Ten for Dying: a John the Lord Chamberlain Mystery by Mary Reed and Eric Mayer (historical mystery 2014)

This series of mysteries is set in late Roman Empire times in Constantinople.  My favorite parts are the descriptions of the city (smells, architecture, sounds, weather, the imperial court) and random petty characters.  This particular book was not quite as fun and zippy as Nine for the Devil, reviewed in the link, but still worth it.

Dephi - A History of the Center of the Ancient World by Michael Scott (nonfiction 2014)

Wildly interesting since I thought I knew what Delphi was.  The book delves deeply into a political analysis that really puts Greek history in a new light for me.  Fun stuff about the archaeology too.

Edwin High King of Britain by Edoardo Albert (historical fiction 2014)

Not recommended.  I was halfway through the book and realized I still didn't care about Edwin's character.  Definitely choppy, and the characterization of the old gods' priests and Christian priests was annoying.  We all know the Christians "won" when Edwin and his household were baptized, but that's hardly a reason to portray Woden's priest as a scuttling idiot.

Taken at the Flood: The Roman Conquest of Greece by Robin Waterfield (nonfiction 2014)

Part of Oxford's Ancient Warfare and Civilization series, this book covers the years 229 to 146 BCE.  Although it is scholarly, it is fairly easy to follow with a mostly coherent narrative.  One quibble was the abrupt transition from a completely warlike characterization of the Roman Senate to a point when they supposedly didn't have to bother going to war, which was not fully explained.

St. Peter's Bones by Thomas J. Craughwell (nonfiction 2013)

A quick read, pretty darned interesting story of how and why the church believes that is has found the actual bones of St. Peter.  This was written by an expert in Catholic saints.

Elizabeth of York by Alison Weir (nonfiction 2013)

Ms. Weir appears to have taken to heart some criticism of her non-fiction work.  In this mostly absorbing book about Henry VIII's mother, she sticks to the primary sources and uses qualifiers when presenting her own analysis.  It was great except a few sections that were just lists of what the Queen bought, instead of conclusions that might be drawn from such.

Hild by Nicola Griffith (historical fiction 2013)

There's only a tiny bit in the record about St. Hilda, but this author has run with it, and run to a wonderful place.  I loved this book.

MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood (fiction 2013)

Atwood is one of my top 5 living authors, and this one is really good.  It is the end of a trilogy starting with Oryx and Crake and The Year of the Flood.  I liked the first book quite a bit, felt a little lost and bored in the second, but this last book ends the trilogy on a high note.  It is funny, sad and weird.

Eat Move Sleep by Tom Rath (nonfiction 2013)

It's a not so fascinating collection of really good tips about health and the author's personal experience with them.  I found it somewhat boring reading - the tips at the end of each chapter are the meat.