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