Bee Season by Myla Goldberg (Anchor/Random House; $13). This impressive debut novel won acclaim last summer and now is out in paperback. It's the story of a Jewish girl, considered a slow learner, whose life is transformed when she aces a state spelling bee and prepares for national competition. Suddenly, she is respected by her teachers, classmates and, most important, her scholarly father. Signings: 7 p.m. today , Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Edwards and Madison roads, Norwood, 396-8960; and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Books & Co., 350 E. Stroop Road, Kettering (937) 298-6540.

        Mosquito: A Natural History of Our Most Persistent and Deadly Foe by Andrew Spielman and Michael D'Antonio (Hyperion; $22.95). Recent books have made the flu, plague, hurricanes and volcanoes exciting, so why not take a stab at making the pesky mosquito fascinating? That's just what the authors do in this in-depth portrait. The book is filled with obscure lore from the insect's role in history (it has wrecked havoc) to the lowdown on why you always get bit.

        Leap of Faith by Danielle Steel (Dell; $19.95). Another romance from the master hits stores today. This time, the riches-to-rags-to- riches story centers on the fortunes of Marie-Ange. The French child is orphaned at age 11 when her entire family is killed in an auto accident. She is exiled to America, well, Iowa actually. But with the help of the boy next door and a sudden windfall, Marie-Ange's life turns around as she reaches adulthood.

        Bitterroot by James Lee Burke (Simon & Schuster; $25). Former Texas Ranger, now defense attorney Billy Bob Holland stars in mystery novel No. 3. The book, a violent tale of rape and murder set in Montana, hits shelves today. “Those who relish Mr. Burke's patented mix of supercharged violence and overheated passions are in for a treat,” the Publishers Weekly review says. Look for Mr. Burke in the Tristate later this month for signings at Joseph Beth (June 22) and Books & Co. (June 23).

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