The Silver Boat

The Silver Boat: A Novel by Luanne Rice

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Dar McCarthy, the only sister still living on Martha's Vineyard, has gathered her two younger sisters home, Delia and Rory, to close up Daggett's Way, the old beloved family beach house. Desperately trying to hang onto the 15 acre property, all three sisters fly off to Cork, Ireland, remembering their father's insistent story of a land grant given to the McCarthys. Their father had sailed for the emerald isles, many years before on a lovely ship he had built himself, the Irish Darling, promising to return with such evidence. Instead, finally after a safe arrival, the family had never heard from him again. Dar, especially, has always had problems with the abandonment and uses the pain she feels in her illustrating her graphic novels. In the end, after learning the truth about their father, the sisters find that they're really not on the same page about Daggett's Way - they cut the thread that held them together and Dar feels abandoned again, dropping into a deep depression.

Luanne Rice is one of my favorite writers of fiction. She has a way of writing about family relationships, weaving in the same joys and losses that we, the readers, feel in our own lives. To lighten things up a wee bit, there always seems to be a quirky character or two involved.




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The Band Perry

One of my all time favorite new bands - The Band Perry consists of two brothers, Reid & Neil, and sister, Kimberly from Tennessee who harmonize and play guitar, piano, bass, mandolin, accordion, and drums. This CD consists of 11 songs including the number one double platinum hit song: If I Die Young (written by Kimberly) and Hip to My Heart, their first single. This 20 something band writes most of their own music and has a sound all its own.

See their official site: http//www.thebandperry.com/default.aspx and videos on http://www.youtube.com/

Doctor in Petticoats

Doctor in Petticoats by Mary Connealy

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


What do you get when you cross one strong-willed, tough, ornery woman with a shell-shocked frightened doctor? Sparks are flying between Beth, a woman who knows how to handle a gun, and war-torn Alex, who has thrown his doctor's bag away forever, after what he's seen and been through. Alex realizes that only Beth can stabilize his thoughts and give him courage, so he proposes an idea, and pops the question! Will Beth agree to marry him out of pity? Will Alex ever practice doctoring again? A humorous, tale of strong women and strong faith.



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The Story of the Pittsburg Steelers (NFL Today)

The Story of the Pittsburgh Steelers by John Nichols

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Even though this is cataloged in our juvenile section - it's a great, concise, little book for anyone who loves football and the Steeler nation. It gives a nice history on the Steelers, coaches and key players throughout the years, retiring the old guard, and great color photos. I went to college in Pittsburgh in 1978-80, fell in love with the city and the Pirates & Steelers and I'm still a big fan. The library also has more books in this series of NFL today - the Ravens, Bears, Giants, Dolphins, Cowboys, Packers, Patriots, Redskins, 49'ers, Eagles, Browns, and the Colts.



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Miles to Go

Miles to Go by Richard Paul Evans

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The continuation of The Walk by Richard Paul Evans. In this small novel Alan wakes up in a hospital in Spokane, Washington with three knife wounds to his stomach, inflicted by a gang. He has only walked 318 of the 3,500 miles in his journey from Seattle to Key West, Florida. Alan has lost everything important in his life and walks, with only the bare necessities on his back, to get through the pain - well he did, until he was jumped by the gang outside Spokane. Now, lying in a hospital bed regaining his strength, Alan wonders how he will get through the day, let alone the upcoming months of recuperation. A good samaritan, by the name of Angel, offers to take him home and care for him until he's back on his feet and able to travel again. Can Angel and Alan help each other heal from their own personal tragedies?

My 18 year old daughter read the first in this emotional series and eagerly awaited Miles to Go. Two nights of staying up until 3am and it was finished - she said she couldn't put it down.



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Creative, inc.

Creative, Inc by Meg Mateo Ilasco

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


For those who want to venture into the scary world of creative freelancing - this book is for you. Chock full of information - are you ready to freelance, picking a name for your company, insurance, how and where to publicize, should you use an agent, luring and keeping your clients - just tons of good advice. Plus, each chapter, profiles one or two successful freelancing companies. A great, little compact resource.



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The Goodbye Quilt

The Goodbye Quilt by Susan Wiggs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Linda & Dan Davis's only child, and daughter at that, Molly, is ready to head off to college - clean on the East Coast. Linda has been been piecing together a lovely quilt of Molly's life - articles of clothing, badges, ribbon, and whatnot. When Linda decides to drive Molly to college, from their MidWestern home across all those miles, she decides to take the quilt with them and hopes to finish it along the way. Many memories and emotions are tied into the quilt and the trip becomes quite a journey. As the odometer climbs, so does Linda's emotions and she tries to find a way to let go and let Molly find her own way.

Thrown in between chapters are wonderful little tidbits - quotes by quilters, poets, and writers. This book is so well written and Susan Wiggs explains every up and down emotion Moms go through while letting their children grow up and leave.



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Night Road

Night Road by Kristin Hannah

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Everyone knows that they better have an entire box of tissues nearby as Kristin Hannah's books are read. Another book I couldn't put down - although from the beginning I knew something of great tragedy was about to happen. Every mom fears when their children get their license and approach senior year in high school. I remember thinking and feeling the same things when my own children were beginning to drive and closing in on graduation.

Jude Farraday is a wonderful mom but is a helicopter parent. Her own childhood was not happy and she promised herself that she will do anything to make sure her two twins, Mia and Zach are happy and on track for college. When Lexi, a lonely teen, makes best friends with Mia, Jude is thrilled, as Mia is the opposite of Zach, quiet and into drama, versus he is popular and athletic. The further along the senior year goes, the parties intensify and Jude is wracked with fear. When the worst happens, Jude is so angry, that instead of offering forgiveness - she can only spiral down into depression, guilt, and hatred.



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In the Company of Others

In the Company of Others: A Father Tim Novel by Jan Karon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


One of my very favorite series of all times - A Father Tim novel and by the same author of the Mitford Series, Jan Karon. I love the gentleness of Father Tim, a retired Episcopalian priest and the spunkiness of his wife Cynthia, illustrator of children's books. This time round, they head over to Ireland for a long overdue vacation. But while staying a lodge at Broughadoon in the middle of nowhere, odd things begin to happen and they both are pulled into age-old family problems. Will a beloved family heirloom be found and will the family matriarch confess before her alcoholism takes her down? Sometimes generational secrets need to be exposed for healing to be found.



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The Wedding Promise

The Wedding Promise by Thomas Kinkade

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


As Liza continues transforming her inn on Angel Island, she is approached by an excited couple who knew her Aunt Elizabeth and wish to be married outside the inn in the gardens. But Liza has never put on a wedding and isn't sure she can handle the job, especially with the inn still being in disrepair. Her friend Claire and Daniel, the local carpenter and handyman, encourage Liza with the promise that her aunt would have been thrilled to accommodate the young, romantic couple. When Daniel asks Liza out on a date, she hopes that this handsome, funny man will continue to stay in her life.



A sweet, easy read with some of our favorite characters from the town of Cape Light combined with a few miracles thrown in for good measure.



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There's No Place Like Here

There's No Place Like Here by Cecelia Ahern

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Another novel with author Cecelia Ahern's different, humorous take on things. The story centers on
Sandy Shortt, a woman who is obsessed with finding the missing - a sock, a shoe, articles of clothing, and people. Her obsession becomes so great that her family, and man she falls in love with, are pushed away. When Sandy herself becomes missing - where is she and who will bother to look for her? Can Sandy find her way home? Although the story bounces around a bit - it's not hard to keep track.

I have to admit - it does drive me crazy when my washer or dryer eats a sock and its mate is left to carry on alone.



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