Advertisement “Dream It ... List It ... Do It!” by the “Life List” experts at 43things.com (a “goal-setting community“), with Lia Steakley (Workman, $9.95): Concise, witty, useful — this could be the perfect self-help book for the new year, if you’re determined to accomplish things as yet undone. The 43 chapters include “Travel More,” “Find Love” and “Make a Difference,” and offer checklists and testimonials on how to accomplish those goals. Here’s one: “Wake up happy.”
“The Book Lover” by Ali Smith (Anchor, $15.95): Using memoir and excerpts from works by her favorite authors, Smith shares her lifelong delight of reading well-known and obscure writers. A discovery for serious readers.
“Nemesis: The Final Case of Eliot Ness” by Eliot Bernhardt (Ballantine, $26; on sale Jan. 13): In real-life 1930s Chicago, you will recall, federal agent Eliot Ness and his band of “Untouchables” put a big dent in organized crime. This novel has Ness in Cleveland, tracking a serial killer who wants nothing more than to destroy him and his spotless reputation.
“Daemon” by Daniel Suarez (Dutton, $26.95): This is a rare case of a self-published novel being picked up by a traditional publishing house. When a young gaming pioneer dies, he leaves the legacy of a “computer process” intent on world domination. The Daemon program is aided in its intent by a group of super-smart true believers.
“Border Moonlight” by Amanda Scott (Forever, $6.99): The latest in the Folsom-based historical romance writer’s “Border” series features her trademarks: strong-willed women and warrior men, mystery and intrigue, dashes of humor and wit, deep characterization, complex plots and, above all, historical and geographic accuracy in the days of ancient Scotland.
“Tooth and Claw” by Jo Walton (Orb, $15.95): This World Fantasy Award winner tells a story of a dysfunctional family whose problems are compounded by the death of the patriarch. Intrigue, politics, class conflict, true love and tragedy merge for a good tale. Oh, did I mention that all the characters are dragons?
