The Martian by Andy Weir

Stranded on Mars after a severe dust storm forces his team to evacuate, Mark Watney realizes he's going to die and quick, unless he can manage to survive until another Mars mission arrives in several years. Fortunately for Mark, he was his team's handyman and a botanist to boot, so he's got plenty of ingenious tricks up this sleeve to keep himself alive and kicking. Fortunately for us, Mark has a hefty sense of humor which keeps the story upbeat and exciting rather than depressing as he tackles the never ending catastrophes Mars throws his way. Back on Earth, NASA eventually realizes Mark is alive and desperately tries come up with a rescue plan before it's too late.

The humor and suspense keep the pages turning, making this a book for every reader and not just science fiction fans. And even though there is a lot of science, math, and technological jargon, Mark's matter-of-fact journals parse out the essentials, so it's easy to keep up. Conceptualizing everything Mark describes might be another matter, but the movie version of the The Martian has fantastic visuals so be sure to check that out as well as the book! 

A Common Scandal by Amanda Weaver

Growing up the daughter of a self-made tradesman, Amelia Wheeler spends most of her time at the Portsmouth harbor with her best friend, Natty Smythe, before he heads off to sea to support his penniless family. Years later, after completing Lady Grantham's finishing school, Amelia must act the perfect lady to nab a titled husband, fulfilling her dying mother's wish. Hoping to encourage a future earl, Amelia accepts an invitation to an extended house party. Meanwhile, Natty, who now owns a wealthy shipping business and goes by Nate, also attends the party to pursue the daughter of a powerful shipping magnate. Nate and Amelia continually provoke each other in public and in private, but their passion is far from the only secret able to ruin their plans.
Verdict Weaver (A Duchess in Name) expertly drafts a compelling history for these childhood friends, and readers will be immediately invested in the pair's affection and future outcomes. Nate and Amelia's chemistry smolders; their heat is kindled from a shared past rather than instant attraction, which makes their reckless bid for happiness truly believable. This series tale stands well on its own and is certainly one to savor.

This review was originally published in Library Journal Xpress Reviews: E-Originals, March 3, 2016.

The Longest Night by Andria Williams

Nat and Paul Collier move to Idaho Falls in the summer of 1959. Paul is an Army Specialist. He has been assigned to work at the nuclear plant in Idaho Falls. There is trouble with the reactor, but Paul can't get his superior to take the problem seriously. After an unfortunate argument Paul is deployed to the Arctic Circle for several months. He has to leave Nat in Idaho Falls knowing there is a problem with the reactor. Paul hopes for the best and leaves a now pregnant wife and two young daughters. Nat is lonely and when she meets young rancher, Esrom, she finds someone she can enjoy spending time with, but the army community is small and word gets out about Nat and Esrom. It is really an innocent relationship, but people will talk and word gets to Paul at the Arctic Circle.

Williams writes a compelling story of marriage and army life.  The story is based on the only fatal nuclear accident in the U.S.

Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon & Shana Knizhnik

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, speaks in a soft monotone and is an inch over five feet in height. She will be 83 in April of 2016, and she is still going strong. There may be no better introduction to this remarkable lady than Notorious RBG. The book began as a blog in celebration of the jurist's independence, determination and accomplishments. It's a book that suggests an age of social media with photos, documents, charts, doodles, cartoons, nail art, t-shirts, poems, and a recipe. From its appearance, the immediate audience my be twenty somethings, but anyone who picks it up will be entranced.

It took 192 years for the first woman, Sandra Day O'Connor, to join the U. S. Supreme Court. Ginsburg was appointed twelve years later. The road that each traveled as a woman is invaluable in applying law to all citizens. The experiences of Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American appointed to the nation's highest court, broadened the court's understanding of what it is to be an American. This diversity finally gave real meaning to the Constitution: "We the people, in order to form a more perfect union..."

We know much more about political candidates who run for the Presidency and seats in Congress, but the Supreme Court, with its life appointments, is sacrosanct. When Bob Woodward pierced its secrecy in 1979, he titled his book The Brethren, as if these jurists were members of a male religious order. Ginsburg opened her private life to the authors of Notorious RBG. It's a welcome introduction and a study of how one individual, one woman, can make a difference.

Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye

At the beginning of the Victorian era, Jane Steele is growing up at Highgate House the despised niece of her Aunt Patience. Then, she makes her first kill and flees to school before being caught. Eventually, Steele discovers her favorite book, Jane Eyre, and although her circumstances closely mirror that of her favorite book character, Steele isn't about to follow meekly in Eyre's footsteps, becoming a victim time and time again. Jane Steele is going to make sure the violent, the cruel, and the worst dregs of society will get their just desserts.

After fleeing school for London, Jane notices a posting for governess at her former childhood home. Jane's mother always said she would be the rightful heir of Highgate House, so Jane sets off to take the measure of this supposed new heir. Once there, Jane quickly finds herself falling in love with her young charge and eventually the master of the house. But this new household is a place of many secrets, and Jane risks having her own deadly indiscretions exposed while she pieces together the mysteries of those around her. Will she be able to solve all the puzzles before her lethal past comes back to haunt her?

Lyndsay Faye impeccably recreates the world of Jane Eyre, while revamping her main protagonist into a smart and witty executioner, and the amount of research Faye conducted is readily apparent in the gritty Victorian London details as well as the history of the First Anglo-Sikh War in India. For those who enjoy clever thrillers with droll characters or for anyone who enjoys suspenseful historicals, Jane Steele, is an exceptional read that will captivate from Jane's first confession:

"Reader, I murdered him."

Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Keckly by Jennifer Fleischner

Mrs. Elizabeth Keckly and Mrs. Mary Lincoln first meet in 1861 when Mary's husband is scheduled to take the oath of office.  Mrs. Lincoln wanted fine clothes that would reflect her position as the nation's first lady.  Mrs. Keckly was one of the best and most popular modistes in Washington, and while fulfilling one role, Elizabeth Keckly also became a confident and cherished friend to the president's wife.

The friendship between these two ladies unraveled when Mrs. Keckly published a memoir in 1868.  The book, entitled Behind the Scenes, was a remarkably frank account of her own life.  But it was also a revealing look at the Lincoln White House, one which crossed the "Victorian" codes of friendship and privacy.  Ironically, with this publication, Mrs. Keckly had hoped to gain sympathy and understanding for a controversial first lady.

The author, Jennifer Fleischner, has written chapters which alternate between the two women, both of whom were born in 1818; each is profiled separately and chronologically up to their meeting in 1861.  After 1861, it is a shared story of a remarkable friendship.  Also, it is a great, if unfamiliar, tale in the Lincoln legacy, one which Mrs. Lincoln would write this acknowledgement to her seamstress, a former slave:  "I consider you my best living friend."

The Imitation Game: Alan Turing Decoded by Jim Ottaviani

Alan Turing was a gifted cryptographer and scientist, who lived through a time of considerable turmoil, surviving both world wars. Turing's greatest achievements include solving the German Enigma machine code during WWII, helping to end the war earlier than thought possible, and advancing ideas of artificial intelligence and computer technology that are still relevant today. Unfortunately, his life ended all too soon, and his accomplishments were unfairly overshadowed by the trial and conviction of his publicly gay lifestyle.

The Imitation Game provides a thoroughly detailed account of Turing's adult life especially amid WWII but also with his career and life at university before and after the war in addition to the tragic circumstances that lead to his death. The artwork is loose and almost sloppy in presentation, which parallels Turing's own struggles with messy presentation of his work. However, the characters are well differentiated making it clear to readers as to whom is whom. Where this graphic biography excels is how it breaks down Turing's complex theories into simple terms. This is an excellent introduction to a remarkable person who deserved so much more recognition of his accomplishments during his lifetime.

If you would like to learn more, be sure to take a look at other books on Alan Turing, or check out the beautiful film, The Imitation Game.