Death Tells a Story

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak is narrated by Death himself. Since the story takes place during World War II, death is an appropriate narrator to this story of a young girl, Liesel, who becomes a book thief. The first book she takes, before she has even learned to read, is "The Gravedigger's Handbook" stolen from a gravedigger working on her younger brother's grave. The Book Thief is about Liesel, the books she steals and her life on Himmel Street in Germany. "The Book Thief deserves a place on the same shelf with The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank and Elie Wiesel’s Night. It seems poised to become a classic" (USA Today). SG

Calling all Crafters!

The queen of crafts does it again in her new book—Martha Stewart’s handmade Holiday Crafts: 225 Inspired Projects for Year-Round Celebrations. If you are looking for ideas for gifts, decorations or holiday displays, check it out! You'll love the colorful creative crafts for all ages. They range from very easy to a bit complex. The materials may cost a little, but the final product will be worth it. She lists several crafts for each major holiday. The book also includes basic techniques and templates. The buyer’s guide lists brands and contact information for supplies. A new how-to for the holiday season --now's a great time to get started!DB

"Green" Bling!

These days, jewelry doesn't have to be fresh off the showroom floor to be considered beautiful (even Princess Kate's famous engagement ring is recycled from generations past). In Jewelry Upcycled, crafters Sherri and Michelle Haab show you how to repair, recycle, and reinvent old or broken jewelry to create something entirely new and Bling-worthy. Take that old broach with the bent clasp and transform it into a vintage-looking necklace! Put the beads from that broken bracelet to good use as a pair of earrings! This mother-daughter team of crafters will even show you how to take everyday objects (an old spoon, bubble wrap, tape from old cassettes) and turn them into some very cool, very wearable jewelry.

Some of the projects are a bit complex and others will require assistance from a parent (for the more youthful crafters out there), but this book is definitely worth checking out! --AJL

Brrrrrrrr!

For those who maybe aren't ready for winter or don't even want to hear the word, "snow," this book might make you feel a little bit better about Michigan weather. In The Palace of the Snow Queen: Winter Travels in Lapland, travel writer and translator Barbara Sjoholm journeys from her home in Washington to the arctic circle -- in December. Just a reminder here: the winter solstice usually occurs around December 20th, marking the shortest day of the year. In the far north, that means that for weeks before and after the solstice, the sun never actually rises. Sjoholm recounts her adventures in this perpetual twilight, including a trip to the original Ice Hotel, a visit to Santa's Village, an ill-conceived dog-sledding excursion, and an outdoor film festival where the movies are projected onto a giant sheet of ice. Along the way, she slowly comes to realize that the untouched north is full of vibrant and sometimes irreconcilable stories. HM

Mysterious powers

In The Hum and the Shiver, author Alex Bledsoe tells the tale of the Tufa, a small group of people who arrived in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee long before white settlers. They have deep superstitions and magical powers mixed with the music they all play. When Private Brown Hyatt, a Tufa, returns home from Iraq she is wounded in body and spirit. The omens her family can read point to an impending death, can she read the signs in time to help her family? Good storytelling for those who like magical reality. M.L.

Shine, shine, shine....

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need a moment to relax, pick up Light a Candle by Sylvia Browne. It is a tiny book filled with calming thoughts and meditations. Even the pictures are soothing. In the introduction, she talks about the energy of candles and the benefits they offer. The book includes affirmations for family, health and wisdom. Always an animal lover, Sylvia even has a page devoted to pets. A mini-read but worth it! DB

Thunder Dog!

Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero by Michael Hingson. On 9/11 Michael Hingson and his guide dog Roselle were at work on the 78th floor of the World Trade Center when the first terrorist plane crashed into the building. Not knowing what had happened they headed for the stairs to get out of the building. The days events create a remarkable story of loyalty and calm in the face of a terrifying event. As you read about Michael Hingson you understand how he has never let blindness stop him from living each day to the fullest and how his upbringing prepared him to deal with the events of 9/11. An inspiring story. SG