I loved this book of poems written out of feelings and thoughts the author experienced after the World Trade Center bombing. The other ongoing theme is strength in the human spirit as well as the humanity we share while we age both gracefully and without regret.

Giffels recalls how he and his wife fell in love with a Gilded-age mansion in a state of decay in Akron, OH and how they sought to rebuild it. Giffels was a writer for Beavis and Butthead, the MTV series which aired between 1993-1997. The account is humorous but sometimes peppered with foul language.

George Martin reminisces about his pioneering work as a producer in the record industry in England before, during, and after the reign of The Beatles. A fascinating look at the group dynamics and how Martin, along with Brian Epstein, groomed The Beatles for success.

This book deals with loneliness, lost memories, love, and regret. It is a celebration of the strength of female friendship and in this case, derived from tragedy and sorrow. The book is set in Sweden, written with wonderful descriptions and a strong sense of place. I enjoyed the detailed narratives of the landscape, crisp air and rich colors of the earth. The descriptions of light and the snow are the most lyrical and best passages in the book. There is a book discussion section at the back of the book and it is recommended for group discussions!

Beneath a Marble Sky is written from the perspective of the daughter of Shahjahan, Emperor of India, ca. 1592-1666. It tells one man's enjoyable view of how the building of the Taj Mahal, and the personality of the architect himself, may have been. This story gives you a little history, a little intrigue, a little romance and a lot of imagination. It is about the frustrations of forbidden love, a woman oppressed, a kingdom divided, and secrets that must be kept.

Jamerson has written a novel based on true recollections of a young man coming of age while serving at a Michigan Civilian Conservation Corps camp during the Great Depression. Basic training proved to be trying but the experience made him into a man. Mr. Jamerson is an award-winning PBS filmmaker who visited Appleton Public Library in September of 2008.

A fast fictional read that was simply excellent. Eilis Lacey moves to Brooklyn, New York from Enniscorthy, Ireland based on the recommendation of a priest. (circa 1950s) Eilis is grappling with social norms on both sides of the ocean. In Brooklyn, she experiences culture shock, weather shock!, and homesickness. She is obedient at school, at work and to her landlady. Then she meets Tony and things begin to change. She appears to be finding her own identity. Suddenly she must return to Ireland and once again her destiny is being determined by others. What road will she choose and why? Which would be better for her--Ireland or Brooklyn? All I could think was there must have been countless women (from all cultures) who were in situations like this--I grieve for them.

This book seems to have a simple plot until you think about the emotionally charged encounters of the characters involved. A small community lives around a lake and their everyday comings and goings are chronicled by the author. The pace is slow. The members of the community are aware of the larger politics and larger world but they only serve as something to discuss. They really don't impinge on the closeknit relationships of these people. Yet, here is the interesting part. They are so careful and polite with one another--do they really reach depths of emotional connection? The answer is "yes". I find that idea appealing--that reticence and thoughtfulness are hallmarks of a better communication. The setting descriptions took my senses into high gear. The beauty of Ireland is described eloquently--even down to objects which makes you look at everything in a fresh way. As the daughter of Irish parents, I loved reading all the familiar Irish turns of phrase that are so familiar to me. I loved the Ruttledges--so quietly sensitive and helpful and choosing this life--I wanted to know them--I wanted to be like them! Favorite scene--will sound bizarre--was the preparation for the wake in the home--what a powerful description. Just a wonderful read! (View First Chapter/Excerpt)

This book includes a lengthy quiz asking you questions about your lifestyle. Each questions is scored and you determine how far backwards you can count down your age. My husband scored far better than I did because he eats a healthy breakfast everyday and has a daily exercise routine. Needless to say I ate a good breakfast this morning! (I usually skip it!) The authors say it is never too late to make positive changes.

Jane lives in a California beachside home on the Pacific Ocean with her father and beloved dog. Her grandmother invites her to visit Elvie, the Scottish estate of her early childhood. Jane meets up with Sinclair, her close cousin. Jane discovers that Sinclair is no longer the man she once dreamed of marrying. Even though he is charming she can no longer trust him.

It's a wonderful collection of short stories, poetry, songs, etc. by many different authors. I really enjoyed this book because you can read it page for page if you like or you can selections that "catch your eye". I also listened to it on CD and I like hearing the stories read by different people.

This book is about a 15 year old boy who discovers many things in his deceased Grandfather's old sea chest-a journal and some runes. He summons the old man's ghost and learns from him how to travel through time and space. Much of this adventure takes place in Norway. This is a YA book that was really suspenseful and hard to put down! It is book 1 in the Runestone Saga.

Riveting and now I know what all the hype is about. This book was an amazing thriller set in Sweden that deftly ties together two characters--Mikael and Lisbeth. They both are "fighting the system" in their own way and seeking justice. Modern day technologies are highlighted and used in spectacular ways. A mystery of a missing person is the nugget of the book. We learn about Sweden and the neo-Nazism that is still present there. This is the first in a trilogy--can't wait to dive into the second one. Tragically, the author died of a heart attack after completion of the third book.

I enjoyed this historical novel which focuses on three characters: Danny, Luther, and Babe Ruth. They are products of their cultures and times. Their stories are deftly interwoven. I liked how we see their options (& lack of options). It is interesting how Danny and Luther deal with their class, their race, and their economic conditions. I think Babe Ruth is thrown in so that we can think about stardom in the U.S. as well as a famous person's inability to have full control over their destiny either. Very, very good reading!

Winston explores the lighter side of death as this young widow struggles to find her way in life after losing her husband to cancer.

Juliet Ashton--a writer in the grim world of London just after World War II ends--is looking for a new idea for her next book.   A chance letter from Dawsey Adams, a resident of the isle of Guernsey, tickles her sense of curiosity and she begins to correspond with members of the Society to learn how the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society came to be.

Written as a series of letters and telegrams between Juliet, her friend Sophie, Sidney (her publisher and friend) and the residents of Guernsey, these brief messages bring the characters alive in all their quirkiness.  Like all humans they have their flaws as well as their good points.   Bits of trivia and carefully researched historical events are interwoven to flesh out the story.

This is an original and engrossing tale, beginning when a sixteen year old girl discovers a mysterious book with a dragon print in the center. She begs her father to tell her about the book, and he reluctantly relates the story of his research, intertwined with the research of his professor and mentor, until he vanishes. The story carries us throughout Europe and back and forth in time, with different narrators, as several historians search for the truth about the book and the story of Vlad Tepes, and attempt to rescue those who have disappeared. The characters are detailed, the writing is beautiful, and the descriptions of Dracula and various events can cause goosebumps. Both adults and older teens would enjoy this despite its length (be prepared for some description of Vlad the Impaler's misdeeds).

Centipede-like, peace-loving parasites have taken over the earth, inserting themselves into and replacing the human minds of the bodies they invade. A few humans survive intact, hiding to escape the fate of their loved ones. Wanderer, one of the most traveled and famous aliens, finds herself in the mind of a strong human named Melanie, who won't give up her mind. Melanie struggles to keep her mind intact and in charge. Her drive to find her younger brother convinces Wanderer to search for him and Melanie's boyfriend Jared.

Human bodies are much stronger in their emotions and needs--leading to something Wanderer has not experienced before--she is immersed in human feelings, including love for Melanie's brother and attraction to Jared. As she meets and learns about humans she wonders about the philosophy of her kind--are they really as altruistic as she had always believed? Certainly the bodies they inhabit will never get sick, there is no more crime or war--but what about the minds that are lost?

A very unusual approach to the Aliens-Invade-Earth scenario. Once I saw Wanderer as an individual rather than an emotionless invader I got caught up in the story. As in the Twilight saga, the characters are memorable, the emotions tangible, and the writing excellent.

May Pang was a former lover of ex-Beatle John Lennon during his separation from Yoko Ono. Pang’s Instamatic photos and short narrative document their relationship which started in 1973.

This is a story that takes place in modern Afghanistan. I learned so much about the Afghani people and their history. While I had trouble putting the book down, it wasn't a fun read. The rape scene haunted me and much of the story was sad with little hope. But like many good books, I'm still thinking about it.

Discovering Linda Fairstein is just as exciting as discovering Harlan Coben! Set in the New York Public Library (what's not to like?) is a mystery involving the elite of New York and the conservators of rare books. The main character, Alex Cooper, is so likable and so knowledgeable, you can't wait for the mystery to be solved. Tightly written, snappy, short chapters made this a wonderful fast read for a busy person. And I learned so much!

Dr. David Henry, an orthopedic surgeon, delivers his own son when his wife Norah goes into labor in the middle of a blizzard in 1964 and the obstetrician cannot make it to the hospital. David and Caroline, the nurse on duty, keep a secret from Norah for many years. This engrossing story keeps you wondering if the secret will ever be revealed. This is a well-crafted story you won’t want to miss.

I adored this quick read about thirteen women who purchase a diamond necklace together and treat it as a timeshare. We each come from a different experience and our feelings about materialism & wealth & sharing & communal property differ. Friendship supersedes all that and that becomes the greatest lesson of all for these women. They can be friends despite different belief systems and motivations and even political affiliations! Yippee!! The strength is in our friends!

Crichton's book, Next, focuses on the ethical and legal issues involved in genetic testing and engineering. The story is woven around a set of characters whose lives have been affected by current scientific techniques. While it may have been a little slow in the beginning and often technical, I liked this book because it left me with questions: What are the implications of patenting something that is a part of nature? How will we cope/deal with the consequences of genetic research? How can such testing be regulated? Great book discussion book!

This is a romance between two 60 somethings. Maggie has had a stroke and is unable to work in her garden. Tristan is a landscape architect. The two meet and share gardening tips, friendship and love. This is a tender love story that proves that love isn’t only for the young and healthy! There are also many great gardening tips interspersed in the book.

"In nineteen minutes, you can mow the front lawn, color your hair, watch a third of a hockey game. You can bake scones or get a tooth filled by a dentist. You can fold laundry for a family of five. Or as Peter Houghton knows... in nineteen minutes, you can bring the world to a screeching halt." After having been bullied from the first day of Kindergarten, one morning Peter walked into Sterling High School and killed ten people. What events would bring a seventeen year old to the point where they commit murder? Maybe his mother is to blame? Once again Picoult takes teen issues and places them directly under the microscope. You'll be thinking about this one for a lot longer than Nineteen Minutes!

Engross yourself in this detailed account of persistence and bravery which took place during the dark days of the Holocaust. Eva and Martin Deutschkron met, fell in love, endured many hardships together, and eventually sailed to the United States. They opened a tailoring business in Madison, Wisconsin but they were forever scarred by the deaths of numerous family members.

I think Pete Hamill is one of the extraordinary storytellers of our time! I listened to this book and the reader, Henry Strozier, was excellent. I like how the author can take daily routines and daily objects and describe them in a way that makes them alive and interesting. I fell in love with the main character, Dr. Delaney, who has a heart of gold in his practice as a doctor during the Depression. In his personal life, he has a missing wife, Molly, and a daughter, Grace, who has abandoned her young son, Carlito, to him. He is also under the stress of working in a neighborhood that is the battleground for two warring groups of gangsters. Because he attends to the medical needs of both gangs, he is suspicious to the opposing gangs and is also threatened by them. He has a secretary ,Monique, at the doctor's office and hires a nanny, Rose, to assist with caring for Carlito. The story completes itself by having the mysteries of Molly and Grace resolved and also a peaceful solution is made with the gangs. But it is Dr. Delaney's personal growth which provides the satisfying conclusion as well as all that he learns from Rose about happiness, love, contentment, and joie de vivre. The setting, North River in New York, also is very integral to the story. Loved it, loved it, loved it!

This is a memoir and rant about growing up Muslim in Egypt. Darwish’s father was assassinated by the Israelis and was considered a shahid (martyr) when Nonie was young. Later she attended a university, and moves to her new home in the United States. She marries, has children and details the backward nature of her faith and culture.

Gail Giles kept the story moving forward by having her characters provide a commentary at the beginning of each chapter. The dialog foreshadows the climactic ending, so I shouldn't have been caught by surprise, but I was! This is a scary high school story, reminiscent (as one teen said) of Steven King's "Carrie." Some felt that this book was similar to Inventing Elliot except that "Elliot was a better person. He redeemed himself in the end." Simon Glass is the class geek, getting picked on by the popular crowd, until Rob decides to make him popular. But Simon doesn't play by the rules and someone has to pay for that.

Flavia de Luce is eleven years old, one of three motherless sisters, living in 1950s England. When she finds a stranger dying in the manor’s cucumber patch Flavia decides to investigate in order to save her philatelist father, who has been arrested. Her ability to dissemble and keen interest in chemistry allow her to roam the countryside on her bicycle to search for clues and then interpret what she finds.

This book is somewhere between Harriet the Spy and Sherlock Holmes. It is full of period details, delicious humor, and definitely a book to recommend.

Author Alan Bradley is 70 years old, and this debut novel won him the 2007 Dagger Award. He did not plan to write with the main character being a young girl, but Flavia entered his detective story and took it over. Fortunately he plans a series of books about her.

The reader, Jayne Entwhistle, does a great job of portraying Flavia’s enthusiasm and moods, as well as those of the other characters. Such glee at the thought of getting back at her snooty older sister! The soft voice while plotting devious interrogations!

This is my favorite audiobook for 2009.

Lynne Cox is one brave and or crazy woman. In 1972 she broke the record for swimming the English Channel. The book details her many attempts at record-breaking swims including swimming 1.06 miles in 32 degree water in 25 minutes. Her passion took her to the Catalina Islands in California, the Bering Strait, the Nile River, and other places in the world. Very inspiring!

This is the second book by masterful storyteller Khaled Hosseini. In this novel, set in Afghanistan, we are introduced to how it must feel to endure turbulent, tumultuous times and succumb to (changing) political powers which are out of one's control. The message is clear--when education is outlawed everyone is in trouble. From the point of view of two women, Miriam and Lila, who are married to the same brutal, hateful, and disparaging man, Rasheed, we learn about the oppression of women and what becomes of women who are treated as second class citizens. Despite all of the horrible things that happen to these two women, they have the courage to make difficult decisions and they keep gratitude in their hearts. There are minor male characters in the book who are very kind (Tariq, Zaman, and Mullah Faizulla) who offer relief from the "Rasheed" types. This was a very challenging book for me to complete because of the horrors and betrayals depicted. However, the story of friendship between the two women is extraordinary and the writing is excellent. I know the content will stay with me and that is a good thing since it reflects what is happening in our world and is a tremendous reminder to never take anything for granted.

Tyler Miller returns to school for his senior year with a buff new body, courtesy of community service for painting graffiti on the school. This new look brings attention from the attractive and popular Bethany Millbury. In the aftermath of a incident at a party Bethany invites him to, Tyler must deal with a number of complex issues.

I always thought that leaving the elderly behind to die was a) a survival mechanism for Alaskan tribes and b)viewed as culturally accepted by Alaskan tribes. I loved this book because it explained that the group is not often happy about this decision. They are following the lead of the chief and feel disempowered to question this choice. This book brought humanity back to that painful tradition and although fictional showed opportunities for growth and reconciliation. Super book for a book group discussion!

To me, this author is the queen of short stories. Each short story ends and you find yourself thinking of continuations for that story. Even though the characters are Bengali, they could be the families and relationships in any culture. The dilemmas are very familiar. Beautiful writing--she is able to take the ordinary and express it in high detail with lots of adjectives. I love this book. (I listened to the audio--the readers were engaging.)

The story unfolds as a graduating vet student loses his parents to an automobile accident. He's informed that the business and house belong to the bank. His kind hearted father had taken chickens and eggs for payment of his veterinary services. He returns to school but can not bring himself to take the final exams. He hops on a train and discovers he has inadvertently joined the circus. They were looking for someone with his expertise. This is a marvelous glimpse into the small circuses that crisscrossed the country during the Depression, with just enough intrigue and romance to keep the story interesting!

While About Alice is a work of nonfiction, it certainly fits the gentle read genre. This is a tribute to Trillin’s wife Alice, her life, and their marriage. It was first published in the New Yorker in March 2006 and then later that year as this book. It is a story of a life fulfilled yet cut short by cancer and about a mother and wife who meant the world to her family. It will break your heart to read or listen to the author describe shared poignant moments. Ultimately, this is a grand love story and celebration of life.

This is a charming little book that centers on twin brothers, Hector and Virgil, 50-something bachelors who run a Bed & Breakfast in a remote island location. Though word-of-mouth, they have attracted a customer base consisting entirely of fellow bibliophiles, and thus reading is a central theme throughout the novel. The book is written as a series of reflections: each chapter is narrated by either Hector, Virgil, or one of their guests, whose stories make up the B&B's unique guest book. Humor and quirky characters are a big part of this book.

I have never read a book by Sandra Dallas, but from what I have reviewed, people either seem to love her style of writing or dislike it. It took awhile to get into the book, but it got more interesting the more I got into it. Addie French owns a brothel called The Chili Queen. On her way back to the Brothel in Nalgitas, Addie meets Emma Roby, a conservative who is on her way to Nalgitas to marry a man she has never met. When Emma’s husband does not show up, Addie takes her in. Here we meet Welcome, Addie’s headstrong, opinionated housekeeper. We also meet Ned, a “friend” of Addie’s who soon takes a liking to Emma. The plot thickens when Ned and Emma decide to rob a bank in a nearby town. After this, the there are lots of unexpected twists in the story, none of which I expected. Every character turns out to be someone different, with dark secrets.

The main character in this book may actually be the setting, San Salvatore, in Italy. In this gentle read, four women from dreary, rainy, depressing England agree to share a villa in Italy for the month of April when the flowers and nature are at their most beautiful. The contrast between the two countries is repeated frequently. With the winter we have been experiencing, I am ready to beat it to Italy myself! Of the four women, Mrs. Wilkins is the visionary and she is most intuitive about the place and what will occur there. It becomes the setting for love--love of one another; renewed love with people at home; and love of self--being willing to do the relaxing that you need to do to rejuvenate. We are invited into the heads of each of the four women to see how they are feeling about themselves and their counterparts. A sweet read and I would recommend the BBC video production of the same name.

The quintessential gentle read we meet our protagonists in a small town located in the Smokies of North Carolina. Margaret Bonner, who you may remember from Father Melancholy's Daughter, is now a pastor at All Saints High Balsam. Margaret and her husband, a headmaster at a boy’s school lead busy lives detailed in the book with empathy and insight into dedication to church and congregation, shared with family and friends.

Julie and Romeo had never met, even though they were bitter rivals. Each owns a flower shop, across town from the other but they don't know how the rivalry ever started. Julie, divorced and in her 60s, is ready to fall in love and Romeo, a widower, is the perfect match. Their love story is beautiful and obviously meant to be. Just like Shakespeare's fated couple, their path is riddled with obstacles, namely their own children. The villain on Romeo's side is his aged mother, the only one who knows the truth of the past. She hurls curses, salts the roses, and teaches her whole family to go to war. A delightful story with great characters, beautifully written language, a familliar plot and a blooming setting...and there's a sequal!

This book is about three women that are all widowed and retired and living in the same boardinghouse in North Carolina. It's a wonderful example of how friendship grows between three very different individuals and how unexpected opportunities leads them on an adventure to move to a small town called Covington. They fix up an old house and discover strengths about themselves that they didn't know they had. They stand up to their families who are concerned that they are "too old" to be moving and they they learn about living in a small community where everyone looks out for each other. This book has some unexpected turns and is humorous as well.

"Mrs. Smith-Porter stood at the front window of her best bedroom fingering a strand of artificial pearls." The first line of the first chapter leads you to believe that this story is about Mrs. Smith-Porter, who runs a London boarding house. The story begins by telling how she re-invented her life from the poor streets of London to a somber business owner then transitions into the lives of her most recent guests and their obvious need to reinvent their own lives. The three middle aged women, friends since childhood, are described and troubles are hinted at. The vacation begins and the three guests go through their necessary transitions. The story is character based, with multiple problem/resolution plots. The flow of language was uncomfortable and sometimes repetitive. The place, which could have shown the beauty of London, was almost like name dropping. Despite all of this, I did want to finish the story. I wanted to watch Margo overcome her suppression of self, Lesley get a life of her own and Julia begin to look beyond her career. It was worth the effort because the ending gave me the sense of freedom that all three characters needed.

It is a lighthearted series about a woman of a “certain” age—mid-sixties as near as I could determine. He husband suddenly dies and leaves her a rich widow, much to her surprise as he was always penny pinching to her. He also leaves a mistress and son. The stories follow the southern Presbyterians as they have some surprising adventures. The widow takes the mistress and the son into her home, develops feelings for the retired family lawyer, rides a motorcycle, and involves a drunked PI in recovering her stolen jewelry. The dialog moves along and you find yourself laughing at some of the predicaments the genteel woman becomes involved in. The book is a very gentle read as the occasional swear word is quickly censored by Miss Julia. Sex is something she’d rather not talk about and the violence is usually accidental.

Second in a series--the first is Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind. Southern belle Miss Julia rescues Hazel Marie with the help of a private detective, her grandson Little Lloyd, and a race car driver. Set in modern day North Carolina, this is a light, mild mystery which has several eccentric characters, no deaths, and plenty of humor. Readers who like auto racing will enjoy the references to NASCAR and the chase scenes. Recommend to those who enjoy books by Fannie Flagg and Anne George.

The novel is set in Ireland but the place is incidental to the book. It involves 3 women that live on a street in a small village and how secrets from their past is still influencing their lives today. One woman rebelled as a 17 yr old with a man for a band and has a child by him. To shelter her daughter she invents a father with a wholesome past and lives her life for her daughter. The daughter thinks this is boring and rebels with---a boy in a band. The book is certainly character driven as each woman must confront the secret.

Standing in the Rainbow is a story of the citizens of Elmwood Springs, Missouri beginning in the 1940’s and spanning five decades. We first meet Dorothy Smith, hostess of the Neighbor Dorothy Show transmitted from her living room. In the following decades we meet many interesting characters that interact with the Smith family. Among them are the Oatman Family Gospel Singers, who somehow survive tons of misadventures to become very successful, Ham Sparks who is very politically ambitious and quite successful despite his choice of wife, a very shy Betty Raye Oatman. Also in town is Tot Whooten who is a walking disaster, the Goodnight Sisters, Ida Jenkins a wanna-be socialite and her daughter Norma and son-in-law Mackey. They all come together to create a slice from life of small town Missouri.

This is another book set in Ireland. The main character becomes obsessed with things that go missing when she is 10 after a girl on her street goes missing. When any of her things go lost, she forces her parents to help her search the whole house to find them, they usually remain lost. She labels everything, including her socks. As an adult, she becomes a missing person finder. As she goes to meet with a brother for the next case, she herself becomes lost and ends up in the place where lost things are. She finds all her lost possessions as well as the lost little girl, now grown with a family of her own. She also sees other people she has searched for in her career and in a round about way gives them information from their families

This gentle read was written in 1985 and it is set in the early 1800s in England. The two farms in the title are called Godsakes, run by Morris Riddler, and Peale, which is managed by John Sutton. At the beginning of the story Jim Lundy is abandoned by his uncle and found at the Sutton farm. Mr. Sutton’s wife passes away leaving Mr. Sutton with his son, Philip. Sutton decides to take in Jim and raise him as his own son along with Philip. Pearce weaves the story of Jim and Philip growing up on the farm, maturing, and falling in love with the same woman, Jane. Philip marries Jane and Jim (abandoned once more) moves to the Riddler farm and marries Kirren (Riddler’s daughter). Trials and tribulations abound as the two farmers are rivals.

Paul Milliron lives with his widowed father and two brothers on a dry farm in Montana. The boys receive their education in a one-room schoolhouse. They limp along in with cooking and housekeeping. Their father is busy hauling freight for the "Big Ditch," a government irrigation project as well as farming. They send for a housekeeper from out east (Minnesota) after seeing an ad in the newspaper. The housekeeper and her brother land on their doorstep and soon insinuate themselves into the family's everyday life. When the school teacher runs off with a traveling evangelist, the brother steps into the schoolroom. It turns out he is an accomplished scholar and an inspiring educator. There is a mystery surrounding the housekeeper and her brother that brings the story to a satisfying conclusion.

This book is your typical “good girl vs. evil girl.” Mary Elizabeth Cep, who goes by “Lola,” is a dramatic, individualistic teen whose family moves from NYC to Dellwood, New Jersey. Lola has trouble at Dellwood High when she encounters the most popular girl, Carla Santini. The trouble begins when Lola befriends Ella, one of Carla’s former “friends,” and it only gets worse when Lola wins the female lead in Pygmalion, a role that Carla badly wanted. Lola has a sarcastic and witty sense of humor. One of my favorite parts in the whole book is when Lola was comparing NYC to New Jersey. In New York, you live with your finger on the cultural pulse of the universe. Plays, operas, dance, books, music, films, artists – everything’s there and happening. People in New York get excited when there’s a new exhibition at the Met or if Scorsese’s filming in Brooklyn. In the suburbs, people get excited when they have their kitchens redone. This is one that any teenager or soon-to-be-one can relate to. At times it seems a little far-fetched, and at times even Lola seemed a little too “dramatic,” even for a drama queen, but it’s a fun, light-hearted read.

This Newbery Honor Book was published in 1997. It is the tale of Ella, a 15-year-old girl who must obey all commands due to a spell. After her mother dies, Ella is sent to a finishing school. She escapes and spends time fighting off ogres to return to her home. As the story progresses Ella becomes the ragged stepsister of Hattie & Olive when her father marries Olga, their mother. This is a take-off on the Cinderella story where she goes to the ball, looses her glass slipper and lives happily ever after.

This is a teen-age love story where the guys cooks for his friend so the girls likes him. The cook is in love with the girls himself. It was fairly predictable but fun to read plus had some recipes I’d like to try.

This first person narrative takes place in 1918 and Hattie, a sixteen year old orphan, inherits 320 acres of Montana homestead from her uncle. She boards a train from Iowa to claim her new home. Upon arrival she finds out she must “prove up” that is build a ton of fencing and cultivate 80 acres of the land. She depends on the kindness of her neighbors, the Mullers, Rooster Jim and others to help her survive. Every chapter opens with a letter to her uncle, her friend in the army in France or an article she writes for an Iowa newspaper. It is a realistic portrayal of the difficulties of surviving the early days of homesteading.

Mollie and Cassie don’t get along, so when they are forced to work together on a project their bickering escalates into a huge food fight. Being an enlightened school, their principal decides the solution (not punishment) is to work as lunch ladies till they can serve better meals than the original cook. The teens discover new talents, new friends, and how to work as a team. Some recipes included. Common situations, original song lyrics, humor and an interesting cover make it an attractive read for middle school age and up.

Set in the 1930s, this story of a boy being 10 is wonderful to read. Jim, whose father and namesake died just before he was born, is being raised by his mother and three bachelor uncles. Set in the Depression-era town of Aliceville, North Carolina, it is a historical fiction that spoke to my own family's history. Jim experiences the realization that the world extends beyond his own town. He watches as electricity lights Aliceville for the first time and his world expands even more. He learns that his thoughts and actions affect all those around him and that it is his responsibility to make sure it is done positively. This book is fun to read aloud, it was as if we could see the events happening and we laughed often. It is more of a pre-teen book than YA.

The book is a love story about rich eccentrics that end up being cared for in a nursing home full of relatives the families wanted hidden. The couple builds a house in the country and isolate themselves from the harsh realities of life. They have a child who is raised by them, never seeing anyone else but the butler and the evil brothers when they come once a month for supper. It is during one visit when they bring a cake with a drug that slips the couple and their pet chicken into a coma. The brothers force the son to have the couple cared for in a nursing home and since the nursing home is near-by, how perfect. The kind nurse they had hired finds the deviousness of the patient’s families and rights the wrongs and falls in love with the son. A nice happy ending book.

I became totally engaged with the main character in this story and found myself stealing away to spend time with him. Fisher eats, sleeps and breathes SAT vocab and study work. His father (his mother left when Fish was in 6th grade)has encouraged (pressured) him to excel in school and ace the SATs. It's all they talk about. A drifter staying at a neighbor's cons Fish into a road trip to help a friend repair a roof. Fish knows he should be studying for the SATs but it's just two days and his dad is away so he'll never know. When two days turns into five, Fish's world is turned upside down as he forms new relationships, gets tough and wants to know the answer to "The Real Question

Korman has done it again! A thoroughly delightful story, implausible, but still lots of fun. Cap (Capricorn) Anderson has been homeschooled by his hippie grandmother in a commune outside of San Francisco, but is forced into public middle school when his grandmother breaks her hip. He immediately becomes a target because of his long hair, tie-dyed wardrobe and homemade sandals. Without his knowledge or consent he is nominated and elected eight grade class president, an office that has traditionally been reserved for the biggest nerd in school. Cap wins the hearts of the C Average Middle School students through his inherent kindness and innocence. Like a Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Cap gets along despite his fish out of water status.

I listened to this as an audiobook and found it to be very entertaining! Capricorn is our teen protagonist, raised alone on a commune with his hippie yet grounded and sensible grandmother. When Grandmother falls out of a tree and breaks her hip, Cap is sent to a foster home and public high school. Having been home-schooled his entire life this experience bring with it pain, confusion and of course great comedy. The hippie upbringing provides an interesting backdrop/twist as Cap our endearing hero changes the lives of everyone he meets! The story is completely predictable and so YA!

Stargirl is the new girl at school. Everyone loves her because she is different. She wins the heart of Leo Borlock. Life is great for Stargirl until everyone turns on her. Even Leo wants her to be “normal”. This book is a celebration of nonconformity.

Emily Windsnap is not your average seventh grader. She lives on a houseboat called "The King of the Sea" by the ocean,her mother hates swimming and has always forbidden her to learn saying that it was "unhealthy". The class at her new school will be taking swim lessons and she is really looking forward to it. After convincing her mother that she should attend, twelve-year old Emily discovers a terrible and wonderful secret about herself that opens up a whole new world. This book deals with bullies in her classroom and new friendships as well. It's a fun read with a few life lessons included.

This book was recommended to me by a middle school teacher. The book is set in the future, about 300 years. Earth is totally different now. Someone developed bacteria that caused petroleum and byproducts to break down. Soon there was no gas and the rules changed. Population was controlled and the people were controlled by an operation when they turned 16. The families lived in the suburbs with their young children, the littlies. The littlies were cute but when they turned into teens, they became ugly. Their hair was wild, faces had pimples, noses too big and so on. The uglies lived in a dorm together and went to school and waited until they could turn pretty and live in Pretty Town. The Pretties lived to party. Think Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie style lives. The operation changed their looks as well as their brains. They no longer thought independently. Some people ran away before they turned 16 to join an alternative group where they sewed their own clothes and cooked their own food and worked together. The prettys simple requested items from their wall and it appeared. The rebels had to hide from the people in “Special Circumstances”—kind of a new age Gestapo to avoid being captured and turned pretty. The book has 3 more in the series, the Pretties, Specials, and Extras.

Report on Hannah Meyer Hannah Meyer. Israelite. Twenty-three years of age. Seamstress and resident of Judengasse. Stature above medium, habit meager and with signs of emaciation. Chestnut-coloured hair, eyes brown and downcast. Physiognomy sad and unchangeable. Phlegmatic temperament. Disposition gloomy…………… On March 9 she was admitted into the Institute for the Insane and Epileptic. She refuses to speak but will walk and do whatever is directed of her………./ Chapter 2 page 13.

This book is shockingly horrific! Set in a German asylum in the mid 1800’s, Dr. Hoffmann uses all the barbaric methods at his disposal. He finally resorts to psychotherapy. Having lost all hope and believing this approach to have no value, he begins talking about his own life, hoping to draw Hannah out of the mind where she has locked herself.

The story of her life and his, and that of several other patients and staff, entwine and unfold to reveal the sadness and difficulties of a very prejudiced society. The divisions of race as well as status and wealth are shown clearly. The selfish nature of human kind can be clearly seen in the hatred and cruelty they show each other. I wanted to know the whole story but at times the horror of those who treated the insane was insanity itself.

Each chapter is begun with a document; letter, case log, newspaper article, clinical review, which gives you the structure of its history and a clearer picture of the clinical profession. This story is strong in setting, character, and in language that makes you feel the despair and sorrow of the characters. No clear plot, unless you count the one we all endure every day, just surviving life.

Written about the 50th anniversary of a softball game played by 6th graders in 1949 in Oregon, and told by the girls who played the game, the book portrayed feelings about World War II between the girls themselves, their parents, and the two small towns where the girls were from. Also gave history about the rivalry between Barlow Road Grade School, and Bear Creek Ridge Grade School, a permanent scoreboard was placed at the general store, and the game was talked about all the time.

The first game was played in 1899 and started because women from the two towns wanted to stop all the fighting, which had been going on since the towns were built and settled. That’s the reason there were two small towns -they fought about everything – what side of the river to build on, where the roads would go, the Church, who should teach, everything.

The women decided enough was enough, and it was time to get along. There was only one woman still alive from the first game, and she had watched every one since. Some of the girls had relatives who played in earlier games, even MVP’s! The girls have try-outs, and train all year for the game, and if not in the starting line up, all have a role to play.

The game comes to a climax when a player from the Barlow team, (Shazam) whose father was killed at Pearl Harbor, plows into the Japanese first baseman, (Aki) from the Bear Creek team, breaking her jaw.

Hearing from all 21 players and coaches requires a bit of work to follow, but the reward is worth it.

This book is a sequel to the Other Boleyn Girl. I did not know this bit of information so it seems safe to say that it does not matter if you have read the prequel, this book is, and of itself, a good read. If you like reading about the devastating reign of Henry VIII and the women he destroyed in his wake, you will enjoy this historical fiction book!

The point of view is from three women whose are entwined in Henry’s court. The book begins with Anne of Cleves, on her way to Hampton Court from Germany to become Henry’s third wife and the next Queen of England. Lady Jane Rochford, head of the Queen’s privy chamber. Lady Rochford is recently widowed, her husband killed on the chopping block with his sister, Anne Boleyn, in large part from testimony given against them by Jane Rochford. The last character introduced is Katherine Howard, the girl/woman who serves as a lady in waiting to Anne of Cleves, and who will soon be the next Queen of England.

The plot closely follows historic events of the time including the struggle between the Protestants, Catholics, and Henry as the head of the Church of England. I liked the focus on the women and their descriptions of feelings of low self-worth, their treatment as property, valued only when they served the needs of country alignment in world power and dominance or at the whim of men. It is a story of lies and deceit and the daily fear of the living under a maniacal king who at his will, could take your life at any moment.

This book was EXCELLENT! Translated from Swedish, this is an historical novel using the devices of foreshadowing and repetition. I loved this unique writing style.

The cover gives a good indication of what the book is about. Blanche Wittman is on the cover. She has spent time in a home named Salpetriere where she is studied by French doctors as a "medium". We would call, what she displays, multiple personalities. She is treated for hysteria through hypnotism and the ovary compressor. Yes, how scary is this for the past of women? (Note the men who are being so "helpful" while she is "falling"--also, note the sexualizing of the entire situation.)

Anyway, Blanche eventually works in the laboratory of Marie Curie. Because of her exposure to radium, 2 legs and 1 arm are amputated--she is basically a torso. Marie and Blanche have become friends and Blanche lives with Marie.

Marie and Blanche have parallel love affairs with married men. They both suffer because of this but both feel they have experienced "true love." Thank goodness they have one another to confide in and contemplate with.

Marie does win two Nobel Prizes in Chemistry during her lifetime. She was a bright and strong woman. She was almost shut out of accepting her second Nobel Prize because of the scandal of her affair but she stood firm and accepted the prize since it was for her scientific work. She also makes it clear that even though her husband, Pierre, had collaborated with her on much of her work (& had since died), she deserved the prize in her own right for her own discoveries.

Although this is fiction, it is based on history so all the name dropping is familiar. Toulouse-Lautrec, Sarah Bernhardt, Mesmer, Pierre & Marie Curie, Louis Pasteur, Freud, and Einstein. Also, we are confronted with the political dilemmas of the period: With the popularity of Lourdes, can religion and science live in harmony? Why is suffrage taking so long?

The ending is really great. You are left pondering, just which sex is the weaker sex?

This takes place in a Victorian London neighborhood. The book describes the social life of the Ellison girls during this time. One of their housemaids is murdered and Inspector Thomas Pitt pays several visits to their home as he persues all leads. As more bodies are found Pitt falls in love with Charlotte Ellison and she almost becomes the sixth victim. It is an entertaining read. This is the first Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novel.

This powerful book won an American Bestsellers Award in 1940 and was made into a film version in 1971. Joe Bonham joins the military during WWI and he is injured beyond comprehension. He loses his limbs, his hearing, and his face. All he has left is his mind. He has flashbacks to his childhood and coming-of-age experiences. Trumbo inserts philosophical and ethical points in his “great American novel” which is on par with the writing of Ernest Hemingway and Norman Mailer. This is the quintessential anti-war book. You may not be able to read it. You may not be able to put it down. Engrossing read.

It is 1946 in the Mississippi Delta, where Memphis-bred Laura McAllan is struggling to adjust to farm life, After being reared in a gentile home in Memphis. She faces an uphill battle when trying to teach her Daughters manners and other things that she thinks a lady should know. Her hardworking husband has Only one thing on his mind, and that is “the land”. It is all consuming. Henry’s trusting nature also leads Them to find out they’ve been outwitted on the purchase of a house. The family then learns out they are going The real heart of the story, however, is the friendship between Jamie, Henry's too-charming brother, and Ronsel Jackson, a black man and son of sharecroppers who live on the McAllan farm. They have both returned from the war much changed. : Jamie has become an alchoholic and has nightmares every night. Ronsel, after fighting valiantly for his country and used to being treated as an equal by the less prejudiced Europeans finds that back home, he is still just another black boy.

Judith and her twin Hamnet rarely see their father for he is always in London writing and performing his plays. When he is home he shares his words and plots with the twins, who love to create their own stories and act them out. After Hamnet dies tragically Judith becomes enraged at her father for using this event as the basis for one of his plays, and vows get back at him. She steals away to London, intent on getting into the Globe Theater and sabotaging his play during the performance. As she works her way into this world disguised as a boy, she gets a bit part and discovers she loves being a player. The finely drawn character of Judith, and the setting are the true appeals of this book.

The time for the book is 1299 and the Crusades have ended. Elenor is the orphan Lady of Ramsey who considers the village her family. She is promised to Thomas from nearby Thornham. The marriage will united the farmers of Ramsey with the mills of Thornham, Each is the last of their line so the marriage must happen. The village priest worries for them. Elenor is only 14 and Thomas was changed by the Crusades. Religion is the heart of the village with the Penitents and their chasing evil away with fasting and the scourge and those that invite good and chase meaness by enjoying their bodies and getting drunk. All make their way to the confessional. Father Gregory invites Elenor and Thomas do penance for the whole community and make a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. James in Spain. The trip has many hardships but they meet others making their own pilgrimages. The companions helped each other with stories and dealing with basic needs of travel. Along the 4 month trip, Thomas and Elenor become friends and realize being married would be good.

The book ends with the 2 reaching the shrine. Now I have to read the sequel to see how they return. The book illustrates the hardships of travel and how good stories pass the time. Religion was very important during the time and the nuns, priests and holidays are showcased in the book. Life was hard and needs were simple.

Syvia is only four years old when her family is sent to live in the Lodz ghetto in Poland during World War II. Her mother, father and older sister, Dora, work during the day, but Syvia is too young to do any work, so she keeps herself occupied as best she can. When the Nazis begin to deport the children of the ghetto, she and her father take drastic measures to keep her there, including sleeping in a cemetery at night!
This true story by Jennifer Roy is based on the true story of her aunt, Syvia (later changed to Sylvia). Written in free verse in Syvia’s point of view, it is horrific, humorous at times, and an amazing story of survival and loyalty. This is a must read for anyone studying the Holocaust.

This historical novel is set in Boston in the early 1700's. It was a turbulent time as the settlers were trying to discern what being "American" might mean and also were attempting to disengage themselves from the "crown" of England. The protagonist in the book is a young woman named Rachel Marsh and she is working in the home of John Adams. We watch her grapple with what it means to be a young woman, what it means to be a servant, what it means to be educated, and what it means to be swept up in this time of change. I loved how she visited a local bookstore to read books but also to have her finger on the pulse of the rebellious climate. She befriends a British soldier and that is a huge learning experience for her, also. The final symbolic gesture at the end of the book is marvelous. I just loved it because it said so much about how she had matured and felt liberated. You will have to read the book yourself to see what I am talking about!

Eleven year old Princess Marjorie is the daughter of the newly crowned Scottish king, Robert the Bruce. This story takes place in 1306, English armies invade Scotland and King Edward Longshanks has Marjorie captured and put in a wooden cage in the center of the town square. She was exposed to wind and rain, as well as, taunts from the townspeople. King Longshanks visits her daily and tries to belittle her and wants her to acknowledge that her father will fail his people of Scotland. I really enjoyed how she stands up to King Longshanks even though she suffers painfully and could lose her life.

This is the story of Gemma, a girl who experiences the death of her mother in India and goes off to boarding school in England. But Gemma soon discovers that there is much more to her mother's life than she knew. With the help of three girls Gemma meets at school, Gemma not only uncovers information about her mother, she realizes there is much more to the power she herself possess. But the power isn't everything that Gemma anticipates, and she must make some tough decisions regarding her friends, her mother and the course of her own life in 19th century England.

Sixth-century Scotland is a dangerous place for 15-year-old Ilena after her mother and father have died, despite training as a warrior. Knowing your lineage is very important, but her parents have always put her off, merely telling her that someday she should go east to see her kin. She encounters dangers and is drawn into a major crisis at Dun Alyn, where the Druid Ogern is struggling for power with the previous chief Belert.

The strong female character and fast-moving plot coupled with a well-drawn setting will appeal to girls who are looking for adventure, and readers who are fond of the Arthurian time period.

The story is set in medieval England. The main character is an orphan named Mouse. She was abandoned at Dunston Manor as a baby and worked in the scullery doing menial tasks. She was subject to much work, little food and very little positive attention. When Mouse is discovered eating the leftovers from the family’s meal, she is beaten and runs away. She hides in the woods and while wondering, meets interesting people who help her find food and shelter. Mouse sees a puppet show in a village and falls in love with the puppets. She hides in the puppeteer’s wagon and works her way into the act and the master’s heart.

The book illustrated life during medieval England, the class distinctions, the importance of stories to entertain and the bonds of strangers as they travel.

This was a very enjoyable historical fiction for teens. It was recommended to me by one of our teen staff members and I know I would have loved it 20 years ago. The book tells about the life of a young girl with a naturally beautiful voice during a time of Spiritual oppression in Italy. The Catholic Pope has issued an edict that females are not allowed to sing in public. This dashes the hopes of this young girl who wants to move the world with her voice, but not the hopes of her scheming mother who plans to use her daughter's talent to raise her own standing in the world. The choices are few for this young woman. She can marry the strange old man her mother choses, join a convent for wayward women, or go into the protection of Queen Christina, patron of the arts who defies the pope. This is a story of perseverance and ambition; the dedication and drive of true talent. I especially appreciated the message that there are more important things in life than true love. I think teenage girls should be reading about all that life holds for them rather than the allure of romance.

Patty Bergen is a young teen who lives in Jenkinsville, AK during World War II. The small town gets a little exciting one summer when some German prisoners of war arrive to stay in a Jenkinsville prison camp. When a few of the prisoners wander into Patty’s Father’s department store, she meets Anton, one of the few who can speak English. Anton soon becomes Patty’s friend despite being Jewish and having a rough home life. When Patty’s secret is discovered, she must face the consequences.

This book was written in 1973, and although is was a quick read, it took some time to develop. What Patty did at this time was very risky, but I had a hard time finding it believable. The end of the book also seemed too abrupt.

A small Vermont town in 1924 finds its residents pitted against each other when the Ku Klux Klan moves in and deep prejudices surface. The novel is written in the stream-of-conscience format and it features the thoughts of a variety of people.

In “Don’t let’s go to the dogs tonight” Alexandra Fuller recounts her childhood in such war-torn countries as Zimbabwe and Zambia. She and her family moved to Africa when she was 2 due to her father’s jobs managing farms there. She has many tragic stories as 3 of her siblings died young and her mother slipped into a deep depression and later was diagnosed as manic depressive. But there are funny stories too such as the 3 day party after Alexandra’s wedding. We are constantly reminded of the danger of living in war zones. When Alexandra (or Bobo as she is called by her family) goes to school she is driven in a mine-proofed Land Rover and the family carries guns to protect themselves. Once she leaves Africa, she finds she misses it terribly and describes quite well the sounds and smells of the country.

You may not want to eat meat after reading this book. This is an expose and history of the fast food industry. In 1970 Americans spent 6 billion dollars on fast food. By 2000 that number had increased to 110 billion dollars. Almost every facet of American life has been franchised: Taco Bell, Gap, Starbucks, McDonalds, and other similar entities can be found everywhere on our interstate highway system and in urban and suburban areas. Schlosser details what constitutes a hamburger and makes you think twice about eating beef in particular

Jack Nicholson is exposed, warts and all, in this detailed account of the actor’s life, loves, and films. The book is well-written in the narrative non-fiction style. The reader will learn how Nicholson admired Brando and Sinatra, how he lived in the Laurel Canyon area surrounded by big name musicians and actors including Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Marlon Brando, and about relationships with his children and ex-lovers.

The story revolves around the life of Wyatt Earp in Tombstone. The familiar characters of Doc Holliday and the Earp brothers. Life was hard in the west and Earp's sense of right helped bring order to the town. Earp is enamored with Josie, the girl of a rich man. She of course chooses Earp and the outlaws side with Benson, the power hungry ex-lover. The action moves along quickly and your sense of right by any means is proven. If you like Parker's Spenser series, you will like this book.

Danish-born, Jacob Riis, was an investigative reporter who was considered to be the inventor of modern photo journalism. He emigrated to New York City, experienced dire poverty, worked closely with Theodore Roosevelt who was serving as New York City’s Police Commissioner, exposed the horrible conditions in the tenement slums of the City, and made a name for himself. Written in the narrative non-fiction style, this is an engrossing read.

It took me a while to get into this but then it turned out to be very intriguing. Anyone who has traveled the world can relate to the culture shock of the author's trip to China as well as the minute details that become so poignant and extraordinary when you are far away from home. The author is traveling with a friend. They are both fresh out of collage and it is the 80s. The wear and tear that ensues on their friendship will make you say, "I have SO been there" when you have traveled with friends. However, this true story becomes highly amazing and strenuous as the author deals with helping her friend through what she thinks is homesickness.

This book is based on a commencement address the author gave at her alma mater, Sarah Lawrence College. It would be easy to dismiss this book as a typical commencement speech. It is typical in how it details some of the pivotal events and people who influenced and changed the author's life at Sarah Lawrence and beyond. The message is typical as it questions the future and as the author asks the predictable questions such as what and who will I become? But the book reaches deeper as the author describes some key characteristics that helped her to become not just a better writer, but a better human being. Her real life examples of how staring, listening (being unplugged from Ipods and cell phones), being still and not hurrying away from strangers has changed her life in ways that she never could have imagined. Her plea to us to notice details, chat and listen to the people around us is a positive and strong message of community. I love this message because none of us has gotten where we are today, alone. It is similar to the intention we develop as we practice yoga. This turning inward to know ourselves first as we do in our youth, later becomes a turning outward to embrace the people and world around us as we age. I really thought this book was terrific and hope that the students at Sara Lawrence appreciated it!

Who was Stalin? He was a choirboy, weatherman, published poet, seminarian, bank robber, politician, eight-time exile to Siberia, psychopath, lover, politician, newspaperman, boot-maker, mass murderer, intellectual, ruler of a vast country, and most intensely of all, a revolutionary. His story started in a small town in Georgia as the son of an alcoholic cobbler and an overbearing mother. He survived disease, fights, being run over by a carriage—twice, a society full of violence, and turbulent political times. His poor health allowed him to become an omnivorous reader, who concentrated on reading about politics, philosophy and history. Using many different aliases, he worked with or against most of the main political figures of the period including Trotsky and Lenin. Employing previously suppressed journals and papers as well as interviews with those who knew Stalin personally, Montefiore has written an amazing book with details of Stalin’s life before he ruled the USSR.

Louise Bourgeois (1911- ) is a controversial artist known for her personal sculptures which helped to break down the barriers from the male-dominated art world. The book traces her troubled childhood in France and a move to the US in 1938 where she married Robert Goldwater, an art historian

This humorous book describes the working life of zookeeper Peter Brazaitis. At age 18, to get back at his stepmother, he bluffed his way into an assistant zookeeper job at the Reptile House of the Bronx Zoo. He learned on the job and became Superintendent of Reptiles, and later Curator of Animals at the Central Park Zoo. There are thrills and scares as well as funny stories: escape attempts by gorillas, dangerous activities like catching alligators in the New York water system, assisting police with an apartment full of venomous snakes which also contained human victims, close calls with poisonous snakes, and the intelligence of primates when attempting to put one over on their human keepers. These stories show the details of a life working with animals.

This is the story of Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire. They are orphaned when their parents perish in a fire. They are forced to stay with Count Olaf. Unfortunately, he has designs on their inheritance and he has concocted a plan to get their money. This is part one of a thirteen-volume series. Snicket occasionally uses a clever technique of introducing advanced vocabulary in the text then he explains what the words mean. Snicket’s writing has been compared to that of Roald Dahl.

Fire is set in the same world of Graceling, with a new cast of characters. Fire is a human monster with fiery hair and the power to control the minds of others. She lives across the mountains in the Dells, on the same planet as Katsa’s seven lands, but it is so different as to be another world. Here there are no Gracelings, but there are monsters—both animal and human. Monsters are recognized by the unusual color of their hair, and Fire is named for the bright oranges and reds of her hair. Other monsters seek her in order to feast on her especially delicious flesh, as she is the only human monster alive. Men desire her, women hate and fear her, except for those who have come to know her and love her for her many good qualities. 

Raised in bizarre fashion by her father, the twisted human monster Cansrel, she is trying to live in a way to make up for her father’s cruel excesses. Her friend Archer is obsessively controlling, in order to protect her. When she must travel to King City to help the royal family save their kingdom she learns a lot about herself, the truth, independence and loyalty.
 
While this is a young adult book, it will be enjoyable to adult readers of fantasy as well. The characters are complex and interesting and more mature than many of those in young adult literature. Characters are not just focused on what affects them—their emotions run the gamut of guilt, love, hate, patriotism, loyalty and betrayal. The plot includes adventure, romance and intrigue. The writing is even better than Graceling, which I enjoyed very much.

This is Part II in a series. It sometimes refers to adventures and characters in Part I but explains them completely. The escape in this book is from poverty but the lesson seems to be that endless bounty and monotony (like in the Land of the Silver Apples) is not good either. Trying to determine who is good and evil is hard--I give the author credit for rounding out the characters and giving them different motivations. There were many, many characters (lots of fantastical creatures) and the journeys and adventures were many. I had a hard time tracking. This was just okay for me.

Kiriel, a fallen angel, steals Shaun's body just as he stepped into the path of an oncoming truck. He wants to experience what humans feel, think and do. He soon realizes that the real world is not all about physical experiences. As he deals with Shaun's family, a divorced mother and a younger brother, he learns that the emotional side of human life is much harder to deal with.

Sebastian Darke, 17, has set out to seek his fortune in the faraway city of Keladon so he can support his Elvish mother after his human father, a Jester, has died. Unfortunately Sebastian isn't funny, not even when reciting his father's best jokes. A talking buffalope named Max draws the wagon, giving a running commentary on Sebastian's lack of talent and what they should do next. Along the way they meet a pint-sized warrior named Cornelius who has perfected the Golmiran Death Leap. Together they rescue Princess Kerin, heiress to the throne of Keladon, from Brigands and her evil uncle Septimus's plans.

Interesting characters and lots of adventure make a good story. Max was my favorite, due to his sardonic comments. Though the British author previously was famous for his horror novels for adults, he has made a great transition to young adult books. This story will appeal to guys or girls from middle school on up, especially if they enjoy humor like that of The Princess Bride or Donkey in Shrek. The second in the series has already been published in England--Sebastian Darke: Prince of Pirates.

Ray Bradbury is on top of my list of terrific authors. My absolute favorite Bradbury book is Fahrenheit 451. The Cat’s Pajamas is a collection of short stories written from 1946-2003 but they are not in chronological order. Bradbury is best known for his surreal content, clever irony, social commentary, and his surprise endings. I like his earlier works better. One of the most interesting and bizarre stories is called A Careful Man Dies. It is the story of a hemophiliac who comes under the spell of a beautiful woman and ultimately puts himself at a terrible risk.

The book is an urban fantasy. It is basically a love story involving supernaturals set in contemporary times. Witches belong to covens and sorcerers are part of cabals. Each believes their magic is superior so they rarely work together. Paige needs a lawyer and the only one volunteering is a sorcerer. Lucas is also the reluctant heir to the Miami branch of the Cabal--think Mafia families. Lucas shows he's up to the job and romance results as well. The follow-up book is Industrial Magic. Lucas and Paige must work with all the Cabals to find who is murdering the young children of the Cabals. Wouldn't you know it'd be a vampire! Other supernaturals, a necromancer who is haunted by a ghost, werewolves and vampires help in the chase to resolve the mystery.

A plague is raging in Pern, killing dragons, riders and holders. Thread is falling and the dragonriders fear they will not have enough dragons flying to save Pern from destruction by Threadfall. Lorana provides a link to the past that may help them survive.

The story goes back in time to Windblossom, one of the original settlers and the last of the geneticists who created the dragons and watchwhers. Those early years found the settlers struggling with the lost of their technology, worries about the future and adjusting to a more primitive lifestyle. Somehow the connection must be made to save Pern and all its inhabitants.

Todd McCaffrey is the son of Anne McCaffrey, and has collaborated with her on a previous book. He does a good job of fitting his story around previous (or future) events. Fans of the Dragonriders of Pern series will enjoy this book, though readers new to the series might want to start with one of the first books to get an understanding of the world of Pern before reading this volume.

This is in the "Relics of Merlin" series. The first words of the story are London, 1882 Where magic has never died... It was more of a romance/fantasy, with some magic. Felicity has no magic powers, and loses her dowry, and ends up marrying a baronet who is a were-lion. She is an orphan, her aunt & uncle take her in, and they have a son, who is mean to Felicity. Once she marries Sir Terence, they disown her, because they think she should marry royalty. She cannot do this, since she cannot perform magic. Things turn out in the end, but necessarily a "happily ever after" ending.

This book is about "escape" from a boarding school tyranny. Also, the protagonist, Gemma, is trying to come to terms with the death of her mother. The fantasy begins in India and moves with her to Britain. Gemma is able to access a utopia with her three girlfriends who grow and change from it. Spoiler: One friend stays in the other realm to avoid an arranged marriage and, of course, dies on our side. I didn't particularly like any of the characters except for the art teacher. The conclusion is satisfying but this genre is not my cup of tea.

I chose this book to see if the new Indiana Jones movie (by the same title) was like the book. Actually, the book was more believable. Aliens and crystal skulls in an Indy movie just don't seem to fit - neither does an atomic bomb! Here is a quote from the back jacket: "Only one man can find a kingdom forgotten by time, salvage a treasure more precious than riches, and protect the ultimate secret from the most dangerous evil.... The hardest-working hero in action:Indiana Jones!"

Larry McMurtry is best known as the author of Lonesome Dove, Terms of Endearment, and The Last Picture Show. Boone’s Lick is a small town in Missouri and the Cecil family lives nearby. The Civil War has recently ended. Ma, her children, and Uncle Seth set out for Wyoming to find Pa (Dick Cecil, Seth’s brother) after he disappears. Along the way they pick up a variety of characters ranging from Ma’s half -sister, Aunt Rosie, an Indian who serves as a guide, and a priest. The story is expressed through the voice of Sherman (Shay) one of Ma’s sons. McMurtry uses his storytelling talent to make the reader feel that he or she is along for the ride.

A federal marshal, Hawk, becomes an outlaw himself after his wife an child are killed. He pursues the "bad" guys and takes no prisoners. The 4 governors of the neighboring territories hire a man to kill Hawk as he chases a gang who robbed the town bank and victimized some ranchers. Hawk gets the gang and the trackers himself dies. Hawk disappears again to regroup and wait for the next occasion to do good. The reader will sympathize with Hawk and want him to live to fight another day.

Madeline Hammond, a rich Eastern socialite, is bored with her life--too many parties, golf games and smooth-talking men.  She escapes her usual life by traveling to New Mexico to see her black-sheep brother Alfred, who has a cattle ranch.  Her unheralded arrival late at night means she is accosted by a cowboy and witnesses a murder.  Despite this rocky start, the longer she stays, the more she learns to love the land and people. 

Written in 1914, the prose is more florid than today and contains terms which currently are not politically correct.  The main appeal--the beautiful description of the land and appreciation for the Western life--makes it still readable as a Western classic.  It was made into a movie four times, the last with Alan Ladd, JoAnn Sayers and Victor Jory in 1940.

I read this for an assignment to try the genre of a western. It is formulaic and the final chapter takes the time to review the whole mystery (yes, this was written more like a mystery) by putting all the pieces together. I was blown away by the graphic sexual content (I'm not sure if all westerns have that!) but Longarm is a major Casanova and you do have to laugh at how he "gets busy" wherever he goes. Wouldn't read another one--not my thing.

Luke Ludd is the sheriff of Rising Star. He finds his friends Tom and Beth Tidwell shot to death in their home. He follows the trail of their stolen wagon and finds the killers Pots and Leonard Logan, two of five brothers known for their evil ways. On the trail of the two Logans he runs into attacking Indians and the rest of the Logans try to ambush him. Of course, he captures his men in the end. I would consider this a very formulaic western. There is no sex or swear words, but obviously violence. A very easy read and kept me entertained.

I am so glad I read this book. The writing was so so beautiful--the choice of words, exquisite. What a joy to read! Monte finds himself and his way back to his wife and son through an absolutely wild adventure through the West as he accompanies an Outlaw and then the Outlaw's hunter! There is wild violence, too. You just stop and say, (spoiler:) "Oh, my gosh, did he just break his finger?" Stuff like that. And, of course, some shootouts. Trying to pinpoint motivations is fun. And Leif did not opt for the clean ending--yippee! This is the way a Western should be written. It had me captured from the first page. Short chapters made progress measurable and fast. Can't wait to read Peace Like a River by the same author!

I loved this book! I read this for an assignment of reading a YA western. Recently, I heard Bill Cosby say this, "Hurt people hurt people." This book explains this very well. Main character 15 year old Cole has severely physically hurt a peer. He is offered an opportunity to live on an island for a year in order to come back to "civilization" rehabilitated.(I think this is how this book falls into the genre of Western--conquering new territory.) We are in the mind of Cole and we see how long it takes him to actually change his mind. This concept of going away and learning about life, rather than being jailed, is called Circle Justice. It was a very cool idea. Cole tells Peter (the boy he hurt badly),"You and I need to be friends, and I need to forgive you to get over my anger. That's Circle Justice. Everybody is a part of the healing. But healing is much harder than standard punishment. Healing requires taking responsibility for your actions. Justice should heal, not punish." This is toward the end of the novel. I liked how Cole matured through the book. Highly recommended for teens and anyone interested in this Circle Justice theme.

Simon, age 15, has just completed third grade for the fourth time.  Miss Rogers, his third grade teacher, thinks Simon is ready to go out in the world, away from his aunt and uncle who call him a pea-brain. When Simon has a great idea, she lends him her life's savings to buy 1000 bronze turkeys.  He has a plan to walk them a thousand miles from eastern Missouri to Denver and sell them for a fortune. 

There are numerous adventures along the way--turkey rustlers, his no-good father, helping a runaway slave, and rescuing a girl on the prairie. 

A fast, humorous read.  A good choice for a reluctant reader or to read aloud, due to lots of action .  The story is inspired by actual turkey treks which took place in the 1850s and 1860s, when there were no roads or railroads to bring turkeys to market.

Daisy Kutter has gone respectable--she has given up her bandit life and runs a general store.  When she loses her store to rich Mr. Winters in a high-stakes poker game, she is forced to use her gunfighting skills to test the robot security on his train by robbing it. 

A rare female protagonist, and unusual plot combining the Wild West with futuristic robots, make this graphic novel a good read.

This photographic “work” biography of Annie Leibovitz goes back to her days with Rolling Stone magazine and covers the various celebrities she has photographed over the years. She includes touching accounts of her family and how photography was a passion from the beginning.

Thank you, Sharon Creech, for writing such a smashing follow up to "Love that Dog". This sequel does not disappoint! If you love poetry and love its conventions you will love this book. A student is learning how to write poetry from a terrific teacher. He is introduced to forms by reading examples of other poets and then tries his hand at them. At the end of the book, just like in Love That Dog, we have copies of all the poems that are referred to. Yippee! I love the character of Uncle Bill who is so judgmental about what Jack is learning. It is so true about the snobbery in literature. Uncle Bill calls some of the poems that Jack shares with him, "highly overrated." That made me laugh out loud. We all think we are connoisseurs sometimes. (wink) I also adored the subtlety of the description of the relationship between Jack and his mother. We read very few words yet understand fully that Jack and his mother are extremely close. This is a winner! Read "Love that Dog" first.

After surviving the Columbine shooting, Maureen and Caelum Quirk move back to Connecticut to the Quirk family farm. Here they discover a trove of family memorabilia that reveals painful truths about Caelum's pasts. As usual, Wally Lamb has many different story lines going on throughout the book.

“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” This is the basis for Pollan’s food manifesto. Pollan recommends treating meat as a side dish and eating whole foods. He provides some rules for eating which will lead to better health and pleasure in eating.

The concluding book in the trilogy picks up where Inkspell left off. In the magical Inkworld. The Adderhead became immortal with the White Book bound by Mo, the Bluejay. But the Adderhead's body is decomposing and he wants Mo to make a new book. Will Mo give in and create the new book or will he take the chance and kill the villian? Read to find out.

Yang recounts her family’s struggle in Laos, escape to Thailand (where she was born in 1980), detainment in refugee camps, and their eventual arrival in Minnesota and the promise of America. Yang tells the story of the Hmong in a compelling fashion.

Danish-born, Jacob Riis, was an investigative reporter who was considered to be the inventor of modern photo journalism. He emigrated to New York City, experienced dire poverty, worked closely with Theodore Roosevelt who was serving as New York City’s Police Commissioner, exposed the horrible conditions in the tenement slums of the City, and made a name for himself. Written in the narrative non-fiction style, this is an engrossing read. (Character, Setting)

The book deals with the life and almost death of a marriage. The couple has been married for 20+ years and the marriage has evolved from being best friends with much passion to roommates you work to avoid. Lucky, the husband, has won a vacation to Mexico and Addy and he are going, searching to put paradise back into their lives. Addy has been questioning her life with Lucky for a while and decides to give the trip a chance. As Lucky is loading the car, he does damage to his back. Now, they no longer are going on the trip, and Addy is forced to be a caregiver to someone she's not sure she even cares about a little. Friends help out and Lucky moves next door with Bob #1. Addy deals with the things in her life cause her stress, like cleaning and chores, and finds she has heart problems even after their split and her new helpers. More hot tub discussions with her girl support group follow and the divorce word is finally spoken. Lucky's not ready to give up on their marriage and reinvents himself. Soon all of Parker's married are watching the relationship chance and their own lives jump started. Radish uses language beautifully and shows every married person how to put some life back into their love.

Yippee! A terrific, terrific book! Who knew that Germany invaded the islands off the coast of England during World War II, in this case Guernsey? The relationship between the islanders and the invaders is presented to us in this work of fiction. The entire story is told through a series of letters that are being written between all sorts of different characters. One pivotal character is Juliet, an author in London, who decides to write a book about the island's book club (& its inception) which is called the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. The other pivotal character is Elizabeth who lived on the island and had a strong positive influence on all of the characters in the book. She also left a wonderful legacy (but you'll have to read the book to learn about that!). This was a wonderful book that celebrated friendship, simplicity, kindness, and embracing the obvious! I read this in one day--I could not put it down. :) The format and historical content drew me in. Also, the wit and cleverness of the writing. This is one of my favorites of 2008--Hurrah! Thanks to Holly C. for recommending it!

A pregnant calico cat, abandoned in the bayou by her family, finds refuge in the crawlspace where the hound Ranger lives. He is chained and mistreated by his cruel master, but befriends the cat and her kittens Puck and Sabine. As he grows older, curiosity drives Puck to explore outside the safety of the Underneath, causing the tragic death of Mama Cat and Puck to be lost in the forest. 

Woven through this story are thousand year old myths of shapeshifters and stories of the Caddo Indians who once lived in this area--Grandmother Moccasin and the Alligator King; Hawkman and Nightsong; thinking trees and a hummingbird who is not just a bird. Through rhythm and repetition, the story flows with magic and allegory, sadness and tenderness. David Small's drawings complement the text. 

The Underneath is a Teen National Book Award Finalist. It appeals to readers because of its writing and setting. Read aloud, it might appeal to fifth graders, but may be enjoyed by readers through adulthood.

Victory Conditions is the fifth book of the fast-paced Vatta's War series.  Young Kylara Vatta was thrown out of the Space Academy and though she disappointed her merchant family by becoming a privateer, in this volume she has risen to command of a multi-system Space Defense force.  

Political intrigues, personal conflicts with company-oriented cousin Stella and former spy turned CEO Rafe Dunbarger, and front-line views of battles contribute to the complexity and depth of this space opera. 

Excellent plotting, technical details, and well-developed characters are found in this military series.  Elizabeth Moon has degrees in history and biology, and was formerly a Marine, which contributes to the realistic portrayal of battle and it's psychological toll.

Derrick Anderson, a retiring quarterback for the San Fransisco 49ers, promises his son he will win one more Super Bowl for him. His hope may rest with a womanizing, glitz and glamour seeking young quarterback named Aaron Hill. Cody is a young boy who is convinced he is the son of Hill. Megan, Cody's foster mother tries to stop him from telling Aaron. When Aaron and Megan meet, sparks fly. Find out if the story has a fairy tale happy ending.

This is book 1 of the Montana Skies series. Rich and Maggie Locke are ranchers with an idyllic marriage in Coldwater Montana until Rich, a USAF pilot, is killed testing one of the jets. Maggie becomes very close to Dan, a veterinarian who cares for farm animals, Ian, a minister who lost his wife, Tessa, a young horse fan, and Tessa’s mother, Sarah. They encounter a winter storm of the century while visiting Sarah for Thanksgiving. Maggie eventually works through her grief because of her strong faith.

Two pre-teen girls become unlikely friends in a southeastern Ohio small town in the 1990s. One girl is black and one is white. They both have family issues to deal with and they question different aspects of their lives but they find they have a lot in common and remain hopeful that their lives will be meaningful.

Clay is a marine who did three tours in Iraq. He finds a photo of a fellow marine posing with his sister @ a county fair. Clay decides to track down this woman whose name is Beth. He is never able to find the fellow marine who originally owned the photo. The photo becomes somewhat of a lucky charm for Clay and he feels that it has saved his life. This belief is intensified by another marine named Victor. Clay eventually finds Beth and falls in love with her, her son, and her grandmother. The ex-husband of Beth is mostly evil. The story culminates with conflict between Clay and the ex. The plot is pretty strong but the writing is weak. I found too much use of prepositions and adverbs and would have enjoyed the book more if the writing had been edited and tightened up.

Just okay. We read it for book group at the library. The Tuesday morning in the title is 9.11. It was hard to revisit that day and all the mix-ups that occurred within the chaos of that disaster. I have to say that I had a visceral response to the author's description of that morning. There was an interesting premise (that I won't spoil) but it defies logic. Therefore, I thought the plot was a little hokey. Also, the religious overtones were overbearing for me, personally.

The book is definitely a romance. Boy meets girls, sparks fly, conflict keeps them apart but is resolved in the end. The book was not overly preachy, religious beliefs provided the basis for the main character, Dr. Kara's life and when she saw the main man, Marcus, also had deep faith, they became a couple. Book was rather formulated so it you liked this one, check out all the Love Inspired publications.

This was really great! I knew going into it that it was "inspirational" and right away you can tell that Jake is a person who is emulating Jesus. It is the way the conflict is written between the "gypsies" and the town people that is so compelling. I read it in one sitting and really liked the messages of forgiveness and tolerance. Here are sparse words that really pack a punch. Murray is a good storyteller.

This was a fast read and quite good. The writing was good about how Elle was grappling with her faith and trying to find true love. The plot kept moving and there were swift twists and turns. Developing a relationship with God was important to several characters in the book but not overdone. The only detraction/distraction was all the typos in this book--yikes!

This book is based on a Tlingit legend about two young children who always played together (Lupan and Lapowinsa). Lapowinsa makes a bad remark about the moon and is swept up into the sky by a rainbow. Lupan tries to save her by shooting arrows into the sky. The arrows form a chain which allows him to enter the sky. The story is reminiscent of the Jack and the Beanstalk tale.

This is a character driven book. It takes place in Wisconsin, 1961. The book is narrated by nine year old Button Peters. The story begins when Winnalee and her sister Freeda Malone blow into town. Button is fascinated by the sisters, especially Winnelee. Winnelee carries around a shiny silver urn with her mother's ashes and a notebook she calls "The Book of Bright Ideas." Once the girls become friends, Button is welcome to add her own "Bright Ideas" to the notebook. This is a coming of age book and also a story of friendship. Not just between the two girls but with all the women in their life at that time.

Delightful! Tender and wonderful! I loved this book. We see the events unfolding from the perspective of Earwig, the main character in this book. He is a "simpleton" who is actually the most sage and sensitive character in the book. He watches his brother Jimmy leave for World War II. He tells about all the changes in the world and in HIS world during World War II. Earwig experiences much personal growth in this story. So do the people surrounding him. The reader is left with an uplifting attitude toward life despite all the hardships and negativity that can be dealt people. Deceptively simple writing packs a powerful punch. Earwig becomes a reflection of the era and ourselves. Kring is excellent at setting up important details which are revisited later in her books.

This is a collection of short stories. I enjoyed the authors stories about dieting and Weight Watchers. Having been there, still there myself, they really hit home. After reading the book, I decided I did not like the sort story format. I did enjoy Berg's writing style tho and will read more by her.

A collection of essays revolving around everything from veterans practicing for a funeral ceremony in his back yard to trucking to Prudhoe Bay on the frozen Haul Road.

I remember that this book moved me tremendously--it made me laugh and cry. The stories were poignant and real. I liked the author's move from New York City to such a small town. I liked the great vocabulary he used in his writing. And I liked the author's sensitivity to the issues of his town, neighbors and family. Excellent, fast read.

Perry reflects on various characters and ambulance runs he encountered while serving as a volunteer fire fighter at his hometown of New Auburn, WI, population 485.

Peterson has brought together numerous stories written by WWII veterans to form this collection. The stories reveal the human side of the war experience and what happened when the soldiers came home.

Wow, she did it again, another terrific book by this author! This fictional account of what both witnessing violence and/or being the target of violence can do to people ends on a positive note. A family is dealing with the death of man who was very cruel and abusive. A child is able to teach them about forgiveness and the need to set the man off on the right path for the next world. I like how Lucy, the child, describes that a stressful time for a family can set all the rubber bands snapping off. In other words, each family member is "tightly wound" and able to keep it together until there (correction on website) is an explosion which sets off a series of explosions. I found this to be very true! I think many families have experienced this. Lucy's interest in psychology and her interpretations of event around her were very enlightening. Loved it!

The humorist focuses on three themes: working on his truck, falling in love and getting married, and the joys of gardening.

This book was predictable--you knew the ending pretty quickly. But it was fun to see how the author was going to get there. The characters were one note, but likable just the same. Great beach/summer read. And the bonus is that there are marvelous recipes in the appendix.

I have read all of the Stephanie Plum books and this is one of the best. She has several story threads in the book which keep you interested. There are many laugh-out-loud parts of the book where people tend to look at you like you're nuts and when you try to explain what is soooo funny, they laugh. But they are mostly laughing at you because you can't hardly tell about the incident without crying. It is light reading, perfect for the beach or couch with a glass of wine.

This is a good title for a Young Adult or an Adult. This was a good book. It was a fast read and I liked how the protagonist overcame so many hurdles because of her creativity, openness to new ideas, and general positive attitude. I like how the author incorporates a reverence for nature in her books. And I am a sucker for a good love story and a happy ending...

Sixteen-year-old Norah Bloom develops a crush on James, a member of her book group which meets at the Book Nook. She develops a plan, based on a romance novel, to win his heart while dealing with her more popular sister, Stacey, and confiding in her best friend, Audre.

Margaret and Steve Frawley’s three-year old twin girls, Kelly and Kathy, are mysteriously kidnapped the evening of their birthday while their parents attend a black-tie dinner in New York City. They return home to find the babysitter unconscious and the girls missing. An eight-million-dollar ransom note has been left behind by the kidnapper who calls himself the Pied Piper. Clark takes the reader inside the minds of the parents and gang of kidnappers as they try to rescue both girls from the clutches of evil. Clark is a master of suspense and this page turner will not disappoint.

Twin brothers, Logan and Noah Miller, recount their efforts to make a film based on the life of their father who died in jail. Their film, Touching Home, starred Ed Harris as their alcoholic homeless father. The Miller brothers had no money and few connections in Hollywood. They are to be applauded for their sheer determination to fulfill a promise to their father against all odds.

I have a deep respect for Jimmy Carter and this book cemented that for me. It was so interesting to learn about Carter's childhood and young adulthood. He came from poverty and was raised by parents who respected their black neighbors and laborers. I listened to the audio performed by one of my favorite readers, Tom Stechschulte. The stories were funny, poignant, and lesson bearing. I was pleased to find that Carter is a terrific writer. Can't wait to read more by him.

I read this heartbreaking true story, about the author who suffers from OCD, in one sitting! She gives us hints of how she became who she is and also offers us a glimpse at the people in her life who provided a net for her. Particularly, there was a heroin addicted friend. The parallels between the 2 were interesting. I like to count and sort to soothe myself. But this and similar behaviors were taken to a whole new level of paralysis. Finally, Emily is medicated @ the end of the book and experiencing relief. The brain is so interesting! She ends the book with a corker, however. It seems that she can't get past one of her quirks. You learn about it on page 1. Her last words in the book are, 7480 stars. That made me cry. You'll have to read the book to see what I mean.

Groucho takes a lighter look at sex and how to get some. He starts with an idea and wanders away in typical Marx fashion. It seems autobiographical in parts with much humor and Marx comments thrown in to keep it very enjoyable. If you enjoy the Marx Brothers movies, this would be a fun book to read.

Marion was born in Australia, but lived mostly on cruise ships with her traveling mother after her parents split up. Her father was a captain on a freighter, and later worked at the shipyards along the Canadian west coast. When she was five, her mother gave her up to be raised by her aunt and uncle in Canada.

Marion was 14 in 1960. Turquoise was the fashionable color, and the writer uses the vivid color to tie together the time she spent at the beach (turquoise bathing suit), the unused living room (turquoise carpet and pillows), holiday meals (using the special turquoise plastic dishes) and other events. Family photos start each chapter. Readers who were teens in the 1960s will recognize many of the cultural references.

A memoir in the sense that Sultana (a code name) is the Princess who told her story. It was written and published by someone else to protect the Princess and her children.

Sultana is member of the Saudi royal family, so she is privileged compared to most women living in Saudi Arabia—but as with any other woman, she has no right to go anywhere without a man to escort her, she can be killed by her male family members for small infractions, she can’t vote or control her own life. This description of the world behind the veil is interesting but sometimes shocking. The contrast between the riches—multiple palaces (rich men usually have 4 wives, each with their own richly furnished main palace plus vacation palaces), unlimited money to spend on clothing and jewels, and how the servants and lower classes live is immense.

Since it was published in 1992, one hopes that conditions for Saudi women have improved.

Readers who enjoy an exotic setting and are politically & socially active might want to read this, though there are some descriptions of abuse of women and children that are hard to read.

Ms. Wall recalls how she fell in love and married a Syrian man, moved to the Middle East, gave birth to a son and daughter, then fled for safety to the United States with her two children. You won’t be able to put this book down due to the heart-breaking suspense.

The book takes place at various lighthouses around Scotland in the late 60's and 70's, during the Vietnam war. You may wonder how the war played into lighthouse keeping but the writer was 20 and concerned about the war and Watergate. It was interesting to read how another country was so taken with both issues. Peter applies to be a summer intern on a whim and is amazed when he is given the chance to work at the lighthouse during his summer break. During the interview, he is asked if he can cook an with a straight face, says yes. His cooking special is a grilled cheese sandwich and going out to eat. Food is very important to the people working on the lighthouse and much of their day revolves around preparing it, he was fortunate to work with an excellent cook and learned to take great notes but the day he was scheduled to make hagis required all his resources. The routine of the keepers is very strict and did vary from lighthouse to lighthouse. While sharing meals and the middle of the night shift change, stories and histories were shared. He writes much of the book in the Scottish dialect so the flavor of the county comes through. An interesting book about a lost profession.

Anita Blake is able to raise the dead and a vampire hunter. Vampires now have rights in St. Louis so an execution order is required to kill a vampire to stay legal. Anita stays on the right side of the law, mostly. People want bodies raised for many reasons; to settle a will dispute, forgiveness, even to find out who killed them--as long as their throat wasn't ripped out. Anita is also on the police Spook Squad that is called to investigate murders that may have been committed by vampires or other otherworld characters. She is also involved with Jean Claude, a very old vampire that becomes the Master of the City--kind of like mayor for the vampires in the area. Anita is only 5'3" but armed with her silver bullets and silver knives, she takes on the oldest and most powerful vampires she comes across, usually with a little help from her friends. The books are very graphic in describing the deaths of the victims and zombies Anita raises. The action moves the plot along and there is usually a mystery of "who done it" that gets resolved. This is the first series of Anita Blake books. I have read several and while it would be helpful to read them in order, it's not absolutely necessary. I've enjoyed them and will finish the series.

Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy are now married, and have gone to the Continent for an extended honeymoon. Elizabeth is concerned because while Mr. Darcy professes his love and treats her with care and consideration, he has limited his passion to an occasional kiss.

Their visit to Paris is wonderful—Darcy has many friends and an amazing number of houses and hunting lodges spread throughout Europe. The trip becomes more perilous as they proceed. Wolves howl as they traverse the Alps on their way to visit Darcy’s uncle—who is a Count, with a mysterious castle surrounded by a deep moat. Their visit is cut short when they must flee the castle as an angry mob approaches. Strange frightening dreams begin haunting Elizabeth’s nights after they arrive in Venice, despite (or perhaps because of) the masquerade ball held in her honor. When they are invited to Prince Ficenzi’s villa near Rome even more perilous events test Elizabeth’s courage, and the love between Elizabeth and Darcy. 

Obviously the characters and setting are very important to Jane Austen fans. The story builds on Pride and Prejudice but this paranormal sequel does a good job of complementing the original work.

Popular for Jane Austen fans and lovers of paranormal romance, but would also be fine for those looking for historical fiction with a slightly different aspect. Not as graphic as many of the newer paranormal romance.

This is a collection of alternative history short stories. In one of the stories, Theodore Roosevelt is sent to England by President Grover Cleveland to assist investigators in the hunt for Jack the Ripper. The actual “vampire” story in this collection is called, The Roosevelt Dispatches. Roosevelt is in Cuba leading his Rough Riders on a campaign. They encounter a creature that is impervious to bullets and it ingests the blood of its prey.

This is the first of a list of books starring Betsy, the Queen of the Vampires. Betsy is having a really bad week. First, she loses her job, then she is killed in a car accident. Betsy can't seem to stay dead, as she has been turned into a vampire. Her first concern is how she was nearly buried in cheap knock off shoes instead of one of her designer pairs in her closet. There are very funny scenes of her adjusting to her new life. This is Chick Lit meets Vampire.

If you can get past the vulgarity, and I suppose what can you expect from a book about vampires?, you actually encounter a pretty rich plot with subplots and an emotional development of the narrator/main character. This book is full of puns and off-color jokes and the vampire culture is very well woven throughout. There actually is a very sweet relationship here between the vampire and the young mortal girl who he adopts. There is also a happy ending. There are vague references to this world inhabited by vampires and I wished we were told more about how & why that all came about. The way technology was described in this future place--the fears and capabilities--were reminiscent of today which is kind of weird because the novel is already five years old. Not for the faint of heart--get used to all the blood and be able to laugh about it and you will be okay!

Ava is a stunning human with otherworld friends. She doesn't understand how her friends are attracted to them and is determined to remain "human". Until, she is walking home from a girls night out and is attacked by a vampire. She swallows some of his blood and now her future involves becoming a vampire. The hero is in town to hunt up a rouge vampiress and comes to her aide, killing the attacker and taking her home to help her through the transition. She and he become involved in love and the scheme to capture the rouge vampiress. The book was an entertaining romance involving the otherworld characters. Easy read.

This was a good fast read of the vampire genre and it sets you up for the upcoming release, Love Sucks! Somehow the author manages to get into the teenage/vampire mind and form a fast-paced story that incorporates all of our modern social networking but also the icky parts of being a teenager who is misunderstood. The language is right on for the age, I think. At times a little raw, but it seemed very real. Good writing--I wasn't clear where we were headed and I liked that. :)

Shuyler Van Alen is a girl who just wants to fit in. She lives in New York and attends a private school of elite, rich and spoiled teens. When she turns 15, stranges things start happening to her. She has flashbacks of being at a place hundreds of years prior, her body is undergoing strange changes and she is having unusual food cravings. After attending an exclusive meeting, she finds out that she is apart of an ancient group of vampires called the Blue Bloods. Something is wrong though as the vampires are under attack by someone who wants them dead.
 
Read this first book in a series and enjoy the life of vampires mixed with a social club to die for.

New Yorker Clary Fray gets a shock when she witnesses three tattooed teens murder a boy at the Pandemonium Club. She gets a worse shock when the body disappears and no one else saw the murderers even when they walked through the busy club. As she tries to make sense of what she saw, she discovers that there is a whole world that she didn’t know about. The tattoo covered teens are Shadowhunters, and she shouldn’t be able to see them either. When her mother is kidnapped (she is the only person to know where find the Mortal Cup, a magical object sought by Shadowhunters and their rivals) Clary must go into danger and discover the secrets about her family.

This urban fantasy is entertaining, though the characters are not as three dimensional as one would like. There are multiple types of nonhumans, including demons,werewolves and vampires; competing or cooperating with humans to save the world or destroy it.

There are three books in the series The Mortal Instruments: 1.  City of Bones, 2. City of Ashes, 3. City of Glass

Here is a non-fiction young adult book covering the mythology of vampires, descriptions of vampires, vampires in movies, and a glossary of vampire terms. The concept of vampires is closely related to cultural views about death. Some people feel that dead spirits hang around in a netherworld. Discover other interesting theories about vampires.