Chocolate is good for your heart (in more ways than one)

Not about a book, but since I plan on selling special chocolates in the store, this posting is bookstore related. A brief article in the Washington Post Health Section today discussed a recent study that showed chocolate is good for the heart.

Now, I already knew that chocolate feeds the soul, but this study found women who consumed one or two servings each week of what is considered high-quality chocolate (contains a higher density of cocoa) had a 32 percent lower risk of developing heart failure.

Unfortunately (for people like me), the study also found that "women who treated themselves to at least one serving each day did not appear to benefit."

The message is clear - dark chocolate rules!

Washington KidsPost Summer Book Club

Top picks from the Washington Post KidsPost Summer Book Club.  Go to a local indie bookstore and pick them up!


June 23: "The Red Pyramid" by Rick Riordan. The start of a new series from the author of the hugely popular "Percy Jackson" books. Age 9 and older.

June 30: "The Summer Before" by Ann M. Martin. This "prequel" looks at the lives of the girls in "The Baby-Sitters Club" before the club formed. Age 8 and older.
 
July 7: "Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer" by John Grisham. The author of many legal thrillers your parents have probably read writes his first book for kids. Age 9 and older.
 
July 14: "Chasing Orion" by Kathryn Lasky. The author of the "Guardians of Ga'hoole" series writes a story set in Indiana in the 1950s. Age 9 and older.
 
July 21: "The Batboy" by Mike Lupica. The sports columnist is back with another sports- and family-themed novel. Age 8 and older.
 
July 28: "Finally" by Wendy Mass. A tale of a girl who just can't wait to be 12. Age 9 and older.
 
Aug. 4: "The Talent Show" by Dan Gutman. One of the most reliably funny authors for children is back with a story of kids who try to raise money to rebuild their town after a tornado strikes. Age 7 and older.
 
Aug. 11: "Closed for the Season" by Mary Downing Hahn. Maryland author Hahn, who has been writing creepy stories for kids for years, won an award for this mystery at a shuttered amusement park. Age 9 and older.

Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy

It's not the Star Wars trilogy, but this trilogy of books from Stieg Larsson has a similar effect. These books resonate so strongly with some of us that we continue talking about them long after we finished reading one and wait with great anticipation for the next one.  Patrick Anderson's review in the Washington Post today captures some of why we (I) love these books and it will be with a bittersweet feeling that I read The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.  While there may be the remnants of a book in the pages Larsson left behind when he passed away, we know that the series has an end.

without further ado...Wash Post Peeps Diorama Contest

Results of this year's Peeps diorama contest from the Washington Post Peeps Show III.

We were worried it had fallen victim to cost cutting measures, but it was back in all its glory. The creativity amazes me - the winner was Edward Hopper's Nighthawks painting.

Other favorites included Miracle on the Hudson, Peeps in Escher's "Relativity", The Peeps of Wrath and As Seen on Peeps TV (with 16 As Seen on TV products!). Enjoy!

(Snuggie, Perfect Pullup, Doggy Steps, Aqua Globes, Cash 4 Gold, Shamwow, Tempurpedic adjustable bed, book light - I think I've found 8 so far.)

What are you doing with your Peeps?

Besides being yummy, peeps spark creativity as evidenced by these creations from a Washington Post contest. View the gallery.

I love peeps. Yes, I know they're pure sugar and will rot my teeth. I don't care as long as they're stale.

If you have allergies, according to the official Marshmallow Peeps website, PEEPS® Brand Marshmallow Candies have 0 fat grams, are gluten free, and are nut free. Whew!!

And if you want to have the sweet taste of peeps with at all times, try Peeps Lip Balm, yumm...Strawberry Marshmallow Cream.