Costco Connection - February 2011

February

buyers’ picks

FRANCE FREEMAN
Book buyers’ picks

NONFICTION

April 1865: The Month That Saved America, by Jay Winik. This April marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. What better way to mark the occasion than to read a book about the end of the War Between the States? April 1865 recounts the story of how slave owners and Jefferson Davis wanted to prolong the war even after Robert E. Lee surrendered. Not only was that month crucial to the war, it ultimately saved the entire nation. —Josh Lilly, inventory control specialist, books

Sketching, Watercolor and Pastels, from SpiceBox. Whether you remember the joy of coloring outside the lines as a child or simply want an unintimidating way to try something new, these kits are the perfect introduction to the fine arts for any adult. Each kit includes all

of the supplies you need to get started, as well as an easy-to-follow guide with full-color, step-by-step demonstrations that will help you achieve results. All of the materials can be easily stored in the box.

—Jonna Erickson, assistant book buyer

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Doodles at Breakfast, Doodles at Lunch, Doodles at Dinner and Chicken Doodle Soup, by Deborah Zemke. Doodle books are a big hit these days. More than just a regular coloring book, they allow your imagination to run free, with hints and tips to get you started. These books are great for families on the go. They have 36 tear-off placemats that can be taken to restaurants, brought on road trips or used at home for diners young and old.

—Melissa McMeekin, assistant book buyer

FICTION

The Postmistress, by Sarah Blake. February
may be the shortest month, but with the long,
gray winter days we have in the Pacific
Northwest, it often feels like the longest.
That’s why I stock up on great books to get me
through the month. If you can relate, I’d like
to suggest The Postmistress. It is a pleasure fol-
lowing the three strong-willed female charac-
ters in this novel, and the storyline is riveting
as Blake carries readers from small-town
America in 1940 to war-torn Europe.

Tick Tock, by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge. Call me predictable, but I believe that by sticking with what I know I like I’m ensuring my happiness. That means I read each new Patterson book that comes out. In this novel, Detective Michael Bennett is called upon to look into a rash of crimes. In answering the call of duty, he’s pulled away from a seaside retreat with his 10 adopted children, his grandfather and their beloved nanny. Not only does it ruin their vacation, it leaves the entire family open to attack.