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April’s Good Reads:
Every Crocked Pot: This novel is Nina Goldman’s struggle to fit in to her life. Our heroine was born with a birthmark that is visible and stirs attention ...

The Woman Who Is Always Tan and Has a Flat Stomach: In this collection of humorous essays, readers are sure to recognize someone from their own circle-that superhuman woman or man ...

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane: This comes highly recommended by an avid young reader, Claire. It is a simple story, yet it contains depth and sincerity.

The 12-Second Sequence™: This is a crossword puzzle book where every page is devoted to the literary world.

Art in Action: The book exhibit is divided into five chapters: celebrate, reflect, interact, protect and act. Through the artwork and the accompanying stories, readers are launched into thought and positive action. This is art the whole family can appreciate.

Third Base Ain’t What It Used to Be: A sexologist of both compassion and candid grit on today’s teen issues, author Levkoff emphasizes our roles as parents to teach our kids about responsible sex.

Enlightenment for Idiots: With a title that reads like a self-help book, this is actually a novel about an American yogini who travels to India in search of spiritual awakening.

127 Things You Need To Know: A Guide to Life’s Essentials According to the Experts: Author Wilkinson contacted sixty expert authorities across mind, body and spirit to discover, discern, then describe the absolute important things for living a good life. In this very readable, yet practical guide,

The Story of Tea: An amazing resource for both novices interested in tea and long-term tea connoisseurs, this lushly illustrated, hardcover book covers it all. It begins with a journey along the tea trails of history;

Every Crocked Pot
by Renee Rosen
St. Martin’s Griffin, 2007

This novel is Nina Goldman’s struggle to fit in to her life. Our heroine was born with a birthmark that is visible and stirs attention that she does not want. Her well-meaning dad is obsessed with seeking medical solutions for his daughter; while she, meanwhile, is obsessed with fitting in and finding love.

Readers with teenage daughters may enjoy sharing the book, as it can lead to healthy dialogue about feelings around attention, fitting in and being different. There’s also something refreshing about a book that can appeal to both moms and their daughters.

The Woman Who Is Always Tan and Has a Flat Stomach
by by Lauren Allison and Lisa Perry
Grand Central, 2008

In this collection of humorous essays, readers are sure to recognize someone from their own circle—that superhuman woman or man with the je ne sais quoi that escapes us. There is the craft mom that makes other moms feel inadequate because she has a great project ready to go at her house for every last-minute playdate. There’s also the husband that purchases a video camera and now thinks he is Steven Spielberg. He’s turned family holidays into Hollywood-style film locations and you can’t do a thing about it. What about the woman that is always tan with a flat stomach that calls you up because she looks much better when she is beside you? Recognize any of these characters? Of course you do. Now it’s time to laugh instead of cry about them!

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
by Kate DeCamillo
Candlewick Press, 2006

This comes highly recommended by an avid young reader, Claire. It is a simple story, yet it contains depth and sincerity. Edward, a stuffed rabbit, takes a magical journey, carrying readers along to places and feelings they may not expect. A compelling narrative with a moral, Edward’s experience encourages readers to treasure love today, as one never knows what losses are ahead. Illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline give further texture and richness to an already compelling tale.

The 12-Second Sequence™
by Jorge Cruise
Crown Publishers, 2007

This unique workout focuses on lean muscle and reduction of dangerous belly fat. It has been pounded into women’s heads that it’s impossible to lose weight without building muscle. This fitness pro puts that theory to the test.

Cruise promises visible waistline results for women who commit to the routine for two weeks. The regimen includes two 20-minute workouts each week, aiming to be more efficient and effective than other exercises. There is still time to pick up a copy before bathing suit weather is upon us!

Art in Action
New World Museum
Earth Aware Editions, 2007

Art in Action is a bound exhibit produced through the affiliation of the Natural World Museum (NWM) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). These two organizations desire to inspire people to care for the environment through raising awareness in art.

The book exhibit is divided into five chapters: celebrate, reflect, interact, protect and act. Through the artwork and the accompanying stories, readers are launched into thought and positive action. This is art the whole family can appreciate.

Chicago’s Field Museum will be the first US home for the book’s companion traveling exhibit, which runs from Earth Day, April 17 to September 6, 2008. Created by the NWM and UNEP in collaboration with the BOZAR Centre for FineArts and The Nobel Peace Center, "Envisioning Change" will raise awareness of global warming and climate change to inspire action.

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.

Third Base Ain’t What It Used to Be
by Logan Levkoff
New American Library, 2007

A sexologist of both compassion and candid grit on today’s teen issues, author Levkoff emphasizes our roles as parents to teach our kids about responsible sex. In ten chapters, she provides the basics while also challenging the conflicting and confusing media messages we all get on sexuality, all in the effort to instill healthy, positive information. Levkoff’s practical advice allows teens to explore their own values alongside their parents to develop self esteem. Her premise: sexuality is central to who we are; this is one of those books that helps us as adults both learn and teach by inspired example.

Enlightenment for Idiots
by Anne Cushman
Crown Publishing, 2008

With a title that reads like a self-help book, this is actually a novel about an American yogini who travels to India in search of spiritual awakening. Instead of the path to enlightenment she craves, this intrepid traveler finds herself making down to earth choices about contemporary love, life and spiritual practice. Insightful, almost comical, this is a light read with a heavy message. If you enjoyed Elizabeth Gilbert’s autobiographical Eat, Pray, Love, this twisted tale will also delight.

127 Things You Need To Know: A Guide to Life’s Essentials According to the Experts
by Donna Wilkinson
Tarcher/Penguin, 2008

Author Wilkinson contacted sixty expert authorities across mind, body and spirit to discover, discern, then describe the absolute important things for living a good life. In this very readable, yet practical guide, she demystifies and declutters the often overwhelming “to do, to have, to buy” lists of our lives, and pares them down to the basic 127 essentials. The irony is not lost that we may actually need a written guide to the necessities of how to organize everything from our medicine cabinets to our wellness to our wardrobes, but if the shoe fits for you, this is the one to read.

The Story of Tea
by Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss
Ten Speed Press, 2007

An amazing resource for both novices interested in tea and long-term tea connoisseurs, this lushly illustrated, hardcover book covers it all. It begins with a journey along the tea trails of history; on through the introduction of tea to Asian cultures, the West and into modern times; then onto descriptions of varied teas, and even tea resources with 10 sweet and savory recipes. Veteran tea traders Mary Lou and Robert J. Heiss combine vibrant photos with thorough research in this tantalizing tea-focused travel guide. Chicagoans can meet the authors over a light meal paired with varied Liif teas on April 27th. Find out more at chicagourmets.org.

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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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