EIFFEL’S TOWER: THE THRILLING STORY BEHIND PARIS’S BELOVED MONUMENT AND THE EXTRAORDINARY WORLD’S FAIR THAT INTRODUCED IT by Jill Jonnes is delightful and enlightening. The reader is treated to the background and inside story behind this engineering marvel in the context of late 19th century France and the upstart Americans. The intersection of art, royalty, politics, the sensational Paris Exposition and famous characters such as Wild Bill Cody and Annie Oakley keeps the reader engaged throughout. ($16.00, paperback) Recommended by Raven customer Martha R.

The recent re-release of Gertrude & Alice, which chronicles the of Gertrude Stein and Alice Toklas, is a fascinating romp through the lives of two of literature’s most famous eccentrics. Though biographer Diana Souhami’s occasionally repetitive sentence structure can sound like a dripping faucet, the juicy details about the couple’s habits, purchases, and troubled friendships that she unearths make the read well worth it. (Paperback, $20.00) Recommended by Kelly.

Readers will find a great read in the oldie-but-goodie THE EGYPT GAME by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. A group of six children, ranging in age from four to eleven, create a game using old Egyptian artifacts they find in a storage shed, along with their growing knowledge of the Egyptian culture. The author’s incredible descriptive abilities leave just enough to the imagination to make the experience an individual one. Mystery, excitement and friendship abound throughout the novel. Don’t miss the sequel, written nearly thirty years later, THE GYPSY GAME. (Paperback, $6.99) Recommended by Raven customer Amber Keck.

If you enjoy a good mystery and have a distinct appreciation for art, you will not want to miss CHASING VERMEER. Classmates Calder and Petra get caught up in the excitement of the greatest art heist of the century as they make discoveries about the people involved and the piece of art itself. It seems to be that the only way they can solve the crime and make things right for everyone involved is to work together and put their minds and abilities to the test. This children’s novel is action-packed yet filled with puzzles and clues, feeding the needs of any reader. Complimented by illustrations by Brett Helquist, Blue Balliett’s debut novel is sure to become a children’s mystery classic. ($7.99, paperback) Reviewed by guest reviewer Amber Keck.

Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell have returned to England and a mystery that cuts deep into Holmes’ past and heart. In THE LANGUAGE OF BEES, thrilling adventure and more logical deduction ensues! Pick up this one now in paperback to prepare for its immediate sequel — GOD OF THE HIVE — just released this spring. It picks up where Language leaves off and introduces one of the most interesting characters yet encountered in this great series–a mysterious Green Man of the forest. In addition, King sketches in the fascinating character of Mycroft Holmes–Sherlock’s older brother–whose shadow activities on behalf of the British government become the catalyst for political wrangling, religious zealotry and murder.

Two new and engaging installments in the Holmes/Russell series that begins with THE BEEKEEPER’S APPRENTICE. (Paperback, $15.00) Recommended by Sarah.

Philip Pullman’s (author of His Dark Materials - The Golden Compass) latest book was written in response to criticism that he never mentioned Jesus or God in his previous young adult novel. Thus the title, THE GOOD MAN JESUS AND THE SCOUNDREL CHRIST, and contents. This book is definitely mind turning, a retelling of the Gospels using two figures, Jesus and Christ as twin brothers, to identify ways in which the Gospels were used to advance the position of the Church.

This is definitely adult reading, and if you want to share it with your young adult, please read ahead of time. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but an interesting idea. It may make some traditional religious groups upset! Be prepared. (Hardcover, $24.00) Recommended by Julie.

THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE SKY by Michael Malone is the perfect summer read! This warm Southern novel is great fun: it has a clever caper, endearing characters, great dialogue, wonderful humor and a fast-moving plot. Annie Peregrine Goode is raised by her aunt after her father, a charming but irresponsible con man, drops her off at the family home (when she’s seven), along with a full-size airplane. Annie becomes a Navy test pilot, builds a life, and then her father enters the picture again to enlist her aid in his biggest con. I was hooked from the first chapter and couldn’t put it down. Michael Malone is one of my favorite authors and his novel Handling Sin is one of my favorite books. (Paperback, $15.99) Recommended by Rochelle.

Reading ONE AMAZING THING by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is like enjoying real cream in a fresh cup of coffee–comfortable and satisfying. This author is a fantastic storyteller. She does so through the mindset of seven diverse characters who are unexpectedly thrown together in a crisis situation. As the dynamics of interpersonal relations play out we learn one amazing story told by each. I recommend this slender and satisfying book. (Hardcover, $23.99) Recommended by Martha, a Raven customer.

Another fine entry in the Maisie Dobbs series. This novel is a thoughtful exploration of the hopes and dreams of the WWI generation, whose lives and futures were forever changed. THE MAPPING OF LOVE AND DEATH is a good mystery story with such fabulous characters! Winspear is particularly adept at evoking the time and place of late 1920s and early 1930s England. She pays careful attention to important details such as food and clothing without becoming didactic. Her details sketch in the world of Maisie Dobbs–a world fast fading out of recent memory. Don’t miss this one! Recommended by Sarah (Hardcover, $25.99).

Jean Grant visited The Raven to celebrate the release of THE BURNING VEIL. Good times!