Bill Double's biography of Charles E. Hires examines the man who invented root beer and the marketing genius behind it. Pamela Forsythe reviews.

A new collection of short stories by Richard Burgin highlights the author's mastery of his art: plumbing the human psyche. Robert Zaller reviews.

Someone will always argue that women earn less than men do because they take time off for their families — but as ‘The Cost of Being a Girl’ argues, that doesn’t explain the wage gap, which starts at age 12. Pamela Forsythe reviews.

Philadelphia native Leah Franqui’s first novel, 'America for Beginners,' engagingly explores multiple issues, especially immigration, from multiple perspectives. Mark Cofta reviews.

Pablo Meninato's 'Unexpected Affinities: The History of Type in Architectural Project from Laugier to Duchamp' decodes the city's streets and buildings. AJ Sabatini reviews.

Emily Wilson is the first woman in several millennia to publish a translation of Homer's ancient tale. The results are smart, funny, and long overdue. Anndee Hochman reviews.

Michael Smerconish, a Philadelphia original and one of America’s last public centrists, charts his long political evolution in his new column collection and in a recent Free Library appearance. Stephen Silver reviews.

Typography geeks who are also Philly fanatics can rejoice over the publication of Cliff Ross and Philippe Jean's new book, which blends a love of both subjects. Anndee Hochman reviews.

International piano superstar Daniil Trifonov joins the Philadelphia Orchestra and lives up to his reputation with brilliant performances of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concertos No. 2 and No. 3. Linda Holt reviews.

'Philadelphia: Finding the Hidden City' peers behind the locked doors and under the streets of our city's history. Lev Feigen reviews.