Senior News---June 2012 Column

For some time now I have been writing a monthly book review column for the Senior News newspaper. The Senior News is aimed to the 50 and over crowd with news relevant to seniors regarding various issues, humor pieces, and my review column among other things. The newspaper is a giveaway at doctor offices, stores, etc. and can be received by via a paid subscription. There are multiple editions across the state of Texas and therefore there is some fluctuation in content in each area.

My column every month focuses on books of interest to the Texas audience. Therefore books selected for the column, fiction or non-fiction, are written by Texas residents, feature Texans in some way, or would have some other connection to the Texas based readership. At least two books are covered each month in the short space I am given.

Below is/was my June  column with the addition here of the relevant book covers……

Ten Healthy Teas

Valerie B. Lull

Outskirts Press

ISBN# 978-1-4327-8493-5

Paperback

42 Pages

Frequently in the media there is a news story about the health benefits of various teas. Unlike some other foods that seem to either be good for you or not based on the most recent study done by whomever, teas of various types seem to be solidly good for you. Capitalizing on the idea is author Valerie B. Lull and her small book Ten Healthy Teas recently self-published though Outskirts Press. Set up as simply as possible, the book is designed for the person who has little time but wants to enjoy various teas beyond the most obvious ones on the store shelf.

The ten covered teas are “Ginger Tea, Garlic Tea, Green/Black Tea, Chamomile Tea, Cranberry Tea, Peppermint Tea, Raspberry Tea, Goldenseal Tea, Echinacea Tea” and “Lemon Tea.” Each tea discussed has between 2 to 4 recipes for variations along with information on the tea and a black and white picture of the tea. This very informative and easy to use small book closes with a resource list featuring four books for further reading.

MEN IN THE MAKING

Bruce Machart

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

ISBN# 978-0-15-603444-9

Hardback

208 Pages

This powerfully good collection features stories, almost all set in Texas, about men at all walks of life literally doing the best they can. These are not stories of politically correct men worrying about their 401ks and their place in the family. These are real guys who do the work that many never notice and take for granted. There is an air of tragedy, dreams unfulfilled, about these characters as they go about their daily lives.  These ten stories are emotional powerhouses that are not easy reading by any means. 

The result is an intense and often emotionally draining work that makes you think long after the book is closed. These are characters that resonate within and will touch you in many different ways.  Ultimately they are the unsung men who walk among us all, heavy with burdens, doing the best that they can day in day out.

Kevin R. Tipple © 2012