And When She Was Good

Survivor. In a break from her Tess Monaghan series, novelist Laura Lippman creates a complex protagonist for her novel, And When She Was Good. Heloise has bounced from one abusive relationship to another, and throughout it all, she has survived. Lippman excels at fleshing out the characters in this novel with great skill so that readers can understand their behavior, both good and bad. Deceptions abound in this novel, and Lippman keeps readers interested and engaged in every twist and turn. The subject matter of prostitution can be dicey for any writer to tackle, and Lippman succeeds in presenting this kind of life with perception and insight. Readers who enjoy character driven fiction, especially when the subject matter involves women’s issues, are those most likely to enjoy this novel. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase And When She Was Good from amazon.com.

America the Possible: Manifesto for a New Economy

Progressive. Certain readers will pick up a book because of the word “manifesto” on the cover, while others will see the word and run away. Environmental reformer James Gustave Speth broadens his thinking beyond the environment in his book, America the Possible: Manifesto for a New Economy. He describes the crisis he sees in the United States, and proposes concrete reforms that will make us a stronger democracy. He calls for a transformation in some basic aspects of what he calls America’s operating system. In some respects, his case is for a revival of the progressive movement. Speth offers a hopeful vision of what engaged citizens can create when working together. Readers interested in public policy are those most likely to enjoy this book, whether attracted or repelled by the word “manifesto.” Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase America the Possible from amazon.com.

Who Stole the American Dream

Predators. Journalist Hedrick Smith builds a case one piece at a time in his book Who Stole the American Dream? He shows through multiple examples over the past four decades how public policies that favor the rich have decimated the economic strength of average workers and enhanced the power of the wealthy. He shows how the United States has changed from a fairly level society to a plutocracy. This has been a transformation of American society that has important consequences. There are multiple predators that Smith exposes in this book, and he proposes ways in which we can turn this situation around, if we want. Readers interested in public policy should consider this required reading, whether one agrees or disagrees with Smith’s views. Rating: Four-star (Highly Recommended) Click here to purchase Who Stole the American Dream? from amazon.com.

True Believers

Bond. The latest novel by Kurt Andersen, True Believers, is set in the 1960s and the present. Protagonist Karen Hollander has been writing a memoir and trying to recall many of the details of her radical activities in high school and college. She and two close friends in high school were James Bond fans to the extreme. In college, their opposition to the Vietnam War led them to radical activity. Andersen dribbles out this plot in ways that kept me curious and entertained. He develops complex characters a layer at a time and captures the ways in which the past can feel present both in terms of personal bonds and in the impact of action in the past on life today. Trust and belief are explored in how things happened in the past and what that means for today. Readers who are patient with slowly paced stories, and who enjoy intelligent writing are those most likely to enjoy this novel. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase True Believers from amazon.com.

The Art of Being Unreasonable: Lessons in Unconventional Thinking

Ahead. I had the feeling while reading Eli Broad’s The Art of Being Unreasonable: Lessons in Unconventional Thinking that he would rather not be spending much time on this book, and would prefer to be moving ahead to doing something he views as more productive. It may be unexpected for most readers to find a billionaire not to be full of himself. While he presents his success at business and philanthropy through this book, Broad reinforces that he’d rather not dwell on the past, but do something now to making his best years those that are ahead. Any reader interested in business and leadership will finding something to like in this short and engaging book. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase The Art of Being Unreasonable from amazon.com.

Munster's Case: An Inspector Van Veeteren Mystery

Lids. Readers who like the darkness of Scandinavian crime fiction are those most likely to enjoy another Inspector Van Veeteren mystery from Hakan Nesser titled, Munster’s Case. When you take the lid off a normal family to see what’s underneath, you may be surprised by what you find. The novel opens with a murder, and the puzzle gives mystery readers an entertaining outing. Fans of the series may be disappointed that Van Veeteren remains in the background. I found that the case kept be interested, and the subplot allowing more development of Munster was an added bonus. If you like crime fiction, give this one a try. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase Munster’s Case from amazon.com.

The Quality of Mercy

Mining. Booker-prize winning novelist Barry Unsworth has reprised characters from his novel, Sacred Hunger, for another finely written historical novel. Readers who like historical fiction are those most likely to enjoy The Quality of Mercy. Set in late 18th century England, Unsworth presents a cast of characters divided on the subject of the abolition of slavery and the property rights of owners. He also presents the lives of those engaged in mining, and the dreams and aspirations they have for themselves and their children. Unsworth takes on big questions and explores answers to those questions through the characters he creates and the ways in which he draws readers into the core of our human condition. I was captivated by Unsworth’s fine writing from the beginning to the end of this finely written novel, especially by the interplay of the concerns of labor and those of management. Rating: Four-star (Highly Recommended) Click here to purchase The Quality of Mercy from amazon.com.