Lifestyle Books

Deep in the heart of most people who celebrate Christmas lurks the archetypal
holiday, the one depicted nostalgically in Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory," and
Dylan Thomas's "A Child's Christmas in Wales."
In the archetype, ritual is important, family and friends are important, snow is
good, and a tangerine in a stocking is enough to inspire oohs and ahs of delight.
"Christmas in the Country" is a worthy addition to the genre.
In it, our pony-tailed heroine lives in the country with Grandma and Grandpa in a
house that is "small and white. It had an old coal stove to keep us warm and a tiny little
kitchen for supper and a nice back porch for the dogs."
In the country, spring is for walks, summer for tomatoes, and fall for apples. In
winter, "The snow slows everything down. Birds are silent and serious. Dogs stay in their
warm houses. Children want cocoa and blankets. Everyone is ready for something really
special."
And - hooray - the something special has nothing to do with the mall or even
Wal-mart. Instead Grandpa will cut the tree in the forest, and the narrator and Grandma
will take the precious old ornaments from the closet that "smells like wool and mothballs."
Diane Goode's illustrations are just right - simple and energetic. Everyone's hair is
windblown at all times, as if country folk have better things to do than spray, mousse or
pin.

I just love the Appalachian culture and if you do, too, you will love ALL of Cynthia Rylant's books for children. I believe she grew up in West Virginia and these are stories from her youth....another place and time. All of her stories are filled with love and acceptance and the joy of belonging to a loving family. She has written MANY books and I would suggest you read them all. I have bought about 7 books so far, and they are so sweet, I can sit down and read them all by myself and totally enjoy them.....but my grandkids think they are GREAT!!! The artwork is very enjoyable and it just makes one yearn to go back to "the good ol' days"!!! This book will not disappoint!

Our son is 4, and we gave him this book on the first day of Advent in 2006. We have all loved it so much that we read it daily during December. It is a precious book about the anticipation and joys of Christmas seen through a little girl's eyes during a simpler, quieter time. I love how it talks about the special joys and memories of each season. It helped us all put away the ornaments and take down the tree with less sadness this year, understanding the comings and goings of Christmas and each season. Ms. Rylant's books are wonderful. We also have "The Relatives Came" and "When I Was Young in the Mountains" and they are treasures, too.

The children and I were happy with this wonderful story. It is about a little girl who lives with her grandparents and her memories of happy Christmas days. The illustrations are wonderful and realistic. A must have for your Christmas collection.

This is my favorite book and has been for about 10 years now. So happy to see it's back in print.

In "The City, Not Long After," Pat Murphy has written an engrossing tale of post-apocalyptic Northern California, where a plague has wiped out most of the population. Much of San Francisco has become a giant canvas on which artists have used the city's resources to create works of wonder. A military dictatorship in Sacramento, however, is working to "reunite the country" and threatens to use force to add the jewel of the Bay Area to its empire.

A young woman named Jax has been given the task by her dying mother to warn the citizens of the coming storm. She is somewhat distracted by her personal search for her mother, who had promised her daughter that she would be going ahead to San Francisco to prepare the way. Jax must learn some her mother's secrets in order to help the community of scholars and artists find a way to repel the invasion. Exactly how should artists respond to the menace of guns and bombs when such things are abhorrent to them?

Murphy's characters and their artistic creations seem so full of life - in my mind's eye I can almost envision them inhabiting the various neighborhoods of the City by the Bay. The story itself is sad at times (but not overly depressing), haunting and quite memorable.

The underlying message of the novel can be phrased as a question: How much of a price are people willing to pay for peace? Though written nearly 20 years ago, the novel's message seems particularly resonant today, in a time when many Americans are willing to sacrifice personal freedoms and human lives in the name of finding peace and security.

After a plague that killed most of the population, San Francisco has become an artists' colony. A young woman goes to San Francisco to find her mother and to warn the residents of the coming invasion. The artists must fight to defend their city, but they'd rather be painting the Golden Gate Bridge blue.

This is an entertaining, unusual, and well written post-apocalyptic story that gives new meaning to the phrase "the art of war." It includes magical elements that I could've done without, but all in all, I really enjoyed it.

It's half a century after a goodwill gesture has spread plague around the world, and San Francisco's surviving residents populate a haunted city again at risk. This time it's power-hungry men who are invading, and Jax and Danny-boy lead the battle - using magic and the city's own underlying powers - to solve mysteries and gain power for the future. Highly recommended on its initial publication, the paperback of The City, Not Long After is a pick for any who missed this winner.

If you've never lived or worked on a llama ranch in Alaska, no problem. Because now you can spend some time on the Kinnaman Ranch with nine-year-old JT and his Grandad. JT has always wanted to raise his very own llama, and this spring he finally gets the chance to do so.

But as JT's Grandad says, "Things keep growing and changing on a llama ranch." And not always for the best. JT's baby llama, named Elmo, is born very small and needs special attention. JT learns why one cannot spend more than three minutes at a time caring for a new baby llama, and how to watch out for infection.

Just as Elmo is starting to grow, one of the most frightening and terrible things happens to the Kinnaman Ranch. A giant grizzly bear breaks through a fence, and the ranch loses almost half its llamas! As a result, the ranch's yearly income is seriously affected. And to make matters worse, little defenseless Elmo is missing.

They say that bad things happen all once, and this is unfortunately the case with JT and his family. Grandad gets very sick and has to be rushed to the clinic while everyone is trying to find whatever llamas are still alive. And JT, a member of his school's baseball team, may get to pitch in the season's most important game --- if the coach thinks he's good enough. But how can JT find time to practice when so many terrible things are happening?

While Grandad lies seriously ill in the clinic, JT miraculously finds Elmo, who has a broken leg. Llamas with broken legs have not survived on the Kinnaman Ranch. And although JT does get to pitch in the season's last game, Grandad is not there to cheer him on. It takes incredible hope and spirit for JT and Elmo to make it through this saddest yet most inspiring of springs.

COME, LLAMAS, Jennifer Morris's debut novel, is a most unusual and moving story.

--- Reviewed by Bob Oksner

Wonderful story of family. I enjoyed this book very much and highly recommend it.

We don't have any Llama farms in the high Arctic that I know of--closest might be a tradition of historic Reindeer herding.
But I think children around grades 4-6, and even adults interested in Alaska life will enjoy this debut book by a very promising author.

There are lots of details about Llamas, including the birth process (and a couple of surprises there), but it is all done with a caring touch for young people.

And the portrait of a nine-year-old boy, taking on the responsibility for a Llama is very revealing and inspirational. He still retains the joys of being a kid, including his love of baseball.

A plot, and a portrait of Lllama raising, that will keep the reading going. And I believe it will help young people appreciate animals of all types, and how to respect and understand them.

Enjoy!
Earl

Come,Llamas is a wonderful book about a young man learning some tough lessons in life and the value of family. This fresh new author will delight young and old alike, I loved it!

The descriptions of the oils, their uses and compatiblities are very good. I would have liked to have a little more information on some of the oils and perhaps some more recipes for men's fragrences but all in all this a book I use alot. Aromatherapy is not just about smell but also about taste and good health, meditation aids and more.

Many years ago I received this book as a present from my then near 90 years old mother, and it resulted my first "serious" book an Aromatherapy. Now, after nearly ten years, and after connecting with Jean Valnet, the Tisserands, with Kurt Schnaubelt, Shirley Price, Patricia Davis, Valerie Wormwood, etc etc., it remains still one of my favorites on this thematica.

Susanne Fischer offers a, in my opinion, unique combination between innocence and determination, spirit for curiosity and deep knowledge, precise and palpable information and connecting poetry, and all this together makes this book for me so valuable, no matter if I am looking just for precise information on this or that oil, or if I am "only" in need to read some enhancing words.

Informative! This book is chocked full of information on essential oils. Written and organized in easy to follow format. The blending recipes are a real treat for any beginner. Although this is a paper back (large edition)the graphics and color are eyecatching. THIS BOOK IS A WELCOME ADDITION TO MY REFERENCE LIBRARY ON AROMATHERAPY.

Having read tombs and tombs of data, publications and books on the subject aromatherapy, including authors Schnaubelt, Price, Mojay, Catty, Tisserand and Battaglia (all of which are great books), Fischer-Rizzi is one of a few books, including Salvatore Battaglia, that I refer to constantly. Fischer-Rizzi's writing and presentation style is authoritative and page-turning, and given the complexity of the subject matter, she presents all that is aromatherpy with ease and marvellous readability. The book does provide recipes for all kinds of ailments and cosmetology, but what I most like about this lady's book is the 'straight to the heart of the matter' reading. The book is far more literary than many books on this subject. That is not to say it is airy fairy or wordy - far from it - it simply states each oil's components in plain English and does not bore and labour through overuse of chemistry and jargonised language. Fischer-Rizzi also advises each oil's affinity with other oils, which will help you blend and create synergies. The book also details base oil use and therapeutic benefits.

A lovely book that delves deeply into many aspects of color, from psychological and emotional dimensions to visual affects.

I got this book to help me choose a suitable color scheme for my office, to improve productivity and provide harmony and contentment.

I didn't find exactly what I was looking for, as the chapters on office colors are not detailed enough for my required purpose, but I found so many other interesting things that I kept it anyway.

Having more than a passing interest in Feng Shui, and aromatherapy, this book was quite entertaining reading, but quite honestly, I didn't dwell too long on the sections on the healing powers of color.

It is well presented, and well illustrated, and covers a wide range of topics related to color, and some you didn't realise were influenced by color.

Suzy Chiazzari's book takes you on an exciting journey through colour as it touches each aspect of your life. Fabrics and food, health and healing, combinations of colours, snazzy clothes and skincare, mood colours, room colours, colour vibrations, soul colours, colours that are YOUR own personal colours.. the list goes on! This is a book that you will certainly find difficult to put down. A veritable treasure chest stacked full of of Colour Gems not to be missed!

I was looking for a long time to find a good book for color. And I found it in this one.

It is comprehensive, authoritative and amazingly illustrated in full color. You will learn about the therapeutic uses of color in all areas of your life: Food, clothes, make-up, home and garden. You will discover your personal colors, colors that help your diet or your health, and your soul colors too.

This book will make your life colorful! Enjoy it.

By Thei Zervaki...

I really do try to live as green as I can, considering that I'm always broke and continuously running around with all my various jobs. So I was curious to see what this book had to suggest, and to see if there was anything that I didn't know about that I could do.

In general, I am probably doing all I can. I recycle as much of my garbage as I can, throwing old fruit, bread and such out to the "birdies and the beasties" that visit my yard. I don't use pesticides, instead I encourage the geckos and anoles and chameleons to take up residence in and around my place to eat the bugs. I also allow the wolf spiders to live under the furniture (just now out in my regions of the house) because while they're big and ugly, they do eat the bugs I really hate, including roaches.

This book, though, does give you a lot of information about how to keep your home and your family away from all the nasty chemicals. It also gives you things that you can do if you have money and want to feel less guilty about it. (grin) There's information on how to buy energy credits, hybrid cars, home furnishings that utilize recycled materials, and how to build alternative power sources into your home.

One of the things I found very interesting was the idea that it's perfect okay to have a lawn, as long as you don't use a lot of chemicals on it. In fact, having a lawn helps the environment. I'd always been of the mind that grass and the environment were rather at odds with each other, but they don't have to be.

The book lists lots of informational web sites, and gives basic run downs on organic gardening, the difference between eating "green" and what the market will try to sell you as "green," and the joys of learning to eat what is in season rather than demanding certain fruits and vegetables year round.

I hadn't put a lot of thought into the fact that eating fruit from South American means that it had to be transported to the USA, and that therefore, even if it was raised organically, it has mucked up the environment through shipping.

There's information on "ecotourism" wherein you can go to exotic places (buying energy credits so you don't have to feel guilty about the airfare), and then spend time in a natural hotel (meaning not air conditioned, built with local materials, and as environmentally sustainable as possible). There's apparently a place in China that is particularly nice.

Personally, I'll admit that if I'm going on vacation, I don't want to be where there's no air conditioning, no internet connection, and I really like my creature comforts. I mean, what's the point of a vacation if you're not being pampered?

But for people who love camping and outdoors activities, these are probably lovely places. I just prefer my expensive vacations to be a little more about my comfort. And yes, that's not environmentally sound, but hey, I won't have my sheets changed while I'm there and I'll be conservative with the towels. Okay?

The book is written clearly, and the information is presented well. The highlights are quotes from people who really know and understand the environment and the issues surrounding it. There's even suggestions of how you can talk to your children about living green, making it seem less like you're denying them things, and more like you're giving them something real that they can take into their lives and use.

If you want to know what all the possibilities are, this is a great book. It's simple, quick to read, and organized in a way that you can go back and find the information you want without having to plow through an index and hope you have the right key word.

WP

"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Living" by the award winning journalist Trish Riley is a wonderful book, which has awakened this reader to the most significant issues of the day. I have rarely learned as much from one source in so short a time. Global warming, saving energy at home, reducing fuel consumption, chemicals in food, changing our energy habits for a healthier future, growing green in the workplace and the community, and teaching our children the principles of Green Living are only a few of the topics covered in an interesting and attention-grabbing manner, helped along with sidebars and illuminating cartoons.

The book is full of useful nuggets of information, such as the quote by Susan Glickman, consultant to the Natural Resources Defense Council. "I wonder if people realize that so much of the money they pay to their electric companies goes to hire lobbyists to fight against the public's interest." And "A metal roof can last twice as long as an asphalt shigle roof." And most horrifying of all, "EPA's political boss sacrificed the lives of 5 to 10,000 Americans each year, who will now die from air pollution related srokes and heart and lung disease," by John Walke, Natural Resources Defense Council.

"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Living" was reviewed by Jim Motavalli, editor of the award-winning "E/The Environmental Magazine" and author of several books on the environment. Motavalli carefully reviewed it for scientific accuracy, which is why I object to the "review" and rating of the book on this site by Thomas B. Grizzle, who informs readers that he is a scientist who knows something about the issues of green living, and makes the vague claim that Riley's book contains a "fair amount of mis-information" in it. In the opinion of this Ph.D., Grizzle's evaluation greatly misrepresents the material in the book, and gives advice that will be followed to the detriment of a public which needs to be informed of these all-important issues.

The book is interesting reading, extremely informative, even amusing at times, and is highly recommended for neophytes and "old hands"alike.

Finally, a book on how to go green that is simple, smart and reeeally useful to someone like me who is just starting out. Trish Riley knows how to hold your hand and give sensible advice on how to avoid chemicals in your food, in your home, in communities and even with cosmetics!

The book is broken down into chapters that allow you to access all the information for the particular area of your life that you want to do better with. I absolutely love the little boxes showing "Hazard" areas, for example, one of these "Hazard" boxes taught me that imported foods don't have to meet the same standards in their own countries to be labeled organic as they do here in the US. Another little Hazard box taught me not to pour vinegar down my drain (which I do all the time) right after pouring drain cleaner down it (!) because the chemical reaction could cause dangerous fumes.

It's useful information like this that I found sprinkled throughout the book, which is a very solid guide. The science is there if want it, but it's not over your head. The section in Chapter 12 on pesticides was very sobering, I had no idea that 1,400 various pesticide chemicals can be found in household products that we use every day. One of the tricks she mentioned was that you can reseed annually to keep weeds at bay and keep your grass thick. Now this is simple for those of you who understand gardening, but to a beginner like me (who is sensitive to many chemicals) this simple cost-effective trick is fascinating.

Another aspect of this book that I enjoyed so much were the "Going Green" boxes that I found in every chapter. These boxes contained useful tidbits to help you do better at home. One of the best "Going Green" tips that Riley put in Chapter 18 had to do with the fact that more than 3.5 million tons of paper --mostly junkmail & catalogs-- is sent out annually (in the form of catalogs) and you can save about 60 million trees by stopping the junk mail. She gives an address to write to, and a website you can visit to register online. By doing this, you will help save trees and cut down on junkmail. For me, this advice was worth the price of the book!

It's the little tidbits of information that I found in each chapter that I think makes this book worth buying. It's not a cover-to-cover read, it's more of a manual that you can call upon to use when you want to attack and fix an area of your home, garden, work, daily life, cosmetic drawer, kitchen pantry, etc...

I confess that I'm not as green as I'd like to be, I'm the sort that wants to drive a Jeep to Whole Foods, and while I avoid meat, I do own a couple of leather wallets...but still, I am trying hard to protect my family, and the Earth that we live in. I think Riley did a good job at getting ALOT of difficult information out to the world, and she did it in a very conversational, easy-to-understand way. I've read other books on the subject, but kept none because they were just to scientific, or too boring, or impractical to my real life. It's clear that Riley is quite intelligent, but I never felt like she was talking down to the reader. Instead, I felt a sense of passion about the planet, and her genuine desire to help those of us learn some simple ways to do our part. I am thrilled about getting started and in my own little way, I know I'll make a difference thanks to the sensible advice in this book. As far as I'm concerned, Riley rocks!!!

"Going green" can be a daunting task. If you just start with this book, you are miles ahead the rest of the country. And, if you only get one "green book" make it this one. And then get more to give to all your family and friends. Plant one in your powder room. SOMETHING in there will strike someone as SOMETHING they CAN do. Get it. Get several.

This is a good book to give people who are sincerely curious about Kwanzaa--but would (for various reasons) feel uncomfortable learning about it bookwise from something which is geared towards only kids.

So many other explaination books I've come across were only for kids. And that's a missed opportunity for bringing people together.

After having attended a Kwanzaa celebration while enrolled in college, I wanted to explain this celebration to friends and family members. But I hadn't found anything which was inclusive of older readers--and my experience/perspective---until now.

Kwanzaa is based on the universal principals of the Creator God and these principles are the part of every person's life, regardless of their culture or ethnicity.

This is another great reference source by Riley. She writes and tells everything about the holdiay that anyone needs to know. The book is organized in such a way that you can read a section, gain information, put it down and come back for more. I love this book and the cover is beautiful.

I have used the paperback copy for the past two years during Kwanzaa. Each year I find something I missed before. It is the best book for all ages on the subjects. It tells you everything you want to know.

I have been using Corbin books in my wellness / fitness practice since the early 80's. In 1981 I moved to Houston, Texas and started to manage the Tenneco fitness center. We saw over 1,000 employees using the facility a day and faced a huge challenge of moving past the 20% of the population that already kept in shape daily.

Corbin books were "real", about real efforts in real environments. I could sit down and read a little of Corbin and not only pick up tips for my coach counseling, but also ideas for group challenges or behavior change efforts.

I have had plenty of mentors along my 30 years of worksite programming and many of them I have become good friends, but Corbin is one I have never met, but highly respect for his work and what he has given the fitness and wellness field.

I have a spot on my book shelf that is "Corbin" books and I bet after you have bought this one and used it, you will go back and start like me a little Corbin library. I can't imagine a wellness practitioner without Corbin on their book shelf.

This book is completely up to date and has useful information for both the student and the non-academic consumer. The labs are easy to accomplish and give a relatively accurate profile.

Even though this books was a required textbook for college, I am glad I had to pick it up. There has been some really good information in this book. We are moving through it quickly in class, but I have already flagged some sections that I know I want to go back and read again.

I am super impressed with this book. It is packed full of great information. I'm reading it for a class and wish I had more time to thoroughly read it but what I have read so far is fantastic. I have learned a lot.

An accident leaves teen cousins Meline and Jocelyn parentless and they go to live with an unknown, eccentric uncle on his private island - there to discover a tragedy which brings them more fully in touch with their own grief and family connections. Their plans of escape are told in alternating chapters and makes for a vivid story packed with intrigue and revelations - a gripping, chilling tale perfect for leisure readers who demand action and insight.

If you liked the quirkiness of the Lemony Snicket stories you will find this book enchantingly delicious. Characters are perfectly drawn, the humor is subtle and unique, and the book as a whole is hard to put down.
What a great movie it would make!

Jocelyn and Meline are cousins with nothing more in common than a shared tragedy; the death of their parents. Now, both girls have been sent to live with their reclusive Uncle Marten on his private island.

Jocelyn and Meline are both dealing with grief in their own way, while trying to adjust to their new surroundings. Uncle Marten seems scatterbrained and completely unable to properly interact with others, much less to offer support to the two traumatized girls.

To help, Uncle Marten hires Mrs. Mendelbaum to serve as the housekeeper and Mr. Humdinger as the butler. Unfortunately, Mrs. Mendelbaum is consumed with her own personal losses and Meline is sure that Humdinger's lurking behavior is evidence of untrustworthy actions.

Even the island they live on has a dark past. It was once used as the training grounds for pilots in a program that went terribly wrong. Now the island is littered with the wreckage of the planes that crashed during that program. And, Meline is sure that she and Jocelyn can build a plane of their own from the wreckage and escape from the island and their new lives.

THE CORPS OF THE BARE-BONED PLANE is a wonderfully written story about how differently each person reacts when faced with grief and change. It is told from the viewpoints of four of the main characters: Jocelyn, Meline, Uncle Marten, and Mrs. Mendelbaum. In addition to the main characters, author Polly Horvath has woven together a rich mixture of people and plots to provide an enjoyable reading experience.

Reviewed by: JodiG.

Oh, the wit and the quirky characters remind a bit of Lemony Snicket's Baudelaires and their too myriad unfortunate events, but there is a generosity of spirit, a undertow of flawed loving humanity here that leaves one refreshed and renewed. Polly Horvath knows well how to twist and turn a plot and to keep the reader turning the pages. Her humor is droll, if at times in a scratchy, not entirely comfortable way. This is not only great fiction for young adults, but great fiction; quite possibly worthy of another National Book Award and a Newbery nomination, at very least another ALA Notable Book. Readers enjoying this, will also enjoy her other titles such as THE CANNING SEASON, THE VACATION, and EVERYTHING ON A WAFFLE. Those who like the Lemony Snickets would likely enjoy the wit and irony here as well and there are some vague similiaries in tone and style to CHASING VERMEER, but Horvath always has her own voice --- one that readers of all ages would do well to listen to.

My toddler loves this book, it is one of her favorites. The photography and pictures are excellent. It is such a cute story and tale of two mice. It is great for a toddler because they get to find the mice on each page and also there are 5 hidden peas on each page which are a little more challenging but fun once they master finding the mice. We also have Mouse in the House, which was our first book and is also wonderful.

My two and a half year-old grandson's face lit up like a Christmas tree when he saw the book his family had previously rented from the library. The fact that it was "his own book to keep" was icing on the cake!

This book was great fun for both my kids. It is the best hide and seek book I've seen. The pictures are top quality. The mice are fun to seek out. I highly recommend it for toddlers and readalone children.

Henrietta is known as the author of "A Mouse in the House." In this adaptation of an Aesop Fable, she incorporates adapted verses by Richard Scrafton Sharpe (1759-1835).

When the little brown country mouse receives an invitation to visit the little black and white city mouse you know they are going to have some "scampering" good times. Young children will adore the cute pictures of the mice on each page. Every page in this book is just spectacular. From the cozy cottage kitchen (complete with all those old-fashioned utensils children rarely see these days) to the fancy city house tea party, the items displayed on the pages will delight both parents and children.

This is an excellent book to teach "colors" and "counting" and "finding" and "observation skills." It also encourages the hide-and-seek game. The mice are cleverly hidden on each page. Some pages only have one mouse or the other, but a few feature both mice.

You might find the country mouse peering out from an old-fashioned egg carton or find the city mouse perched on her hind legs on the handle of a silver tea tray. Oh, what treats are displayed!. Everything from truffles to candied almonds. It is a feast for the eyes. You can see where little mice have been nibbling on cakes and you will love the extra special touches, like the white chocolate pudding decorated with candied violets.

This is a book to read to your child out loud. It will also be great fun to find the mice, count the beautiful items on the tables and learn the color of fresh raspberries. Look for the trail of green peas on many of the pages. This book will also teach a child about crusty farm bread, bright orange carrots and fresh honeycomb. The bunches of flowers, ribbons, sewing box, antique dolls, antique rocking horse and beautiful doll house are not to be missed.

When the maid, the cat and the dog interrupt all the fun, the two mice scamper back to the country where they run through a beautiful meadow filled with butterflies and flowers. On the last page we find the two mice curled up in a big flower pot safe in the country. A completely adorable book both you and your child will love!

~The Rebecca Review