THE BUTLER: A WITNESS TO HISTORY (Wil Haygood)

When I picked up this book I expected it to be a short biography of Eugene Allen, the man who served as White House butler through 8 presidential administrations. It was, but very briefly.  This short (96 pages) tome is not just the story of Eugene and Helene Allen, but a condensed history of both civil rights in America and the making of the film, The Butler.  Haygood provides a brief vignette of each of the presidents (5 of them) portrayed in the movie and their dealings with civil rights issues.

This was a very short book, but thought-provoking.  It's kind of like a photo album, brief glimpses into Eugene Allen's life, the struggles of Black Americans to attain respect and equality, and the dedication that went into making the film.  As I said, it was unexpected, but definitely worthwhile.

By the way, if you haven't seen Lee Daniels' movie, I highly recommend it.  It's terrific on so many different levels.

THE PIONEER WOMAN: BLACK HEELS to TRACTOR WHEELS (Ree Drummond)

I am not normally a reader of romances, but Drummond's autobiographical story of a young woman's transition from dedicated city girl and aspiring law student to rancher's wife is a true-life romance that delighted from start to finish.  The meeting, the courtship, Ree's last minute decision to change her plans to move Chicago and instead focus on her relationship with her "Marlboro Man,"  their marriage and disastrous honeymoon, and her transition to living on an isolated ranch away from family and friends all combine into a charming and very readable biography.  If you have ever watched Ree Drummond on the Food Network you will LOVE this book, and even if you haven't I suspect that her sense of humor and positive take on almost any setback will charm you.

THE ROSIE PROJECT (Graeme Simsion)

The Rosie Project defies categorization.  Is it romance, humor, educational?  It is very unusual.  I've discussed it with a couple of people and the consensus seems to be that it is hilarious.  I agreed in some respects, but I also agree with my friend that feels the story is sad.

Don Tillman is a college professor with a personality much like Sheldon Cooper's from the TV show Big Bang Theory.  Although the author never states that Don suffers from Asperger's, he interestingly starts the novel with Don filling in as a last minute presenter on Asperger's for a group of 5th graders and their parents, with amusing results. At age 39 Don has decided that it is time to find a life partner, so he embarks on the Wife Project, a scientific questionnaire designed to weed out unsuitable partners and help him to meet the perfect mate.  As anyone who has ever read a romance knows, though, science has nothing to do with the connection between two hearts.  When Don meets Rosie, he realizes that she is completely unsuitable, but something clicks between the two of them.  The hilarious aspect of the book is Don's literal interpretation of life, like assuming that a high quality bicycling jacket should be perfectly acceptable to wear in a restaurant where jackets are required.  Anyone dealing with a loved one on the autism spectrum will see the layers below Don's thought processes and have mixed feelings about how funny he really is.  Overall, though, Simsion deals with Don and his issues insightfully and entertainingly.  I would wholeheartedly recommend The Rosie Project.  Wonderful!

THE TALE OF BRIAR BANK: A BEATRIX POTTER MYSTERY (Susan Wittig Albert)

Susan Wittig Albert has done a superb job of recreating the world of Beatrix Potter, complete with anthropomorphic animals and charming segues from scene to scene.  Beatrix died in 1943, but I would swear that she has been reincarnated in Susan Wittig Albert.  This "mystery" is a delightful combination of actual facts from Potter's life, wonderful scenes of badgers, guinea pigs, dogs, cats, and even dragons, socializing and working (it is actually they who unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding Mr. Wickstead's death), and a narrator who leads us from scene to scene.  This was decidedly different.  It made me want to all of Beatrix Potter's books, especially since I feel that I already know many of the characters!

A SHORT GUIDE TO A LONG LIFE (David B Agus, MD)

Settle in for a couple of hours and read this useful guide to taking charge of your own health.  In a very down-to-earth series of do's and don'ts, Dr. Agus, a leading cancer specialist, presents some very thought-provoking and sensible rules for preventing illness and living a long life.  It's not a trendy booklet hawking the latest diet fads or vitamin supplements.  Dr. Agus provides practical suggestions for good health, like getting 8 hours of sleep each night, eating REAL food, getting regular checkups, knowing the details of your family health history, enjoying regular exercise, and avoiding vitamins and supplements.  He offers interesting facts, like that frozen vegetables and fruits are actually fresher (i.e. more vitamin-filled) than out-of-season foods shipped from other places, and that wearing good, comfortable shoes is one of the most important things you can do for yourself.  You might be thinking that everyone KNOWS these things (except maybe the part about avoiding vitamins!), but the fact is that most of us don't practice many of these good health habits.  I'm not doing justice to Dr. Agus's book.  It is inspiring, down-to-earth, and a little scary.  What it boils down to is that many diseases are preventable by simply paying attention to our daily habits and caring for ourselves.  Take the time to read it.  It's amazing how simple changes can make a big difference in your quality of life.

BRIDGET JONES: MAD ABOUT THE BOY (Helen Fielding)

I thoroughly enjoyed this update on Bridget Jones's life, but I have to admit I was almost brought to tears a few times, mainly because I felt like Colin Firth had been killed!  Any Bridget Jones fan probably knows that Firth played Mark Darcy, Bridget's true love, in the movie versions of Fielding's two Bridget books.  Well, Bridget married Mark, had two children, Billy and Mabel, with him, and then was widowed (Oh, no!).  After several years of mourning she decides, with the encouragement of her friends, that it is time to venture out into the dating world again, in typical Bridget Jones style.

At age 51, Bridget tries online dating and flirts madly with the Roxter, a much younger man.  She even considers a future with him, but her destiny is with another.  As she navigates technology, aging, and single parenthood in her usual neurotic way, we fall in love with her all over again.  After 15 years she is still the same goofy Bridget, older and a bit wiser, but still as appealing.

I imagine that there are people who will say that the originals were better, because people always do.  Fielding is, after all, the grand dame of chick-lit.  Would the genre even exist if Bridget Jones hadn't been conceived?  If you loved Bridget 15 years ago, you'll love this one!

DEATH OF A POLICEMAN (M.C. Beaton)

I wonder why I never get tired of Hamish Macbeth?  I do really wish that he would settle down with Priscilla or Elspeth (preferably Elspeth).  He's getting a little too sad and frustrated for my taste.  It's time for him to find some personal happiness.  I don't think it would really interfere with his character because there could be marital spats and misunderstandings mixed in with Hamish's incredible crime solving.  Think about it, M.C. Beaton!

That being said, this is another typical romp through the highlands.  One interesting development is more insight into the character of Inspector Daviot, whom I have found in the past to be fairly supportive of Hamish and somewhat aware of Blair's incompetency, at least to the extent of ignoring it.  This book may be a turning point (for the worse) for Daviot and Hamish, though, when the two engage in a bit of negotiation that is likely to drive Daviot firmly into Blair's camp.  Hamish may have a hard road to travel in the future!

In this entry in the long-running series, Blair has assigned a handsome young police officer to "watch" Hamish in order to gather evidence against him (so, nothing new there).  When the police officer is killed Hamish takes over the investigation covertly, since he has been banned from any involvement in the case.  Hamish's fellow officer and roommate, Dick, the quiz show genius, is the focus of the romantic entanglements in "Death of a Policeman," but, as usual, things do NOT work out well for him on the local front.  Beaton has managed to write an intriguing mystery involving local characters, organized crime, prostitution, thwarted romance, and corruption, all in one little book.  It's a quick read, but fun.  Check it out when you have a free weekend to read!