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

The Secret Life of Your Cat

The Secret Life of Your Cat
by Vicky Halls

I love the photo on the cover of this book and honestly that's why I took it out. (I admit it - sometimes I just look at the pictures!) I read this book from cover to cover and learned some things about my two cats. If you are a cat lover check this book out. And if you just look at the pictures I won't tell.

- Dixie

Maybe This Time

Maybe This Time
by Jennifer Crusie

This is the first time I've tried a Jennifer Crusie novel and have to say it was very entertaining. This one is a romance-y, ghost-y story. Andie Miller is asked by her ex-husband to venture down to southern Ohio to take care of his two orphaned wards in a rambling, falling-down house in the middle of nowhere. And the house has . . . ghosts! Are they real? Is the housekeeper really sinister?

Do Andie and North end up falling back in love? Of course. And yes, they come to love the children. But the seance scene rivals any of the best screwball comedies of the 1930s. It is laugh-out-loud funny. Predictable? Yes. Fun? Definitely.

- Linda

An Irish Country Courtship

An Irish Country Courtship
by Patrick Taylor

Here we are again at 1, Main Street, Ballybucklebo, Northern Ireland visiting with Doctors Fingal O’Reilly and Barry Laverty and their faithful housekeeper, Kinky Kincaid. In this sequel, Cupid decides to pay a visit to both doctors. Dr. O’Reilly finds himself becoming interested in his college sweetheart, Kitty O’ Hallorhan; and, Dr. Laverty is in love with Patricia Spence. In the meantime, a rift develops between Kinky and Kitty, and Dr. O’Reilly needs to solve this problem.

Even though the doctors have their own personal problems, they never turn their backs on anyone from the village seeking their assistance or advice. This time it is a race horse scam and Dr. O’Reilly is determined to get to the bottom of it and involves Dr. Laverty. But Dr. Laverty has his own problems. He likes the villagers and feels at home in Ballybucklebo but is seriously contemplating going into a specialized field.

Will there be changes at 1, Main Street and for the village of Ballybucklebo?

Other great reads by Patrick Taylor: An Irish Country Doctor; An Irish Country Village; An Irish Country Christmas; and An Irish Country Girl.

- Rose

Broken

Broken
by Karin Slaughter

Broken is a crime novel featuring Dr. Sara Linton, widow of Grant County Police Chief Jeffrey Tolliver. Sara, now living in Atlanta four years after her husband's death, comes home for the Thanksgiving holiday and is swept into a murder investigation. A local college coed was murdered and a local teen with developmental disabilities is charged with the murder. The Grant County police department has gone downhill since Jeffrey's death. Sara, who blames Det. Lena Adams for her husband's death and is convinced the police are hiding something, calls in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to take over. Special Agent Will Trent and Sara start to form a bond during the course of the investigation. The characters are well-developed and nuanced and the story moves along nicely.

- Linda

The Williams-Sonoma Baking Book

The Williams-Sonoma Baking Book
General Editor - Chuck Williams

This year, my pick for an excellent holiday dessert cookbook is The Williams-Sonoma Baking Book. There are recipes listed from cookies to tortes and each recipe has a photo of the finished product. Besides baking tips and techniques, the book has a section on pies and tarts, making yeast breads, and frosting cakes with step-by-step photos. In the back of the book, there are charts for substitutions, measuring liquids, frosting amounts, and other helpful facts.

Not only does this cookbook contain new ideas for desserts; but, classic recipes with a new twist. There is Plum Buckle, Ruby Jewel Cookies, easy-to-make Neapolitan Cookies, and delicious Peanut Butter Cookies with a touch of chocolate frosting. Or, try some of the basic recipes such as Coffee Meringue Buttercream, Candied Flowers, or Maple Whipped Cream as an added touch to your own creation.

- Rose

The Last Time I Saw You

The Last Time I Saw You
by Elizabeth Berg

Another reunion story. This book verges on trite, and then Ms. Berg surfaces with a truly touching viewpoint. Written from a multiple character point of view, it was difficult to really hate the bad guys or really love the good guys.

- Sally

Stephen Fry in America

Stephen Fry in America

DVD

Stephen Fry is the quintessential Brit who travels across the US in his little black British taxicab in this BBC documentary. Starting in Maine & ending in Hawaii, he discusses many things American.

It is interesting from beginning to end. I love Stephen Fry and found his observations about us very enlightening. He is an intelligent observer. I could listen to him all day.

-Holly

The Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook: More Than 100 Healthy Recipes for Everyday Snacking

The Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook: More Than 100 Healthy Recipes for Everyday Snacking
by Laura Trice

This time of year, the zucchini and squash blossoms are in abundance so I am always searching for new ways to use them. This cookbook contains some tantalizing recipes: the Squash Blossom Quesadillas, Zucchini Pancakes, or the Zucchini Parmesan Squares. Since it has been unusually warm, you may want to try one of the smoothies or freezer pops for dessert along with a nice cool glass of citrus essence spa water.

What really makes this book unique is not only for the easy recipes, but the author’s suggestions on achieving a better diet and using better ingredients. Just follow the guidelines, “Fantastic Fourteen,” for a list of high-quality ingredients to have in your pantry.

- Rose

The Quickening

The Quickening
by Michelle Hoover

This story tells of the lives of two women living on adjacent farms somewhere in the midwest from 1913 to 1950. Mary and Edinina are neighbors with very different personalities, The Quickening focuses on the reluctant relationship they must form together. Their lives become entwined, often with tragic results.

These memorable characters live a life we today can hardly imagine. They began with very little and worked hard to make a life of some degree of comfort and security. Their setbacks, heartbreak and their rare moments of joy make this book memorable. I finished this book a week ago and I am still thinking about it: this one leaves an impression on you.

- Kathy

One Amazing Thing

One Amazing Thing
by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

When an earthquake devastates the Indian visa and passport office, an unlikely group of companions are stuck together in the collapsed building. To pass the time until rescue, each tells a story from their life; a story of one amazing thing they had each experienced. The fear of death allows them to open up and share personal memories, stories of the twists and turns that life takes, stories of love and suffering and mistakes – demonstrating that deep down, they have more commonalities than differences. As the stories progress it becomes obvious that rescue will be neither swift nor sure. Each person’s ‘one amazing thing’ brings the group together in unexpected ways.

- Sally

Hannah's List

Hannah’s List
by Debbie Macomber

Dr. Michael Everett’s wife, Hannah, passed away a year ago from cancer. The pain of her loss is still deep in his heart and he still misses her. To ease the pain, Michael puts in long hours at the pediatric practice and volunteers at a medical clinic. His brother-in-law, Ritchie, pushes him to start socializing, but Michael just cannot do it. At the anniversary of his sister’s death, Ritchie presents Michael with a letter from her. Hannah wants him to start socializing and lists three women as dating candidates. Of course, he is opposed to this but as Ritchie points out, this was Hannah’s last wish and must be respected.

The story line for Hannah’s List was unusual and the reader is swept away with Michael’s emotions as he embarks on a journey to embrace life.

- Rose

The Cookbook Collector

The Cookbook Collector
by Allegra Goodman

Allegra Goodman has been described as a "modern-day Jane Austen" and this novel is an adaptation of Sense & Sensibility. Emily Bach is a 28 yr old CEO of a software company while her sister, Jessamine, is a 23 yr old philosophy student. Emily is scientific & organized and Jess is passionate & scholarly.

Set in backdrop of Silicon Valley in the 90's, the novel carries through to the sobering reality of 9/11. I absolutely loved the story and didn't want the novel to end. I can't recommend it enough.
-Holly

The Spy Next Door

The Spy Next Door
(DVD)

When Bob Ho becomes the babysitter for his neighbor's wild children, they accidently blow his cover as a spy! The chase is on as Bob fights off the bad guys and tries to keep the kids safe. The story is predictable but Jackie Chan's stunts are highly entertaining. A good family film for all ages.

- Dixie

The Gardener's Color Palette

The Gardener’s Color Palette
by Tom Fischer
with photographs by Clive Nichols

I was drawn to the dazzling colors of the flowers on the cover and the photographs inside are just as spectacular. Not only is it pleasing to the eye, but the contents of this book make it an excellent resource for designing a garden, or if you are thinking about changing the color scheme of an established garden. The flowers are grouped in ten color categories and includes the type of plant, zone, height, bloom time, and lists flowers that compliment each other.

I was not going to purchase more flowers this year, but after paging through The Gardener’s Color Palette . . . who can resist!

Rose

My Boyfriends' Dogs

My Boyfriends' Dogs
by Dandi Daley Mackall

Written for young adults, My Boyfriends' Dogs is the story of Bailey Dailey (who lives on Ukelele Lane), a 16-year-old who desperately wants a boyfriend. She gets one . . . and then another . . . and then another, acquiring their dogs along the way. Bailey has a wonderful relationship with her mom and her best friend Amber, who both try to gently steer her in the right direction as she struggles, with blinders on, through her relationships. A great story for girls who like dogs and boys!

- Linda

This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection

This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection

by Carol Burnett

book-on-cd

I thoroughly enjoyed this book written and read by the wildly funny Carol Burnett. She shares her personal history, her rise in show business and stories about the people she's met along the way. Most of these anecdotes are hilarious (she is a hoot off-stage, too), some are heartbreaking (it's real life!), and all are told in such an easygoing style that you will feel like you just had a chat with your next-door neighbor.

- Dixie

The Imperfectionists

The Imperfectionists
by Tom Rachman

This novel, set in Rome, tells about a struggling international newspaper. Each chapter focuses on a different employee of the paper: the accountant, publisher, copy editor, obituary writer and more. The author does a good job of getting into the heads of his characters, and he captures the quirkiness and eccentricities of the individuals. Each story has its own flavor and rhythm, some are dry and humorous - others poignant and disturbing.

The Imperfectionists is very enjoyable to read. It's short, sharp, and leaves you wanting more. Highly recommended!

- Kathy

The Maiden Heist

The Maiden Heist
DVD

A very funny story about three art museum security guards who have spent many years at the museum. When word gets out that the collection will be moved, they can’t bear the thought of losing their favorite pieces. They come up with a plan to save their beloved masterpieces and so starts a funny romp with this all-star cast. This is a very entertaining movie well worth watching.

- Dixie

Think Twice

Think Twice
by Lisa Scottoline

I have enjoyed the work of Lisa Scottoline many times in the past but with this story I was very surprised by the dark aspect in the beginning. The main character falls victim to her twin sister's evil, and she has a very hard fight as a result.

There were moments in the story that I didn't think that I would continue, it was just too intense. I'm glad I stuck with it, because it turned out to be a great book.

- Beckie

Wedding Season

Wedding Season
by Katie Fforde

Sarah is a wedding planner, Elsa designs fabulous wedding gowns, and Bron is a talented hair dresser and occasionally creates cakes. They are so busy planning other weddings, the three friends do not have much time for a love life of their own.

Sarah is asked to plan the wedding for a famous actress, Carrie Condy. Unfortunately for Sarah, Carrie and Sarah’s sister pick the same date for their weddings – two months away. The three friends meet and decide they can handle both weddings. In the meantime, Sarah’s sister wants a fairy tale wedding but the budget is limited; and, Carrie wants a fairy tale wedding including the church, and one is not available. The three friends make it happen for both brides but not without chaos and problems, this includes their personal lives as well.

Katie Fford is a gifted writer and can bring out the comedy in any given situation. I even enjoy reading her Acknowledgments!

- Rose

Girl in Translation

Girl in Translation
by Jean Kwok

Eleven-year-old Kimberly Chang and her mother emigrate from Hong Kong to the US. They don’t know the language or the culture and owe a great debt to the relative who brought them here. Their new life includes a squalid Brooklyn apartment with no heat, and hard labor in a Chinatown sweatshop.

Kim is an excellent student and knows that her education will be their way out of poverty. She is a student by day and sweatshop worker on evenings and weekends. With a foot in both worlds, Kim learns the language and the culture. But she is still a girl and has to experience peer pressure, teen angst and first love.

A moving story about immigration, triumph and heartbreak. I highly recommend it.

- Dixie

The Girl Who Chased the Moon

The Girl Who Chased the Moon

by Sarah Addison Allen

Emily Benedict arrives in Mullaby, North Carolina after the death of her mother, to live with her previously unknown grandfather. She finds a town full of secret, unexplainable things: lights flit around her yard at night, wallpaper in her room changes to suit her mood, and her giant of a grandfather won't reveal anything of her mother's past. Emily doesn't believe in magic, but she can't shake the feeling that something mysterious is going on.

Allen has, once again, written a novel with strong and interesting characters with magical quirks that are somehow believable. She cuts this lighthearted story with just a pinch of darkness, keeping it from becoming too sweet.

If you liked Ms. Allen's first two books, Sugar Queen and Garden Spells, you will enjoy The Girl Who Chased the Moon as well.

- Sally

Taking Chance

Taking Chance
DVD

Starring Kevin Bacon

This movie is based on a true story regarding a fallen soldier’s journey from his death on the battlefield to his final resting place. It shows how the marine is prepared for the final journey home as well as the respect and reverence he is given along the way. This story is told through a volunteer military escort, Lt. Colonel Michael Strobl as he escorts Lance Corporal Chance Phelps home to his final resting place in Wyoming.

This is a very touching movie and brings emotions to the surface. I highly recommend watching it.

- Rose

The Scent of Rain and Lightning

The Scent of Rain and Lightning
by Nancy Pickard

This story centers on the life of Jody Linder, who was 3 when her father was murdered and her mother disappeared. The person everyone believes is responsible for the crime is captured and imprisoned. The town thinks he will never get out, but 20 years later he is released and returns to the small Kansas town where the crime was committed.

Jody and her family must come to terms with what really happened 20 years ago and the truth about their loved ones. The book is a story of betrayal, the futility of revenge, and the necesssity of forgiveness.

This book will grab you from the first page and not let you go. Great for a summer read.

- Kathy

Did You Hear About the Morgans?

Did You Hear About the Morgans?
DVD

Starring Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker

Paul and Meryl Morgan witness a murder and someone tries to kill Meryl. They are put into the witness protection program and are immediately uprooted from their beloved New York and moved to a small town in Wyoming. What is wrong with that? Unfortunately, the Morgans have recently separated and must adjust to living under the same roof as well as life in a small town and the wilderness. This is a great comedy!

- Rose

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
by Helen Simonson

This is a charming story of daring curmudgeons who discover later-in-life love. No one does this kind of story better than the Brits.

It's multicultural, surprising and amusing. If you need a break from the usual formula, give this charmer a try. I recommend it highly.
-Holly

Game Over

Game Over
by Fern Michaels

The Sisterhood is awaiting word of their pardon from President Martine Connor. But there is a rumor going around that one of their own, Lizzie Fox, who is also Chief White House Counsel, will be offered the position of Justice of the Supreme Court, and their pardons are going to be shoved in a desk drawer, forgotten. That does not sit well with any of the girls or their allies so they start planning the next coup d’etat. In the meantime, Lizzie learns of the President’s plan but will she accept the offer? There are many surprises in store for the sisterhood as well as the reader. Enjoy!

- Rose

The Last American Man

The Last American Man

by Elizabeth Gilbert

This is the story of a man who walks to the beat of a different drummer. Eustace Conway has been driven by his goal of trying to convince people to give up their materialistic lifestyle and return to nature. The facts of his life are a testament to the saying, "truth is stranger than fiction." When he was 12 he went out into the woods, alone and empty-handed, and survived off the land for a week. He lived in a tepee for 17 years, wears clothes made out of buckskin, and set a record for his travels across the U.S. on horseback. He purchased 1000 acres in North Carolina which he has developed into a working primitive farm.

Elizabeth Gilbert does a great job of showing who this man is, warts and all. This isn't just a romantic picture of a mountain man - this is a real portrait of who he is and what he does. If you are a fan of adventure non-fiction give this book a try.

- Kathy

O'Horten

O'Horten
Norwegian Film on DVD

Odd Horten has been forced to retire after 40 years as a train engineer. His future is not a place of punctual timetables. It's unpredictable with crazy characters and unlikely adventures.

This is one of the most charming movies I have ever seen. I enjoyed watching Horten take in the world around him. The truth is that we are on this crazy ride together.
-Holly

Front and Center

Front and Center
by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Written for young people, this is the third title about DJ Schwenk, a high school junior from rural Wisconsin, who lives on a run-down dairy farm. She's not the best student, has a somewhat dysfunctional family, and is an amazingly gifted athlete. In this installment, DJ is starting to get her life back after taking a break from school and normal life to care for her older brother who was injured playing football. She's trying hard in school and is back on the basketball team, playing phenomenally. But she's feeling immense pressure from her coach, the townfolk, and especially her brother, to commit to playing Division I b-ball at a big 10 university. Her self-doubts and self-image are so true to life. I think the author did a great job in portraying DJ's fears and struggles for self-awareness and would serve to help all young women realize how unnecessarily hard they can be on themselves. I recommend the story highly for this reason. Read these books in order: Dairy Queen, The Off Season, and then Front and Center.

- Linda

Kisser

Kisser
by Stuart Woods

Kisser by Stuart Woods finds Stone Barrington juggling more woman than even he can handle. There's the actress, spoiled heiress, lady detective and the federal DA. Shots are fired, sexual romps, and dinner at Elaine - the usual Stone scenarios. Stone Barrington fans will not be disappointed.

- Rochelle

Why My Third Husband Will be a Dog

Why My Third Husband Will Be A Dog
by Lisa Scottoline

I had never read one of Lisa Scottoline's novels, but this book's cute cover and humorous title caught my attention. Let me assure you this is not a husband-bashing book. (Even though she does refer to her exes as Thing 1 and Thing 2) The book is a collection of essays excerpted from Lisa's "Philadelphia Inquirer" columns. Many of the chapters are laugh-out-loud funny. She writes about motherhood, love, men, and Spanx. Yes, Spanx. Her take on these undergarments is hilarious. ("Like slipping into a tourniquet")

This book is full of wisdom, quirkiness, and down-to-earth anecdotes of the trials of everyday life. A really fun read.

- Kathy

An Irish Country Girl

An Irish Country Girl
by Patrick Taylor

Mrs. Maureen Kincaid is housekeeper to Dr. Fingal O’Reilly and his assistant, Dr. Barry Laverty. They live in the village of Ballybucklebo, Ireland. While preparing Christmas dinner for the doctors, Mrs. Kincaid, affectionately known as Kinky, invites the Christmas carolers in for a snack and decides to tell them a story about her past. The story centers around the O’Hanlons neighbor, Connor MacTaggart, and the Dubh Sidhe (dark faeries) and what happened when he cut down a Blackthorn tree and ignored the advice of Kinky’s mother.

Kinky, like her father, was an excellent storyteller and had entertained the children with her tale. When the children finished their snack and left for home, Kinky continued with dinner preparations. The story she told brought back memories of her childhood and family traditions. While preparing dinner, Kinky couldn’t help but reminisce about her past, family, and when she met her husband.

Patrick Taylor is a great seanachie (storyteller) because of the way he mystically presented Kinky’s life story. Hopefully his storytelling will continue with another sequel.

- Rose

La's Orchestra Saves the World

La's Orchestra Saves the World
by Alexander McCall Smith

Lavender Stone, "La", moves to a quiet Suffolk hamlet to try to recover from a broken marriage and a broken heart. When war comes, she wants to help and finds herself working on a small farm feeding chickens.

Knowing that music can brighten the mood even in war-time, La pulls together a rag-tag orchestra.

Meanwhile, she meets Felix, a Polish refugee and flutist. La finds that she can love again but the war gets in the way.

This historical novel brings life to England, La, and her colorful companions during WWII.

- Dixie

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