Random House Audio: simply the best books to listen to, especially THE BOOK OF UNKNOWN AMERICANS by Cristina Henriques, an inspiring novel that seeks to define what it means to be an American. SKIN GAME by Jim Butcher, fresh fiction from the master of Urban Fantasy. A SHIVER OF LIGHT by Laurell K. Hamilton, imaginative fantastic fiction complete with a faerie princess, Darkness and the Killing Frost. ROBOGENESIS by Daniel H. Wilson, robots in a surreal world just one step from our own. TERMINAL CITY by Linda Fairstein, a breakneck thriller that captures the essence of New York City—its glamour, its possibilities and its endless capacity for darkness. TOP SECRET TWENTY-ONE by Janet Evanovich, another worthy thriller in the acclaimed Stephanie Plum series. FINANCIALLY FEARLESS by Alexa Von Tobel. How not to stress about money with proper financial planning. THE LINCOLN MYTH by Steve Berry, a riveting tale of a deadly confict and search for the truth about Abraham, Lincoln–a constitutional war secretly set into motion more than 200 years ago—by America’s Founding Fathers and the fate of the U.S. hangs in the balance.

Top shelf books: Spices & Seasons, Hippocrene Books, $35, introduces 150+ simple, seasonal recipes that marry the spices of India with the four seasons of an American backyard. The recipes, many of which are gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian, are designed to reduce your family’s food footprint and encourage you to explore the joys of farmers’ markets and home gardens. Rinku is the Gourmand Award-winning author of The Bengali Five Spice Chronicles. She also writes the blog Cooking in Westchester and the “Spices and Seasons” column in New York’s The Journal News. Sample recipes:Mango and Goat Cheese Mini Crisps, Creamy Coconut Egg Curry, Crisped Okra with Dry Spice Rub, Smoky Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Puree, Red Harvest Masala Cornish Hens, Seared Scallops in a Blueberry Ginger Sauce, Fresh Ginger Apple Chai Cake.  

PROVENCE FOOD AND WINE: The Art of Living by François Millo and Viktorija Todorovska, Agate Publishing, $19.95. . Provence is best known for its beautiful, sun-drenched landscapes and easy-going art de vivre. As we move into the warmer spring and summer months, readers will appreciate the book’s in-depth information about the region’s signature dry Provençal rosé wines and light, healthy Mediterranean recipes.The book is packed with 50 recipes, stunning photography, and enthralling information on the history and culture of Provence. A vivid picture of the region and its culinary traditions.

You’re in New York City. You’re hungry. You’re thirsty. You don’t want to spend a fortune. Now what?  Enter: 365 Guide New York City (2014 edition), by food host and deals expert, Monica DiNatale – the most comprehensive guide to the best restaurant and bar deals anywhere in the city!  Whether you’re a native New Yorker or a tourist on holiday, 365 Guide New York City is all you need to navigate one of the most exciting culinary destinations in the world. From dive bars in the East Village to 5–star restaurants in Midtown, this guide reveals the deals previously known only to a select few locals – and DiNatale has visited every restaurant and bar in her book. The guide provides listings by neighborhood to help you locate a restaurant/bar deal where you need one and as a bonus, 365 Guide New York City also includes DiNatale’s favorite Seasonal “Finds” and the best affordable places for pizza, hot dogs and desserts. Maps of Manhattan showing the location of each entry and an MTA Subway Map ensure you will always find what you’re looking for. 365 Guide New York City is the only book to give you the inside scoop on where to go to eat in the Big Apple at a fraction of the price. The book provides 365 deals, enough for a full year of fun, and is the only New York City guide that tells you where you can find:

• Free, yes, FREE food specials throughout the city.
• $2-$3 drinks any day of the week.
• The best happy hours where you can nosh ‘til your stomach’s content.
• More deals than any other guide on the planet!
• This guidebook pays for itself!!!

 
 From high-end dining to hole-in-the-wall must-see spots, DiNatale is your savings guru. Whether you live here, hope to live here, or are visiting, if you want to know all about New York City’s restaurants and bars – at a discount – then 365 Guide New York City is the book for you! $19.99 and published by Hugo House Publishers.