Food Americana: The Remarkable People and Incredible Stories Behind America's Favorite Dishes by David Page, 213 pages

 What is American cuisine? What national menu do we share? What dishes have we chosen, how did they become “American,” and how are they likely to evolve from here? In Food Americana, David Page answers all these questions and more.

Food Americana, engaging, insightful, and often humorous. The inside story of how Americans have formed a national cuisine from a world of flavors. Sushi, pizza, tacos, bagels, barbecue, dim sum―even fried chicken, burgers, ice cream, and many more―were born elsewhere and transformed into a unique American cuisine.

Food Americana is a riveting ride into every aspect of what we eat and why. From a lobster boat off the coast of Maine to the Memphis in May barbecue competition. From the century-old Russ & Daughters lox and bagels shop in lower Manhattan to the Buffalo Chicken Wing Festival. From a thousand-dollar Chinese meal in San Francisco to birria tacos from a food truck in South Philly.

Meet incredibly engaging characters and legends including:

The owner of a great sushi bar in an Oklahoma gas station
The New Englander introducing Utah to lobster rolls
Alice Waters
Daniel Boulud
Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry’s
Mel Brooks

Mountains of the Pharaohs by Zahi Hawass, 213 pages

 The great pyramids of Giza have intrigued humanity for thousands of years. Questions about the construction and the purpose of these majestic monuments have existed since the middle period of ancient Egyptian civilization, but recent cutting-edge research has uncovered information about how and why they were built. In Mountains of the Pharaohs, Zahi Hawass, a world-renowned archaeologist and the official guardian of Egypt’s timeless treasures, weaves the latest archaeological data and an enthralling family history into spellbinding narrative.

Nearly five thousand years ago, the 4th Dynasty of Egypt’s Old Kingdom reigned over a highly advanced civilization. Believed to be gods, the royal family lived amid colossal palaces and temples built to honor them and their deified ancestors. Hawass brings these extraordinary historical figures to life, spinning a soap opera–like saga complete with murder, incest, and the triumphant ascension to the throne of one of only four queens ever to rule Egypt.

The magnificent pyramids attest not only to the dynasty’s supreme power, but also to the engineering expertise and architectural sophistication that flourished under their rule. Hawass argues that the pyramids—including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the only one of the Seven Wonders of the World still standing—were built by skilled craftsmen who took great pride in their work.

Who Ate The First Oyster? The extraordinary People Behind the Greatest First in History by Cody Cassidy, 213 pages

 Who wore the first pants? Who painted the first masterpiece? Who first rode the horse? This madcap adventure across ancient history uses everything from modern genetics to archaeology to uncover the geniuses behind these and other world-changing innovations.

Who invented the wheel? Who told the first joke? Who drank the first beer? Who was the murderer in the first murder mystery, who was the first surgeon, who sparked the first fire--and most critically, who was the first to brave the slimy, pale oyster?

In this book, writer Cody Cassidy digs deep into the latest research to uncover the untold stories of some of these incredible innovators (or participants in lucky accidents). With a sharp sense of humor and boundless enthusiasm for the wonders of our ancient ancestors, Who Ate the First Oyster? profiles the perpetrators of the greatest firsts and catastrophes of prehistory, using the lives of individuals to provide a glimpse into ancient cultures, show how and why these critical developments occurred, and educate us on a period of time that until recently we've known almost nothing about.

Farewell to Fairacre by Miss Read, 213 pages

The last novel in the beloved Fairacre series finds Miss Read with important decisions to make. Gradually worsening health forces her to consider an early retirement. John Jenkins, a handsome newcomer, competes for her affections with the newly widowed Henry Mawne. However, Miss Read has more on her mind than men. Orphans living in her former house have bolstered the village school's roll, but these new students seem to be having problems with their adoptive family. In the midst of all this turmoil, readers can rest assured that FAREWELL TO FAIRACRE boasts all the elements they have come to love: eccentric villagers, gentle humor, and a verdant rural landscape teeming with lambs, larks, and blackthorn bushes.

Murder on the Flying Scotsman by Carola Dunn, 213 pages

I'm only a few books into this series but I'm falling more and more in love with the characters.

The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine by Alexander McCall Smith, 213 pages

I've been a fan of this series since the very first book. I've even seen all the episodes of the way too short tv series. Many times once a book series hits 16 books, it feels played out or just not enjoyable. But these books prove the exception. The characters continue to grow and develop, and I really like how their interactions have stayed true to who they are and how long they've known each other. This has to be one of my favorite books so far because of one particular scene. Precious Ramotswe has always described herself as a "traditionally built" lady, but she uses that traditional build to subdue a angry woman by sitting on her. I was so glad that I wasn't reading the book in a public setting because I was laughing during that whole scene. I have come to consider the characters family and hope that author continues with many more outstanding books.

The Cat Who Killed Lilian Jackson Braun by Robert Kaplow, 213 pages

I picked this up thinking it would be a fun treat because I've read all of Lilian Jackson Braun's books. It was not a bawdy parody, it was basically a pornographic slaughter of her books. Not a treat at all. I definitely won't be using it for my newspaper review.

The Mennyms by Sylvia Waugh, 213 pages

This was on a list of must read children's books. It was okay but not one I would consider a must read in today's world.