Here are some books that have crossed our desks recently.

HARDBACKS

"THE CURSE OF THE GOOD GIRL: Raising Authentic Girls with Courage and Confidence," by Rachel Simmons, Penguin Press $25.95 (nf)

Looking to the stories shared by the women and girls who attend her workshops, author Rachel Simmons looks at how good-girl pressure from parents, teachers, coaches, media and peers can erect a psychological glass ceiling. Simmons traces the poisonous impact of good-girl pressure on development and provides a strategy to reverse the tide.

"A LONG, LONG TIME AGO AND ESSENTIALLY TRUE," by Brigid Pasulka, Houghton Mifflin Co., $25 (f)

On the eve of World War II, a young man nicknamed "The Pigeon" courts the beautiful Anielica Hetmanska. But the war's arrival delays their marriage for six long years. Nearly 50 years later, their granddaughter, Beata, visits Krakow, the place where her grandparents lived as newlyweds and the setting of her grandmother's most magical stories. When two unexpected events occur, Beata is given a fresh glimpse at her family's and her country's history and a vision of her own role in the new Poland.

"TIME OF THE RANGERS: Texas Rangers from 1900 to the Present," by Mike Cox, Forge Books, $27.99 (nf)

The book is full of stories, including some that are not so flattering. There are a lot of details about Ranger history and the players' roles in pivotal historical events. A great insight into an organization with a habit of keeping a low public profile, despite its international reputation.

More hardbacks recently released:

"Absent a Miracle," by Christine Lehner (f); "Spin," by Robert Rave; "The Venona Cable," by Brent Ghelfi (f); "Never Make the Same Mistake Twice: Lessons on Love and Life Learned the Hard Way," by Nene Leakes with Denene Millner (nf); "The Naked Man: A Study of the Male Body," by Desmond Morris (nf); "Everything I Know About Life I Learned From My Horse," by Gwen Petersen (nf); "Heart of the Assassin," by Robert Ferrigno (f); "Following the Water," by David M. Carroll (nf); "The Man Who Made Vermeers," by Jonathan Lopez (nf); "The Child Thief," by Brom (f)

PAPERBACKS

"ONE FOOT WRONG," by Sofie Laguna, Other Press, $12.95 (f)

View Comments

Sofie Laguna has written a novel in a young victim's voice. Hester Wakefield has never spoken to anyone other than her parents or seen the outside world. Her days consist of religious observance, chores and punishments. The only possession she has is an illustrated children's Bible, and her "friends" Door, Broom, Cat and Spoon, who talk to her and sometimes tell her what to do. One day, Hester ventures outdoors. This brief freedom provides her with a taste of simple joys and reinforces the importance of keeping secrets from her parents. She eventually finds the strength to take action against her captors.

More paperbacks recently released:

"Undiscovered Gyrl," by Allison Burnett (f); "His Other Lover," by Lucy Dawson (f); "12,000 Students Later," by Marlon Andrus (nf)

— compiled by Kari Morandi

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.