APRIL 2013

April may bring some showers, but I'm ready to see some green. I hope to walk/hike some of the places I cross-country skied this winter. The section on the Sleeping Bear Dunes is detailed with both descriptions & small maps. The North Country Trail section is not so detailed, but provides references to contact for additional information. Nearby Grass River Natural area is included as well. I plan to keep my copy in the car so I have it when out traveling. As a gift for a friend or to add to your own collection this is a great book to have on hand.

FEBRUARY 2013

February Fun includes Microbrew Festival, Comedy Festival, Valentine's Day, and the Oscars. Celebrate all those occasions with this book and its lively recipes. Besides a "Root Beer" Float, you could make a "Chocolate Truffle" (pg. 75) for your sweetie. It's called "Snakebite" for a reason; check it out to see why. All you retirees check out page 54. The photos are fab and the recipes clear and easy to follow. Have a blast and a giggle with these cocktails. Cheers!!!

NOVEMBER 2012

November: A month that sometimes needs color and reminds us to be thankful. The 10-year anniversary collection reminds me what FUN Runway has been and how colorful! This is a great gift for fashionistas, budding designers/costumers and all-around creative types. Learn all the backstage secrets like which designer is "fierce" and why. What type of dress would you make out of merchandise at a grocery store? Can you tell which dress on pages 152-153 was made of newspaper? Find the peanuts sack dress!

SEPTEMBER 2012

September: a month for star wathcing and off-shoulder travel... like, say, outer space??? Get the ins and outs of space without all the NASA Astronaugt training. Author Roach's irreverent style takes nothing away from the actual science involved. She makes the reading enjoyable for every younger readers who yearn to know about bodily functions in space. Do you know what a furuncle is? Or why the "corned beef sandwich" incident was dangerous? Learn and laugh with Roach, who also wrote Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers.

JUNE 2012

Nash Rambler & Studebaker were spoken of with reverence in our family. Great fun to read stories of romance, high-jinks, and lessons learned related to these cars. Even the stories told by names I didn't recognize were entertaining.

Another form of amusement in the book is finding typos & errors! Can you identify the incorrect word usage on page 78?

The handsome photos are helpful for me as I am unfamiliar with many styles and makes. Kinda makes you want to write an ode to your first car. Mine was a Coronet. What was yours? Is it in here? A great gift for a Dad, Grad or something to read on a road trip.

APRIL 2012

April Showers... bring May Meditation. Before the season gets too hectic try this book that comes with 4 guided meditations on CD. Skeptical??? So was I, but this small volume provides an easy-to-follow program. you can even just dip into it for some quick new perspective. Try pg. 96 and the Drinking Tea Meditation, or the answers on pg. 70 about being restless. "Real happiness depends on what we do with our attention," the book claims. Attend this and grab some.

FEBRUARY 2012

February. No Comedy Fest. Well this isn't funny, but it is a treat. Hey it is Oscar month so why not look at even more GREAT dresses. The photos are fab and the behind-the-seams stories give dishy details. Iconic Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn garments are here with Chanel, Princess Diana, Cher, Lady Gaga, and... well just look. Guys, it's a great gift for your lady love. Ladies, you know you have room in your closet for it. Buy it because it will never go out of style!