Somehow, Ms. Bradley manages to create a novel that personalizes an uncomfortable topic -slavery- and addresses the particular complications and controversies inherent in Thomas Jefferson's relationship with slavery, specifically with Sally Hemings and her children. I appreciated being able to view slavery, plantation life and President Jefferson through the eyes of three of his young slaves. None of the viewpoints are simple, all of their feelings are complicated. Overall, I believe this novel provides an excellent lens into life in Monticello and the life of our third President. It would be a great book to read with your children and then start a discussion about this painful part of American history and how people can simultaneously act in honorable and dishonorable ways.

I found this series because my husband reads thrillers. He gave me one when we were on a trip and I had nothing to read. (Yes, this was pre-ipads.) And, while I often turn my nose down at the thought of a thriller, these are my new mind candy. They allow me to live again in San Francisco, my old hometown, if only for the duration of the novel. They have two fun main characters - Dismas Hardy and his best friend, and former police partner, the homicide detective Abe Glinsky. Each plot places you firmly in San Francisco and provides an enjoyable page turner. My summary - great books for anyone missing San Francisco and wanting some escapist reading. Nothing But the Truth begins the series, but you can start just about anywhere.-=0

The lives of Nina and Philip are revealed over the course of one evening when Nina numbly sits beside Philip's dead body after his sudden and unexpected death. The writing superbly shows how complicated and amazing life and love can be -- even when everyone is not always honest or true at all times in a relationship. I read this book in one sitting on a plane and cherish it.

The thought of not being able to eat or drink for months on end is disturbing enough. But in the case of Mr. Reiner, this predicament of taking "nothing by mouth" is the only solution his doctors come up with when his Crohn's Disease almost kills him. This book, growing from a critically acclaimed article of the same name, probes multiple questions as Mr. Reiner navigates the medical systems (one disturbing piece - how which hospital accepts the ambulance with you in it may change whether you live or die) and emotional systems (the strain on his family is certainly not trivial) that are trying to cure him. A thought-provoking and very well-written memoir for anyone interested in food (it is amazing how good food seems to one who can only smell it), health care, and/or memoir. James Beard Foundation Award Winner Mr. Reiner uses his unique path through chronic illness and chronic unemployment to dissect his life with more honesty and humor than I think I would be capable of. I hope his lessons stay with me and make me grateful for my current good health, job, and ability to eat for a long time.

Incredibly well-written, fun and informative, with interesting revelations/personalities in every chapter. Enjoy this book by and about an amazing woman.

Days after finishing, I am still pondering the story contained in this memoir. It has so much, the trials and successes of building a life and a family, what it means to to live the best life possible, how failures shape you, the building and tearing and building again of relationships, an unbearable pain that comes with the loss of a child, making peace with an upbringing and a family's choices and more. Beyond the actual real life tale in this book, the author's rendering of her childhood also raises questions about how to accomplish a life that remains true to your ideals and brings the least amount of harm to and the most amount of help for the people you love. Specifically, it deals with organic farming and lessening carbon footprints and dealing with the death of a child. Globally, this book just deals with life. Read it under a tree this summer or wait until winter when you need to think a bit about fresh vegetables from a garden, and find your own answers to the questions within.

Yes, this is an older title. However, the fact I pulled this out yesterday twice for probably the thousandth time made me realize how much of a bargain this book is and how everyone really should own it. This cookbook truly does show you how to cook EVERYTHING with simple, easy-to-follow instructions. A superb gift for a graduate or a newlywed or yourself.