Book Reviews & Lists

The threat of global warming has never seemed clearer - with tornados, blazing hot summers and melting ice caps, we are forced to take notice.  One way to communicate this danger and the necessity for change to younger generations is to show a success story.  The beautifully illustrated children’s book Energy Island by Allan Drummond is such a tale. 
The Danish Ministry of Environment chose the island of Samsø be the first to become independent of nonrenewable energy.  One of the teachers, Søren Hermansen, was selected to lead this project and take the island on a newer and cleaner path.  He talked to everyone on the island and, after years of coaxing, the first two wind turbines were erected.  This was the beginning of a revolution, because after a particularly bad blackout in the middle of the winter, the wind turbine seemed to be the way to go.  Slowly, and over ten years, the town switched to solar panels, wind powered electric cars, and burning wood and straw instead of oil. A previously non cooperative town had banded together to really make a fantastic change in the world.
The main body of the book illustrates and tells the story of the community, while sidebars give background information about renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. It is a wonderfully accessible way to talk to children about the changing world around us, and how they can also make a difference. 

There is never enough time to read it all, but it seems especially challenging in the summer to find reading time.  I like to make the most of things by selecting beach reading…that is, books with coastal settings.
 
I just finished reading Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews, featuring Nags Head NC.  The book I’m reading on my Nook is Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan.  The book I’m waiting to get my hands on is Beachcombers by Nancy Thayer.  I keep hearing good things about this author, it’s time I check her out. Plus, she lives on Nantucket!
 
More authors with a coastal persuasion…
Brendan Dubios with his Lewis Cole series set on the coast of New Hampshire.  The first one Dead Sand, and his new one is Deadly Cove.
 
Elin Hilderbran sets her stories on Nantucket – my favorite is Blue Bistro, her new one is Silver Girl.
 
Two more Massachusetts entries -- Richard Russo’s That old Cape Magic, and Philip Craig’s JW Johnson series placed on Martha’s Vineyard.
 
Randy Wayne White does Florida justice with his Doc Ford series. Great characters, great locations. The first book is Sanibel Flats.
 
Visit Quiet Corner Reads (QCR) on facebook and tell us your favorite summertime read.

What’s better, the book or the movie?  This great debate will never end.  Hollywood loves to take great page turners for the big screen…The Green Mile, True Grit, Harry Potter.  Whether or not it becomes a blockbuster, well that’s another story!
 
Some great books are being turned into movies this summer…check them out!
 
Snowflower & the secret fan – in theaters July 15
The story of two childhood friends in 19^th century China.
 
The Help by Kathryn Stockett – in theaters August 12
The south during the civil rights time as seen by maids and their white families.
 
For the younger set – in theaters now.
Judy Moody and the not bummer summer by Megan McDonald
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard Atwater and Florence Atwater
 
Available on DVD…the characters come to life in these adaptations.
Jesse Stone series by Robert Parker
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

There’s a time to read and a time to craft, but its best when the two can be combined!  Here are a few of my favorite…
 
Lacemakers of Glenmara by Heather Barbieri
An American tourist meets up with a group of Irish lacemakers, no one is the same at the end!
 
Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas
Set in Depression-era Kansas, it's a story of loyalty and friendship in a women's quilting circle. This author writes some great historical novels.
 
The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club by Gil Mcneil
A widow looking for a new start takes over a yarn shop and discovers new adventures.
 
Quilt series
Marie Bostwick ~ Cobbled Court Quilt Shop  A Single Thread is the first book.
A Texas transplant sets up her dream quilt shop in Connecticut then deals with devastating health news.
 
Jennifer Chiaverinni ~ Elm Creek Quilters The Quilter's Apprentice is the first book.
The series is set in Pennsylvania and tells the stories of quilters both past and present.
 
Earlene Fowler ~ Benni Harper Fool’s Puzzle is the first book.  These are mysteries set on the California coast.