 | Title: Scarlet Feather Author: Binchy, Maeve Summary: The story of Cathy Scarlet and Tom Feather, friends from cooking school who achieve their dream of opening a classy catering business, Scarlet Feather, in contemporary Dublin. The plot involves the ups and downs in their personal and professional lives. This is a warm and engaging narrative with realistic and loveable characters. |
 | Title: Stardust Author: Gaiman, Neil Summary: This is a lyrical, novel-length fantasy adventure story full of magic and mythic images. From the quiet Victorian-era English village of Wall, Tristran Thorn embarks on a quest through Faerie to recover a fallen star for his beloved, encountering many fantastical beings and adventures on the way. This is an imaginative, charming fairy tale with a new twist and a satisfying resolution. For children of all ages! I highly recommend the audiobook which is narrated by the author. |
 | Title: The Children of Men Author: James, P. D. Summary: In a startling departure from her detective novels, P. D. James describes a futuristic world in which all males are sterile; no births have occurred in 25 years. The novel is narrated in journal form by Oxford historian Theo Faron, whose cousin is the dictatorial Warden of England. In this scenario, the aged and infirm are encouraged to commit mass suicide, immigrants are treated like slaves, and criminals are exiled and abandoned to their own devices. Theo unwillingly becomes involved in a dissident group, one of whose members is concealing her pregnancy. The plot is well paced and the characters are well developed. Made into a 2006 movie with altered storyline, the book is starker and more ominous, but rewarding and somewhat hopeful. |
 | Title: What the Dead Know Author: Lippman, Laura Summary: Dectective Kevin Infante investigates a hit-and-run accident in which the driver claims to be one of two sisters who had gone missing thirty years earlier and were presumed dead. Unwilling to explain what happened and where she has been, the woman reveals only bits and pieces, and it is unclear whether she is a victim or a criminal. The story is told from multiple perspectives and goes back and forth in time, with exciting disclosures at the ends of chapters. It is a page-turner with vivid characters. |
 | Title: The Zookeeper’s Wife Author: Ackerman, Diane Summary: This is a well researched historical narrative of life in Warsaw during World War II. When Germany invaded Poland, the blitzkrieg devastated the city and its zoo. With most of the animals dead, the brave and resourceful keepers Jan and Antonina Zabinski sheltered over 300 Jews and Polish resisters in their villa, the animal cages and sheds. This book is a fascinating and moving story with evocative language and style. |
 | Title: I Am America and So Can You Author: Colbert, Steven Summary: As an avid fan of Stephen’s show, I was compelled to check out his first book. It did not disappoint. The book reads like the show and provides lots of laughout-loud moments. Though admittedly for an adult audience, this book translates Colbert’s talent for brilliant parodies onto paper…and it works. A fun read that is hard to put down. |
 | Title: You Staying Young: The Owner’s Manual for Extending Your Warranty Author: Oz, Mehmet C. Summary: Though they may appear simple, I’ve found all the books in the “You” series to be entertaining as well as informative. This one, like the others, provides an abundance of cutting-edge information in a highly readable, often humorous fashion. The authors give a comprehensive explanation of the anatomy of aging and enumberate steps you cantake, based on latest research, to extend your warranty. It’s a painless way to learn how our bodies work and what we can do to keep them healthy…and youthful! |
 | Title: Maxed Out: Hard Times, Easy Credit, and the Era of Predatory Lenders Author: Scurlock, James Summary: In a cross country road trip, the author interviews victims of easy credit peddled by banks and credit card companies. Among those interviewed are parents of college-age children who committed suicide due to their credit card debt. This is the “credit crisis” on an individual, human level. A riveting, frightening, and eye-opening account of what is going on in America today. |
 | Title: Flowers in the Rain & Other Stories Author: Pilcher, Rosamunde Summary: A gracious collection of romantic short stories set in England and Scotland by the author of a number of novels including The Shell Seekers and September and an earlier volume of short stories The Blue Bedroom and Other Stories. Describes in fine and perceptive detail the actions, sensitivities, and events of everyday people using the language of poetry, beauty, and romance. Several of my favorites are “Flowers in the Rain,” “Christabel,” “A Girl I Used to Know,” and “A Walk in the Snow.” Highly recommended; in print form or by Recorded Books, read by Davina Porter. |
 | Title: Heat: An Amateur’s Adventures as a Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta-Maker, and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany Author: Buford, Bill Summary: This is a wonderful book following an amateur cook who decides to try his hand at becoming a professional chef. He writes of his misadventures in the world of professional restaurants, his humiliations and triumphs, the famous chef he works for and with whom he becomes friends, and the food (ah, yes, the food) he learns to prepare and to appreciate. The amazing cast of characters he meets along the way and the stories that they tell help to bring a new meaning to a good meal. |