Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

I'm still reading this one. I picked it up because it was set in Mellen, WI which is just down the road. So far I'm enjoying the read...

Yes, I'm still reading (even though I've finished 4 other books since starting this one!).

OK, now Hamlet has come to play in the plot of the book. I get it now; this isn't just a dog story. I think I'll start the whole thing over during Thanksgiving break.

From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris

Sookie is back after the vampire hotel explosion and Harris sets her readers up for more adventures down the line. Sookie's love life is turning topsy (Is Quinn still in the picture? Does Bill have a chance to get her back? And Eric, hey, guess who gets his memory back?); she gets involved with a Were-war; she tangles with more out-of-state vampires (this time they are from Las Vegas); her fairy-grandfather shows up; and she makes a telepathic connection with a surprise character. Fans of the series will be left waiting (again!) for the next novel (this is number 8 in the Southern Vampire Series).

I've been hooked on Harris' books for awhile. A student from a couple of years back got me hooked. Ashley, I blame it all on you! ;-)

Dead Hot Shot by Victoria Houston

The 7th in Houston's Loon Lake fishing mysteries series, Dead Hot Shot involves a Thanksgiving day murder, several dysfunctional families, a lot of fishing licenses, and a hacker of credit card transmissions. The regular cast of characters are all here: Lew Ferris, Doc Osborne and Ray Pradt and they are joined by a host of new and old Loon Lake characters. If you haven't read Houston's novels, you need to get reading, especially if you live in the northwoods of Wisconsin! I promise, you'll enjoy the stories and maybe you'll recognize your own town in Loon Lake.

The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry

This is a Davinci Code wanna-be, but what the heck. Berry's story involves the Knights Templar, conspiracy theories, and a lot of action. It is a fun recreational read.

Narrow Dog to Carcassonne by Terry Darlington

What a hoot. Darlington, his wife, and their dog (a whippet, aka "narrow dog") take a British canal boat (a long, cigar shaped boat designed to navigate the British canal system) and sail it across the English Channel (defying all odds and advice) and through the canals of France. Their adventures are never ending and Darlington's sharp wit makes their experiences absolutely hilarious. You *might* be inspired to sail the Canal du Midi, or maybe not. In either case, you'll enjoy the story of the Darlingtons' adventures!

Gaviotas: A Village to Reinvent the World by Alan Weisman

Alan Weisman relates the birth and life of a small town dedicated to innovating and practicing sustainable practices in the llanos region of eastern Columbia. Their story is eye-opening and inspiring. This book should be required reading for everyone.

Living the Good Life: Tried and Tested Strategies for Sustainable Living by Linda Cockburn

Linda Cockburn convinced her Queensland-based family (husband Trevor and son Caleb) to live as self-sufficiently as possible over a 6 month period. Her goal, and therefore their goal, was to grow all of their own food and not spend any money at all during that 6 months. They fell off the wagon a couple of times, but in the end, they did a fair job of meeting their goal. The tale of their experiences is practical, informative, inspiring, and downright amusing; anyone who has ever contemplated living off the grid will enjoy this book.