The Dirty Life

The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food and Love
by Kristin Kimball

This is an amazing story. A 30-something Manhattan travel writer falls in love with a farmer, moves way upstate in New York (near Lake Champlain) and begins a new-model farm concept: supplying not just vegetables, but a total diet of organically grown food for its paying members. The description of the grueling first year of this never-before-tried plan is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. Author Kristin Kimball gamely coped with and analyzed every new procedure and obstacle that came her way. It was hard to put this book down. Ms. Kimball must be an extraordinary woman!

- Linda

The Beach Trees

The Beach Trees
by Karen White

If you have ever visited New Orleans or the Gulf Coast, the vivid imagery in the pages of Karen White's newest book will take you back. The storyline is told by the two female characters, Aimee from the 1950s and Julie from the present, and is the story of their search for the same woman who does not want to be found. With the backdrop of pre-Camille Biloxi and post-Katrina New Orleans, it is a story of a mysterious painting, an orphaned four-year-old boy, a destroyed Biloxi beach house, and people who optimistically rebuild in the face of great tragedy. A good summer read.

- Kathy R

Georgia's Kitchen

Georgia's Kitchen
by Jenny Nelson

Georgia is a chef trying to make her mark in the culinary world of New York City. Her life comes crumbling down around her when she finds herself out of a job and her fiance leaves her. She is suddenly unemployable and alone. Georgia does not fall apart - she picks up the pieces of her life by focusing on her career and her desire to open her own restaurant.

This is a great summer read. It is light, entertaining and charming. The characters are likable and fun, and the author does a wonderful job of drawing you into Georgia's life: her challenges, frustrations and her dreams.

- Kathy S.

License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, & My Life at the Gold & Silver

License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, & My Life at the Gold & Silver
by Rick Harrison

In Las Vegas, there's a family-owned pawn business called the Gold & Silver, run by three generations of the Harrison family. It's featured on the History Channel as well and is one of the most entertaining programs I've watched in a long time.

This book takes readers behind the scenes of Rick; his son, Big Hoss; and Rick's dad, the Old Man. Chumlee, Big Hoss's best friend, adds some flavor to the history of the shop as well. Rick had a rough start in life, due to health problems and later drug problems, but he sobered up, reconnected with his dad, and opened the shop.

There are incredible stories about the history of some of his most interesting that come to the pawn shop, as well as the crazy customers that try to either pawn or sell an item.

- Ann