By Lesley M.M. Blume
256 pages; Chronicle

When was the last time you were serenaded by a cuckoo clock? Or devoured a plate of ladyfingers? Or gave someone the "ol' heave-ho"? Right' 'never. Huffington Post columnist Lesley M.M. Blume would like to change all that, or at least remind us what we're missing. Her elegant little book, Let's Bring Back, is a whimsical yet informative encyclopedia of the items, expressions, and attitudes of yesteryear' 'from five-and-dimes to wasp waists. And it's useful, too. Wouldn't you just love to greet a piece of shocking gossip with a prudish "Well, I never!" instead of the ubiquitous and vulgar "Shut up!"? As Blume herself might put it, we just think this book is the bee's knees.

— Sara Nelson