What We're Reading: Edward

"To Account for Murder: a legal thriller"


by William C. Whitbeck


The murder of Michigan State Senator Warren G. Hooper in 1945, brought to light corruption in Lansing. During Prohibition money flowed freely to state and local politicians. They were paid to allow groups like the Purple Gand to stay in business. Now in 1996, Charlie Cahill tell his part in the events of the time. Charlie returned from the war without his left arm. He is looking for a job as an attorney. Being a war hero gets Charlie hired by politicians fighting corruption. Charlie has a personal connection to the murdered Senator. Will Charlie be able to keep secret what he knows about the Senator's death? Naturally there is a beautiful, rich woman in the story. Whitbeck makes the time come alive.

Whitbeck is Chief Judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals. He hopes to emulate the success of "The Anatomy of a Murder" by Michigan Supreme Court Justice John D. Voelker.

What We're Reading: Abby

Life on the Line: A Chef's Story of Chasing Greatness, Facing Death, and Redefining the Way We Eat by Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas.


This is the story of a young, ambitious chef who was born and raised in St. Clair, Michigan. Grant Achatz, of the Achatz restaurant and pie family, decided that he wanted to do more than run a small town restaurant so he enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America. He studied under the top chefs and worked for other legendary chefs while perfecting his craft and developing his palate. Along the way he became friends with one of his most enthusiastic patrons, Nick Kokonas. They both take turns in the book describing different periods in their lives and eventually how they came to be partners in a very successful restaurant in Chicago called Alinea. Chef Achatz is a master of molecular gastronomy. Every dish is like piece of art, visually stunning and always a surprising experience for the taste buds.

Just when everything seems to be going to well for the young chef he is diagnosed with advanced stage tongue cancer. All of the doctors said that the only treatment available was to remove the tongue and fashion a new tongue out of some muscle from another part of his body. He wouldn't be able to speak and wouldn't be able to taste but it might save his life. Chef Achatz couldn't do it. He finally found a doctor who was willing to try heavy doses of chemotherapy and radiation rather than remove the tongue. It was a very difficult time but he got through it.

Today Chef Achatz is doing well and is very busy running his restaurants in Chicago.

'Tis the Season...for Yard Sales

August sees yard sales at their height in Michigan, capped off with the annual Blue Water Yard Sale Trail, 200+ miles of treasure hunting along the Thumb's shoreline this weekend. If you're planning on doing the Trail, or are considering hosting a sale of your own, get some tips from the experts first.


Garage Sale America by Bruce Littlefield.

Get the inside scoop on garage sale success from a life-long aficionado. Learn how to spot a good sale from the road, how to tell trash from treasure, and how to incorporate finds into your home decor. Filled with anecdotes about colorful garage sale folk, this is a fun read as well as an informative one.






Buy, Keep or Sell? by Judith Miller.

Judith Miller, author of the popular Miller's guides to antiques and collectibles, provides help to anyone wondering if they should buy, keep or sell a particular item. Covering categories ranging from Art Deco to Star Wars, Miller shows what's hot and what's not, along with information on prices and fakes. Essential reading before hitting the Yard Sale Trail!

What We're Reading: Debbie

The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman

This haunting novel is arranged in chapters written as chronological short stories, each focusing on characters descended from the original settlers of fictional Bearville, or later named Blackwell, Massachusetts. Three hundred years of the passions and dark secrets of the interwoven characters make for a fascinating, mystical read centered on the oldest home's garden where all plants grow red. Hoffman's writing is enchanting. Each chapter is a separate treat, all blending together into a book you won't soon forget - one of my all time favorites! One of Hoffman's earlier books, Blackbird House, is written with the same technique of characters passing through a particular house over the years - an equally enthralling read!

What We're Reading: Edward

"Gentleman Captain"


by J.D.Davies


"Gentleman Captain" is the first novel in the Quinton Journals series. This series chronicles the making of the British Navy in the 17th century. It is the Navy of the restoration. King Charles II is replacing the captains who came up the ranks with captains from the gentry. These gentlemen know nothing of the sea but are loyal to the King.It is the Navy that Samuel Pepys is reforming with centralization and best practices. It is not the trim fighting force of Horatio Hornblower. Matthew Quinton lost his first ship in a storm. Through the influence of his older brother, Matthew is lucky to get another ship. His ship and a much larger vessel are sent to the coast of Scotland to forestall a possible revolt against the King. In his second command, Matthew learns much about the sea and the men who toil in the King's Navy. He proves that the Gentleman Captain can command a ship and outmaneuver the enemy.

Perfect book to read on your boat this summer!

J.D.Davies is an authority on the 17th century British Navy.

What We're Reading: Jan

Sinatra: Hollywood His Way by Timothy Knight

Most of Frank Sinatra’s fans point to his acclaim as one of the great voices of the twentieth century. However, many of them may not know that he is an Academy-Award winner with 60 Hollywood films to his credit. This new book focuses on the successes – and some failures – in his near 40 year span of films. Sinatra was a top box-office star for many years. Movie-making advanced his singing career in important ways as well. It helped to introduce the crooner in the 1940’s with All-American movies like Anchors Aweigh, was a pick-up for dwindling popularity in the 1950’s when he won the Oscar for From Here to Eternity and reinforced his “Rat Pack” coolness in the 1960’s with movies like the original Ocean’s Eleven. The book highlights each movie with photos and behind-the-scenes snippets and there are mentions of film reviews from the time period that movie fans will appreciate. The author has what seem to be honest opinions of Sinatra in Hollywood and, more importantly, provides background on Sinatra’s feelings about his own movies and his dealings with producers, directors, fellow actors, etc. The book will be of interest to all Sinatra fans and film devotees in general for it’s look at Hollywood’s “golden years”.

What We're Reading: Debbie

The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig

A widower and his 3 sons are homesteaders in 1909 Montana. They hire a "mail order housekeeper", Rose, who arrives with her brother, Morrie, in tow. Morrie, it turns out, has arrived just in time, as the boys' one-room school is in desperate need of a teacher, and Morrie fits the bill. This is a quiet, slow paced story with lots of detail about getting educated in a one-room schoolhouse and its advantages over consolidated schools in that area. Halley's Comet, boxing, and dry-land farming are all featured in this novel in interesting ways. Told from the viewpoint of the oldest son, it reminded me a little of a more sophisticated "Little House on the Prairie". I enjoyed this.