Thursday, April 30, 2009

Look Again

Look Again
by Lisa Scottoline

Reporter Ellen Gleeson adopts an abandoned child she came to love while writing about his plight.

When she receives a "Missing Child" flyer she notices that the child looks uncannily like her adopted son. What should she do?

Lots of twists - loved it!

- Rochelle

Friday, April 24, 2009

Sonata for Miriam

Sonata for Miriam
by Linda Olsson

This is a story of families, and how they are affected by choice and loss.
Because of a choice made twenty years ago, world class composer Adam Ankar and his daughter are living in Australia, half a world away from the mother of his daughter. An accident changes Adam’s world in an instant, sending him on a journey to uncover his past and discover the fate of his parents in World War II, in Krakow, Poland. Adam struggles to come to terms with his life choices against the background of present day Poland.

- Sally

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

The Help

The Help
by Kathryn Stockett


I LOVED this book! The Help tackles the topic of race relations in the deep south in the early 1960's. The author does an excellent job of capturing the feel of that time in the South.


Miss Skeeter returns home after college hoping to become a writer. She starts writing a book told from the perspective of the Help- the maids of the white families of Jackson, Mississippi. As her project progresses, she realizes her idea will be much more difficult and dangerous than she had ever imagined. Just meeting with the maids can have frightening consequences for everyone.


This is an amazing book. There is never a dull moment in this story, it is hard to put this one down. Kathryn Stockett has a beautiful ability to tell the stories of the maids without being condescending or sensational. The Help is a touching and thought provoking book.


This is also available as an audio book. It is one of the best audio books I've ever listened to.


- Kathy

Monday, April 20, 2009

The Story of India

The Story of India
DVD

Michael Wood is an entertaining and expressive historian who finds delight everywhere he travels. This 6 part series from PBS is a fascinating history of India. From the earliest ancestors to present day India, he takes the viewer on a journey of all things India. The scenery is stunning and information first rate.

If you are an armchair traveler or a history buff, you will want to watch this from beginning to end.

-Holly

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The Well and the Mine

The Well and the Mine
by Gin Phillips

The Well and the Mine is the story of a mining family's daily struggles against poverty and racism in Depression-era Carbon Hill, Alabama. The story moves between the alternating voices of the Moore family. When 9-year-old Tess witnesses a woman throwing a baby into their well, few are shocked, but all are mystified.

This is Southern fiction at its finest, from a talented new writer.

- Lynn

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Great Gardens of England

Great Gardens of England
DVD

The gardens presented in this DVD are phenomenal! From small courtyards to huge estates steeped in history, forty English homeowners (gardeners) share their gardens and gardening views. Even though some of the estates are quite large, the landscape ideas and designs can be incorporated into a smaller scale. Or, watch the Great Gardens of England just for pure enjoyment!

-Rose

Friday, April 3, 2009

Twilight - dvd

Twilight
DVD

Twilight, the movie, has just been released. This is a very entertaining movie! If you have read the series, it's a must-see. If you haven't read the book, I still think you'll enjoy this movie. It is well done with plenty of intrigue, action, violence, and of course . . . love.

This series is so popular I'm sure that all of the books will be made into movies. See what everyone is talking about. Watch the movie!

- Patti