The South Beach Heart Program, by Arthur Agatston

Written by the well known and reknowned author of the South Beach Diet books this book is a 4 step plan that can help save your life. Part 1 of the book is about our health care system that relies way too much on procedures to fix things that happen such as a heart attack or stroke, and why doctors are paid more to treat disease than to prevent it. Angioplasty and Bypass surgery are a multi billion dollar industry in the USA. In part 2 he presents his Heart Program which is designed to identify and prevent problems before they become life threatening. There is much about the newest and latest research about the how and why of heart attacks. If you have a family history of heart disease, or have high cholesterol/high blood pressure, you need to read this book!

No Shortcuts To The Top, by Ed Viesturs with David Roberts

I LOVE to read books about high mountain climbing, especially in the Himalayas, so this book was a natural for me to jump into. I've read about Ed Viesturs many times in other books and magazines, however Ed started out with a pretty low profile. I knew that he had relocated to the Seattle area, and I knew that he was going for climbing all the world's 8,000 meter mts. (there are 14 of them), and I knew that he climbed without the use of supplemental oxygen, but until the last few years there just wasn't much written about Ed because of his low profile.
The book is mainly an autobiography with a little about growing up and the bulk of the writing is about his climbing career with the emphasis on the climbing experiences on the 14 8,000'ers, as he calls them throughout the book. Ed was genetically gifted for climbing in the "Death Zone" as his body utilizes the sparse amount of available oxygen better than most people and he works hard to train and get to the mountains he loves to climb. I rather enjoyed getting to know more about Ed and his accomplishments. It was a very easy read, with plenty of exciting moments! If you like to read mountain climbing books you are sure to enjoy this one, too.

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

I confess: I saw the movie before I read the book. Howl’s Moving Castle was made into a beautiful, fascinating film by Japanese anime director Hayao Miyazaki. After seeing the movie, I went to track down the book it is based on. The book (of course!) is even better than the movie.

Both the book and the movie follow the story of Sophie Hatter, who accidentally offends the evil Witch of the Waste. The witch turns Sophie into a 90-year-old woman and Sophie wanders off into the wilds to break the spell. She soon stumbles upon a magical moving castle that belongs to the mysterious Wizard Howl.

Sophie soon finds herself in an adventure involving a missing prince, a turnip-headed scarecrow, finding husbands for her younger sisters, two fire demons, a lost sorcerer, an enchanted dog, a king’s command, falling stars, mermaids, a very messy house, finding true love, and missing poetry homework.

Howl’s Moving Castle was one of the most enchanting books I’ve read in some time, and I highly recommend it to any fan of fairytales, stories about wizards, magic, or any fan of quirky British storytelling.

Tempting Faith by David Kuo

I usually read children’s fiction and avoid political non-fiction like the plague. But this book caught my eye and I’m glad I read it. It is different than the other exposes out there. It appeals to (as in, it makes an appeal to) all Americans, regardless of religion or political affiliation.

Tempting Faith is by turns a political expose and a very moving memoir of one man’s life. David Kuo worked in Bush’s office of Faith-Based Initiatives, campaigning for aid to small charities. Kuo began by believing he could use politics to bring money to under-funded charities across America. In the end, however, his department accomplished little and he left the White House disillusioned by politics.

The power of Kuo’s book comes not from his insider views on corrupt politics (though there is plenty of that), but rather from the lack of bitterness or anger in his writing. Though full of irony, his story has none of the barbs that so many political books do. Kuo writes as a man completely free from all concern for his reputation or career because, well, he is. He gave up on politics when he discovered he has a brain tumor and could die at any time. As Kuo himself writes, his health showed him what was important in life. Instead of trying to use politics to support charitable causes, he got involved with charities himself.

I think the most powerful part of the book is when Kuo writes about how, post 9/11, all the White House staffers got together, discussing how to get prayer meetings and candlelight vigils organized. Then they looked up and discovered the obvious: Americans had done all those things on their own. They hadn’t needed an initiative or an executive order to care about their fellow countrymen – they just did.

The Stonehenge Gate, by Jack Williamson

The latest sci-fi novel by old school sci-fi author Jack Williamson. It's a pretty quick read that puts forth the plot and story in a fun and older type of sci-fi kinda way. It's reminicsent of some of the older Heinlein books, which made me go back to read a bunch of his older novels.
Four poker buddies discover an ancient artifact in the Sahara that is a gateway between planets, linking distant worlds to earth. The book is their adventures trying to figure it all out and stay alive. A somewhat adventurous mystery in a sci-fi format for all ages of reader!

Bernie Whitebear, by Lawney L. Reyes

Living on land that was once part of the north half of the Colville Confederated Tribes' Reservation and the homeland of the Sin Aikst Native Americans, I was drawn to read this book to find out what it's all about. It is basically a biography of his whole life. Bernie was raised on the Reservation, and the book gives an interesting view of growing up there pre and post Grand Coulee Dam. It spends some time describing Bernie's youth, and more about all the amazing things he did for all Indians, as an adult. He was quite an interesting person! From his humble beginnings on the Colville Res, he eventually became an activist and spokesperson for Indian rights, especially the displaced Indians who ended up in the Seattle area. An interesting read about a great and unique man.

The Last Season, by Eric Blehm

This is a who done it kind of mystery, only it's not fictional. It is the true story of Randy Morgenson, an incredibly aware, intelligent, solitary backcountry ranger who spent 28 seasons in Sequoia, Kings Canyon National Park patrolling the wilderness. Randy spent more time wandering the Sierras than did John Muir. Blehm's writing is quite captivating as is the storyline. It's an amazing adventure that had me hooked from the first few pages. One day Morgenson goes missing and the storyline follows one of the largest Search and Rescue missions where many suspected either suicide or foul play. The writing weaves in and out of the search and rescue along with the biography of Randy Morgenson that takes readers far into the world of backcountry rangers and the high Sierras. I wasn't sure who done it until it is revealed at the very end of the book. A fascinating read which was quite difficult to put down.

Tiger by Jeff Stone

A secret Shaolin temple is attacked by a traitorous monk in this adventure fiction set in 17^th century China. Only 5 young monks live through the attack, each relying on their specialized animal style of kung fu to survive. The first book in the series tells the tale of Fu, the tiger, as he tries to take back the ancient scrolls that were stolen from the temple.

This series is fun and fast-paced, sure to appeal to anyone who likes adventure stories, but especially to those with an interest in martial arts. Put a copy on hold soon! – the local kung fu and tae kwon do students have all gotten hooked on this series.

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

A somewhat-sequel to Ella Enchanted, Fairest tells a Snow White-like story with a twist.

Aza has the most beautiful voice in all of Aorthea. But Aza’s face is not so lovely. One day, Aza finds a magic mirror, which shows her a beautiful reflection of herself. Is the mirror just full of lies and tricks? Or can Aza really become that pretty? And more importantly, how far is Aza willing to go to become the fairest of them all?

Solviva, by Anna Edey

An amazing book about Anna's vision and commitment to living sustainably and as close to in harmony with nature as possible for her. Starting in 1976 she discovered little by little, methods of sustainable building, composting waste on small and large scales, and ways of living using today's technology and knowledge that reduce pollution and waste and at the same time reduce cost of living and improving quality of life and security anywhere on earth. She lives on Martha's Vineyard and her home and greenhouse need no external heat besides the sun and yet remain well over 70*, and provide her with an income and literally tons of fresh vegetables and greens, even in the dead of winter. Full of color pics and illustrations, and instructions to help others to learn to live sustainably. A truly amazing book and woman!

Orlando by Virginia Woolf

Orlando begins his life as a privileged nobleman of the Elizabethan age. He meets Queen Elizabeth, consorts with princesses and poets, falls in love, falls out of love – you know, the usual things dukes do.

Then – rather strangely – Orlando suddenly turns into a woman. Then, perhaps more strangely, he/she goes on to live for 300 years, surviving through Jane Austen’s times, the Victorian age, and right on into the Roaring 20’s.

Sounds odd? Well, it is. But the book is also laugh-out-loud funny and incredibly thought-provoking. Virginia Woolf uses her “biography” of Orlando’s life to take on all sorts of interesting questions about love, life, and the war of the sexes with her signature wry wit. Orlando is a bizarre classic, but a classic all the same.

Sabriel by Garth Nix

Many people have, no doubt, already discovered this wonderful series. But I’m new to reading Garth Nix, so I was thrilled to find out about this great fantasy novel. Nix’s book is filled with all the elements of classic high fantasy, yet the story is also original and hauntingly real.

Though Sabriel grew up in the relatively modern-day land of Ancelstierre, she was born north of the Wall in the magical Old Kingdom. Her father is a necromancer there, making sure that the spirits of the dead stay dead – and don’t come back to plague the living. When Sabriel receives word that her father is missing, she sets out to find him. Along the way, she must pass through the Old Kingdom - a magical world full of danger, mystery, and long buried grudges.

I have not read high fantasy in a while, and Sabriel was a welcome return to my favorite genre. The book, in my opinion, did have one slow part - namely, the few chapters when Sabriel is traveling alone, before her interesting traveling companions show up. That bit aside, this story is one I’d recommend to any fan of high fantasy who has not yet discovered Garth Nix.

The Traveler, by John Twelve Hawks

The reality of this book is a bit scary. It explores the Big Brother theory quite deeply and in a 21st century way.
Maya is a Harlequin, who are raised with one purpose in life: to defend Travelers, who are unique people who have the ability to travel to other realms and they are the people who through time have been able to help bring about changes in humanity. The Tabula are sworn to kill all Travelers and Harlequins in order to control the world.
The book is a literary treasure filled with religious and literary reference from around the world and across traditions. It is a book for book lovers who will be intrigued by finding all the reference, yet the story is strong enough to capture the imagination of even the most casual of readers.
The main premise is that there is a war going on in this world, but it is a war that most are unaware of. Like all wars there are two sides, The Harlequin's and the Tabula or as they prefer to be called `The Brethren'. The Harlequin's are warriors committed to protecting the Travelers; Travelers are people who have the ability to send their life energy from their body and travel to other realms. They are lonely isolated people who live to serve. The travelers often become gurus or healers or prophets. The traveler's after returning from a different plane of existence return changed and their views of life challenge other people to look at their own lives and to seek something more. The Tabula on the other hand want to control the world. They want to have control over every person's life.
I had a very dificult time while I was away from this book because I was always thinking about it and when I could get back to it. I am very much looking froward to the next 2 in the trilogy.

The Mediator: Shadowland by Meg Cabot

Suze sees dead people.

However, unlike the little kid in The Sixth Sense, Suze isn’t scared of ghosts. She finds them annoying, really. They come to her all the time asking for help, trying to resolve problems so they can pass on into the afterlife.

So when Suze moves from New York to Carmel, she figures its time to take a break from specters and enjoy the land of palm trees and sunny beaches. Then she finds the ghost of a very handsome cowboy living in her bedroom and the ghost of a psycho cheerleader possessing her new school. Looks like Suze has her work cut out for – again.

Suze does for ghosts what Buffy did for vampires: she talks nice for a while, but if the ghost gets nasty, she just might have to get a little rough. These books are perfect summer reading – funny, engaging, and just a little bit spooky.

P.S. - This series was written under two names: Meg Cabot, and Meg Cabot's pen name, Jenny Carroll. Kind of confusing, but just so you know....

The ultimate indoor games book : the 200 best boredom busters ever! by Veronika Alice Gunter

The great outdoors are calling, so there's really no reason to be bored this summer. But just in case you DO find yourself surrounded by bored kids, or if you're a bored kid yourself, then this book is for you.

This book is full of great games, made all the more fun by their simplicity and adaptability. Some are old standbys, but many are new, or new twists on old favorites. Although some games may not find an audience (I was never allowed to play Hot Lava in our house - something about not climbing on the furniture), the book is so full of great ideas that you're sure to find something to fit your family and keep them entertained.

The Girl, the Dragon, and the Wild Magic by Dave Luckett

This book was specially requested by a library patron, and I’m so glad he thought to tell us about it. Dave Luckett’s first book of the Rhianna Chronicles is sure to delight fans of fantasy, or anyone looking for a great book to read this summer.

Rhianna Wildwood lives in a world filled with magic. Nearly everyone uses magic for everyday chores, like cleaning or farming and every child in the village attends school to learn magic. Rhianna, however, is the worst student in school. Every spell she does goes wrong. Then, a real wizard comes to town and discovers that Rhianna isn’t bad with magic – the trouble is, she’s too good. She’s the most powerful wizard the world has ever seen – and her power may get her into trouble.

This short book reminded me both of Ella Enchanted, with its fun, spunky heroine, and of the Harry Potter series, with its magic school and everyday use of magic. My only complaint is thatI wanted the book to be longer so I could read more about Rhianna and her adventures. I hope Mr. Luckett writes many more books in this series, because I can’t wait to read more.

The Wish by Gail Carson Levine

When Wilma’s two best friends move away, she goes from having friends to being invisible, and then from being invisible to becoming the most unpopular, most teased girl at her school. So when a kindly fairy offers her a wish, Wilma wishes to be the most popular girl in her jr. high.

Instantly, everyone loves Wilma – they have to. But then, Wilma realizes that her wish has a loophole – and her fairytale is about to end. The question is, who will still like Wilma when the spell is broken?

Half Magic by Edward Eager

Edward Eager’s Half Magic is a wonderful book, and I find myself eager (pun intended) to discover the rest of his works. Half Magic is an older book, set in the 1920’s, but the story is remarkably timeless.

One summer, four siblings find a strange coin on the sidewalk, a coin that grants wishes…sort of. The coin only grants HALF of every wish. So if you wish you were a hundred miles away, you’d be fifty miles away. If you wished to be on a desert island, you might find yourself only in a desert. It doesn’t take long to see that half a wish leads to twice as much trouble.

In the end, the children must band together to undo the mistakes of their wishes. With plenty of wry humor, crazy magic and terrific characters, Half Magic is a book that both kids and adults will enjoy.

Facing Rushmore by David Lozell Martin

A skewed vision, yet pertinent considering the current immigration debate, Martin’s novel is one endless diatribe against the “white man” and yet for all that, is warm hearted and fantastic or at least, I hope it is only a fantasy. I sailed through this story with its odd, relatively action-less plot, continuous dialogue and incredible vision. More than you may want to know about our history with Native Americans, this is nonetheless, a challenging, exciting story.

Search for the Golden Moon Bear by Sy Montgomery

I don’t usually read non-fiction, and especially not books on biology. So it must have been the big, friendly picture of a bear on the cover of this book that led me to pick it up. Though the book is slower-paced and took me a long time to read, I’m glad I read it.

Search for the Golden Moon Bear follows its title pretty closely. Sy Montgomery, the author, and a biologist friend hear strange reports of a golden moon bear in the region of Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. Until then, the only known moon bears were deep black. Could this be a new species? In the scientific world, that discovery would be nothing short of amazing. Braving a landscape rife with landmines, unstable governments, poachers armed with AK47s, illness, dangerous methods of transportation and bug-ridden hotels, they travel the back roads of Southeast Asia, looking for this elusive golden bear.

This book is very hard to sum up: at times philosophical, at times a funny travelogue, Montgomery brings Southeast Asia and its jungles and cities alive in her prose. One thing I very much appreciated was that this book is not simply an environmental polemic. Montgomery writes about poachers and conservationists with equal respect and understanding. Like a true scientist, she describes, as much as possible, without condemning. The result is a fascinating journey of discovery into one of the lost corners of the world.