Chasing Fire

Chasing Fire
by Nora Roberts

This is the first of Nora Roberts' romantic suspense novels that I've tried. I did guess "who done it" early on in the book, which I'm usually terrible at doing . . . so maybe that says something. The reason for the recommendation is the subject: smokejumpers in Montana, the "Zulies" who risk life and limb fighting giant forest fires. The author gives the reader a real feel for the equipment, fire-fighting procedures and life on the base. I liked the heroine, Rowan Tripp. She's tough, fearless and yet compassionate and willing to accept others' opinions. I found this an enjoyable, even if not a terribly suspenseful, read.

- Linda

See You in a Hundred Years: Four Seasons in Forgotten America

See You in a Hundred Years: Four Seasons in Forgotten America
by Logan Ward

Disillusioned by city life in New York City, Logan Ward and his wife Heather pull their young son out of daycare and literally "head for the hills" of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, specifically the farming community of Swoope.

The Wards recreate the year of 1900 on their farm, adopting strict rules that limit them to only the tools that were available at the turn of the century. You will read about their struggles (irritable livestock and a plague of garden pests) in the midst of living without a phone, car, computer, etc. The reader will also see how this couple reclaim their lives from our fast-paced, materialistic society and in the process rebuild their fractured marriage and find what they didn't know they were looking for - community. An excellent read!

- Ann

Angel's Rest

Angel's Rest
by Emily March

Angel's Rest by Emily March (An Eternity Springs Novel) starts a series that Debbie Macomber fans should enjoy.


- Rochelle

Home to Woefield

Home to Woefield
by Susan Juby

This is such a fun read! Prudence leaves her life in New York City when she inherits a rundown farm located on an island off the coast of Canada. She befriends a group of quirky, endearing characters, and together they must learn to work together to make the farm a success. The group's misadventures are humorous indeed. It takes a lot to make me laugh out loud while reading, but this book had me chuckling all the way through.

This is a quick, fun read - take it on vacation this summer!

- Kathy

A Way in the Wilderness

A Way in the Wilderness
by Elizabeth Wagler

The Waglers, and Amish family, tell their story of financial struggle as they raise their large family and try to stay out of debt, unlike so many of their neighbors, who are deep in debt and despair. They come up with some creative solutions to earning a living, which I found interesting.

- Ann

Black Swan

Black Swan
(DVD)

Nina would like the part of the Swan Queen in the ballet production of the Black Swan but does not make it. She persuades the director of the ballet she can dance the parts of both good and evil swans. He has his doubts but gives her the opportunity to prove he is wrong.

This movie starts out at a slow pace then crescendos into action. You will sit-at-the-edge of your seat as an emotionally unstable Nina struggles to be the perfect ballerina and fights personal demons that push her to the edge.

Even though this movie is based on Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake ballet and uses the music as background, it was not produced for relaxation, but for drama and suspense. Black Swan does contain graphic and violent scenes.

- Rose

Inside WikiLeaks: My Time with Julian Assange at the World's Most Dangerous Website

Inside Wikileaks

by Daniel Domscheit-Berg

Daniel Domscheit-Berg met Julian Assange in December 2007. In short time, he became the Wikileaks spokesperson as well as a content manager. His account of the quick & controversial rise to power of Assange is very interesting. With important secret documents being posted on their website daily, Daniel writes candidly about moral dilemmas facing the WikiLeaks team. Their travels throughout Europe and their overwhelming workload creates stress that inevitably fractures their team.

This book provides real insight into the European hacker world. From Julian's ego to the nomadic life they all had to assume, I really enjoyed the inside scoop. I recommend it to everyone who followed the WikiLeaks headlines.

- Holly

Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin
(DVD)

First let me say that as soon as this movie was over I wanted to watch it again. It is that good.

This is the amazing true story of Temple Grandin, an autistic professor. Claire Danes plays the title role and does a great job of portraying just how challenging every part of life could be for someone with autism.

Contrary to the doctor’s suggestion, Temple’s mother refuses to institutionalize her when she is diagnosed with autism. Through determination and love from her mother, aunt, and a special teacher, Temple learns to adapt to situations that are confusing and terrifying concepts to her.

The movie does a great job showing Temple’s strengths and weaknesses and the reaction of the people around her. In the movie, her mother is quoted as saying “she is different, not less”. That sums it up beautifully.

My words can’t do justice to this film so I say:

Check it out and pay attention.

- Dixie

Minding Frankie

Minding Frankie
by Maeve Binchy

Noel is a drunk and bored with his job. He still lives with his parents but the family relationship is strained. One day, Noel receives a phone call at work from an old flame, Stella Dixon. She wants him to visit her at the hospital. He remembered she was fun and could match him drink for drink. But, the Stella in the hospital ward was very pregnant and dying of cancer. Then she delivers the shocking news, he is the father and Stella wants him to raise the child.

Noel, with the help of his cousin Emily, tries to turn his life around and takes responsibility of raising his daughter, Frankie. Moira, the social worker wants to take the baby away from Noel and constantly checks up on him. The community, even his parents, rally around him and help to take care of Frankie and shield them from the relentless and unyielding social worker.

With all the family and community support given to Noel, will he be able to remain sober, and most important, keep Frankie?

- Rose

Secretariat

Secretariat
DVD

Disney does it again with a real winner – Secretariat – probably the most well-known thoroughbred horse ever. This is the true story of an incredible horse and how he became a legend. Penny Chenery is the housewife who believed in him and risked everything to make sure he became a champion. This is a movie the whole family will enjoy. Rated G. Watch the bonus features for footage of the actual races and commentary by Ms. Chenery and others who knew this remarkable horse.

Check out some books for more information on Secretariat:

Secretariat by William Nack

The Story of Secretariat and the Loyal Groom Who Loved Him by Lawrence Scanlan

- Dixie

On, Off

On, Off
by Colleen McCullough

Most people would associate McCullough with the The Thornbirds or her series about the Roman empire. She has switched genres and is penning suspense novels.

This book is set in the 1960s before forensic science and DNA identification had exploded onto the scene. Profiling by the FBI and the phrase "serial killer" were not part of the culture. Teenage girls of a certain age and type disappeared. McCullough kept the pace going and finished with one fascinating ending.

I can't wait to start the next one.

- Rochelle

The King is Dead

The King is Dead

by the Decemberists

The Decemberists are bright, talented and whimsical. Describing their music is tricky. They are a band that transcends folk/indie or pop/rock categories.

"January Hymn" is nothing short of sweet & "Calamity Song" is very good road song. They are my new favorite band & I could listen to "The King is Dead" all day. If you are tired of the same old, give them a try.

- Holly

Bird Cloud

Bird Cloud
by Annie Proulx

Annie Proulx fell in love with and purchased a section of land (640 acres or one square mile) in Wyoming. This section is 7000 feet above sea level where hurricane force winds and giant snow drifts in winter are routine. She chose this spot as the site for her "dream house", and set to work designing and building a home that would both settle in harmony with the land as well as meet her needs and desires. A more difficult task than initially anticipated, this attempt to make her dream house a reality is the focus of Proulx's book.

There is something of interest for everyone here as the author describes the designing and building of her home, her observations about the wildlife, archaeology and natural history of the region. At times Bird Cloud seems to ramble along with no central theme, but it can be described as a book of many little stories joined by the common thread of the story of the land and the author's determination to create her own place where she could live in harmony with her land and nature.

- Kathy S

One Week

One Week (DVD)

Ben Tyler discovers he has stage four cancer 3 months before his wedding. He impulsively buys a vintage motorcycle and travels from Toronto to Vancouver. In his search for the meaning of life, he impacts the lives of others.

This movie is a lovely homage to Canada. The beautiful landscape & the fantastic music make this movie memorable. I found "One Week" a nice surprise. I highly recommend this hidden gem.

-Holly

An Amish Christmas

An Amish Christmas
by Cynthia Keller

Follow Meg Hobart and her family as they go from being rich and successful in Charlotte, North Carolina to being penniless and homeless, brought on by her husband's bad decisions and lies.

Forced to go live with Meg's parents, they head north with only the shirts on their backs, when a frightening twist of fate forces the Hobarts to take refuge with a kind Amish family in Pennsylvania.

I highly recommend this holiday story, where forgiveness, hard work, and the power of love overcome a desperate situation.

- Ann