Lisa recommends "Pete the Cat Saves Christmas"

If you haven’t picked up a Pete the Cat picture book (look under E Litwin in the children’s room), you are definitely missing out.  Pete is a very cool cat who teaches kids colors (Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes) and numbers (Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons).  He has eased back-to-school worries (Pete the Cat: Rocking In My School Shoes).  In his newest edition, Pete celebrates the meaning of Christmas.  When Santa can’t deliver presents to all of the boys and girls, Pete hitches his minibus up to the reindeer and helps Santa out.  For added fun, you can visit http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/feature/petethecat/ and listen to Eric Litwin sing.  Very cool!

Recommended for ages 2-8 (or “older” kids who love a great picture book character).

Beth recommends "Alys, Always"

Frances Thorpe comes upon a car crash and hears the dying words of the driver.  What she does with this knowledge afterwards propels this story of a bereaved, privileged family and a manipulative, ambitious woman determined to rise within the classes of British society.  This is Harriet Lane’s first novel and she creates an atmosphere of creepy suspense, treating the reader to twists and turns as we watch Frances meticulously scheme and plot right up to the end – which may or may not surprise you.

Recommended for adults and older teens.

Annie recommends "I can't spell Caribbean" by Living Soul & the Pearl Divers

If you just can’t bear to let go of summer, check out this CD by local Michigan musician Don Middlebrook.  He’s the lead singer/songwriter for Living Soul & the Pearl Divers.  His music is a must for Parrot Heads looking for another Jimmy Buffett fix.  This island music CD is sure to brighten everyone’s day. 

Therese Recommends "A Knight in Shining Armor"

This is one of those books I can read again and again and have done so again this past weekend.  It is a romance, with a bit of time travel and a lot of adventure.  Through a series of unforeseen circumstances, Dougless Montgomery found herself abandoned in England with no money and no passport. She knew that what she needed was a Knight in Shining Armor--only she hadn't counted on Lord Nicholas Stafford appearing. Together they learn of each other’s worlds and along the way they discover a love that transcends time.  The time travel is not so much whereas the reader gets confused, merely amused.  If you like romance, I think you’ll enjoy this love story by Jude Deveraux.  One of her best!

For Young Adult or Adult

Gretchen recommends "Money Rules"

Jean Chatzky’s latest book Money Rules: The Simple Path to Lifelong Security is a quick primer on money management filled with concrete advice like how much to save for retirement as well as philosophical adages about managing your financial life. Organized in one page “rules,” it’s a quick and easy read that in these tough economic times provides some reassurance that financial stability is possible.  Suitable for adults.

Tracy recommends "Face Book"

Chuck Close is famous for his portraits of faces, but he has a disability called prosopagnosia which means face blindness.  He can’t recall who people are when he sees their faces.  He has dyslexia, so he was not a good reader or good at math.  So how does he paint faces?  This book talks about his process for art.  In the middle there is a section of flip pages that go through his self-portraits in different mediums.  It is a fascinating book.  I would recommend it for anyone interested in art, people overcoming a disability or interested in Chuck Close’s life.

Therese recommends "Dewey: the small-town library cat that touched the world"

This book is a fast read for both young adult and adult. This feline will touch your heart strings as he “grows up” in the Iowa library and makes many friends.  If you love cats and love libraries, this is the book for you.

For young adult/adult reading