Book Blog

The Casual Vacancy -J.K. Rowling When I first heard the synopsis of “The Casual Vacancy,” I have to admit I was a little disappointed. A council election gone awry in a small English village? What could be exciting about that? But it’s J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books that are so dear to my heart. So I gave it a try. I was . . . more »

The snap of the can or twist of the lid followed by the delightful hiss and bubble of the cool liquid inside: who doesn't enjoy a nice soda every now and again? According to a July Gallup poll , 48% of Americans drink at least one glass of soda a day. And since most sodas are loaded with sugar, this habit can get very costly, . . . more »

Whenever I’m feeling a little blue, I know that I can always count on an Elinor Lipman novel to lift me out of the doldrums. This was confirmed when I read her most recent novel, The Family Man. This book is classic Lipman: likable— albeit flawed—characters, an airy, lighthearted plot, smart social satire, and dialog crisp and sparkling as a fine champagne. The Family Man . . . more »

Your credit score is more important than ever: not just for getting loans, but for getting jobs, insurance, rentals, and fair rates on all financial services. Now, more than ever, you need America's #1 guide to credit scores: Your Credit Score, by MSN and AARP columnist Liz Weston.This new edition Your Credit Score: How To Improve The 3-Digit Number That Shapes Your Financial Future is . . . more »

Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin, Ireland on October 16, 1854 and would go on to become one of the most popular playwrights of the 1890’s. His eccentric personality also transformed him into a celebrity, whose daily life proved just as interesting to the public as the plays he wrote. Wilde firmly believed in the importance of being true to yourself, and he was not . . . more »

Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was born in Dublin, Ireland on October 16, 1854. Mr. Wilde enjoyed many successes and unfortunately many sorrows in his life. To celebrate his great works and interesting life, let us suggest some titles for you. The Oscar Wilde Collection - Four classic comedies by the author including a dramatization of the only novel Mr. Wilde wrote, The Picture of . . . more »

For many people, October marks the start of fall. The trees slip into their beautiful array of colored foliage, and while temperatures slowly dip, even here in Santa Clara County, we contemplate the task of packing away our summer apparel. During this month we begin the transition from summer into winter, shifting from outdoor activities to indoors. For book group members, October is also a . . . more »

We want you to help us determine the TOP 10 BOOKS of 2012. It’s not too late. You still have time to vote on your favorite books. It’s easy to do and only takes a minute. Just click on the link below. http://www.sccl.org/browse/teens/vote-for-your-teens-top-ten Enter your name and contact information. Check off up to 10 of your favorite book titles (if your favorite is . . . more »

Something Strange and Deadly Grades 9 - 12 As The Dead crawl from the grave in Victorian-era Philadelphia, sixteen-year-old Eleanor Fitt ventures out to rescue her brother-gone-missing from the clutches of the evil necromancer responsible for the zombie uprising. Check out the book trailer! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBTCzBIjb88 . . . more »

We all want our kids to be lifelong healthy eaters, right? Well what better way to introduce them to local, fresh foods and give them a taste of all the delicious produce we grow in the valley than by making a family trip to the Farmers’ Market? The California Farmers’ Markets Association has a list of all the markets in the area, as well as . . . more »