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

Hannah's Dream

Hannah's Dream
by Diane Hammond

Hannah's Dream is the story of love between an aging elephant and her aging handler. Sam needs to retire but knows Hannah will die without him, until he is convinced to help Hannah find a home in an elephant sanctuary.

Hannah's Dream is an irresistible story, beautifully told with humor and warmth.

- Lynn

Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl

Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl
By Stacey O’Brien

Stacey O’Brien adopted Wesley, a 4-day-old barn owl, and dedicated the next 19 years to keeping him safe and studying him. As she says in the book she was “smitten beyond reason”. Stacey got to know this owl with a combination of scientific understanding and rare emotional intensity, and the result is unforgettable. Anyone who loves human-animal stories is sure to enjoy this one.

- Dixie

Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove Cookbook

Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove Cookbook
by Debbie Macomber

This cookbook is different and unique in the way the recipes are presented. One of the characters from the Cedar Cove series, Charlotte Jefferson Rhodes, introduces family and friends at the beginning of each section then lists recipes shared along with helpful suggestions. The recipes looked so delicious and easy that I could not resist trying one and went straight to the Dessert section. My choice was the Chocolate Zucchini Cake. It tasted so good! This cookbook is definitely being added to my holiday wish list.

- Rose

Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie

Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie
By Richard Hack

If you are a fan of mysteries, you'll enjoy reading about the life and turbulent times of Agatha Christie, the most popular novelist in history. She has written 95 books and sold 2 billion copies worldwide. It was interesting to read how events in her personal life were fictionalized and incorporated into her writing of mysteries. Read about her bizarre 11-day disappearance in 1926 that has never been explained. That's a fact, not fiction!

- Ann

The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women & a Forty-Year Friendship

The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women & a Forty-Year Friendship
By Jeffrey Zaslow

A true story about eleven childhood friends from Ames, Iowa. These girls built an extraordinary friendship and managed to maintain it throughout the years. They share their story with Jeffrey Zaslow, a Wall Street Journal columnist and the coauthor of The Last Lecture.

The girls have a lifetime of memories in common and stories of how their friendship has endured through “college and careers, marriage and motherhood, dating and divorce, a child’s illness, and the mysterious death of one member of the group.”

I laughed and cried and thought about my own friends. I couldn’t put it down.

- Dixie

Horse Crazy! 1,001 Fun Facts, Craft Projects, Games, Activities, and Know-How for Horse-Loving Kids

Horse Crazy!
1,001 Fun Facts, Craft Projects, Games, Activities, and Know-How for Horse-Loving Kids
by Jessie Haas

Does your child want a horse but, at the present, a horse does not fit in with the family’s lifestyle or pocketbook? This book may solve your problem. It contains lists of horse-related books to read and movies to watch, crafts for different ages, equine careers, interviews with people involved with horses, jokes, educational facts, famous horses, and much more. There’s even a section on going green with horses! Any child who loves horses will enjoy this book

- Rose

Gooseberry Patch All Through the Seasons: Recipes & Crafts

Gooseberry Patch All Through the Seasons
Recipes & Crafts

A real feast for the eyes and the stomach! Color photos of most of the recipes – this is a biggie for me, as I am not going to try something unless I see a picture of it first. I like the recipes in this book because they are not too involved. Just a few ingredients and a couple simple steps and viola! – something yummy to serve. I started to copy recipes and decided I want too many of them so this book went on my Christmas list. It is full of craft ideas (with patterns and instructions), menus, and entertaining tips.

- Dixie

City of Thieves

City of Thieves
by David Benioff

The City of Thieves is a terrific read. The main characters are engaging, and the story is action-packed. This novel takes on the grim topic of the Germans' siege of Leningrad during World War II. The author does a beautiful job of describing that difficult time by weaving the story around a tale of two young men who are given a chance to save their lives by finding a dozen eggs for a Soviet commander. Their "adventure" is both funny and tragic, but you will love these two young men. They show the power of the human spirit.

- Kathy

Catching Fire

Catching Fire
by Suzanne Collins

This is the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy. Please refer to my 11-14-08 posting to read about The Hunger Games - which you must read first! The sequel is fantastic, with Katniss now home in District 12. Slowly she begins to realize that all is not as it seems in Panem. She knows she has angered her government and fears for the lives of her loved ones. Security is cracking down in her district and it is hard for her to know whom to trust. Then, the unthinkable happens. Katniss’ character has become more cynical but she is still strong, both mentally and physically. The plot is again full of twists and turns and is another terrific read. It will be hard for me to wait for the next book!

- Linda

Courting Trouble

Courting Trouble
By Lisa Scottoline

In my last blog entry I mentioned the current Lisa Scottoline novel that I was in the process of reading: Courting Trouble. In the book Lisa's story is about a young female lawyer that has moved to Philadelphia to start her life over. Unfortunately trouble has followed her to her new home. Lisa Scottoline always keeps the plotline moving with perfectly placed twists and turns. I plan on reading all of her novels and have enjoyed every one so far.

- Beckie

Eco Barons

Eco Barons
by Edward Humes

This is a wonderful book full of interesting and inspiring stories of people of our generation giving their all to save our planet. The peoples lives are fascinating, and their efforts for the environment are remarkable. A truly uplifting book that proves that one determined person can make a difference in the world.

- Kathy

Dirty Blonde

Dirty Blonde
by Lisa Scottoline

I have recently discovered the author Lisa Scottoline. What an impressive author! She has written over 15 books and I have had the pleasure of experiencing three of them so far; Look Again, Dirty Blonde, and am now enjoying Courting Trouble.

So far (and I believe that it is true for all her books) her books have taken place in Philadelphia and have to do with lawyers. The three listed above are all quite different and I am going to focus this blog on Dirty Blonde.

In Dirty Blonde, a relatively new Federal Court Judge, Cate Fante, has a very unusual (for a judge) private life that gets her into some trouble with the court. So much trouble in fact that she loses her job. Apparently Federal Judges are appointed for life and job loss just doesn’t happen. I never like to give too much away in a blog, but something that I have noticed about Lisa Scottoline’s writing is that she always has a good twist that you don’t see coming. The “twist” in Dirty Blonde is the “who done it”. You don’t know until the very end.

I truly feel that you will enjoy Lisa Scottoline as much as I have. I plan on continuing reading and will blog about other titles.

- Beckie

The Pig Did It

The Pig Did It
by Joseph Caldwell

An odd combination of murder mystery, romance, and farce, Joseph Caldwell's The Pig Did It is fun to read. The protagonist Aaron McCloud returns to Ireland from New York City hoping to recover from a failed romance only to find himself trailed by a pig everywhere he goes. When the pig digs up a human skeleton in Aaron's Aunt Kitty's backyard, the fun begins.

Readers will be sure to appreciate the poetic descriptions of an angry sea, an Irish pub, and the Irish countryside that permeate the entertaining storyline in this lighthearted mystery.

- Kathy

Benny & Shrimp

Benny & Shrimp
by Katarina Mazetti

Benny & Shrimp is the charming story of love between two unlikely thirty-something misfits. Witty and offbeat, a quick read. Sure to be a favorite!

- Lynn

Finger Lickin' Fifteen

Finger Lickin’ Fifteen
by Janet Evanovich

This novel is one of the funniest Stephanie Plum series the author has written. For those of you unfamiliar with this series, Stephanie Plum is a bounty hunter for her cousin, Vincent Plum. Often she takes the “office clerk” Lulu with her when working on a case and once in while Stephanie’s Grandma Mazur will participate. In this sequel, the three of them get involved in a case when a famous chef comes to town for a BBQ contest and Lulu witnesses his killing. The killers are trying to find Lulu and she wants to capture them for the million dollar reward. She gets Stephanie to help her, and of course, Grandma Mazur goes along for the ride. When the three of them work together, nothing goes as planned.

- Rose

She's in a Better Place

She’s in a Better Place
(The Fairlawn Series, #3)
by Angela Hunt

Jennifer Graham is raising her two boys, studying for her big exams and running the Fairlawn Funeral Home. When her mentor reveals that he is seriously ill, Jen discovers that he and his only child haven’t spoken in years. She decides to hurry along a reconciliation between them. A tender tale. A thoroughly enjoyable series.

- Dixie

She Always Wore Red

She Always Wore Red
(The Fairlawn Series, #2)
by Angela Hunt

Jennifer Graham and her boys are trying to fit into their new community and life at the Fairlawn Funeral Home. Jennifer makes a much needed friend when she meets McLane Larson. When McLane reveals that she is carrying her husband’s baby, Jen promises to stand by her. This proves to be a huge test of their relationship and Jen finds out just how deep their ties really go! I really like this series.

- Dixie

Doesn't She Look Natural?

Doesn't She Look Natural?
(The Fairlawn Series, #1)
by Angela Hunt

Jennifer Graham quits her job after her divorce and has to live with her mother. She learns that she has inherited some real estate in a small town in Florida. Great! Money to start her new life! She heads to Florida fully intending to sell and get on with life. What a surprise to find out that she is the owner of a funeral home. It is in no shape to sell so she settles in to fix it up. Little does she know that some of life’s mysteries will be made clear living in a funeral home. Very enjoyable.

- Dixie

The Ever-Blooming Flower Garden

The Ever-Blooming Flower Garden
by Lee Schneller

If you want flowers blooming continually in your garden, this is the book for you. Plants’ habits are explained as well as color combinations, which plants work best in the garden, amending soil, and improving an existing bed. The book gives step-by-step instructions how to plan a garden using a chart system. This method will help determine how many plants are needed for your garden, placement of plants, and assist with planning eye-appealing color combinations. Visual aids such as photos and graphs make this book an excellent resource for any gardener.

- Rose

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

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

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

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

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

Summer on Blossom Street

Summer on Blossom Street
by Debbie Macomber

While the story centers around Lydia Goetz’s knitting shop and her new class, Knit to Quit, the readers are brought up-to-date on the other families on Blossom Street. Newcomers on the block: Phoebe, Hutch, Casey, Tim, Mel, and Clark are introduced into the neighborhood as their personal lives are revealed.

I could hardly wait to read Summer on Blossom Street; and, as always, Debbie Macomber did not disappoint me. An excellent summer read!

- Rose

The Woods

The Woods
by Harlan Coben

Coben leaves behind his usual main character of Myron Bolitar to construct a tight suspense that leaves you guessing until the last chapters.

Twenty years ago when Paul Copeland was a teenage counselor at a summer camp, four teens were killed, one of them his sister. Now as a prosecutor in a rape case, a defendant's parent tries to dig up dirt on Paul to persuade Paul to drop the charges. They start looking into this episode in Paul's life and the effect is explosive.

- Rochelle

Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing

Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing
by Kathy Cano-Murillo

I love colorful things so I had to check this book out. There are 30 projects ranging from beginner to difficult with full color photos, templates and resource lists. Using garage sale finds or “it's been in the closet awhile” items, these projects show how to “re-purpose” (or should I say recycle?) things you already have around the house. Sections include: Power Purses, Wondrous Wearables and Embrace Your Space. The book has many sewing tips and funny stories too. Even if you don’t have the time to do one of these projects, check this book out and enjoy it!

- Dixie

The Deepest Cut

The Deepest Cut
by Dianne Emley

This is the third in the trilogy about Pasadena Police Department detective Nan Vining, who was brutally attacked and left for dead by a deranged and cunning unknown man. Nan and her teen daughter Emily have dubbed him "T.B. Mann" for "the bad man." As Nan struggles to get her career and life back on her terms, she obsessively takes the investigation of her attack into her own hands. I liked how the author puts the reader inside Nan's head and especially liked Nan's emotional and physical strength. Read these in order: The First Cut, Cut to the Quick, and then The Deepest Cut. Though not for the squeamish, they are well-written suspense novels with a little romance thrown in.

-Linda

Wintergirls

Wintergirls
by Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson has written a gripping book about the downward spiral of anorexia and the agonizing path to recovery. Like her book Speak, I found Wintergirls impossible to put down - recommended for both teens and adults.

- Lynn

Lavender Morning

Lavender Morning
by Jude Deveraux

Jocelyn Minton was five years old when her mother passed away. Her father remarried and Jocelyn gained a stepmother and identical twin step sisters, which she often referred to as the “Steps.” Joce didn’t have anything in common with her father or the Steps and became friends with Miss Edilean Harcourt, who was like a grandmother to her. When Miss Harcourt passed away, she left everything to Joce, including a house in Edilean, Virginia. When Joce moves to Edilean, not only does she become interested in two men who are cousins, but learns Miss Harcourt had secrets she never shared with Joce.

This is the first book in the Edilean series by Jude Deveraux and is cleverly written with a little mystery and a touch of humor. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

- Rose

Dead & Gone

Dead & Gone
by Charlaine Harris

Sookie Stackhouse is at it again. Her sister-in-law is found dead, nailed to a cross at the bar where she works. Did her brother do it? The fairies are at war - who will win out? Eric is struggling to keep his position as sheriff and Sookie gets dragged in. Typical Bon Temps activities!

- Rochelle

The Family Man

The Family Man
by Elinor Lipman

Elinor Lipman is a terrific writer of comedy and character. The Family Man centers upon Henry Archer, a retired New York City attorney, who is quite wealthy and quite lonely. By a quirk of fate, he is reunited with his former step-daughter Thalia. Thalia is a free-spirit actress trying for a break and she and Henry re-bond in hilarious circumstances. This is a heart-warming, well-written and witty tale with characters you will love.

- Linda

The All-New Illustrated Guide to Gardening

The All-New Illustrated Guide to Gardening
by Reader’s Digest and Edited by Fern Marshall Bradley and Trevor Cole

An excellent resource book that gives detailed information regarding the growing and caring for flowers, trees, shrubs, veggies, and fruit as well as maintaining rock and water gardens. There are illustrations and photos for all types of plant disorders as well as simple instructions for pruning, training, trimming, and propagating. This book has a wealth of information that is too numerous to list and I highly recommend it to any one interested in gardening or landscaping.

- Rose

Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure

Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure
by Matthew Algeo

In the summer of 1953, Harry and Bess Truman packed their bags and got in the car for a 3 week road trip. No press, no secret service, just the two of them enjoying their vacation together. Harry drove, Bess navigated and watched Harry's speed. (He was a bit of a leadfoot.)

This is an entertaining story. You get the full account of the road trip, life in the '50s, and a look at Harry Truman's unique personality. The book is full of interesting bits of history and trivia.

- Kathy

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs
by Molly Harper

I know vampire tales are a dime a dozen but this one is about a CHILDREN'S LIBRARIAN who gets turned into a vampire. I just had to read it! It was a hoot and also somewhat thought-provoking in that vampires in the United States have just been granted civil rights. Anti-vampire prejudice abounds. But, the local WalMart, open all night, has a large vampire aisle! If you like Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, you definitely will enjoy smart and sassy Jane Jameson as she tries hard to adjust to being newly undead.

- Linda

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

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

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

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