Summer in Europe

A Summer in Europe
Marilyn Brant

Have you ever traveled in Europe for the summer, or wanted to? Enjoy the trip with a quirky groupof Sudoku and Mahjongg playing characters as you relive or imagine your trip of a lifetime. Single, almost engaged Gwen joins the tour with her zany Aunt Mae, discovering her true art and perhaps, true love. The descriptions are delicious - from the food to the vistas and classic points of interest. Discover Europe along with the realization that - “It’s not where you go. It’s what you take back with you.”
-Sally

Jefferson's Sons

Jefferson's Sons
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Written for young people, Jefferson's Sons is the story of Sally Hemings' children fathered by Thomas Jefferson and the life they led as slaves at Monticello. This is a very gently-told fictional account of how life may have been for Beverly, Harriet, Maddy and Eston. Their mother Sally was fierce in her love for them and her assurances to them that "Master Jefferson" would set them free upon their 21st birthdays. It was Sally's firm conviction that Beverly, Harriet and Eston would grow up and pass for white in society. It is also the story of Maddy's anger and frustration, knowing his skin would be too dark to pass and that he wouldnever see his siblings again once they came of age. This is a wonderful book to share with older elementary-aged kids, either at home or in the classroom, and would be a great discussion starter.

I especially liked the Afterword. The author explains what is really known about the Hemings family and how she used historical documents to tell this story. She goes on to say that this is her
imagination at work and that someone else using the same historical documents might well write a totally different story. There is a lot here to get kids thinking. The author includes a list of sources for further study.

- Linda

Wife-In-Law

Wife-in-Law
by Haywood Smith

Betsy Callison and Kat Ellis lived across the street from each other and became very best friends even though they were complete opposites. Betsy was very neat, dressed properly, and a great cook and housekeeper. On the other hand, Kat dressed like a hippie, was not a very good cook, and her house was a mess. Surprisingly, even their husbands became friends. Life was good for both families until Betsy’s husband, Greg, wanted a divorce. Of course Kat was there for Betsy to lean on. Then Kat’s husband, Zach, became very ill with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease and one year later passed away.

The women’s friendship was tested two years later when Greg moved back to town and started dating Kat. He lied to Kat and let her believe he changed and convinced her into marrying him. Betsy did not want to interfere with their lives so kept her thoughts to herself until a “friend” approached her with proof Greg was cheating on Kat. Betsy was reluctant to approach Kat with the evidence but was pressured into it. The day Betsy decided to tell Kat about Greg turned out to be a fatal mistake and turned both families’ lives around. Betsy wished she had listened to her conscience and never showed Kat the photos of Greg and the other woman.

Rose

Nightwoods by Charles Frazier

Nightwoods
by Charles Frazier

In his latest novel, Charles Frazier returns to Appalachia to tell the tale of Luce, a young woman who takes in her sister's emotionally scarred children. She must then protect them from their abusive, violent father when he comes looking for them. Frazier is an excellent storyteller. As the novel develops, the reader is led into a deeply entangled tale that becomes more menacing with every page. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat to the end.

-Kathy S.

Vera

Vera
(DVD TV Series)

The Vera TV series is based on the novels by Ann Cleeves. The story is filmed in Northumberland, which is on the east coast of England.

Vera Stanhope is Chief Inspector Detective. Her appearance is very disheveled but do not let that fool you. She is very smart and nothing gets past her or her colleague, Sergeant Joe Ashworth. When unraveling a murder, Vera’s techniques are quite different from the norm and she is often quite tactless with the victims’ families, friends, and especially her team.

Vera is very different from the other TV series Midsomer Murders, Inspector Lewis, Murdock Mysteries, etc. but I found the series entertaining.

- Rose

How to Really Love Your Adult Child

How to Really Love your Adult Child
Building a healthy relationship in a changing world.

By Ross Campbell, MD & Gary Chapman, PhD

While most parenting books are aimed at parents of young children, this book is for the parents of young adults. The authors focus mainly on those born roughly between 1980 and 1995 known as Generation Y, the Millennials or Mosaics. Unlike the parents, these children grew up in a less stable and rapidly changing society.

Throughout the book Campbell and Chapman remind the reader that the primary goal of parents is to guide their children toward independent living and maturity. The authors do a great job of helping the parent understand today’s young adult. They give recommendations on how to deal with many topics including when your child is not succeeding, when your child moves back home, conflicts with lifestyle issues and becoming an in-law and/or grandparent.

The common thread through this book is to keep the lines of communication open, make sure you show your love the way your child understands, be a positive role model and to lift your child up in prayer.

Written from a Judeo-Christian worldview, this book would be helpful for parents of any faith.

- Dixie

This Life is in Your Hands: One Dream, Sixty Acres, and a Family Undone

This Life is in Your Hands: One Dream, Sixty Acres, and a Family Undone
by Melissa Coleman

In the fall of 1968, the author's parents, Eliot & Sue Coleman, an idealistic young couple from well-to-do families, pack a few essentials into their VW truck and abandon the complications of the modern world and carve a farm from the woods. They move to a remote area on the coast of Maine and become disciples of Helen & Scott Nearing, authors of the homesteading bible, Living the Good Life. On 60 acres of land, Eliot & Sue begin to forge a new existence, subsisting on the crops they grow and sell as they build a home with their own hands.

Pursuing this purer, simpler life comes at a price. A tragic accident happens that destroys the family's life. It's interesting to see how the author looks back on her life, the role of fate, and the power of forgiveness as she struggles to understand her family's complicated past. An excellent read!

- Ann

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday
by Danielle Steel

On November 1, people around the world will be celebrating a birthday. For some it will mark a milestone, for others it will be an ordinary birthday. For three people living in New York, this year’s birthday will change their lives forever. Valerie Wyatt has her own television program and is a popular author. She will be sixty but looks much younger due to weekly workouts, plastic surgery, and of course Botox injections. Her daughter, April Wyatt, will be turning thirty and owns a successful restaurant. She is in for a very big surprise on her birthday! Lastly, Jack Adams is an NFL superstar and a successful sports commentator. He woke up on his fiftieth birthday with serious back problems and needs an MRI. All three are brought together by a tragedy that happens before Christmas and changes their outlook on life, love, family, and friendships.

- Rose

Six Inches of Partly Cloudy

Six Inches of Partly Cloudy
by Dick Goddard

Dick Goddard has been on TV for 50 years! Everyone in NE Ohio has probably watched “Uncle Dick” give the weather report at one time or another. Many of us have watched him for decades.

This book is a compilation of personal stories, photos, fun facts and essays on just about everything. There are stories by Dick’s friends and colleagues and cartoons drawn by Dick himself.

This book is a fun trip down memory lane and highly recommended for anyone who puts their “trust in Goddard”.

- Dixie

The Borrower

The Borrower
by Rebecca Makkai

Available through CLEVNET, The Borrower is the story of Lucy Hull, a 26-year-old children's librarian in Hannibal, Missouri. She becomes confidante to 10-year-old Ian who loves to read but whose parents don't allow him free rein in his reading choices. Lucy finds ways to slip Ian the classic children's books she thinks he should read and then comes to believe it is her duty to save Ian, who is a very quirky child, from religious zealot Pastor Bob. Together, Lucy and Ian embark on a 10-day odyssey of fun, anxiety and introspection. The story is as much about Lucy's coming of age as it is about Ian's struggle to fit into his world. The scenes in the library are really funny, as are Lucy's interactions with her Russian father. I enjoyed Lucy's journey and eventual self-reflection.

- Linda

1225 Christmas Tree Lane

1225 Christmas Tree Lane (A Cedar Cove Novel)
by Debbie Macomber

It saddened me to learn this is the final book of the Cedar Cove Series. I eagerly waited for each sequel and looked forward to reading about the families, how they grew, and solved their problems.

I decided not to write a summary about 1225 Christmas Tree Lane but to let the you, the reader, enjoy the final chapter of the town of Cedar Cove and the families we intimately came to know and love. A good read for the holiday season!

- Rose

Bill Cunningham New York

Bill Cunningham New York
a film by Richard Press (DVD)

Bill Cunningham is obsessed with fashion. He spends his time riding his bicycle around New York photographing people on the street for his New York Times column - "On the Street". He is witty and his observations are always on the mark about upcoming fashion trends.

This documentary takes you behind the scenes into his personal life. His life is very singular & focused on chronicling the changes in fashion since the 1960's. From his Carnegie Hall apartment, to his hob-nobbing with high society, this documentary is a slice of New York City life. I recommend it highly.

-Holly

Smokin' Seventeen

Smokin’ Seventeen
by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie’s day starts off on the wrong foot when she runs into Joe Morelli’s Grandmother Bella at the bakery. They had an argument and Bella put the “vordo” curse on Stephanie. Another dilemma for Stephanie is she still cannot decide between Joe Morelli, who is Bella’s grandson, and Ranger. To make matters worse, her mother plays matchmaker and invites Dave Brewer, a former classmate of Stephanie’s, for dinner. Big mistake! He likes to cook and uses this as an excuse to hang out at Stephanie’s apartment, uninvited of course, whenever he wants to use her kitchen or cook for her.

Join Stephanie for a bundle of laughs as she bungles her bounty-hunting pursuits, finds out what the vordo curse is, share her dates with Morelli and Ranger, dodges Dave’s attentions, and tries to avoid being run over by one of Cousin Vinnie’s clients.

- Rose

The Soldier's Wife

The Soldier's Wife
by Margaret Leroy

World War II is fast approaching the beautiful landscapes of Guernsey Island. With her estranged husband off fighting, Vivienne de la Mare must keep her two daughters and senile mother-in-law safe during the German occupation. Amidst shortages, curfews, and the evidence of brutality, she has an affair with a German officer. Not knowing when or if this war will end, Vivienne grapples with how to keep those she loves safe, loving someone who is the enemy, and answering the question of what she will do when her basic humanity is in question.

Margaret Leroy has the ability to transport you not only to this beautiful land but to the era as well. You will find yourself wondering what you would do if faced with Vivienne's challenges.

- Kathy R

The Year of Living like Jesus

The Year of Living like Jesus: My Journey of Discovering What Jesus Would Really Do
by Ed Dobson

Rev. Ed Dobson, pastor emeritus of the Calvary Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, always thought about the question of what it would mean to be "just a follower of Jesus". What would it look like? Is it even possible? He decided to answer that question one day after listening to an interview with A.J. Jacobs, an unreligious Jew who tried to live a year biblically and wrote a book about his experience called, The Year of Living Biblically. Inspired by Jacob's book, Dobson embarks on his own journey of living like Jesus, that is, eating like Jesus, talking like Jesus, thinking like Jesus, and hanging out with sinners like Jesus for an entire year. Dobson chronicles his day-to-day experience which is often humorous and thought-provoking; bringing up topics and issues modern day Christians rarely, if ever, stop to consider. Through his journey he learned more about himself than he thought he would and came to a new understanding and appreciation for Jesus of Nazareth.

-Rob