"The Owl and Moon Cafe" by Jo-Ann Mapson

"The Owl and Moon Cafe" by Jo-Ann Mapson

Four generations of women, from the same family, end up living, working, and sharing family secrets together - during which time, they must learn the secret of living together in harmony. An unexpected job loss to Mariah Moon forces her to move in with her mother, Allegra, and Gammy, so that her daughter, Lindsay, can continue to attend her fancy private school. Gammy waits tables at the Owl & Moon, Allegra does all the baking and cooking, when Mariah arrives and pitches in to make ends meet - until, her mother is diagnosed with leukemia, at that time Mariah take over running the Owl and Moon. Lindsay moves ahead with a scret and dangerous science project with her "sometimes" rich friend Sally.

The biggest surprise to all is when Allegra meets her former lover, who just happens to be her cancer specialist - things start to unravel, and yet start to fit together again.

Read this one back in 2006, still brings back memories when I check it out to a library patron, or return it.

Captain Saturday, a novel by Robert Inman

"Captain Saturday" a novel by Robert Inman

He was Raleigh's favorite TV weatherman, he had it all, a beautiful wife, a son in medical school --- Life was good UNTIL a heartless conglomerate purchases the TV station, and releases him from his job. Will goes on a rampage, is arrested, is locked out of his home by his wife, and to top it off, he finds out that his son isn't too crazy about him either. Enter long-lost cousin Wingfoot Bagget, who comes to Will's rescue, although Will isn't too sure he wants to be rescued by this "river cousin", however, as Will has no place or anyone else to turn to, he blindly follows his cousin. Things get a bit out of wack for Will, but things start to fall into place, he figures things out, becomes "Captain Saturday", winning back his son, and his good name.

This was a fun read, with some really good humor, and a couple hilarious scenes with his cousin. Hope you will consider it and enjoy.

Books, book, books

Just a rambling here.

To me, a house without books is like a body without a soul LIFELESS.

I don't understand people who have no books around their homes............

Among Schoolchildren by Tracy Kidder

"Among Schoolchildren" by Tracy Kidder

One of the first books I ever read by Tracy Kidder. This was a very enjoyable read, well-paced, well-written, a very good insight into terrible conditions (at the time it was written) that teachers face on a daily basis.

Tracy received permission to "sit" in Mrs. Zajac's 5th grade class, for a whole year, at Kelly School in Holyoke, Connecticut,( where she had grown up and eventually became a teacher.)

Tracy takes the time to introduce the reader to all of Mrs. Zajac's students, their backgrounds, their personalities, pleasures, pains and problems. One child in particular becomes not only Mrs Zajac's "cross to bear", but the one student she absolutely refuses to give up on. All the children become family, and dear to the reader. It is a very sad day for the reader, writer and teacher when Clarence is sent to another school. One wonders whatever happened to him.

Tracy is such a great author, approaching subjects that will be of interest to various folks.

Hope you can locate this one, and give it a shot.

"Last night at the Lobster" a novel by Stewart O'Nan

"Last Night at the Lobster" a novel by Stewart O'Nan

Only 4 shopping days to Christmas, stressful time for shoppers, but it should be a regular time for business at the "Lobster", if not busy. Christmas should be a time to look forward to with pleasure, however, that is far from Manny DeLeon's mind these days. Manny, manager of the Red Lobster, is faced with the fact that corporate headquarters is closing this Lobster down. Manny's staff is ready to mutiny, but they still are expected to man their shifts on this the last day being open....

But will Manny and his staff be able to get through this last day?

Snow, unscheduled tourists, a party, and all the normal regulars show up and add to the stress of this last day.......

Read this book just as the economy was starting to tank back in early 2009 - therefore this was a timely story to read.......

"The Island" a novel by Victoria Hislop

"The Island" a novel by Victoria Hislop

Consider finding out that one's great grandmother was the victim of leprosy, BUT not learning from one's own parent, but from an "old" family friend, and that one has to travel to another country to gain this knowledge.

Alexis, well-off from England, travels to a small Greek village, over the course of several days Alexis discovers all of her mother's family secrets........ Well, that could be a shock to the system.

The writing is well done, the unfolding events are thoughtful, and sympathetic to the subject of leprosy, a subject that most people, currently, have little or no knowledge of.

Hope you will consider this title.

"Box of Delights" by John Masefield

Recently, on NPR, John Masefield's book "Box of Delights" was being discussed by an author. Naturally, I needed to see why this book, written in 1937, was being discussed, so........

I am nearing the end of this "delightfully" told story. Kay Harkin has been "given" a box to protect from the evil doers, a box that can make him small or take him on very speedy trips of his choice. Magic is involved in many aspects of this book - which precedes Harry Potter by so many decades, and the writing is so much better than J.K.'s (s0rry if you are a big fan).

This is one that should become a holiday classic, but will probably fall by the wayside in our current scheme of things.......

Hope you will give it a look-over.