer team has become a force in young adult literature. According to their latest tale, once a teenager is marked as a fledgling vampire, the future holds only two options: Change into an adult vampire or die. Zoey Redbird is a normal high school student and when she is marked she quickly discovers that her life has changed forever.

‘Supermarket’

By Satoshi Azuchi (Thomas Dunne Books, $24.95)

The end of World War II brought unexpected changes to Japan including the introduction of the supermarket. Azuchi’s story, translated in English for the first time, follows Kojima, a banker in Osaka, and his cousin Iskikari, who manages a supermarket chain in one of Japan’s provincial cities. When Kojima is asked for help, he soon finds himself in supermarket management and dealing with employee theft, poor accounting and a lack of innovation and creativity among his workers. Vivid characters set in a unique period in history make this extraordinary reading.

‘A Country Called Home’

By Kim Barnes (Knopf, $23.95)

Thomas Deracotte, a physician by trade, and his pregnant wife, Helen, leave Connecticut and buy a farm in Idaho, sight unseen. As they learn to live off the land, they meet Manny, a sweet 18-year-old kid with no family of his own. This highly readable story, set in 1960, underscores the importance of what it means to be young and in love and the lengths people will go to escape loneliness. Exquisitely written, this book is powerful and profound.

NONFICTION

‘Bonnie and Clyde: The Lives Behind the Legend’

By Paul Schneider (Henry Holt & Company, $27.50)

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow made headlines throughout the country during the early years of the Great Depression before finally meeting their deaths in an ambush on a dusty road near Gibsland, La., in May 1934. In a new book that is novelistic in style but based on extensive archival research, Schneider attempts to separate fact from fiction surrounding two of America’s most iconic gangsters.

‘Hide and Seek: The Search for Truth in Iraq’

By Charles Duelfer (PublicAffairs, $29.95)

Duelfer – deputy chairman of the United Nations weapons inspection organization from 1993 to 2000 and a leader of the Iraq Survey Group – probably knows Iraq better than almost anyone else in the U.S. government. With insight and a no-holds barred narrative, he reveals how the U.S. and Iraq misled each other into war, twice, and the stand-off in between that has dominated our foreign policy in the region for more than two decades. In a crisply written text, Duelfer explains how the U.S. got itself into this quagmire as he documents past mistakes, misunderstandings and miscalculations that triggered one of the most colossal international tragedies of our time.

‘Under Their Thumb: How a Nice Boy from Brooklyn Got Mixed Up With the Rolling Stones (and Lived to Tell About It)’

By Bill German (Villard, $25)

In 1978, on his 16th birthday, Bill German set out to chronicle the career and adventures of his favorite rock band, the Rolling Stones. As he made his way into the band’s inner circle, he had a front row seat to the feuds, infidelities and the near breakup of the famous group. In his warts-and-all book, he reveals intimate backstage stories of their recording sessions, tours and personal lives. Supplemented with dozens of never-before-published images, this up-close and amazing book crackles with energy.

‘Being Hal Ashby: Life of a Hollywood Rebel’

By Nick Dawson (University Press of Kentucky, $37.50)

Hal Ashby was born into a Mormon family in Utah in 1929 and found international fame as one of this country’s most eccentric film directors. A visionary artist who shaped such classic films as “Harold and Maude,” he won an Oscar for film editing for his work on “In the Heat of the Night” in 1967. His innovative style attracted such A-list actors as Jack Nicholson (“The Last Detail”), Warren Beatty (“Shampoo”), and Jane Fonda (“Coming Home”). His life spiraled out of control as he stumbled through five marriages and drug addiction, ending with his death in 1988. Dawson, an editor at FilmsInFocus, has written a superb biography of this troubled, talented man.

‘I’m Perfect, You’re Doomed: Tales from a Jehovah’s Witness Upbringing’

By Kyria Abrahams (Touchstone, $25)

Abrahams was raised a Jehovah’s Witness in Pawtucket, R.I., where she was smug in the belief that as long as she refrained from doing such things as singing the national anthem or drawing a turkey from the outline of her hand, she was safe and would be one of the few not left behind at Armageddon. When she finds herself married at 18 to a man she doesn’t love, with adultery her only escape, she decides to run, losing her religion, and her future, in one breath. This remarkable book, written with unexpected wit and deep compassion, is truly a unique coming-of-age story that is certain to be every bit as haunting as a Ouija board.

‘One Less Thing to Worry About: Uncommon Wisdom for Coping with Common Anxieties’

By Jerilyn Ross with Robin Cantor-Cooke (Ballantine, $25)

With the economy tanking, unemployment soaring, images of wars and famine streaming into our living rooms, and uncertainty all around us, this is truly a time of anxiety. In this new book, psychotherapist Ross presents ways readers can identify what triggers anxiety, determine if it is healthy and useful or distressing and potentially harmful, and, ultimately, control anxiety by utilizing her Eight Points plan. Ross is convinced that by only taking charge of anxiety can we regain control of our lives.

‘The Challenge for Africa’

By Wangari Maathai (Pantheon, $25)

Nobel Peace Prize laureate and founder of the Green Belt Movement Maathai offers a powerful and compelling look at the problems facing Africa and the promises of the future. Darfur, HIV/AIDS, unbearable debt, election fraud, cross-border conflicts and environmental degradation can all be confronted if there is motivation and hope. The author stresses that Africans need to invent and implement their own solutions rather than relying on foreign aid and Western visions of change.

‘The Day We Found the Universe’

By Marcia Bartusiak (Pantheon, $27.95)

On Jan. 1, 1925, a 35-year-old man announced that the Milky Way was not alone. In fact, he pointed out that the universe was a thousand times larger than previously thought and filled with myriad galaxies like our own. The man was Edwin Hubble and he changed the way humans eventually understood their place in the cosmos. Bartusiak fleshes out the influential scientists such as Henrietta Leavitt, Harlow Shapley and Vesto Slipher, people who expanded our knowledge by developing an accurate means of measuring the vast dimensions of the cosmos. Bartusiak is an award-winning author and frequent contributor to such publications as National Geographic, Smithsonian, and The New York Times.

‘Red Light Women of the Rocky Mountains’

By Jan Mackell (University of New Mexico Press, $34.95)

In this highly entertaining account, the “soiled doves” of the Rocky Mountain West are treated with wit, color and respect. In addition to an overview, Mackell, director of the Cripple Creek Museum in Colorado, divides her book into several chapters: Amazons of Arizona; Courtesans of Colorado, Illicit Ladies of Idaho; Madams and Other Women of Montana; Nubians of New Mexico; The Undoing of Utah’s Soiled Doves; and Wicked Women of Wyoming. Profusely illustrated and meticulously researched, “Red Light Women of the Rocky Mountains” is a rollicking peek at one of the more fascinating aspects of our Western heritage.

‘Bond of Union: Building the Erie Canal and the American Empire’

By Gerald Koeppel (Da Capo, $27.95)

The Erie Canal, proposed in 1807, was America’s first great piece of infrastructure. New York historian Koeppel tells how Jesse Hawley, a grain merchant in debtors’ prison, planted the seeds for the canal by writing a series of newspaper essays under the pen name “Hercules.” The idea gained traction and after several false starts was completed in 1825, making it the first great bond between the seaboard American nation and the vast continental interior. This comprehensive history is lively, well researched and written by an author with a real talent for genuine story telling.

PAPERBACKS

‘Lost Mines and Buried Treasures of Arizona’

By W.C. Jameson (University of New Mexico Press, $23.95)

Jameson, who has written some 60 books and acted in movies and TV, claims that Arizona’s history is liberally seasoned with legends of lost mines, buried treasures and significant deposits of gold and silver. Selected from tales passed down from generation to generation, the folklore contained in this book includes bandit booty buried near Yuma, gold in Huachuca Canyon, and the granddaddy of them all, the Lost Dutchman Mine in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix.

‘The 21st Century Economy: A Beginner’s Guide’

By Randy Charles Epping (Vintage, $14.95)

This is nothing less than a crash course about economics and why literacy in this field might just determine our very survival. Abreast with the most current developments of the world economy, Epping, who has worked in international finance for more than 25 years, breaks down complex ideas and explains them in simple terms and by using compelling narratives and lively anecdotes.

‘Growing Up Dead: The Hallucinated Confessions of a Teenage Deadhead’

By Peter Conners (Da Capo, $14.95)

Conners discovered the Grateful Dead in 1985. After his first concert in 1987, he was drawn into the culture of drugs, sex and rock ‘n’ roll. Between 1987 and 1995, he attended nearly 100 Dead shows nationwide, traveling from place to place in a Volkswagen camper and, amazingly, lived to write about it.

FOR YOUNG READERS

‘The True Story of Little Red Riding Hood’

By Agnese Baruzzi and Sandro Natalini (Templar Books, $14.99)

If you think you know the real story of Little Red Riding Hood and the big bad you-know-what, you might discover that things are not always as they seem. This delightful retelling of a childhood classic, features foldouts, fabrics and unexpected surprises. (Ages 3 and older)

‘Maggie’s Monkeys’

By Linda Sanders-Wells with illustrations by Abby Carter (Candlewick Press, $19.99)

A family of monkeys has moved into the refrigerator. No one can see them except Maggie. This is a hilarious, wildly imaginative story of sibling love and loyalty. (Ages 5-8)

‘The North Star’

By Peter H. Reynolds (Candlewick Press, $16.99)

This beautifully illustrated book is about life and its journey. As a young boy discovers, it can be confusing when signs point in different directions. Should he follow the well-worn path or follow his dreams? (Ages 5-7)

‘Busy Chickens’

By John Schindel and Steven Holt (Tricycle Press, $6.95)

This book, with thick, sturdy pages that are perfect for little fingers, is filled with pictures of chickens walking, squawking, cheeping and leaping. (Ages 3-5)

‘Pastry: Savory & Sweet’

By Michel Roux (Wiley, $24.95)

Michelin three-star chef Michel Roux shows how easy it is to prepare professional-caliber pastry at home. His comprehensive book covers 10 popular types of dough, step-by-step techniques and kitchen tips that ensure perfect results. Trained in the classic French style and with more than 30 years of experience as a top chef, Roux has compiled what might just become the new authoritative guide to pastry-making. Some of the standout recipes include such international favorites as classic Cornish Pasties, Beef and Cheese Empanadas, and Gougeres Filled with Mushroom Duxelles. The 100 recipes are supplemented with more than 250 full-color photographs illustrating both the techniques and finished dishes.

‘Tacos: The Santa Fe School of Cooking Series’

By Susan Curtis and Daniel Hoyer with R. Allen Smith

(Gibbs-Smith, $12.95)

A taco isn’t necessarily just a taco. For example, by combining olives and almonds, you can create delicious Creamy Chicken and Almond Tacos. The richness of the cream is a perfect balance for the Mediterranean-style filling. Susan Curtis, owner-director of the Santa Fe School of Cooking and Market, has achieved international acclaim for her passion for food. Assisted by Daniel Hoyer, the sous chef at Mark Miller’s Coyote Café, and Chef R. Allen Smith, director of the Stock Pot, an exclusive cooking school in Texas, this exciting new collection is innovative and fun.

‘Cookies!’

By the editors of Good Housekeeping (Hearst Books/Sterling Publishing, $14.95)

Food director Susan Westmoreland serves up 150 recipes culled from the Good Housekeeping collection, all triple-tested for ease, reliability and great taste. The five chapters include Bar Cookies; Drop Cookies; Rolled Cookies; Rolled, Molded & Refrigerator Cookies; and Holiday Cookies. There are tips and techniques that make the recipes almost foolproof. In addition to such tried-and-true classics as Sugar Cookies and Pinwheels, there are dozens of unexpected treats including Lemon Cornmeal Thins, Ricotta-Cheese Cookies, Brandy Snaps and decadent Chocolate Wows. This is a marvelous collection that represents all skill levels with countless recipes that promise to become year-round family favorites. This book is spiral-bound making it even more accessible for easy use in the kitchen.

‘Dinnertime Express’

By the editors of Better Homes and Gardens (Better Homes and Gardens Books, $24.95)

The simple and innovative recipes featured in this collection take 30 minutes or less to prepare and require readily available ingredients. From appetizers to desserts and everything in between, the exciting flavors of these healthful meals are certain to energize the family dinner table night after night. In addition to more than 250 recipes, there are nutritional facts, helpful tips and inspiring full-color photographs.

‘Falling Cloudberries: A World of Family Recipes’

By Tessa Kiros (Andrews McMeel, $29.99)

Tessa Kiros was born in London to a Finnish mother and a Greek-Cypriot father. The family moved to South Africa when she was 4. As a teenager, she began traveling throughout the world, learning as much as she could about cultures and traditions as she sampled regional foods. While on a road trip to Italy, she met her eventual husband, Giovanni. They and their two daughters live in Tuscany.

Tessa Kiros’ new collection is, as might be expected, a joyful mix. Not only is it a homage to her personal diverse heritage, it also reflects what she has sampled and learned throughout her travels. The mouthwatering recipes – from Finland, Greece, Cyprus, South Africa and Italy – are divided geographically. In addition to the recipes are helpful notes, simple instructions, and a relaxed inviting style. The gorgeous illustrations make this a beautifully packaged cookbook that is a pleasing addition to any home collection.

Some of the standout recipes include Cinnamon and Cardamom Buns, Poached Quinces that is a perfect addition to ice cream, tangy Lemon and Oregano Chicken, and traditional Spanakopita. One dish was tested from this collection, Daniele’s Tomato Pasta. It was easy to prepare and a perfect warm-weather supper.

Daniele’s Tomato Pasta

12 ripe cherry tomatoes, halves

About 30 baby salted capers, rinsed and squeezed dry

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 garlic cloves, lightly crushed with a knife

About 5 basil leaves, torn

3/4 package 16-oz spaghetti

Directions:

Put all of the ingredients except the spaghetti in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. (I used sea salt and freshly ground pepper.) Set aside for at least an hour, if possible, to let the flavors mingle. Cook the spaghetti in a large pan of boiling salted water, following the package instructions.

Drain and add to the tomato sauce, tossing well to coat the pasta. Serve immediately, with or without grated Parmesan.

Tucsonan Larry Cox’s “Shelf Life” reviews of fiction and nonfiction books and his “Treasures and Trends” antiques column run Thursdays in Calendar Plus. For more, go to tucsoncitizen.com/calendar. E-mail: contactlarrycox@aol.com

Amy Goodman, host of the popular ‘Democracy Now!’ television and radio show, will speak and sign copies of her latest book in Tucson on April 26.

Proceeds from the $10 talk and book signing will benefit the city’s cable access channel, Access Tucson and public radio station KXCI, according to a news release.

Goodman will speak at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave., at 6 p.m., and will sign copies of her third book, “Standing up the the Madness – Ordinary Heroes in Extraordinary Times,” which she co-authored with her brother, David Goodman. The book tells the stories of grass-roots activists who challenged government.

Tickets are available at KXCI, 220 S. Fourth Ave.; Access Tucson, 124 E. Broadway; and Antigone Books, 411 N. Fourth Ave., or online at www.kxci.org.

FICTION

‘The Missing’

By Tim Gautreaux (Knopf, $25.95)

When Sam Simoneaux returns home from World War I, he settles in New Orleans where he finds a job as a floor walker in one of the city’s largest department stores. When a little girl disappears from the store on his shift, he loses his job but finds a new one on a steamboat. This is a story of redemption and loss set against the backdrop of the Mississippi River during the 1920s. Colorful characters, unexpected plot twists and intriguing locales make this perfect summer reading.

‘The 7th Victim’

By Alan Jacobson (Vanguard Press, $25.95)

FBI Special Agent Karen Vail, the first female ever promoted to the profiling unit, tries to track down the Dead Eyes Killer. As the killer becomes bolder, Vail discovers the seventh victim holds the key to his capture and as she gets closer to cracking the case it becomes apparent that she might just get murdered in the process. Vail is smart, tough and a character who holds the reader in her grip until the last terrifying page.

‘Don’t Cry: Stories’

By Mary Gaitskill (Pantheon, $23.95)

Gaitskill’s stories are brilliantly executed. In her latest collection, she presents such indelible situations as the raw grief of a widow, the struggles of a depressed woman, the confusion of a man returning from war, and young people adrift in a college town in 1980. As in her previous work, her writing in “Don’t Cry” is fierce, vibrant and brilliant.

‘The Secret Keeper’

By Paul Harris (Dutton, $25.95)

In this debut novel by Harris – a journalist who has covered the conflict in Sierra Leone for Reuters and the Associated Press – the story pivots on the experiences of a fictional British journalist and his two visits to the war-torn area in 2000 and 2004. When he falls in love with an American aid worker running an orphanage for ex-child soldiers, he can’t shake the feeling that she is hiding something from him. Fully dimensional characters and a crisp narrative combine to make this an exciting story of the consequences of truth.

‘The Way We Were’

By Marcia Willett (St. Martin’s Press, $25.95)

In her 10th novel published in the United States, Willett’s richly crafted story of two friends unfolds over a period of 30 years. The past and present are intertwined and set against the lush backdrop of the English countryside in this beautifully written tale. Joy, infidelities, an unexpected pregnancy and past loves that trigger new temptations are all components of this well-honed story.

‘Admission’

By Jean Hanff Korelitz (Grand Central Publishing, $24.99)

The author, a New Jersey-based writer, provides readers with a fascinating look at the complex college admission process and what can happen when ghosts from the past pop up to turn a life upside down. At the core of the story is 38-year-old Portia Nathan, a Princeton admissions officer. Her reluctance to confront reality is suddenly tested when a life-altering decision resurfaces and she is faced with an extraordinary test.

‘The Man in the Window: A Thriller’

By K.O. Dahl (Minotaur Books, $25.95)

When an antiques dealer in Oslo is found murdered, sitting naked in an armchair in the display window of his shop, Inspector Frolich and Chief Inspector Gunnarstranda are called in to track down clues. These include missing war objects and a series of strange numbers written in ink on the body. This is the second installment in the Oslo police mystery series by Dahl, one of Norway’s award-winning crime writers.

NONFICTION

‘How God Changes Your Brain’

By Andrew Newberg, M.D., and Mark Robert Waldman (Ballantine, $27)

The authors are convinced that not only do prayer and spiritual practice reduce stress, anxiety and depression, but just 12 minutes of meditation each day improves memory and may even slow the aging process itself. In their new book, they explain the best way to “exercise” the brain as they guide readers through specific drills derived from a wide variety of Eastern and Western spiritual practices. Newberg is director at the Center for Spirituality and Mind at the University of Pennsylvania, and his co-author, Waldman, is an associate fellow at the same school,

‘The White War: Life and Death on the Italian Front 1915-1919′

By Mark Thompson (Basic Books, $30)

In this stunning account of a forgotten aspect of WW I, Mark Thompson re-examines the fierce fighting that was staged on the stony plateaus and snow peaks where Italy first attached the Austro-Hungarian Empire and how it helped shape Italy’s 20th century history. Meticulously researched and brilliantly written, this book, is war reporting at its very best and does full justice to one of the most tragic and previously untold stories.

‘When You Lie About Your Age, the Terrorists Win: Reflections on Looking in the Mirror’

By Carol Leifer (Villard, $24)

This laugh-out-loud book, by one of our more accomplished stand-up comedians, has a simple premise: When you deny your age, you deny yourself, and when you lie about your age, you become your inauthentic twin. But most important, when you lie about your age, they win, and by they, the author means the terrorists. Her observations include that you should never refer to a woman as “ma’am,” even if she’s 90 years old, because nobody likes it; if you put your lover’s name on your body, leave room in front for a possible “I Hate” down the road; and be cautious with collagen because your lips are not supposed to be the flotation devices for your face in case it capsizes.

‘The Means of Reproduction: Sex, Power, and the Future of the World’

By Michelle Goldberg (Penguin Group, $25.95)

Investigative journalist Goldberg builds a strong case that the emancipation of women has become the key human rights struggle of the 21st century. She examines the backlash against modernization and globalization that is occurring around the world. From HIV/AIDS to overpopulation, sex ratio imbalances and infant mortality, the health of entire societies are tied to women’s reproductive freedoms. Yet the condition of women has increasingly been sidelined, with disastrous and underreported consequences. This essential, thought-provoking book is nothing less than a call to arms to all who are concerned about the health of our planet.

‘The Hourglass Solution: A Boomer’s Guide to the Rest of Your Life’

By Jeff Johnson and Paula Forman (Da Capo, $25)

With 75 million baby boomers in the United States, many are just discovering that their lives are no longer as happy and fulfilled as they once were. The authors have written a pragmatic guide that evaluates the life narrative through an hourglass: Adulthood is at the top of the glass when it is possible to make choices from many options. In the neck, however, is middle age when many feel constrained by earlier choices made. If we redefine the future and reassess our options, Johnson and Forman believe that the years after 50 can be every bit as exciting as those that came before.

‘Invisible Sisters: A Memoir’

By Jessica Handler (PublicAffairs, $24.95)

Handler’s baby sister was born with Kostmann’s Syndrome, a congenital blood disorder so rare it appears in one in every two million births. When a younger sister was diagnosed with leukemia, Jessica’s world and that of her family began to unravel. By the time she was 9, Jessica had begun introducing herself as the “well sibling” as she pondered the very real possibility that she might soon become the only one left. This is a true story of love, loss and coping with family tragedy.

‘Mainly on Directing: “Gypsy,” “West Side Story,” and Other Musicals’

By Arthur Laurents (Knopf, $25)

Laurents’ latest book is brutally honest, bitchy, insightful and incredibly opinionated. Laurents, a gifted playwright, screenwriter and director, helped create two of the biggest Broadway hits: “West Side Story” and “Gypsy.” In his notable new book, he writes frankly about the two loves in his life, theater and his partner of 52 years, Tom Hatcher. Hatcher, a hunk originally from Tulsa, Okla., was, Laurents claims, his inspiration. Moving, exhilarating and provocative, this crisply written narrative is as exciting as an opening night. Dim the house lights, settle back and enjoy.

‘A Different Life: Growing Up Learning Disabled and Other Adventures: A Memoir’

By Quinn Bradlee with Jeff Himmelman (PublicAffairs, $24.95)

Quinn Bradlee is the son of longtime Washington Post executive editor Ben Bradlee and columnist and best-selling author Sally Quinn. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and a hole in his heart. His condition was eventually diagnosed as Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome (VCFS), a widespread but little understood disorder that is expressed through a range of physical ailments and learning disabilities. In his new book, he reveals how he coped with his condition and how he came of age. This is an unforgettable memoir that is touching as well as inspirational.

‘Joseph P. Kennedy Presents: His Hollywood Years’

By Cari Beauchamp (Knopf, $35)

Joseph P. Kennedy was 31 years old in 1919 when he became one of the first investors to see movie making as a gold mine. This highly readable, remarkable book primarily documents a four-year period, from 1926-30, when Kennedy established himself as a major mover and shaker in the Hollywood business community. How he kept several businesses going, maintained a wife and family in Massachusetts, and a mistress – Gloria Swanson – in Hollywood, is the extraordinary true story of this driven man and how he made his West Coast fortune and in the process changed the way movies are made.

PAPERBACKS

‘Cheer! Inside the Secret World of College Cheerleaders’

By Kate Torgovnick (Touchstone, $15)

In recent years, cheerleading has evolved into something close to an extreme sport. For example, today’s cheerleaders often build human pyramids where a single slip can bring 10 people crashing to the mat. Torgovnick, a regular contributor to such publications as The New York Times and Newsweek, takes readers behind the scene of the ultra-competitive universe of college cheerleading.

‘Girl on the Couch: Life, Love, and Confessions of a Normal Neurotic’

By Lorna Martin (Ballantine, $14)

Martin found herself approaching her mid-30s without a partner, a mortgage or even a cat. When she decides to try therapy, she connects with “Dr. J.” After a year on the couch, she changes her life for the better and learns how to live a truly happy and contented life. Witty, self-deprecating, and insightful, this book is an unexpected pleasure.

‘Spymaster: My Thirty-Two Years in Intelligence and Espionage Against the West’

By Oleg Kalugin (Basic Books, $18.95)

The author spent more than three decades as an agent for the KGB, living a double life in the United States, matching wits against the CIA, eventually becoming one of the agency’s youngest generals. This is both a fascinating personal memoir as well as a detailed portrait of Cold War history. Unflinchingly honest, this paperback edition has been revised and updated since first published in 1994 in the U.S. as “The First Directorate.”

‘The Eye of Jade: A Mei Wang Mystery’

By Diane Wei Liang (Simon & Schuster, $15)

Beijing is the setting for this spellbinding novel in the Mei Wang series. Wang, the first ever female private detective in China’s teeming capital, is surprised when an old family friend comes to her office to ask her help in finding the whereabouts of a rare piece of white jade. This is classic detective fiction that is as fast paced as a runaway bullet train.

FICTION

‘Bruno: Chief of Police’

By Martin Walker (Knopf, $24.95)

Bruno Courreges is the only police officer on the force in a small French village, but he is known nevertheless as the chief of police throughout the region. He has a gun but never wears it and has the power to arrest but never uses it. A murder changes everything and when a young investigator is dispatched from Paris to help him solve the case, the situation becomes even more complicated. This wonderfully crafted novel is as satisfying as a French pastry but with none of the guilt or calories.

‘Wrongful Death’

By Robert Dugoni (Touchstone, $25)

Attorney David Sloan agrees to help a widow in her case against the government even though he knows that the cards are clearly stacked against him. A decades-old military doctrine might make the case impossible to win but being a former soldier himself, he agrees to accept the challenge. As he begins to dig deeper into his investigation, his wife and son become the target of a relentless killer. A quantum leap in both terror and suspense, this novel crackles with high-velocity thrills.

‘Just Take My Heart’

By Mary Higgins Clark (Simon & Schuster, $25.95)

A mysterious, but medically documented phenomenon associated with heart transplants, namely the transference of memories and personality traits from donor to recipient, is at the center of Higgins Clark’s latest thriller. Emily Wallace, an assistant prosecutor, is assigned a case that involves a prominent theatrical agent who is charged with the murder of his estranged wife, a Broadway star. Clever plot twists, a crisp narrative, and fully developed characters make this must-reading for mystery enthusiasts.

‘The Ex-Mrs. Hedgefund’

By Jill Kargman (Dutton, $25.95)

Holly Talbott is married to the founder of a huge New York hedge fund. Tired of her lifestyle that includes pointless lunches, botox, and a husband who has other interests, she finds that she is forced to choose between compromising her integrity or living honestly. She begins by shedding her husband and many of her old friends. Hilarious dialogue, unforgettable characters and an exhilarating plot make this sardonic tale perfect escapism.

‘Natural Elements’

By Richard Mason (Knopf, $25.95)

Set in present day London, this brutally honest novel begins when a mother and daughter set out to choose an assisted-living facility. As the story unfolds, it addresses such issues as the relationships of mothers and daughters, aging and death, memory and longing, history and narrative, and even the cost of truthfully facing life itself. Mason is enormously gifted and his latest book is nothing less than a literary feast.

‘A Mercy’

By Toni Morrison (Knopf, $23.95)

Why is it when I read Morrison’s latest novel, I had the feeling that she is resting on her laurels and simply coasting on her literary reputation? Despite the praises of other critics, I did not find this story “magical and mystical,” but rather predictable and as forced as a winter tulip.

NONFICTION

‘The Cracker Queen: A Memoir of a Jagged, Joyful Life’

By Lauretta Hannon (Gotham Books, $24)

A Cracker Queen is a strong, authentic Southern woman who is the anti-Southern belle. She holds her head and cigarette high, has an earthy sense of humor and can open up a can of whup-ass as needed. As the author points out, you don’t have to be toothless to enjoy her new book, just human. Set in rural Georgia, her stories include the escapades of her Crazy Aunt Carrie, The Goat Man and even her mama smuggling cigarettes to chain gangs. Based on her NRP commentaries for “All Things Considered” and her one-woman show, this wonderfully written book is the perfect anecdote for our present hard times.

‘One Nation Under Dog: Adventures in the New World of Prozac-Popping Puppies, Dog-Park Politics, and Organic Pet Food’

By Michael Schaffer (Henry Holt, $24)

Former editor and reporter Schaffer is convinced that dogs have become “fur babies” in almost every American household. After adopting a mistreated St. Bernard puppy in rural Pennsylvania, the author found himself being drawn into the very epicenter of our pet culture. In his new book, he introduces readers to such people as those who will spend their life savings on medical treatments for their pets and breeders who put potential owners through intensive screenings before finalizing an adoption. He also exposes the darker side of the pet industry by going undercover to puppy mills, interviewing those touched by the tainted pet food scandal, and exploring legal battles that are often triggered by a pet’s mistreatment or untimely death.

‘Boss of Bosses: A Journey Into the Heart of the Sicilian Underworld’

By Clare Longrigg (Thomas Dunne Books, $25.95)

Bernardo Provenzano was born in the small Sicilian town of Corleone in 1933, and dropped out of school when he was 8 years old. He later joined the criminal syndicate in Corleone, eventually becoming the head of the Sicilian Mafia, a deadly empire of corruption so large in scope, the full sweep of its dark reach has yet to be fully accounted. Acclaimed London-based crime writer Longrigg draws on her experience, contacts, and unprecedented access and interviews with prosecutors and law enforcement officials to take readers into the belly of the beast.

‘Healing Through Exercise: Scientifically-Proved Way to Prevent and Overcome Illness – and Lengthen Your Life’

By Jorg Blech (Da Capo, $26)

Blech, a Massachusetts-based science writer, claims that 60 percent of the world’s population is described as sedentary, and treatment for sedentary citizens in the United States burns through more than $75 billion dollars a year. With a health care system in crisis and deaths from cancer and heath disease on the rise, exercise might be one of the solutions. Blech points to new research in neuroscience that links exercise to brain cell growth, Alzheimer’s prevention and even the treatment of psychological mood disorders such as depression, anxiety and ADHD.

‘Love Child: A Memoir of Family Lost and Found’

By Allegra Huston (Simon & Schuster, $26.95)

Huston, daughter of the brilliant, eccentric and notoriously womanizing filmmaker John Huston, was 4 and living in London when her mother was killed in an automobile accident. From that day until her late adolescence, she became an involuntary nomad, shuttled across a continent and a country, often as a temporary guest in other people’s homes. Lonely and haunted by the death of her mother, Allegra eventually discovers the wealth of family and accepts it as a hard-won blessing of her mother’s legacy to her. Skillfully written and rich with personal detail, this is a tumultuous story of loss, healing and redemption.

‘Joker One: A Marine Platoon’s Story of Courage, Leadership, and Brotherhood’

By Donovan Campbell (Random House, $26)

If you’ve been waiting for a great book to be written about the Iraq war experience, this could be it. Campbell graduated with honors from Princeton and Harvard Business School. He finished first in his class at the Marines’ Basic Officer Course and served three combat deployments, two in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. His book is the story of his platoon, known by its radio call sign “Joker One.” This platoon, which included country boys, small-town jocks, a few Hispanics, and a single black, was assigned to one of Iraq’s worse hot spots: the city of Ramadi. His intense account is an emotional literary gut-punch that will linger long after the last page has been read.

‘The Foie Gras Wars: How a 5,000-Year-Old Delicacy Inspired the World’s Fiercest Food Fight’

By Mark Caro (Simon & Schuster, $25)

It all began when superstar chef Charlie Trotter announced he thought foie gras harvesting cruel and removed it from the menu in his world-renowned Chicago restaurant. It became international news and triggered one of the most heated food fights in decades. Caro, an entertainment reporter for the Chicago Tribute and the first to report on the Trotter story, serves up a meticulously researched, downright stupefying story that is certain to leave many readers with a slight case of literary indigestion.

‘The Brother Gardeners: Botany, Empire & the Birth of an Obsession’

By Andrea Wulf (Knopf, $35)

In 1733, an American farmer dispatched two boxes of plants and seeds to a London cloth merchant. Most of the plants he sent had never before been grown in British soil but in time many – including trees, evergreens and shrubs – transformed the English landscape and garden forever. This highly readable and fascinating account documents the personalities and events that help germinate gardening as we know it today. Peppered with colorful characters and resplendent in historic detail, this brilliantly executed book is a horticultural delight.

‘The Lonely Soldier: The Private War of Women Serving in Iraq’

By Helen Benedict (Beacon Press, $25.95)

Since March 2003, more than 160,500 women have served in the war in Iraq. More women have fought and died in this war than in any other since WWII, yet they account for only 1 in 10 soldiers. This disturbing new book centers on the stories of five courageous and diverse women who returned from war at very different stages in their lives. Weaving together poignant and often grueling accounts, Benedict offers an intimate look into the lives of women in the military, before, during and after the war.

PAPERBACKS

‘Mama Makes Up Her Mind and Other Dangers of Southern Living’

By Bailey White (Da Capo, $14)

White has become a fixture on National Public Radio. Her indelible vignettes of Southern eccentricity have attracted listeners throughout the country. In this collection of essays, another group of “characters” are trotted out for our amusement. Included are Uncle Jimbuddy, who keeps losing pieces of himself, and Aunt Belle, who has an alligator she has taught to bellow on command. Pass the corn pone and enjoy.

‘Mistress of the Sun’

By Sandra Gulland (Touchstone, $16)

Historical novelist Gulland presents the legendary horsewoman, Louise de la Valliere, an eccentric woman of humble background and – against all odds – the mistress of King Louis XIV, as the focal point of her novel, first published in 2008. A 17th-century love story wrapped in a mystery, this is a carefully crafted, historically accurate, irresistible tale.

‘On Being Certain: Believing You Are Right Even When You’re Not’

By Robert A. Burton (St. Martin’s Press, $14.95)

This is a fascinating view of how we construct our own realities, and the passion with which we will stand by them once created – no matter their veracity. This highly readable book is written with a scholarly grace by a California-based neurologist.

‘How to WOW: Proven Strategies for Selling Your (Brilliant) Self in Any Situation’

By Frances Cole Jones (Ballantine Books, $15)

With unemployment inching toward double digits, American workers need all of the help they can get. This dandy little guide is based on the simple premise that every encounter is a presentation or interview. The author, a corporate coach who has helped numerous CEOs, celebrities, and public personalities present their best selves on camera and onstage, in boardrooms, and in person, shares her tips and secrets for success.

BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS

‘Kitty Kit: Enjoying Your New Cat’

By Peter Neville (St. Martin’s Press, $19.95)

This fun, user-friendly kit is everything you need to welcome a new kitty into the family home. In addition to a food dish, a toy ball and mouse, there is a Kitty Care book that includes essential advice on such topics as choosing a kitten, preparing for its arrival, healthful diet, behavior and play, which will help the new arrival get off on the right paw.

‘Little Goose’

By David Mraz with illustrations by Margot Apple (Tricycle Press, $15.99)

Round things like pebbles and marbles and bubbles remind Little Goose of something, but what? In this delightful book by Mraz, a reading instructor for the Albuquerque, N.M., Public Schools, and illustrated by Margot Apple, a Massachusetts-based artist, young readers discover the singular bond that exists between mother and child. (Ages 3 to 5)

“Blend It!”

By the editors of Good Housekeeping (Sterling Publishing. $14.95)

Each spring, many Tucson cooks move their blenders to the top of their kitchen counters because during the warmer weather months it becomes not just an appliance but THE appliance.

In recent years, a series of cookbooks have proved that the blender isn’t just for making smoothies. With a little imagination and guidance, it can also help whip up delicious soups, sauces, pancakes and even chicken liver pâté.

In this Good Housekeeping collection, the 150 recipes have been triple-tested and are divided into six main chapters: Smoothies & Blender Breakfasts; Soda Fountain & Coffee Bar Favorites; Fizzes, Slushes & Frozen Cocktails; Sensational Soups; Dips, Sauces & Salad Dressings; and Pancakes, Popovers & Waffles. In addition to the recipes, there is the latest buzz on blenders. For example, safety tips, how to get the most out of your utensil, and what to look for when purchasing a new one.

The recipes are fairly straight forward. Most of the smoothies and slushes are old family favorites. The surprises are in the chapter on soups. Three are especially interesting: a Butternut-Apple Soup that features squash and fresh apples, a delicious Cream of Asparagus Soup that is a snap to make, and a Creamy Buttermilk-Beet Soup (it’s better than you think).

Two recipes were prepared from this collection. On a hot afternoon, I made a bracing Strawberry Margarita. For supper later that same day, I made the Creamy Buttermilk-Beet Soup, which required just four ingredients. Both the cocktail and soup were prepared in less than 10 minutes.

Creamy Buttermilk-Beet Soup

Makes 4 cups

2 cups buttermilk

1 can (14 1/2 to 15 ounces) beets, drained

1/2 teaspoon salt (I used sea salt)

1 tablespoon minced fresh dill, with additional dill sprigs for garnish

In blender, combine buttermilk, beets, and salt. Blend until smooth. Pour mixture into a large bowl; stir in minced dill. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Garnish will sprigs. Serve with homemade bread.

Tucsonan Larry Cox’s “Shelf Life” reviews of fiction and nonfiction books and his “Treasures and Trends” antiques column run Thursdays in Calendar Plus. For more, go to tucsoncitizen.com/ calendar. E-mail: contactlarrycox@aol.com

With temperatures inching toward 90 degrees in the Old Pueblo, these five cookbooks, all available at online dealers, will make the warm weather more tolerable.

‘Viva Margarita’

By W. Park Kerr with the photography of Leigh Beisch (Chronicle Books, $15.95)

As someone once said, margaritas are nothing short of fiestas in a glass. W. Park Kerr presents 60 tequila-kissed recipes that celebrate everyone’s favorite cocktail. In addition to seven South-of-the-Border classics, there are dozens of innovative new twists such as the Pear o’ Snake Eyes made with pear brandy, the Blue Agave, a salute to the tropics and the urban East by Southwest featuring a pea-sized dab of hot green Japanese horseradish paste. Kerr, a ninth-generation Texan, is the founder of the El Paso Chile Company.

‘Delicious Dips’

By Diane Morgan with the photography of Joyce Oudkerk Pool (Chronicle Books, $16.95)

Hot summer nights with friends become even more fun when dips and chips are added to the mix. Diane Morgan, the diva of dips and champion of chips, created more than 50 recipes for her collection. In addition to an ingredient glossary, dip tips, and deep-frying techniques for chips, the recipes are divided into five categories: Vegetable and Herb Dips; Salsas and Guacamoles; Cheese, Bean, Legume and Tofu Dips; Meat and Seafood Dips, and Dessert Dips. The Double-Chocolate Chunk Brownie Chips recipe is decadent and tasty.

‘Salsa’

By Susan Curtis and Kathi Long with the photography of Lois Ellen Frank (Gibbs-Smith, $12.95)

This title in the Santa Fe School of Cooking Series features salsa recipes that stretch the culinary possibilities of an almost perfect food. Since salsa is the Spanish word for sauce, it can also refer to a variety of items. For example, salsas can be fresh (raw) or cooked, thick of thin, chunky or smooth, hot or mild, or sweet or tart. Most of the salsas in this collection have chiles in them and all of the recipes are rated according to the heat. Some of the standouts are the Grilled Nopal and Poblano Chile Salsa, a smoky-tasting New Mexico Red Chile Salsa made with chipotles, and a zesty Grapefruit-Orange Salsa.

‘Chicken Salad’

By Barbara Lauterbach with the photography of Sheri Giblin (Chronicle Books, $18.95)

The 50 recipes in this book underscore that chicken salad isn’t necessarily just chicken salad. With a little imagination the basic recipe can be combined with everything from pasta to potatoes, pineapples to papaya. Regardless of how it is prepared, chicken salad is the perfect choice for warm-weather cooking. The 50 featured recipes are easy to prepare and a fun, new take on an old favorite. Two personal favorites are the Avocado Chicken Salad that used the shells as small serving cups, and the Camelback Pulled Chicken Salad, a Scottsdale favorite.

‘Dressed to Grill: Savvy Recipes for Girls Who Play with Fire’

By Karen Brooks, Diane Morgan, and Reed Darmon with illustrations by Beth Adams (Chronicle Books, $16.95)

This sizzling book proves that the grill game isn’t just the domain of guys. With such recipes as Waistland Salad, Chauvinist Pig, Grilled Corn with Hot Lips Chili Butter and How Can I be Sarong, this collection serves up a whole new take on patio food fun.