Tried and True!

Many of us have tried home remedies from time to time. In looking at the scary side effects of some prescribed medicines, it may be time to take another look in our cupboards. Home Remedies from the Old South by Emily Thacker lists over 700 trusted helpful hints for whatever ails you. The seven chapters promote healing mixtures, beauty and age reducing treatments, great cleaning solutions and ways to beautify your yard and garden. These remedies have certainly withstood the test of time and are now being recognized by modern science. This book is fun to read, and who knows what will work. DB   

I'll Be Home for Christmas

I'll Be Home for Christmas by Lori Wilde is definitely a keeper. In this love story, Gabi is such a giving person. She is so compassionate and tender hearted. She wants to make everyone happy, but inside she's in a great pain. She lost her older brother from cancer leaving her parents in distress. Joe is a charmer and a flirt, but he's a softie. He's always honorable. He makes Gabi feel alive. Gabi and Joe both endured so much. They deserve to find love and happiness. This book is remarkable and is guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit. Lori Wilde knows how to weave a story that has it all. There is love, laughter, joy and pain. *JK*

Holiday Craft

Two new books you shouldn't miss:  Country Living Christmas Joys - a book about decorating, crafts & recipes with easy to do ideas just in time for the holidays.  From hanging a wreath in front of a mirror to cutting ornaments out of newspapers - all the ideas in this book are easily doable.  My favorite idea that I will be trying this year is the brown paper packages (including an adorable paper straw Christmas tree decoration page 171).  Check it out if you get a chance.  Holiday Knits is the second book - a donation we received that we've added to the new book shelf.  This book has 25 great gift ideas from stockings to sweaters.  If you hurry you'll be able to whip up loads of homemade warmth for gift giving!  SG

A Winter Wedding

A Winter Wedding is a wonderful romance and it's part of Brenda Novak's entire Whiskey Creek series. It is a must read! I love the group of friends in the small community Novak has created. Kyle is one of the last to remain single. He gave his heart a long time ago to Olivia, but she loves and is married to his step-brother Brandon all because of a mistake he made with her sister, Noelle. In the previous books he is such a great guy, always there for his friends, successful in his business, but heartbroken. *JK*

Saints and Sinners

Nadia Bolz-Weber is the most controversial Luthern minister you’re likely to meet. She was a stand-up comedian, she has lots of tattoos and she can curse with the best of them. She is also founding pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver. Nadia has come to embrace the life she tried desperately to avoid. The harder she ran, the more God called.  Her second book, Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People is amusing, inspirational, and certainly eye-opening for traditional folk. A great realistic read for the Christmas Season! DB

How sweet it is....

OK, all Martha Stewart wannabees, these are for you! The first book, food, gift, love : more than 100 recipes to make, wrap, & share  by Maggie Battista is so timely for the season. There are many gifts in here, fresh gifts, pantry gifts, candied gifts and baked gifts. There is everything from the usual ( pesto, cookies, truffles) and the unusual. (extracts, infused oils, candied blood orange rinds) There are suggestion for collections of gifts, and tips for wrapping. ML

Also a delicious book is maple:100 sweet and savory recipes featuring pure maple syrup by Katie Webster. The book opens with a short history of maple sugaring, a DIY guide, and why choose maple? Did you know that because maple syrup is a by-product of a wild plant, it is more ecological than say, sugar? The recipes include breakfast but there are also savory choices, like mustard maple vinaigrette, turkey burgers with maple pickled onions, and Asian pork cabbage cups. Sounds good!  ML

How Stuff Works

Have you ever wondered just how a microwave really works? Pick up Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple Words by Randall Munroe. In it he explains the operation of everyday wonders using only about 1,000 words. Inside this volume lies the secret to the universe—the periodic table made simple, how a helicopter flies, the skinny on bridge construction and elevator operation and even the scoop on tectonic plates. Intrigued? Find out everything you wondered about in this informative and entertaining book today! DB