Summer on Blossom Street

Summer on Blossom Street
by Debbie Macomber

While the story centers around Lydia Goetz’s knitting shop and her new class, Knit to Quit, the readers are brought up-to-date on the other families on Blossom Street. Newcomers on the block: Phoebe, Hutch, Casey, Tim, Mel, and Clark are introduced into the neighborhood as their personal lives are revealed.

I could hardly wait to read Summer on Blossom Street; and, as always, Debbie Macomber did not disappoint me. An excellent summer read!

- Rose

The Woods

The Woods
by Harlan Coben

Coben leaves behind his usual main character of Myron Bolitar to construct a tight suspense that leaves you guessing until the last chapters.

Twenty years ago when Paul Copeland was a teenage counselor at a summer camp, four teens were killed, one of them his sister. Now as a prosecutor in a rape case, a defendant's parent tries to dig up dirt on Paul to persuade Paul to drop the charges. They start looking into this episode in Paul's life and the effect is explosive.

- Rochelle

Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing

Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing
by Kathy Cano-Murillo

I love colorful things so I had to check this book out. There are 30 projects ranging from beginner to difficult with full color photos, templates and resource lists. Using garage sale finds or “it's been in the closet awhile” items, these projects show how to “re-purpose” (or should I say recycle?) things you already have around the house. Sections include: Power Purses, Wondrous Wearables and Embrace Your Space. The book has many sewing tips and funny stories too. Even if you don’t have the time to do one of these projects, check this book out and enjoy it!

- Dixie

The Deepest Cut

The Deepest Cut
by Dianne Emley

This is the third in the trilogy about Pasadena Police Department detective Nan Vining, who was brutally attacked and left for dead by a deranged and cunning unknown man. Nan and her teen daughter Emily have dubbed him "T.B. Mann" for "the bad man." As Nan struggles to get her career and life back on her terms, she obsessively takes the investigation of her attack into her own hands. I liked how the author puts the reader inside Nan's head and especially liked Nan's emotional and physical strength. Read these in order: The First Cut, Cut to the Quick, and then The Deepest Cut. Though not for the squeamish, they are well-written suspense novels with a little romance thrown in.

-Linda

Wintergirls

Wintergirls
by Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson has written a gripping book about the downward spiral of anorexia and the agonizing path to recovery. Like her book Speak, I found Wintergirls impossible to put down - recommended for both teens and adults.

- Lynn

Lavender Morning

Lavender Morning
by Jude Deveraux

Jocelyn Minton was five years old when her mother passed away. Her father remarried and Jocelyn gained a stepmother and identical twin step sisters, which she often referred to as the “Steps.” Joce didn’t have anything in common with her father or the Steps and became friends with Miss Edilean Harcourt, who was like a grandmother to her. When Miss Harcourt passed away, she left everything to Joce, including a house in Edilean, Virginia. When Joce moves to Edilean, not only does she become interested in two men who are cousins, but learns Miss Harcourt had secrets she never shared with Joce.

This is the first book in the Edilean series by Jude Deveraux and is cleverly written with a little mystery and a touch of humor. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

- Rose

Dead & Gone

Dead & Gone
by Charlaine Harris

Sookie Stackhouse is at it again. Her sister-in-law is found dead, nailed to a cross at the bar where she works. Did her brother do it? The fairies are at war - who will win out? Eric is struggling to keep his position as sheriff and Sookie gets dragged in. Typical Bon Temps activities!

- Rochelle

The Family Man

The Family Man
by Elinor Lipman

Elinor Lipman is a terrific writer of comedy and character. The Family Man centers upon Henry Archer, a retired New York City attorney, who is quite wealthy and quite lonely. By a quirk of fate, he is reunited with his former step-daughter Thalia. Thalia is a free-spirit actress trying for a break and she and Henry re-bond in hilarious circumstances. This is a heart-warming, well-written and witty tale with characters you will love.

- Linda

The All-New Illustrated Guide to Gardening

The All-New Illustrated Guide to Gardening
by Reader’s Digest and Edited by Fern Marshall Bradley and Trevor Cole

An excellent resource book that gives detailed information regarding the growing and caring for flowers, trees, shrubs, veggies, and fruit as well as maintaining rock and water gardens. There are illustrations and photos for all types of plant disorders as well as simple instructions for pruning, training, trimming, and propagating. This book has a wealth of information that is too numerous to list and I highly recommend it to any one interested in gardening or landscaping.

- Rose

Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure

Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure
by Matthew Algeo

In the summer of 1953, Harry and Bess Truman packed their bags and got in the car for a 3 week road trip. No press, no secret service, just the two of them enjoying their vacation together. Harry drove, Bess navigated and watched Harry's speed. (He was a bit of a leadfoot.)

This is an entertaining story. You get the full account of the road trip, life in the '50s, and a look at Harry Truman's unique personality. The book is full of interesting bits of history and trivia.

- Kathy

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs
by Molly Harper

I know vampire tales are a dime a dozen but this one is about a CHILDREN'S LIBRARIAN who gets turned into a vampire. I just had to read it! It was a hoot and also somewhat thought-provoking in that vampires in the United States have just been granted civil rights. Anti-vampire prejudice abounds. But, the local WalMart, open all night, has a large vampire aisle! If you like Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, you definitely will enjoy smart and sassy Jane Jameson as she tries hard to adjust to being newly undead.

- Linda

Look Again

Look Again
by Lisa Scottoline

Reporter Ellen Gleeson adopts an abandoned child she came to love while writing about his plight.

When she receives a "Missing Child" flyer she notices that the child looks uncannily like her adopted son. What should she do?

Lots of twists - loved it!

- Rochelle

Sonata for Miriam

Sonata for Miriam
by Linda Olsson

This is a story of families, and how they are affected by choice and loss.
Because of a choice made twenty years ago, world class composer Adam Ankar and his daughter are living in Australia, half a world away from the mother of his daughter. An accident changes Adam’s world in an instant, sending him on a journey to uncover his past and discover the fate of his parents in World War II, in Krakow, Poland. Adam struggles to come to terms with his life choices against the background of present day Poland.

- Sally

The Help

The Help
by Kathryn Stockett

I LOVED this book! The Help tackles the topic of race relations in the deep south in the early 1960's. The author does an excellent job of capturing the feel of that time in the South.

Miss Skeeter returns home after college hoping to become a writer. She starts writing a book told from the perspective of the Help- the maids of the white families of Jackson, Mississippi. As her project progresses, she realizes her idea will be much more difficult and dangerous than she had ever imagined. Just meeting with the maids can have frightening consequences for everyone.

This is an amazing book. There is never a dull moment in this story, it is hard to put this one down. Kathryn Stockett has a beautiful ability to tell the stories of the maids without being condescending or sensational. The Help is a touching and thought provoking book.

This is also available as an audio book. It is one of the best audio books I've ever listened to.

- Kathy

The Story of India

The Story of India
DVD

Michael Wood is an entertaining and expressive historian who finds delight everywhere he travels. This 6 part series from PBS is a fascinating history of India. From the earliest ancestors to present day India, he takes the viewer on a journey of all things India. The scenery is stunning and information first rate.

If you are an armchair traveler or a history buff, you will want to watch this from beginning to end.

-Holly