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OSIRIS, by E. J. Swift

July 21, 2012

AN ARTIFICIAL ISLAND CITY wracked by class struggle and environmental threats in a future world; compelling.

Grade: SOLID B

OSIRIS (OSIRIS PROJECT #1)
Night Shade Books
2012

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HEART OF DANKNESS

July 20, 2012

INSIDE ARTISANAL MARIJUANA culture in Holland and the US. Fascinating topic marred by smug, annoying writing.

Grade: B MINUS

HEART OF DANKNESS: UNDERGROUND BOTANISTS, OUTLAW FARMERS, AND THE RACE FOR THE CANNABIS CUP
Broadway Books
2012

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WHY BE HAPPY WHEN YOU COULD BE NORMAL? by Jeanette Winterson

July 19, 2012

NOVELIST JEANETTE WINTERSON’S lyrical memoir testifies to her faith in love despite her grueling childhood.

Grade: SOLID A

WHY BE HAPPY WHEN YOU COULD BE NORMAL?
Grove Press
2012

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TRUE, by Riikka Pulkkinen

July 18, 2012

NUANCED, POETIC NOVEL explores love, death, memory, and secrets among three generations of a Finnish family.

Grade: B PLUS

TRUE
Other Press
2012

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VISIT SUNNY CHERNOBYL, by Andrew Blackwell

July 17, 2012

TRAVELOGUE OF THE WORLD’S most polluted places is unexpectedly funny, unsurprisingly thought-provoking.

Grade: B PLUS

VISIT SUNNY CHERNOBYL: AND OTHER ADVENTURES IN THE WORLD'S MOST POLLUTED PLACES
Rodale Press
2012

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GOD SAVE THE QUEEN, by Kate Locke

July 16, 2012

HIGH-ENERGY FANTASY of an alternate England where a vampire Victoria has ruled for generations. Entertaining!

Grade: SOLID B

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN
Orbit Books
2012

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GUTS, by Kristen Johnston

July 15, 2012

SEARINGLY HONEST, SURPRISINGLY funny memoir of recovery from addiction, illness from actor Kristen Johnston.

Grade: B PLUS

GUTS: THE ENDLESS FOLLIES AND TINY TRIUMPHS OF A GIANT DISASTER
Gallery Books
2012

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THE MEMORY OF BLOOD, by Christopher Fowler

July 14, 2012

LONDON’S PECULIAR CRIMES Unit rides again, in another entertaining mystery starring the UK’s oddest cops.

Grade: B PLUS

THE MEMORY OF BLOOD: A PECULIAR CRIMES UNIT MYSTERY
Bantam
2012

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JEWS AND BOOZE, by Marni Davis

July 13, 2012

OFFBEAT, ENTERTAINING SCHOLARLY study of the US Jewish community’s role in our alcohol industry and culture.

Grade: SOLID B

JEWS AND BOOZE: BECOMING AMERICAN IN THE AGE OF PROHIBITION
New York University Press
2012

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KILL SWITCH, by Neal Baer and Jonathan Greene

July 12, 2012

COMPLEX, ENTERTAINING THRILLER follows a psychiatrist and a cop along the trail of a serial killer.

Grade: SOLID B

KILL SWITCH
Kensington
2011

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