Fun Read!

Plain Jayne
By Hillary Manton Lodge
Harvest House Publishers
Retail price $13.99
Amazon Price: $10.07


Book Description:
Talented new author Hillary Manton Lodge brings a new twist to the popular Amish novel.Jayne Tate loves her life as it is—living in a big city, working as a reporter for a fast-paced newspaper, and dating a guy who knows nothing about her past. When her father passes away though, she’s forced to take another look at what she wants out of life. After losing out on the big career opportunity she was hoping for, she decides to escape to Oregon Amish country, seeking solace and maybe a big story.

Even in this land of buggies and bonnets, Jayne finds life more complicated than she expected. Can she persuade herself that her growing friendship with the mysterious and handsome Levi Burkholder is just about research? And what’s a latte-drinking, laptop-using, motorcycle-riding reporter to do when this new life starts to change her? With humor, faith, and unexpected romance, Plain Jayne will delight readers.

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READING ROOM REVIEW

What a wonderful new take on the Amish lifestyle! I'm not big fan of Amish novels, though many of my staff reviewers are, but I thought I'd give this one a shot. I'm so glad I did. It was an intriguing book with a good message. I found my self laughing out loud at some of Jaynes antics! An extremely fun read.

30 Minute Read:

30 Minute Read: Stress Proof Your Marriage
By Cory & Heidi Busse
Our Sunday Visitor
Retail Price: $4.95
Amazon Price: $4.95

Book Description:

The world is full of one-stop, quick-fix, magic-bullet promises that any problem can be solved in an instant.

But, while we all know marriage can certainly be broken in an instant, it will never be fixed that way. Whether you're just starting out in a marriage or are longtime marriage "veterans," we can all use a road map to making our marriages stronger, happier, and more resilient when faced with inevitable difficult times.

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READING ROOM REVIEWS

This is great little book packed full of information on how to have a great marriage. While the authors take the subject of marriage seriously, they are masters at getting to the point using humor. This book will make you laugh while you take a look at what improvements you can make in your marriage. A must read!

Simple Compassion

Simple Compassion
By Keri Wyatt Kent
Zondervan
Retail price $12.99
Amazon Price: $10.39


Book Description:
Every woman longs to make a difference in her world, but sometimes the needs just seem too big and the days are already too full of errands and obligations.

This fifty-two-week devotional offers fresh inspiration and encourages every woman to see that she is uniquely gifted by God to make a difference right where she is. Poignant stories and powerful Bible passages demonstrate that small acts of compassion matter to God. Along with gaining a clear vision of God's heart for the poor and marginalized, readers are challenged to nurture the twelve characteristics of women who overflow with creative compassion. Each weekly devotional reading includes principles and action steps for carrying God's love and grace to those in need.

As readers are equipped and motivated to put their faith into action, they'll find their eyes and hearts opened to countless opportunities to carry out small acts of compassion and justice in the midst of daily living. Simple Compassion infuses women with the confidence that they can change the world, one life at a time.

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Reading Room Review

Keri Wyatt Kent is one of my favorite authors. Her books are always relevant and cutting edge. Simple Compassion speaks to directly to our hearts. Here she calls us to action to make a difference in our communities...and she makes it easy for us! If you are at all interested in the issues of poverty, social justice, or just making a difference in your sphere of influence, you will want to read this book.

Silver Lake, New York: A Brief History

Silver Lake, New York: A Brief History
By Dan Miller
Dog Ear Publishing
Retail Price: $15.00
Amazon Price: $15.00

Book Description: Dog Ear Publishing presents a new book that includes the dramatic rise of a small community through the rise and fall of a railroad, tourism, religiosity, cultural activity and pioneer way of life in Silver Lake, New York. This book emanates out of the purchase of land and putting up a home on silver Lake and having the old railroad bed running in the backyard.

The author traces the evolution of the area through the Seneca Nation to early white settlers who originally called it Little Lake, a sea serpent hoax, a burgeoning tourism trade with the advent of the railroad and ice houses, to religious fervor gripping the area in contrast to a museum exuding the pioneer way of life to a present-day resort area. Through it all, religious fervor gave way to camping, the arts and education in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Both Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt spoke tehre in the summer months to upwards of 20,000 people who attended daily.

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The Reading Room Review

Being that I live about forty minutes from Silver Lake and had spent many a summer day there in both at camp and staying at cottages of friends, I found this book of great interest. I never realized that Silver Lake had such a extensive history! The small book written by Dan Miller, was packed full of interesting information about the area that allowed me to see what it must have been like during its heyday. There were also a section that included pictures that helped give the reader a visual as well as written history of this part of Western New York.

If you are from Western New York, or if you just would like to experience a slice of small-town Americana, then pick up a copy of this book. You won't be disappointed!