Mexico: a 500 Year History

by Paul Gillingham

Atlantic Monthly Press/IPG

   A history book for people who don't often read history. This is so well written and moves so quickly that you don't even realize how much you're learning. This should be required reading in every college course on Mexican, Latin American and World History. World History because Gillingham makes a great case for the influence Mexico has had, and continues to have, on the rest of the world.

Don't be frightened by the size, it flies.

If you would like to know more about, or own this book, please check with your local independent bookstore or this great place bookshop.org

The Ferryman and His Wife 

by Frode Grytten, trans. Alison McCullough

Algonquin Books/Hachette

    Nils Vik is at the end of a life lived in service to others. He has regrets, people he feels he might've done better by. But he misses his wife Marta and it has become time to meet her again. 

    This is a quiet story of a quiet life - thoughtful, tender, sad, humorous - filled with loving people. Everything we all hope to see looking back at our own.

If you would like to know more about, or own this book, please check with your local independent bookstore or this great place bookshop.org

Clown Town   

by Mick Herron

Soho Crime/PRH

    If you've been watching and loving Slow Horses on Apple tv and wondering, the answer is yes. The books are just as wonderful, filled with the same tension and humor as the series. Even if you're up to date on the show, start with the first of the books, Slow Horses, so you won't miss a single beat of this wonderful series.

    And if you haven't been watching, read the books, then you'll have to watch.

If you would like to know more about, or own this book, please check with your local independent bookstore or this great place bookshop.org

The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother)

by Rabih Alameddine

Grove Atlantic/PGW

    You'll laugh, you'll cry and every other cliche available. This is a wonderful, moving book that will make you believe everything in our messy world will turn out okay.

If you would like to know more about, or own this book, please check with your local independent bookstore or this great place bookshop.org

The Cyclist - A DS George Cross Mystery

by Tim Sullivan

Grove Atlantic/ PGW

January 13, 2026

    

    If there is an opposite to "sophomore slump", this is it. George Cross is a delight, as is his extremely patient partner, Josie Ottey. The crime in this one will keep you guessing, lots of wonderful red herrings. 

    If you haven't read The Dentist by Sullivan, grab a copy quickly. It is the first of the DS George Cross mysteries, and is a great beginning to this series.

    I'm thankful that there are several more scheduled for release in early 2026. 

If you would like to know more about, or own this book, please check with your local independent bookstore or this great place bookshop.org