Lifestyle Books

Iris, in trying to purchase her first bra-an item she needs desperately-starts a business called "Just ask Iris." Unfortunately the elevator in her building is out of order so she uses the fire escape instead. She not only meets the inhabitants of her new Manhattan apartment building, but also, she manages to pull you into the story. A very fast paced read. I'm a middle school teacher and find this a fun resource to discuss landlord laws and living conditions in the city.

I wish that Just Ask Iris were a series because her life is so funny! She has a lot of problems throughout the book such as getting a bra. She makes money and lots of friends that she can turn to, even the crazy Cat Lady. I like the way she figures things out and how on every page there is at least 1 laugh. I recommend this book to girls 8 and up. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Iris is 12-years-old and growing. Everybody seems to notice this except her mother; her mother wants Iris to stay a child for as long as she can. But even a mother can't stop Mother Nature and Iris is growing up --- in fact it's time for her to get a bra. The problem is, her mother says she can't afford to buy Iris a bra right now. Iris can't turn back puberty! What is she going to do?

Then a cat comes down the fire escape one night and invites himself through their security gate, right into bed with Iris. He's a big softie, and Iris loves him. Every day he comes down to visit her while her mother's at work, and she feeds him. She names him Fluffy, and they sit together on the fire escape in the summer sunshine.

Iris worries about the cat, especially since he takes walks around the neighborhood everyday. Iris starts looking around for Fluffy --- the upside is, she gets to know her neighbors. There's a great big man all covered with tattoos, who looks just like his great big pit bull. There's a wacky parrot who cusses a blue streak (especially if anybody tells him he's a dirty bird). There's an old man who lets his dog out every day to do his business in the stairway. And there's the loony Cat Lady. Everybody tells Iris, no matter what else she does, to stay away from the Cat Lady. But Iris wonders if Fluffy came from the Cat Lady's apartment, and she has to find out.

Now, while Fluffy and his wanderings may take Iris's mind off her money problems at home and her girl issues, the problems are still there. How do all these plot switches help her in her quest for new lingerie? You'll want to read this book to find out just how. A girl determined to get herself what she needs, and help everybody else in the process, is unstoppable!

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This beautifully written and illustrated book introduces life for an Amish family through the eyes of little Susie Mae. Watching her mother, Susie Mae decides since she looks like her mother she will also act like her mother. Her actions in some cases bring unexpected results. How her mother reacts teaches Susie Mae how to behave under similar circumstances. The closing message is, "Let's be more like the Lord Jesus . . . together."

Just Like Mama is a wonderfully written picture book story by Beverly Lewis about Susie Mae, a young Amish girl who wants to be just like her mother - so she accepts the challenge to keep up with everything her mother does all day, from morning milking and egg gathering to berry picking and cooking for the whole family. Illustrated with rich, full textured and memorably colorful artwork by Cheri Bladholm, Just Like Mama is an engaging, strongly recommended, "read-aloud tale" for mothers and daughters, a true celebration of the rewards of traditional farm life.

This is one of my three daughters' favorite books. They are always asking me to read it to them. It has such a wonderful message to it. We will definetely enjoy this book for many, many years to come!

This is a book you will share with friends and revisit time after time. Few books make me laugh aloud--this one did. Don't let this one pass you by.

Absorbing and adventurous reflections of life on a Texas farm as told by a precocious adolescent girl to her best (same-named) girlfriend. Have fun remembering drive-in movies, first dances, second best friends, and the first time driving the tractor!

This is a funny and realistic view of life in a small Texas town as seen through the eyes of a young girl writing to a friend. Can be read by children 9 and up. Best loved by mothers who remember when. Highly recommend.

My 7 year old really loved the games and ideas in this book, and so have I! They're easy and fast. I tried Truth or Lie while we were waiting for the doctor and we've been playing it ever since. There are just lots of fun (and funny) things in the book. It's tough keeping an only child busy, believe me, but this book is the best thing I've ever found. My son even helps me cook now! Cindy Levy, New Orleans, La.

As the busy mother of two active boys, I need all of the inspiration I can get. The material is presented in such a practical, yet humorous way, that I couldn't put the book down. There's a list of generally inexpensive products to keep around (I was delighted to find that I already have many of them, since they are regular household objects). This is a big help when you get to a particular chapter with great ideas and want to try them immediately.

I also liked the lists throughout the book labelled "Complete Waste of Time" or "The Worst Thing to Do"--I hadn't thought about storing glue in an empty yogurt container, but you can bet I won't now!

Even though I've only had the book for a few days, I've already tried some of the ideas:"Imagine That! They're Working!" and "Box City".

My 4 year old granddaughter and I are having so much fun using the ideas in this book. Most ideas are inexpensive and easy to do, and new, or with a new twist. It helps using their organizing tips too. I used their ideas for the 'Little World Box' and the 'Craft Box'. We also created a box for water fun, and one for dress-up. There are plenty of activities that can be done with a child, or that children can do in their own. The activities encourage original thought and creativity. This book is well organized, fun to read, and I recommend it HIGHLY to all parents, grandparents and child care providers.

This book gives the true eclectic style of Key West. The photos are wonderful and give an accurate insight into the private homes and life style of this laid back, creative, elegant, charming community.....It gives one a look at the gracious stately old homes as well as the most impressive renovations of cottages in "old town". Book is filled with gorgeous full page photographs, beautifully, uniquely, Key West!

I think Key West had an appeal that you don't find in other parts of the country. It's the southern most point in America and there is the same feeling that you get in other special towns in the US, such as New Orleans, and SanFrancisco. Each has something unique about it.

This was a great book for capturing that feeling. It's also nice to see beyond the street view. I found the text interesting and very readable.

I hope if you decided to buy this book you will enjoy it as well.

It's hard to imagine how the natives, or the locals, live in places like Key West or New Orleans. These tropical outposts seem less mainstream than other parts of the USA; unique people put down roots in both of these sister cities. This lovely book gives a glimpse into homes of the poeple who live and work in Key West. It is just beautiful to see gracious living that is for real and not manufactured, but imagined and realized. Starting with the cover photo of the home of Michael Pelkey (and the ten pages of his home, and the ending photo of his kitchen countertop), you will be transported. The author writes with knowingness and sensitivity and respect for the inhabitants of, the history, and of present time Key West. This is a great inspiration book for your own lifestyle and decor, and a lovely arm chair vacation too. I would love the author Leslie Linsley, and the photographer Terry Pommett to come to New Orleans and do a sister book for us here (and bring Michael Pelkey along to lend his expert eye to the whole project).

Bravo..A book that finally tells it honestly with a focus on eating habits, mental habits, and physical habits. We are all creatures of habit and breaking the old ones can be challenging. Terry spells this all out in a book that's easy to understand and follow. Terry is always encouraging others to see their true potential.By following through with his program we can live in a healthy body with a life that's in balance. I have been in Terry's program for many years and highly recommend this book. Elaine Hills

WOW, A LIFE CHANGING BOOK!!

This book is incredible! I originally ordered this book thinking it would simply be just another fitness transformation book...much like I have seen many times before. However, I was very surprised as this book is jam-packed with the information of 2 books. I have never seen a book written like this before, which focuses on not only your physical health but on how living your life in general affects who your are and what you will be. Terry's "life coach" principles empahsize how your attitude and mental happiness are the keys to anything and everything in our life...and that includes your health issues, relationships, financial issues, desire and physical body. Terry gives you all the keys you'll need to have a successful life, instead of centering upon only the outside of the body...whre as most "diets" fall short. I liked the fact that there are 3 different phases - all dependent upon where you are now and what time frame you want to achieve a particular goal. I was impressed by his explanation in regards to the exercise aspect of the program as he debunks the theories of high repetition and low repetition training, etc. I particularly like the humor inserted within the text and the 50 plus pages devoted to FAQ on exercise and training. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to get their "life back on track" and achieve happiness in both the mental and physical sense.

Dr. Ronald Thompson

After trying Body for Life, Weight Watchers, Atkins and various other self starter programs I met Terry and began to change my life in only a few personal training sessions. I am mentally, physically and spiritually stronger than I've ever been due to Terry's nutritional guidance, fitness instruction and constant faith in my progress. After only a few days on his program I no longer had the desire for chocolate or cookies and candies that I had had for years. I now actually crave apples, oranges, veggies and nuts. Seriously! This is a true way to detox your body and mind. Previous diet and exercise programs I had participated in took pounds off according to the scale and perhaps I had some slight notice but Terry's program has actually changed the shape of my body and is revealing a sculpted look I never thought I could have. If you want to shortcut to a true change in how you feel, think and breathe not to mention drop several sizes, this is the plan for you!

This is a cute book about a man who tries on hats and becomes a cowboy because the hat fits. He then sets out to do his job very badly! Can't ride a horse, can't round up a cow, that job of a cowboy is hard! Good thing he can go to sleep, take that cowboy hat off and have a good night's rest.

I read this book to my two boys ages 3 and 6 and we all loved it. It is funny and engaging for the kids and funny in an Abbott and Costello way for the adult reader. It is a silly story about McCoy who finds, through an exhaustive search at a hat shop, that a cowboy hat fits him perfectly. He then sets out to fulfill his destiny as a cowboy with the much needed guidance of Lasso Lou. I got this book from the library originally but had to add it to our collection.

The illustration of the characters feeds into your curiousity. You want to read to learn about who Lasso Lou and Comboy McCoy are. The dialogue and tempo of the book is full of energy and fast pace. You'll want to read this book again and again to be sure not to miss a beat!

Great book for the young ones!

I love love LOVE this cookbook. The recipes are simple and use everyday ingredients. I've loved everything I've made from it. It's not hard at all to prepare healthy, TASTY, homecooked meals with this book. It's definately my most favorite cookbook (and I have a lot!). I also love that the complete nutritional information is worked out for each recipe.

The nutritional information provided is invaluable, the recipes are easy and taste fabulous, and the organizational style is intuitive. I paid my library $60 so I could keep this book, and it was worth it. $16 is a paltry sum that I would pay in a heartbeat. This book would make a good gift, for my unskilled and unhealthconscious relatives.

I collect cookbooks and this is one of my favorites. All of the recipes are quick to prepare and don't require a lot of ingredients. Hinman does a wonderful job of creating delicious recipes with a minimum of fuss. This is one of the few cookbooks that I own (and I own a lot!) that I constantly reach for when I don't want to spend a lot of time searching for something tasty to prepare because I know it never lets me down. My favorite recipe is Baked ziti goes Southwest.

This is a lovely story set in a town in Ohio during the '40s. Lentil learns to play a harmonica and there are sweet scenes of small town life as well as a marching band. My 3.5 year old son loves this book, along with all of McCloskey's books. What has been wonderful for us about this book is the character of "Old Sneep", who grumbles and does mean things. This has really hit home with my son regarding our teaching of having a joyful heart and not complaining. Great literature at its best.

As a retired preschool/ daycare administrator I never hesitate to say that McCloskey is one the all-time great writers . Lentil has always been one of the best books to read at story time . You can't go wrong with buying this story for your favorite 4 or 5 year old, but even my 9 year old grandsons love this tale, and it got them interested in playing a harmonica!

This is an excellent book for the musically inclined child whose singing voice is a little less than melodious. In the book, the vocally challenged Lentil finds his mantra through the harmonica and ends up saving the day with it. My father gave me this book along with a harmonica when I was seven years old in response to my wobbly warbling, and I've been playing harmonica and many other instruments ever since. I just can't 'harp' enough on how great of inspiration this book was to me and could be for other vocally vexed children. -stephen

Living on a farm all my life, I found this book to be very insiteful. It would be a great book for young kids to help expose them on the day-to-day processes that transpire on a farm. There is a glossay in the back of the book to better clarify the vocabulary to the reader if he or she is unclear with the terminology. I can say that all the terminology used in the book is correct, and that some farmers use "old" hay for bedding instead of straw because it is a more economical practice. Also, the pictures in the book are very well taken. They are very clear and sharp and collaborate very well with the text to aid the reader in better understanding what occurs on a farm. I highly recommend this book to readers young and old who want to learn more about life on a cattle farm.

Living on a farm all my life, I found this book to be quite insiteful myself. It would be a great book for young readers, who are not that well informed about farm life to become better adequated with the terminology and the processes that transpire on a farm from day to day. A correction to a previous review, where it stated that straw is used for bedding rather than hay. This is very true, but some farmers use hay as bedding because it is a more economic practice. I especially found the pictures to be very well taken. The pictures are very clear and go well with the text so young readers can identify with what is in the text. I highly recommend this book to anyone young or old who wants to see and learn more about life on a cattle farm.

This book is very informative and insightful. The pictures offer children a comprehensive look into life on a cattle farm. They go very well with the text, and therefore allow kids to picture what they are reading. A great gift for children of all ages!