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Review Date: 6/26/2010
Helpful Score: 1
Reviews on this book are mixed, to say the least! I initially saw this book in the library and thought, "Wow--what a huge book :-) I'll never be able to finish that in three weeks, or even six," which is a reflection on how little time I have for reading and how much slower I read nowadays. In any event, judging the book by its cover, title, and end flap synopsis, I checked it out, thinking, "Damn! If I like this book, I'm going to have to buy it just to finish reading it!"
So, is it a long book? Yes. Does the author go into great detail describing (pretty much all of) the characters and the events that happen to them? Yes. Did this bother me? No. In fact, this is now one of my favorite books (never mind that I needed six months to finish it--that's how little time I find to read these days, sad but true).
If you want something very unique, if you are into science fiction with a strong human component (as opposed to aliens exclusively) and you truly appreciate expansive character development, then by all means read this book. I particularly enjoyed the author's use of language--this is one of those truly gratifying reading experiences where syntax, vocabulary, descriptions of thoughts and events, is so cerebrally pleasurable, I wish I had one of those "mini-scanners" to "lift" favorite passages and then retain them all as wall quotes (or something . . .).
It is hard not to fall in love with the three main characters, even the one (for me) that was initially the most bothersome; by the end of the story, you will be rooting for these people and you will find yourself wishing you could personally destroy some of the more vitriolic, loathsomely vile villains (whom I still had to appreciate from the author's character development).
If, on the other hand, you are in the market for a "quick read" and require page after page of excitement, I would stay away from this book. Each page of this book is exciting insofar as there is a great deal of action throughout the story, but it is consistently qualified by the author's detail, so, yes, one either loves or does not love this book!
Also, if you have managed to get this far into my review (and are still awake), you may be a candidate for total submersion into the "dream world" that is Dahlquist's mind.
I will be keeping my copy and reading it again.
So, is it a long book? Yes. Does the author go into great detail describing (pretty much all of) the characters and the events that happen to them? Yes. Did this bother me? No. In fact, this is now one of my favorite books (never mind that I needed six months to finish it--that's how little time I find to read these days, sad but true).
If you want something very unique, if you are into science fiction with a strong human component (as opposed to aliens exclusively) and you truly appreciate expansive character development, then by all means read this book. I particularly enjoyed the author's use of language--this is one of those truly gratifying reading experiences where syntax, vocabulary, descriptions of thoughts and events, is so cerebrally pleasurable, I wish I had one of those "mini-scanners" to "lift" favorite passages and then retain them all as wall quotes (or something . . .).
It is hard not to fall in love with the three main characters, even the one (for me) that was initially the most bothersome; by the end of the story, you will be rooting for these people and you will find yourself wishing you could personally destroy some of the more vitriolic, loathsomely vile villains (whom I still had to appreciate from the author's character development).
If, on the other hand, you are in the market for a "quick read" and require page after page of excitement, I would stay away from this book. Each page of this book is exciting insofar as there is a great deal of action throughout the story, but it is consistently qualified by the author's detail, so, yes, one either loves or does not love this book!
Also, if you have managed to get this far into my review (and are still awake), you may be a candidate for total submersion into the "dream world" that is Dahlquist's mind.
I will be keeping my copy and reading it again.
Grounds for Improvement (DIY): 40 Great Landscaping & Gardening Projects (Diy Network)
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
1
Author:
Book Type: Paperback
1
Review Date: 6/12/2011
I purchased this book new from the PBS Market Place. Although it is a good book, I feel that the subtitle is misleading. There are not 40 individual landscaping projects. There are 17 projects, each of which requires sub-projects to come to fruition. I purchased the book because I thought, surely, with 40 projects illustrated, there will be one or possibly two that I will feel capable of attempting. The subtitle should be, 17 Landscaping Projects. Gardening shows up in the Tips and Finishing Touches text boxes.
Which brings me to my next issue with this book: I believe it is best directed to people who already have a fairly good DIY resume or, at the least, are familiar with the tools and heavy machinery that most all of these projects require. Most of these projects would be very challenging undertaken by one person--all are illustrated with the DIY crew.
Each project is illustrated with a landscape design in color, to scale. These would be, to me, more useful if the foliage in the design were specified. This alone would have warranted "gardening projects" but none of these designs are defined with the species of plants. Suggested plantings are illustrated in the Finishing Touches information, and sometimes, in the project details, particular plant species are designated.
The projects are very specific, addressing landowners' particular yard problems, but could probably be fairly easily adapted by someone used to working in the DIY field on an advanced level. Also, the designs are, overall, very similar: Most are modern (my opinion, not that of the authors), with a large portion of hardscaping, followed by xeriscaping and potted plants. The designs also lean toward classical garden motifs, with an emphasis on hardscapes. I lean more toward cottage garden styles and more profuse plantings vs. hardscapes. On the plus side, these projects, once finished, would be very low-maintenance and, of course, they all do indeed add more value to the yard areas.
If you are not confident in the DIY arena, I would suggest perusing the chapters for the specific projects; if none of them interest you, then another landscaping book might be more relevant. Keep in mind that the cover photo (extensive, colorful border) is not representative of the landscaping projects in this book. Although it could be added to any of the projects, there are no details on that particular border.
I am giving it 3 stars overall because, if you know what you are doing and/or are naturally savvy in this area (I am neither), it would probably be pretty easy to accomplish these projects (not necessarily inexpensive, but certainly cheaper than hiring a professional), and I did get some general tips, especially regarding planting and re-potting, that I found useful. If you are experienced, into hardscaping, and don't require a lot of garden planting details, you might give this book 5 stars.
One other incidental complaint is that the binding is not glued well: For a new book, one perusal separated the front cover from the inside seam, although the spine binding is intact. I include this because it might not be specific to just this book, but this binding company in general. Nonetheless, the book is still readable and essentially intact.
Which brings me to my next issue with this book: I believe it is best directed to people who already have a fairly good DIY resume or, at the least, are familiar with the tools and heavy machinery that most all of these projects require. Most of these projects would be very challenging undertaken by one person--all are illustrated with the DIY crew.
Each project is illustrated with a landscape design in color, to scale. These would be, to me, more useful if the foliage in the design were specified. This alone would have warranted "gardening projects" but none of these designs are defined with the species of plants. Suggested plantings are illustrated in the Finishing Touches information, and sometimes, in the project details, particular plant species are designated.
The projects are very specific, addressing landowners' particular yard problems, but could probably be fairly easily adapted by someone used to working in the DIY field on an advanced level. Also, the designs are, overall, very similar: Most are modern (my opinion, not that of the authors), with a large portion of hardscaping, followed by xeriscaping and potted plants. The designs also lean toward classical garden motifs, with an emphasis on hardscapes. I lean more toward cottage garden styles and more profuse plantings vs. hardscapes. On the plus side, these projects, once finished, would be very low-maintenance and, of course, they all do indeed add more value to the yard areas.
If you are not confident in the DIY arena, I would suggest perusing the chapters for the specific projects; if none of them interest you, then another landscaping book might be more relevant. Keep in mind that the cover photo (extensive, colorful border) is not representative of the landscaping projects in this book. Although it could be added to any of the projects, there are no details on that particular border.
I am giving it 3 stars overall because, if you know what you are doing and/or are naturally savvy in this area (I am neither), it would probably be pretty easy to accomplish these projects (not necessarily inexpensive, but certainly cheaper than hiring a professional), and I did get some general tips, especially regarding planting and re-potting, that I found useful. If you are experienced, into hardscaping, and don't require a lot of garden planting details, you might give this book 5 stars.
One other incidental complaint is that the binding is not glued well: For a new book, one perusal separated the front cover from the inside seam, although the spine binding is intact. I include this because it might not be specific to just this book, but this binding company in general. Nonetheless, the book is still readable and essentially intact.
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