Ready to Retire?

If you’re thinking about retiring in the near future, 65 notable people are willing to give you some sensible advice. Read what Gloria Steinem, Jimmy Carter, Jane Fonda and many others have to say about their “Golden Years”. This collection of thoughts and stories offers some insight and practical suggestions to those of us nearing the second half of life. 65 Things To Do When you Retire by Mark Evan Chimsky is easy-to-read and amusing. A good first guide to help with retirement planning. DB

A Tale Told Well

The year is 1960, and the protagonist at the center of this novel, The Bartender's Tale,is Tom Harry, a beloved, no-nonsense bartender in Gros Ventre, MT, a sleepy town in remote northern sheep country. Tom is also a single father working long hours, trying to raise his 12-year-old son Rusty, in this enjoyable, warmhearted story about fathers and sons, growing up, and big life changes. Rusty is the narrator of the novel, and Doig  brings the young man's voice and perspective skillfully to life here. Rusty is puzzled by most of what he sees in the adult world, and there is little he can be sure of, except the love of his father. Doig poignantly captures the charm and pathos of Rusty's efforts to understand this complicated and often baffling adult world. Doig is famous for celebrating the American West, and he also beautifully captures the cadences and details of daily life in this Montana town. Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC

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Fairy Tales Revisited

Even though this is a young adult book, it is a must read for adults!  In The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer you are reunited with all of the fairy tales that you knew as a child, from Snow White and the Evil Queen to the Little Mermaid and Red Riding Hood.  This is the tale of twins Alex and Connor Bailey who find themselves in the land of stories.  As they come face to face with well known fairy tale characters you learn about what happened to these characters AFTER their ‘stories’ end.  Do they all really live happily ever after?  There are lots of moral lessons sprinkled throughout the book, as there is in any good fairy tale, but the best part for me was being reunited with the stories I grew up with.  The tale of the twins predicaments keep you on the edge of your seat and while you think you know what’s going to happen next there are plenty of surprises.  I listened to this as an audiobook because it is read by the author and I love Chris Colfer’s voice (Kurt from Glee, in case you didn’t know).  SG

A Little Sci-Fi with Your Fantasy

I'll be honest, Among Others by Jo Walton is kind of a weird book.  Told as journal entries written by 15 year-old Mori, we learn through the narrative that she is coping with life after the death of her twin.  Forced to start over amongst strangers, Mori consoles herself by voraciously reading Sci-Fi novels and trying to envision an unexpected life for herself.  Oh yeah, and her mother is a witch who she must ultimately face in order to save the world.  Part coming-of-age story, part fantasy, Among Others is a little outside the box, but definitely worth a read.  HM

An All-Time Favorite

If you’re looking for a great book, pick up one of the best-Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. This wonderful classic intertwines adventure, childhood, love and loss in an unforgettable tale of a boy and his two amazing dogs. The story is set in the Ozarks Mountains of northeastern Oklahoma during the Great Depression. Billy Colman is determined to get a hunting dog and with sacrifice and hard work he manages to save up and order two redbone pups. He begins to pursue his goal of hunting coons to help his family. During the story Billy learns about courage, determination, integrity and the character that shaped this nation. This book is a must-read for anyone over age ten! Enjoy, but be forewarned—there may be some tears! DB

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

Letting go

Lucy Bloom, the main character in Jill Smolinski's novel Objects of My Affection, is broke, been dumped by her boyfriend, and has sold her house to pay for her son's rehab. This turn of events explains why she has taken a job to work for a difficult and eccentric artist, Marva, who needs help clearing a houseful of objects. As the two women forge an uneasy friendship she discovers a secret Marva is keeping as well as a new look at herself. There are things in life we keep, and some we need to let go. Knowing the difference is difficult. Lovely and upbeat, this is a book in the finest "chick lit" tradition. ML