The Last Letter from Your Lover

Jojo Moyes
London 1960 – a woman wakes up from unconsciousness in a hospital, not knowing where she is, how she got there, or who the man is in the chair at her bedside. As she gets her bearings on her surroundings, she realizes she knows who she is, and she can remember bits and pieces of her long past, but her recent memory is gone. ...

Review by Brice B. »

Angelina's Bachelors: a Novel, with Food

Brian O'Reilly
As Angelina finds herself widowed and unemployed at too young of an age she turns toward her passion of cooking to relieve her grief and anger. With too much food for one, she delivers the sumptuous meals to her neighbors and friends. In return, a business venture is founded as Angelina opens her home to seven bachelors in search of sustenance and...

Review by Betsy M. »

Thrift Store Saints: Meeting Jesus 25 Cents at a Time

Jane Knuth
Jane Knuth gets roped, kicking and screaming, into volunteering at her local St. Vincent de Paul Society store. In Thrift Store Saints: Meeting Jesus 25 Cents at a Time Jane tells the story of how she has come to treasure working there. ...

Review by Katheryn C. »

That Woman: the Life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor

Anne Sebba
Previous to reading this book I always assumed the story of Wallis and Edward was the love story of the 20th century. After all, how many kings of England abdicate the throne for an American divorcee? This insightful account of Wallis’ life paints a different picture; it wasn’t all roses, love and romance, even though she had a world class collection...

Review by Brice B. »

It's Ok Not to Share: and Other Renegade Rules for Raising Competent and Compassionate Kids

Heather Shumaker
Local journalist Heather Shumaker is generating a lot of discussion with her new book on parenting, It's Okay Not to Share. As you might guess from the title, this book isn't your typical "I need to make the world perfect for my child or he/she won't turn out right" tome. Instead, Shumaker lays out for us her Renegade Rules, rules that are based...

Review by Jill P. »

Birds of a Feather Shop Together: Aesop's Fables for the Fashionable Set

Sandra Bark
Sixteen of Aesop's fables have been restyled for the contemporary fashionista but suitable for anyone. Bright and bold illustrations perfectly complement each fable. The original Aesop's fables are appended in case you aren't familiar with one, and there were a couple that were new to me. See how many people or situations you recognize. ...

Review by Katheryn C. »

Bill Cunningham New York

Bill Cunningham
The legendary New York Times photographer, Bill Cunningham says he is always looking for beauty. In Bill Cunningham New York, his muse is the streets of New York City. Although, Cunningham himself appears to only own maybe five articles of clothing, he has a keen eye for fashion and the trendsetters among the "ordinary" people. ...

Review by Kristen T. »

Wonder

R J Palacio
Wonder is mostly a story about kindness. August, also known as Auggie, was born with a craniofacial abnormality. Auggie’s Mom and Dad, his big sister and their dog Daisy love him more than words can describe. Because of his many surgical procedures Auggie’s parents chose to home school. That is, until Auggie’s Mom decides it is time for him...

Review by Melanie A. »

The Secret of Chanel No. 5: the Intimate History of the World's Most Famous Perfume

Tilar J Mazzeo
Can you remember the first time you smelled Chanel No. 5? My earliest memory is around the age of 15 when my best friend’s mother gave her a bottle because she never used it. I was immediately hooked. I wore the fragrance every time I visited her, and I was over there a lot. ...

Review by Brice B. »

Joan Rivers: a Piece of Work

Ricki Stern
I recently watched Joan Rivers celebrate her 79th birthday on E!'s Fashion Police, her latest TV hosting gig. I have to say, I'm a "Joan Ranger." Wanting to know more about this woman's journey and what continues to motivate her after all these years, I checked out Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work. ...

Review by Kristen T. »