No one likes to pinpoint their favorite movies, musicians or books — there's simply too many to choose from. But we asked Cleveland Heights librarians to select their top five fave reads anyway, and Rebecca Katzenmeyer, Kathy Farago and Zahir Sutarwala delivered. Check out their must-read books complete with a synopses for this week's Patch Picks.
1. Cleopatra: A Life, by Stacy Schiff
Beautifully written, this extraordinary page-turner of a book is a portrait of one of the most famous and powerful women who ever lived and the historical period in which she wielded her influence. This new interpretation portrays Cleopatra as a woman of strength, intelligence and charisma, and with military and political capabilities. Along with wonderful descriptions of the cities and people of ancient Egypt, this book brings to life the last of the Ptolemys — Cleopatra beyond the myth.
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2. The Cat, the Professor, and the Poison (the Cats in Trouble Mystery series) by Leann Sweeney
Ms. Sweeney knows and loves cats, and so does her main character, a crafter who makes cat quilts for a living when she is not rescuing kitties in trouble or solving the murder of the odd body that she happens to stumble upon. A great cozy series, this is an ideal read for anyone who loves cats or animals in general. With just enough of a relationship quandary to add interest, this is the second in the series with the third coming in April.
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3. Nemesis, (Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries) by Lindsey Davis
The latest in a long-running mystery series, which takes place during the reign of the emperor Vespasian, has informer Falco trying to find a couple who supplied statues for the new Colosseum. Falco’s search leads him to the Pontine Marshes, a wild area outside of Rome, and he ends up tracking down a ruthless serial killer with the help of his friend Petronius. Each story in the series can stand on its own, and readers will enjoy the suspense of the mystery, the intrigues within Falco’s own family, as well as the light banter among the main characters.
4. The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine, by Michael Lewis
Lewis is the author of books on financial matters as well as other topics of popular interest. Here he covers the financial collapse of 2008 by bringing together the stories of a small number of hedge-fund dealers who foresaw the coming of the crash and who wanted to profit from it. The book is informative and highly readable. Lewis’s writing style is so engaging, and there is a dry sense of humor in his voice. The book should appeal to any reader.
5. Food Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 Extraordinary Places to Eat Around the Globe, National Geography Society
Making summer plans to travel? Here is an indispensable guide that will help you savor not only the sights around the world, but also the flavors. This beautifully illustrated, large-format guide to restaurants and food festivals around the world will appeal to both armchair and actual travelers.