Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict

Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict
by Laurie Viera Rigler

Twenty-first century Jane Austen addict Courtney Stone, broken-hearted due to a cheating fiance, suddenly and inexplicably finds herself inhabiting the body of young Englishwoman Jane Mansfield (no, the joke is not lost on Courtney) in the early 19th century. Courtney at first fights against her situation but then comes to realize that she is calmly becoming this other woman while still wishing to find a way back to her own world. This book is a unique combination of historical fiction, comedy, romance, and the bending of space and time as both young women struggle toward their individual destinies.

- Linda B.

The Wednesday Letters

The Wednesday Letters
by Jason F. Wright

Jack and Laurel Cooper die in each other's arms. When their adult children arrive to make the funeral arrangements, they find boxes of letters that their father had written to their mother every Wednesday during their lives together. These letters reveal the secrets of a marriage and show the power of love and forgiveness. This was a gentle, thoughtful read.

- Pat

Where My Heart Belongs

Where My Heart Belongs
by Tracie Peterson

This is a modern-day prodigal story involving two sisters in a small Kansas town. Amy hates her small town life and leaves home. Kathy stays and her future plans change dramatically. When Amy reappears, the sisters have a long road to reconciliation.

A good vacation read!

- Dixie

Backyard Giants

Backyard Giants
by Susan Warren

Backyard Giants is a fun story of a year in the life of competitive pumpkin growers. Competitive pumpkin growing - who knew there was such a thing?

After reading this delightful book you will have a good idea of the determination and devotion (some would say obsession) it takes to grow a world-record 1500 lb. pumpkin. Backyard Giants is funny, insightful, and full of useful horticultural information.

The author follows several growers as they try to beat the odds and grow a pumpkin the size of a small cow. You learn about pumpkin patch preparation, pollination, and pruning. You feel the amazement when the pumpkins grow 40 to 50 pounds a day, and the agony when, after a season of tender loving care, a pumpkin splits and is disqualified from competition.

- Kathy S.

Strawberry Fields

Strawberry Fields
by Marina Lewycka

This is a tale of migrant workers who pick strawberries in the heart of England. All are seeking a better life - legally or illegally. Told in the voice of each migrant, this is hilarious picaresque journey around England. At the heart of the story is Andriy and Irina - Ukranians who fall in love in spite of themselves.

Lewycka is a masterful storyteller. With sympathy she portrays the exploitation of the migrants, as well as their neverending hope for a better future.

- Holly

Death of a Perfect Wife

Death of a Perfect Wife
by M. C. Beaton

Constable Hamish Macbeth of Lochdubh in the Scottish Highlands is back again solving yet another murder in this usually sleepy village.
Enter Trixie Thomas and her husband Paul from England. They open a bed and breakfast in Lochdubh and residents soon notice that Trixie is very much different in beliefs than themselves. A "perfect wife", Trixie subjugates her husband and convinces the local women of Lochdubh to follow her example. Obeying Trixie, the wives begin serving health food instead of the usual "harmful" but hearty meals, and campaign against smoking, much to the dismay of their husbands. It is no wonder when Trixie is murdered and the town is finally relieved of her domineering presence.
Prepare to be entertained as Hamish Macbeth eliminates suspects along the way and eventually solves the murder!

- Ann

Her Royal Spyness

Her Royal Spyness
by Rhys Bowen.

Bowen’s new series lives up to her previous “Constable Evans” and “Molly Murphy” series. It seems like a mixture of P.G. Wodehouse’s Jeeves and Wooster and Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum.

Lady Victoria Georgina Charlotte Eugenie, daughter to the Duke of Glen Garry and Rannoch, is 34th in line for the throne of England. As a poor relation, she finds herself looking for ways to live the LIFE without any funds. A summons from the Queen leads to spying on her cousin David and that American tart he’s interested in.

This series is another lighthearted mystery romp - this time through the world of English aristocracy in the late 1920s.

- Rochelle

Confessions of a Prep School Mommy Handler: a Memoir

Confessions of a Prep School Mommy Handler: a Memoir

by Wade Rouse

Because I've worked in public service my entire adult life, including a stint in the alumni office at UCONN, this book caught my eye. It's the true story of the author's work as public relations liaison at a private prep school and his interactions with staff, students and, especially, their families. Rouse's descriptions of the "Pink Barbies" and "Mean Mommies" (including what their little dogs are wearing) are absolutely hilarious. At times laugh-out-loud funny and at other times quite sad, it is the story of how the ultra-rich live and, quite often, rule over others. Though it is hard to understand why Wade Rouse allowed himself to be treated the way he was by these people, he does paint quite a vivid picture of how the other half lives. This book is available through CLEVNET.

- Linda B.

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