If the Earl Only Knew

If the Earl Only Knew has a delightful start to what looks to be an incredible series. There are so many wonderful characters in this book, it's hard to decide who to like. The story itself has a different feel to it than a typical historical romance. But there is plenty of action, suspense, romance, and family relationships.

The main character, Lady Katherine was definitely a kind of lady that's not afraid to express her opinions. As children, Kate and her brother are orphaned and taken to debtor's prison for their father's debts. When they're released, they find ways to take care of themselves.

John, is another character who proved that beneath the polished charm is a man of honor, strength, and action. He was somewhat arrogant before taking the title of Earl of Wynbrook, but his responsibilities slowly changed him to be more likable. *JK*

Becoming Grandma

Take a look at Becoming Grandma: The Joy and Science of the New Grandparenting by broadcast journalist, 60 Minutes correspondent and grandmother Lesley Stahl. She explores the world of grandparenting by examining her own experiences with her daughter and granddaughter, as well as her husbands and other famous and non-famous grandparents experiences. She also interviews professionals in various fields about the role of grandparents past and present. Jennifer Smith, guest blogger.

A Life Well-Lived

A Simple Life is a spare and gorgeously filmed movie that explores the end of life and who we consider to be our "family" when it really comes down to it. Maid Ah Tao has served a single household for four generations, culminating with the last bachelor son, Roger.  After suffering a stroke, Ah Tao decides to retire to an assisted-living facility where she comes to terms with her own mortality and where she and Roger begin to realize that their bond goes much deeper than as merely servant and employer.  HM

Culture, Food, and Identity

Part coming-of-age story, part food memoir, Fresh Off the Boat by Eddie Huang details the blogger and chef's childhood as the son of Chinese immigrants living in Orlando during the 1990s.  Huang learns form an early age (and from his ex-gangster dad) not to take insults from anybody, a lesson that gets him into trouble time and time again.  Fleshed out with references to hip hop, basketball, food, and '90s pop culture, Fresh Off the Boat explores issues of race, identity, and what it means to be American.  HM

Can You See Me Now?

Calling Invisible Women by Jeanne Ray is a hoot!  As Clover, a fifty-something mom, feels her beauty fade and her career falter she finds she is becoming invisible – literally an invisible woman.  What could very well be a silly story is actually a quick and quirky read.   Jeanne Ray, New York Times bestselling author of Julie and Romeo, is able to pull it off and actually make you become vested in what happens to Clover, her family, and all the other invisible women Clover befriends.  Light and fun! SG

The Little Red Guard: A Family Memoir

In his memoir of growing up during the waning years of the Cultural Revolution, Wenguang Huang frames his experiences around one all-pervasive family event -- his grandmother's funeral.  Though traditional burials were officially banned by the state, Huang Ma asserts her authority and over the course of the author's childhood, manages to persuade the family to build a coffin and secure a grave site in her ancestral village.  Huang's narrative is a mix of bittersweet coming-of-age story and a portrait of a society that is changing at a rapid pace.  HM

Mother Daughter Bonds

In Winter Garden Kristan Hannah, the author of Firefly Lane and Night Road, tells the story of two sisters and the shocking story that their mother shares with them.  This story spans their mothers past from war-torn Leningrad to modern times and changes the girl’s belief in what they thought they knew about their mother and about each other.  Hannah’s writing is always a pleasure to read, with believable characters and a ‘can’t put it down’ story line.  This book starts out slowly but picks up speed and is a very enjoyable read. SG

Linked by Tragedy

In Carol Anshaw's Carry the One, a group of friends and siblings are linked by a tragedy on one summer's night in their youth. As this group is leaving a wedding in the country, sleepy,drunk and stoned, they hit and kill a young girl who appears out of nowhere. The book follows the group for twenty-five years and how their lives are profoundly affected by this shared experience. The strength of this novel is the quality of the writing,funny,profane and most of all thoughtful. Her power of language is evident in the title; as one of the characters thinks,“When you add us up, you always have to carry the one.” ML

Left Behind

Leftovers, by Tom Perrotta, is about an unexplained mass disappearance of millions of people. It follows the story of the residents of one small town who all handle this apocalyptic event in a variety of ways. Some drop out of school, others run away, a few join newly sprung cults, such as The Guilty Remnant. Nora, who lost her entire family, and Kevin, who didn't lose anyone the day of the disappearance but lost his family all the same, are two of the main characters in this somewhat slow-moving, but intriguing story. Don't expect a thrilling page turner but expect more of an interesting character study. The book is not religious, or preachy at all, but it does make you consider your beliefs and imagine what you would do if this happened in real life. SG