Great places to go, things to do and great books to read

T is for Trespass

By Sue Grafton

Putnam Publishing $26.95

The good news: Grafton’s back with her 20th novel starring sleuth Kinsey Millhone. The bad news: there are only six letters remaining in this alphabetical series.

But, let’s not dwell on that when she’s turned out this riveting, offbeat story of elder abuse. When her grumpy old neighbor, Gus Vronsky, falls and can’t get up and around, Kinsey and her landlord, Henry, offer to help. But when Gus’s niece hires nurse Solana Rojas, a sociopath with a stolen identity who’s already killed one of her charges, the two neighbors are kept away. Kinsey, suspecting the worse, sneaks into Gus’s house, finds evidence of Solana’s treachery and is in for a chilling scare as well.

Blood Brothers

By Michael Weisskopf

Henry Holt Publishers $25

Award-winning senior correspondent for Time Magazine Michael Weisskopf didn’t have to go to Iraq; he didn’t have to ride with troops in a Humvee; he didn’t have to grab a grenade that landed at his feet and throw it out of the vehicle.

He was aware of danger when he volunteered to be near the battle, but never expected to lose his hand – his writing hand – when the grenade exploded. He was sent to Ward 57 at Walter Reed Medical Center, the wing reserved for amputees. There he met and befriended three soldiers among the many that lost hands, arms, legs and even sight. It was MASH without the jokes.

Weisskopf was hailed as a hero for saving the other men in the vehicle but he refused the accolades. Instead, he tells the story of men who felt guilty for surviving while their buddies died. For some, the question became, who was better off? This is strong stuff yet quite inspiring as these soldiers learn to live again.

The Year of Living Biblically

By A.J. Jacobs

Simon & Schuster $25

A.J. Jacobs, the best selling author of “The Know It All,” a one volume condensation of the Encyclopedia Britannica, has returned with, perhaps, an even more Herculean project; not only to read the entire Bible, but to literally live according to its’ precepts and commands for one year.

So, the razor goes and the beard grows; no more mixing linens and wools; adhering strictly to the dietary rules. Daunted by the admonition to “stone adulterers,” he improvises by gathering pebbles (the Bible doesn’t say how big the stones must be) and actually drops one on the shoe of a subway passenger who boasts of his adultery.

The book is a delight, yet strangely enough, very enlightening and may well encourage you to tackle the source.

oPtion$ The Secret Life of Steve Jobs

By Fake Steve Jobs

Da Capo Press $22.95

Although clearly described as parody, you can’t be blamed for taking it literally. The Fake Steve Jobs, now outed as Daniel Lyons, a Forbes senior editor, has blown Jobs’ idiosyncrasies out of outrageous proportions, creating a very hilarious book. The funniest scene, for me, was his encounter with Hillary Clinton at a fundraiser.

Even if you never heard of Jobs, don’t care, or don’t realize he created the Apple Computer, iPod, iMac and the iPhone, you are certain to enjoy this fake memoir.

1,000 Places to See in the USA & Canada Before You Die

By Patricia Schultz

Workman Publishing $19.95 Pb

Where are you going on your summer vacation? Don’t know? Well, pick up a copy of Schultz’s suggestions of 1,000 places in the USA and Canada that, according to her, you must see before you go on that big trip to the sky.

Here, unlike her previous “world” book, are an incredible variety of places closer to home. And, as with her previous book, you’ll use it both to plan trips as well as to recall places you’ve been.

It’s factual, funny and a perfect read for armchair travelers. So, choose your destinations and get going before (you know what).