Holiday: Appetizers, Dinners, Cookies Cookbook by Publications International

Let's talk food! It's the holidays and that usually means sharing meals, desserts, and beverages with our family and friends. We take time to enjoy catching up with them as we celebrate the holidays. This cookbook, Holiday Appetizers, Dinners, Cookies, will give you great suggestions to bring a new dish to the party.

For me, the mark of a good cookbook is the photography. When there are photos of the dishes created, it's highly likely I will be turning the pages. The photos make me realize that I could do that, I could bake or cook that dish and have my family enjoy it. The appetizers include dips and finger foods. Are you familiar with cheese balls? In Holiday Appetizers, Dinners, Cookies you'll see a Christmas cheese tree that looks very easy to create - how festive! Prime rib always seems like a daunting task to prepare but the steps are actually quite simple. When you see the photo of the beef rib roast in this cookbook with its mushroom-bacon sauce drizzled over the top, you'll long to serve prime rib at your dining table. Nothing means winter-time vacation more than a steaming cup of hot chocolate after time outdoors sledding or skating in the cold. But have you ever seen hot chocolate cookies? Yes, the tops of these cookies look exactly like a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows floating on the top. Yum!

We have several new cookbooks in the BHS Media Center. Stop by and check them out, but not before lunch. When hungry, these books may be too tempting.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Identical by Ellen Hopkins

Would you like to judge a book by its cover? This would be a good one. Identical by Ellen Hopkins has a cover image that represents the story in an interesting way. Interspersed throughout the book are pages that are reflective like this cover. On the left hand page are a few select words set apart from the verse on the page. On its opposite right hand page the same words appear in reflection. Each page is the voice of one sister then the other and they are twins. Twins with a sad, serious secret. I imagine the cover image as secretive as well. The reflection of IDENTICAL fades away secretly. Now, let me tell you about the twin sisters.

Raeanne and Kaeleigh are high school identical twin sisters each very much different from the other. Their parents are aloof and high-achieving adults. One, their mother, a candidate for the United States Congress and their father a judge. Their mother is so very busy working on her campaign that they rarely see her. We learn early in the story that their family began to crumble the night of an auto accident. All are in denial, all blame the others, all have serious issues, and all share deep secrets. However, even our author Ellen Hopkins keeps a secret from us, her readers. She craftily writes of Raeanne and Kaeleigh using their voices to tell the story - first one, then the other. Ms. Hopkins keeps a secret about the accident that would explain many of the family problems clearly. She lets Kaeleigh eventually tell us the truth and all secrets are revealed, even some long held by Grandma. This is a gripping story with many chilling scenes. You will be surprised when Kaeleigh shares the ultimate secret.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Decision Points by George W. Bush

Most presidents write a book after they leave the Oval Office. Generally their books are biographical and give the president an opportunity to thank supporters. When I've read (or started to read them because I rarely finish them) a presidential autobiography in the past, I get bored. The books are dry summations of accomplishments. In his book Decision Points, President George W. Bush has taken a new tack in this presentation. In a primarily chronological order, Bush tells us about turning points in his life through the decision process he took. He acknowledges his faults as a young man regarding his known alcohol use and the point in his life when he realized the harm it was causing. Each decision point offers the reader an opportunity to understand George W. Bush, the man and president. If you're a history buff, if you follow politics, if you like to learn about great leaders, then you'll want to read this book. It takes you into the mind of one of our most honest, dedicated, and principled presidents. Listen to President Bush tell you in this video.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

There is one sentence on the book jacket's author bio that I am always drawn to - "This is her first novel." Why do I like that? I've read many books by first time authors that have been impressive, even award winning stories. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver is another and she does not disappoint. To realize that this is Oliver's first book is impressive.

Let's take a look at the cover where another sentence caught my attention - "You'll have no choice but to tear through this book!" I did - finished it in one day, actually a half day and I don't consider myself a fast reader. Here's why.

Samantha is a high school senior in the group of popular kids. In many ways she and her friends are bullies to others. The opening chapters make that very clear as they ridicule their fellow students. Then one night after a drunken party, Sam and her friends are in a tragic car accident, hospitalizing and killing some. The story takes an unusual twist when Sam wakes up the next morning only to realize that fateful day is repeating. She actually repeats that horrific Friday seven times! Each time with subtle changes to the day and of course she begins to change how she approaches each day differently.

What would you do if you could repeat a day? Would you have any regrets? Would you amend your attitude? Treat others differently? Try harder in school? Be kind to your sisters or brothers? Respect your parents? Each day that Sam can repeat the day she grows stronger and more mature finally seizing the opportunity to do the right thing.

This book is also a romance story but not in the sense that only a girl would want to read it. Even the high school boys play an essential role in the outcome. When finished, I was both sad yet proud of Samantha's seventh day. I hope you will be too. You'll definitely be thinking "what would I do" for a long time.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm