Books for Summer: Fantasy, History, and Haughty Heroines

reviews by Sharon L. Shervington

Hundreds of exhibitors from all over the world, covering every aspect of publishing, were the centerpiece of this year’s Book Expo America held at the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan, showcasing the cream of the industry’s output for Summer and Fall 2014.

While the behemoths like Simon & Schuster and Penguin Random House may have had more lavish digs, across the board there was a commitment to creativity among houses across the country and even from overseas, with countries like China and Spain taking part.

Some of the most intriguing exhibitors were the university presses which boast in-depth content and sheer beauty manifested through lavish illustrations and across-the-board quality production values. (We’ll have more on book Expo next month.)

Since its emergence in the United States nearly two decades ago, DK (Dorling Kindersley) has set a new industry standard. Now, they have begun a new series entitled Heads Up, and Heads Up Psychology is like a young-adult version of the Psychology Book—one of a series that so far includes philosophy and business. These are great gifts and offer an easy way to open conversations between parents, teens, and tweens. (Both DK; various contributors; $15.99 and $25; 160 pages and 352 pages)

Perfect for summer, especially if a beach trip is planned, is DK’s Ocean, the Definitive Visual Guide. It has just been revised and updated. Learn about everything from seaweed to sea lilies, ocean fossils, and other topics that will feed your brain and, possibly, appear on your table. (DK, various contributors; $50; 512 pages)

For readers who prefer their beauty manmade, Rene Lalique: Enchanted by Glassfrom Yale University Press is exquisite. A giant in the field, Lalique exhibited worldwide to great acclaim. According to the book, Lalique “designed and created expensive handcrafted pieces, affordable mass produced objects and custom architectural orders.”

Authoritative essays accompany lush plates as well as drawings and other art that puts the artist’s extraordinary legacy into a French cultural framework. And surprisingly, the Caribbean can be a great place to find Lalique objets at quite affordable prices. (By Kelley Jo Elliott; 385 pages)

Novel Fiction and Fantasy

William Shakespeare was surely one of the most creative individuals that ever lived so it is not surprising that he remains a locus of creativity to this day.

From Picador comes Dark Aemilia, a novel of Shakespeare’s Dark Lady. This engrossing read is equal parts Shakespeare, his muse Aemilia (one of the first female published poets in England), and a detailed account of England during the reign of Elizabeth I. It compares favorably to the work of Dame Hilary Mantel. (By Sally O’Reilly; $26; 436 pages)

The eagerly awaited third volume—The Book of Life—of the trilogy by Deborah Harness brings this epic series about witches, vampires, love, and libraries to a strong conclusion. It returns Matthew and Diana to modern times where the fates of these long-lived enemies could spell the end for all. Book Two was set in Elizabethan England, and for those who enjoy well-researched fantasy with realistic scientific and historical elements, the series is a must.

For those who enjoy the period and the Bard, The Secret Life of William Shakespeare concentrates on his relationships with his father and his wife Anne, whom Shakespeare married when he was just 18. (By Jude Morgan; St. Martin’s Press; $26.99; 438 pages)

Finally, Sedition, set in London in 1794, is a clever romp, ironic and sad. It concerns the events set in motion when four nouveau-riche fathers attempt to marry off their five musical daughters to titled yet penniless aristocrats. This is a gripping read that thoroughly skewers society’s gross pretensions. (By Katharine Grant; Henry Holt; $26; 307 pages)

The work and life of Charles Dickens also continues to stir the popular imagination. In The Victorian City: Everyday Life in Dickens’ London, readers will learn about everything from the slums and sewers to the nightlife, eateries, and tolls and bridges of the time. (By Judith Flanders; Thomas Dunne Books; $27.99; 520 pages.)

Biography

As the only African American soloist dancing today with American Ballet Theater, ballet prodigy Misty Copeland has made history. In Life in Motion; an Unlikely Ballerina, My Story of Adversity and Grace, she shares the reality of her difficult years in a loving but unsettled family and the custody battle that ensued when she was discovered to be a prodigy. This is an up-close look at the summer programs, the competitions, and the supporters that helped bring her to the pinnacle of the ballet world.

This wonderful and inspiring chronicle is one woman’s story, but it will inspire anyone who has fought to find a place in the world only to discover that it can be found only by being true to one’s self. (Touchstone; By Misty Copeland; $24.99; 278 pages)

Also noteworthy is Handbook for an Unpredictable Lifeby the actress Rosie Perez, who suffered a turbulent family life with a mentally ill mother and spent much of her childhood in a group home with cruel nuns. It is not surprising that, having survived such a difficult early life, the actress grew into a highly compassionate woman and a great actress and musician.

This inside-Hollywood portrait of her years performing in the show In Living Color, as well as her countless auditions and many roles in top films, is fascinating. (Crown Archetype; $26; 322 pages)