What We're Reading: Tracy

Regarding the Bees: a Lesson, in Letters, on Honey, Dating, and Other Sticky Subjects, by Kate and Sarah Klise.

The latest entry in this creative series, told entirely through letters, newspaper clippings, fliers, memos, and press releases, relates the continuing adventures of the students at Geyser Creek Middle School. All the old favorite characters are back, including blustery Principal Walter Russ, beloved teacher Mr. Sam N., and Florence Waters: artist, inventor, and everyone's confidante and problem-solver. This time the intricately plotted story involves bees of all sorts: honeybees, spelling bees, the BEE test (Basic Education Evaluation), and, as the students reach seventh grade, issues involving "the birds and the bees".

If you've never read any of the "Regarding the..." books, start with Regarding the Fountain, followed by Regarding the Sink, Regarding the Trees, and Regarding the Bathrooms.

What We're Reading: Tracy

Odd and the Frost Giants, by Neil Gaiman.

The latest children's title by the author of the Newbery winner, The Graveyard Book, is another engaging work of fantasy. Set in the time of the Vikings and inspired by Norse mythology, Odd and the Frost Giants tells the story of an unusual 12 year old boy aptly named Odd. An eternal winter has settled on Odd's homeland, caused by the fearsome Frost Giants who have taken over Asgard, the city of the gods. It's up to Odd, with the help of some animal friends who are more than they seem, to end the Frost Giants evil reign, restore the gods to their proper place, and break the spell of bitter cold.

What We're Watching: Mary

Venus Beaute (Institut)

This French film, originally released in 1999, features a 40 year old, somewhat jaded beautician Angele (Nathalie Baye), who seems destined to fail in love. The plot line follows her constantly seeking love in the wrong places, with the wrong men. On either side of her search, are juxtaposed two men: One is a former lover, towards whom she feels eternally guilty after accidentally scarring his face when a gun she was holding went off; and a new prospective lover who develops an infatuation for her that borders upon stalking.

Adding to the development of the plot, are the personalities of her co-workers. One is young and innocent; another somewhat cynical; and the third is her responsible boss. Angele's character is well crafted, in that she has all three of these elements with in her own personality, and they are seen waxing and waning in different situations throughout the film.

The background of the film is very inviting, as much of Angele's life is seen in the context of her work a day world of her somewhat "posh" beauty salon. The staff and clients come in and out of her world accompanied by a delicate bell like tinkling each time the door opens or closes.

After several steps, both back towards her old relationship, and forward to a possible new one, in the end a final, satisfying direction is taken, that seemlessly pulls in the few straggling lose ends.

What We're Reading: Rita

This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper.

I've been a Tropper fan for years and enjoyed all of his four previous novels. This is his best yet and one of my favorite books of 2009. The main character, Judd Foxman, returns to his childhood home to fulfill his recently deceased father's last request to sit seven days of shiva with his (very dysfunctional) family. But a death in the family is only the most recent in a series of misfortunes in Judd's life. He's living in a tiny basement apartment after separating from his wife. The separation occured after Judd found her in bed with his boss, and his reaction to that discovery has also left him unemployed. Judd is not the most mature guy, and he's obviously not in the best psychological shape when he's forced into seven days of confinement with an outrageous mother and a collection of siblings with "issues" - all of whom are mourning a much loved patriarch. Of course, this being a Jonathan Tropper novel, there is plenty of humor involved, although much of it is black, and there are also a number of cringe-worthy moments. One of this author's strongest gifts is his ability to make the reader care about his characters, even when their behavior is less than honorable. Ultimately this is a funny but serious look at a flawed group of kin that asks what, if anything, connects a family.

What We're Reading: Brenda

Isadore's Secret: Sin, Murder, and Confession in a Northern Michigan Town by Mardi Link

This true crime story written by a Bay City native tells the story of a Felician nun, Sister Mary Janina, who disappeared in 1907 from a Catholic church in Isadore, MI where she taught. Her body was discovered buried in the basement of the church in 1918 and caused quite a scandal in this small, remote, mostly Polish farming community located outside of Traverse City in Leelanau County. To this day the people of Isadore don't like to talk about the "tragedy" and are very secretive about it. The story has all of the elements of a good murder mystery: rumors of a love affair, a hidden body, a scandal in the Church, and an eventual trial. The mystery is also the basis for the Broadway play and film "The Runner Stumbles." At the end of the book you will be left wondering if the right person was convicted and what really was the motive for the nun's murder.

What We're Reading: Cathy

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.

You've read The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory or seen the movie? Well this is the story from viewpoint of the man who made Anne Boleyn's marriage to Henry VII happen, Thomas Cromwell. It gives us views of his abusive father, his life on the Continent fighting and learning the cloth business and whole lot else. We see how he keeps his head while Henry brings down Cardinal Wolsey, the man Cromwell works for. His rise from butcher's son to the king's chief minister is rapid because of his ability to read people, maneuver politically and get things done. Thomas Cromwell is portrayed as a person you'd enjoy knowing but you'd definitely want to be on his good side!

What We're Reading: Laurie

Ida B. and her plans to maximize fun, avoid disaster, and (possibly) save the world by Katherine Hannigan.

This is a heartwarming story about Ida B. Applewood. Ida is a fourth grader who is homeschooled, has a fantastic imagination and adores to be outdoors. She loves to play in her family's apple orchard and looks upon the trees as her friends. She always tells her parents that there is not enough time in the day to have fun so she tries to create as much fun as she possibly can. Ida B. receives terrible news from her father and her cheerful attitude and positive outlook on life change drastically. Then an adult reaches out to help Ida understand why bad things happen in life and how not to let such circumstances change her personality.