The Fortunes of Indigo Skye by Deb Caletti

I really enojy Caletti books becuase even though shes well beyond her teen years she writes like she actually is the character. Her conversations throughout the book aren't over abstract and could actually hear in real life. In this book Indigo, a struggling waitress tips a stranger on her opinions on cigaretts. Taken aback by Indigos care, he (a multimillioniar) write her a tip for 2 milliosn dollars. At first she tries to give it back, thinking it to be a mistake, but later he refuses to take it bake because hes given up his old job to travel and see the world as a common man. It's funny how the saying 'money isnt everything' is so underrated. Its so easy to say and so hard to do once you posses it all. Indigo goes through this phase when she realizes that money wont make her any different and has to use it to support her family and spend it wisley because it wont last forever. I enjoyed this book and it would be a great summer read.

The Help Kathryn Stockett

In 1950's Mississippi, Minny, Skeeter and Aibeleen share something that most white and black people dont. Aibeleen and Minny both are housemaid, taking care of white womens children...rasinging them until their just like their own mothers, ordering the maid that had once been more like a mother then their own. Skeeter, a younge enexpirienced journalist wants to uncover the story of what its like to live under these conditions; having a seperate bathroom, raising someone elses child, and even agreeing with a white womens comments in hope theyll see their paycheck. I really enjoyed this book because learning about this point in history doesn't seem tangable in a textbook or classroom. Its easier to connect to these people by reading about chracters like them. Inside their heads, their opinions, views, and way of life. They have their own seperate world and it's amazing how different things are now. Although their still issues today concering racial issues- it seems so far away from what used to be going on. I would highley recomment this book to anyone, it was a great medium read.

The Villa by Nora Roberts

A surprising murder mystery, Sophia and her long line of Gambelli family are doing their best to protect their wine buisness as competition and old ties try to ruin everything they have. Because at the time I was working on a art project with wine and one of my teachers just recently told us about their secret passion for wine tasting I decided a book about wine would only be appropiate. It amazes me how much work goes into producing and marketing wine; alot of issues Sophie and her family come across through the course of the book. As the murderer gets anxious and more risky one of the first issues that erupts is the production of tainted bottles. Just a few in a case doesnt seem like it will affect a buisness; the poisen not even strong enough to kill, but even this small problem brings the buiness to ruins. They loes sponsers, buisness, money to make sure all products are checked and returned, and liability. Sophie has to work nonstop to make sure she keeps the name Gambialli respected--something that is alot harder to do then it seems to be. Aside from the whole mystery and plot capturing interest, The Villa really taught me alot about wine. Acidity affects, soil types, and how greatly weather can change the whole taste of the grapes that are essentially the wine. Running a buisness purley on chance that the end product is just as great as it was inticipated to be seems entirley impossible, but their are so many great vinyards and owners that go through these issues and buisness everyday. I believe this is really a great book and can open new interests to anyone.