Books Read in July

Maps and Legends by Michael Chabon - Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon writes about genres, comics, fan fiction, tricksters, writing, maps, and golems in this engaging collection of essays.

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor - Seraphim reign triumphant over their defeated chimera enemies, and former lovers Karou and Akiva, separated by war and betrayal, see no hope for restoring peace to their fractured world.

I'm Down by Mishna Wolff - Mishna Wolff's father is white - but he acts like he's black, and he wants his awkward daughter to be just as cool as he is.

Writing Reviews for Readers' Advisory by Brad Hooper - An expert reviewer shares the basics of book reviewing for librarians, using examples and lessons gained from his years of experience writing and editing for Booklist.

Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich - Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum's new job is taking her places she never expected - to strangers' funerals with Grandma Mazur, out onto a rusty fire escape, and under sexy Joe Morelli.

Three to Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich - Stephanie Plum's been handed her most difficult bail jumper yet: beloved candyman Uncle Mo, who everyone loves but no one really knows; a man whose disappearance coincides with bodies piling up along Stephanie's path.

Riveted by Meljean Brook - Airship engineer Annika is searching the world for her exiled sister, but when she discovers that cyborg scientist David Kentewess plans to survey Iceland, she fears he could put everyone in her hidden village of women in danger.

The Pet Project by Lisa Wheeler - A little girl wants a pet, and her parents tell her to go do some scientific research to find out which pet is best.

The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart - In ten days, high schooler Ruby Oliver went from being popular to a social leper; her shrink and a list of fifteen former boyfriends help her begin to understand how exactly she got into this mess.

The Philosophy Book ed. Will Buckingham - A brief, readable introduction to the thinkers and ideas that have shaped the world.

Hard Times by Charles Dickens - Louisa Gradgrind's hard-nosed education, driven by her factory owner father's ideals, fails her and those around her in one of Dicken's shortest works.

Sidekicked by John David Anderson - Drew Bean is a sidekick-in-training with an absentee Superhero - and now that a deadly villain is bent on revenge, Drew and his friends must step up to save not only the good citizens of Justicia, but themselves.

Four to Score by Janet Evanovich - In the most satisfying Plum adventure yet, lingerie buyer-turned-bounty-hunter Stephanie Plum is on the trail of a missing bail jumper and some funny money.

Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare - When the Duke of Halford's overbearing mother forces him to pick a bride at "Spinster Cove," Griffin bribes a lowly barmaid, Pauline, to deliberately fail at her public debut.

High Five by Janet Evanovich - With no bail jumpers on the horizon, Stephanie Plum's side gigs prove more dangerous than her normal work: tracking down her missing uncle, doing odd jobs for the mysterious and sexy Ranger, and desperately avoiding an old enemy.

The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy - Four princes who hate to be called charming start a quest to win fame and honor - and possibly save a kingdom or two.

Hot Six by Janet Evanovich - When her mentor is suspected of killing a crime lord's son, bounty hunter Stephanie Plum's not so sure her friend is innocent - but even less sure she wants to bring him in.

The Brass Verdict by Michael Connolly - Returning to the courtroom after a stint in rehab, defense attorney Mickey Haller is suddenly handed a murdered colleague's caseload - along with the secrets that may have lead to his death.

The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester - After being abandoned to die in space, Gulliver Foyle seeks his monstrous revenge on the people who wronged him.

The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne - A battle of wits and wills ensues when French spy Annique Villiers is forced to flee France with British spymaster Robert Greyson Fordham in the tumultuous days of Napoleon's imperial ambition.

Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe - Moll Flanders tells the story of her checkered past as prostitute, con artist, serial bigamist, and professional fibber.