It is impossible to read Hannah Tinti’s new book without being reminded of Charles Dickens, which is high praise, for sure! Ren, a one-handed orphan, is easily as heart-breaking and memorable as Oliver Twist. Tinti’s novel is set in a grimy New England coastal town in the early 19th century. The appearance of Ren’s long-lost “brother” plunges readers (and Ren) into a harrowing adventure. Though her characters engage in all kinds of crime and despicable behavior (including grave robbing), Tinti ends her wild tale with both hope and love. Great cover; great book!

The great cover gets your attention, but the amazing story and vivid writing will keep you enthralled. Woodard, a renowned journalist, writes of Caribbean piracy’s thrilling heyday from 1715–1725. “Blackbeard” Thatch and “Black Sam” Bellamy are among the infamous and unforgettable figures that fill Woodard’s book. For the perfect companion title, try Stephen Talty’s Empire of the Blue Waters, the action-packed tale of the life of Henry Morgan.

To create this special book, the editors asked nearly 100 leaders in the worlds of business, education, philanthropy, athletics, and more, to share a poem. The poem was to be the one that hung above a desk, or sat creased in a wallet. It had to be the poem that offered hope and inspiration upon each reading. Facing the text of each poem is a brief essay in which its contributor reflects on the personal impact of the chosen verse. Together, these elements offer a window into the souls of remarkable people. “I’m not a leader,” you say? Parker Palmer’s introduction says you are! GREAT BOOK!

Imagine visiting a different Christian church each Sunday morning for a year — anywhere in the United States! Suzanne Strempek Shea made just such a pilgrimage. Her book is remarkable. Readers accompany Shea on each leg of her journey: from a rousing Baptist service in Harlem to a chapel at Denver International Airport. Stops in between include a silent Quaker service in Philadelphia, and a visit to Joel Osteen’s megachurch in Houston. Shea is an effective guide. Her impressions of each church are both honestly and respect-fully shared. She offers brief bits of church history, and occasional background to particular denominations. She generously shares her own struggles too. Shea is always insightful, and often quite humorous. I enjoyed the book immensely. I thank her for sharing her journeys — both literal and spiritual, and for showing so clearly that there can be unlimited paths to a single destination.

Mary Surratt was the first woman to be executed by the Federal government, having been found guilty of conspiring to murder Abraham Lincoln. Her fascinating story is brilliantly told by historian Larson.