Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin
(DVD)

First let me say that as soon as this movie was over I wanted to watch it again. It is that good.

This is the amazing true story of Temple Grandin, an autistic professor. Claire Danes plays the title role and does a great job of portraying just how challenging every part of life could be for someone with autism.

Contrary to the doctor’s suggestion, Temple’s mother refuses to institutionalize her when she is diagnosed with autism. Through determination and love from her mother, aunt, and a special teacher, Temple learns to adapt to situations that are confusing and terrifying concepts to her.

The movie does a great job showing Temple’s strengths and weaknesses and the reaction of the people around her. In the movie, her mother is quoted as saying “she is different, not less”. That sums it up beautifully.

My words can’t do justice to this film so I say:

Check it out and pay attention.

- Dixie

Minding Frankie

Minding Frankie
by Maeve Binchy

Noel is a drunk and bored with his job. He still lives with his parents but the family relationship is strained. One day, Noel receives a phone call at work from an old flame, Stella Dixon. She wants him to visit her at the hospital. He remembered she was fun and could match him drink for drink. But, the Stella in the hospital ward was very pregnant and dying of cancer. Then she delivers the shocking news, he is the father and Stella wants him to raise the child.

Noel, with the help of his cousin Emily, tries to turn his life around and takes responsibility of raising his daughter, Frankie. Moira, the social worker wants to take the baby away from Noel and constantly checks up on him. The community, even his parents, rally around him and help to take care of Frankie and shield them from the relentless and unyielding social worker.

With all the family and community support given to Noel, will he be able to remain sober, and most important, keep Frankie?

- Rose

Secretariat

Secretariat
DVD

Disney does it again with a real winner – Secretariat – probably the most well-known thoroughbred horse ever. This is the true story of an incredible horse and how he became a legend. Penny Chenery is the housewife who believed in him and risked everything to make sure he became a champion. This is a movie the whole family will enjoy. Rated G. Watch the bonus features for footage of the actual races and commentary by Ms. Chenery and others who knew this remarkable horse.

Check out some books for more information on Secretariat:

Secretariat by William Nack

The Story of Secretariat and the Loyal Groom Who Loved Him by Lawrence Scanlan

- Dixie

On, Off

On, Off
by Colleen McCullough

Most people would associate McCullough with the The Thornbirds or her series about the Roman empire. She has switched genres and is penning suspense novels.

This book is set in the 1960s before forensic science and DNA identification had exploded onto the scene. Profiling by the FBI and the phrase "serial killer" were not part of the culture. Teenage girls of a certain age and type disappeared. McCullough kept the pace going and finished with one fascinating ending.

I can't wait to start the next one.

- Rochelle

The King is Dead

The King is Dead

by the Decemberists

The Decemberists are bright, talented and whimsical. Describing their music is tricky. They are a band that transcends folk/indie or pop/rock categories.

"January Hymn" is nothing short of sweet & "Calamity Song" is very good road song. They are my new favorite band & I could listen to "The King is Dead" all day. If you are tired of the same old, give them a try.

- Holly

Bird Cloud

Bird Cloud
by Annie Proulx

Annie Proulx fell in love with and purchased a section of land (640 acres or one square mile) in Wyoming. This section is 7000 feet above sea level where hurricane force winds and giant snow drifts in winter are routine. She chose this spot as the site for her "dream house", and set to work designing and building a home that would both settle in harmony with the land as well as meet her needs and desires. A more difficult task than initially anticipated, this attempt to make her dream house a reality is the focus of Proulx's book.

There is something of interest for everyone here as the author describes the designing and building of her home, her observations about the wildlife, archaeology and natural history of the region. At times Bird Cloud seems to ramble along with no central theme, but it can be described as a book of many little stories joined by the common thread of the story of the land and the author's determination to create her own place where she could live in harmony with her land and nature.

- Kathy S

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