A King's Ransom by Sharon Kay Penman (historical fiction 2014)

A sequel to the author's Lionheart, this story follows Richard Lionheart as he leaves the Holy Land.  It's just as good as the others, with lots and lots of detail about life in the 1100's.  It does have corny moments and draggy bits, but taken as a whole, it is an excellent epic.

The Outlaw Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick (historical fiction 2013)

Despite a few goofy or slow spots, this is a fun romp with adventure, romance, and King John.  Lots of good sex and battle scenes, and a good story with a fair bit of information about daily life at the time.

Dying Every Day - Seneca at the Court of Nero by James Romm (nonfiction 2014)

Really really good, even for those without a background in Roman imperial history.  The author attempts to see the person behind the writings, and to understand the courtier. 

Band of Angels: The Forgotten World of Early Christian Women by Kate Cooper (nonfiction 2013)

This topic is very exciting to me, but I couldn't read the book.  Needs editing.

The Double and The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoeyvsky translated by R. Pevear and L. Volokhonsky (fiction 2005)

Two novellas in new translations are just absolutely wonderful.  The Double is a confused, wet dark and cold, frightening descent into madness.  I'm not even sure myself if there actually was a double or the protagonist made him up.  The words of the story reveal the madness of the character.  It's impressive.
As for The Gambler, I felt that the translators perfectly captured that self-knowledge of the addict and undeniable pull of the addiction.

Ancient Greece: Everyday Life in the Birthplace of Western Civilization by Robert Garland (nonfiction 2008)

The author admits up front that we know next to nothing about anyone in the ancient Greek world except Athenian men.  Even so, he managed to entertain me throughout most of the long book that is divided into sections.  I do enjoy it when historians discuss exactly what evidence they are basing their conclusions on.