Bossypants by Tina Fey

This book offers a rollicking good time. Not only is Fey hilarious (and that's no surprise for anyone who's seen her on SNL or 30 Rock), but she also provides a lot worth thinking about in terms of sexism, the relationship between politics and entertainment, stand up comedy, and leadership. You can easily understand why Fey has had such success as a writer after reading this book: she moves gracefully from one incident to another, not always keeping a strict chronology, but always entertaining and writing well. Just another reason to keep watching 30 Rock. 

Cleopatra: A Life by Stacey Schiff

I enjoyed the audio version of this book. While there's not as much fact as one might be able to find for a more recent figure (there's only one word that may be written in Cleopatra's hand, and no surviving contemporary portraits or statues, besides her coins), this book does a nice job of laying out the possibilities for Cleopatra's life, as well as giving a crash course in the relevant Roman politics and history, so that it all makes sense. I was particularly intrigued by the arguments for Cleopatra's intelligence (apparently she was a gifted linguist); most of her early chroniclers were portraying someone who fit into their historical picture as a problem, and history is, after all, mostly written by the winners.

A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon

This book continues the story of Jamie and Claire Fraser, settled in North Carolina on the eve of the American Revolution. It's not as annoying as some of the previous books as there's a discernible arc to the plot (Jamie's conversion to the Revolutionary cause as a matter of principle instead of survival) and a few abductions (both Claire and Brianna) to be dealt with, but, as with many of the books in this series, this book could have used a stronger editorial hand.

Give Smart: Philanthropy That Gets Results by Thomas J. Tierney and Joel L. Fleishman

I have the feeling that this book is aimed at people who have a lot more money to give away than I will ever hope to make. It's mostly a set of questions that you can ask yourself in order to make your philanthropy as effective as it can be, in addition to a series of stories (sometimes cautionary) and case studies about philanthropists and their works. The book is very invested in the idea that philanthropists are only accountable to themselves for excellence (which makes it very hard to achieve) and that it is worth paying good overhead to get the right kind of people so that the philanthropy works (as opposed to bad overhead for fancy cars or whatever).

On the Wrong Track by Steve Hockensmith

This mystery is a lot like some of the best Agatha Christie novels: because it's set on a train, so there's a limited cast of characters who could be the criminal. I found this plot quite engaging and the twists kept coming till the end, though, it did start a little slow.

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

This book intentionally points toward Dickens, especially Oliver Twist, set in part among a den of thieves. As the plot unwinds, it's a plot worthy of a Dickens novel--in its crosses and double-crosses and complicated twists. However, while the best of Dickens's novels have many such plots interweaving, this novel has no real subplots. It's still an enjoyable read. Booker shortlisted, 2002.

The Princess, The Crone, and the Dung-Cart Knight by Gerald Morris

In this book a young woman with remarkably fine clothes sets out to avenge herself on the knight who lead to the deaths of her mother and her protector. As she travels, however, she learns that revenge isn't everything and that she's not the center of the universe. I was not familiar with the Chrétien de Troyes story on which this book is based, but I enjoyed the story. I also really appreciate this version of Lancelot, who seems to have given up his passion for Guinevere.