The Cazalets

The Cazalets
DVD - TV Series

The story evolves around the Cazalet siblings Hugh, Edward, Rupert and Rachel. Rachel is considered a spinster and still lives with their parents. The brothers have families of their own and the responsibility of running the family business.

England is on the brink of war with Germany so the Cazalets retreat to the family’s country estate. While Edward’s family is in the country, he takes full advantage of the situation and continues having affairs. His wife doesn’t have a clue but his daughter knows. Hugh loves his family and is very happily married but tragedy strikes. Rupert’s first wife died and he remarried. His son and daughter despise their stepmother. And . . . Rachel loves another woman!

The Cazalets is an excellent Masterpiece Theater family saga.

- Rose

Provenance

Provenance

by Laney Salisbury & Aly Sujo

This is the story of a con man who scammed the art world in the 1990's. It is a very well done true - crime story, an enjoyable read that sheds a lot of light on the world of fine art. This nonfiction book reads like fiction and is a real page turner. The story of John Drewe, the man behind the scam is extraordinary. His swindle resulted in over 200 forged paintings being verified by authorities as real, and many of them sold at auctions for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Very interesting and well written, it is a wonderful book that I could not put down.

- Kathy

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much

The Man who Loved Books too much
by Allison Hoover Bartlett

John Gilkey is an accomplished book thief - he has stolen over $100,000 worth of rare first editions. Ken Sanders is a Salt Lake City book dealer who makes it his mission to catch John in the act. Allison Hoover Bartlett interviews both of the men extensively to learn all about the rare book market.

It was interesting following Allison as she learned what drove both men - their shared passion for rare books. She evens follows John on a book heist to see how its done. I recommend this book for its insight into literary obsession.

-Holly

Viola in Reel Life

Viola in Reel Life
by Adriana Trigiani

This is Trigiani's first novel for young people. I enjoyed both the story and her writing. Viola, a Brooklyn born and raised teen, ends up in boarding school in the middle of nowhere Indiana for a year while her parents are out of the country. It is the story of Viola's coping and growing, both in her film-making and in her friendship-making. I would be curious to know what teens think of this novel. I thought the girls were a bit emotionally mature for high school freshmen but what do I know? I need some teens to read this book and tell me what they think.

-Linda

Christmas Tale

Christmas Tale
(DVD - French with English Subtitles)

Catherine Deneuve stars as Junon, matriarch of the troubled Vuillard family. The family gathers at Christmas after Junon discovers she needs a bone marrow transplant from a family member. However, a family holiday with the Vuillard family is no ordinary gathering.

I loved this French Christmas film. It's funny, sad, dramatic, emotional & unpredictable. In other words - very French.
-Holly

Southern Lights

Southern Lights
by Danielle Steel

Alexa Hamilton is divorced and lives a comfortable life in New York with her daughter, Savannah. Alexa is also the Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan and recently was assigned a murder case. That is when their lives turned upside down. Savannah started receiving anonymous notes and Alexa believes they are from the serial killer she is trying to convict. In order to keep her daughter safe, Alexa asks her ex-husband if Savannah can stay with him in Charleston. Savannah is uprooted to another place and culture during her senior year, she must deal with a nasty stepmother, and reacquaint herself with a grandmother who she has not heard from in years. Alexa visits Savannah in Charleston, and during these visits, has to deal with the hurt and anger she has carried all these years. Both mother and daughter must learn to cope with their separation, southern hospitality, and cultural differences.

Excellent novel!

- Rose

Ladies of the Lake

Ladies of the Lake
by Haywood Smith

The Barrett sisters, Dahlia, Violet, Iris, and Rose recently learn their grandmother, Cissy Howell, passed away and they inherited Hilltop Lodge at Lake Clare. But, the inheritance came with one stipulation - they have to live together at the lodge for three months. You would think this would be a simple request since they are sisters. Wrong! Dahlia and Iris have been bickering since they were little while Violet and Rose have been the peacemakers.

Learn about the family’s past, the “skeletons” the sisters find while cleaning the root cellar, and if Dahlia and Iris ever settle their differences.

- Rose

The Dead Man

The Dead Man
by Joel Goldman

This is the second installment of Joel Goldman's Jack Davis series. Jack is a "retired" FBI agent - he was forced to leave the bureau due to a severe movement disorder that momentarily paralyzes him and makes him twitch. In this episode, he reluctantly takes a job as security director for billionaire Milo Harper's dream research institute. Subjects in a dream study begin dying in exactly the same way they did in the nightmares that were being studied. Jack's efforts to catch this brutal serial killer get tied up with his personal life and his former life on the job with the FBI. Shakedown is the first title in this series. I enjoyed them both.

- Linda

Netherland

Netherland

by Joseph O'Neill

Hans, a banker from Holland, lives in New York City just after 9/11. His wife has taken their son back to England, her homeland. Adopted by his fellow cricket players, Hans gets drawn into the world of Chuck Ramkissoon. Chuck is a small time dreamer & gangster with high hopes for cricket in NYC.

This immigrant tale has been compared to The Great Gatsby because of its elegant prose. It's lovely with wit and bite. I recommend it highly.

-Holly

The Housekeeper and the Professor

The Housekeeper and the Professor
By Yoko Ogawa

This book was recommended to me by my sister-in-law. After she read it, she thought to herself 'Who do I know that would enjoy this book?' I am so glad she thought of me. I have never read anything like this book. Besides being delightful, it forces you to think about many things that that probably never occurred to you to consider. The fragility of the human mind is not often considered in our day to day thoughts, it may be after reading this novel.

I think you will agree with me after you read this highly enjoyable, original, charming book.

- Beckie

Sworn to Silence

Sworn to Silence
by Linda Castillo

Set in an Amish community in Ohio , this book is an excellent fast paced crime drama/thriller featuring a female cop. The author starts the book off with a nasty homicide and the pace never slows down from there. A serial killer is loose in a peaceful Amish community, and the chief of police, Kate Burkholder must work quickly to find the killer.
I highly recommend this book for suspense, crime drama, and just enough romance to keep it interesting without distracting from the mystery.

- Kathy S.

There Goes the Bride

There Goes the Bride
By M. C. Beaton

Agatha Raisin takes time away from her successful detective agency in the Cotswolds to attend the wedding of her ex-husband, James Lacey, to the beautiful Felicity Bross-Tilkington. Felicity is murdered before she can say "I do", and Agatha is named the prime suspect! Read this fun and cunningly plotted mystery to find out how Agatha and her sleuthing sidekick, Toni, clear her name.

- Ann

Homer’s Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or, How I Learned About Love and Life From a Blind Wonder Cat

Homer’s Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or, How I Learned About Love and Life From a Blind Wonder Cat
By Gwen Cooper

If the title doesn’t get your attention then this book surely will. I have to admit that the beginning of the book was hard for me to read, very sad and I don’t really like to cry through an entire book. I was doubtful that I would be able to finish. Well, obviously I did, and I am very glad that I did. What a great book!!! If you have read my blogs before you will know that I never really tell much about the book; I never want to spoil it for you, and the same is true here. If you hate cats, don’t bother reading this, you just won’t get it. But, if you like cats at all, then you are going to truly find this book one of the best you have ever read.

- Beckie

206 Bones

206 Bones
by Kathy Reichs

Forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (who, in the novels, is nothing like the character on the TV show "Bones") is accused by a wealthy Chicago family of botching an autopsy. After defending herself against this charge, she goes back to work in Montreal, where other inexplicable mistakes begin happening with other cases she is working. Temperance's on again/off again romance with Detective Ryan is off again. She begins to doubt herself and her forensic abilities in the midst of an investigation into the horrific murders of four older women in Quebec. Is she losing it or is she being betrayed by someone close to her? I thought this a worthy addition to the series.

- Linda

Hothouse Orchid

Hothouse Orchid
by Stuart Woods

Holly Barker, a rising CIA officer, is sent home to Florida for vacation. There she is assaulted and jumps into the case with both feet.

Woods delivers his usual fast-paced suspense - Holly Barker fans will enjoy this latest romp.

- Rochelle