The Dirty Life

The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food and Love
by Kristin Kimball

This is an amazing story. A 30-something Manhattan travel writer falls in love with a farmer, moves way upstate in New York (near Lake Champlain) and begins a new-model farm concept: supplying not just vegetables, but a total diet of organically grown food for its paying members. The description of the grueling first year of this never-before-tried plan is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. Author Kristin Kimball gamely coped with and analyzed every new procedure and obstacle that came her way. It was hard to put this book down. Ms. Kimball must be an extraordinary woman!

- Linda

The Beach Trees

The Beach Trees
by Karen White

If you have ever visited New Orleans or the Gulf Coast, the vivid imagery in the pages of Karen White's newest book will take you back. The storyline is told by the two female characters, Aimee from the 1950s and Julie from the present, and is the story of their search for the same woman who does not want to be found. With the backdrop of pre-Camille Biloxi and post-Katrina New Orleans, it is a story of a mysterious painting, an orphaned four-year-old boy, a destroyed Biloxi beach house, and people who optimistically rebuild in the face of great tragedy. A good summer read.

- Kathy R

Georgia's Kitchen

Georgia's Kitchen
by Jenny Nelson

Georgia is a chef trying to make her mark in the culinary world of New York City. Her life comes crumbling down around her when she finds herself out of a job and her fiance leaves her. She is suddenly unemployable and alone. Georgia does not fall apart - she picks up the pieces of her life by focusing on her career and her desire to open her own restaurant.

This is a great summer read. It is light, entertaining and charming. The characters are likable and fun, and the author does a wonderful job of drawing you into Georgia's life: her challenges, frustrations and her dreams.

- Kathy S.

License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, & My Life at the Gold & Silver

License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, & My Life at the Gold & Silver
by Rick Harrison

In Las Vegas, there's a family-owned pawn business called the Gold & Silver, run by three generations of the Harrison family. It's featured on the History Channel as well and is one of the most entertaining programs I've watched in a long time.

This book takes readers behind the scenes of Rick; his son, Big Hoss; and Rick's dad, the Old Man. Chumlee, Big Hoss's best friend, adds some flavor to the history of the shop as well. Rick had a rough start in life, due to health problems and later drug problems, but he sobered up, reconnected with his dad, and opened the shop.

There are incredible stories about the history of some of his most interesting that come to the pawn shop, as well as the crazy customers that try to either pawn or sell an item.

- Ann

Chasing Fire

Chasing Fire
by Nora Roberts

This is the first of Nora Roberts' romantic suspense novels that I've tried. I did guess "who done it" early on in the book, which I'm usually terrible at doing . . . so maybe that says something. The reason for the recommendation is the subject: smokejumpers in Montana, the "Zulies" who risk life and limb fighting giant forest fires. The author gives the reader a real feel for the equipment, fire-fighting procedures and life on the base. I liked the heroine, Rowan Tripp. She's tough, fearless and yet compassionate and willing to accept others' opinions. I found this an enjoyable, even if not a terribly suspenseful, read.

- Linda

See You in a Hundred Years: Four Seasons in Forgotten America

See You in a Hundred Years: Four Seasons in Forgotten America
by Logan Ward

Disillusioned by city life in New York City, Logan Ward and his wife Heather pull their young son out of daycare and literally "head for the hills" of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, specifically the farming community of Swoope.

The Wards recreate the year of 1900 on their farm, adopting strict rules that limit them to only the tools that were available at the turn of the century. You will read about their struggles (irritable livestock and a plague of garden pests) in the midst of living without a phone, car, computer, etc. The reader will also see how this couple reclaim their lives from our fast-paced, materialistic society and in the process rebuild their fractured marriage and find what they didn't know they were looking for - community. An excellent read!

- Ann

Angel's Rest

Angel's Rest
by Emily March

Angel's Rest by Emily March (An Eternity Springs Novel) starts a series that Debbie Macomber fans should enjoy.


- Rochelle

Home to Woefield

Home to Woefield
by Susan Juby

This is such a fun read! Prudence leaves her life in New York City when she inherits a rundown farm located on an island off the coast of Canada. She befriends a group of quirky, endearing characters, and together they must learn to work together to make the farm a success. The group's misadventures are humorous indeed. It takes a lot to make me laugh out loud while reading, but this book had me chuckling all the way through.

This is a quick, fun read - take it on vacation this summer!

- Kathy

A Way in the Wilderness

A Way in the Wilderness
by Elizabeth Wagler

The Waglers, and Amish family, tell their story of financial struggle as they raise their large family and try to stay out of debt, unlike so many of their neighbors, who are deep in debt and despair. They come up with some creative solutions to earning a living, which I found interesting.

- Ann

Black Swan

Black Swan
(DVD)

Nina would like the part of the Swan Queen in the ballet production of the Black Swan but does not make it. She persuades the director of the ballet she can dance the parts of both good and evil swans. He has his doubts but gives her the opportunity to prove he is wrong.

This movie starts out at a slow pace then crescendos into action. You will sit-at-the-edge of your seat as an emotionally unstable Nina struggles to be the perfect ballerina and fights personal demons that push her to the edge.

Even though this movie is based on Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake ballet and uses the music as background, it was not produced for relaxation, but for drama and suspense. Black Swan does contain graphic and violent scenes.

- Rose

Inside WikiLeaks: My Time with Julian Assange at the World's Most Dangerous Website

Inside Wikileaks

by Daniel Domscheit-Berg

Daniel Domscheit-Berg met Julian Assange in December 2007. In short time, he became the Wikileaks spokesperson as well as a content manager. His account of the quick & controversial rise to power of Assange is very interesting. With important secret documents being posted on their website daily, Daniel writes candidly about moral dilemmas facing the WikiLeaks team. Their travels throughout Europe and their overwhelming workload creates stress that inevitably fractures their team.

This book provides real insight into the European hacker world. From Julian's ego to the nomadic life they all had to assume, I really enjoyed the inside scoop. I recommend it to everyone who followed the WikiLeaks headlines.

- Holly

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