Bookmarks: Books that have crossed the Deseret News desk recently

HARDBACKS

"THE BRIGHTEST STAR IN THE SKY," by Marian Keyes, Viking, $26.95 (f)

When a sassy and prescient spirit pays a visit to a Dublin townhouse, at least one of its occupants is going to experience a change. But what will this metamorphosis be and whom will the sprite choose? The newlyweds, the brassy but vulnerable cabbie, the executive searching for a more gratifying life or the eldest resident currently playing hostess to her son, who is in town to star as the hunky gardener in a hot new television show?

"THE MURDERER'S DAUGHTERS," by Randy Susan Meyers, St. Martin's Press, $24.99 (f)

Effectively orphaned by their mother's death and father's imprisonment for killing her in a drunken rage, Lulu and Merry, abandoned to a terrifying group home, spend their young lives carrying more than just the visible scars from the tragedy. Even as their plan to be taken in by a well-to-do foster family succeeds, they come to learn they'll never really belong anywhere or to anyone — that all they have to hold onto is each other.

More hardbacks recently released:

"The Fourth Assassin," by Matt Beynon Rees (f); "Things We Didn't See Coming," by Steve Amsterdam (f); "The Lost Books of the Odyssey," by Zachary Mason (f); "Finding Martha's Place: My Journey Through Sin, Salvation, and Lots of Soul Food," by Martha Hawkins with Marcus Brotherton (nf); "The Poker Bride," by Christopher Corbett (nf); "I'm Still Standing: From Captive U.S. Soldier to Free Citizen — My Journey Home," by Shoshana Johnson with M.L. Doyle (nf)

PAPERBACKS

"LAND OF MARVELS," by Barry Unsworth, W. W. Norton & Co., $14.95 (f)

The schemes of Western powers grappling for a foothold in Mesopotamia come to life during the dying days of the Ottoman Empire. English archaeologist John Sommerville begins excavating a historical site, believing he has uncovered a find that will revolutionize his field. But when the Germans threaten his dig with their railroad, he hires an Arab spy, not recognizing the spies dwelling in his own house.

More paperbacks recently released:

"The Elusive Bride," by Stephanie Laurens (f); "Crazy Heart," by Thomas Cobb (f); "Prayers for Sale," by Sandra Dallas (f, reprint); "The Spartacus War," by Barry Strauss (nf, reprint); "Restful Insomnia: How to Get the Benefits of Sleep Even When You Can't," by Sondra Kornblatt (nf); "The Green Devotional: Active Prayers for a Healthy Planet," by Karen Speerstra (nf); "Forest Gate," by Peter Akinti (f)

— compiled by Kari Morandi