by David Finch |
REVIEWED BY JUDITH NEWMAN
MEMOIR
Finch, a music engineer, was 30 years old when he learned he has Asperger's-a discovery that went a long way to explaining why his marriage was unraveling. Qualities like empathy and reading other people's emotions don't come naturally to those with this autism-spectrum disorder, but relentlessness does. Which is why, as he relates in this hilarious memoir (which also gives some of the finest explications of Asperger's out there), Finch approaches trying to be a better husband and father with the determination of Sherman marching on Atlanta. He learns to "use your words" to enter into his wife's "girl world" (by reading Cosmo, home of "that mythical size-zero goddess from a land of orange and pink, in which creative sex positions are explored nightly") and to control some of the inflexibility and egocentricism that make Asperger's both fascinating and debilitating. Finch's condition may be rare, but his "practices" shouldn't be: The book is a primer of sorts for all of us on how to be better partners.
The Leopard
by Jo Nesbo |
REVIEWED BY JACK FRIEDMAN
THRILLER
When a vicious serial killer terrorizes Oslo, cops are so desperate to stop him that they turn to Harry Hole-a detective-hero more flawed than most. Harry has problems: with booze, opium and authority, for starters. He's also brilliant. This eighth Harry Hole novel has plot twists and creepy surprises that will keep readers on tenterhooks through all 500-plus pages. Nesbo's been called "the next Stieg Larsson"-it may be an underestimation.
The Impossible Dead
by Ian Rankin |
MYSTERY
A stoic teetotaler, Malcolm Fox is no John Rebus. Rankin's new cop works in Internal Affairs, and in this, his second outing, a routine investigation devolves into a nasty reopening of old wounds. Rankin's characters and plot are as layered and satisfying as always. You may miss the moody Rebus, but you'll relish spending time with Fox.
-H.R.
The Magic Room
by Jeffrey Zaslow |
REVIEWED BY HELEN ROGAN
NON-FICTION
Author of The Girls from Ames and a devoted father of three young women, Zaslow has written a tenderhearted portrait of a bridal store in a small Michigan town. Over 75 years, 100,000 brides and their mothers have grown teary in front of the shop's Magic Room mirrors. In a handful of their stories, Zaslow gently delineates the changing lives of women and finds-in among the mishaps, misunderstandings and tragedies that derail many relationships-ample evidence of the enduring power of marriage.
MARTHA STEWART
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
"So beautifully written! It takes place in the days of Henry VIII. If you're interested in historical fiction, that's the one to read right now."
MATT DAMON
The Price of Civilization
by Jeffrey Sachs
"It's a really clear-eyed look at where we are as a country and where we need to go."
MELISSA LEO
As I Am by Patricia Neal
"What an amazing life that woman led. And the bravery ... I'm getting a little choked up thinking about it!"
WHEN MY BABY DREAMS
Adele Enerson was one of those lucky new moms-her infant daughter Mila slept a lot. Imagining what her dreams might be, Enerson started creating simple tableaus around the slumbering girl, then photographed them for her blog (milasdaydreams.blogspot.com). To her surprise the shots went viral-and now they're a children's book. Mila sleeps less these days, but there may be a new muse soon: Enerson's second child is due in the spring.
LOVE YOU MADLY
by Michael Fleeman
From People.com's West Coast editor, a true-crime tale about a murdered mother and the daughter who may have plotted her death.
50 THINGS EVERY YOUNG LADY SHOULD KNOW
by Kay West
PEOPLE reporter West's tips on some dying arts: how to write thank-you notes, accept compliments, and more.
