 | Title: In a Pickle: a Family Farm Story Author: Apps, Jerold Summary: This coming-of-age story details the maturing of a young farmer/pickle factory manager in rural Wisconsin in the mid 1950’s. Apps lovingly details the life and times that the birth of factory agriculture changed forever. Anyone who has worked in a small factory, or lived in a small town, knows about the passions and affairs of its inhabitants. Apps style is reminiscent of Fannie Flagg and Garrison Keillor. |
 | Title: Death of a Perfect Wife. Author: Beaton, M. C. Summary: Set in the wee Scottish Highlands village of Lochdubh (pronounced “lock-do”), it is a cozy mystery with a real flavor of small town rural Scottish life. It also has a subtle but sharp sense of humor, particularly when the “perfect wife,” a newcomer to the village, persuades the village women to force the men to toe the line! No more steak and chips for dinner—salad with nut cutlets instead! Also, no more caffeinated beverages – this could and does lead to danger for this perfect wife. All in all, a gentle but satisfying read. |
 | Title: Shakespeare: the World as Stage Author: Bryson, Bill Summary: Really in-depth biography of Shakespeare. Looks at the question “did Shakespeare really write all of those plays?” If you enjoyed the movie Shakespeare in Love, you will love this book. Fun read. |
 | Title: The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry: Love, Laughter, and Tears at the World’s Most Famous Cooking School Author: Flinn, Kathleen Summary: Flinn, an American journalist laid off from her technical writing position, and thus unable to stay in London, decides to spend her life savings on the Le Cordon Bleu’s diploma program. Among her many difficulties are her nearly forgotten high school French, her reluctance to salt her cooking, and her wedding planning. |
 | Title: Q is for Quarry Author: Grafton, Sue Summary: Two retired homicide detectives trying to solve a 20 year old murder of a young woman, enlist the help of Private Investigator Kinsey Millhone. The relationship between the old detectives and Kinsey is a really heartwarming aspect of this story. In one part of this book Kinsey, a self proclaimed junk food addict, describes a sandwich that sounds extremely delicious as well as a artery clogger! |
 | Title: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Author: Haddon, Mark Summary: Christopher Boone, a fifteen year old who has autism, makes it his mission to find out who killed Wellington, his neighbor’s dog. Very compelling and unique read. |
 | Title: Sleep No More Author: Iles, Greg Summary: Loving husband and father John Waters thinks he is going crazy when a woman named Eve Sumner claims to be his former girlfriend Mallory Candler (who has been dead for 20 years). What makes this remarkable is that Eve seems to know very personal things about Mallory that only John would know. Lots of twists and turns in this novel - looking forward to reading more by this author. |
 | Title: 100 Knitting Projects Author: Leinhauser, Jean Summary: Lots of great projects to while away the snowy days of winter. |
 | Title: A Place of Execution Author: McDermid, Val Summary: A compelling British mystery which keeps the reader fascinated and guessing! Walking her dog after school, thirteen year old Alison Carter disappears, leaving a grief stricken mother and wealthy, self-absorbed stepfather to aid a newly promoted Police Inspector George Bennett in a frustrated search. |
 | Title: Time Management from the Inside Out: The Foolproof System for Taking Control of Your Schedule – and Your Life Author: Morgenstern, Julie Summary: Author Julie Morgenstern offers valuable insights and tools to help people take control of their time and find time for what’s really important in their lives. The book guides readers in the process of organizing activities to reflect larger life goals. |