The Color Purple: A Memory Book

From a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker to a landmark film by Steven Spielberg to a soul-stirring hit Broadway musical, THE COLOR PURPLE is now a dazzling coffee table book, aptly named THE COLOR PURPLE: A MEMORY BOOK (Carol & Graf, $40). The 176-page book, richly illustrated with 200 images, offers a compelling look at the incredible journey of Walker's timeless tale, which revolves around Celie, who triumphs over obstacles to live life as her true unfettered self.

THE COLOR PURPLE: A MEMORY BOOK, with a foreword by Oprah Winfrey, a producer of the musical, is certain to be a collector's item. From the writing of the libretto to the creation of the costumes and sets to rehearsals to its Broadway premiere, THE COLOR PURPLE: A MEMORY BOOK gives readers the ultimate insider's look at the stage production. On a different subject, actress/comedienne Mo'Nique, author of the New York Times best-seller Skinny Women Are Evil, returns with an equally humorous title that is a recipe book, SKINNY COOKS CAN'T BE TRUSTED (Amistad/Harper Collins, $26.95). The actress proclaims that she is proud to bring back the days when folks didn't know what soy and tofu were, when there were no substitutes to mess up the flavor, just menus that had folks begging for the recipe. Mouthwatering recipes include fried chicken, green beans with onion, butter and bacon, and peach cobbler. In addition to the recipes, readers will find Mo'Nique's fondest food memories (like the time her mother's stuffed fish blew up in the oven, but still made it to the table), cooking tips ("When in doubt, taste it to make sure"), food strategies ("Gather everything in one place so you don't tire yourself out running around the kitchen"), and the proper wine to accompany a meal ("Baby, whatever you got in the 'fridge will do"). Complete with photographs of Mo'Nique and her recipes, SKINNY COOKS CAN'T BE TRUSTED is sure to stir up an appetite.

COPYRIGHT 2006 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning