Giving Gifts that Give Back

The ads for Black Friday have already come out. Since I hate crowds and am not fond of spending the money I would save at the emergency room for trampled-related injuries, I will not be heading out to them. Instead, I give you my list of 2011 Holiday Gifts that Give Back. It's like Oprah's Favorite Things list except all these gifts also help charities and I will not be giving you each one of them like she did with her studio audience (her dogs are wealthier than I am). So if you like the idea of being able to give back with each purchase and being able to shop in your pajamas without getting a lot of weird looks from other shoppers, enjoy. An added bonus- you can also give the finger to corporations like Wal-Mart who are cutting employee health benefits because of the cost while the CEO Michael Duke earns about $17,000 an hour (feel free to call 1-800-WALMART or mail them a letter at their corporate offices to let them know of your intent). Now on to the list.

For the book-lover on your list-
I suggest buying your books on-line from http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ . Not only do they fund literacy programs with each book, but they also give a book to a person in need for each one you purchase. And the service is second to none (not to mention their free shipping). The other on-line bookstores don't even come close. Speaking of books, I always choose a book with meaning to give out as holiday gifts. This year's choice is An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski. It is the true story of an 11 year old panhandler in NYC and a business executive whose chance encounter changes both of their lives. You might also want to check out Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie, the founder of TOMS shoes. In it, you will learn all about his decision to start a one-for-one company where he gives a pair of shoes to a child in need for each pair you purchase. You'll also learn why a guy named Blake started a company named TOMS.
If the reader in your life prefers e-books to the paper version, check out the cool e-reader cover by Juicy Couture in the St. Jude Hope Gift Book  http://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/shop.do?cID=13743&pID=21401 .
They also have a matching purse available and besides being stylish, all proceeds from the Hope Gift Book help fund St. Jude in the fight against pediatric cancer.

To warm those on your list from head to toe, check out these awesome ideas.
Go to http://www.krochetkids.org/ and pick out the perfect hat for that special someone. The hats are handmade by women in areas such as Uganda and Peru, which allows them to rise above poverty. I'm kind of partial to the Riley style myself. They also make the fabulous Africa Love tee that I am so fond of wearing for those of you in warmer climates. Now to warm those toes, check out these cool boots from The Hunger Site https://www.thehungersite.com/store/item.do?item=Cozy_Classics_Peace_Sign_Sweater_Boots&itemId=42800&siteId=220&sourceClass=Category&sourceId=2616
I have an older version of this boot and practically live in them in the winter. Not only do they donate a pair through Soles4Souls for each pair purchased, they also donate 50 cups of food. For the man with cold feet, check out the new styles at www.toms.com . The Movember collection not only sports a stylish moustache on the shoe, it also helps fund programs to fight men's cancers. And as always, they give a pair to a child in need for each pair purchased.

For the sport nut or green fan on your list, try the thermos hydration bottle from http://www.charitywater.org/store/ . Not only is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic water bottles, it helps fund water projects through Charity:Water. And to keep them looking cool during their workouts, check out the cool tees and hoodies there as well. You can even make a donation in their name and feel good knowing that 100% of your donation goes directly into the building of wells to end the water crisis (overhead costs are covered by sales of Charity:Water merchandise). What other charity can say 100% of your donation goes directly to the cause?

For the little ones on your list, head back over to the Hope Gift Book at www.stjude.org and check out the awesome toys such as these adorable dolls (perfect if you have a future neurosurgeon on your list like I do).
 http://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/shop.do?cID=13744&pID=21390

For the four-legged friends on your list (or those who love them), check out the cute pet accessories like these argyle doggie sweaters. https://www.thehungersite.com/store/item.do?item=Argyle_Doggie_Sweater_Vest&itemId=38700&siteId=310&sourceClass=Category&sourceId=2832
They'll keep your canine warm and toasty and each purchase supplies 28 bowls of food for rescued animals thanks to The Animal Rescue Site (part of GreaterGood Network Stores).

Finally, if you are planning on doing on-line shopping at another site but still want to give back with each purchase, there's an easy way to do it. Simply go to  www.giveback.org and sign up. Not only can you track your donations through this site, but you can earn money for your foundation (which you then give to the charity or charities of your choice) by simply clicking on the Shop & Earn link to shop at retailers like Nordstroms, Petco or B&N.com.

Here's hoping you have an excellent holiday season and got some good gift ideas from this blog. If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to add them in the comments below. And since this is the list of gifts I will be giving this season, allow me to apologize to those on my list for spoiling the surprise. Ashley, at least I'm not giving you a goat again this year.

Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Happy/Merry (insert your holiday here) to you all!

Pax,
Pixie

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 31 The end of the drive.

For my last book of my Better World Books August book drive, I chose Finger Lickin' Dead by Riley Adams.
It is the second in her Memphis BBQ mystery series, which is centered around Aunt Pat's Restaurant on Beale Street in Memphis and the quirky, lovable characters that congregate there.

Evelyn is back with an ex-husband which delights none of her friends. It's obvious to them that he uses her for her money and is a cheater as well. When it comes out that her boyfriend is also the troublemaking food critic who uses the pen name Eppie Currian, that's just another nail in his coffin as far as they are concerned. He has damaged businesses including Aunt Pat's with his poison pen , enraging owners, chefs and patrons. Add those disgruntled people to the jilted lovers and blackmail victims and it's easy to see why he ends up murdered. Now the hard part will be figuring out whodunit.

Lulu and the gang are so lovable that, even as a vegetarian, I find myself wanting to become a regular at Aunt Pat's. This book will leave you with a yearning for Pecan pie and the desire to tour Graceland with the Graces. There's an awesome recipe for the pie in the back of the book, but the tour is up to you. If you love cozy mysteries with a restaurant setting or miss the Southern Sisters Mystery series as much as I do, this is a must read. Grab your copy at http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ and your purchase will also help fund literacy programs and put a book in the hand of someone in need.

As I stated, this is the last day of my August book drive. It all started in July when I decided to read as many books as I could in a month, blog about them and then donate them all to Better World Books. The total was 30 books read, but with the wonderful support of my friends (especially my book club and on-line buddies) that number is now well over 100. So I'd like to thank my friends for their support, the authors for the hours of enjoyment that they have given me and the wonderful staff of Better World Books. I had actually never met anyone from Better World Books before deciding to do this. I just wanted to draw a little attention to a company whose customer service and dedication to helping others I have always admired. I'm happy to report that they are as awesome as I imagined they would be.

Although it is the end of my book drive, it is not the end of my association with Better World Books. I will continue to donate the books I read to them and encourage everyone else to do the same (look for their bright green donation bins or get a free shipping label from their website). I will also continue to support a company whose customer service is superb and whose dedication to literacy projects is remarkable by making my on-line book purchases through them.

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 30

Hot off the presses! Today's choice for my Better World Books August book drive is one which was just released today.

"The day Emily Hargraves disappeared after visiting my donut shop, I had no idea that it would be the beginning of a series of seemingly unrelated events that would ultimately lead to the death of one of my dearest friends." Thus started Tragic Toppings, the fifth of the Donut Shop Mystery series by Jessica Beck. And as anyone who reads a series knows, such a sentence leaves you nervous with anticipation to see which character is getting bumped off.

Suzanne Hart owns Donut Hearts, a small shop in April Springs, North Carolina. Suzanne's day (and the story) start off strange when a regular customer orders a donut and then seemingly vanishes.  When she joins the search for Emily, she finds her ex-husband Max seems to be missing in action as well. It turns out that they are hanging together, but that body up in the tree is hanging all by himself.
Emily begs Suzanne to find out what led someone to kill the handyman the whole town seemed to adore. Never one to back away from a friend in need, Suzanne agrees to investigate and calls in her friends Grace and George (an ex-cop) and her boyfriend Jake (a police officer) to assist her.  As they get closer to the truth, the killer zeroes in on Suzanne and her friends might not be able to save her.

Love the setting of this series as well as the characters (especially Chief Martin and Momma, who are finally going to go on a date if it kills them). And there are donut recipes in each story for you to try at home. You don't even have to get up at 1:30 in the morning to make them like Suzanne does.

All in all, a sweet series and a welcome addition for any cozy mystery lovers who love small town settings and who never met a eclair they didn't like. Read them in order (beginning with Glazed Murder) and you won't be disappointed.
Look for the Donut Shop Mystery series (and all your favorite cozy series) at http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ . Each book you purchase from them not only helps fund libraries and literacy projects- it also puts a book in the hand of someone in need through their new Book For Book program.

Better World Books August Book Drive Days 28 & 29

My love for mysteries started in childhood with a collection of Encyclopedia Brown books. Now I scour the bookstores looking for new cozy mysteries by my favorite authors. The problem is that I tend to read them the day that they come out and find myself waiting impatiently for the next in the series to come out. That's why I love it when I stumble upon a new series to add to my collection. This week I was fortunate enough to come across two new series. 

The first book was A Killing in Antiques by Mary Moody and was Sunday's choice for my Better World Books August book drive. This is the first book in the Lucy St. Elmo Antiques series. Lucy St. Elmo is heading to Brimfield, the largest outdoors antiques show in New England, to find treasures for her antique shop and reconnect with old friends and antiquing acquaintances. The trouble starts on the first day of the show when one of these friends is found murdered with a strip of lace and another friend is quickly fingered for the crime. Now Lucy is not only on a treasure hunt- she's also on the hunt for a killer. 

If you are a fan of Barbara Allan's Trash 'n' Treasures series or Jane Cleland's Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series, give Mary Moody's Lucy St. Elmo Antiques series a try.

Today's book was another first in series, The Square Root of Murder (A Professor Sophie Knowles Mystery) by Ada Madison. Sophie Knowles teaches math at Henley College in Massachusetts and tries to avoid all the politics and drama that comes with the life of a college professor. Dr. Keith Appleton seems content to add to the drama whenever he can, alienating staff and students alike. When he ends up murdered there should be no shortage of suspects, but the police zero in on Sophie's assistant Rachel, who has had more than one run in with the deceased.

Now it's up to Sophie to figure out who finally had enough of Appleton's antics and decided to silent him forever. 

Lots of great characters in the one including Sophie's boyfriend Bruce, her friend Ariana and Virgil, the police officer who keeps her in the loop. It's a great new series for anyone who has enjoyed The Periodic Table Murders series which she wrote under her name Camille Minichino. She also wrote the Minature Mystery series under the name Margaret Grace.

Check out all these series at http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ where your order ships for free and helps fund library and literacy programs. They'll even donate a book to a person in need for each book you purchase through their new Book for Book program. Why order your books anywhere else? 

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 27

Today's choice for my Better World Books August book drive was The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis.

Event planner Sophie Winston has a lot on her plate. In addition to hosting the Thanksgiving dinner for her family, she has entered a cooking contest in which she will be competing with her long-time rival and ex-husband's new girlfriend, Natasha Smith. Natasha is famous for her domestic tips (think Martha Stewart, only more irritating) and for grating on the nerves of those around her.

Things get even hairier for Sophie when she discovers a body in a dumpster. When the police find Sophie's picture and information in the man's belongings, they begin to suspect her despite her protests that she had just met him briefly. Their suspicions increase when the bodies and other weird occurrences start piling up.

Now Sophie has more house guests than she knows what to do with, an unwanted admirer, a crush on a cop and a mystery to solve before the killer strikes again.

This is one of my favorite series by one of my favorite authors, Krista Davis. Great characters, plenty of plot twists to keep you guessing and recipes and decorating tips to unleash the domestic diva in all of us. You can pick up all of the books in the Domestic Diva series at  http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ . Not only will you get an enjoyable series, your purchase will help fund library and literacy projects and Better World Books will give a book to a person in need for each book you purchase.

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 26

Today's book was another by Roz Bailey, Party Girls. Zoey McGuire, a novelist, leaves Connecticut and a cheating husband to return to New York City in hopes of curing her broken heart and writer's block. On hand to help her are her dear friends Jade, a realtor, and Marielle (Mouse), a frustrated actress whose only steady gig is as a waitress.

Zoey and Marielle are faced with rejection after rejection and become increasing frustrated over their chosen careers while Jade starts thinking that true love might be better than mindless flings.
As the trio club-hop and bond over mixed drinks and failed relationships, they learn a lot about themselves and what it takes to make it in the big city and in love.

If you're thinking a trio of women in New York City sounds like Sex in The City, you're right. But if you didn't blush at Samantha's steamy escapades and enjoy chick lit, this book is for you. Grab your copy at http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ where each book you purchase helps fund library and literacy projects and places a book in the hands of someone in need.

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 26

Today's book was another by Roz Bailey, Party Girls. Zoey McGuire, a novelist, leaves Connecticut and a cheating husband to return to New York City in hopes of curing her broken heart and writer's block. On hand to help her are her dear friends Jade, a realtor, and Marielle (Mouse), a frustrated actress whose only steady gig is as a waitress.

Zoey and Marielle are faced with rejection after rejection and become increasing frustrated over their chosen careers while Jade starts thinking that true love might be better than mindless flings.
As the trio club-hop and bond over mixed drinks and failed relationships, they learn a lot about themselves and what it takes to make it in the big city and in love.

If you're thinking a trio of women in New York City sounds like Sex in The City, you're right. But if you didn't blush at Samantha's steamy escapades and enjoy chick lit, this book is for you. Grab your copy at http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ where each book you purchase helps fund library and literacy projects and places a book in the hands of someone in need.

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 25

After Reading Lolita in Tehran, I needed something very light- a book you could just enjoy and not have to think about. I settled on Retail Therapy by Roz Bailey.

Alana and Hailey are roommates, best friends and shopping addicts. They share a size 6 wardrobe and a love for the finer things in life. Unfortunately, they also share an inability to budget their money- preferring Coco Chanel to Suze Orman. When Alana's father cuts her off from the family fortune and Hailey's acting career proves dicey, their shopping sprees are put in serious jeopardy. It's a long road to fiscal responsibility, but these girls make the trip enjoyable to watch.  The other characters such as daytime diva Deanna and the extremely hot Xavier add much to the story.

If you liked Sophia Kinsella's Shopaholic series and Sex in the City, this book is for you. And if you're into getting more for your money, buy it from http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ where the shipping is free and each purchase helps library and literacy programs. They'll even throw in a book for someone in need for each book you purchase. Now that's a deal!

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 23 and 24

"It is amazing how, when all possibilities seem to be taken away from you, the minutest opening can become a great freedom." 
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi


Reading Lolita in Tehran is the story of a teacher (Azar Nafisi) who met with a group of female students every Thursday morning for two years to discuss books. This does not sound extraordinary to most people. Many of us are in book groups of our own and find nothing earth shattering about the concept of reading books and then discussing them with others. However, this group was different. They met in the Islamic Republic of Iran, where censoring was the norm and the morality guards sought out the smallest deviation from Islamic law. Women are forced to wear veils, conform to nonsensical and prejudicial laws and treated as mere property. 


Azar shows them a world foreign to them, a world where discussion and having your own opinions are celebrated, not subject to punishment. And in doing so, she reminds us who do not live under such restrictions how fortunate we truly are. Through their discussions on Nabokov and Austen, we catch glimpses of who these women truly are, without the veils and cautious behavior they display when in public. We get a first hand account of the revolution that closed the universities and saw anyone who dared speak out imprisoned or murdered. We saw the irony of a blind censor and a morality guard whose actions were anything but moral. 


This book left me not only for a great respect for these women, who rebelled against the laws in both minor and not so minor ways, but also with a desire to read (or re-read) all the books mentioned. Not merely because I feel that I might get new insights out of these books after reading this story, but because I am free to do so- without fear.

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 22

Today's book is Ink Flamingos by Karen E. Olson. Dee Carmichael, lead singer of the Flamingos in found in a hotel room, newly inked and dead as the proverbial doornail. Brett Kavanaugh, owner of the posh Painted Lady tattoo shop in Vegas, becomes a person of interest because someone matching her description was seen leaving the scene.

 Things look even worse for Brett when it's discovered that she had done Dee's other tattoos and a blog springs up crediting Brett with the last tattoo as well. It seems that someone is impersonating Brett on-line as well in real life.  And it's up to Brett to figure out who it is before she ends up being framed for murder.

Although I don't have any tattoos because of a medical condition (chickenitis), I love reading this series. I grabbed the first one because it took place in Vegas and I thought the title (The Missing Ink) was clever. The characters, from Brett's brother (and police officer) Tim to the small in stature but larger than life Bitsy keep me coming back for more. Ink Flamingos had plenty of twists and leaves the reader, as well as Brett, wondering if someone she considered a friend is out to destroy her.

The entire Tattoo Shop series (The Missing Ink, Pretty in Ink, Driven to Ink and Ink Flamingos) can be purchased at http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ . Not only will your purchase help fund library and literacy projects, but Better World Books will donate a book for each one sold through their new Book For Book program.

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 21

Today's book choice for my Better World Books August book drive is Killer Crab Cakes by Livia J. Washburn.

Phyllis Newsome agrees to watch over her cousin's bed and breakfast for a few weeks. It sounds like a great opportunity all around- she gets a vacation with her friends and the inn is conveniently located near Rockport, home of the Just Desserts competition.

But things get off to a rocky start when Phyllis and Sam come across a dead body. Phyllis is determined to stay out of the investigation and enjoy her vacation, but a second death and the threat it brings to the future of her cousin's bed and breakfast leaves her no choice but to play detective.

Lots of great characters and a mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. This is the fifth in the series, all of which can be purchased at http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ where each purchase helps fund libraries and literacy projects and guarantees that a book will be donated to a person in need.

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 20

"In the end, goodness triumphs over the bad. It is our challenge to do good and to serve others without waiting for the good to be returned. I'm convinced that those people who cultivate universal love will have good fortune on earth. In serving others, I have found light in a place of utmost darkness."
- Honorata in The Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz

There are a few books that you are not satisfied merely reading. These books touch you so deeply that you end up with a profound need to share them with others. The Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz is one of those books. So although I had read this book once before for a book club, I felt the need to re-read (and then donate) it for my Better World Books August book drive so that another could find the inspiration in it that I did.

The blue sweater that gave this book its title was a gift to the author from her uncle. She cherished this sweater for many years and then donated it. It was not until several years later when she spotted  her sweater, the sweater she had donated in Virginia, being worn by a young boy in Rwanda that she realized how interconnected we all are.

Jacqueline Novogratz ended up leaving a position with Chase Manhattan Bank to work in Africa with a non-profit organization specializing in microfinancing. She tells of the struggles of being seen as an insider and even resented by the very people she wanted to help. She learned through this experience to rethink her role. She was not to be a savior to these people. She was to be a partner, someone who would receive from the people and experiences as well as giving. There were obstacles along the way- the role of women there and the restrictions that placed on them as well as the uncertainty they felt with anything that would upset the status quo. Change was not welcome, especially by those who wanted to hold on to the past and traditions that held women in a subservient role. There was also corruption, dishonesty and a lack of accountability that had to be tackled before real change could be made. But change did come to the group through the successes these women had, including  running a bakery and changes in Rwanda's Family Code.

This is not a tale of all happy endings though. For each victory, you will find tragedy and heartbreak. The  genocide that left the country torn apart and 800,000 people murdered also tore apart the women of the bakery, who found themselves on different sides and in different roles of the violence. Death, whether through disease or violence, is also a common visitor on these pages. But hope is also present as is determination, both in the lenders and workers who travel to these lands and those who live there and unrelentingly strive for a better future. As we read of the various projects the Acumen Fund is involved in and the entrepreneurs whose imagination and determination know no bounds, we realize that we have not come to the end of the book, but the beginning of a story that will continue for many generations to come.

This book can be purchased at http://www.betterworldbooks.com/. I recommend you buy a couple of copies because once you read it, you will want to share it with others. And every book you purchase through them not only helps them fund library and literacy projects, it also ensures that a book will be given to someone in need. If you are interested in discussing this book and live in the Atlanta area, please check out the August 25th book club event put on by Better World Books and Atlanta for Acumen. You can find all the details here http://community.acumenfund.org/group/atlantaforacumen/forum/topics/join-us-the-blue-sweater-book-party-at-park-tavern-thursday-8-25

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 19

Today's book is One World by Peter Singer.  Peter Singer is a philosopher and Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University. He is well known for his often controversial stances on many topics, and this book is no different. One World deals with such topics as global warming, military intervention, the World Trade Organization and foreign aid. He shines a critical light on the idea of independent nation-states and shows why we need to think of ourselves as citizens of the world at large, interdependent and interconnected with other nations. He brings to light how actions on our part (such as buying certain items) may have consequences we never considered (such as funding warlords).

Although you may not agree with all his viewpoints, his way of taking subject matter (such as global warming) and making it entertaining (think hair clog in a drain) allows him to get his point across in a way that is accessible and far from boring. And his stories will make you think (Bob and the Bugatti come to mind), whether you end up sharing his conclusions or not.

I also suggest The Life You Can Save, my personal favorite of Singer's books. You can order both at http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ and help support library and literacy projects with your order. Better World Books will even donate a book for a person in need with each book you order. That's just the kind of awesome people they are.

Better World Books August Book Drive Days 17 and 18

"My son was six months old, and I was holding him in the middle of the night reading an article by Nicholas Kristof about Darfur. The column described a young boy who had been killed because of his ethnicity, and looking down at my child, I realized that this was not acceptable, that it was not right that my son should be 'safe' while another boy was not."
Leslie Thomas, an upstander profiled in The Enough Moment by John Prendergast and Don Cheadle

That really just sums up my feelings perfectly. Why should my child be safe while another child suffers? Why should we think that a child's life is somehow less precious because of their location? When will we all  take "what if that was my child?" one step further and say "that IS someone's child and this is not okay!"

I decided to join two days into one blog post as the books I read yesterday and today were not only by the same authors, but dealt with the same topic. Yesterday's book was Not on Our Watch : The Mission to End Genocide in Darfur and Beyond and today's choice was The Enough Moment: Fighting to End Africa's Worst Human Rights Crimes. Both books are written by John Prendergast and Don Cheadle and both are hard reads emotionally, but will leave you not only inspired, but determined to say "enough" yourself to the continuing crimes against humanity in Darfur.

Darfur is a region in western Sudan which has been under attack since 2003 by the Jangaweed, armed and supported by the Sudanese government. That's right. The Sudanese government is committing atrocities on its own people and the world powers have been woefully slow to act. In an area the size of Texas, an estimated 300,000 people were murdered by the Sudanese government in a span of two years and almost 3 million people have been displaced from their homes as a result. They have nothing but scorched land, poisoned wells and dead bodies to go back to. And although these crimes were first labeled a genocide in 2004, it still continues today.

You will read about babies being bayoneted or set on fire in front of their mothers,  those mothers then killed themselves or repeatedly raped and then left to die. Men and children being systematically lined up and murdered and the few survivors fleeing for their lives with the memory of seeing their family slaughtered and their home destroyed. As I said, these are not easy reads, but they are necessary ones.

But you will also read about those who have escaped, vowing to make a difference and trying to save as many of their fellow Darfurians as they can. You will read about brave souls standing up to the Sudanese government and shedding light on their crimes and you will read about people from the rest of the world that decided "Never Again" and "Not on My Watch"  meant just that. People from all walks of life and all ages, coming together to stand with the people of Darfur and becoming upstanders rather than bystanders.

Some of the names of these people will be familiar to you. Names like George Clooney, Madeleine Albright, Angelina Jolie, Big Kenny, who have used their celebrity status or position of power to get the word out, raise money for relief efforts, and press world leaders to do something. Others have names you might not recognize (such as Awatef Isaac and Reverend Mike Slaughter),  but their stories are ones that you will never forget.

And both books have way after way for you to get involved and plenty of tips on how to be the most effective in your fight for human rights. To learn more about the crisis in Darfur, I  suggest you check out http://www.savedarfur.org/ and http://www.enoughproject.org/ . These sites also have ways that you can help and inspiring stories of people who have made a difference and continue to do so.

And you can start being an upstander simply by purchasing your books from http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ . Each purchase not only helps fund library and literacy projects (including some in Africa), but they also donate a book for each book purchased from their website.

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 16

"We work on ourselves, then, in order to help others. And we help others as a vehicle for working on ourselves."
"It's just something to behold; it's as if you're in the presence of little miracles. To see another person feel the beauty of life. To see their pain transformed. To see an anguished face begin to soften. I never had been touched like this before."
- How Can I Help? by Ram Dass and Paul Gorman

Today's book, How Can I Help? , is a collection of stories and thoughts on service. The stories themselves range from the heartbreaking to the heartwarming, but they will all leave you enriched and enlightened. They tell the tale of  how an elderly man disarms a man and prevents a potentially violent situation with nothing but his words and his compassion for a man he never met before. You'll learn of the unlikely friendship between an elderly lady and a violent ex-con, who saw in each other what no one else could. You'll see the caretakers of the elderly, the mentally ill, children who burned or suffering from cancer and discover how the "helpers" are changed just as much (if not more) than the "helped".

Often used in social work classes, it is actually a valuable guide for anyone who wants inspiration and insight into helping others. It also delves into the reasons we are compelled to help others and how we receive when we give.

And if you purchase this book from http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ , you'll be helping because for each book you purchase from them, they give a book to a person in need.

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 15

A few days ago I chose the book Give a Little, which shows how small donations from the average Joe can create huge change in the world. Today's book Philanthrocapitalism : How Giving Can Save the World by Matthew Bishop and Michael Green focuses on the other side of philanthropy, the mega-rich and famous who are changing the face of charity among the elite.

Warren Buffet and Bill and Melinda Gates made headlines when they announced that they would not be following the norm and leaving their vast fortunes to their children. As Warren Buffet explained he would leave his children just enough so that they can do anything, but not so much that they could do nothing.  He handed over a letter promising $31 billion of his fortune to a man who had himself pledged to donate the vast majority of his fortune, Bill Gates.  Bill Gates had just announced that he would be stepping down from his position at Microsoft to devote himself to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation was started to tackle social and health issues ranging from schools in the United States to eradicating malaria and AIDS.

Bill Gates was not the only one to leave his job at Microsoft with a desire to do something bigger. John Wood  quit in 1999 to start Room to Read, an organization devoted to putting libraries and schools in the developing world. This book has plenty of other examples of businessmen who have taken their business sense (and in many cases their fortunes) and entered into a new era of philanthropy. Not happy with merely writing a check to a charity, this new breed seeks to take a far more active role in the work of the charity and even use their knowledge to make sure their money does as much good as possible.

Do not feel that this book is only for the ultra rich who are looking to leave their fortunes to charitable causes. This is a fascinating read for anyone who is interested in seeing the new way capitalists are making their philanthropic donations go further and how they are making the charities themselves more efficient. It also shows great examples of how for-profit companies are finding innovative ways to make a difference such as Google.org or how various retailers such as Converse, Gap and Apple teamed up with Bono to fight AIDS.

You can purchase Philanthrocapitalism: How Giving Can Change the World at http://www.betterworldbooks.com/  and start changing the world immediately. Better World Books has not only given over $10 million in funds to libraries and literacy programs, but now they are also giving a book to a person in need for each book purchased.

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 14

Today's book was Lost and Fondue, the second in the Cheese Shop Mystery series by Avery Aames. Her first in the series Long Quiche Goodbye was a bestseller and won her an Agatha for Best First Novel in 2010. This one shows no less promise.

Charlotte Bessette, owner of The Cheese Shop, agrees to cater her friend Meredith's fundraiser to turn an old winery that is rumored to hold buried treasure into a college. During a scavenger hunt at the event, Charlotte discovers not buried treasure, but a body. When Meredith's niece, Quinn, is arrested for the crime, Charlotte turns from caterer to crime solver for her friend. But as she begins to unravel the mystery, the killer may decide to silence her forever.

There are plenty of probable suspects in this story- from the art students and treasure hunters to Charlotte's cousin Matthew's ex-wife who has mysteriously decided to reappear after abandoning him and their twin daughters. Does she really want to reconcile, is she hunting for treasure, or is she there for a more sinister purpose, like murder?

I really love the way Avery Aames describes a scene. The descriptions of the cheeses leave my mouth watering. Her theatrical grandparents are adorable and the Poe references were most appreciated by this lover of his work. The ending had me tearing through the pages to the end and then wishing that the next in the series, Clobbered by Camembert, was already out.

While this book will keep you guessing until the end, there's no mystery to funding literacy. Buy this book from http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ and your purchase will help fund libraries and literacy programs. And don't forget to donate your books to them as well. Purchases and donations have meant almost 10 million dollars in funding so far.

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 13

Sheriff Buck Peterson: "I don't know why you're so riled up, May. I'm not accusing Skye of nothing."
May: "Right. And I'm not saying if brains were water, you wouldn't have enough to baptize a flea."
Denise Swanson- Murder of a Real Bad Boy

Today's choice for my book to read and then donate to Better World Books was another in the Scumble River Mystery Series by Denise Swanson. Along with the witty dialogue I have come to expect from her books, this one held my interest with some clever side stories as well as some intriguing new characters.

In Murder of a Real Bad Boy, Skye Denison soon discovers that while the contractor she hired is easy on the eyes, he is definitely hard on the bank account. The little work that is actually getting done on the house she inherited is subpar to say the least. She realizes that she is not the only one displeased with Beau Hamilton when she arrives home and finds that he has been murdered. And as an unhappy home owner, Skye looks like a prime suspect to Sheriff Buck Peterson.

In between finding her lost cat, exploring her feelings for Wally, and finding out what secret her brother is keeping, Skye needs to figure out who really killed the all-thumbs contractor. But her meddling may end up getting her killed.

This is one of my favorites in the Scumble River Series. Even though I did not read them in order, you may want to start with book 1 in the series (Murder of a Small Town Honey) and go from there. All of them can be found at http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ , where each purchase and donation helps fund libraries and literacy projects.

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 12

Murder of a Wedding Belle opens with Skye Denison reluctantly agreeing to be maid of honor in her cousin Riley's wedding. She quickly regrets that decision when she finds out that her duties include being at the beck and call of Belle, a very demanding wedding planner.  Just when it looks like things can't get any worse, Belle ends up murdered a week before the wedding and Skye must pull double duty- as a wedding planner to ensure the wedding goes smoothly and as a consultant for the police department to help find the killer.

As with the others in the Scumble River Mystery series, there are plenty of laughs and no shortage of suspects. The Doziers and Simon's mother Bunny provide much entertainment and the fight between Wally and Simon for Skye's affection provides some very interesting moments as well.

I did happen to notice when I grabbed this title off my shelf that I had two other Scumble River Mysteries that I had not yet read. I have no idea how this happened, but I am looking forward to reading them this weekend and then patiently waiting  hounding Denise Swanson until the next one comes out.

You can pick up Denise Swanson's Scumble River Mystery series (including Murder of a Wedding Belle) at http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ . And if you're into the whole "circle of life" thing, donate them back to Better World Books when you're done with them. Each purchase and donation helps fund libraries and literacy projects.

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 11

For some reason I am a huge fan of the culinary cozy mysteries. You know the ones that take place in a bakery,  coffeehouse or restaurant and usually include some recipes in the back for you to try out on your own. I am not the only one who is confused by this. Anyone who knows that the espresso machine is the only appliance in my kitchen getting a daily workout is equally perplexed.

Having said that, I was fortunate enough to come across a new series of this type which made me downright giddy with anticipation.  Jacklyn Brady's A Sheetcake Named Desire is the first book in the A Piece of Cake Mystery series and has a playful title (which I am also a sucker for).

Rita Lucero has decided to track down her estranged husband and make him finally sign the divorce papers he has been ignoring. She arrives at Zydeco Cakes, Philippe's new bakery in New Orleans, to try and get some closure but quickly discovers that instead of a divorcee, she is now a widow.  And as if her showing up  right before her soon-to-be ex is stabbed to death wasn't suspicious enough, she has now inherited part ownership of the cake shop, making her a prime suspect to many. Her mother-in-law has complete trust in her though, insisting Rita stay on at least for a while and help her figure out who has been sabotaging the shop and who killed her son. She needs to get the shop out of financial trouble and the killer behind bars before he or she can strike again.

I loved the setting (New Orleans), the characters (Miss. Frankie and Dog Leg were my favorites) and the plot twists that kept me hanging on every word. The only downside is that I will have to wait until February 2012 when the next in the series (Cake on a Hot Tin Roof) is released to see what happens next. In the meantime, I may just surprise everyone and make Aunt Yolanda's Chocolate-Banana Coffee Cake. If it's anywhere near as good as the story, it's sure to be a hit!

Don't forget to check out http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ for this title. Remember that each purchase and donation to Better World Books helps fund libraries and literacy programs.

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 10

Judi McCoy's Till Death Do Us Bark was my book choice for today.  Professional dog walker and amateur sleuth Ellie Engleman gets a much needed break when she heads to the Hamptons with her best friend Viv to attend Viv's sister Arlene's wedding.  Even better their dogs Rudy and Twink are also invited. But a relaxing vacation is not to be. A murder means they will be holding a wake instead of a funeral and Ellie is brought into the investigation when the housekeeper's son is suspected of the crime.

The investigation turns up family drama and an epidemic of drug use among the well-to-do. Rudy and Tink (a.k.a. Mr. T) are a riot as usual and they are joined by a parrot who heard more than he should have in helping Ellie with the case.

Enjoyed the banter between the dogs and Ellie (who can hear their thoughts) and found the addition of a new mysterious man who seems to have more than a professional interest in Ellie interesting.

Check out Till Death Do Us Part and the other titles in the Dog Walker Mystery series by Judi McCoy at http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ . And don't forget to donate your books to them as well. Every purchase and donation helps fund libraries and literary projects.

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 9

Today's book is the newest in a series that I have really enjoyed- The Orchard Mystery series by Sheila Connolly. In Bitter Harvest,  her apples have been harvested And Meg Corey is looking forward to a little relaxation and spending more time with Seth Chapin. They get the opportunity to do just that when a storm leaves them stranded at Meg's house. To pass the time, they decide to clean the rooms and discover a sampler that details the tragedies of a family long ago.

Meg wants to discover what really happened to that family, but she has other problems. What first appeared as a string of bad luck now seems to be the actions of someone who has it in for Meg. After she gets locked into her own barn overnight and someone shoots out her kitchen window, Seth and Meg's orchard manager Bree decide to take matters into their own hands and set a trap before someone ends up dead.

I enjoyed that this book varied from the others in the series. There was no work to be done on the orchard, so we were able to concentrate on the relationships Meg has made since moving here and taking over the orchard. The mystery was also very different from those in the earlier books and the way the sampler tied into the rest of the story was a nice touch.

If you have not read the other books in the Orchard Mystery series, I suggest you start with One Bad Apple and read them in order. All can be found at http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ and your purchase will help fund library and literacy programs. Want to do even more to help? Donate your books to them as well (they even pay the shipping) and share your love of reading with others.

Happy reading!

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 8

Today's book was Laura Alden's Foul Play at the PTA.  Beth Kennedy has a lot on her plate- owner of a bookshop, single mother of two and secretary of the PTA. Things get even more hectic for her when she discovers Sam Helmstetter, a man who doesn't seem to have an enemy in the world, strangled in his car after a PTA meeting.  Beth finds herself involved in the investigation when her new employee, who has already been falsely accused of one crime, is being falsely accused of this one as well.

Beth Kennedy knows she needs to solve this crime to clear Yvonne's name and save her bookstore from the protesters who are putting it in jeopardy.

I loved the rapport between Beth and her best friend Marina, who helps her with the investigation when she is not busy misquoting Shakespeare or breaking out a Southern accent. I also love that this story is set right before Thanksgiving. I am a sucker for mysteries set during the holidays, especially when it is August in Georgia and I find myself longing for snow. The ending was filled with both excitement and a reminder of what family really meant.

Find your copy at http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ and help fund libraries and literacy projects with your purchase. And make your book do even more good by donating it back to Better World Books when you're done with it.

Happy reading!

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 7

Today's book was Steamed by Jessica Park and Susan Conant.  I am not giving it a rave review  because Jessica mentioned both me and my hot pink Christmas trees in the acknowledgments of one of her books (Flat-Out Love- now available in e-book and paperback formats) or because she is going to take me on a Rick Springfield cruise (call me ). I am giving it a rave review because it is a wonderful mystery, complete with hot food, a hot guy and a lot of laughs along the way.

Chloe Carter dumps her boyfriend Noah when she discovers him getting to know another woman in the biblical sense.  She decides to try an on-line dating service, using the name Gourmet-Girl and accepts a date with DinnerDude. Things seem to be looking up for Chloe- a guy who shares her love of food and a date to a nice restaurant that he is looking at investing in. Quickly, she finds DinnerDude is really a dinner dud, a pompous bore who loves nothing more than the sound of his own voice. As if things couldn't get any more awkward on a first date, he ends up murdered on the men's room floor.

Chloe ends up going to the funeral and meets the sexy chef Josh Driscoll. Finally, a man who has it all- good looks, personality and a great cook.  Too bad he also has the attention of the police department, who see him as a main suspect in the murder. Chloe is determined not to keep her new man in her kitchen and out of the slammer by clearing his name and finding the real killer.

Chloe is someone you can relate to. I mean who hasn't tried to paint stripes on their walls and ended up with a hot mess? In my defense, I thought duct tape was just as good as painter's tape.  And even though her friend Adrianna is drop dead gorgeous, she's too sweet for you to hold it against her. Josh is also instantly likable (the fact that he is hot and cooks doesn't hurt) and it is fun to see  the relationships and inner workings of a restaurant kitchen through him.

There are plenty of possible suspects in this one to keep you guessing up to the last chapters. I was certain I knew who the murderer was until the real killer was revealed.  Then I wondered how I could miss some of the clues and how soon I could get my hands on the next in the series. I suggest getting all 5 in the series from http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ at the same time because once you start in on this delightful series, you won't want to stop.

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 6

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.” Helen Keller

"A room without books is like a body without a soul." ~ Cicero

Today's book is Give a Little by Wendy Smith. I have actually read this book before, but chose to re-read it today and then send it on to Better World Books because it is the book that inspired me to undertake this project in the first place.

Give a Little corrects the common misconceptions about giving, shows what a huge impact the smallest of donations can make and gives advice on how to make sure you are getting the biggest bang for your donated buck.

I was shocked to discover that people just like me giving small donations ended up giving $229 billion dollars in 2008. After the 2004 tsunami, it was American citizens (most of whom gave gifts of less than $50), not the government or corporations that donated the most money.  We may not be Oprah or Bill Gates, but together our donations make a huge difference.  When I first read this book, that served as a huge inspiration for me. I often worried that the little I gave didn't  make much of a difference. Now I see that it is the small donations that make the biggest changes in the world. The book goes on to show examples of how small donations have cured diseases in the past (such as dimes for polio) and gives lots of inspiring stories and ideas of where your small donations can change lives now.

This book not only provided me with plenty of new ideas for giving, it also inspired me to try and find ways that I could make small changes in my everyday life. One of these changes was to try and buy from companies that give back and support causes I believe in, such as Better World Books. Donating the books I buy from them back to them so that I would be doing even more for literacy programs seemed like the next logical step.

Better World August Book Drive Day 5

"The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright."
Proverbs 21:8

Today's book choice was The Way of the Guilty by Jennifer Stanley. Cooper Lee seems to have settled into her life repairing copiers and enjoying the company of her Hope Street Church Bible study group. Things are even looking up for her in the romance department as she and Nathan are getting closer.

Things seem downright calm until the night her sister calls her, hysterical. Ashley has just a dead body in the trunk of her loaner car, a car that came from her husband's car lot. Once again Cooper and her friends from Hope Street Church take the investigation into their own hands, to clear Ashley and her husband and make sure that justice is served.

I really love this series. You can not help but fall in love with the characters, from Grammy who has a heart of gold to the wise Savannah, who leads the close-knit study group. Their concern for each other comes across through the pages and you can't help but care for them as well.

I suggest reading the first two books in this series, Stirring up Strife and Path of the Wicked before enjoying The Way of the Guilty. All three of these can be purchased at http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ .

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 4

"I'm leaving," said Peach. "I know when I'm not wanted."
"I imagine you've had plenty of opportunities to learn," said the senator.
Kurt Vonnegut- God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater

Today's selection dealt once again with family fortune and greed. Eliot Rosewater is a drunk and an eccentric. He is also the president of the Rosewater Foundation, which does not sit well with attorney Norman Mushari or Eliot's relative Fred Rosewater, who seeks to take that title for himself.

Eliot does not do himself any favors by engaging in behavior that seems at times insane- from the strange relationship with his wife, to his wild traveling and finally his philanthropic work. He does not live the life that is expected of him and it may end up costing him dearly.

There are some authors you need to read at least once and decide if they live up to the hype. Kurt Vonnegut is one of these authors. You will probably be left either never wanting to read another book he wrote or rushing to grab every other title by him. But one thing is for sure- you will never forget characters like Kilgore Trout, who has taken on a life of his own through Vonnegut's writing.

Feel like picking up a copy? Head on over to http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ . And don't forget to donate it (and any other books you read) back to Better World Books. Every purchase and donation helps fund libraries and literary projects.

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 3

"The thirst for knowledge can lead one down so many interesting byways. I've traveled many of them over the years. You might say this library has been my travel agent."

How can you not immediately fall for a character who speaks so eloquently? Those words are spoken by Mr. Delacorte to librarian Charlie Harris in the third book of my August book drive, Classified as Murder by Miranda James.

In the second of the Cat in the Stacks Mystery series (following Murder Past Due), Mr. Delacorte hires Charlie to do an inventory of his rare books, fearing that some of them have been stolen. Shortly after Charlie starts on this project, Mr. Delacorte is found dead, the victim of foul play. With a houseful of greedy relatives, there is no shortage of suspects. When it is discovered that a copy of Poe's Tamerlane is missing and another murder occurs, Charlie and his feline sidekick Diesel race to solve the case before the murderer strikes again.

There is more than enough family secrets and drama in this book, both between the Delacorte family and Charlie and his son, Sean, who shows up without warning at his door. Watching Charlie work through the lies and backbiting to unravel the truth leaves you guessing until the end- which is what a good mystery should do.

 Help fund literacy programs by buying your copy from http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ and don't forget to donate your books to them when you're done reading them.

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 2

 Today's choice was 2030 by Albert Brooks, a story of America in the year 2030 where the life expectancy is growing as is the deficit.

You would think that a cure for cancer would be a good thing. That is until you consider all the baby boomers who are refusing to roll over and die and leaving the younger generations to foot the bill. As more and more miracle drugs hit the shelves, the life expectancy continues to grow, as does the resentment of those younger generations towards the "olds".

Add to that an earthquake which destroys Los Angeles, leaving a government that is teetering on bankruptcy to try and find a way to rebuild it. The president must find a way to heal a major city leveled by a natural disaster and bring together a divided nation that is crippled by a deficit.

I was not sure I was going to enjoy this book when I read the blurb, but Hubby highly recommended it and I am glad that he did. I was hooked from the first chapter right up to the ending. Albert Brooks writing was a pleasure to read, reminding me of a cross between Carl Hiaassen and Dave Barry.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars and am happy to be donating it, along with all the other books I read this month, to Better World Books. If you are interested in reading this book, please head over to  http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ and order it from them. When you are done reading it, please consider donating it back to them. Each purchase and donation helps fund literacy programs.

Better World Books August Book Drive Day 1

"I no longer believe I can save people. I've tried, and I've failed, and while I'm sure that there are people out in the world with that particular gift, I'm not one of them. I make too much of a mess of things. But books, on the other hand: I do still believe that books can save you." Rebecca Makkai  (The Borrower)

If there were a more perfect book to start off my August book drive where I will be donating every book I read to Better World Books, I can't think of it. Not only does this book show the importance reading plays in a child's life and the escape into another world that books can offer, it shows the desire book lovers have to share that pleasure with others.

Lucy Hull is a children's librarian who finds herself being more and more drawn to a young library patron, Ian Drake. First as a mere advisor on what to read, then as a supplier of "objectionable" books his mother has banned from his reading list (everything from Roald Dahl to Harry Potter). Finally, she finds herself in the role of cohort/kidnapper when Ian decides to run away from his parents, who seem more intent on limiting their child's exposure to books and curing his possible homosexuality than in their son's happiness and well-being . The book details their travels, the people who help them and hinder them along the way and Lucy's own struggle with what the right thing to do is when you feel that returning a child to their home may do more harm than good.

Although the book does cover a lot of heavy topics, such as parents feeling that "deprogramming" their gay child is helpful, it also provides a lot of comic relief such as the quirky characters and literary tidbits that make it impossible to put down and reminds us all of the difference books can make in a life.

Kudos to Rebecca Makkai for writing a book that I not only want to read over and over again, but that I can not wait to share with everyone I know. I am happy to make it the first book in my August book drive which will be donated to Better World Books and help promote literacy programs.

If you haven't yet read this book, do so immediately. Purchase it from Better World Books
  ( www.betterworldbooks.com ) and when your done reading it, donate it back to them. Get more out of your books by promoting literacy with each purchase and donation.

Why Drop in the Ocean?

At a Save Darfur rally in Atlanta

     My blog's name Drop in the Ocean comes from a favorite quote of mine by Mother Teresa, "We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less without that missing drop."  Ever since I was given that quote at a time when I did not feel that I could ever do enough, it has been posted in my house as a constant reminder that every little bit helps. Every drop makes a little change and when enough people get inspired, great change can happen. 
     Since I have decided to devote my time to charities and causes, I have been fortunate enough to meet amazing people who are changing the ocean one drop at a time and they continue to educate, support and inspire me.  Causes that will always be close to my heart are those that deal with such immediate needs as hunger and lack of clean drinking water and standing with those who are fighting for their lives, whether it is in a refuge camp in Darfur or a pediatric cancer ward.  My support may be anything from donating a tweet to Alex's Lemonade Stand or giving blood at my local American Red Cross center to choosing to shop at companies that give back such as TOMS shoes and Better World Books. 
     Your heart may lead you to other needs and the causes or charities you support may be different. As long as you find a need and decide to put your drop in the ocean, the world will be a better place. I hope you will share with me what causes you support and how you are leaving your drop in the ocean.


Pax,
Pixie