Splat the Cat

Rob Scotton

Here at Blue Elephant, we are very fond of books about fat cats. Splat the cat is a good example of why.

The Black Book of Secrets

F. E. Higgins

I was hooked on this story from the very first line and was not disappointed until the very last line, and only then because I knew there was no more to read! This debut novel is sure to please fans of Gothic fiction and the ending leaves enough room for a sequel (I hope!)

The Stand

Stephen King

The Stand is King's finest work to date. This is the book that made me a lifelong devotee. Don't let the length dissuade you: it's well worth the time.

The Locavore's Handbook: The Busy Person's Guide to Eating Local on a Budget

Leda Meredith

This handbook is chock-full of helpful information on sourcing local food, foraging, and growing your own. I like the nifty chart of which fruits and veggies are in season at what time of year. The author explains the importance of supporting local farmers and how eating local is healthier and can be cheaper than buying from grocery stores.

Serena

Ron Rash

George and Serena Pemberton are the type of people who believe that their social and economic status afford them the right to do whatever they want with no repercussions. I did not realize how affected I was by these characters until I found myself wishing that they would finally get their comeuppance. I chose this book as one of my favorites of 2008.

The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary

Simon Winchester

Who said that writing a dictionary isn't exciting? Or dangerous? This is one of Winchester's most interesting book—and it's all true!

The Shadow of the Wind

Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Beautifully written, beautifully translated. One of the most engrossing books I have read in quite a while.