Publisher: BBC Video
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 1/1/2006
UPC: 00794051248022 (set)

The tiny village of Dibley is about to meet its new vicar- who turns out to be a woman! Geraldine takes the sleepy and conservative village by storm, and slowly begins to win over the hearts of her parishioners. Of course, there are plenty of high jinks along the way! I especially enjoyed the "Holy, Wholly Happy Ending" DVD. I laughed so hard I fell off the couch! Series 1, Series 2, Series 3

Publisher: Tor Teen
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 4/29/2008
ISBN: 9780765319852
ISBN-10: 0765319853

Marcus and his friends are in downtown San Francisco when terrorists attack the Bay Bridge. Detained by the Department of Homeland Security, Marcus is released only to find that his best friend Darryl has been "disappeared". With the DHS cracking down on citizen's movements and communications, how can Marcus live free and try to help Darryl? This books also includes some great information about technology, from an explanation of false positives to how to make your own hidden camera spotting device.

First Chapter  

Publisher: DC Comics
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 11/26/2004
ISBN: 9781401203900
ISBN-10: 1401203906

Frankie is the girl who has it all, thanks to her god Jeriven. As his lone worshipper,   Frankie is sure to get almost anything she prays for. Unfortunately her god is a jealous god, and when she starts to fall for childhood pal Dean it could mean the end of their relationship. This graphic novel is a lot of fun to read because you are never very sure what it is going to happen next (demons? heart's fires? weed wackers?). The art is excellent, and reflects the quirky, high energy plot.

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/5/2007
ISBN: 9780470137307
ISBN-10: 0470137304

When the author of "Gluten-Free Girl" discovered that she has celiac disease, she learned that her diet could no longer include any kind of wheat products. No more cookies, pasta, or even oatmeal? Ahern found a way to enjoy delicious food while discovering new ingredients and eating local, organic produce. This book is part auto-biography, part organic food primer and part cookbook, so be prepared to go on a journey through the world of gluten-free eating.

First Chapter  Table of Contents  

Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 3/6/2007
ISBN: 9780312351625
ISBN-10: 0312351623

A popular romance author turns her hand to women's fiction. Liberty spends her teens caring for her beloved baby sister, but a family tragedy sends her life on a new course. At her job as a stylist she becomes friends with a wealthy man, but his son labels her a "gold digger". When she encounters an old flame, she has to decide what's right for herself and her family. I liked reading about the Houston setting, and Liberty is a heroine who is fun to root for.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 8/21/2007
ISBN: 9781596910522
ISBN-10: 1596910526

Describes the author's experiences with a group of young children as they shared a class in Chinese landscape painting, discussing what he learned from the youngsters and the wisdom he discovered in the art's formal tenets.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/31/2006
ISBN: 9780312358037
ISBN-10: 0312358032

Alternating between contemporary and historical Italy, the “Sidewalk Artist” follows two parallel, intertwined romances offering a mysterious -through time- adventure and an unique view of the creative force that has inspired artists through generations.  “I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man.” - Chuang-Tzu

First Chapter  

Publisher: Paraclete Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 6/30/2007
ISBN: 9781557255020
ISBN-10: 1557255024

A luminescent tale ensues when a big city church plans a special service to “Celebrate All Creatures,” and a roach and a skunk wonder if they, too, may be welcome.  “I don’t think that we are meant to be included, Francesca.  It’s for the respectables, the cute and cuddlies.  We are outcasts, my dear.  They’ll never let us in.”  Read and see if the church is up to the challenge.

Publisher: Minedition
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/20/2007
ISBN: 9780698400641
ISBN-10: 069840064X

A unique, heart-warming tale of a small baby porcupine looking for love and caring in a large uncaring world.  All he wants is a hug – pure and simple. Will someone hear him and reach back in love?  Only the crocodile knows.

Publisher: Scholastic Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/1/2007
ISBN: 9780439023443
ISBN-10: 0439023440

This book has been awarded the Newbery Honor Book for this year.  Curtis states this historical fiction book is based on an actual settlement and real people.  Buxton is a town in Canada settled by free slaves.  Elijah is the first child born totally free, a distinction he feels is sometimes a heavy burden. When he faces slavery head on, he knows his life will never be the same again and being free is a description he better understands and now cherishes.

Publisher: Candlewick Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2/13/2007
ISBN: 9780763631758
ISBN-10: 0763631752

When Binh learns her grandmother gave up a daughter to the Americans during the Viet Nam War, she is shocked.  Learning that that same daughter is coming to visit them, she and many of her other relatives think their financial worries will be taken care of, since everyone knows all Americans are rich.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 6/21/2007
ISBN: 9780803731226
ISBN-10: 0803731221

This sweet book is poetically written.  Diana writes of her best friend, her family, her loves and all that makes you feel like you know her.  You feel her joys, her sadness, her worries, and her successes.  Sit down today with you child and read this book together.

Publisher: Thorndike Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/1/2001
ISBN: 9780786234738
ISBN-10: 0786234733

It is always a great feeling when I discover a new-to-me mystery series.  These books by Eichler are about the cases of private investigator Desiree Shapiro, who is not your typical female P.I.  She is a short, full-figured New Yorker who is a marvelous cook. This is the first book in the series.  Although murder cases aren’t her typical cases, she just can’t say no when the nice young delivery boy is accused of robbing and killing a reclusive old woman.

Publisher: Taunton Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 12/31/2007
ISBN: 9781561589401
ISBN-10: 1561589403

This non-fiction book is packed full of information and tips to make your life simpler.  It doesn’t just deal with clutter, but with finances, health, the car, etc.  For instance, you will learn about the SHOK, salad helping overkill, diet.  Hopefully, I can put some of his ideas into my own life and I hope you can find something to assist you on the way to a simpler life.

Table of Contents  

Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 4/1/2002
ISBN: 9780689836022
ISBN-10: 0689836023

Branwell, a lover of words, is now silent.  When he was accused of gravely injuring his baby sister, his power of speech left him.  It is up to his best friend Connor to discover the truth and hopefully help Branwell re-discover his voice.  This middle school book will have you on the edge of your chair!

First Chapter  

Publisher: Coral Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 6/1/2007
ISBN: 9780970829351
ISBN-10: 0970829353

Melody, romance and perhaps a little murder (gasp!) are thrown in the mix as the beautiful sultry Annas hit the big time in the sixties. Put on the shades, turn on the Supremes.  This one is for the lazy days poolside.

Publisher: Hyperion
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2/1/2004
ISBN: 9781401300906
ISBN-10: 1401300901

Holly receives one note a month for a full year sent from her husband after his death. Newly widowed, Holly anxiously awaits these letters, her only connection now to the man who was the love of her life.  Each one contains either a task or a treat, guiding Holly through the empty months until she feels she can live again.  Pop some corn, and watch the movie when you finish the book.  Have tissues handy.

Publisher: Avon Trade
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 1/1/2004
ISBN: 9780060085452
ISBN-10: 0060085452

Set in the human resources department of the New York Journal, we’ve got the ex-sorority girl turned into evil, pompous boss;  our lovable Kate, fair of heart, directed to commit the unthinkable act of firing the dessert lady from the company cafeteria, and the exasperating, yet handsome lawyer Mitchell, there to complicate Kate’s life even while saving the day. For anybody who has wasted away a Friday afternoon at work PM’ing friends, this book is for you.  Read it under your desk in lieu of the vacation time you deserved, but didn’t get.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Ballantine Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 8/30/2005
ISBN: 9780345479532
ISBN-10: 034547953X

Growing up you couldn’t keep the Quinlan sisters apart. Annie, Bett and Carrie were as close as close can be, until Carrie ran off with Bett’s fiancé.  Grandmother Lola feels that three years is long enough to hold a grudge and she devises a plot to bring the sisters together again.  But the girls have another thought; sometimes forgiveness is not as easy as ABC. Pack it in your carry on, this will get you through two airport layovers and the kid behind you kicking your seat.

First Chapter  

Publisher: William Morrow
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 8/1/2002
ISBN: 9780060081652
ISBN-10: 0060081651

Lucy Hatch is 33 and moving back to her hometown of Mooney Texas because her husband of 14 years has just died in a freak accident.  Lucy wants to grieve like a good wife should, but she’s not as broken up by her husband’s death as she is relieved. Relieved to start a new life, fresh, with no mistakes. Summer is for sleeping in, good thing, because you’ll stay up late with this one!

Publisher: HarperTeen
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2/1/2008
ISBN: 9780061256271
ISBN-10: 0061256277

When Phoebe’s flamboyant cousin, Leonard Pelkey, comes to live with her and her family he turns their world upside down.  Phoebe finds his choice of clothes, his behavior, his very presence excruciating. Everything changes with Leonard’s sudden disappearance and Phoebe sees her small town in a whole different way.  Lecesne has crafted a harrowing mystery novel full of surprising twists as Phoebe tries to discover the answer to the riddle of Leonard Pelkey.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Criterion Collection
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 1/1/2007
UPC: 00715515023726

Long unreleased in America, French director Jean Pierre Melville’s exciting thriller concerns a fateful day in the life of a member of the resistance in German occupied France during World War II.  Melville himself was a member of the Resistance and this film has the quality of a lived experience.  This DVD set not only contains a great print of this 1969 film but extra information on the liberation of France and life in an occupied country.

Publisher: Milan
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 7/20/2004
UPC: 00731383609022

Duncan Sheik is well known for his popular music career and his recent Tony Award winning Spring Awakening but his gem of a motion picture score has remained largely ignored.  Sheik’s subtle score and lovely songs highlight both the joyful and melancholy aspects of the film adapted from Michael Cunningham’s novel

Publisher: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 1/1/2007
UPC: 00043396114005

Norman Lear’s satire of soap operas cleverly skewered soap opera conventions of the time (from the cheesy video to the hyper dramatic music) and created a controversial sensation on late night syndicated television of the seventies.  Years later we can enjoy Louis Lasser’s uncanny, creepy performance as the title character as well as the realization that the show remains unique and unsettling despite all the changes in television programming.  This DVD includes the first 25 episodes of this nightly show.

Publisher: Red Distribution, Inc
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/30/2007
UPC: 00828768477526

Nicole Atkins’ soaring vocals and soul searching songwriting makes listening to her debut album a remarkable experience.  Atkins’ voice is one of the most distinctive in recent memory and will make her an artist to watch well after this extraordinary introduction to her talent.