The Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library will be closed on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2013 and Christmas Day, December 25, 2013.  Our Board of Trustees and staff wish you a safe and happy holiday season!

Spirit of Steamboat

     Legend has it that Steamboat was the greatest bronco of all time. He never let any cowboy ride him: tough as nails. This horse was so famous that Wyoming put an image of him bucking a rider on its license plates. At least, this is the story Craig Johnson tells in his newest Walt Longmire novella. Sheriff Longmire is sitting at his desk on Christmas Eve reading A Christmas Carol by Dickens. (It's a tradition.) His under sheriff is in Brazil with her mother and his daughter is in Pennsylvania; ready to have a baby. His dispatcher, Ruby, tells him there is someone there to see him. A small wisp of a woman with porcelain skin and dark hair carrying a black garment bag walks into Walt's office and asks if he is the sheriff. She speaks to him like she knows him and she asks about the previous sheriff, Lucian Connally. Walt takes the woman to the Durant Home for Assisted Living where Lucian has just shot out the T.V. in the rec room. Lucian answers the door to his apartment wearing nothing but his boxers, a wife beater t-shirt, and only one leg. After all the pleasantries are out of the way, Lucian asks her what the reason for her visit is. She replies, "Steamboat."
    With that, we flash back to 1988 when Walt has just been elected sheriff for the first time and his daughter, Cady, was only 9 years old. Again, it is Christmas Eve and Walt is anxiously awaiting the med-evac flight of a little girl who has just lost her parents and great-aunt in a fiery car crash. There is a blizzard blowing their way and no one is sure that the helicopter carrying the severely burned girl will make it to Denver. It is slow and unable to maneuver in the high winds and icy conditions. Walt asks if the old B-25 34030 sitting in the hangar could make the trip. Yes, no, maybe is the answer he gets. Even if it could there is no one to fly it. But Walt knows someone; Lucian Connally flew one of these very planes in WWII over Japan. So, with the EMT & pilot of the med-evac helicopter refusing to fly in the gathering storm, and a little girl's life hanging in the balance; Walt enlists, Lucian, a reluctant co-pilot named Julie, and Doctor Isaac to help get the B-25 in the air and the little girl to Denver's Children's Hospital. Walt goes along for the ride, as does the little girl's grandmother; who doesn't speak any English. The harrowing ride that follows tests them all in ways they could not imagine, but the little girl gets to her destination and twenty-five years later, she comes back to Durant to get the whole story and to return a memento to Lucian. Why the mention of the bronco? The name of the plane: Steamboat.

Dexter's Final Cut

I finally was able to read Jeff Lindsay's latest novel, Dexter's Final Cut, the next in the Dexter Morgan series.  Lindsay's series inspired the Dexter Showtime series that ended its run in October 2013.  From what I have read, this book is the final Dexter book, but I am hoping that Jeff Lindsay will write at least one more in the series before he hangs up the Dexter Morgan character.  Dexter Morgan is a blood splatter expert with the Miami-Dade Police Department and a serial killer.  Dexter, however, only kills bad people such as rapists or child molesters who "fall through the cracks" and end up escaping justice.  He has a strict code he follows,  which was given to him by Harry, his policeman step-father.    Dexter does

not function with the ability to empathize with other "humans," so he has spent most of his days studying others around him and trying to fit in.  He is married to Rita, and has one kid with her and two step-kids, Cody and Astor, in whom he sees fleeting images of "Dark Passenger" behavior.  The book opens with a scene in which you finally figure out that Dexter is NOT dead, but acting in a television show.  From there, the book starts over from the beginning and details the events leading up to the television show scene.  Dexter and his sister, Sergeant Deborah Morgan, are chosen to be the folks that several as the "technical advisors" for a forensics television series that is being shot in Miami.  Dexter is delighted when the beautiful actress, Jackie Forrest hires him to be her personal bodyguard after she reveals she has received some stalker-type fan mail and women around Miami that look uncannily like Jackie start dying.  Dexter gets caught up in the high-flying actor lifestyle---will this lead to the end of his life with Rita?  A definite twist at the end involving Astor, truly shakes up the book and the ending is truly topsy-turvy.  I adore Dexter Morgan's character because he truly makes the reader root for him---how bad can he be if he helps rid the world of bad people?  It's a great series that is not easily forgotten.  Jeff Lindsay lives in South Florida with his wife and three daughters and may be contacted at www.Dexter-Books.com, www.facebook.com/jefflindsayauther or at www.doubleday.com.

Who Asked You?

Terry McMillan's Who Asked You? is her eighth novel and is set in a mixed-race Los Angeles neighborhood.  The story opens with Betty Jean, the matriarch of the family, who works at a hotel, cleaning rooms.  Her daughter, Trinetta, drops off her two kids with Betty Jean and then disappears, leaving Betty Jean to try and raise them the best way she knows how.  Betty Jean's white neighbor, Tammy, is her best friend, and she is dealing with her own daughter who can't seem to find a job and move out of her house, as she tries to help Betty Jean with her grand sons.  Added to the mix are Betty Jean's son, Dexter, currently serving a prison term, and her invalid husband who is suffering from Alzheimer's.  Each character narrates the story, in alternating chapters, and the result is an interesting story told from many different points of view.  Betty Jean also has two sisters, each with their own set of issues, and her relationships with them and their family members figure prominently in the book.  This book addresses the burdens and blessings of family and trusting your own judgment even when others don't agree with you.  The characters are signature McMillan, and will leave you thinking.  If you liked McMillan's Waiting to Exhale, you will enjoy this book too. 

Happy Thanskgiving!

No matter where you are celebrating thanksgiving, or with whom you are celebrating, the staff and board of trustees of the Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday!  Our patrons and friends are the best, and we could never be the wonderful member of our community that we are, without your help.  Thank you for your continued support of our library's programs, mission and staff.

 

The stories behind lost cat posters

'The Secrets of Lost Cats' by Dr. Nancy Davidson is a recent addition to our non-fiction collection.  Dr. Davidson's connection with lost cats began when her own cat, Zak, disappeared and she made a lost cat poster of her own as she searched for, and eventually found, him.  After that, she began to make a study of lost cat posters, wondering about the cats and the owners searching for them.

The book covers seven years and twenty lost cat posters in areas ranging from Alaska to Amsterdam, talking as much about the people who love cats as about the cats themselves.  There is also a very handy section in the back that advises the best actions to take if your own cat becomes lost or if you happen to come across a cat that appears lost.

After Dead

This post is for all of my fellow reader friends out there who are also mourning the end of the "Sookie Stackhouse" series.  I just finished reading After Dead the new Charlaine Harris novel.  This book was written by Harris in response to the enormous amount of questions she received from her readers while she was writing the thirteenth and final novel in the series.  Readers wanted to know what happened to many characters who had appeared in other books but just couldn't be in the final book. So, in Charlaine Harris' own words, "in the

interest of satisfying the readers who've been following Sookie's adventures for years, I herewith present my coda to the books that have dominated my professional life for over a decade."  This book is organized alphabetically by the names of the characters and it is truly an interesting read!  I enjoyed finding out what had happened to many of my favorite characters and even though the book is short, it is a must read for every Sookie Stackhouse fan.  Charlaine Harris is a New York Times bestselling author for both her Sookie Stackhouse and Harper Connelly Prime Crime mystery series, and she has lived in the South her entire life.  Please visit Charlaine Harris on the web at www.charlaineharris.com or at facebook.com/CharlaineHarris.

If You Were Here

If You Were Here is the newest novel by author Alafair Burke, a former prosecutor who now teaches criminal law and lives in Manhattan.  She is the author of nine novels, including the Ellie Hatcher series and several stand alones.  This novel is set in Manhattan, and stars McKenna Jordan, a magazine journalist (and former prosecutor) who is chasing down a story.  Her friend has been missing for years but when she sees a subway video of a heroic

act, she swears the woman in the video is her long-lost, presumed dead, friend, Susan.  Susan was also a classmate of McKenna's husband, Patrick, at West Point.  NYPD concluded that Susan disappeared after a tiff with her dad about the end of her military career, but McKenna thinks that there is something more to the story.  Thus begins a story of twists and turns as McKenna uses her reporting skills to ferret out the truth of Susan's disappearance and the story she was embroiled in.  The action is quick, the mystery is a good one and all in all this is a very suspenseful read.  This novel is a standalone book and may be read without reading any other novels first.  If you are interested in discovering more about the author, check her out online at www.alafairburke.com

It'll Be Thanksgiving Before You Know It!

It's hard to believe, but in one month, it will be time for Thanksgiving. A lot of people tend to sail through this holiday in favor of Christmas, but I love Thanksgiving because it's not about presents or fancy decorations. This is a time for coming together with family and friends and giving thanks for all the blessings of the previous year. And, of course, it's about the food! Whether you celebrate with the traditional turkey and sides or do your own thing, the meal is the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving gathering.
If you're like me, sometimes you want something a little different, but what to do? While most recipe sites on the internet have wonderful recipes, you often have to sift through dozens to find one that is right for you and your family. Here's an idea (an oldie but goodie) why not check out some of the holiday magazines here at the library? Even if the magazine you want cannot be checked out, you are certainly welcome to make a copy of any recipe you want for your personal use. We get a great many wonderful magazines with recipes galore: Better Homes & Gardens, Woman's Day, Family Circle, Good Housekeeping, Martha Stewart Living, Country Living, Southern Living, and, of course, Cooking with Paula Deen, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Cooking Light, Food Network Magazine, and Taste of Home. I encourage you to come in and thumb through the November 2013 issues of these magazines to see if you can find a new recipe or decorating idea for your holiday gathering.
My family is trying hard to eat healthier and Thanksgiving is no excuse to stop doing this. There are some wonderful lighter fair to be found. Instead of potato salad, why not try the pearled barley & corn salad found in Every Day with Rachael Ray (Nov. '13)? Rachael Ray also has a section of mix & match menus for the turkey, sides, and dessert.
Good Housekeeping has a section by Ina Garten - a.k.a. the Barefoot Contessa, which highlights a traditional, simple, delicious meal for Thanksgiving. It also boasts Ina's 10 simple steps for planning and enjoying your holiday. For example, Ina suggests making a game plan, writing out the menu and shopping list for each aisle of the grocery store. She also suggests prepping as much food as possible before the big day.
If you're not looking for lighter fair on your day, (I can't really blame you) then there are plenty of recipes, tips, and tricks in the November 2013 issue of Food Network Magazine. If you're a baker, how about trying the white chocolate-cranberry cheesecake on page 87? If you want to brush up on your kitchen skills before the big day, why not check out the section titled "Chefs' 50 Best Thanksgiving Tips"? I think I'll indulge for dessert and make the maple pumpkin pie with salted pecan brittle found on page 134 of Better Homes and Gardens (Nov. '13)!
Whatever you choose to do this Thanksgiving, remember that the library has magazines and cookbooks to help you with your holiday plans.

   

Try Your Hand at Card Making!

Since the Fall season has officially begun and thoughts are drifting to the holiday season, many folks begin to think about preparing handmade gifts.  For many years, I have been making Christmas cards to send to my family and friends.  They are a fun way to send something sweet and personal to the folks you love!  I found two new "book treasures" a few days ago when I was looking for new Christmas card ideas.  Both books contain card ideas, although one is focused strictly on cards and the other on general Christmas crafts.  Ultimate Cardmaking by Sarah Beaman is a collection of over 100 techniques and 50 projects to make homemade cards for any occasion!  I really enjoyed the first section, which contains wonderfully illustrated descriptions of many different card techniques.  There are a few templates for Christmas cards in this book, but the biggest value to me is the book's clear explanation of common card techniques.  The second book, Christmas Crafts by Carol McCleeve, gives instructions on how to make cards, gift wrappings and decorations for the entire family!  This book contains many examples of cards, complete with patterns.  I especially enjoyed the section on making your own wrapping paper.  I personally believe it would be time-consuming, but I think the results are gorgeous.  The library has many other Christmas craft books available--please ask the reference desk for help in locating the perfect one for you! 

Light of the World

James Lee Burke's latest Dave Robicheaux novel, Light of the World, is fantastic in its melding of two storylines that Burke is familiar with.  The characters that we all love from the New Iberia stories (Dave Robicheaux, Clete Purcel, Molly Robicheaux, Alafair Robicheaux and Gretchen Horowitz) are vacationing in Montana (setting of his second series) at the home of Albert, one of Dave's rabble-rousing friends.  The story begins with Alafair almost getting pierced by an arrow during her morning run up the mountain behind Albert's house.  Through a string of events, Dave (Police Detective) wonders if the shooter could be serial killer Asa Surrette, who Alafair visited in prison, and who may have escaped a fiery crash while he was being transported from one prison to another. Clete (Ex-policeman and current

Private Investigator)  is also staying in a cabin on Albert's property when he receives a visit from his ex-hit-woman daughter, Gretchen, who decides to stay and enjoy a little rest and relaxation.  Clete is up to his old tricks when he becomes enamored with Felicity Louviere, an unhappily married woman who's daughter has been recently murdered.  The plotlines become twisted until all of the characters end up chasing the same man, who is behind all of the killing.  There are some very tense moments in this book, and the ending is definitely a surprise.  Dave is the perfect flawed hero but his sidekick Clete takes more of the stage in this book, as the reader watches his dangerous downward slide.  Could this be the end for "The Bobbsey Twins from Homicide?"  Gritty but fun, and full of lovely descriptions of the gorgeous Montana countryside, this book could be read alone.  However, I suggest beginning with the first in the series, because James Lee Burke's books build on the characters lives with each one.

 

The Prayer of Love

The Prayer of Love (C 241 H233p) by Dr. Mark Hanby and Roger Roth, Sr. is a non-fiction audio book I recently listened to while driving back and forth to work.  The book is based on a little known prayer contained in a letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to the

Phillippians.  The text of this 59 word prayer, according to the New International Version of the Bible is: 

⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

The authors use this prayer to illustrate that love is not an occasional feeling but a daily experience that continually brings peace and joy.  The authors examine this prayer by breaking it down into seven parts that form "benchmarks" for understanding and maturing in love.  The tone of the book is friendly and uncomplicated and is easy to understand by persons familiar with the bible or not.  This is a great audiobook for anyone interested in increasing their own understanding of how to develop love in their lives.  The library owns this book in audio CD format as well as in a Large-Type print version.  

Martha Stewart as a Guiding Light

One of the newer additions to our collection is 'The Tao of Martha : My Year of LIVING, or Why I'm Never Getting all that Glitter off the Dog' by Jen Lancaster.

After confronting the countertop clutter that had been dumped in the kitchen gun cabinet (a story in itself) and the Drawer of Shame (where anything found on the floor that the pets might choke on gets stuffed), the author decides to see if she can take her home and herself up a notch by following the spirit of the Martha Stewart empire for a year in helping her de-clutter, decorate, revamp her storage, make crafts, throw fabulous parties and basically, get her groove back.

While her attempts occasionally fall a bit (sometimes quite a bit) short of magazine picture ready, she makes a game attempt at her Martha home make-over with a copy of Martha's 'Handmade Holiday Crafts', Martha's web site on her computer and a stack of back issues of 'Living' magazine.  Through a difficult year, she not only manages to get her groove back, but her path on the trail to getting both home and life in order might inspire a round of de-cluttering for those following her adventures through her year of living the Martha way.

     With all the blockbuster movies coming out this summer the one I have been waiting for (somewhat impatiently) is “R.I.P.D.”  It stars Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds and concerns a recently deceased cop who is recruited to work for the Rest in Peace Department that try and keep law and order with the evil dead.  I ran across a new book that has some similar qualities.  The title is Reviver: Death Won’t Silence Them by Seth Patrick.  Revivers are able to wake the recently dead, and let them bear witness to their own demise.  Twelve years after the first reviver came to light, they have become accepted by an uneasy public.  The testimony of the dead is permitted in courtrooms across the world. Forensic revival is a routine part of police investigation. 
      In the United States, that responsibility falls to the Forensic Revival Service.  Despite his troubled past, Jonah Miller is one of their best.  But while reviving the victim of a brutal murder, he encounters a terrifying presence.  Something is watching and waiting.  His superiors tell him it was only in his mind, a product of stress.  Jonah isn’t so certain.  Then Daniel Harker, the first journalist to bring revival to public attention, is murdered, and Jonah finds himself dragged into the hunt for answers.  Working with Harker’s daughter, Annabel, he becomes determined to find those responsible and bring them to justice.  Soon they uncover long-hidden truths that call into doubt everything Jonah stands fork and reveal a threat that, if not stopped in time, will put all of humanity in danger.

Who Killed the Professor?

Compound Murder is the latest Dan Rhodes Mystery by Bill Crider; and I have to tell you it was such a pleasant and easy read, that I finished it in just a couple of hours. Small town Texas sheriff, Dan Rhodes, just wishes the local Dr. Pepper manufacturer would go back to using real cane sugar in their formula, so that he could enjoy his daily caffeine. While musing over his boycott of the beverage, and staring at the Mr. Pibb bottle in front of him, the phone rings. Police dispatcher, Hack, tells him that the local beauty shop has been burgled and the thief made off with the hair! When sheriff Rhodes arrives, he finds that someone has broken in through the bathroom window and stolen all of the wigs and hair extensions made of natural hair--a pretty expensive bounty. Just as he is telling the owner to leave everything as it is and to cancel all of his appointments for the morning, Hack calls Rhodes again and tells him to get over to the local community college; there's a dead body. Math professor Seepy Benton, a graduate of the Citizens' Sheriff's Academy, is trying to keep all of the students and faculty away from the crime scene, but he's having little luck. The sheriff helps herd the students and professors inside and takes a look at the body, but before he can get into any real police work, a car peels out of the parking lot and Rhodes give chase, leaving Seepy to guard the area. A high speed chase ensues that winds up with the suspect's car smashed into a tree with its trunk wide open and Rhodes' windshield cracked and sagging. Turns out, the driver is 19 year-old Ike Terrell, son of the local doomsday prepper, Able Terrell. Rhodes finds the missing hair in the open trunk of Ike's car. The Terrells are thought to be gun-toting, survivalists that have fenced themselves inside the family property. Ike is unwilling to talk, so Rhodes has no choice, but to book him. This is all just the first couple of chapters. Sheriff Rhodes also has to deal with copper thieves, wrestle a pot-bellied pig, calm trigger-happy deputies, all the while trying to find out who murdered English professor Earl Wellington. By all accounts, Wellington was not liked. He was a picky when it came to his students attendance and work and he lacked the social skills necessary to make friends. Rhodes' investigation is fraught with red herrings and the diversions of small-town America and peppered with the humor and frailty of the human condition. I can't reveal anymore without giving away the story, so you'll just have to give it a go!

Remembering September 11, 2011

On this day, the Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library invites you to remember the lives that were lost and celebrate the heroes of this day.  May we never forget their sacrifices.

Girl in Progress

I was working the library's audiovisual desk this week and I stumbled across the cutest movie!  Girl in Progress stars Eva Mendes, a carefree waitress with a teenage girl named Ansiedad who desperately wants to grow up and be an adult.  Ani is very disappointed in her mom 's behavior, because her mom acts more like a teenager than she does.  Ani decides to create her own "coming-of-age story" by becoming a nerd, attracting the attention of her teachers, then having an abrupt spiral downwards into "bad girl mode" by partying, suddenly making bad grades, shirking her chores and other duties and getting involved with the popular girls in school and dating the "baddest" boy in school.  What follows is a hilarious romp through the life of a teen.  The story is set in Seattle and features some of the famous landmarks in the town.  The movie is rated PG-13 and is perfect to watch with your own teenage girl!

Beat the Heat with a Cool Summer Salad

In the steamy Mississippi summer time, I often do not feel like cooking a huge, hot meal for myself.  What better way to enjoy your supper, and celebrate the lovely abundance of summer gardens, than by making yourself a beautiful salad for dinner!  50 Spectacular Salads by Steven Wheeler is a Step-By-Step book that shows the reader how to make fifty wonderful salads, from main courses to special occasion dinners and sweet salads for dessert.  Each recipe is on the left side of the page with a full color picture of the finished product on the right-hand side.  Each recipe step is numbered and clearly marked and includes tips on how to arrange the salad prettily on a plate.  Especially handy is a small set of pictures on the left-hand side of the recipe page, that show what the recipe items look like, in case the reader does not know what arugula, etc. is.  The book opens with sections on salad leaves, dressings, equipment and how to grow a kitchen herb garden.  This is a great book for the beginning chef or an experienced one and it is great for helping you plan your next salad adventure!

Maleability of Memory

I just finished Neil Gaiman's newest work, The Ocean at the End of the Lane and I must say that I was blown away by this short, but lyrically beautiful tale for adults. Neil Gaiman is a wonderful writer and he excels in creating modern fairy tales. When our story opens, the narrator (who is never named) is visiting his boyhood home in Sussex, England after attending a funeral. Fiftyish and looking for something he cannot pinpoint, he travels down to the end of the lane where he used to live. There he visits the Hempstock farm he thinks he remembers from when he was seven years old. It was there that he met his friend Lettie Hempstock, who, along with her mother and grandmother, tend the farm and its animals. The boy and his father walk down their lane to look for the family car that seems to have gone missing. In so doing, they find the body of their lodger slumped in the seat; an apparent suicide. So, the boy is shuffled off to the Hempstock farm so that the police can do their duty. Lettie shows the boy her "ocean"; a small duck pond behind the house. The boy cannot understand why Lettie calls it this, nor can he understand why she talks in riddles and seems to be wise beyond her years. The reason is that Gaiman has interwoven magic into this seemingly innocuous story about a young boy finding more adventure than he wants. Lettie and her family are not really human; they are ancient beings who look out for the world and raise cows and chickens and help little boys who get into trouble with monsters. Although the boy has great adventures and survives darkness and death, thanks to his friend Lettie, he doesn't remember any of it until he returns to contemplate his life beside the "ocean". And that is what this book is really about; how we alter our own memory as we age to gloss over painful and tragic times and to punctuate those glowing victories. If this all sounds a little confusing, it is. To tell you more would give away the ending and I wouldn't want to deprive you of the joy of reading this short, sweet tome.

Deeply Odd

Deeply Odd is the newest book in the Odd Thomas series, written by Dean Koontz.  Odd Thomas has the ability to communicate with restless spirits and help them find their own peace.  In this novel, Odd meets a sadistic truck driver and receives a vision of three innocent children burning as the truck driver sets them on fire.  Odd must intervene and save them, by figuring out who the children are and where they are being held, before the truck driver acts out his crime. When the help of Alfred Hitchcock's ghost and a few kind strangers, Odd rushes down the Interstate, using his psychic abilities to pursue the truck driver and his innocent quarry.  What Odd eventually finds is a world running parallet to his own, and a place so sinister, he may not return.  Odd Thomas is a strong character, a hero who is a "regular joe," and has had his own share of troubles.  Odd is sincere and humorous and he is in touch with the darker side of humanity.  I thoroughly enjoy reading about Odd Thomas' character and his books are always entertaining to me.  These books must be read in order, as the sequence of actions in each book builds upon the last one.  The first one is Odd Thomas.

New British Mysteries

I've just spent my weekend watching two of our newest British mystery series. First was Set 22 of the Midsomer Murders series. I love this series, but, as loyal watchers know, two seasons ago, the beloved Tom Barnaby was replaced by his cousin John Barnaby. I enjoy the second Barnaby, but no one can replace the wonderful performance of John Nettles as Tom. This newest series was very good and like the others, features the plethora of quirky small town personalities that have made this series so popular. There is no guts and gore here, so die-hard CSI fans may not like what they see, but if you can stand just a little blood, then this show may be for you. If you have never seen this series before, I would suggest starting at or near the beginning of the show, so that you can get a feel of how the dynamic between the senior detective and his plodding side-kick works. The library has just about all of the show starting with the "Killing at Badger's Drift".
The second show I watched was Series 6 of Inspector Lewis. For those of you who aren't familiar, this series is a spin-off of the Inspector Morse series based on the books by Colin Dexter. Lewis also features the wise lead detective and his long suffering sergeant, but instead of the Midsomer counties, these two muddle around the area of Oxford University. Unlike the sergeant in Midsomer, Sergeant James Hathaway is well educated and a bit brooding, but extremely wise for someone so young. Detective Inspector Lewis, himself, is a streetwise old-school copper who favors common sense and opera. From the way this series ended, I think it may be the last, or next-to-last for Inspector Lewis; which is quite sad, because I love the dynamic of these two characters and the wonderful characterization of the supporting cast. (It also helps that the young man who plays DS Hathaway is a cutie!)
We have several more different British series that our regular patrons adore, so if you want a good old murder mystery without the guts and gore, pick up one of these and give them a try.

Sookie's Good-bye

It is with a bit of sadness that I write this blog and talk about the final Sookie Stackhouse novel.  Dead Ever After is the thirteenth novel in the series by Charlaine Harris and it ties up many loose ends.  I have enjoyed watching Sookie develop and grow into the strong woman character that she is now, and I will enjoy going back to the beginning and re-reading the first one, Dead Until Dark, in a few months.  Sookie Stackhouse is a waitress at Merlotte's, in the small Louisiana town of Bon Temps.  She is a telepath, and has spent her life trying to deal with her special ability, until vampires start "coming out" and co-existing with humans and paving the way for other supernatural beings (such as shapeshifters, werepanthers, werewolves, demons and fairies) to share their existence too.  Sookie dates a vampire and is introduced into this interesting world where her ability is appreciated by most supernatural beings.  The events of Dead Ever After  begin a few weeks after Deadlocked, the previous book, ends.  Sookie and her boss, Sam Merlotte, are trying to cope after Sookie brought Sam back to life, and life is bumpily moving along until Sookie's old waitress friend (who tried to murder her) is suddenly released from jail.  When she turns up dead after asking Sookie for her old job back, Sookie becomes the prime suspect in the murder.  Her group of friends bands together to help clear her name, while encountering twists and turns along the way.  Does Sookie end up with her past vampire flame, Bill Compton, her current vampire lover Sheriff Eric, werewolf Alcide or shapeshifter Sam?  I encourage you to read the book and discover for yourself!  Although the HBO series TrueBlood is based on these books, the books are much different than the television show.  Visit Charlaine Harris at www.charlaineharris.com and on facebook.com/Charlaine Harris to learn more about her writings.  I had the privilege of meeting Mrs. Harris at a Mississippi Library Association Conference several years ago and enjoyed spending my evening talking to her and discussing what would happen if HBO decided to bring her characters to life.  I wish her good luck as we say goodbye to Sookie Stackhouse--you will be missed!

In the words of Charlaine Harris from the dedication page of Dead Ever After :

This book is dedicated to the loyalreaders who have followed this series from beginning to end.  Some of you were reading the books before True Blood, and some came after, but you were all amazingly generous with your ideas, speculations, and votes on Sookie's future.  There isn't a way I could make all of you happy with the ending of the series, so I've followed my own plan, the one I've had all along, and I hope you agree that it's fitting.

Yummy!

     Anyone who knows me also knows that I LOVE cookbooks. For the past couple of weeks, I've been thumbing through two of the newer cookbooks we have here at the library. The first one is Hors d'Oeuvres: New Edition by Victoria Blashford-Snell and Eric Treuille.

This gem has more than 200 recipes and a slew of step-by-step sequences to show you how to create each delectable little morsel. Asian pork balls, marinated Mediterranean olives, roast beef with horseradish cream finger sandwiches, mini sticky orange cakes, triple chocolate biscottini, and Thai chicken skewers are just a few of the delicious and simple recipes this book offers. There are also handy "Cook's Note" sections located throughout the book to help with preparation. Probably my favorite features are the seasonal menu planners for parties as well as the "how much will I need" sections at the beginning. This is a great book to pick up if you are planning a shower, cocktail party, or just some nibbles with friends!

     The second book I've been perusing is called PIES: Sweet and Savory by Caroline Bretherton. As the title says, this book contains both sweet and savory pies as well as how-to sections on different kinds of pie dough (although, many recipes can be made with purchased dough). The recipes in this book are quite a bit more complicated than the above tome, but they are still pretty easy if you have done a bit of baking in your lifetime. You'll find recipes for chicken and cheese empanadas, shephard's pie, pot pie, quiche, chicken pasties, apple strudel, plum crumble, Normandy peach tart, cherry lattice pie, chocolate tart ...you get the picture! (Boy, I'm making myself hungry!) Now, check out one of these, or any of our myriad of cookbooks, and go cook somethin'!

 

Re-reading Old Favorites

     Back in high school, I found a love for spy stories and read the James Bond series by Ian Fleming.   Having recently come across the set again, I've started to re-read them again and am finding that the older me is getting as much if not more enjoyment out of them as the teenaged me did.  I've already re-read Goldfinger, Casino Royale and You Only Live Twice and am now in the middle of Thunderball.

     Some of the technology and world situations are, of course, rather dated, but for a series of books that were written around fifty years ago, they hold up very well and are still highly entertaining.  Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the release of You Only Live Twice, the last Bond book published while Ian Fleming was still alive (The Man with the Golden Gun, Octopussy and The Living Daylights were all published posthumously).  If you've ever enjoyed a Bond movie, why not give one of the books a try?  Our library collection includes nine of the Bond series.

Super Foods for Pregnancy

Many of my friends and family members are expecting new additions to their families, and better nutrition during pregnancy is a frequent topic of conversation for us.  I discovered a book that the library owns, that is a great find for expectant moms!  Nutritionist Fiona Wilcock's Super Easy Drinks, Soups, and Smoothies for a Healthy Pregnancy describes quick and delicious meals on-the-go, that are packed with the nutrition that moms to be and babies need.  The cover of this fabulous book is very attractive, and it is filled with full-color photographs of the recipes.  Why is good nutrition while pregnant and breastfeeding, so important?  It has been proven that what happens during the nine months

that a woman is pregnant, is a major determinant of her baby's long-term health and what she eats and doesn't eat will have enormous consequences throughout the baby's life.  Unfortunately, due to the major hormone changes during pregnancy, many expectant women do not enjoy the smell of cooking, do not crave food any longer or are nauseous.  The idea behind this book was to help pregnant women maintain a good pregnancy diet even when she can't eat as she'd like to, by having nutrient-packed food in liquid form.  The first part of the book discusses why hydration is important and focuses on ingredients, nutritional quality and drink-making equipment needed.  The second part of the book contains recipes, and even a section on how to make homemade stocks and non-alcoholic cocktails!  This book is a wonderful tool and the recipes can be used by any person who enjoys eating flavorful smoothies and soups.

Celebrate Summer with Gardening

Crops in Pots:  How to Plan, Plant and Grow Vegetables, Fuits and Herbs in Easy-Care Containers by Bob Purnell is a great book for the aspiring gardener!  It is perfect for the home gardener who wants to get his/her feet into growing fruits and vegetables for snacks or meal time.  The book begins with a great section on how to grow plants from seed

and how to take care of them, including figuring out what to plant and how to fertilize them, and even a section on pests and diseases.  The rest of the book is divided into sections as to the type of food you want to grow--starters, main courses, and desserts.  Each type of plant shown has a picture of the plant, a detailed method on how to grow it and a recipe using the items you've grown.  One of my favorites is the "Select Salad" on page 68.  It's a main course, and combines an assortment of edible leaves, blooms and other unusual salad ingredients in a large growing pot.  This is a very accessible and easy-to-read book, perfect for beginning and seasoned gardeners.  The 50 planter projects contained in the book will yield delicious rewards, even if your gardening space is minimal!

Take a Trip Into the Clouds

I have been watching many new movies lately and one that has made a huge impact on me is Cloud Atlas.  The movie explores six stories in the span of the almost three hours of film, but the movie is so intense and exciting that you don't even realize that three hours is over until you see the ending credits.  Tom Hanks and Halle Berry are two among the "star-filled" cast who star in the tales that weave in and out of each other, time, place and circumstances.  It does take a bit of time to get used to the jumps from storyline to storyline, but what stands out to me is the love story that manages to shine within the action.  The movie combines science fiction, drama, mystery, action and romance, all into one package, and the six stories resolve into a beautiful and believable ending.  The graphics are stunning and the acting is wonderful.  The movie is rated R, and is available on DVD at the library. 

Ready for Summer Fun?

     Tired of the same old summer activities? Wish you and your family could reconnect with nature? Not quite sure how to pull that off? My friends, you are in luck! Let me introduce you to The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping with Kids: How to Plan Memorable Family Adventures & Connect Kids to Nature by Helen Olsson. I know, I know, it’s a mouthful to say; but this tiny book is chocked full of juicy info for camping with the kiddos! Ms. Olsson has handily arranged her book in four different parts: Getting Started, In the Field, Activities and Adventures, and last, but certainly not least; Hygiene, First Aid and Safety. Even if you won’t be going camping until after the summer has wound down, I heartily suggest checking out this book now to give yourself an idea of what you are going to need to pull off a spectacular adventure.
     The first section covers the planning. When are we going? Where are we going? How long will we stay? What gear are we taking with us? What about food and water? Most importantly; what will I wear? If you have small children or, if you haven’t really been camping before, I would highly recommend going over this part of the book a couple of times to get yourself prepared.
     Once you’re all organized and have the kids psyched about spending time in the woods with all sorts of critters, parts two and three give you the low-down on how to actually pull this off. How do I set up my campsite? Part two tells you how and where to build your campfire, planning & prepping camp meals, how to clean up the camp kitchen and how to break down the camp. Part three deals with all the adventures to be had in the great outdoors. Activities like hiking, stargazing, fishing, swimming, rafting, and bicycling are all covered. Also in part three are the activities to stave off boredom: reading, coloring, bird watching, ghost stories, and don’t forget the crafts!
     Part four is all about hygiene, first aid, and safety. Chapter 8, for instance is titled: “Staying Clean in a World of Dirt”. This section of the book is dedicated to all the things that can go wrong and how to prepare for the aches, pains, and bugs that you will most certainly encounter on your trip. How do you navigate in the backcountry? What will you do if there is a thunderstorm? Can you drink the water from that lovely little stream? What about critters; big and small? All of these questions will be answered in this section of the book.
     Peppered throughout this book, Ms. Olsson has graciously included “Smart Tip” sections and various checklists to help a family get things together for their trip. In the back, packing checklists and lists of online resources have been included to help you plan a wonderful and, hopefully, meaningful trip with your family. Have fun and, Bon Voyage!

The Storyteller

I just finished reading one of the most interesting books I have read in a while.  The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult is a bit different than her usual family dramas.  This book stars Sage Singer, a wounded bread maker with a scarred face from an automobile accident that eventually killed her mother.  Sage is recovering from her own grief when she meets Josef Weber and his dog.  Josef is beloved by their community and Sage finds herself opening up to Josef until he asks her to help him die.  Sage's world comes crashing down when Josef confesses he was an SS officer and asks for her forgiveness, since Sage's family is Jewish.  Sage is torn between loving who Josef is now, hating him for who he was during the Holocaust, and wanting to turn Josef into the authorities for punishment.  Sage visits her beloved grandmother and listens as she tells her story of the Holocaust which is interwoven with a story that she wrote while living in Auschwitz and other camps.  The story-within-a-story format is beautifully written in lyrical prose and the story left me spellbound.  This novel is a very personal account of the Holocaust as told through one person and her immediate family and it is magnificent.  Once you start reading this book, you will have a hard time putting it down until you finish it!

Don of the Dead

Casey Daniels' Don of the Dead is the first volume in the Pepper Martin mystery series.  Pepper is beautiful and chic and never had to work...until her surgeon dad was convicted of fraud and sentenced to federal prison.  Her family fortune dried up and her fiance' left her for greener pastures, so Pepper was forced to take the only job she could get--tour guide in a cemetery.  The job is boring but Pepper is a good tour guide until she trips one day and hits her head on a mausoleum.  Suddenly, she begins to see (and hear) Augustino "Gus" Scarpetti, a mob don murdered many years ago.  Gus is unable to "move on" until he discovers who shot him, and since he is hampered by being a ghost, he decides that Pepper is the perfect substitute for his investigations!  Gus is a macho man who likes to be the boss, but he and Pepper team together in order to find his killer.  As Pepper delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers more layers of mafia secrets and soon she becomes the object of a hit man too!  Will Pepper uncover the killer before the killer gets her?  Pepper is a spunky heroine and has her own share of romance issues.  This book is sure to please paranormal mystery fans.

Stick It Like You Mean It!

Stick It by T. L. Bonaddio is a fascinating new book that the library just received.  It contains 99 Do-It-Yourself duct tape projects.  The projects range from wallets and purses to necklaces and bracelets, ornaments and CD cases, and each is marked with 1 to 4 stars (one means a five year old could do it and four means adult supervision is helpful).  Each project has many pictures listed of the individual steps required to create the item and the

directions are easy to understand.  The book begins with a list and illustrations of techniques needed to create the products explored in the book.  I especially adore the duct tape flip flops---I believe I am going to have to make me some of those for the summer, since there are many wonderful patterned duct tapes available for purchase at your local hardware store!  This book would be the perfect basis for a summertime craft hour with your kids or a slumber party activity.  T. L. Bonaddio is writer, illustrator and designer who grew up in Scanton, PA and earned her BA in Printmaking/ Book Arts from the University of the Arts.  She enjoys creating books for children, teens and kids at heart.  For more information, visit her web site at tlbonaddio.com.

The Promise of Stardust

The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley is a book perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult!  The story is gripping and centers around one fateful day when Elle Beaulieu slips off a ladder, falls and hurts her head.  She is declared officially brain dead and her neurologist husband, Mathhew, prepares himself and her family to terminate her life support.  Suddenly, there is a wrinkle in the plan--after many miscarriages and a still birth, Elle is pregnant.  The situation changes as Matthew gets embroiled in a battle with Elle's family and his own mother over who has the right to turn off Elle's life support and terminate both her life and the life of her unborn child.  Each chapter describes one day in the life of Elle and her family after the accident, and the novel is a wonderful examination of characters.  If you love family drama and/ or a good ethical story, then this book will be perfect for you. 

Stretch Your Dollars With a New Wardrobe

I just discovered the most fabulous book today!  New Dress A Day:  The Ultimate DIY Guide to Creating Fashion Dos from Thrift-Store Don'ts by Marisa Lynch is a great resource to teach you how to find items at the thrift store and re-vamp them to make cute "new" pieces for your wardrobe.  With just a few well-placed stitches and some creativity, you can update an outdated castoff and make it into something flirty, fun and very comtemporary.   This book is handy, because it teaches you how to "ace" sewing basics and create DIY designer look-alikes.  There are several very clever ideas in this book, including how to make accessories like a garter belt from an old wedding dress, and suggestions for creating a stunning strapless dress from an old bridesmaid dress.  The book includes colored before-and-after photos, sidebars and sewing tips.  This book is a wonderful way to make your wardrobe dollars stretch by remaking flea market/ thrift store finds into something fabulous!

Beat the Tombstone Blues

So, the next time you stay at a bed and breakfast, think about this one simple fact--things are not always as they seem!  In Ken Hodgson's Tombstone Blues, Samantha Sterling is fleeing her new divorce and her old life in Houston, TX, when she becomes the new manager of the Sunset Bed and Breakfast located in historic Tombstone, AZ.  Sidney Munson and his life partner Michael run the bed and breakfast, with the help of Sydney's crotchety mom, Esther.  They enjoy gourmet meals with select guests under the beautiful Arizona sunsets, but as they are both in their fifties, hire Samantha to run the business for them so that they can take much-needed vacations.  Samantha arrives and is immediately suspicious of Sidney and Michael's excessive kindness and strange behavior.  Soon, the secret is out!  The Sunset Bed and Breakfast is a cover for a hit-man operation, and if Samantha wants to survive, she must learn the business too.  This is the basis for a hilarious, charming, action-packed story full of entertaining characters.  There are plenty of side stories involving the residents of Tombstone, and there is definitely room for a sequel.  Esther is as much fun as Grandma Mazur (Stephanie Plum's grandma in her series written by Janet Evonavich) and Sidney and Michael are zany as well as sophisticated.  The plot gets wild and woolly, so prepare yourself for a twisty ride. Ken Hodgson is a former gold and uranium miner, worked in a state hospital and owned an air compressor buisness.  He is an active member of the Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers.  He lives on a small ranch in northen New Mexico with his wife and prime editor, Rita alon with two spoiled cats, Sasha and Ulysses.

Go Barefoot in Paris

Ina Garten is one of my favorite chefs on Food Network.  On her "Barefoot Contessa" shows she prepares tasty meals for her fans, using ingredients she purchases from the stores near her home in the Hamptons.  In her book, Barefoot in Paris, Ina shows readers how to prepare simple, rich French dishes in your own home.  Many of these recipes are classics and share techniques with the recipes.  Barefoot in Paris is also filled with stories of Ina's love of the city, bustling outdoor markets, and variety of shops, from the local charcuterie (butcher shop) to the fromagerie (cheese shop). This book ccelebrates the food that you find on every corner of the city.  The book is filled with beautiful photos and in my opinion, the souffle' pictures are the best ones!  The resources section has great full-color pictures of French ingredients that the reader needs to try, which are included in the book's recipes.  This book is a truly magnificent celebration of French cuisine and how to prepare it.  If you are itching to try your hand at preparing a new style of cooking, this recipe book has great ideas for you to try. 

Heavenly Icebox Pies

Nothing says spring to me like a cool slice of pie!  Tempt your tastebuds (and your culinary skills) with Icebox Pies:  100 Scrumptious Recipes for No-Bake No-Fail Pies!  Author Lauren Chattman's book gives lots of examples of delicious, make-ahead desserts for the beginner to advanced cook.  The recipes are imaginative, fun, and perfect for entertaining, special occasions or as an everyday treat. Besides your usual lemon and chocolate pies, the book includes instructions for making Gianduia Pie (with hazlenuts and nutella), a couscous and apricot pudding pie and a fig and walnut pie!  There is even a handy end section on "Dressing Up" your pie which includes directions on how to make a variety of sauces and fun things such as sugared nuts and nougatine (almond brittle).  With great photos and detailed directions, this book is a sure winner for any pie lover!

Meet James Meredith and Celebrate National Library Week 2013!

Celebrate National Library Week, April 13-19, 2013 at the Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library!  This year's theme is:  "Communities Matter @ Your Library."  Our featured event this week is a book singing by author James Meredith on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 12:00 PM.  The program will be a Brown Bag Lunch--you are encouraged to bring your lunch to the event and drinks and dessert will be provided by the library.  Born in Mississippi in 1933, James Meredith was raised on a farm with nine siblings. He joined the military after high school and attended an all-black college before becoming the first black student at the University of Mississippi in 1962. Meredith graduated with a degree in political science in 1963. He wrote an account of his experience, titled Three Years in Mississippi, which was published in 1966. He went on to receive a master's degree in economics from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, and a law degree from Columbia University in 1968.After he graduated, he earned a law degree and became involved in politics. He continues to be active in civil rights and lives in Jackson, Mississippi with his wife Judy Alsobrook.  James Meredith witll be disussing his newest book, A Mission from God:  A Memoir and Challenge for America.  Part memoir, part manifesto, the book is James Meredith’s look back at his courageous and action-packed life and his challenge to America to address the most critical issue of our day: how to educate and uplift the millions of black and white Americans who remain locked in the chains of poverty by improving our public education system.

Eight Habits of Love

8 Habits of Love:  Open Your Heart, Open Your Mind by Ed Bacon teaches you how to take the first steps on a life-changing journey toward self-discovery, creativity and healing, by celebrating and sharing the love that already lives inside you!  This will help you free yourself from the fear, anger and sadness that causes so much suffering in your life.  Using stories to illustrate his points, Bacon reveals how the reader can create a full and meaningful life by developing the habits of generosity, sillness, truth, candor, play, forgiveness, compassion and community.  By learning how to develop these habits in our daily lives, the reader learns how to reject fear's hold and embrace the power and grace within his/her self.  Author Ed Bacon has served as the rector for All Saints, an urban Episcopal Parish in Pasadena, CA with over 4,000 congregants, for over fifteen years.  His church services have attracted visits from many famous figures and he has been a frequent guest on Oprah's Soul Series on Oprah Radio and been a panelist in the "Spirituality 101" segment of The Oprah Winfrey Show.  Bacon lives in Pasadena, CA with his wife, Hope. 

Surviving Disaster

The Disaster Diaries by Sham Sheridan explores how he learned to stop worrying and love the apocalypse.  Sam Sheridan has traveled the world as an amateur boxer and mixed martial arts fighter; he has worked as an EMT, a wilderness firefighter, a sailor, a cowboy at the largest ranch in Montana, and in construction under brutal conditions at the South Pole.  If he isn’t ready for the apocalypse and the fractured world that will ensue, we are all in a lot of trouble.  And yet, despite an arsenal of skills that puts many to shame, when Sam became a father he was beset with nightmares about being unable to protect this son.

With disaster images from movies, books, and the nightly news filling his head, he was slowly driven to distraction:  If an earthquake hit tomorrow and the power grid went down, how much food and water would you need for your family?  If you’re forced outside the city limits, what would it take to survive in the wilderness?  And let’s not even talk about plagues, zombie hordes, and attacking aliens.  Unable to quiet his mind, Sam sets on a quest to learn the things that just might come in handy if our world takes a turn for the worse.

The problem is that each possible doomsday requires a different skill set.  Trying to navigate a clogged highway when everyone has the same bright idea to leave town?  Better prepare by attending the best stunt driving school in the country.  Need to protect your family but have run out of ammunition?  Better learn how to handle a knife.  Is your kid hurt or showing signs of serious mental stain?  Better brush up on emergency medicine and study the psychological effects of trauma.  From training with an Olympic weightlifter to a down-and-dirty apprenticeship in stealing cars with an ex-gang member, from an intense three-week-long gun course in the hundred-degree heat of Alabama to agonizing lessons in wilderness survival, Sam leaves no stone unturned.  Would it be enough if a meteor rocked the earth? Who’s to say?  But as Sam points out, it would be a shame to survive the initial impact only to die a few days later because you didn’t know how to build a fire.

Explore New Family Traditions

The Book of New Family Traditions by Meg Cox examines how to create great rituals for holidays and every day.  Quality family togetherness—everyone wants it, but it seems increasingly harder to get.  In a busy world where kids and parents are bombarded with all sorts of distractions, family rituals can offer a sense of home and identity that is good for the whole family.  In this expanded and updated edition, Meg Cox has gathered hundreds of memorable, meaningful traditions that can make very day special, providing inspiring ideas for mealtimes & bedtimes; problem-solving rituals that soothe squabbles and stop tantrums; milestones, birthday and holidays.  As well as:  tech tips for using social media and other technology to bring the family together; special considerations for divorced families and stepfamilies, and fun craft activities. This book is for a whole new generation of families, and is an essential resource for sparking the fun into family life.

In leafing through this book I read some of the best ideas and wished I had known some of these sooner, most especially in the Hello & Good-bye Rituals.  The Day Care Drop-off Magic Words would have been great when taking my nephews for the weekend.  In the Chore Rituals sections, I loved the mix a duty with a privilege  and the Monster Spray in the Section on Bedtime—pure genius!

Get Cooking with the Pioneer Woman

Many of you might be familiar with the "Pioneer Woman Cooks" show on Food Network.  I have to admit, I was a little reluctant to watch it---I was trying to figure out what I had in common with a woman who lives on a ranch and cooks for hundreds of people????  Fear not--the Pioneer Woman is just like your or I!  the Pioneer woman, (aka, Ree Drummond) has an interesting story.  She lived for years in Los Angeles, and then made a pit stop in her small Oklahoma hometown on her way to a new, exciting life in Chicago.  On one fateful night during her visit, she met the Marlboro Man, in her words "a mysterious cowboy with steely blue eyes and a muscular, work-honed body"...and before she knew it, she was in love.  They married and moved to his ranch in the middle of nowhere, where Ree was thrust into taking care of animals, four young children, and often a host of hungry ranch hands.  Ree Drummond calls herself an "Accidental Country Girl and Ranch Wife," and her new book, The Pioneer Woman Cooks is a collection of photos, rural stories and lovely recipes that have defined her experience in the country.  The recipes have full color photos and step by step instructions all with the goal of helping you, and other urban cooks, slow down, remember the joys of family, nature and great food and enjoy life.  Check out more from the pioneer woman at her blog,  www.ThePioneerWoman.com

     Eat Drink Delta by Susan Puckett is a hungry traveler’s journey through the soul of the South.  According to Matt Lee and Ted Lee, authors of The Lee Bros. Simple Fresh Southern Cookbook,  “Finally!  A book devoted entirely to the foodways of Mississippi’s Delta—cradle of the civil rights movement, birthplace of the blues, and a confounding culinary region where stuffed grape leaves cozy up to barbecue, tamales to fried green tomatoes, and kibbeh to lemon ice box pie.  Puckett makes sense of it all—town, by town, kitchen by kitchen, dish by dish—in an engaging travelogue that takes the reader to family-run roadhouses, seasonal tea rooms, postmodern bistros, and out-of-the-way juke joints.  In her sojourns, Puckett charmed the best recipes out of the region’s cooks, making this not only the best insider’s guide to the area but a superb Delta cookbook as well.”

     With colorful photos and interesting writing, this is a great book for an armchair traveler.  And since some of the places mentioned are relatively close, I’d have paper and pen handy to make a list so I can get out of that armchair and give them a try.  There is a chapter on Vicksburg covering the city’s favorites along with some recipes.  Alas, the recipe for the glazed carrots they make at Walnut Hills is not included.   Is your favorite listed?  Check it out and see.