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Review Date: 7/4/2011
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
"It's books like this that remind me why I love books."
Review Date: 4/26/2009
"I have read all of Pat Conroy's works. He is one of my all time favorites. Beach Music is fairly long but well worth the time."
Review Date: 2/21/2012
"This book was very well done. The author took a large scope of information, from various nations, and compiled it into a concise, easy-to-read, and often funny book. This is a finance book for those who aren't looking for a numeric answer of what's happening in the economy, but rather an explanation in stories as to how the world is being financially affected by the crisis. Full of anecdotes and interviews that reveal the human side of the crisis. This book looks at what happened to cause the financial problems facing Iceland, Greece, Ireland, Germany, and the US."
Review Date: 12/13/2011
7 member(s) found this review helpful.
"This book is divided by character; five specific characters spread over a time line of past eras, the present era, and future eras. The stories move forward from past to future and then reverse to revisit the same characters in opposite order. This book is a project. I read it, and read it, and kept reading it. Finally, I finished, and I was happy I finished all the way through - More though for the accomplishment of it rather than the story itself. I would have hated to have invested so many hours only to put it down half way through. I was only tempted to stop though due to the daunting length, and slow pace; not due to the stories.
There were very profound moments along the way. I especially enjoyed the story lines that are set in the future as they make the reader reflect back on our actions of today and how they will impact the future.
I think this is a book that will loved by some and unloved by some. As for me, I am undecided, borderline indifferent. My best recommendation is to read it for yourself and see. There is something for everyone. Is it worth the while it takes to accomplish this massive project? That is questionable."
There were very profound moments along the way. I especially enjoyed the story lines that are set in the future as they make the reader reflect back on our actions of today and how they will impact the future.
I think this is a book that will loved by some and unloved by some. As for me, I am undecided, borderline indifferent. My best recommendation is to read it for yourself and see. There is something for everyone. Is it worth the while it takes to accomplish this massive project? That is questionable."
Review Date: 7/10/2012
"This book speaks my language. I love this author. I especially loved the chapter dedicated to women who know they will not have children, for any various reason, and she named them the Auntie Brigade. I learned from this book a lot on the history of marriage in society. There is strength in knowing who you are and having the conviction to live the life that's right by you."
Review Date: 7/10/2012
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
"I started listening to this on audio on a long car trip. I picked up reading it in the middle for about 150 pages but found I liked the audio much better, so I finished it by listening. I liked it, but often I found myself feeling I'd read this before. It's a very solid mix of Harry Potter and Twilight. The Harry Potter-type plot I enjoyed - the old manuscript, the ancient alchemy, etc. The Twilight-type plot not so much - the vampire and girl forbidden relationship aspect. If you liked both HP and Twilight, you'd like this. Or, if you've never read either, then this will be all new to you."
Review Date: 4/8/2012
"I liked this book and am glad I read it. The setting was beautiful. Likable, relatable characters. A good mystery that wrapped up nicely by the end."
Review Date: 4/15/2012
"Sweet, beautiful story. I came across this book on accident and I am so glad I did. It would have been a shame to miss this one."
Review Date: 3/21/2011
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
"I really liked this book and the message it's trying to send to the world. I ordered this book through PBS after having read and enjoyed Eat,Pray,Love. I like the author's style and I get her humor. Many times I laughed right out loud. Eustace Conway, the title character, is a very interesting person.
***SCENE SPOILER ALERT***
There's a moment in the book where the author is reminiscing with an old college friend of Eustace. The friend is describing the first time he invited Eustace to his apartment. He and his young wife, both 19, just moved in and instantly started buying what they could to create a home to mimic their parents' homes, with furniture, knick knacks, etc. Eustace comes in and comments on how they have a lot of stuff, material possessions. He goes on to wonder what they could have done if they'd spent that money to travel the world or to buy books; imagine what they'd know about the world. The friend was just blown away by this. What an exotic concept; so foreign to him and his young wife, who he admits in the interview, had never thought with any depth about their lives.
I, personally, just loved this scene. My partner and I live this way, very minimally with alternative life plans contrary to the conventions of our society. This book resonated with me. It also showed in other scenes that everyone, no matter how free their life seems, battles with some inner struggles."
***SCENE SPOILER ALERT***
There's a moment in the book where the author is reminiscing with an old college friend of Eustace. The friend is describing the first time he invited Eustace to his apartment. He and his young wife, both 19, just moved in and instantly started buying what they could to create a home to mimic their parents' homes, with furniture, knick knacks, etc. Eustace comes in and comments on how they have a lot of stuff, material possessions. He goes on to wonder what they could have done if they'd spent that money to travel the world or to buy books; imagine what they'd know about the world. The friend was just blown away by this. What an exotic concept; so foreign to him and his young wife, who he admits in the interview, had never thought with any depth about their lives.
I, personally, just loved this scene. My partner and I live this way, very minimally with alternative life plans contrary to the conventions of our society. This book resonated with me. It also showed in other scenes that everyone, no matter how free their life seems, battles with some inner struggles."
Review Date: 5/2/2011
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
"Moloka'i is easily one of my all-time favorite books. It has everything: a beautiful setting, talented author prose to illuminate it, rich emotions, and a wonderful main character, Rachel, that everyone can relate to in some way, if not all ways.
I highly, highly recommend this book!"
I highly, highly recommend this book!"
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (No 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Bk 1)
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
1156
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
1156
Review Date: 11/6/2009
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
"AMS is a fantastic author. I really enjoyed his Scotland Street series and this series has not left me disappointed. He has a way of transporting you to another place and creating very true characters. I recommend."
Review Date: 12/30/2008
"This was a great book to have on audio. The story is intriguing and easy to follow."
Review Date: 7/6/2009
"This book is a bestseller in England and understandably so. It's well paced and imaginative. However, it wasn't for me. For those in England, it's probably very funny to think of the royal family living at the low end of the totem pole; however, I am not too familiar with the who's who of the royal family and I'm sure many references and side jokes went right over my head.
But the idea is great, if someone were to write something similar with well known Americans in mind, it'd be funny.
Bottom line: if you are familiar and already understand the characteristics and nuances of royal fam members, then go for it. If not, a certain familiarity is needed for a full appreciation."
But the idea is great, if someone were to write something similar with well known Americans in mind, it'd be funny.
Bottom line: if you are familiar and already understand the characteristics and nuances of royal fam members, then go for it. If not, a certain familiarity is needed for a full appreciation."
A Thousand Country Roads (Epilogue To The Bridges of Madison County)
Author:
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
33
Author:
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
33
Review Date: 2/13/2012
"Robert Kincaid is one of my all-time favorite characters. Books as simple and elegant as this are very rare."
Review Date: 7/31/2011
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
"I have not yet read this book but I will now. I saw the Broadway show and it is amazing. The bar is raised and, while all shows have their place and their value, this in a league of its own. There hasn't been, nor will there be, another stage performance like this one.
I am curious that the other reviewer mentioned the book is told fully from the perspective of the horse because this is not the case for the show. It is a full perspective piece. Either the show or the book, I am confident no one should miss this. But fair warning, this is incredibly emotional."
I am curious that the other reviewer mentioned the book is told fully from the perspective of the horse because this is not the case for the show. It is a full perspective piece. Either the show or the book, I am confident no one should miss this. But fair warning, this is incredibly emotional."
Review Date: 5/2/2011
"I enjoyed this book and found it to be worth the read. The first work I read by this author was Brida, which I enjoyed as well. I have not yet read The Alchemist, so I can't relate or compare the two.
The love story was OK. But the author's insights into love and relationships were often right on, especially when discussing the internal struggle of commitment vs. freedom.
However, it was the author's perspective on the human condition and the acceptable society practices of today that best resonated with me. Why are some human differences and preferences considered taboo? Why are taboo things received so poorly among our culture? Why do humans have an internal desire to "fit in" and belong to a tribe?
If you've made it this far as to read the reviews, go ahead and read the book. If has a lot to offer; everyone will get something different to take away from it."
The love story was OK. But the author's insights into love and relationships were often right on, especially when discussing the internal struggle of commitment vs. freedom.
However, it was the author's perspective on the human condition and the acceptable society practices of today that best resonated with me. Why are some human differences and preferences considered taboo? Why are taboo things received so poorly among our culture? Why do humans have an internal desire to "fit in" and belong to a tribe?
If you've made it this far as to read the reviews, go ahead and read the book. If has a lot to offer; everyone will get something different to take away from it."
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