The First Grader

The library frequently receives new DVD's from many different genres and on many different subjects.  I have watched several great films lately but the one that has stuck in my mind is The First Grader.   The film is based on a true story about Meruge,a Kenyan man who starts school when he is 84 years old, after the Kenyan government guarantees free education for everyone.  Meruge is an old Mau Mau veteran who fought for the liberation of his country and now feels he must have the chance for an education that was so long denied to him, even if it means sitting in a classroom next to many six year olds.  Jane, the classroom teacher, supports his struggle to gain admission into a "school for children" because she is moved by his passion to learn how to read.  Maruge and Teacher Jane face fierce opposition from both parents and school officials who don't feel that the preciousness of school should be wasted on an old man.  The film is beautifully made and through Meruge's musings, the viewer gets to see the shocking story of British colonial rule fifty years earlier when Maruge fought for the freedom of his country, eventually ending up in the extreme and harsh conditions of the British detention camps.  The film was produced by National Geographic Entertainment and was an official selection at the 2010 Tulluride Film Festival, the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival and the 2010 London Film Festival.  It is truly a heart-warming and inspiring story of a man and his fight to overcome the burden of his past.

Check out the new John Grisham Novel!

The Litigators by John Grisham is the latest book by this celebrated Mississippi author.  The book details the shenanigans of two shady lawyers (aka, "ambulance chasers") who stumble upon a mass tort case involving the drug Krayoxx.  The two lawyers are barely making ends meet when David, a lawyer fed up with his boring, day-to-day existence at a huge law firm downtown quits his job, gets drunk and stumbles into the law firm of Finley and Figg and convinces them to give him a job.  The three lawyers become involved in digging up Krayoxx clients at the same time David stumbles across a group of illegal residents who are getting cheated out of work hours at their jobs.  Through his successful fight to win their pay back for them, David discovers a case of a little boy with severe lead poisoning he received from playing with extremely toxic "nasty teeth" covered in a lead-based paint, manufactured in China and distributed by an American toy company.  David's life suddently changes when he is thrown into the first-chair defense of the Krayoxx case...a case that is doomed to fail.  Meanwhile, David feels like he can win the lead paint case, if only he can figure out which American company manufactured the nasty teeth!  This book is an entertaining story about the day-to-day lives of three litigators, trying to make a living.  If you love other John Grisham books such as The Client, you will also like this book.

Fabric-by-Fabric: One-Yard Wonders

It's January, so what better time to begin a new hobby!  Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins have published a nifty new book full of 101 sewing projects that you can complete using one yard of fabric.  The list of fabrics that can be used include cottons, knits, voiles, corduroy, fleece, flannel, home decors, oilcloth, wool and many others.  Titled Fabric-by-Fabric:  One-Yard Wonders, the book has pattern pieces included and each project contains step-by-step instructions with a list of materials and a description of each project.  I especially enjoy the diagrams which show how each piece should be cut from each yard of cloth.  My favorite project (of course) is the Hanging Book Display on page 135.  The project is a great way to show off both your favorite fabric and your favorite children's picture books.  The display hangs on a wall and has small pockets that allow most of the book covers to be on display.  There are also clothes, scarves and game projects included in this handy book.  If you are crafty or love to sew, make sure you check this item out! 

Fresh and Fun Diabetic Meals

The library has received two new diabetes cookbooks that are sure to please the most discriminating palate, whether you are a diabetic or not. The first book is Fast and Flavorful: Great Diabetes Meals from Market to Table by Linda Gassenheimer. Both titles have been approved by the American Diabetes Association, so you can be assured that the recipes are healthy and can fit into your lifestyle. The recipes in this book are packed with flavor and can be made in minutes simply because the author lets the supermarket do most of the preparation. The cookbook is packed with ethnic and comfort food recipes Each recipe includes a shopping list with the ingredients listed by department and can be purchased at your local supermarket. Gassenheimer also includes a section of cooking staples that you should keep in your pantry and fridge so that you only have to pick up a few things at the store when you decided to cook. I especially like the jerk shrimp with rice and peas recipe or the spaghetti bolognese with herbed zucchini.

The second cookbook is The Diabetes Comfort Food Cookbook: Foods to Fill You Up, Not Out! by Robyn Webb, MS. The cookbook begins with a chapter on comfort food starters (my favorite) and even includes a section on one pot and skillet meals and desserts.  My favorite recipe in this book is the Chinese Five-Spice Steak with Chinese Noodles.  Each recipes include easy-to-follow directions, and a list of exchange choices along with the nutritional values.  Both of these books will give you great ideas to spice up your boring meals and eat diabetic-friendly meals that are healthy, interesting and delicious!