If you haven’t made the acquaintance of Olivia Manning and her fabulous BALKAN TRIOLOGY and LEVANT TRIOLOGY written abut an English couple caught in Romania and Greece and then Egypt during WWII, I highly recommend them. They were recently reprinted in a single volume.

Another of Manning’s books, SCHOOL FOR LOVE has been recently reprinted by New York Review Books. It is a delight and is the best book I read all of last year. Set in Palestine right after the end of WWII, it is the story of a few forlorn British refugees who have washed up in Jerusalem by the hazards of the war. Living in pensions, rooming houses and hotels of Jerusalem, they can’t get transport back to England yet, they have very little money, and there are no jobs. In particular, this is the story of a 16 year old British boy, an orphan with no family, no income and thus at the mercy of the “generosity” of a distant relative, a penny pinching, manipulative, sanctimonious middle aged female. He is mourning for his mother recently dead from typhus, he finds a stray cat for a friend, and he gets almost nothing to eat from his landlady/cousin, but his quiet, stoic, stubborn, curious spirit is somehow glowing amidst the dusty streets and gardens of the city. Manning observed the details of everyday life perfectly. (Paperback, $14.00) Recommended by Pat.

THIS BODY OF DEATH by Elizabeth George finds Thomas Lynley (still grieving after his wife’s murder) back at Scotland Yard, investigating the murder of a young woman. His old team is having a hard time dealing with the new department chief, a woman, who may or may not get Lynley’s old job. A seemingly unrelated crime runs through the narrative, which adds to the mystery. George always has well-developed characters and complex plotting, and this story is fascinating. Recommended by Rochelle (Hardcover, $28.99)

On this 40th anniversary year of Earth Day, I can’t think of anything better to read than a biography of Rachel Carson, arguably the founder of the modern environmental movement. Though not necessarily new, Linda Lear’s biography RACHEL CARSON: A WITNESS FOR NATURE is well worth reading. It delves deeply into Carson’s life, loves and motivations, which offers remarkable insights into her career. It’s a scholarly but hardly dry read. I highly recommend this. (Paperback, $17.95) Recommended by Kelly.

Fever Crumb is a great character in a tough spot. In the London of the future, she’s one of the last remaining members of a sub-species of people the rest of the population had hoped they’d exterminated. An orphan with a mysterious scar on the back of her head, Fever has been raised in secret among the member of the Order of Engineers. Under their tutelage, she has learned only to think not to feel. This is a handicap that, as her once calm life begins unravel, she will need to overcome. This is a multi-layered and satisfying science fiction book for teens and adults alike. (Hardcover, $17.99) Recommended by Kelly.

This graphic novel recounts an eerie and sometimes funny work-visit to North Korea. The author is a Belgian animator visiting an outsourced animation studio. The food is terrible, the electricity is inconsistent, and the streets are deserted… unless an important diplomat is visiting. Delisle’s 30-story hotel is empty except for his floor, and he’s almost never allowed out without being accompanied by a “guide” attempting to control what he sees — in short, all of the typical North Korean illusions are in play. A well-drawn and compelling read. Scary, too.

THE TIME TRAVELLER’S GUIDE TO MEDIEVAL ENGLAND: A HANDBOOK FOR VISITORS TO THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY, is a fabulous romp through times unimaginable. Don’t let the first chapter’s rather graphic depiction of overcrowding and the plague put you off. Historian Ian Mortimer is an excellent writer simply preoccupied by how people managed in another time. Truly a travelogue for those who might wax nostalgic about simpler times, readers will learn everything from what to wear (weasel if you’re royalty, homespun if you’re not), where to stay (inns, monasteries, or castles), and what to eat (bacon if you’re royalty, rats if you’re not). Only occasionally nauseating, it’s a fascinating read. (Hardcover, $26.00) Recommended by Kelly.

This debut novel by Irish writer Peter Murphy is getting rave reviews in the UK and the U.S. It’s an atmospheric tale of a young boy, John, growing up in a small village whose life is altered by his friendship with a very free-spirited boy whom he meets. It’s filled with humor and energy, as well as a certain sense of mystery. Best of all is the old crone character, Mrs. Nagle, who takes up residence in John’s house when the opportunity presents itself. Their face-offs are very funny and original. (Paperback, $14.95) Recommended by Lisa.

The subject of dysfunctional families is a cliche in literature, but with rich and diverse possibilities, when done right it can be a joy to read. THE LONELY POLYGAMIST taps into that realm with originality and empathy. I’ve been waiting for more from Brady Udall ever since reading his first novel, THE MIRACLE LIFE OF EDGAR MINT, back in 2001. Udall has finally returned and his success with this one makes the nine-year span between books understandable and well worth the wait. The story’s protagonist is Golden Richards, a southern Utah polygamist who juggles four wives, 28 children, a diaper-wearing dog, church duties, and a construction contracting business that has recently begun building a brothel in Nevada. When it seems things can’t possibly get more complicated, an overwhelmed Golden begins to fall for another woman. This book is less about the odd lifestyle of polygamy and more about the trials of a keeping a family (any family) together and, hopefully, happy. Udall’s greatest gift as a writer is his ability to create alternately heartbreaking and hilarious scenes with compassion for his characters as they search for meaning and acceptance. In THE LONELY POLYGAMIST he continues to succeed in grand fashion. Read an excerpt here To be released May 3. (Hardcover, 26.95) Recommended by Judd.

A very readable, fascinating analysis of North Korean propaganda’s unique symbolism and its effect on the North Korean world-view—THE CLEANEST RACE will change the way you see the country, and not necessarily for the better. Ordinary North Koreans are not yearning for liberation, and they see no contradiction in proclaiming a state policy of self-reliance while simultaneously accepting aid from the United States. As for the government, to most outside observers, the idea that the North Korean leadership can take its own personality cult and falsified history seriously is absurd. But Myers’s thesis is that they do take it seriously, and this is why our diplomatic approach to the DPRK is bound to fail. (Hardcover, $24.95) Recommended by John.

THE SCENT OF RAIN AND LIGHTNING by Nancy Pickard will be published in May, and what a wonderful novel/mystery to look forward to. The writing is first rate, and the mystery involving.

Set in a small farming community in Kansas, the story follows the Linder family, the major ranching family in the community. The murder of the oldest Linder son and the disappearance of his wife is the focal point of the terrible secret that engulfs their young daughter and the whole community. The ending is very much a surprise.

I fell in love with the Linders, with all their warts as well as solid values, and didn’t want to put this book down. Hopefully Nancy Pickard will find a way to incorporate them into another novel. Recommended by Julie. (Hardcover, $25.00, to be released May 4, 2010)