On 4 Privet Drive, Surrey, a baby was delivered to the most unmagical family that ever lived. He was famous in the wizarding world for being the only “boy who lived” after facing the most wicked wizard of all time. Harry Potter is raised by an unkind aunt and uncle who make him sleep in…
Category: New York Times bestsellers
A Wind in the Door and Hot Cocoa Cupcakes with Coffee Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Charles Wallace frequently visits the glacier rocks not far from the Murry’s house, a place where a wise old snake named Louise lives. But one day Charles Wallace finds what he believes to be a dragon’s feather. When he returns with Meg, they find a many-eyed, winged creature called a Cherubim, and a very tall,…
A Wrinkle in Time Book Discussion and French Toast Cupcakes Recipe
Synopsis: Meg is hot-tempered and awkward at school. The only person who seems to really understand her is her odd youngest brother, Charles Wallace. He is exceptionally intelligent and eloquent for his age, but then, both of their parents are brilliant physicists. His father, however, Charles Wallace has never met. Sent away on a government…
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Daniel Sempere is a ten-year-old boy whose father owns an antique bookshop in Spain. His mother died when he was young, and nothing of note had occurred in his life until his father takes him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a secret library that contains forgotten or protected stories. He is to select one…
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a children’s tale Ron grew up with, tell the story of three Deathly Hallows, a mere legend which, when combined, could cheat Death. Yet Dumbledore suspiciously left a copy of the story to Hermione in his will. Most believe it to be a fairy tale, but there are some…
“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” Book Discussion and Treacle Tart Cupcakes with Golden Lemon Frosting
Tension is already thick at the Dursleys with the addition of Harry’s new “pet,” Hedwig, but then a house elf named Dobby appears in Harry’s room with a mysterious warning, and threatens to upset Uncle Vernon with his racket on the night of a very important business dinner. At Diagon Alley, Harry not only has…
The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
Nina was just let go from her job as a librarian in the city, where they want young college grads who know more about marketing than finding the perfect book for readers, as Nina does. So she purchases a decrepit white van from man in a tiny town in Scotland, and discovers that the landscape…
“Rebecca” by Daphne du Maurier Book Discussion and Blackberry Victoria Sponge Cupcakes
“Last night I dreamed I went to Manderley again…” Rebecca is perhaps the greatest and most haunting Gothic novel, the one to which all others written since have been compared. (Image of “Manderley” created with ChatGPT) Set in the English countryside in the 1920’s, in a mansion by the sea, Maxim de Winter lives with…
“The Hobbit” Book Discussion and Raspberry Jam Lemon “Seedcakes” Poppyseed Muffins
Hobbits are the kindest, most eccentric beings in all of Middle Earth, the land of fantastic creatures and a great evil ring. Most have heard of this story, or seen the film, but have you ever given the book a try? In case you hadn’t heard, the book is always better than the movie (except…
“I Capture the Castle” Book Discussion and Cherry Hot Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith This story is unlike any other coming of age tale. Subtly humorous, set in a castle inhabited by a very poor family in the 1930s, I Capture the Castle is reminiscent of other Gothic novels in that there are two sisters living in an ancient castle in the…