Does it seem that the world is a rude place these days? What happened to manners? From Kiwi comes this 'teen approved' book about just that subject! How Rude! The Teen Guide to Good Manners, Proper Behavior, and Not Grossing People Out (revised and updated edition) by Alex J. Packer. There is so much here! (almost 500 pages). Good manners are explained for every imaginable circumstance, along with a bit of history as to why we do something, as well as manners from other cultures. There's even a chapter for the parents of the teen reader, and, finally, a chapter on being polite to yourself. Lots of good information and humor!

According to Flo Wadlow, author of Over a Hot Stove: a Kitchen Maid's Story, shows such as Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey "got it wrong". Now, I've never watched either show, so I cannot speak to that, but this is a delightful memoir about what it was like to work in the big houses in England in the1930's. If any of you have watched these shows, give this book a try and see what is different. :-)

Reading Hermit With Dog