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Holly:
The Animals of Farthing Wood
By Colin Dann
With the phenomenal growth we are experiencing in Livingston
County, many people will be able to relate to this book. When
the peacefulness of the countryside is interrupted permanently
by humanity, the animals must find a new home elsewhere. This
book follows the animals that live in the area called Farthing
Wood when they band together to look for a new, safer home.
Their differences are overlooked and natural enemies become
friends all for the cause of finding safety and peacefulness
once again.
Blitzcat By Robert
Westall
This is the story about a little black cat named Lord Gort who
gets caught up in a world torn apart by war. The reader follows
Lord Gort and his many adventures throughout England. The little
cat touches many people in many ways as he finds his own way
home. Although this book is in the Juvenile area, adults will
enjoy it too.
The Cat Who Played Post Office By Lilian Jackson
Braun
Braun has written more than two-dozen books in this series. I
chose this book because it marks the beginning of Qwill’s large
inheritance and move to Michigan’s U.P. The featured characters
are news reporter Jim Qwilleran (Qwill) and his two Siamese
cats, Koko and Yum Yum. The stories usually involve a murder,
and without being corny, Qwill’s cats help to discover clues and
provide a little excitement themselves. It is interesting to
follow the large cast of town characters from book to book, and
the town of Pickax is like many small, rural towns: full of fun,
gossip, and intrigue. These books are good when you feel the
need for a cozy read.
A Good Year by Peter Mayle
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In this time of wintery roads and runny noses, this is the
perfect book to curl up with on a cold winter day. Max has
inherited his uncle's chateau and vineyard in the Provence area
of France. His knowledge of wine and winemaking is next to
nothing, but the charm of the countryside and the people
convinces him to educate himself and stick around for a while. I
enjoyed Mayle's descriptions of the land, the people, the food
and Max's various predicaments. Without being overly wordy,
Mayle's descriptions are very effective with a quiet charm. This
is a very enjoyable read that will take you far away from our
harsh Michigan winter.
Halos and Horns (CD) By Dolly Parton
I don't consider myself a fan of country/western music, but I
really enjoy this album. I have always liked Dolly Parton
generally as a celebrity and that's what prompted me to try her
latest album. Her songs are much more bluegrass and ballad types
than the usual
my-girl-left-me-and-now-I-have-to-drink-my-sorrows-away. Several
songs are spiritual, several are love related and several are
up-beat/feel good songs. Dolly has good lyrics, good music and a
terrific command of voice.
Hell's Angel: The Life and Times of Sonny Barger and the Hell's
Angels Motorcycle Club By Ralph 'Sonny' Barger
A great summer read, especially when you see all the motorcycles
roaring around. I picked this book up several years ago because
I wanted to know what really goes on in a motorcycle club. WOW –
this is a real tell-all by the man who started it all! If you
read books to escape from everyday life or want to learn a
little something different, then you should read this. It’s fun,
informative, and you’ll never look at a group of motorcycles the
same way again. Please note: the language can get a little
rough.
Hot & Cool: Bennett sings
Ellington (CD)
By Tony Bennett
and
The Melody at Night, With you
(CD) By Keith
Jarrett
Both of these albums are excellent to listen to if you like the
sounds of Big Band (Bennett) and Jazz (Jarrett). Both cover the
old standards and a few songs that may be new to you. I have
since purchased copies for myself. Light a fire, pour the wine
and invite your favorite person over - a wonderful way to have
an enjoyable evening during the cold winter months.
If Tomorrow Comes By Sidney Sheldon
This is the only book that has made me want to be on the wrong
side of the law. Meet Tracy Whitney, who is framed for a crime
she didn’t commit. She vows revenge while in prison, and gains
much more than that when she gets out. Her quick wits, her newly
sophisticated personality, and her cosmopolitan lifestyle would
make anyone want to be her. If Tomorrow Comes is a wild,
globe-trotting read – great for those afternoons by the lake and
warm, lazy evenings.
Josh Groban (CD)
By Josh Groban
This is Josh's first album and I think it's terrific. If you
like romantic, contemporary classical singing, this album is for
you. It's wonderful for background music during a romantic
dinner or for just spending time relaxing. I bought my own copy
to enjoy and now have a copy of his latest, Closer.
Name Dropping By Jane Heller
Heller’s books are romantic suspense with a comic twist. I
always enjoy reading her books for pure fun and escapism. I
chose this book as my pick because of the pretty cover (all of
hers are equally fun). None of Heller’s books are related, so
you can pick and choose as you wish without worrying about going
in order.
Projects for Small Gardens: 56 Projects on Foldout Pages with
Step-by-Step Instructions by Richard Bird and
George Carter
I love this book and want a copy for myself. Most of
the projects are very pretty, simple and require easily
accessible tools and equipment. Each project gives an overview,
a list of materials and equipment, a full-color photograph of
the completed project and very thorough instructions inside the
flap. In the back of the book there is brief but thorough
information on tools, techniques, mulching, sowing seeds, buying
plants, bulbs, care & maintenance of the projects and plants,
pruning, herb gardening and much more. It's the kind of book a
do-it-yourselfer will refer to again and again.
Riding Shotgun By Rita Mae Brown
Ms. Brown is better known for her Mrs. Murphy mysteries, however
her general fiction works are well worth your time. This story
has a little time travel, but is by no means a science fiction
book. A woman is taken back to 1699 Virginia to a time that is
much different than her 20th century life. Cig learns a great
deal about life and has a much newer perspective when she
returns to her own time. With the interesting history lesson
this book provides, I was inspired to read several non-fiction
books about our country in the 17th century.
See Jane Run By Joy
Fielding
This was the first book I read that was truly “suspense”
fiction. It takes off from the first page and keeps you hooked
on its wild ride until the last page. Jane finds herself
wandering around with a large sum of money in her pocket and
blood on her clothes. She can remember nothing. Follow along as
she discovers who she is, whom she can and cannot trust, and
what happened to her on that fateful day. If you like this book,
Fielding has several other suspense titles. Be careful, however,
as not everything Fielding writes is suspense.
Southern Living Home-style Cooking: Over 400 Mouthwatering,
Made-with-Love Recipes
Edited by Julie Gunter
I know, I know - who has time for cooking from scratch? With
this cookbook, everyone does. The ingredients lists and
instructions are very easy to follow. With color photographs
throughout, you know what your food should look like. And there
are helpful tips in the margins that really make things easier.
There are so many yummy recipes that I bought a copy of the book
for myself. I have really enjoyed the Easy Cheddar Biscuits,
Enchiladas, Bistro Onion Soup and Baked Potato Soup. They were
easy to make and enjoyed by my friends and family. I'm looking
forward to working (and eating) my way through the book.
Special Agent: My Life on the Front
Lines as a Woman in the FBI By Candice DeLong
The dust jacket says this is a 'glimpse' into the life of a
woman FBI agent - but it's much more than just a glimpse. The
reader will come away with a great appreciation of the FBI's
work and of how much of an effort it takes for a woman to
succeed in this career. The author gives the reader some history
of the bureau, a lot of interesting criminal facts, a little bit
of humor, and a really good read.
Starlight Passage
By Anita Richmond Bunkley
I read this book six years ago and still think about it. If
you’re at all interested in pre-Civil War history, glass making,
a fight for freedom, or searching for your past, this book is a
very good read. It’s exciting, fast-paced, suspenseful, and a
little romantic. A woman is researching her past when she
discovers her ancestor was a slave and a highly regarded glass
artist. In her search for his story, she finds herself matching
wits with her own sister and falling for a photojournalist. For
further reading related to this subject, try Hidden in Plain
View: The Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad by
Jacqueline Tobin.
The Sugar Pavilion By
Rosalind Laker
The time period is the French Revolution, the setting is the
English coastal resort town of Brighton, the heroine is Sophie
Delcourt. Sophie has escaped France with a four-year-old
destined to claim his father’s noble title (if he can only make
it through the revolution) and must fend for the two of them.
Sophie comes from a family well-known in France for creating
beautiful confections. She uses this knowledge to make her
living and quickly becomes embroiled in the intrigue of the time
and the love of two men.
Tears of my Soul By Kim
Hyun Hee
This non-fiction work tells of the bombing of a South Korean
airline flight as an act of terrorism by North Korea. The
assassin (who is the author) writes about her training and
brainwashing in North Korea and how she never had a chance to
actually consider her actions. It is very interesting to see how
the South Koreans deal with Hee once she is caught and her
subsequent reaction to the whole ordeal.
Tender at the Bone & Comfort Me With Apples By
Ruth Reichl
Ruth Reichl was a food critic in San Francisco and then for the
New York Times. She is now the editor of Gourmet. She is also my
second cousin. Even if you don’t enjoy reading about food
critics, read these books for their easy flow, fast paced style,
and pure entertainment – Ruth Reichl is truly someone who lives
life by the seat of her pants.
Thousand Pieces of Gold
By RuthAnn Lum McCunn
Although this book is shelved in Fiction, it is based on a real
person and her unbelievable life story. Because of the
thoughtful research done by the author (uncovering records,
private papers, newspaper accounts, etc.), the reader comes away
with a very realistic sense of pioneer life – especially for the
Chinese-Americans. This book takes you from 1871 China to 1933
Idaho.
Underboss: Sammy 'The Bull' Gravano's Story of Life in the
Maffia By
Peter Maas
With the recent death of mafia godfather John Gotti, the mafia
has come into the limelight again. This book is written from the
first-hand knowledge of Sammy ‘the Bull’, Gotti’s right hand
man. Much like Hell’s Angel, this book shows the reader a whole
other kind of life. This was another one I couldn’t put down.
Blackmailing+bullying+crime+deception+doublecrossing+murder= THE
MOB. Also note: John Gotti’s daughter, Victoria Gotti, is
writing thriller fiction now. Check out her book “I’ll Be
Watching You ”
The Warden Wore Pink By
Tekla Dennison Miller
This is the biography of Michigan's first woman prison warden.
As I never intend on seeing the inside of a prison, I found this
book incredibly interesting because of the descriptions and
insights given by the author. She truly has a deep understanding
of the world of prisoners and correctional facilities. Ms.
Miller's challenges of not only being a prison warden, but being
a female warden, are unique and the reader gains a better
understanding of 'life in the big house'.
Wish You Were Here By
Rita Mae Brown with Sneaky Pie Brown
Brown has created a mystery series with two casts: one is human,
the other is animal. The human cast centers around Mary Minor
Haristeen (Harry) who is the town’s postmistress. The animal
cast centers around Mrs. Murphy and Tee Tucker, Harry’s tiger
cat and corgi. The setting is Crozet, Virginia where gossip and
foxhunting are the pastimes and Southern charm rules all (even
the murderers). The books are unique in that the animals talk
quite animatedly amongst themselves and try to communicate with
the humans. These are fun to read if not taken too seriously.
**Does the man in your
life need a little sprucing up? Could he use a little more
knowledge of cooking, fashion sense and etiquette? Any one of
these books will help your man become suave, sophisticated,
charming. Use with care!**
- Sat It Right: How to talk
in any social or business situation
- Don't Slurp your Soup: A
basic guide to business etiquette
- Essential Manners for Men:
What to do, when to do it and why
- Grill it Right!
- 500 Five Ingredient
Recipes
- A Man, A Can, A Microwave
- Appreciating Fine Wines
- Cuts! Gain Muscle, Lose
Fat!
- Dress Smart, Men
- Casual Power: How to power
up your nonverbal communication and dress down for success
- Men's Wardrobe
- Queer Eye for he Straight
Guy: The Fab 5's guide to looking better, cooking better,
dressing better, behaving better, and living better
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