Recipes for the Good Life by Patti Labelle
Simon & Schuster/Foundary/KHP, $25
'Tis the season to be cooking. And no one prepares a meal quite like Ms. Patti Labelle. She has two best-selling cookbooks -- one down-home, one for healthy eating. This one is a blend of both. This book is for those who want to live the good life. (Many of the recipes feature Patti's new line of pepper and hot sauces).

Simon & Schuster

The Soloist by Steve Lopez
Penguin, $15.00
The movie, starring Jamie Foxx, doesn't come out until March. So you have plenty of time to read the book that inspired it. Re-released in paperback, this is a tale of a man, a classically trained violist, who attended Julliard and somehow ended up homeless on the streets of Los Angeles.

Penguin Books

Left To Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza
Hay House, $14.95
Never again? Well, it happened and is still happening. This woman experienced the genocide of her people in Rwanda. This is her first-person account. But in the midst of the surrounding evil, she was able to find and discover God. This book is both depressing and inspirational.

Hay House

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
Penguin Group, $14
This run-away best seller just came out in paperback. This is the journey of a fat, nerdy, Dominican boy, who has shades of the main character in Wally Lamb's 'She's Come Undone.' The style, with its lack of quote marks and sudden breaks into Spanish, may take a minute to adjust to, but this is a wondrous, intimate peek into the culture and history of the Dominican Republic. It also won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2008.

Penguin

Barack (Nonfiction-Children's) by Jonah Winter
Harper Collins, $17.99
Today when a black child says that he or she wants to be president of the United States, this is now a very real possibility. This book is a slice of history -- it's the story of a little boy who wanted to be president who grew up to realize that dream. And his name is Barack.

Collins

Flat Belly Diet! By Liz Vaccariello and Cynthia Sass
Rodale, $25.95
Okay, Thanksgiving is right around the corner, so get this book early. You can either start on your diet early so that the damage done by Thanksgiving won't be so bad, or wait until after the damage is done. As this book says, a flat belly is about food, not about crunches.

Rodale Press

The Ten Roads To Riches by Ken Fisher and Lara Hoffmans
Fisher Investments, $24.95
Recession? Depression? Or opportunity? With the economy in the toilet, now is the time to get some inspiration and make a plan for success during these tough times. So here are ten different paths, and how these people made their millions and billions in very different ways. Maybe one road will be one you can travel.

Fisher Investments

Midnight (Fiction) by Sister Souljah
Atria, $26.95
This is not, I repeat not a sequel or prequel to 'The Coldest Winter Ever' -- at least not in the traditional picking-up-where-we-left-off kind of way. In fact, if you're looking for a book that's even similar, you might be disappointed. But if you have a son or a nephew or a young brother, I urge you to get this book for him as a gift. The main character, Midnight, is an example of what a young man should be -- having a profound love of his mother, respect for the women around him, and respect for self. Now he's not without flaws and drama, but this novel was a refreshing surprise from the "gangster love-story" tag that it bears. Warning: It's 500-plus pages.

Atria

A Fridge
Regardless of whether you have a wonderful sized meal plan, your fridge may come in handy with leftovers or when you feel like stocking it with bottled drinks.

Computer
The convenience of a computer is essential when sending your kids off to college. Forget the hike to the computer lab across campus students need a computer in the comfort of their room. A printer comes in handy as well. Depending on whether your child plans to carry his laptop around campus, you might opt for a desk top since they're lighter on the pockets.

Snacks
You will surely survive with off of a meal plan but it doesn't hurt to stock up on snacks when you don't feel like leaving your dorm room. Bottled water, pop corn, cereal and Ramen noodles are all low budget snacks to stock up on. Just be weary of the freshman 15.

Things from home
Some college students suffer from homesickness the first year. It's best to surround yourself with things like photos of the family, pillows or even stuffed animals. Anything that reminds your child of home.

MP3 Player
With all the stress that comes from school and exams, sometimes it's nice to block out the chaos in your life and even your roommate with music. It's nearly impossible to find students walking to class who aren't jamming to tunes.

Budget
Students who enter college often come in at the ripening age of 18. A great time for credit cards. Parents beware, your child may end up ruining their credit at a young age

Alarm Clock
When you're in college you don't have the luxury of getting awaken by your parents. It's now your responsibility to get to class on time so alarm clocks are a must. But keep your roommate in mind. You shouldn't wake him up ever morning with a blow horn alarm.

Cleaning supplies
Now you don't necessarily need to bring in the rubber gloves, mop and gas mask but it doesn't hurt to bring along Clorox all purpose wipes for spills or dust. Vacuums and brooms come in handy too depending if you have a carpeted dorm.

Bedding
What most parents aren't aware of is that most college beds are twin sized but extra long and require special sheets. When shopping keep your eye open for sheets that clearly state 'extra long' or else your child may come up short.

Shower shoes
You really don't know what some people do in the shower these days. College showers are known to be creeping with germs so spare yourself the fungus and purchase flip flops for the shower. You'll thank us later!

Make It Plain: Standing Up And Speaking Out (Nonfiction) by Vernon Jordan
Public Affairs, $24.95
Barack Obama may not have made it to where he is in today without men and women like MLK, Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou Hamer, Medgar Evers and Vernon Jordan. They paved the way. Jordan, as president and CEO of the Urban League, executive director of the United Negro College Fund, and a major player in Washington, DC politics, has a special vantage point on the rise and success of blacks in this nation. His book gives some valuable insight.

Public Affairs

Jurassic Park (Fiction) by Michael Crichton
Ballantine, $7.99
We all may have seen the movie, but the book is a masterpiece. It's one in a long line of fanciful thrillers from a man who was a doctor by trade, but a classic storyteller in his soul. Michael Crichton died suddenly last week, losing a battle with cancer, but through his books -- like this one, 'Andromeda Strain,' 'Rising Sun,' 'Lost World,' 'Congo,' 'State of Fear,' et. al -- he remains very much alive.

Ballantine

Midnight (Fiction) by Sister Souljah
Atria, $26.95
This is not, I repeat not a sequel or prequel to 'The Coldest Winter Ever' -- at least not in the traditional picking-up-where-we-left-off kind of way. In fact, if you're looking for a book that's even similar, you might be disappointed. But if you have a son or a nephew or a young brother, I urge you to get this book for him as a gift. The main character, Midnight, is an example of what a young man should be -- having a profound love of his mother, respect for the women around him, and respect for self. Now he's not without flaws and drama, but this novel was a refreshing surprise from the "gangster love-story" tag that it bears. Warning: It's 500-plus pages.

Atria

Get Real, Get Rich (Nonfiction) by Farrah Gray
Penguin/Dutton, $24.95
This book should have sold millions of copies. The author comes from the ghettos on the South Side of Chicago to earn his first million by age fourteen and was the youngest person to have an office on Wall Street. He's only in his twenties, but Farrah Gray gives advice that can benefit us all. His message: You can do anything you put your mind to doing. And he gives some practical steps to getting rich, too.

Penguin/Dutton

The Way I Am (Nonfiction) by Eminem
Dutton, $40
He hasn't been rapping much, but Eminem hasn't gone anywhere. He's always been profound and never afraid to let it all hang out. And he keeps true to himself in this book in which he talks openly and honestly about his life-from his abusive upbringing to his volatile relationship with Kim. It's raw. It's gritty. It's Eminem. And for fans that can't get enough of this rapper, there are 250 photos in this book (and his mother will release her own memoir next month).

Dutton

Sugar Plum Ballerinas: Plum Fantastic by Whoopi Goldberg
Hyperion, $4.99
We always have to have a book for the kids. And this one is not just reasonably priced, it's wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated. Whoopi Goldberg isn't known for children's books, but she delivers in this genre with aplomb (pun intended).

Hyperion

The Black Rose (Fiction) by Tananarive Due
One World/Ballantine, $16
Since we're celebrating "firsts," let's give homage to America's first black millionaire as well as the first self-made female millionaire in the U.S., Madame CJ Walker. This is fiction based on history and Due does a wonderful job painting the picture of this colorful woman's life-using transcripts, letters and other factual documents. This is a hard book to find, but it's well worth the search.

One World/Ballantine

A Fridge
Regardless of whether you have a wonderful sized meal plan, your fridge may come in handy with leftovers or when you feel like stocking it with bottled drinks.

Computer
The convenience of a computer is essential when sending your kids off to college. Forget the hike to the computer lab across campus students need a computer in the comfort of their room. A printer comes in handy as well. Depending on whether your child plans to carry his laptop around campus, you might opt for a desk top since they're lighter on the pockets.

Snacks
You will surely survive with off of a meal plan but it doesn't hurt to stock up on snacks when you don't feel like leaving your dorm room. Bottled water, pop corn, cereal and Ramen noodles are all low budget snacks to stock up on. Just be weary of the freshman 15.

Things from home
Some college students suffer from homesickness the first year. It's best to surround yourself with things like photos of the family, pillows or even stuffed animals. Anything that reminds your child of home.

MP3 Player
With all the stress that comes from school and exams, sometimes it's nice to block out the chaos in your life and even your roommate with music. It's nearly impossible to find students walking to class who aren't jamming to tunes.

Budget
Students who enter college often come in at the ripening age of 18. A great time for credit cards. Parents beware, your child may end up ruining their credit at a young age

Alarm Clock
When you're in college you don't have the luxury of getting awaken by your parents. It's now your responsibility to get to class on time so alarm clocks are a must. But keep your roommate in mind. You shouldn't wake him up ever morning with a blow horn alarm.

Cleaning supplies
Now you don't necessarily need to bring in the rubber gloves, mop and gas mask but it doesn't hurt to bring along Clorox all purpose wipes for spills or dust. Vacuums and brooms come in handy too depending if you have a carpeted dorm.

Bedding
What most parents aren't aware of is that most college beds are twin sized but extra long and require special sheets. When shopping keep your eye open for sheets that clearly state 'extra long' or else your child may come up short.

Shower shoes
You really don't know what some people do in the shower these days. College showers are known to be creeping with germs so spare yourself the fungus and purchase flip flops for the shower. You'll thank us later!

Pam Grier
THE ARENA, Pam Grier, 1974. Well before Gladiator sandals became a trend, Pam Grier knew how to make the look work for her in the film The Arena.

Everett Collection

Sarah Jessica Parker
If the ladies of 'Sex in the City taught us anything about life, it would have to be that it's all about the SHOES! Sarah Jessica Parker donned some sexy gold gladiator inspired heels in this scene of 'Sex & the City', the movie.

James Devaney, WireImage.com

Sarah Jessica Parker

James Devaney, WireImage.com

Liya Kibede
Model Liya Kebede is shown wearing a sexy pair of satin styled gladiator shoes at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival in NYC.

Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images for Chanel

Liya Kibede

Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images for Chanel

Lauren London
Rising star Lauren London was looking lovely at the 2008 BET Awards sporting leather gladiator heels.

Maury Phillips, WireImage.com

Lauren London

Maury Phillips, WireImage.com

Lucy Liu
Actress Lucy Lui showed off her legs and a pair of metallic gladiator sandals at the premier of Kung Fu Panda in Hollywood, California.

Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images

Lucy Liu

Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images

Mariah Carey
Mariah kept it young and spunky with white laced heels in Tokyo.

Koichi Kamoshida, Getty Images

Apple Cider Vinegar
After shampooing, rinse hair with a container full of 1 cup of water and 1/4 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar to help remove product residue and add shine. Rinse thoroughly. The smell should fade within 20-30 minutes.

Getty Images

Avocado
A wonderful moisturizing treatment for dry hair. Peel one firm yet ripe avocado and remove the pit. Mash thoroughly and apply to washed or unwashed hair for a moisturizing deep treatment. Rinse thoroughly.

Beer
After shampooing, take warm flat beer and pour through the hair. Rinse thoroughly. The protein from the malt and hops help repair damaged hair and add body and shine.

Jupiterimages

Scrap fabric
Lost your rollers? Take an old tee-shirt or tablecloth and make new ones! Cut a few strips that 1-2 inches wide and 8 inches long. Starting in the center, roll hair in a corkscrew fashion until you reach the top of the head. Then, tie the ends to secure. Unravel in the morning to find bouncy curls!

Coconut Oil
This oil is highly recommend for dry, itchy scalp and dull hair. Warm 1/4 cup of oil and apply directly to the scalp and hair. Let sit for 30 minutes and shampoo out.

Cornstarch & Baking Soda
No time to wash your hair? Apply 1/4 cup of cornstarch to roots and brush through. Cornstarch absorbs excess oil and odor.

Hair looking a little dull? Try adding a teaspoon of baking soda to your shampoo. It will help remove product residue and add shine.

Getty Images

Egg
Add strength to your hair with an all natural protein conditioner. Mix one egg with 2 cups of conditioner. Apply to dry unwashed hair and let sit for 30 minutes. Shampoo and condition as usual.

Getty Images

Honey
Want extra shine and softness? Try adding a tablespoon of honey to your conditioner. Let penetrate for 20 minutes and rinse thoroughly for silky, smooth hair.

jupiterimages

Mayonnaise
Another strengthening treatment for weak hair. Apply 1/2 cup of mayonnaise to dry unwashed hair. Make sure to use all natural mayonnaise and rinse thoroughly.

Getty Images

Molasses
For shine and strength, try applying 1/4 cup of molasses to wet unwashed hair and shampoo out. Hair will feel strong, healthy and moisturized.

Getty Images

A Fridge
Regardless of whether you have a wonderful sized meal plan, your fridge may come in handy with leftovers or when you feel like stocking it with bottled drinks.

Computer
The convenience of a computer is essential when sending your kids off to college. Forget the hike to the computer lab across campus students need a computer in the comfort of their room. A printer comes in handy as well. Depending on whether your child plans to carry his laptop around campus, you might opt for a desk top since they're lighter on the pockets.

Snacks
You will surely survive with off of a meal plan but it doesn't hurt to stock up on snacks when you don't feel like leaving your dorm room. Bottled water, pop corn, cereal and Ramen noodles are all low budget snacks to stock up on. Just be weary of the freshman 15.

Things from home
Some college students suffer from homesickness the first year. It's best to surround yourself with things like photos of the family, pillows or even stuffed animals. Anything that reminds your child of home.

MP3 Player
With all the stress that comes from school and exams, sometimes it's nice to block out the chaos in your life and even your roommate with music. It's nearly impossible to find students walking to class who aren't jamming to tunes.

Budget
Students who enter college often come in at the ripening age of 18. A great time for credit cards. Parents beware, your child may end up ruining their credit at a young age

Alarm Clock
When you're in college you don't have the luxury of getting awaken by your parents. It's now your responsibility to get to class on time so alarm clocks are a must. But keep your roommate in mind. You shouldn't wake him up ever morning with a blow horn alarm.

Cleaning supplies
Now you don't necessarily need to bring in the rubber gloves, mop and gas mask but it doesn't hurt to bring along Clorox all purpose wipes for spills or dust. Vacuums and brooms come in handy too depending if you have a carpeted dorm.

Bedding
What most parents aren't aware of is that most college beds are twin sized but extra long and require special sheets. When shopping keep your eye open for sheets that clearly state 'extra long' or else your child may come up short.

Shower shoes
You really don't know what some people do in the shower these days. College showers are known to be creeping with germs so spare yourself the fungus and purchase flip flops for the shower. You'll thank us later!

A Fridge
Regardless of whether you have a wonderful sized meal plan, your fridge may come in handy with leftovers or when you feel like stocking it with bottled drinks.

Computer
The convenience of a computer is essential when sending your kids off to college. Forget the hike to the computer lab across campus students need a computer in the comfort of their room. A printer comes in handy as well. Depending on whether your child plans to carry his laptop around campus, you might opt for a desk top since they're lighter on the pockets.

Snacks
You will surely survive with off of a meal plan but it doesn't hurt to stock up on snacks when you don't feel like leaving your dorm room. Bottled water, pop corn, cereal and Ramen noodles are all low budget snacks to stock up on. Just be weary of the freshman 15.

Things from home
Some college students suffer from homesickness the first year. It's best to surround yourself with things like photos of the family, pillows or even stuffed animals. Anything that reminds your child of home.

MP3 Player
With all the stress that comes from school and exams, sometimes it's nice to block out the chaos in your life and even your roommate with music. It's nearly impossible to find students walking to class who aren't jamming to tunes.

Budget
Students who enter college often come in at the ripening age of 18. A great time for credit cards. Parents beware, your child may end up ruining their credit at a young age

Alarm Clock
When you're in college you don't have the luxury of getting awaken by your parents. It's now your responsibility to get to class on time so alarm clocks are a must. But keep your roommate in mind. You shouldn't wake him up ever morning with a blow horn alarm.

Cleaning supplies
Now you don't necessarily need to bring in the rubber gloves, mop and gas mask but it doesn't hurt to bring along Clorox all purpose wipes for spills or dust. Vacuums and brooms come in handy too depending if you have a carpeted dorm.

Bedding
What most parents aren't aware of is that most college beds are twin sized but extra long and require special sheets. When shopping keep your eye open for sheets that clearly state 'extra long' or else your child may come up short.

Shower shoes
You really don't know what some people do in the shower these days. College showers are known to be creeping with germs so spare yourself the fungus and purchase flip flops for the shower. You'll thank us later!