Costco Connection - March 2008

book previews

Tackling challenges in life and in the kitchen

NONFICTION Grace, Eventually, by Anne Lamott. Like Lamott’s earlier spiritual nonfiction, Traveling Mercies and Plan B, this book comprises a collection of essays, some previously published. Familiar topics are covered: her mother and son, illness, death, addictions, Jesus and Republicans. But these recent essays show a new mellowness, wisdom, decency and, espe- cially, forgiveness.

Raghavan Iyer

BILL MILES

love that cooks of all levels feel for their tools. Whether you are passionate about a gorgeous copper pot, a rice cooker or your grandmother’s well-aged, cast-iron skillet, award-winning author Simmons provides inspiration to make the best use of your cookware, along with delectable recipes to enhance the experience, using the fresh-est ingredients available.

mechanic, takes his fiancée to the West End to celebrate their engagement. He crosses the path of Spencer Craig, a barrister poised to be the youngest Queen’s Counsel of his generation. A few hours later Danny is arrested for murder and later is sentenced to 22 years in prison, thanks to Spencer’s testimony. Danny spends the next few years in a high-security prison while Spencer Craig’s career as a lawyer goes straight up. All the while Danny plans to escape and wreak his revenge.

Stop Whining, Start Doing, by Laura Schlessinger. In her inimitable style, Schlessinger shows readers how to kick-start a new life: Stop feeling sorry for yourself; stop making excuses for why you are not successful in business, relationships, even friendships; and start looking at life in a new way—one that will work for you and make you happier and more successful. Take a personal inventory and get moving!

Things Cooks Love: Implements, Ingredients, Recipes, by Marie Simmons and Sur La Table. This is the first in a series of books from trusted culinary supplier Sur La Table. It speaks to the

660 Curries, by Raghavan Iyer. Curry is Salmon with Garlic and Turmeric. Curry is Grilled Chicken with Cashew-Tomato Sauce or Baby Back Ribs with a Sweet-Sour Glaze and Vinegar Sauce. Curry is vivid flavors, seasonal ingredients, a kaleidoscope of spices and unexpected combinations. This gateway to the world of Indian cooking demystifies one of the world’s great cuisines with the help of an award-winning cooking teacher.

FICTION

A Prisoner of Birth, by Jeffrey Archer. Danny Cartwright and Spencer Craig never should have met. One evening, Danny, a garage

The Dark Tide, by Andrew Gross. It has been said that bad luck comes in threes. But for Karen Friedman’s family, bad luck is just the beginning. It starts with her husband Charlie’s investments going wrong and the sudden death of a family pet. Then one morning Charlie takes the train to work— straight into a lethal terrorist blast. For his widow, Karen, and their children, all that remains of Charlie is a shared past. Or is it? When the Friedmans begin to receive terrifying threats, Karen turns to Detective Ty Hauck for help. Determined to keep Karen’s family safe, Ty doesn’t know that people investigating Charlie’s death have a way of ending up dead themselves.—Valerie Ryan

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COUR TES Y OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES

A fight to remember

FANTASY, FROM lighthearted romance to epic darkness, is the theme of DVDs available at your local Costco this March.

Beowulf. The oldest epic in the English language, Beowulf tells the story of the mighty warrior Beowulf (Ray Winstone), who, by destroying Grendel (Crispin Glover), a half-human, half-demon terrorizing sixth-century Denmark, incurs the wrath of the beast’s ruthless mother (Angelina Jolie), who will use any means possible to ensure revenge. The ensuing battle has resonated throughout the ages.

Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium. Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman) is the awkward and insecure manager of Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, the strangest, most fantastic, most wonderful toy store in the world. But when Mr. Magorium, (Dustin Hoffman), bequeaths the store to her, a dark and ominous change begins to take over the once remarkable Emporium.

Enchanted. Characters in an animated

Beowulf battles a dragon and a myriad of other formidable opponents to ensure that his people survive.

When 9-year-old Allie Finkle finds out her parents are trading their comfortable suburban home for a spooky old Victorian, she is anything but thrilled. Now that she’s the new girl at school and all of her

friends are far away, it’s time for Allie to come up with a few rules of her own.

SCHOLASTIC/HARDCOVER Available early March

fairy-tale world enter the harsh reality of present-day Manhattan—as real people—after an evil queen uses black magic to send Giselle, a young girl, hurtling out of the animated world into the one place in the universe that the queen believes is devoid of love: New York City. Giselle must somehow survive her new surroundings and find her way home again to her true love.

I Am Legend. Will Smith stars as Robert Neville, a military scientist and lone survivor of a biochemical disease that has turned the world’s population into terrifying zom-bie-like creatures.

Also look for Walk Hard, 101 Dalmatians, The Kite Runner, No Country for Old Men, Bee Movie and many other films, as well as TV series.—T. Foster Jones