Already read the books posted earlier this week?  Here are some more really good ones.

Elizabeth Aston Books

I’ve always loved Pride and Prejudice and felt the loss when I had finished all the Jane Austen books many years ago.  I recently became aware that there have been many who have tried to pick up the Pride and Prejudice story and take it further – most I found fell sadly  short.  One author though got it right.  Elizabeth Aston books work I think because she skips to the next generation, while keeping the same tone and feeling.  I suggest you start with Mr. Darcy’s Daughters but it isn’t necessary to read them in order. 
Browse more Elizabeth Aston books here.

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand

Think love is only for the young?  It’s easy to overlook cultural differences when you are young, perhaps not as easy when you have a lifetime of being taught to think in a certain way.  This novel is a terrific exploration of examining the way we think and how it affects relationships.
Buy Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand at Amazon.com

The Elegance of the Hedgehog

This book is a bit different than my previous suggestions.  Not quite as light, but an intriguing story well worth reading.
Buy The Elegance of the Hedgehog at Amazon.com

To Kill a Mockingbird

Left the best for last – This is just the most superb book.  Even if you were made to read it in school, reread it just for pleasure. It’s not on the current best seller list (it was first published in 1960), but I strongly recommend you pick up a copy of this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel!  (And here’s a little surprise information – The young neighbor boy Dill was fashioned after Harper Lee’s childhood friend Truman Capote).
Buy To Kill a Mockingbird at Amazon.com

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Lazy hazy days of reading  in your favorite spot.

I’ll admit it, I’m a wimp when it comes to high heat and humidity days – I would rather be reading in a cool room or on a camp porch.  Consequently I’ve been going through a lot of books this summer and would like to share some favorites from both past and present.  Whether you prefer to read out on the beach, on that breezy camp porch, or curled in your favorite recliner here are some great picks:

South of Broad by Pat Conroy

I just finished Pat Conroy’s new book South of Broad.  His books fascinate me with their juxtaposition of horrifying events placed against the polite genteel society of the south.  His wonderful poetic prose is a pleasure as he tells the tale of an unlikely group of  friends thrown together in their senior year of high school in the south of the late 60’s, and through the next couple decades of their lives.
Buy South of Broad at Amazon.com
Browse more books in my Amazon.com store.

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

I’ve become a great fan of Alice Hoffman.  Her touch of magic mixed with humanity make her books unique and fascinating.  It was difficult to feature just one, but I think my favorite is still the first one I read.  If you saw the movie, read it anyway as it’s much better as a book and does not have the absurd ending the movie has. 
Buy Practical Magic at Amazon.com.
Browse more books in my Amazon.com store.

The Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich

This is my guilty pleasure reading. The only redeeming factor is the laughing out loud you’ll do throughout the exploits of New Jersey bounty hunter Stephanie Plum and her odd assortment of relatives and friends.  The first book, One for the Money was given to me as a gift, and it took awhile before I picked it up thinking it wasn’t my style.  I’ve been through 15 of them and number 16 is coming up next.  Since I’m sure you’ll get addicted as well, I’ve put them in order in my Amazon store to make your next fix easy to find after you finish each one.
Quick, give me a Stephanie Plum fix!

Best Beach Read – Jennifer Weiner Books

I suggest you start with In Her Shoes, but it doesn’t matter what order you read them in.  I’m already signed up to auto download the soon to be released Fly Away Home to my Kindle when it comes out this month.
Browse more Jennifer Weiner books in my Amazon.com store.

Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer

The ultimate guilty pleasure – there’s already enough hype about this.  Let me just add that I reluctantly read the first one because all my female co-workers were reading them.  Yes, I was hooked.  These are NOT just for teenagers.  I could link the books individually, but let’s face it you’ll want to pick up the second as soon as you finish the first.  (And in case you are wondering, I’m on Team Jacob).
I accept my fate – buy the whole set at Amazon.com   The Twilight Saga Collection

Browse more books in my Amazon.com store.

More reading favorites coming up next week!

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I was always a sucker for the movie Sound of Music, and although this song is NOT a favorite, it seems an appropriate new category here for Maine (and occasionally other) favorite products, sites, locations etc.

So, as my vacation wanes and the cold rains continue, let’s think positive and look at a few favorites.

In no particular order:

Discovered this vacation and at last fall’s craft fairs – Bert’s Awesome Stuff – picked up some Mango Chutney and Spicy Pickled Beets and had them with pork chops the other night – they were indeed AWESOME!

Joining our band of  “go to camp in the rain”  friends was Tamara Duff. Timmi’s glass is exceptional in many ways, not the least of which is that she designs structural elements into the artistic design, so that you don’t have lines of leading that are there only for structure without having them embraced by the actual design.  TamarasCustomStainedGlass.com (Full disclosure – I designed and built her website.)

Fish and Chips from Somethings-Fishy.com (Full disclosure – I designed and built his website.)

Slates in Hallowell – both the Bakery for a coffee and raspberry poppy seed coffee cake, and the restaurant.

The Maine Maven blog – Great blog about the wonderful things and places in Maine.

Kennebec River Artisans in Hallowell – Discovered this vacation.  There are several crafters I look for at the seasonal craft fairs in the fall.  This shop has many of them year round (e.g. Bert’s as mentioned above) so no need to wait for the fair.

Mae’s Cafe and Bakery in Bath (The restaurant formerly known as Kristina’s).  Just a nice relaxed place to have breakfast, brunch or lunch with home baked goodies to eat in or take out.

Hope you get an opportunity to experience these favorites.  I’ll add more in future.

Gloria
I ate too much on my summer vacation…

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