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.

Donna S.'s Pick: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

The love of jazz is woven through Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. The story of a Japanese girl and a Chinese boy’s secret friendship during Seattle’s WWII Japanese relocation process is told from a modern, older man’s perspective as well as through his memories.

Donna S.'s Pick: The Letters

Sam and Hadley West are recovering from the death of their son – Sam by an Alaskan adventure and Hadley by painting. The Letters by Luanne Rice is the story of their separation and how, through intimate letters, the couple saves their marriage from divorce. 

Donna S.'s Pick: In the President's Secret Service

In the President’s Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents they Protect is by Ronald Kessler. This nonfiction book presents facts, interesting tidbits and the concerns of agents who try to provide quality security service to our presidents.

Donna S.'s Pick: Twenty Wishes

In Twenty Wishes, Debbie Macomber returns to her Blossom Street series. Four widows make life fulfillment wishlists. The women then change their lives, for the better, when they act on making their wishes come true. It is a hopeful story with a happy ending.

Donna S.'s Pick: Olive Kitteridge

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout was the 2009 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. The title references the name of the lead character in most of the thirteen short stories. The collection takes you through Olive’s latter years, living in Maine, and her strong opinions about everything.

Donna S.'s Pick: The Ultimate Most Relaxing New Age Music in the Universe

The Ultimate Most Relaxing New Age Music in the Universe is the title, and a good description, of the music found on this two CD set by various artists. It contains twenty-four melodies intended to create positive feelings. You'll like listening to it any time of the day.

Donna S.'s Pick: Vineyard Chill

Vineyard Chill is the final book written by the late Philip R. Craig.  He is the author of the J. W. Jackson mystery series set on Martha’s Vineyard.  Reading his stories makes me want to visit the island during my next trip to Cape Cod.

Donna S.'s Pick: The Edge of Winter

The Edge of Winter by Luanne Rice is a work of fiction with reference to an actual event, the sinking of a German U-boat off the New England coast during WWII.  A good story about family, it piqued my interest to learn more about this part of our history.

Donna S.'s Pick: The Lucky One

Nicholas Sparks’ latest book, The Lucky One, is the story of how a photograph found on a U.S. military base in Iraq turns out to be a lucky charm.  This story kept my interest all the way to the end.