This hefty new novel explores the life of Mary Magdalen, touchstone of many esoteric legends and rumors. Cunningham's rich imaginings of Magdalen's life as a Roman sex slave and as Christ's lover are as compelling as they are controversial. For information on coming events at Merritt, Oblong, Mirabai, and more, visit www.passionofmarymagdalen.com.

Acclaimed novelist and sometime Hudson Valley resident Francine Prose casts her discerning eye on 16th-century bad boy Caravaggio, street-fighting painter of gorgeously lit, often homoerotic masterworks, who lived fast, died young, and left a beautiful corpus. This slim volume is part of the Eminent Lives series of brief contemporary biographies.

Chatham-based wedding planner Light helps couples trade vows on every continent but Antarctica (and that's probably negotiable; tuxedo penguins abound). This briskly organized book provides indispensable information on paperwork, protocol and caterers. Whether your fantasy is a Highland fling or a Maori powhiri, here's how to make it come true.

Thirtyish freelancer Harrington and her boyfriend traded a carefree Downtown lifestyle for joint custody of an unruly mutt—"Setter X" at the shelter—who rocked their world. Based on her award-winning humor column for The Bark, this fetching memoir will satisfy anybody who's ever been owned by a dog. For local event information: www.rexandthecity.net.

When Watson's brother topped 400 pounds and became housebound, unable to bathe without help, she intervened.  Struggling with his life-threatening addiction, "a cold shiver in the genes," she recalls a childhood shadowed by alcoholism, and fears for her sons.  Watson will speak on "Obesity & the Family" at Kingston's Barnes & Noble, April 28 at 7pm.