Rachel

Key to the Treasure by Peggy Parish was probably my favorite book as a child.   As I reread that story over and over, I never tired of following the children as they unearthed the clues that had been hidden long ago by their ancestor.  Now, as an adult, I must confess I don’t read too many mysteries; life is all the mystery I need!  Hence, I am drawn to the fantastically infinite world of non-fiction.  I hone in on the bright covers on the Eye Witness and Discovery books and like a hypo-glycemic fruit bat enticed by the sweetness of an overripe guava, I flip through the pages for something especially juicy to chew on.  With each passing day, I feel like one of the children in Key to the Treasure, falling upon clues that continue to broaden my perspective of the world I thought I knew. 

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The Time Keeper By Mitch Albom Cover Image
$24.99
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ISBN: 9781401322786
Published: Hachette Books - September 4th, 2012

I've not read anything else by Mitch Albom except one article in the Detroit Free Press about the dangers of synthetic marijuana.  -The tone was indeed grim.  But a recent piece of his, I have to shout about...The Timekeeper.  It weaves the stories of father time, an old man, and a teen together.  They each have their problems, all dealing in the concept of time: not enough of it or too much.  -and father time, well he is being punished for creating time!  For such a short book, it'll make you think.  It was the first book to summon up that overwhelming 'happy-sad' feeling for me... with those plot culminating sentences at the end...  and (I'm not ashamed to say) I'll repeat to myself long after, just to prolong the impact.


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Room: A Novel By Emma Donoghue Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780316098328
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Back Bay Books - May 18th, 2011

Another great book that doesn't need any more aclaim, but perhaps a reminder that it exists. The plot demands attention from the start. A mom and her 5 year old son Jack are kept in room. Jack was born in captivity and Room is his story. Journey into his innocent mind and experience his 11' x 11' world. He is content in Room because he's never experienced the outside world. Mom however is ready to break free... Is there life for Mom and Jack beyond Room? I won't spoil anything but you can be assured that this story will leave you feeling wonderful. (and kinda makes cabin fever feel not so bad!)


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An Egg Is Quiet: (Nature Books for Kids, Children's Books Ages 3-5, Award Winning Children's Books) (Family Treasure Nature Encylopedias) By Sylvia Long (Illustrator), Dianna Hutts Aston Cover Image
By Sylvia Long (Illustrator), Dianna Hutts Aston
$16.99
ISBN: 9780811844284
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Chronicle Books - March 2nd, 2006

For young (and old!) inquiring minds, this book is wonderful. Filled with eye-pleasing illustrations of the endless world of life casings. Cover to cover, this book features egg-bearers of all sorts: birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. View the dappled ovals, the striated capsules, and the curly twined pouches. Thoroughly labeled for an elegant display of information and a downright delightful experience.


Hector and the Search for Happiness: A Novel (Hector's Journeys) By Francois Lelord Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780143118398
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Penguin Books - August 31st, 2010

Hector is a psychiatrist. Hector is unhappy. If Hector is a psychiatrist, he should have all his problems sorted out already, right? Not quite. In this short and pleasurable story, Hector travels from Paris to China to Africa to the United State in search of what makes people happy. Along his journey, he encounters many people who all have a piece to contribute to his happiness pie and he keeps track of what he learns in a little journal of happiness lessons: Lesson no. 1: Making comparisons can spoil your happiness. Lesson no. 3: Many people see happiness only in their future. Lesson no. 7: It's a mistake to think that happiness is the goal! As short and uncomplicated as this book was to read, it was rich in the wisdom of experience. Hector's pithy observations are the stuff of proverbs and I feel happy to have read it!


A Christmas Tree for Pyn By Olivier Dunrea, Olivier Dunrea (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Olivier Dunrea, Olivier Dunrea (Illustrator)
$16.99
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ISBN: 9780399245060
Published: Philomel Books - October 13th, 2011

This is just the sweetest Christmas story about a little girl and her daddy. Pyn and Papa Oother live in the mountains and the snow seems eternal. Oother is a brawny mountain man who doesn't want a Christmas tree because it reminds him of Pyn's mother. But little Pyn brings the memory of her mother back by venturing out -her tiny self and her tiny ax, through waste-deep snow on a Christmas mission. Join them as Pyn rekindles long extinguished sentiments in Papa... guaranteed to warm your heart as well.


The Dead Roam the Earth: True Stories of the Paranormal from Around the World By Alasdair Wickham Cover Image
$16.00
ISBN: 9780143122265
Availability: Special Order
Published: Penguin Books - September 25th, 2012

Whether its October or not, as soon as the leaves begin to change, I'm giddy for Halloween scares. I find myself online searching for the best haunted houses in Northern Michigan and watching horrid movies such as Killer Klowns from Outer Space. But even cooler than a synthetic fright is reading about the real thing. I'm talking about the subjects that have inspired our horror flicks and spooky cornfields. Ghosts! Monsters! Demons! The guy who wrote this killer read had a harrowing experience of his own and went on to conduct a large study of monster hunting and communicating with the dead. Delve (if you dare) into phenomena such as exorcisms, curses, and voodoo magic. Be sure to read this one at night... BOOGABOOGA!!


Sandy's Circus: A Story About Alexander Calder By Tanya Lee Stone, Boris Kulikov (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Tanya Lee Stone, Boris Kulikov (Illustrator)
$18.99
ISBN: 9780670062683
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Viking Books for Young Readers - September 4th, 2008

It’s exceptional to be different! Boldly illustrating this concept is the true story of Alexander Calder in the book, Sandy’s Circus. Bursting forth from a world of conformity, Alexander (aka Sandy) breaks the mold by sculpting faces; not out of stone, but out of wire!Over his life time, Sandy’s expansive creativity has led him from making small wire characters to somehow constructing monumental size metal works that continue to astound the eyes that befall them. Would it have happened had he not known it was keen to accentuate his gift? Sandy’s Circus is a satisfying drink of water for any seed that thirsts for creative inspiration. Drink up!


Same, Same But Different By Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw, Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw (Illustrator) Cover Image
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ISBN: 9780805089462
Availability: Out of Print
Published: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) - September 13th, 2011

How can something be the same as something else, but different?? Seemingly paradoxical, Same, Same but Different is a beautiful story that couples two concepts that are central to being human: cultural diversity and brotherhood. The story chronicles a friendship between two children who are pen pals. Journey with them, back and forth, from one child’s world to the other’s as they both share their perceptions of their world around them. This book celebrates uniqueness among different cultures the world over without forgetting that we are all people just the same! Use this book to bring light to a substantial concept that people at any age can and will appreciate.


The Curious Garden By Peter Brown Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780316015479
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers - April 1st, 2009

In the first few pages we meet Liam, and we can tell right away by his red hair, he is a special boy. He lives in a city, greyed by pollution. Everyone stays indoors. Liam, however, is young and yearns to explore his world! Undeterred by neither the pollution nor rain, his curiosity leads him to discover a section of Earth that could use a little tender loving care. In no time at all, Liam's garden takes the city by gentle storm. Abundant with thought provoking illustrations of a utopian garden world, this story fosters the notion to our young ones that paradise is not out of reach!


Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ By Daniel Goleman Cover Image
$20.00
ISBN: 9780553383713
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Bantam - September 27th, 2005

Jedi mind powers anyone?! Not quite, but this book is definitely about taking control. We've all acted out on impulse at one time or another, because we're human! Though certain outbursts seem appropriate at the time, there is always that period of regret, no? What if we could skip the frustration altogether! My friends, fret no longer. This book is about taking a few steps back and analyzing the behaviors we exhibit, and then theorizes on how to train the mind to rise above the situation in the heat of the moment. Oh how much easier said than done!! Dishearten not, and know that some things we can't control, but some things we can. This book is all things beneficial, providing a new way of looking at emotion, being more aware of our actions and thus creating a softer environment to live in. Who doesn't want a world in which we all win?!