Cleopatra: a Life by Stacy Schiff

I'm the first to admit that I usually don't like nonfiction, I've surprised myself. I've been completely fascinated by Cleopatra: a Life by Stacy Schiff, which I just listened to on audiobook. You can order the print version here, and the book on CD here (for those tech-savvy readers with e-readers that can play e-audio, you can find that here). This meticulously researched nonfiction title is the story of Cleopatra's life stripped of sensationalism and taken down to the bare bones.

You won't find any Shakespearean embellishment or Elizabeth Taylor reenactment here - and it shows. Schiff's portrayal of the Egyptian queen is not that of a witch preying upon men, but a savvy, intelligent woman who used everything at her disposal (including sex) to consolidate power and remain queen of Egypt. The audio version is read by Robin Miles, who reads with authority and passion. Never monotone or boring, her voice is deep, commanding, and lends emotional weight to the text. While we never get much of Cleopatra's voice, Schiff and Miles let us into her world with copious (sometimes overwhelming) background information to set the scenes. For anyone interested in history or strong women, this book by a Pulitzer Prize winning author will capture your imagination.

Shannon Wood, Adult Services Librarian

Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

Loving Frank by Nancy Horan is a fictionalized account of the true story of the love affair between famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright and his mistress, Mamah Borthwick Cheney. Both trapped in loveless marriages, they are drawn to each other despite struggling to stay apart. Love blooms between them, and they begin an affair - and a nationwide scandal - that will last years. Written from Mamah's perspective, the book is a fascinating exploration of two people in love, living in opposition to their society's suffocating moral beliefs.

Of course the novel is historical, but at its heart, it is a love story. The romance between Frank and Mamah is never sappy or cloying, and the two characters are drawn with depth and detail. However, this causes other secondary characters to fall flat, especially Mamah's sister, Lizzie, and her best friend Mattie. Although not much is known about Mamah, the few fictionalized letters and diary entires add a realistic dimension to the novel, as well as the depiction of the scandal that erupts when the affair is revealed to the public by the newspapers. Loving Frank is well worth the read for anyone who enjoys history, romance, or wants to know more about the lover of master architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Shannon Wood, Adult Services Librarian