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Review Date: 12/29/2019
Truly one of the most interesting books on why we should meditate and how easy and helpful it can be that I've read so far. I've read many. Lots of anecdotes so it isn't just a textbook; more a memoir.
Review Date: 9/7/2007
Helpful Score: 5
A very thin paperback of ideas we all already know, but probably need to hear again anyway.
Review Date: 1/17/2012
I have thought and thought about this...yes, it was a good listen while I cooked, cleaned, did crafty stuff in the house. It kept me company. I was listening to the lives of some friends, chuckling as they brought up a few memories from our far past. I got to know these people, inside and out, in a way that only King can accomplish. I've said many times, no one does characterization like Stephen King. That is usually why I love his loooong books. But even a character-driven story needs something to happen now and again, and in reality, except for meeting new people and a couple of beatings, nothing ever happened. Nothing.
The denoument of Kennedy/Oswald was so glossed over, so minor, that it shocked me that a whole 30 plus hour book was written about it. Not to spoil anything for others, but you who have read it will know who I mean....when there was the death of a major character, I didn't give a crap. I didn't much care how George/Jacob grieved. The only time I felt sad about it was when Deke, the old man, talked about it. And, if you must know, I am a total wimp when it comes to deaths and other griefs in books or movies. I will cry and think about these things for weeks.
Anyone who's taken writing courses or attended writing conferences knows the any author or editor will tell you, you can save a book with that hit them between the eyes beginning that will grab the reader, then you will make the reader always recall your book fondly if you give them an ending that is heartwrenching, in a good way or bad. Tender, sweet...memorable. And that is my very point about 11-22-63.
This book started off so well, a terrific premise. That last scene...it made the listen almost worth it. It was tender, so beautifully written, and in my case, so lovingly read, that I thought about it long after the story ended. I loved loved loved the ending.
Thus...this book seems far far better than it actually was for me. Like I said earlier...if it hadn't been Stephen King, I doubt it would have gotten past the first reader to an actual editor's desk for consideration.
The denoument of Kennedy/Oswald was so glossed over, so minor, that it shocked me that a whole 30 plus hour book was written about it. Not to spoil anything for others, but you who have read it will know who I mean....when there was the death of a major character, I didn't give a crap. I didn't much care how George/Jacob grieved. The only time I felt sad about it was when Deke, the old man, talked about it. And, if you must know, I am a total wimp when it comes to deaths and other griefs in books or movies. I will cry and think about these things for weeks.
Anyone who's taken writing courses or attended writing conferences knows the any author or editor will tell you, you can save a book with that hit them between the eyes beginning that will grab the reader, then you will make the reader always recall your book fondly if you give them an ending that is heartwrenching, in a good way or bad. Tender, sweet...memorable. And that is my very point about 11-22-63.
This book started off so well, a terrific premise. That last scene...it made the listen almost worth it. It was tender, so beautifully written, and in my case, so lovingly read, that I thought about it long after the story ended. I loved loved loved the ending.
Thus...this book seems far far better than it actually was for me. Like I said earlier...if it hadn't been Stephen King, I doubt it would have gotten past the first reader to an actual editor's desk for consideration.
Review Date: 1/17/2012
I have thought and thought about this...yes, it was a good listen while I cooked, cleaned, did crafty stuff in the house. It kept me company. I was listening to the lives of some friends, chuckling as they brought up a few memories from our far past. I got to know these people, inside and out, in a way that only King can accomplish. I've said many times, no one does characterization like Stephen King. That is usually why I love his loooong books. But even a character-driven story needs something to happen now and again, and in reality, except for meeting new people and a couple of beatings, nothing ever happened. Nothing.
The denoument of Kennedy/Oswald was so glossed over, so minor, that it shocked me that a whole 30 plus hour book was written about it. Not to spoil anything for others, but you who have read it will know who I mean....when there was the death of a major character, I didn't give a crap. I didn't much care how George/Jacob grieved. The only time I felt sad about it was when Deke, the old man, talked about it. And, if you must know, I am a total wimp when it comes to deaths and other griefs in books or movies. I will cry and think about these things for weeks.
Anyone who's taken writing courses or attended writing conferences knows the any author or editor will tell you, you can save a book with that hit them between the eyes beginning that will grab the reader, then you will make the reader always recall your book fondly if you give them an ending that is heartwrenching, in a good way or bad. Tender, sweet...memorable. And that is my very point about 11-22-63.
This book started off so well, a terrific premise. That last scene...it made the listen almost worth it. It was tender, so beautifully written, and in my case, so lovingly read, that I thought about it long after the story ended. I loved loved loved the ending.
Thus...this book seems far far better than it actually was for me. Like I said earlier...if it hadn't been Stephen King, I doubt it would have gotten past the first reader to an actual editor's desk for consideration.
The denoument of Kennedy/Oswald was so glossed over, so minor, that it shocked me that a whole 30 plus hour book was written about it. Not to spoil anything for others, but you who have read it will know who I mean....when there was the death of a major character, I didn't give a crap. I didn't much care how George/Jacob grieved. The only time I felt sad about it was when Deke, the old man, talked about it. And, if you must know, I am a total wimp when it comes to deaths and other griefs in books or movies. I will cry and think about these things for weeks.
Anyone who's taken writing courses or attended writing conferences knows the any author or editor will tell you, you can save a book with that hit them between the eyes beginning that will grab the reader, then you will make the reader always recall your book fondly if you give them an ending that is heartwrenching, in a good way or bad. Tender, sweet...memorable. And that is my very point about 11-22-63.
This book started off so well, a terrific premise. That last scene...it made the listen almost worth it. It was tender, so beautifully written, and in my case, so lovingly read, that I thought about it long after the story ended. I loved loved loved the ending.
Thus...this book seems far far better than it actually was for me. Like I said earlier...if it hadn't been Stephen King, I doubt it would have gotten past the first reader to an actual editor's desk for consideration.
Review Date: 9/7/2007
Edward Herrmann reads, and he is wonderful.
Review Date: 5/26/2008
I hated this book and could not finish it. But that doesn't say much, does it. I didn't like the tone, the lalala-ness of it. I didn't like the story line. The reader annoyed me. I sure hope I just wasn't having a bad day and it is really a marvel of a story.
Review Date: 2/23/2008
A quick read by Brad Pitt. If you liked the movie you should like this. But if truth be told, I was bored by the author's writing style when I read the book (didn't finish it), didn't watch the whole movie, and was even more bored when listening to this audio. Foolishly persistent, but I was determined to figure out why this was so popular. I never did.
Review Date: 9/7/2007
Helpful Score: 1
All those great reviews! Gee, I had a really hard time getting through this book...and I love Westerns. But this one dragged and dragged, and I remember the narrative overpowering the flow of the story.
Review Date: 9/7/2007
Helpful Score: 2
I've seen miracles worked with his quitting smoking book, but this one just turned me off. I don't see it working.
Review Date: 9/7/2007
Depressing, but very good read.
Review Date: 9/3/2018
Usually I won't continue with a book I rate below 3 stars (average) but I was curious. By her own admission, Lorna was considered seriously mentally challenged by her family and school. Mostly it was because of her odd behavior and comments, as she saw and interacted with angels since she was a baby, and sometimes gave their advice to others. One teacher in particular refused to call on her when she would raise her hand to answer his questions because he didn't want to waste his time, and made it clear to her and to the class. And while her mother frequently ignored her, her father doted and most of her learning was from him, as she was not allowed to finish school. This might be why I thought the writing too simplistic, and at times, seriously bland with events mentioned not at all interesting. There were repetitions, frequently. So where was her editor? Why not a ghost writer even?
I read a lot of these books, and I will say that hers was different in perhaps the descriptions of the angels and how they acted/reacted and taught her. Though I am loath to say this because I will believe anything, I found some things just too fantastic.
It is an interesting read in some parts, though.
I read a lot of these books, and I will say that hers was different in perhaps the descriptions of the angels and how they acted/reacted and taught her. Though I am loath to say this because I will believe anything, I found some things just too fantastic.
It is an interesting read in some parts, though.
Review Date: 9/7/2007
I enjoyed this book, getting to know the characters. It spans the years and the emotions, but don't let the title fool you. It is a facetious name these women give themselves and their "book club." I just wish the author had gone a bit more into the characters reviews of the books.
Review Date: 5/1/2008
Well, I had a dang hard time getting into reading this book. Yet another where the author thinks that writing in a weird tense makes it more dramatic. I found the style and voice so annoying that I wouldn't waste my time going much beyond page 20.
Review Date: 9/7/2007
I couldn't believe there was a book written by this author that I had to struggle through...but I did.
Review Date: 4/20/2008
Too much silly music, which could be typical for this show, but not nearly enough great talking as I would have expected and liked.
Review Date: 9/7/2007
Helpful Score: 1
This was the first of her books that I actually couldn't finish. Too much babbling.
The Apron Book: Making, Wearing, and Sharing a Bit of Cloth and Comfort
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
14
Author:
Book Type: Hardcover
14
Review Date: 1/26/2015
A fun book to be savored and picked up and glanced through again and again. Part history, part instruction, it is chockful of sweet essays about aprons, sewing, cooking, moms, and grandmothers. Not only are there simple sewing instructions throughout, there is an envelope in the back holding an easy pattern for an apron. A keeper for sure.
Review Date: 9/7/2007
A really great old book...a true guide to Tolkien's world.
Review Date: 1/11/2007
Helpful Score: 4
If you like The Whoop, this is a fun listen. I wish she didn't use the F word so much (though she didn't really overdo it) as there were quite a few segments that would have been appropriate for children, and fun for the whole family on a long trip. She talked about growing up in New York, snow-sledding, Christmas, her hatred of eggs. Kids would have loved all that, esp the segment on farts.
But then, she did talk about men, and the difficulty they have with their aim, and their pubes on the soap, and pissing in the bathtub and the bathroom sink...
But then, she did talk about men, and the difficulty they have with their aim, and their pubes on the soap, and pissing in the bathtub and the bathroom sink...
Review Date: 4/16/2018
Ava's Man by Rick Bragg
Just finished reading some reviews on amazon and am surprised by some of the reasons folks didn't like this book. I loved it. For me Rick Bragg is one of the best writers alive today, and better than a lot of dead ones, too. His words about people, place, time, sometimes make me catch my breath with their beauty, or their harshness. I find he pulls no punches in describing his peoples' foibles, yet others accuse him of just that.
This book is a tribute to the grandfather he never knew, Ava's Man, Charlie Bundrum. A man who loved his "likker" and his family, worked hard as a carptenter to keep his family fed. But it was the depression, and while they could eat (mostly), they lacked almost everything but love. They moved back and forth across the Georgia/Alabama line, sometimes for work, others to dodge the revenuers. Charlie's family loved him desperately, and Bragg shows us why.
Just finished reading some reviews on amazon and am surprised by some of the reasons folks didn't like this book. I loved it. For me Rick Bragg is one of the best writers alive today, and better than a lot of dead ones, too. His words about people, place, time, sometimes make me catch my breath with their beauty, or their harshness. I find he pulls no punches in describing his peoples' foibles, yet others accuse him of just that.
This book is a tribute to the grandfather he never knew, Ava's Man, Charlie Bundrum. A man who loved his "likker" and his family, worked hard as a carptenter to keep his family fed. But it was the depression, and while they could eat (mostly), they lacked almost everything but love. They moved back and forth across the Georgia/Alabama line, sometimes for work, others to dodge the revenuers. Charlie's family loved him desperately, and Bragg shows us why.
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