The Horse: A Miscellany of Equine Knowledge

The Horse: A Miscellany of Equine Knowledge
by Julie Whitaker& Ian Whitelaw

The Horse is not only for horse owners or equestrians, but for anyone who has a fondness for horses. The book is loaded with historical facts, trivia, as well as information about evolution, breeds, style of riding, as well as other numerous topics. Because the layout of the The Horse is unique, the reader doesn’t have to start with chapter one . . . just open the book to any section, any page.

-Rosie

The Thirteenth Tale

The Thirteenth Tale
by Diane Setterfield

Vida Winter, a popular historical novelist, is at the end of her life. She hires Margaret Lea to write her extraordinary life story before it's too late. As the strange tale of the Angelfields unfolds, Margaret is mesmerized. Soon, she is uncovering old and new mysteries, as well as discovering personal revelations.

This is an captivating novel. Setterfield delves into the world of twins and their unique connection as well as the power of uncovering the past .

-Holly

The Greatest Presidential Stories Never Told

The Greatest Presidential Stories Never Told: 100 Tales from History to Astonish, Bewilder, and Stupefy

by Rick Beyer

Here are some fun facts that will help you in your next trivia game. These are the interesting facts that make some of our presidents memorable. A fun book to read!

- Dixie

On Kingdom Mountain

On Kingdom Mountain

by Howard Frank Mosher

Miss Jane Kinneson is the owner of Kingdom Mountain, located on the US-Canadian border in upstate Vermont. She is an interesting character - independent, intelligent, and more than a bit eccentric.

The novel focuses on life in northern Vermont in 1930. Miss Jane must defend her mountain against developers who want to build a highway through her land.

On Kingdom Mountain is a delightful read, the story is imaginative, and the characters are fun. This book is part historical fiction with a little bit of mystery and a sweet love story. Wonderful!

- Kathy S.

. . . and His Lovely Wife

...and his Lovely Wife: a memoir from the woman behind the man
by Connie Schultz

Plain Dealer columnist Connie Schultz tells the inside story of her husband Sherrod Brown's campaign for the U.S. Senate from the fall of 2005 until the 2006 election. From mundane details like clothing choices and haircuts to gut-wrenching betrayals by friends and sacrifices by family, the author makes you feel like you are right there with her through these long months. I've always liked Connie Schultz' writing and point of view. If you do too, or just want to find out what a political campaign is like from the inside, this is a captivating book to read.

- Linda B.

The Secret Cardinal

The Secret Cardinal
by Tom Grace

The author pulls you into the story within the first few pages, much like Clive Cussler. Nolan Kilkenny, an ex-Navy SEAL, is called to the Vatican and given a mission by Pope Leo XIV to rescue a Bishop Yin from a Chinese prison. This adventure takes Kilkenny and his crew from the Vatican across Asia to China and ultimately involves the Mafia and the conclave of cardinals that will elect the next pope. It's a wild roller coaster ride from beginning to end.

- Pat

The Ghost at the Table

The Ghost at the Table
by Suzanne Berne

This is the book to read in November. It is the story of two sisters reuniting with their father for Thanksgiving dinner. They meet at the New England home of Frances, an interior decorator. Cynthia, an historical fiction writer, is visiting to gather information about a book on Mark Twain's daughter. Their different versions of their family history collide with the addition of their father and Frances' family.

This is a tale exquisitely told by Berne, an English professor at Harvard. As she exposes the past through eyes of the sisters, she adds more layers of meaning with the addition of the lives of Mark Twain's daughters.

- Holly

A Christmas Visitor

A Christmas Visitor

by Anne Perry

This book is a murder mystery set in the Lake District of England during Victorian times. The joyful tranquility of a snowbound estate is overturned in a moment by a shocking murder. A renowned mathematician and inventor, Henry Rathbone, puts his creative and analytical capacities to the test as he assumes the role of amateur investigator and cracks the case.

As an audio book, I very much enjoyed listening to Terrance Hardiman's voice, a well-known actor with BBC-TV!

- Ann

If Today Be Sweet

If Today Be Sweet

by Thrity Umrigar

Recently widowed Tehmina Sethna of Bombay is visiting her son, Sorab, and his family, in his Cleveland, Ohio home. Now she has to choose between her old, comfortable life in India and a new one in Cleveland with Sorab and his family. If Today Be Sweet is an entertaining and very enjoyable book.

-Lynn

This Matter of Marriage

This Matter of Marriage

by Debbie Macomber

Best-selling author Debbie Macomber is always a pleasure to read. Although not a new release, This Matter of Marriage was delightful. The book depicts the lighthearted story of a 29-year-old woman who has devoted her entire adult life to her self-made business. She realizes that it's time to find a husband and the resulting attempts are something else.

This book is a great read and you'll love the conclusion.

- Beckie

Summer Breeze

Summer Breeze

by Catherine Palmer & Gary Chapman

Summer Breeze is the second book of a four-part series entitled Four Seasons.

Readers meet the blended families of Derek and Kim Finley.

Kim's mother-in-law has come to town to stay . . . permanently! Other changes happen to Deepwater Cove, bringing the community together: there's a mystery to solve and a romance to follow. Read on!

- Ann

The Tipping Point

The Tipping Point: how little things can make a big difference

by Malcolm Gladwell

The Tipping Point is a book about how change happens. Tipping points happen when people act as connectors, mavens and salesmen and ideas become "sticky". In practical language, Malcolm Gladwell picks apart the notion of the epidemic using sociology & psychology. From Hush Puppy shoes to Sesame Street, he shows how ideas can take hold & why.

Malcolm describes this book as an intellectual adventure story. It is. It has an interesting and surprising way of making sense of things.

- Holly

Perennials for Ohio

Perennials for Ohio
by Debra Knapke and Alison Beck

Perennials for Ohio is an excellent reference book for any gardener. The book is small but packed with information and photos. It contains a chart listing the colors for the different species, blooming season, height, partiality to light, and soil conditions. There are tips how to use species in the landscape, problems or pests, and other pertinent information helpful to any gardener.

A must-read during the winter months while planning the special garden or renovating the landscape.

- Rosie

Shakespeare Retold

Shakespeare Retold
DVD

This BBC production of modern day re-tellings of 4 Shakespeare plays is brilliant. If you only get to see one, let it be Taming of the Shrew. Shirley Henderson & Rufus Sewell steal the show as a modern day Kate Minola & Petruchio with a feminist twist. James McElvoy is Macbeth, the brilliant chef who wants the restaurant. Much Ado about Nothing takes place in a newsroom and Midsummer Night's Dream at a British vacation resort.

Some of the endings are different than the plays (I won't tell you which) but they always work. Even if you don't get Shakespeare, you'll love it. Honestly, there's nothing better on the telly.

- Holly

The Wedding

The Wedding
by Nicholas Sparks

Wilson Lewis has been married for 30 years and is afraid he is losing his wife. He tries to bring the romance back into their marriage but his wife is preoccupied planning their daughter’s wedding.

Wilson was brought up differently than his wife Jane, whose parents were happily married for 50 years and showed their love for one another. He uses their marriage as a guide to heal his marriage, hoping his wife will fall back in love with him.

The Wedding is a tender and romantic love story and sequel to The Notebook, the love story of Noah and Allie Calhoun, Jane’s parents.

- Rosie