Chasing the 400 by Sheilah Vance

The oldest of ten children Vera longs to get out. She dreams about being a part of the elite 400 who live in the upper part of town.  Why should they look down on her for being the daughter of a plumber? She is just as good as them. And she knows how to flaunt that. Her goal is to make it out of the Main Line as quickly as possible and she is willing to do anything to get her ticket out.

Vera's brother Bobby hopes college will be his ticket out. HIs hard work and good grades should take him far--or so he hopes. He too dreams of a life outside the small community his family lives in.

Author Sheliah Vance describes life in the 1950s of Philadelphia of this African American family and the social system of their world. Funny, yet at times poignant, Vance pulls you into this world and persuades even the reader to want to rise above their station in life.

Dining with the Dollar Diva by Elizabeth J. Fisher

The title alone was enough to make me want to pick up this book and read. In these economic times (who am I kidding--in any economic time), saving money and cutting the grocery budget is a must do for our family. If there was any way to make divialicous meals cooking with ingredients under $1, I certainly wanted to know how.

Author Elizabeth Fisher gives great tips, techniques, and recipe ideas. She tells you where to shop, how to get a great deal, and what to do with the deals you find. In the midst of all of that, she shares some hysterical family stories, the history behind some of the recipes, and keeps you wanting to actually read a cookbook--not just cook from one.

This book is easy to use, has appetizing looking and sounding recipes (that I cannot wait to try for our family), and is a wonderful vat of knowledge on cooking on the cheap. Our family is definitely going to be creating some divalicious meals for under $1.

Thanks to the Elevator Group for my Advanced Reading Copy.