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Lisa Bush Reverend Everett Klein Zac Pawlowski Maddie Timmers
Tom Hinken Debra Lambers Erin Lambers Paul Lambers
Surfer Dude
Book review by Ms. Lisa Bush
NBC Middle School
Montague, Michigan
TOO CLOSE TO THE FALLS BY CATHERINE GILDINER 
In an attempt to expand my vocabulary I will often keep a notebook of words from books I am reading that I would like to add to my vocabulary. (I am beginning to think I should have them tattooed to my body instead.) Regardless, the following are the three I picked from Catherine Gildiner's memoir TOO CLOSE TO THE FALLS.
punctilious (pungk-til'e-?s)-sticking to details; demanding
pungnacious [puhg-ney-shuh s] -inclined to quarrel or fight
insouciant [in-soo-see-uh nt)-free from concern, worry, or anxiety
The words above can only give you a glimpse of Gildiner’s childhood. Described as “gifted” by some and “difficult” by others. You will have to judge for yourself. Born late in life to two of
Lewiston, New York’s prominent citizens, Catherine begins her journey to adolescence by working in her father’s pharmacy at the age of four. Together with Roy, an illiterate black man from the south, they make deliveries to local legends such as Mad Bear, a violent Tuscarora chief as well as national legends like Marilyn Monroe. When not working, Catherine’s academic adventures involve the local Catholic school system. Needless to say her nickname becomes “Doubting Thomas”. The Falls of Niagara serve as the backdrop for this wonderful memoir brimming with love, laughter, and a spirit of awakening.
P.S. All grown up Catherine Gildiner has been a practicing psychologist for twenty years. Her special interest is Freud and shows up in her new work of fiction entitled “Seduction”. I know I will read it!!
 GARDEN SPELLS BY SARAH ADDISON ALLEN
In her debut novel Sarah Addison Allen has won me over with a small dose of fantasy and an equal dose of real life. The Waverly women of Bascom, North Carolina have always been considered strange, yet needed. Claire, a successful caterer, uses the magical herbs and produce grown in her yard to make her events memorable. Sydney, her rebellious younger sister returns after fleeing 10 years earlier. With her is Bay her ethereal daughter who holds on to the memories of her abusive father. Their eccentric Aunt Evanelle completes the circle of women. Evanelle’s gift is to give members of the community seemingly useless items that prove needed in every sense. Not identified as female or male the apple tree in the backyard that chucks apples that tell the future only adds to the family. My only concern with this novel is which character I would want to me. I’am leaning toward Evanelle, but you will have to decide for yourself. This book is definitely a one or two day read.
INTERRED WITH THEIR BONES BY JENNIFER LEE CARRELL
Luckily I remembered enough of my high school and college Shakespeare to follow the twists and turns of this modern day treasure hunt to uncover the real identity of the fabled bard. Kate Stanley, a Shakespearean expert and theater director is given a gift by her eccentric mentor only hours before she is found murdered in the same manner as Hamlet’s father. The piece of jewelry Kate now possesses takes her from London, to Harvard, and then to the Western United States. Along the way the killer leaves a trail of victims whose fates mimic yet other characters in Will’s famous plays. Never really knowing who to believe and trust Kate uses her own wits to answer, if not completely, questions that have baffled scholars for years. Carrell definitely backs up the action with real research, making INTERRED WITH THEIR BONES a mystery/history lovers dream.
Not all of us can decide to just "take a year off" from our jobs and personal lives  to travel around the globe in search of our "new improved self". Even so, we can live vicariously through Elizabeth Gilbert in her new book "Eat, Pray, Love".
This personal memoir starts out with the author trying to recover from and messy divorce and disastrous love affair. She then sets out to visit three places on the globe that she thinks will help guide her towards emotional healing.
Gilbert chooses Italy to experience the passion of the senses, especially eating. Four months and several pounds heavier, she then travels to a remote Indian Asham for meditation. The last four months she lives in Bali where she becomes the pupil of an elderly medicine man and finds love.
This book is a "self-help" book without the fluff. Gilbert is a funny and lovable MESS. A person we can all identify with at some point in our lives. Her humor and honesty make this a must read for anyone looking for a little relief from life's chaos and confusion. Also "Eat , Pray, Love" gives American readers a look at how the "American Dream" can drain us of the ability to truly experience part of our life that are lost in the shuffle. It guarantees laughter and learning.
Scott Turow’s latest novel “Ordinary Heroes” is a book-within-a-book.
Central to the novel is Stewart Dubinsky, last seen in Turow’s “Presumed Innocent”.
The novel opens with Stewart at his father’s funeral. David, Stewart’s father, was typical of young men who returned from World War II. He re-entered life working hard to
provide for his family, yet wasn’t always as open with his emotions as Stewart would have liked. In cleaning out his father’s personal possessions Stewart finds letters written by his father to an unknown woman that was to become his wife after the war. Within the letters are references to his father’s court-martial for assisting in the escape of one Robert Martin, a US war hero working for the OSS, who supposedly has switched his alliance to the soon to become Soviet Union.
Stewart’s next stop is to a nursing home where he finds the attorney that represented his father in the court martial. This 90 some year old man surprises Stewart even more with a manuscript written by Stewart’s father as he was awaiting trial.
The manuscript tells David’s story. Young Dublin ( Stewart’s father changed his last name to distance himself from his Jewish heritage.) entered WWII as an attorney. He was trained to do battle only on the bureaucratic front. As fate would have it David soon finds himself on the front lines. It is here that he, along with those who touch his life, become “Ordinary Heroes”. I would recommend this book to any baby oomer that has sat through those “boring war stories” told by their parents. Like Stewart, I too lost my father recently. He was a World War II veteran. A young boy that became a man and who was a hero no matter how ordinary.
Several months ago a friend gave me an uncorrected proof entitled “Marley and Me”. Reading the book took me all of four hours, I just couldn’t put it down. I consider myself an avid reader, but not necessarily a gifted book critic. It often seems that the critics look for something with deep meaning or political ramifications. Alas, the public has prevailed and made “Marley and Me” a New York Times bestseller for 16 weeks!
In the wonderful tradition of classics such as “Old Yeller” and “Where the Red Fern Grows” John Groga tells us the story of Marley. Marley takes us on his own personal exodus. One that includes being kicked out of obedience school, becoming a not so famous actor dog, and devouring his mistress’s gold necklace only minutes after it was given.
( They do get the necklace back by the way!)
This story covers the gamut of emotions. You will laugh until you hurt and hurt until you cry. Marley, like many of our own pets, is part of the family tapestry. Groga tells the story of his changing family. He and his wife go from the carefree life of young professionals to the hectic life with three children and two jobs. The one constant in his family saga is Marley. Lovable, difficult, and down right crazy Marley.
In the same tradition as Fannie Flagg and Mary Kay Andrews, Cassandra King's novel "The Same Sweet Girls" draws us into the lives and personalities of six southern women. Being a "Yankee Girl" myself I love to get l ost in these types of novels. I can only dream about being that charming! Cassandra King's characters show that "Steel Magnolia" strength hidden underneath the well mannered southern charm they display.
This story revolves around the lengthy friendship of six college roommates. They meet twice a year and crown one of their group as the "Queen" based on her sweetness during the previous year. You can immediately pick out members of the group that will eternally be ladies in waiting. The crowing ceremony is one you won't want to miss, but the strength and devotion they display when one of their own is faced with a terminal illness makes for a good read and lesson. Sorry people, but women all over the world seem to have the ability to make bonds during their lives that help them through. Southern women just seem to do it with class! I give this book an almost 4 star rating. *** 1/2
Lisa Bush
Reviews by:
Lisa Bush Reverend Everett Klein Zac Pawlowski Maddie Timmers
Tom Hinken Debra Lambers Erin Lambers Paul Lambers
Surfer Dude
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