Now in a newly revised, updated, and expanded third edition, Alaska: The Cruise-Lover's Guide by Paul and Audrey Grescoe continues to be a simply terrific and "user friendly" supplementary resource to enjoying the best that an Alaskan cruise has to offer, from sightseeing wildlife to observing or participating in exciting sports and events. Gorgeous color photographs enhance this exceptionally practical and nicely organized travel guide written for both the casual as well as the enthusiastically active tourist or vacationer.

Merchants Of Venus (love that title) is a surprisingly dry retelling of the genesis of the Harlequin empire, from its humble origins as reprinters of nurse romances to its death-grip on the enormously lucrative paperback romance industry (number 1 paperback publisher in the world). Somehow I expected the author to really juice this story: it's got international intrigue, steamy sex, board-room shenanigans, and pouty superstars. The facts are all there, which is the fascinating part, it's just the delivery is so darn academic. For a just-the-facts recounting of a fascinating phenomenon, Merchants of Venus is great. For a steamy bodice-ripper of a tale, well I guess you'll have to go to the source.