The Jewish Lives of the Apostle Paul by John G. Gager (nonfiction 2015)

Interesting and important survey of Jewish thought about Paul.  Lots of insight into how and why Judeo Christians have characterized him the way we have.

Strong as Death is Love by Robert Alter (nonfiction 2015)

This translation of The Song of Songs, Ruth, Esther, Jonah and Daniel with commentary is part of Alter's great project to translate the Bible.  I loved it.

Isabella: The Warrior Queen by Kristin Downey (nonfiction 2014)

Isabella is always interesting because she made the world conform to her, not the other way around.  She was religious and yet fiercely warlike, and had an unprecedented ability to use both of these qualities.  This book goes deep into her military exploits using beautiful descriptions of her iconography.