Donna S.'s Pick: City Island

In City Island, Vince has plenty of secrets. His whole family does. His son has a fetish, his daughter moonlights as an exotic dancer, his wife thinks he’s having an affair and all Vince wants is to be an actor. The comedy of ill-communication is magnified in City Island.

Donna S.’s Pick: Already Home

Susan Mallery’s Already Home follows a couple who searches for the daughter they gave up for adoption thirty-two years previous. The only problem is that their daughter has a life of her own and plenty of problems without having to deal with her birth parents…especially when one has cancer.

Donna S.'s Pick: The Best Advice I Ever Got

The Best Advice I Ever Got:  Lessons from Extraordinary Lives, by Katie Couric, is an inspirational, non-stuffy self help book. Couric is an upbeat journalist, author and special correspondent for ABC News. Lessons from politics, entertainment, sports, the arts, business and philanthropy are covered in this great book.

Donna S.'s Pick: Blood, Bones and Butter

Blood, Bones and Butter:  The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef, by Gabrielle Hamilton, is a gripping memoir with an eye-catching cover. It’s the sometimes sordid, sometimes spiritual telling of a life in the food industry. If you like Anthony Bourdain, you’ll probably like Blood, Bones and Butter.

97 Orchard: An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families...

Donna S. of the Fiction/AV/Teen Department recommends 97 Orchard by Jane Ziegelman:

97 Orchard was a tenement on the lower east side of Manhattan where German, Irish, Southern Italian and Eastern European immigrant families lived. This is the story of five of the families who lived there from 1863 to 1935. Each family introduced their culture and food to their neighbors. It is through early nineteenth century sharing such as this that we now enjoy foods such as pasta, sauerkraut, challah (egg twist bread), knishes (potato pastry), dandelion and other wild salad greens, olives, beer, sausages, gnocchi (potato pasta), corned beef, pizzarelli and delicatessen. 97 Orchard by Jane Ziegelman is a compelling culinary history about the ethnic origins of many “American” foods.

Donna S.'s Pick: Decision Points

It doesn't make any difference if you’re a Democrat, Republican or Independent, George W. Bush's memoir, Decision Points, is a NY Times bestseller that makes a compelling read. Bush presents his reasoning for decisions made during his life and presidency while reviewing modern, American history.

Donna S.'s Pick: In Her Shoes

Bestselling author Jennifer Weiner had one of her novels made into a movie, In Her Shoes. It is the love/hate story of two sisters, wild Maggie and dependable Rose, who are brought together by a long lost relative for a happy ending.

Donna S.'s Pick: Rosemary and Thyme

Rosemary and Thyme is a British television series. The title and soft soundtrack allude to the Simon and Garfunkel song, “Scarborough Fair,” which was inspired by a traditional English ballad. Rosemary Boxer and Laura Thyme are professional gardeners and amateur detectives solving crimes in the beautiful, English countryside. Enjoy!

Donna S.'s Pick: Politically Correct Holiday Stories

Politically Correct Holiday Stories by James Finn Garner puts a new spin on the holidays. Rudolph, the nasal, empowered reindeer, negotiates better working conditions from Santa. Then there is “'Twas the night before Solstice and all through the co-op not a creature was messing the calm status quo up.” Happy holidays!

Donna S.'s Pick: Chris Botti

Try the music of jazz instrumentalist Chris Botti. Listen to the soft, seductive sounds of his trumpet on When I Fall in Love or feel like you are at one of Botti’s concerts with the guest-star-studded CD In Boston.