Cat Sitter on a Hot Tin Roof

Cat Sitter on a Hot Tin Roof
by Blaize Clement

This is the fourth in the series of Dixie Hemingway mysteries which take place on Siesta Key, the barrier island just off Sarasota, Florida. Dixie is a former Sarasota County deputy sheriff who has an understandable breakdown after her husband and small daughter are killed. She's now a pet-sitter - a seemingly gentle, no-stress occupation. Unfortunately, she keeps finding dead bodies on Siesta Key! Though Dixie tries to cooperate with the police, especially hunky Detective Guidry, sometimes she just knows that her way is the right way, even when the right way puts her in danger. I think the mysteries keep improving as the series goes along. Dixie is a very likable character and conscientious pet-sitter. My mother lives on Siesta Key so it's fun for me to read about places I know so well.

- Linda

The Law of Attraction Plain and Simple

The Law of Attraction Plain and Simple: Create the Extraordinary Life that You Deserve
by Sonia Ricotti

This is a short & simple book about how to attract the life you want through positive thoughts & beliefs. In very clear terms she presents the 11 steps to clearing the way to manifesting your dreams.

The bottom line is that we choose our thoughts & feelings. By making a choice to be positive, we are creating a positive life. This book is for anyone who enjoyed the film What the Bleep Do We Know or the book & movie The Secret.

-Holly

Very Valentine

Very Valentine
by Adriana Trigiani

Valentine Roncalli is thirty-three, single, and lives with her eighty-year old grandmother in an apartment in Greenwich Village. Her life centers around her family and saving the family’s business, Angelini Shoe Company. In her spare time, Valentine does try to have a relationship with her boyfriend, Roman. They plan to meet for a rendezvous on the Isle of Capri but the unexpected happens and Valentine’s life changes.

The author is an excellent story teller and has a great sense of humor. I can hardly wait for the second part of this trilogy! In the meantime, I highly recommend some of the author’s other books: Lucia Lucia, The Queen of the Big Time, Rococo, or the Big Stone Gap series.

- Rose

Young@Heart

Young @ Heart
DVD

This documentary follows the musical group Young@Heart as they rehearse for a big show in their hometown. The average age of the group members is over 70, and they sing rock songs. Their musical selections include songs by Coldplay, James Brown, and The Clash. The BeeGee's Staying Alive takes on a whole new meaning when sung by a man carrying a container of oxygen. I cried when they sang Forever Young.

This movie shows how fun life can be if we stay open to new ideas, and keep active. The attitude, passion, and talent of this group of seniors is inspiring. Fantastic!

- Kathy S

Heart and Soul

Heart and Soul
by Maeve Binchy

Maeve Binchy's newest book, Heart and Soul, is filled with her usual wonderful characters; some new, and some familiar to readers from her other books. Written with her usual warmth and humor, Heart and Soul tells the story of Dr. Clara Casey, who is given the thankless task of establishing an underfunded cardiology clinic. Added into the mix are two difficult adult daughters and a needy ex-husband.

This is one of Maeve Binchy's better books - I was sorry to see it end.

- Lynn

The Visitor

The Visitor
DVD

Starring Richard Jenkins, (Six Feet Under), The Visitor tells the story of a recently widowed professor, Walter, whose grief has caused him to struggle with his everyday life. Visiting the NYC apartment that he rarely uses, Walter is surprised to find a young couple living there. His life is changed forever through the new friendship he makes with the illegal immigrant couple. Walter's life becomes whole when he steps in to help his new friends when they find themselves in trouble with the law.

This movie is an unexpected gem. We both enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

- Dixie & Kathy

Dog Days

Dog Days
by Jon Katz

Jon Katz is back this time with another great chronicle of modern day rural life. His farm, Bedlam Farm, located in upstate New York, is full of unpredictable adventures thanks to his two Border Collies, Rose & Izzy, two Labrador retrievers, Pearl & Clementine, donkeys, sheep, chickens, a ram, and Elvis, the 2,000+ pound steer. In between animal escapades, Jon manages to write and oversee renovations on his barns, make endless trips to the vet, and, if time permits, squeeze in some physical therapy sessions for his bad back. A must read for all animal lovers!

- Ann

Flying: Confessions of a Free Woman

Flying: Confessions of a Free Woman
(DVD)

Jennifer Fox is a documentary filmmaker who turns the camera on herself and her friends to explore what it means to be a woman in our modern era. Her travels take her to England, South Africa, Pakistan & India. The six hours of footage are broken down into 6 episodes that are equal parts soap opera & reality TV.

Jennifer ponders who she wants to spend the rest of her life with as well as the sudden urge to have a baby. In the midst of her journey, we get the perspective of different cultures and generations. This is a thinking persons documentary about life, love and the pursuit of happiness.

-Holly

Cosmic!: The Ultimate 3D Guide to the Universe

Cosmic! The Ultimate 3-D Guide to the Universe
By Giles Sparrow

Even though this book was written for children, I found it interesting and enjoyed the pop-up illustrations as well as the explanations of the cosmic universe. The author, artists, and paper engineers did an outstanding job explaining and illustrating the solar system, formation of a star, the sun’s layers, planets, solar system, and much more. The book would be an excellent teaching tool for the classroom.

- Rose