The Black Russian is the story of Frederick Bruce Thomas, the son of former slaves in Mississippi who left the South after his father's murder. Possessed of a steely work ethic and determined to make something of his life, Thomas worked in hotels in restaurants, became a successful entrepreneur and eventually spent more than a decade in Europe, where he found acceptance, wealth and love. Though he presented a humble, hospitable demeanor, he was in fact a canny businessman, a financial risk taker and a persuasive talker who smoothly omitted the unpleasant facts of his life.

Vladimir Alexandrov sets Thomas against the volatile political backdrop of late 19th- and early 20th-century U.S. and Europe, emphasizing his unusual position as an owner of several popular restaurants and entertainment gardens in Moscow. When Thomas arrived in 1899, the city was a cosmopolitan place where East met West, but by the time the Bolshevik revolution forced him to flee to Odessa, both Moscow's and Thomas's fates had changed drastically.

Thomas left behind few diaries or letters; many contemporary accounts, taken from the writings of American tourists, are tinged with racism. The political upheaval of the times and Thomas's penchant for glossing over inconvenient details also create a few factual gaps. Despite these obstacles, Alexandrov pieces together a compelling narrative of this powerful and complex man. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams

On November 14, 1889, Nelly Bly, a reporter for the popular newspaper the World, sailed from New York on a trip that would make her famous: an attempt to travel around the world in less than 80 days (inspired, of course, by Jules Verne). Eight and a half hours later, Elizabeth Bisland, the literary editor of the Cosmopolitan, boarded a westbound train in a reluctant--and largely forgotten--attempt to outrace Bly. Matthew Goodman tells their story in Eighty Days.

Goodman emphasizes both the differences and the surprising similarities between the brash investigative reporter from a Pennsylvania coal town and the Southern lady who educated herself in a ruined plantation's library. Alternating between their experiences, he contrasts their reactions to publicity, their fellow travelers (especially the British) and the new cultures they encounter. Even if you know in advance Bly will win, the race is suspenseful, complete with storms at sea, damaged ships, nearly missed connections, the kindness of strangers and a hair-raising train ride through western mountains.

Although the race between Bly and Bisland is engaging in its own right, Eighty Days is more than an adventure story. Goodman does not limit himself to a step-by-step narrative of his heroines' travels. Instead, he uses the race to illustrate the social impact of new modes of transportation, a growing popular press and new opportunities for women. The result is a social history of the U.S. on the verge of modernity. --Pamela Toler, blogging at History in the Margins

"Just as they had expected her to be a prima donna in the Senate," Kim Ghattas writes of Hillary Rodham Clinton in The Secretary, "so too people at the State Department were bracing for a diva. Instead, she was the one pouring the coffee."

Ghattas, who spent her youth in war-torn Beirut waiting for the United States to swoop in and save the day, understands that sentiment held by others around the world today. Her experiences traveling the world with Clinton as a BBC political correspondent have also shown her the tightrope the Secretary of State and the President must walk when it comes to diplomatic relations--and which Clinton traversed with confidence and determination.

From Middle East peace talks to the sinking of the Cheonan to WikiLeaks, Ghattas recounts Clinton's successes and disappointments, providing succinct background information that allows readers a full understanding without overwhelming detail. She shows how, despite exhausting days, unexpected events and a world with a tarnished view of the U.S., Clinton believed in the good her country could do and worked tirelessly to make change happen.

Visiting more countries than any Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton made the world her stage. "It was hard to imagine," Ghattas writes, "any other secretary of state responding to an audience's expectations with such passion." --Jen Forbus of Jen's Book Thoughts

There is something quite delicious about reading books by literary food lovers who aren't afraid to embark on an adventure to find what they're seeking, whether for reading or for eating. John Baxter (The Most Beautiful Walk in the World) has a particular knack for such writing, and The Perfect Meal is a wonderful culinary travel memoir.

A native Australian, Baxter has lived in France for more than 20 years, and has become disturbed by the trend in restaurants to serve plats en kit--precooked meals bought canned, frozen or as boil-in-a-bag portions--as well as the steady loss of authentic cheese sellers and fishmongers in the markets. He imagines an ideal menu of traditional French cuisine, then determinedly sets out to research and taste it for himself. As might be expected, Baxter begins with a quest for the perfect starters: kir, a white wine usually sweetened with a shot of crème de cassis (made from blackcurrants), and caviar with blinis and crème fraîche. Moving on to subsequent courses, Baxter travels throughout France. At Marcel Proust's hometown, he considers the madeleine as an amuse guile (a nibble); then it's off to Bordeaux to sample lampreys in blood sauce, the Riviera for bouillabaisse, the 14th arrondissement of Paris for beef tartare and Nord-Pas-de-Calais for roasted ox.

Baxter provides a final menu at the end of his book. Thankfully, he also includes a collection of recipes--The Perfect Meal will leave most readers hungry for more. --Roni K. Devlin, owner, Literary Life Bookstore

Like hundreds of chefs, London native Rachel Khoo moved to Paris to study pâtisserie at Le Cordon Bleu. After finishing her course, she didn't want to leave. Working at a culinary bookshop and catering for the store's salon de thé, Khoo forged a career as a self-styled "food creative." She develops recipes, caters for events large and small and hosts pop-up restaurants in her apartment, which provides the title to The Little Paris Kitchen--a fresh, simplified take on traditional French dishes with a few original inventions.

The first section, "Everyday Cooking," is a collection of simple, nourishing recipes to whip up for lunch or brunch. Classics like ratatouille and steak tartare appear alongside dishes spiked with a touch of whimsy, such as eggs baked in teacups or a tricolored shepherd's pie. The next section, "Snack Time," provides sweet and savory ideas for the French tradition of le goȗter (the afternoon treat); from savory cheese puffs to Proustian madeleines, Khoo's menu has something for everyone.

Gorgeous full-color photo spreads accompany the recipes: Khoo exploring farmer's markets, visiting cafes, testing recipes in her petite cuisine. Sections on summer picnics, aperitifs, hearty dinners and dessert round out the collection, and she finishes with a handy section on French basics (stocks, sauces and crème pâtissière) at the back. The photos may make readers long for Paris, but the recipes will have them tying on an apron to try their hand at une petite cuisine française. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams

Pati Jinich, readily recognizable from her cooking programs on PBS, is also the official chef at Washington, D.C.'s Mexican Cultural Institute--and a very busy wife and mother of three boys. She understands what it means to be able to cook well for your family when time is precious and has put her expertise on the page in Pati's Mexican Table.

"Mexican home cooking is beautiful in its simplicity, tremendously convenient, and wholesome," she writes, and it's these qualities that make her cookbook universally appealing, while her energetic and honest writing keep the reader engaged. The recipes in Pati's Mexican Table are arranged in a traditional format with chapter headings such as Soups, Seafood and Sides--including a special chapter of vegetarian dishes inspired by requests from friends, family and fans. There's even a "Drinks" chapter that is no afterthought (be sure to try the creamy peanut and vanilla apéritif).

Jinich's recipes are nicely presented with detailed introductions, bolded ingredient lists and numbered steps. Many are accompanied by an additional "Mexican Cook's Trick," and readers won't want to ignore these helpful hints. Other sidebars provide more information about Mexican ingredients and cooking techniques; these are also always worth reading. Most everyone will find a traditional Mexican recipe to enjoy in Pati's Mexican Table, as well as new renditions of old favorites, like the Mexican Thanksgiving turkey with chorizo, pecan, apple and cornbread stuffing. --Roni K. Devlin, owner of Literary Life Bookstore

Sharon Draper (Out of My Mind) takes us into the heart of a closely knit dance troupe that bands together when two of their members face a crisis. The author balances a suspenseful plot and the emotional growth of her characters with ease and grace.

Four high school students in the troupe narrate: Justin, the lead male dancer; Layla, his crush, and the leading female dancer, who's dating Cadillac-driving Donovan; sophomore Diamond; and Diamond's best friend, Mercedes. Diamond and Mercedes make an afternoon run to the mall, but when the two separate, Diamond meets a handsome 40-something man in the food court who tells her he's holding auditions for a film. Draper never shows explicitly what goes on during Diamond's ensuing captivity, but readers discover what kind of film the man had in mind. By alternating among the narrators, Draper allows readers to see the progress of the investigation, and gives us a break from the intensity of Diamond's situation. A chilling parallel emerges with the relationship between Layla and Donovan, whose abuse turns into revenge when he e-mails topless pictures of Layla that go viral on the Web. The author creates a counterpoint with examples of healthy relationships, such as Mercedes and Steven (who brings candy to the studio for his "favorite chocolate bunny").

Draper's tale leaves room for hope that Diamond and Layla can repair their lives, but with the understanding that they are forever changed. Her book may well prompt teens to be more circumspect about their own responsibility in the decisions they make. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness

Sixteen-year-old Maggie cracked her first lock at age three. All her life, Maggie and her parents have been moving around the world on spy missions. They are part of the Collective, and while its members hack into computers and forge documents, Maggie explains, "the whole point is to right wrongs, not create them." Their next location is New York City, where Maggie will embark on her first solo mission. She must attend a Greenwich Village high school in order to befriend the target's son. High school is hard enough without worrying about being a spy, but Maggie is determined to show her parents that she can handle a job on her own without blowing her cover.

Maggie's wit will instantly charm readers, as evidenced when she first finds out about her solo mission: "I raised my bagel in the air like an award, then pretended to wipe away tears. 'This just means so much to me! I'd like to thank all the little people that I crushed on my way to the top.' " Her parents are equally likable, filling a parental role but still holding an air of mystery as we find out about their spy specialties and their successes.

Robin Benway (Audrey, Wait!) perfectly balances descriptions of spy activities with the normal life of a teenage girl, making this a truly enjoyable read. Especially great for fans of Ally Carter's Gallagher Girl series. --Shanyn Day, blogger at Chick Loves Lit