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March’s Good Reads:
Green Babies, Sage Moms: A must read for every woman that is pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, Fassa covers the ins and outs for moms-to-be of food...

Louder Than Words: This book about a mother’s love, devotion and, as the author herself states, faith, was written for those of us with autism in our life.

The Wednesday Letters: Picture a spouse that writes loving letters to his wife every week on Wednesday. Imagine that these letters are discovered by this couple’s family...

The Everything Literary Crosswords Book: This is a crossword puzzle book where every page is devoted to the literary world.

The Good Liar: Are mystery and romance the elements you desire in a book? If yes, you will not want to miss this globe-trotting thriller.

Spatulatta Cookbook: Fresh, fun and aimed at kids, this first volume by sisters Isabella and Olivia Gerasole-who are kids themselves-makes all the difference.

Body Drama: As controversial and unfortunately necessary as the topic of “women and their bodies” is amidst our current media obsession with physical perfection, former Miss America contestant Redd addresses the real issues of women’s bodies with real answers.

Cooking Jewish: 532 Great Recipes from the Rabinowitz Family: Mixing heartfelt stories of the author’s family with the treasures of five generations of recipes, Cooking Jewish blends old with new...

Choosing Happiness: Life and Soul Essentials: With so many “quick fix” books on the subject of happiness on the shelves, this newest book... addresses one simple question: “what does it mean to be happy?”

Green Babies, Sage Moms
by Lynda Fassa
NAL, 2008

A must read for every woman that is pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, Fassa covers the ins and outs for moms-to-be of food, cosmetics, hair care, skin care, baby showers, cleaning products, baby gear, salon services, clothes and accessories and more in this book.

There is also a ton of information that can be useful for us non-expecting gals. The cosmetics section, for example, will enlighten readers on the cleanliness and environmental impact of their beauty stash. A fabulous collection of resources will appeal to the knowledge-seeker in all of us.

Louder Than Words
by Jenny McCarthy
Dutton, 2007

This book about a mother’s love, devotion and, as the author herself states, faith, was written for those of us with autism in our life.

Autism is being diagnosed at an increasingly alarming rate. Early detection is one of the few weapons and true rays of hope in treating this disorder. McCarthy shares her journey and hopes to raise education on the benefits of early detection.

Jenny and her son will face the challenges autism presents for a lifetime, but their lesson of love can also inspire greater understanding and a better life for many people.

The Wednesday Letters
by Jason Wright
Shadow Mountain, 2007

Picture a spouse that writes loving letters to his wife every week on Wednesday. Imagine that these letters are discovered by this couple’s family, and you have the premise for a beautiful book. These moving epistles speak to a deep and stirring romantic history lifetime that is not without some sorrow and surprise, too.

Through the intimate voice of the letters we are able to share the life, love and even secrecy of Jack and Laurel Cooper with their children Matthew, Samantha and Malcolm as they come together to read them. Reading this book might just inspire a new crop of letter-writers.

The Everything Literary Crosswords Book
by Charles Timmerman
Adams Media, 2007

This is a crossword puzzle book where every page is devoted to the literary world. There are puzzles about books including The Da Vinci Code, authors such as Nora Roberts and classics like The Great Gatsby. There are even puzzles for the whole family like Harry Potter.

This is the perfect book to take with you to the doctor’s office or on a plane. Just be ready for a long look at the puzzles, for once you begin one, you won’t want to stop ’til you’ve finished.

The Good Liar
by Laura Caldwell
Mira, 2008

Are mystery and romance the elements you desire in a book? If yes, you will not want to miss this globe-trotting thriller. The story journeys from Chicago to South America to Canada to Moscow-and that’s just a few of the stops.

Caldwell has successfully mixed romance with intrigue in this heart-pounding novel. The story gets going when Liza fixes up her friend Kate with someone from her “secret” life. The two fall for each other but the story takes a twist from here that leaves Kate confounded and suspicious. This readable and enjoyable piece of fiction is well worth adding to your list.

Sharon’s Corner
Sharon Meyers brings international journalistic experience to For Her Information magazine, having published five books and a lifestyle magazine, and promoting corporate and government issues in the media across Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Now back in Chicago, she currently serves as department editor and writes select features for the magazine.

Spatulatta Cookbook
by Isabella and Olivia Gerasole
Scholastic, 2007

Fresh, fun and aimed at kids, this first volume by sisters Isabella and Olivia Gerasole-who are kids themselves-makes all the difference.

Organized by season with simple, user-friendly recipes and lots of colorful how-to photos, this delightful book teaches families with kids how to cook healthy food together, while having fun at the same time.

For online demonstrations and recipes, check out Spatulatta’s James Beard Award winning webcasts (spatulatta.com). Special for summer, join the Spatulatta girls on a seven-night Caribbean cruise, leaving from Miami on July 13. Special discounts are available through March 15; call Carol at Seamaster Cruises at 847.677.7245 or at spatulatta.com.

Body Drama
by Nancy Amanda Redd
Gotham, 2007

As controversial and unfortunately necessary as the topic of “women and their bodies” is amidst our current media obsession with physical perfection, former Miss America contestant Redd addresses the real issues of women’s bodies with real answers. Like reality, it isn’t always pretty, but with down-to-earth health information, body care, health tips and un-retouched photos, this book tells it like it is for today’s young women, especially late teens. Frankly, who doesn’t have body drama issues? This book may have reference value for us all.

Cooking Jewish: 532 Great Recipes from the Rabinowitz Family
by Judy Bart Kancigor
Workman Publishing, 2007

Mixing heartfelt stories of the author’s family with the treasures of five generations of recipes, Cooking Jewish blends old with new-more than 500 recipes and photos dating back to the 19th century. With four chapters on sweets alone, this is a feast of both family food and lore to savor with lots of loved ones. Chicagoans can meet author Kancigor in person with a book signing over dinner featuring both her own recipes and those of famed Chicago restaurant owner Ina, hosted by Ina herself and ChicaGourmets on April 5. Learn more at chicagourmets.org.

Choosing Happiness: Life and Soul Essentials
by Stephanie Dowrick
Tarcher, 2008

With so many “quick fix” books on the subject of happiness on the shelves, this newest book by best selling author and psychotherapist Dowrick addresses one simple question: “what does it mean to be happy?” Written in simple, yet beautifully written chapters, it speaks to the many facets of happiness, but from a single source-within. Taking the reader beyond merely hoping for happiness, this book provides real skills and insights. It may effectively end your search for tactical information on this most essential of life skills.

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* The Good Reads Girl was drawn by Denise Simon, a Chicago-based freelance illustrator.
Check out her work at deniseannsimon.com.

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