Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Ghost Town

Ghost Town (DVD)

Ricky Gervais as an unlikely star for a romance, but I absolutely love this romantic comedy. Gervais plays Bertram, a very rude dentist and Tea Leoni plays Gwen, an archeologist. After Gervais accidentally dies & is revived during a routine colonoscopy, he sees dead people and they see him. He tries hiding, but he's stuck helping them with their unresolved issues. Gwen is a widow with a broken heart. I refuse to ruin the plot so you'll just have to watch the movie to find out what happens.

This movie fits right in the tradition of New York City romances. I loved the setting, the story and the actors. It's witty & fun.

- Holly

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria

First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria: How a Peace Corps Poster Boy Won My Heart and a Third World Adventure Changed My Life
by Eve Brown-Waite

Available through CLEVNET, First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria is Eve Brown-Waite's account of her time in the Peace Corps in Ecuador in the late 1980s and then in Uganda, as wife of a CARE worker, in the mid-1990s. The title is a bit misleading - it was the author who worked hard to win the heart of her Peace Corps recruiter, including signing up for the Peace Corps! Her writing is fresh and funny and I learned a lot about life in Uganda.

- Linda

Monday, July 20, 2009

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder
by Rebecca Wells

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder is the story of Calla Lily, a small town Louisiana beautician. The tale of Calla's life is told with the warmth and humor that have made Rebecca Wells' other books, including Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya Sisterhood, such a success. Great summer reading!

- Lynn

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Energy of Prayer

The Energy of Prayer : How to Deepen Your Spiritual Practice
by Thich Nhat Hanh

In this concise and powerful book Nhat Hanh discusses prayer from a Buddhist perspective. The book covers why sometimes prayer works while other times it does not. His meditation on the matter is surprisingly real & effective. He concludes with a meditation on the Lord's Prayer.

Thich Nhat Hanh is a Zen master in the spirit of the Dalai Lama. This very short book speaks volumes. It's a profound meditation that provides insight to everyone from any culture or belief.

-Holly

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Skintrade

Skintrade: an Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Novel
by Laurell K. Hamilton

Anita, along with three other U.S. Marshalls, is called to Las Vegas to hunt down a serial killer vampire. Anita finds herself dealing with the Vegas PD and their prejudices. After all, she's a woman, has powers they don't understand, and is living with vampires and shape-shifters. On top of everything else, Anita's powers continue to grow. Her control of them is tested in ways she didn't expect.

Hamilton continues to deliver interesting reads.

-Rochelle