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Review Date: 2/3/2009
"This is a good book for parents to use along with their elementary school aged kids. It does a pretty good job of compiling a good selection of simple experiments that teach basic scientific principles. I remember I used to love it when I was in school. It taught me a lot about science. From the front: "Easy-to-do, remarkable, magical projects including -a bubble blower -a bottle barometer -your very own rainbow -invisible ink -a directional compass -a string grandfather clock -Dracula's favorite soap -rock candy -canned laughter And master the arts and skills of -the egg in the bottle trick -pulley power -an air polution test, and 353 more!""
Review Date: 2/3/2009
6 member(s) found this review helpful.
"I remember my mother getting this book when I was in pre-school, to give her some ideas of activities to do with me and my Kindergarten aged brother. It has some very imaginative ideas, which little kids are virtually guaranteed to enjoy. Of course, they'll grow out of it eventually, but in the meantime it's well worth looking at."
Review Date: 6/27/2010
"It's pretty good, but definitely not great. I saw the end coming almost since the beginning, which kinda sucks. But, I did finish it, which says something."
Review Date: 5/28/2009
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
"Small towns have long been a main source for horror fare, for logical reason, and this book is no exception. The small town of Safe Haven, Wisconsin is anything but a safe haven when a helicopter crash unleashes something terrifying on the unsuspecting residents. For anyone who has ever lived in a small, isolated, one road in and out town, this book will definitely strike a chord. From man's depravity and greed, to the will to survive unspeakable horror, this book runs the full range of human nature, and does so quite well.
This is quite a good read, though a bit graphic in the violence department. I found it to actually be a rather gripping tale. Though a sensitive person may be disturbed by the violence (think a 'Saw' movie in book form), it is otherwise a title I would strongly recommend to any horror/thriller fans out there. With believable characters, a realistic storyline (it hasn't happened in real life, but you can easily imagine that it could), and just enough terror to be haunting, it is a good read in the genre. Overall, I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. But for the genre, it ranks a solid 4/5."
This is quite a good read, though a bit graphic in the violence department. I found it to actually be a rather gripping tale. Though a sensitive person may be disturbed by the violence (think a 'Saw' movie in book form), it is otherwise a title I would strongly recommend to any horror/thriller fans out there. With believable characters, a realistic storyline (it hasn't happened in real life, but you can easily imagine that it could), and just enough terror to be haunting, it is a good read in the genre. Overall, I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. But for the genre, it ranks a solid 4/5."
Review Date: 11/24/2009
"This review is coming from someone who did NOT read the previous volumes in the series:
I picked this book up on a whim when several of my friends were reading, or wanting to read, the series. I wanted to know what it was all about, and this was the first one I found, so I figured I'd give it a try.
First of all, I had no problem figuring out what was going on. I may not know every detail, but I had no trouble following the story. So, don't think you absolutely have to start with the first book in order to read anything from this series. The book does a great job of repeating all the important details you need to know.
I found most of the characters to be every bit the stuck-up, entitled, self-absorbed, and shallow brats that the book description basically promised they'd be. The whole concept of vampire teenagers with the same extreme attitude issues as stereotypical rich human teenagers is simultaneously genius and hilarious. I particularly enjoyed the comeback Lilith was able to make to her father: "When YOU were MY age, Beethoven was rocking the charts." So, even if I was skeptical at first, I can honestly say that this was a fun book to read. I may even go on the wishlist for the previous ones so I can read them. And as for the next one? Well, I must admit, I AM curious about what happens."
I picked this book up on a whim when several of my friends were reading, or wanting to read, the series. I wanted to know what it was all about, and this was the first one I found, so I figured I'd give it a try.
First of all, I had no problem figuring out what was going on. I may not know every detail, but I had no trouble following the story. So, don't think you absolutely have to start with the first book in order to read anything from this series. The book does a great job of repeating all the important details you need to know.
I found most of the characters to be every bit the stuck-up, entitled, self-absorbed, and shallow brats that the book description basically promised they'd be. The whole concept of vampire teenagers with the same extreme attitude issues as stereotypical rich human teenagers is simultaneously genius and hilarious. I particularly enjoyed the comeback Lilith was able to make to her father: "When YOU were MY age, Beethoven was rocking the charts." So, even if I was skeptical at first, I can honestly say that this was a fun book to read. I may even go on the wishlist for the previous ones so I can read them. And as for the next one? Well, I must admit, I AM curious about what happens."
Review Date: 2/15/2013
"The edition I read was actually an online version with the same illustrations and everything. It is a rather fun book, and is certainly far deeper than the "children's book" that it is depicted to be on its surface. I wouldn't say I loved it, but it was certainly worth finally reading the book behind a story I have heard so much about. The language twists alone made it well worth it, as there is definitely a lot of creativity there."
Review Date: 9/24/2010
"This is a pretty decent young adult book. Not great, but it has a pretty good story."
Review Date: 5/20/2012
"It's more of the same, except a bit more predictable than some of the previous ones. I saw the ending coming a mile away. But, it's like crack in a book form. I can't put them down once I get into them. So, I have no choice but to give it five stars. If you've liked the series thus far, you'll like this one too. If you haven't, you probably wouldn't be on this page. So, this review probably won't mean much, but there you have it."
Review Date: 5/20/2012
"An incredible Autobiography written by the man who inspired the movie 'Hotel Rwanda'. Often sad, incredibly tragic, but also full of hope that even in the darkest of times, there are people that hold on to the basic human decency that tells them to protect their fellow human beings, not harm them. I found this book to be engrossing while simultaneously being horrifying. The author describes events during the genocide with an almost casual air at times, as though watching your neighbors hack your other neighbors apart with a machete is something you just become used to. But, there's also a undercurrent of terror there, as though even after almost becoming numb to it, it's still so terrible to remember that he tries not to. All of this is perfectly understandable. After all, it's the most basic of all human survival skills. You adjust to your situation in order to cope, and simply block out things that are too painful to remember or live with.
The wisdom present in this book is profound. You can definitely take lessons about life from someone who survived one of the worst situations imaginable. Such as when he talks about his decision to stay behind during the partial evacuation of the hotel, even though he could have gotten out, because he knew there'd be nobody left to try to protect those staying behind, and he couldn't live with himself if they were harmed or killed because he cared more about himself. Or, when they come for a man that wasn't much liked because he had just recently been released from prison for beating someone to death, and who is high on the kill list for having three sons fighting with the Tutsi rebel army, and he basically says to him "Let me go out there. Let them kill me so all of you can live." Then the author writes 'There is no crime a man can commit that makes him deserving of death.' It is a type of everyday wisdom that I suppose can only really come when you live through the kind of horror that he did, which puts everything in perspective.
Whether writing about the heroic or the horrible, the everyday or the extraordinary, perhaps the greatest thing about this book is that it's written with a great sense of humility. Paul Rusesabagina would tell you (and does, repeatedly) that he didn't do anything extraordinary. That all he and others like him did was remain human in an inhuman time, but the fact is that he doesn't truly realize how extraordinary that is. To go against the storm, to whisper 'no' when everyone else is screaming 'yes', takes a strength that is to be envied and respected. He is a hotel manager. He did his job, and he did it well. But, more than that, he's a hero, whether he realizes it or not. I don't know whether I'd have the strength to do what he did, but I can only hope that whenever a storm comes, there will always be people like him to help make sure that at least some survive it."
The wisdom present in this book is profound. You can definitely take lessons about life from someone who survived one of the worst situations imaginable. Such as when he talks about his decision to stay behind during the partial evacuation of the hotel, even though he could have gotten out, because he knew there'd be nobody left to try to protect those staying behind, and he couldn't live with himself if they were harmed or killed because he cared more about himself. Or, when they come for a man that wasn't much liked because he had just recently been released from prison for beating someone to death, and who is high on the kill list for having three sons fighting with the Tutsi rebel army, and he basically says to him "Let me go out there. Let them kill me so all of you can live." Then the author writes 'There is no crime a man can commit that makes him deserving of death.' It is a type of everyday wisdom that I suppose can only really come when you live through the kind of horror that he did, which puts everything in perspective.
Whether writing about the heroic or the horrible, the everyday or the extraordinary, perhaps the greatest thing about this book is that it's written with a great sense of humility. Paul Rusesabagina would tell you (and does, repeatedly) that he didn't do anything extraordinary. That all he and others like him did was remain human in an inhuman time, but the fact is that he doesn't truly realize how extraordinary that is. To go against the storm, to whisper 'no' when everyone else is screaming 'yes', takes a strength that is to be envied and respected. He is a hotel manager. He did his job, and he did it well. But, more than that, he's a hero, whether he realizes it or not. I don't know whether I'd have the strength to do what he did, but I can only hope that whenever a storm comes, there will always be people like him to help make sure that at least some survive it."
Review Date: 4/27/2010
"Though the ending comes way too fast, this is a fitting conclusion to the two book series. If you enjoyed 'The Bar Code Tattoo', you'll enjoy this one as well. There are many of the same characters, much of the same issues, and the same and new science. It does well concluding the story began in the first volume."
Review Date: 10/16/2009
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
"There are some inconsistences that detract slightly from the story, but overall it's a fast and enjoyable read. In a not-too-distant future, a law is enacted forcing all citizens to get a bar code tattoo on their seventeenth birthday. The bar code contains your whole identity, tracks your every move, and can either make your life better or destroy your future. Kayla Reed doesn't want the tattoo. She knows something is wrong with it. So, she's forced to run. But, how can she have a future without the tattoo?
In a world with trackable credit cards, licenses with bar codes, eye scanners, and talk about identity chips, this book is all too believable. While reading it, one can only hope that our desire for 'security' never convinces us to allow the government this extreme level of control, while being simultaneously aware that we are growing ever nearer to this point every day."
In a world with trackable credit cards, licenses with bar codes, eye scanners, and talk about identity chips, this book is all too believable. While reading it, one can only hope that our desire for 'security' never convinces us to allow the government this extreme level of control, while being simultaneously aware that we are growing ever nearer to this point every day."
Review Date: 5/20/2012
"An awesome book! Just as good as the previous volumes. I'll definitely be starting the final book in the series right away. If you enjoy the series, then you definitely need to read this one as well!"
Review Date: 4/19/2010
"It's a pretty good summer read with a fairly decent storyline. Not great, but also very easy to just sit back and relax with. Nothing violent, complicated, or sexual, it doesn't require much concentration, which makes it a good choice for many situations. Concentrating on the various events in multiple people's lives, and how those events end up bringing these complete strangers together and changing all their lives forever, it's a good read for the genre."
Because I Remember Terror, Father, I Remember You (Associated Writing Programs Award for Creative Nonfiction)
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
6
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
6
Review Date: 7/6/2010
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
"I don't even know what to say about this book. It's absolutely honest and therefore difficult to read, but also important to read. It's exactly what it says it is, so be prepared. It's also a very inspiring book for all those who wonder if healing is possible."
Review Date: 12/8/2011
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
"The story captured my interest immediately, and made me want to keep reading. It drew me in, and for once I was not able to guess the ending before it happened. Basically, a woman with amnesia, who forgets everything during the night while she sleeps, begins to keep a journal in order to piece together her life and memories without starting over every day, and the story reveals itself through these journal entries. It is a clever storytelling mechanism, and is used to great effect. There were a few parts that came across as a bit off or flat to me, but overall it was a great book."
Review Date: 4/27/2010
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
"Brave, chilling, and honest. When John Howard Griffin sets out to discover the truth about racism in the deep south in the late 50's, the results of his daring experiment would become a literary sensation around the world. As you read, you can't help but wonder what the results of such an experiment would be today. While there can be no doubt we've made great progress in the last 50 years, this book also serves as a reminder that we've still got a long way to go. A great read for today, and a great reminder of who we were as a people half a century ago. I strongly recommend it."
Review Date: 4/1/2010
"Not a great book, but is okay. Basically it's about a bunch of guys that were small town High School football stars who come together again as their legendary coach is dying. I didn't much care for it, but it was a great commentary on the 'glory days' fof High School athletes, and how seldom their stardom lasts for long, leaving them with nothing but the memories and a broken body to show for it. But, it's also a commentary on the lasting influence, whether positive or negative, a well-respected figure such as a coach can have on the young people they're around. Not a bad read, and it doesn't take long either."
Review Date: 8/5/2010
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
"This book can blow your mind. There are a lot of questions that I felt completely sure I knew the answer to, only to be completely flummoxed to find out I was wrong. You may not be interested in all the facts in this book, but I do feel there's quite a bit here for just about anybody. Definitely a fun and entertaning read, that'll also make you feel that much smarter for having read it."
Review Date: 5/20/2012
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
"The concluding volume of the Twilight Saga, this is definitely the most divisive of the four books. While Twilight Saga fans are all agreed on the excellence of the first three volumes, there are definitely two camps for this volume: you either love it or hate it. I personally loved it. I didn't find the writing or editing quality to be any worse than with the previous books, and found the story to be equally entertaining. We learn Bella's final fate, along with those of all the rest of the main characters. Just like the others, I recommend it to everyone. My only complaint is my disappointment about the saga being over. Now, bring on 'Midnight Sun'."
Review Date: 7/5/2010
"The writing style of this book is brilliant, and pulls you in practically from the first page. The characters are real, the story is solid, and I think the book deserved all the awards it's gotten. I don't want to give any further description than what's in the summary, since I think it's best not to reveal more than that, but it's a great book."
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