This fantastic memoir documents the inspirational journey of the Salwen family. The Salwens were always open to social justice and committed their time and money to many worthy efforts, yet they were still caught on the hamster wheel of Keeping Up With the Joneses. Hannah, the fourteen year old daughter, experienced a "Love Thy Neighbor" epiphany which led her family to totally change their philosophy of success, charity, and personal contentment. -Rhonda

This mother and daughter memoir written by the well known author Sue Monk Kidd and a new literary voice Anne Kidd Taylor gives the reader a peek into the creation of the best selling novel The Secret Life of Bees. In alternating chapters Sue and Anne reveal their shared moments and private struggles both personal and professional experienced during that time. Sue and Anne also had the good fortune of traveling to Greece several times to connect with the Demeter/Persephone myths to help them on their way to self-fulfillment. -Rhonda

Mark Greenside was a content American with a free spirited girlfriend. He reluctantly agreed to her spontaneous request to spend the summer in France. She chose a small village in Brittany, and the initially disastrous and hilarious adventure began. His romance wilted; however, his love affair with France and the French people bloomed. This travel narrative is a love letter for the people of France.  -Rhonda

This elegant reflection on grief is a wonderful book of peace and consolation. Dr. Armand Nicholi, the author of The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life, recommended A Grief Observed as one of the best book ever written on grief. A Grief Observed is the book I always give to my friends when they have lost someone dear to them. -Rhonda

A Pearl In The Storm by Tori Murden McClure is the author’s account of her perilous adventure across the Atlantic Ocean. Mrs. McClure is the first woman to row solo across the Atlantic. In this revealing memoir, Mrs. McClure not only details the physical and technical challenges of performing such a feat; she also shares with the reader what would motivate a human being to attempt it. It is a powerful story of an odyssey across the ocean and through the soul of a remarkable woman. - Rhonda

Ellen Graf, a sculptor living on a farm in upstate New York, decided to travel to China to meet her friend's brother. Almost immediately in spite of a serious language barrier, they decided to marry. Was it lust or love at first sight? Neither. It was a leap of faith unlike anything I have ever read. Even better, this book is a true story. Graf 's memoir is a beautiful illustration of what those marriage vows of "For Better or Worse, For Richer or Poorer, In Sickness and In Health" really mean. -Rhonda

Kevin Roose decided to attend Liberty University for one semester as a result of his work with A.J. Jacobs on the book The Year of Living Biblically. Mr. Roose is a liberal minded college student at Brown University reared by politically liberal Quaker parents. However, he wanted to live and study with Liberty University students to try to understand their worldview. His semester at Liberty was not what he expected. This book is a fascinating peek into an American university made famous by its controversial founder Jerry Falwell. -Rhonda

"Fascinating Nightmare" is the phrase that comes to mind when I think of this novel. Set in Denmark and Russia during the time of Peter the Great, the novel is narrated by the Danish dwarf Sorine. She was given as a gift to the Tsar by the King of Denmark. Treated as less than human, Sorine is an intelligent woman with a strong survival instinct and desire to experience adventure. Peter Fogtdal describes all of the cruelties endured by people like Sorine during this time and dares the reader to stand in judgment of her. -Rhonda

New York City in any decade is an exciting place to visit. If you could choose any decade, which would it be? As for me, I would choose the 1940’s – the classiest of all modern decades. Imagine my delight then, when I discovered this little gem of a book, Summer At Tiffany. This memoir recounts the summer of adventure Iowa natives Marjorie and her best friend Marty enjoyed as the first female pages at Tiffany. Mrs. Hart opens a door for you to step back and soak in all the glamour of that classy decade and New York City in her glory days. -Rhonda

After reading Miss Abrahams’s memoir of growing up in a Jehovah’s Witness family, I can never again look at a Watchtower magazine in the same nonchalant way. When Miss Abrahams’s father was a child, his Jewish mother picked up a Watchtower magazine and quickly became a convert. It was the first step on a path of misery for the family. Miss Abrahams tells her story with equal parts of brutal honesty and humor. -Rhonda

President Barack Obama shares his considerable knowledge of American History and the Constitution in The Audacity of Hope. He also shares personal anecdotes about his experiences as a State and U.S. Senator. By reading this book, American Citizens will receive a clear understanding of Obama’s vision and hopes for America’s future. -Rhonda