“Hollywood Myths” by Joe Williams c.2012, Voyageur Press $21.99 / $23.99 Canada 240 pages   BOOK REVIEW by TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER It’s only because of special effects. That’s one of the things that enters your mind when you’re watching a movie. Humans can’t fly. They don’t usually live in luxurious spaceships, meet only pretty girls, transport [...]

“Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm” by Philip Pullman c.2012, Viking $27.95 / $29.50Canada 406 pages   BOOK REVIEW by TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER Happily Ever After. Once upon a time, those were magic words to you. They tied up a bedtime story neat enough to lull you to sleep. They put a nice, sweet bow on [...]

“The Lost Christmas Gift” by Andrew Beckham c.2012, Princeton Architectural Press $29.95 / $34.95 Canada 40 pages   BOOK REVIEW by TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER This Christmas, you’ll find lots of surprises beneath your tree. Some of them, of course, will arrive from Santa. Others will come in the mail from Grandma or a favorite aunt who [...]

“Driving the Saudis” by Jayne Amelia Larson c.2012, Free Press $25.00 / $28.99 Canada 209 pages   BOOK REVIEW by TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER Other drivers should know better. First of all, they should learn to use a turn signal. Then they need to be taught to stop tailgating, hang up the phone, slow down, speed up, [...]

“Custer” by Larry McMurtry c.2012, Simon & Schuster $35.00 / $40.00 Canada 179 pages   BOOK REVIEW by TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER You’ll always wonder about the truth. But since you’re not a high-ranking government official, not privy to political goings-on or world affairs, and you don’t have a time machine, you’ll always wonder what really happened [...]

“Proof of Heaven” by Eben Alexander, M.D. c.2012, Simon & Schuster $23.99 / $27.99 Canada 208 pages   BOOK REVIEW by TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER   Nobody packs a suitcase like you do. A weekend away? No problem. Cram everything you need in a tote and go. A two-week cruise?  Again, no problem. You can roll, fold, [...]

“Return to The Big Fancy” by Freeman Hall c.2012, Adams Media $22.95 / $23.99 Canada 272 pages BOOK REVIEW by TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER The holidays are coming. That means you’ll need a little extra. Extra time to go gift-shopping, for sure, and extra closet space in which to hide packages. More importantly, you’ll need extra money [...]

“The Casual Vacancy” by J.K. Rowling c.2012, Little, Brown $35.00 / $35.99 Canada 503 pages BOOK REVIEW by TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER When you’re gone, you’ll leave behind many important things. There’ll be photos and memorabilia, money, bric-a-brac, and property to divvy up. Great-grandma’s china goes here, your mother’s jewelry there, and a cherished belonging of your [...]

“Why Have Kids? A New Mom Explores the Truth About Parenting and Happiness” by Jessica Valenti  (performed in audio by Emily Beresford) c.2012, New Harvest, $23.00, 179 pages c.2012, Brilliance Audio, $29.99, 5CDs / 5h 20m BOOK REVIEW by TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER Your former classmate leads such an interesting life. She told you this summer about [...]

“Hidden America” by Jeanne Marie Laskas c.2012, Putnam $26.95 / $28.50 Canada 318 pages   BOOK REVIEW by TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER It gets dark earlier now, which means you reach for the lights earlier, too. One click and you can see to read, cook, find your keys or avoid tripping over the cat. Chances are, in [...]