"Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg" by Irin Carmen and Shana Knizhnik

As a female law student, and at RBG's alma mater nonetheless, I am embarrassed by my previous lack of knowledge regarding Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I knew her as an admirable, inspiring Justice, but hadn't given much thought to her career prior to the Court beyond vaguely assuming it was impressive. "Notorious RBG" set me straight.

RBG has dedicated her career to advocating for women. She argued six gender equality cases before the Supreme Court, winning five of them, and was an architect of the legal fight for true gender equality. It's an issue about which she still cares deeply, as can be seen in her ringing dissents. Full of facts and fun trivia (RBG took a European Literature course taught by Vladimir Nabokov, author of "Lolita" while at Cornell!), "Notorious RBG" provides insight into RBG's life, both public and private.

The authors are a journalist and the founder of the Notorious RBG tumblr, who was a law student at the time. They write simply - middle school children could read, understand, and be inspired by this biography. Yet, adults will still learn from RBG's life and be entertained by the authors' light approach. RBG's briefs and opinions are helpfully annotated for the non-legal reader, and the authors interviewed dozens of people close to RBG including former clerks, colleagues. They even fact-checked with RBG herself.  Readers with a legal background may find it too simplified, but I found the conversational tone & lighthearted approach made for a fast, enjoyable read.

Verdict: Affirmed. If you also have an embarrassing gap in your RBG knowledge or are looking to be inspired by an incredible, history-making figure, check this one out.

"Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg" by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik, published Oct. 27, 2015 by Dey Street Books.

"Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch" by Sally Bedell Smith

For someone who is a big fan of the 2006 film "The Queen," and generally impressed with Queen Elizabeth II, I knew very little about the monarch herself. This audiobook popped up as recommended to me in Overdrive, so I decided to fill the big gap in my knowledge base.

Bedell Smith covers the Queen's life from childhood through just about the present, with a concluding chapter that discusses the potential future of the British monarchy. Her life alone is fascinating, and Bedell Smith seems to have had great access to close friends of the Queen, all of whom spoke fondly and respectfully of the Queen's many strengths and occasional quirks. The book also discusses those surrounding the Queen in great detail - Prince Philip, her children, her mother, Princess Diana, Sarah Ferguson, and Kate Middleton. This detail is all super helpful for someone with very little background on the modern monarchy.

I left this book with a much stronger sense of why Queen Elizabeth II is such an incredible woman. She's reigned longer than anyone in British history, seen the Commonwealth through decades of tumultuous change, and managed to do so with very little controversy or scandal. Even Bedell Smith's insight into how the Queen views her role - as above politics and a steward of the Commonwealth - hints at a woman stronger than most, who can put aside her personal views for the good of her nation, and rule as Queen while supporting a democratic system of government. The personal anecdotes flesh out the steadfast public persona, and, though this could be owed in part to my gaps in knowledge going in, I left with a far deeper understanding of the Queen than I could have hoped from a single book.

Verdict: Affirmed. Though I unfortunately can't compare this to any other works on the Queen, I learned enough that I don't feel the need to hunt down another.

"Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch" by Sally Bedell Smith, published January 10, 2012 by Random House. Audio narration by Rosalyn Landor, published Janury 10, 2012 by Random House Audio.

"Destiny of the Republic" by Candice Millard

As summer really got underway, I got a new dog and fell woefully behind in blogging. While dog walks are great for moving through audiobooks, having a playful pup at your feet is not so good for finishing books in print! Apologies all around.

Pre-pup, I read Candice Millard's "Destiny of the Republic" on the recommendation of a colleague who knew I had enjoyed "River of Doubt." If I liked "River of Doubt," I was completely blown away by "Destiny of the Republic." I knew very little about President James A. Garfield prior to reading this book, and now I regret that oversight.

President Garfield was the 20th President of the US, and the second president to be assassinated. Unfortunately, that's the fact for which he was best known. He became a presidential nominee at a nominating convention he attended in order to stump for another candidate, was modest and down-to-earth, and firmly believed in the need for civil rights reform. He cared deeply for his family, and had he lived longer, he could have been an incredible president.

Millard tells the story of Garfield's short presidency, beginning with his nomination and campaign, and running through and after his assassination. Interwoven with Garfield's story are the two men who played a large role in his death - his shooter and the doctor whose negligent treatment failed to save his life. Characteristic of Millard's work, this non-fiction book reads like a novel. I learned a ton, and had a great time. The audio narration was also superb.

Verdict: Affirmed - highly recommended for history fans, thriller fans, or anyone who just likes a good read. I can't wait for Millard's next book.

"Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President" by Candice Millard, published September 20, 2011 by Doubleday. Audio narration by Paul Michael, published September 20, 2011 by Random House Audio.

“Joss Whedon: The Biography” by Amy Pascale

I’ve been a Joss Whedon fan since high school, a little late to the game compared with diehard Buffy fans, but well ahead of the Avengers curve. As someone who has been championing his work to my friends since I first discovered the Buffy DVDs in my local library, it’s been great to see how his recent mainstream success is attracting new followers to his older work.

Pascale’s biography capitalizes on his recent accolades to bring his entire story and body of work into the mainstream. The book is thoroughly-researched, and presents Whedon’s life story to date in a concise, clear narrative – not easy to do for a man who was frequently working on three different, massive projects at once. She explains his importance as a feminist and atheist advocate in American pop culture, and the personal connections these identities have on his work.

There’s not a ton of new information here for longtime fans, but Pascale’s book still shines for its countless interviews with Whedon’s friends and co-workers. Nathan Fillion’s introduction kicks off a smorgasbord of praise and exaltation from those who have worked over, under, or alongside him over the years. It provides a well of behind-the-scenes stories and paints a clear picture of an artist whose talent is recognized by all with whom he works and inspires devotion from his friends and fans alike.

Verdict: Affirmed – for fans old and new, Pascale’s biography provides a glimpse into the life and work of a creative genius who is hopefully far from the end of his career.

"Joss Whedon: The Biography" by Amy Pascale, published by Chicago Review Press on August 1, 2014.