Falise Platt of
the 24/8
Book Club shares her top picks in new books. A voracious
reader with diverse interests, Falise chooses the best from
fiction and nonfiction alike, creating a selection that is both
fun and intelligent.
 A
selection for the very special dads in our lives that we honor
this Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21.
 Voices
from the Moon
By Andrew Chaikin with Victoria Kohl
Viking Studio, 2009
The 40th anniversary of the first moonwalk is July 20, 2009.
In this tabletop book, Apollo historian Andrew Chaikin celebrates
the history and emotion of space travel, presenting previously
unreleased quotes along with stunning images to provide an
intimate portrait of lunar exploration. The book explores
pre-NASA life, various missions and the impact the lunar trips
had on the lives of those who made them. Engagingly written,
this collection of memories will appeal to all ages, from
those who witnessed history being made to those too young
to remember.
 Remember
the Sweet Things
One List, Two Lives and Twenty Years of Marriage
By Ellen Greene
William Morrow, 2009
Ellen Greene’s endearing memoir shares the story of two individuals
that gave love a second chance. Marshall and Ellen Greene
became husband and wife in a marriage that would last twenty
years and take them on adventures all over the world. In their
time together, Ellen kept a running list of the special things
that Marshall did for each day, and every Valentine’s Day,
she shared those memories with him.
Each chapter in this chronological memoir finishes with items
from the list that reminded Ellen what a wonderful partner
she had in Marshall. Sharing a couple of entries on the list
will give you a flavor of the tenderness that will be shared
in these pages: “calling me the next day to say how much
he’d enjoyed himself after a mellow, conversation-filled
evening we’d felt especially connected”; “repeating
the no-reservation, just-get-in-a-car-and-go experience of
Australia, this time in New Zealand; his again doing all of
the driving so I can gawk and take photos”; and “agreeing
that when we meet in another lifetime, he will slip ‘Fort
Sumter’ into the conversation so I’ll recognize
him.”
 The
Gorgeously Green Diet
By Sophie Uliano
Dutton, 2009
Any shade of green is the new black in this book. In this
part cookbook, part healthy-living guide, Uliano shares ways
to be good to ourselves and the Earth. Her customizable ‘shades
of green’ program offers various tracks to follow for
greening your life, with daily food plans and exercise, along
with regular treats to enjoy along the way.
Because cooking at home is one of the most eco-friendly things
you can do, the book’s includes recipes ranging from the lightest
to the darkest green palettes, including a scrumptious all-purpose
tomato sauce, stews, herb-crusted salmon and more.
 Broken
Open
By Elizabeth Lesser
Villard, 2005
After an appearance on Oprah’s “Best Life Week”
in January 2009, Elizabeth Lesser was cast into the spotlight.
Shortly after, Broken Open, which had been published
in 2005, took its place on the New York Times bestsellers
list. Through her personal stories and others she has collected,
Lesser explores the beauty of breaking open versus closing
up in difficult times. By sharing wisdom and insight on everything
from divorce to illness to everyday struggle, Lesser hopes
to help wake us up from “sleep” that threatens to
take over during tough times.
 Zero-Proof
Cocktails
Alcohol-free beverages for every occasion
By Liz Scott
Ten Speed Press, 2009
Entertaining with little or no alcohol has never looked so
luscious and tasted so good. Page after page of delicious
recipes include kira rosso, inspired by the classic kir; tweety
bird, inspired by the yellow bird cocktail; granny’s
martini, inspired by the green apple martini and papaya passion—basically
a decadent dessert in liquid form.
The next time you need inspiration for nondrinkers or abstainers
at your upcoming soiree, like designated drivers and pregnant
moms, pick up Scott’s guide and soon you’ll find your other
guests jumping on the wagon.
 The
Art of Disney—Pixar's Up
By Tim Hauser
Chronicle Books, 2009
This coffee-table book is an engaging companion for those
looking for a more in-depth look at this year’s animated
feature film, Up. Three hundred people worked to depict
the adventures of Carl, who is searching for something after
the death of his wife, Ellie. The book shares his exciting
journey in vivid detail, and offers insight into the animated
movie-making process.
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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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