Usually ships in 7 to 11 days Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Loved Eclipse) 『I loved Eclipse, and almost as mush as Twilight! I love a good cliffhanger, and this does not disappoint, and I love the new dynamic between the characters. I cannot wait to see how the story ends, and I especially loved Mrs. Meyer's acknowledgments, which you have to read to know why. Suspenseful, romantic and frustrating all at once. The only thing lacking is with the action and fight scenes. which could be more involved and descriptive.』
(sweeeet) 『this book is awesome and couldn't put it down and then had to jump right into the last one :)』
(Bot for wife...haven't seen her in days???) 『I bought this book for my wife as a present for her birhtday. She has been glued to it and hasn't let go of it for days. She never leaves the home without her blackberry and her Twilight series..... I'm assuming it a great book. She hasn't done this for any other set of books.』
(Awesome Book.... Love it!) 『Loved the book, it's really gotten me into the whole Twilight series... Would absolutely recommend this book to anyone.. but in order of course. You have to read them in order. Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and then Breaking Dawn.』
(Awesome) 『I just can't get enough. I have read all the books at least five or six times!!!』 『Readers captivated byTwilightandNew Moonwill eagerly devour the paperback editionEclipse, the third book in Stephenie Meyer's riveting vampire love saga. As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob --- knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Hidden Treasure in the Shadow of Gatsby. . .) 『The American reading public seems to reduce `classic authors' to one-hit wonders: The Stranger, Catcher in the Rye, Vanity Fair, Frankenstein, Catch-22, Oedipus the King, etc. One great work seems to exhaust us and we move on. The only real exceptions are situations in which the author has two great works of moral equivalency: Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-four, Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Iliad and The Odyssey.
A victim of the one-book limit on our memories is The Beautiful and Damned. No, it's not as good as The Great Gatsby. But then again -- to paraphrase Joseph Heller -- neither is any other American novel. If it weren't for Jay Gatsby, however, this other work by F. Scott Fitzgerald would likely get suggested more often as `the Great American Novel'.
I was blown away by it. The novel is divided into roughly three parts, following the third decade of life of a useless Harvard alum living in New York City named Anthony Comstock Patch. The first period is youthful exuberance. It reads like it was written by a kid who woke up one day being after being anointed the Chosen One by the gods of literature. It's got this `Wow, I can write beautiful prose about anything!' euphoria to it. The prose dazzles and sparkles as it careens from one pointless bit to another as it lampoons the East Coast elite. It shifts tenses for no reason, abruptly goes into the format of a play for couple of pages at a stretch and generally dances its way through the nonadventures of several extremely wealthy young men. The words on the page are relentless brilliant. Even getting up to leave is memorable: `Anthony arose and punched himself into his overcoat. . .'
This first section is hilarious. Typically, when I discover something from before WWII that was meant to be humorous, I cringe to myself because it's so not funny. The opening of this book, after a slightly dry description of Anthony Patch's familial background, satirizes the wealthy, their pretensions, their sense of entitlement, their superiority, with unerring accuracy. It's laugh-out-loud funny but never mean-spirited.
I hate spoilers. Suffice to say that the second and third sections get uglier as relationships get more serious. What we forgive in the young we find more disappointing in people as they age. (A Peter Pan with a puffy-eyed hangover at thirty is not a pretty sight.) The prose loses little momentum as the story flirts with disaster.
In addition to the writing itself, what really struck me was how Fitzgerald could create a sense of empathy for such appalling characters. If Anthony Patch was a real person, he'd be the poster boy for Marxism. Yet Fitzgerald can get us to care about him and his ilk, people who are in truth little more than lazy, absentmindedly racist, decidedly misogynistic alcoholic snobs. (Indeed, this novel could be read as the parable about the consequences of misogyny on men.) If someone told me that it would be possible to write a novel in which you feel for a character who jokes about kicking a kitten -- we're left hoping it was a joke -- I would have said it was impossible, but there you have it.
The novel also makes the time period covered, from shortly before WWI to the Roaring Twenties, come vividly alive. Anthony Patch becomes the embodiment of America, starting in innocence, becoming disillusioned with war and ending in the boozy disillusionment of Prohibition. (And no, that's not really a spoiler.) It's not simply Anthony: the novel is animated by consumer products of the period, suggests a critique of suburbia forty years head of its time and is filled with fascination with those new technologies, the car and the feature-length film.
In short, The Beautiful and Damned probably offers more per page than just about any other novel you might read. Except The Great Gatsby.
This review is based on an out of print hardback from the library, not this particular edition.』
(Great Book for any Fitzgerald Fan!) 『Great book for any Fitzgerald fan! This was my guide to living life in my twenties, lol! I've heard it called a hard book to read, and I can see that. But there is great satisfaction upon finishing the book. I guarantee it!』
(the title says it all) 『The Beautiful and Damned is Fitzgerald's second novel and the title says it all.Anthony Patch and Gloria Gilbert are two self asorbed people who desire romantic love and they fall in love with each other. They have no desire for productive work and they desire lives of luxury. They receive allowances from their parents and Anthonys grandfather gives a little as well but Anthony has no desire to wotk and Gloria is obsessed with being an actress which irritates Anthony. Both are alcoholics which adds fuel to their self destructive situation. In the end ,Anthony becomes wealthy winning 30 million dollars by challenging hsi grandfathers will he is stricken from it despite being the only direct descendant but the money makes neither he or his wife happy. Their narcissism combines to damn them to misery despite their exterior beauty of which their wealth is a large part of.At times the book rambles into clever phrases that have no point and it is too loose at times but it is still a book worth reading though not quite as good as This Side of Paradise』
(My favorite of his novels.) 『Some readers discover Fitzgerald by accident, by reputation or, perhaps in school. My exposure came via the first possibility through a worn paperback copy of 'The Crack Up' soon afterward I read a paperback semi-bio called 'Crazy Sundays, F Scott Fitzgerald in Hollywood'. This was in the early Seventies and at that time I couldn't find anything in print and only found his books at yard sales and used book stores. I read Gatsby, Tender is the Night and even a collection of short stories reprinted from Fitzgerald's magazine writing. Now, over thirty years later I have re-read many of those books and I find his short stories mildly enjoyable and his novels, flowery and antique. Sure, you might say, they are old books however, I re-read my other favorites from my Seventies bookshelf: Sinclair Lewis and Mark Twain and find that their styles have aged very well by comparison (and of the two, only Lewis can be considered a contemporary, Twain is even older). What does this have to do this novel? It holds-up the best in the ways that his work generally has not held-up. Perhaps it's the themes or the biographical elements but either way, this book deserves a look if you have already read his other novels and are giving up on him!』
(read it only on a rainy day and if there's nothing else) 『the great gatsby is a better novel. fitzgerald's writing is elegant, but manages to be accessible, but i just couldn't get into the characters. there was nothing about them that made me want to keep reading. i am way more patience with books than most, some people read a paragraph or chapter before deciding if they want to stick with a story...i gave this 200 pages before i put it down...life is too short to read books that are boring....』 『Young, beautiful and wealthy, Gloria and Anthony want their marriage to be "a live, glamorous performance". Seemingly perfectly matched, their love begins to deteriorate as each discovers imperfections in the other. In a desperate search for happiness they live riotously - until the final crack-up.』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (expected way more!) 『All the profanity makes it tacky and the strong vegan and vegetarian views are borderline offensive... Just go to the library!』
(there is a reason the resale on this is dirt cheap) 『I found this book in the trash brand new at a friends house (saw it as i was walking by) she said it was possibly the worst piece of garbage she had ever paid money for at a yard sale.
I read it and had to agree. It is laced with unnecessary profanity and i dont just mean your general s or d word. F bomb EVERYTHING it all goes.
This is a book written by a couple of angry vegans that want to convert you to a vegan diet. Too bad they didnt use "agave nectar" instead of "vinegar" when writing this book. They might have actually converted some people to a healthier lifestyle.
And let me clarify when i say angry, i mean angry, this book does not inspire you, it puts you in a bad mood and makes you mad at everything. It actually made me want to go get a shake and a burger.
I honestly could not tell you other than the angry vegan cussing quota on the pages what this book was entirely about, because really all that is thrown at you is cursing, ENTIRELY WRONG "facts", and "statistics".
This is really a bad piece of publishing and whoever the person was that thought this was good reading, come to my bathroom, i have some used toilet paper you might enjoy reading, and i guarantee it will smell more pleasant than this crap.』
(Love it..) 『I love how the meat-eating mainstream got tricked into reading a book with information about animal cruelty.. hence all the negative reviews. Most people just want to stay ignorant about what they eat, and so now they are mad and won't accept the facts. Anyway, I have been slowly changing my diet over the years and this was definitely a motivational push in the right direction. When people don't like the truth, they call it "political propaganda".. I've heard it a million times.』
(Very Disappointing and Riddled with Wrong Information) 『If anyone is interested in a vegan diet, then I suggest they skip this book and look elswhere. There are far better books about the subject with accurate information.
One of the most disappointing things about this book is that it is riddled with errors and misinformation. (This is esp. worrying considering one of authors has an M.A. in Nutrition.) For example, the book claims that rapeseed oil should be avoided like the plague because it "can cause cancer,heart disease, [and] vision loss" yet in another chapter, they encourage the use of canola oil for frying. Rapeseed and canola oil are the SAME THING. Yet another example is the claim "all you need to do to obtain Vitamin D is get direct sun exposure on your skin." In reality, most Americans (esp. people of African-American heritage and the elderly) are deficient in Vitamin D. Furthermore, the majority of the American population live in places where the sun's rays in the winter are too weak to stimulate Vitamin D production for months at a time. (The New England Journal of Medicine reports that even as far south as Atlanta vitamin D production from the sun doesn't occur from November to February.)
Another troubling aspect is that no where in the book does it mention insulin resistance which affects a high number of the population or the fact that such people may have problems if they follow the sample menus which include high G.I. orange juice at nearly every breakfast. And while the authors are right about avoiding processed foods, many of the items on the sample menus are meat subsitutes which are actually even more processed then the animal foods they are standing in for.
Lastly, the tone of this book is pretty off-putting. While some may find it find, I found that many of the passages were vulgar or appeared to be shocking just for the shake of shocking the reader. (Really, ladies, was it really necessary to say that "onions and garlic smell like someone took a **** down your throat"?) I hope at the very least that if they ever revise this book, they will at least get their facts straight.』
(Funny read and a good reminder) 『Loved the authors writing style. I have found the information in other books but never this entertaining. I was 50 pages into it when I realized that the authors want you to become vegan. Some chapters are very graphic and gross but it will make you think twice about buying red meat ever again! Are there better books about Vegan? Sure. but I don't think they would make you laugh till you pee!』 『El franco enfoque de este libro es el adecuado para aquellos que han intentado perder peso y mantenerse, y no lo han conseguido. Rory Freedman y Kim Barnouin enseñan a comer de otro modo, sin deshacerse de los alimentos que siempre nos han gustado a todos. Ofrecen más de 75 recetas para desayuno, almuerzo y cena, y para picotear. Se trata de romper la negación mental acerca de los malos hábitos alimenticios que hemos seguido por años, y la elección de alimentos más sanos y una vida plenamente disfrutable. / The frank, ""get real"" approach of this diet book may be just right for those who have tried and tried without success to lose weight and keep it off. As the title indicates, the language is salty as Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin tell readers just what they must get rid of in their everyday eating: sugar first, followed by meat and dairy. Freedman and Barnouin recommend a vegan lifestyle, and tell why, and then offer more than 75 recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacking. They help readers break through the mental denial about bad food habits, and offer responsible and fun food choices without denying cravings and appetite.』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (great classic love story) 『I enjoyed this book. It is entertaining and at times very suspenseful. Just an all around good classic love story.』
(best of the bunch) 『The notes and supplemental materials in this edition are truly helpful. I looked at several editions of JE, and found this the most useful. Typeface easy on the eye, and the paperstock makes for a pleasantly light tome. Found this superior to the Norton edition. 』
(Like it or dislike it-- just watch the movie!) 『I've had a like/dislike relationship with this book since my college days. All right- mostly dislike.
Everyone knows the plot by now, since they at least watched the televised versions, so I'll be brief- neglected orphan who grows up with abusive aunt and cousins is sent to charity school, where she experiences more misfortunes, grows up to become a governess in a gothic countryside mansion and falls in love with her Byronic employer. Eventually she finds fortune and happiness through various plot twists, some completely implausible.
I've read this book several times since I was 19 and seemed to dislike it more with each reading. I think that what has always put me off this book is Charlotte Bronte's prose. It's just so cumbersome and long-winded and I find the imagery and descriptions heavy-handed and awkward- sorry, when she describes the "bonny beck" I just don't feel it. I much prefer her sister Anne Bronte's simpler but clearer writing, not to mention Emily Bronte's masterful prose. Additionally, Charlotte is completely humorless. What passes as humor just isn't very funny. By contrast, again, Wuthering Heights has surprisingly funny moments for such a dark gothic tale, once again demonstrating Emily's superiority as a writer.
I additionally dislike Jane--somehow, I can't feel much liking for her. I appreciate that Bronte broke the mold with having a poor, plain heroine, but it's stressed so frequently that it loses its effect. She was also stupendously blind not to suspect that maybe, just maybe, there's another person there with the stony-faced Grace Poole who was the source of that mad laughter. And Rochester is a manipulative git. He really is. And he says "Jane, Jane!" too much and has an irritating tendency to compare her to elves and fairies.
What's most surprising is that St. John River is actually a much more interesting character than Rochester. He's a strikingly handsome, repressed ascetic who directs his passion to his religion. Nowadays he would have made either a splendid villain or a disillusioned hero. Rochester and his angst are boring by comparison.
If you think that Bronte is a good writer I dare you, just dare you, to read any of her other works. "Shirley" is painful and I heard that "The Professor" isn't much better. The only work where I felt that Charlotte finally got a handle on her art was her last novel, the emotionally difficult and thereby much less popular "Villette."
The best thing about Jane Eyre are the television and movie productions. There's a million of them and I find myself compelled to watch every single one. So I guess there is still something in the story that appeals to me. This is why I give this book three stars rather than two. 』
(bargain Kindle edition is great) 『This is one of my favorite books. If you've only ever seen the movie, read the book! There is so much more to the story than they can ever show in a movie. Don't be afraid to order this "bargain Kindle edition" - it came through perfectly, no strange charaters or problems.』
(Jane Eyre is a strong protagonist, but this book should be read later in life) 『Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, the subject of many AP required reading lists, perhaps strikes discontent to those who read the novel in high school. A better appreciation for this classic will probably be gained reading it later in life.
Bronte seemed to have modeled the character and conditions of Jane Eyre around her own life, so the novel has some biographical elements. Jane Eyre, after a difficult childhood quite Dickensesque in nature, eventually lands a job as a governess of Thornfield Hall as she approaches adulthood. Jane works here for awhile, and begins to adapt to her new station in life. Her employer, Mr. Rochester, comes and goes from Thornfield, but eventually news comes back that he is to marry the beautiful but snobbish Miss Ingram. As time wears on, however, there is an indication that Rochester marrying Miss Ingram might only be a ruse for him to actually find the secrets of Jane's heart. Jane struggles back and forth between her feelings for Rochester as her employer, and him as a man. Eventually Rochester asks Jane to marry him, but he has some baggage in his past that he is able to keep from Jane until the moment they are to be married. Jane then discovers the truth: Rochester is married to a woman named Bertha, who is insane and resides locked in the basement of Thornfield. Jane knows she cannot marry now, and leaves Thornfield to pursue a new life. Romanticized in nature, events suggest that this is not the end of Rochester and Jane, and that they will cross paths sometime later. How and under what circumstances you discover in the book's second half.
One theme Bronte explores is the importance of equality within backgrounds and classes. Jane changes her station by beginning in poverty and living as a governess only to eventually be able to gain a sense of independence. Jane, despite struggles, is often conscientious and fair to others, which is juxtaposed by Miss Ingram and her family, who loathe the site of governesses, thinking them to be unintelligent and worthless.
There is also a sense that Jane, although first seeing herself as lower to others, builds self-confidence and understands herself as equal to others, especially Rochester: "I was an equal--one with whom I might argue--one whom, if I saw good, I might resist." When she discovers and matures, this gives dimension and depth to her character.
Perhaps Jane Eyre has as much to do with illustrating a heroine's ability to be a free thinker, independent, and even a bit brash at points, which could be viewed as atypical of female protagonists during this time. We experience Jane's introspective outlook on all things by the first person narration, and Jane displays a depth to her character, especially when she is skeptical about Rochester's first proposal of marriage, which seems too "fairy tale" to be true. She doesn't give in because it seems like the proper thing to do, or the easiest. She refuses to marry Rochester earlier in the novel out of principle, and despite his pleas, she sticks to her guns, even though she knows it will be a rough go in life for both her and Rochester.
Character depth is illustrated in both Jane and Rochester's change from beginning to end. Rochester has moments of "blindness" in the novel. First, he is "blind" to humility and life responsibilities in the first half of the book at Thornfield Hall. Later in the novel, he is physically blind after the tragic accident that leaves Thornfield a ruin, but, has learned a sense of sympathy and humility that he didn't have earlier. Jane also undergoes a transition from her outlook on life: she believes and knows by novel's end that she is equals to her peers.
While a bit overly romanticized at points, Bronte's novel has fantastic character development. The scene when Jane battles with her conscience while leaving Thornfield is epically captured by Bronte: "He who is taken out to pass through a fair scene to the scaffold, thinks not of the flowers that smile on his road, but of the block and axe-edge.." Although Jane feels a sense of tragedy at this moment, she is not afraid to stick to what her intuition tells her is right, and she uses her faith as her instrument to guide her fate.
Over all, Bronte captures a powerful and moving story of a "plain" girl who overcomes difficult moments to find faith and healing in life. I felt that it was a strong story, but tended to drag during Jane's stay at St. John's after leaving Thornfield. The story seems to get "stuck in the mud", and many moments of Jane's narration become repetitive. However, it doesn't detract from an otherwise powerful, impressive classic.
』 『As an orphan, Jane Eyre is far from happy. She endures the hatred of her aunt and cousins, but finally begins to find some pleasure as a teacher. When she becomes a governess working for Mr Rochester, Jane hopes she might at last have found love and kindness.』
price：$1.89
Vida
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Una gran enseñanza para codependientes) 『Yo suelo recomendar este libro para aquellos que tienen personalidad simbiótica y necesitan aprender a distinguir entre el yo y el no yo. Magnífico producto para Católicos con un sentido erróneo entre el dar y recibir.』
(Exelent) 『I gave this book for my daughter in law she's is taking the best way with her kids』
(Excellent book, sometimes boring) 『I like a lot the book, however at the end it wasn't very interesting for me, too repetitive.on the other hand, Even though I never have read the bible before, with this book you can learn a lot about it.』
(Uno de los mejores libros que he leido!) 『El libro de "Limites" abrio mis ojos a muchas verdades. El concepto de establecer "Limites" en nuestras vidas viene de Dios. El nos dio la responsabilidad de vivir con control y con libertad.
Aunque es un libro facil de leer, no es un concepto facil de aplicar. Como el libro dice necesitaras, practica, oracion y un grupo que te apoye y te aliente. Cuando haz vivido mucho tiempo sin limites, establecerlos te va ha parecer ajeno, incomodo y hasta egoista.
Pero cuando la ensenanza la apliques, vas a ser libre. Este libro fue escrito por dos doctores en Psicolgia. Ellos a su vez incorporan la Biblia a sus ensezansas y lo hacen muy bien. Es un libro muy practico.
Se de mucha gente que lo ha leido en grupo y creo que eso es sabio. Pero leerlo de cualquier manera va ha ser de gran beneficio para cualquier persona. Leelo despacio, un capitulo por dia es suficiente. Muchos conceptos van a ser nuevos para ti.
Si tienes cualquier contacto con gente, como padre, amigo, esposo, jefe, lider, maestro, hijo, este libro va a ser una exelente inversion de tu tiempo. Compralo, disfrutalo y aplicalo!』
『Written by Cloud and Townsend, authors of Boundaries With Kids, this book brings biblical and simple tips useful to every Christian.』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Great book!) 『This audiobook is read by the author, which to me is a plus. I feel more connected to the author when I hear his/her voice reading his/her words. I also like this book because the guidance Louise Hay gives is simple, yet effective. She gives exercises too, which is a bonus. I listen to this book whenever I want to lift my spirits and feel more joyful about life!』
(Choose your attitude) 『This book is a little bit "stuart Samlley" from 90's Saturday Night Live. However, I think the underlying message of the book is very good. There were parts that I thought were a little hokey but I could easily get past them. Overall I very much enjoyed the book and I have tried to make myself have a more positive attitude from reading it and I think that was worth it for me.』
(This book changed my life) 『This book provides a great insight into the reality of how we create our own experiences and how we can change this whenever we choose.
What an amazing book and how great it is to have it to refer to constantly.
You will not be able to part with this book - ever!
Helen Meader Author Weight Consciousness: Changing The Beliefs That Prevent Permanent Weight Loss』
(book condition) 『My only objection is that the first chapter was full of yellow highlights, very annoying and I would have appreciated that being disclosed before I bought it. However, there were no highlights after the very beginning, so it was acceptable, but I would have chosen another copy if I'd known. I expect a used book to be somewhat worn, and I don't care about that, but I the text should be unaltered and free of notes or other markings from the previous owner.』
(Poor excuse for a self-help book) 『Poor excuse for a self-help book with no apparent basis in medical or psychological fact. Considering all the hype about this author I was very disappointed with the product.』 『Louise explains how limiting beliefs and ideas are often the cause of illness, and how you can change your thinking...and improve the quality of your life.』 『If you haven't seen Hay House's Lifestyles series of gorgeous gift books, there is no better way to acquaint yourself than with publisher/author Louise Hay'sYou Can Heal Your Life. A bestseller for many years,You Can Heal Your Lifehas been republished with bright, beautiful illustrations in full, living color and exquisite typography--each and every page is a work of art by artist Joan Perrin Falquet. The timeless message of the book is that we are each responsible for our own reality and "dis-ease." Hay believes we make ourselves ill by having thoughts of self-hatred. She includes a directory of ailments and emotional causes for each with a corresponding affirmation to help overcome the illness. For example, the probable cause of multiple sclerosis is "mental hardness, hard-heartedness, iron will, and inflexibility." The healing "thought pattern" would be: "By choosing loving, joyous thoughts, I created a loving joyous world. I am safe and free."--P. Randall Cohan』
price：$27.00
San Val
Usually ships in 6 to 12 days Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (the book Wicked) 『The book came in good time. The front cover was a bit loose, but it was a used book and the book itself was fine.』
(Character dialog) 『I just finished the book and I must first state that I did not read the L. Frank Baum books of Oz. I, like so many others, picked up this book as a fan of the "Wizard of Oz" movie and was intrigued by the title. I've read many of the other reviews and have one brief issue to add: character dialog. Maguire does an adequate job of developing his characters except for their dialogs. Just about all speak as though the words are one person's only; page after page sounds like one voice, one set of vocabulary, one use of grammar. And, the dialogs many times just do not match the character. For example, the character Samira is described as a minimally educated, mostly illiterate and less than inquisitive person but has a vocabulary that seems completely out of character. It seems as if Gregory Maguire forgets which character he's writing for and gets lost in his own thoughts. Too many of the dialogs seem to ramble leaving this reader left to image the author sitting at his desk beating the keys, pouring out his thoughts rather than molding his characters into a world the reader could get lost in. These distractions were annoying.
I wanted to enjoy this book. Its theme had tons of potential but the story needed an author to write a book the reader could first believe in and then submerge into. For me, it was like reading a contemporary love novel crudely attached to the back of a fantasy. I'll place this on the shelf with "Alice in Wonderland" and "The Hobbit", but not very close. 』
(Although we already know the ending, I didn't want it to end!) 『Warning: This is NOT to be confused with your typical children's story! :) Definitely an ADULT tale. So well written, I just flew through it. We all know the story of Dorothy, but this is a very imaginitive tale from the "Wicked" witch's perspective. How Maguire came up with the details in this story is beyond me...very creative! I think, hands down, this is far superior to the musical. Excellent read. I can't wait to start the next book!』
(my review of the book that inspired the musical) 『I'm enjoying reading it. My sister is a big fan of the musical that was inspired by this book and is an avid reader. I gave it to her for Christmas because I knew she'd enjoy it.』
(Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West) 『I loved this book! It is well written and very creative, it also offered the reader an understanding of why the witch became as we all know her. This book kept my interest and I cannot wait to read the other books in the collection.』 『Following the traditions of Gabriel GarcÍa Marqu,z, John Gardner and J.R.R. Tolkien,Wickedis a richly woven tale that takes us to the other, darker side of the rainbow as novelist Gregory Maguire chronicles the Wicked Witch of the West's odyssey through the complex world of Oz -- where people call you wicked if you tell the truth.
Years before Dorothy and her dog crash-land, another little girl makes her presence known in Oz. This girl, Elphaba, is born with emerald-green skin -- no easy burden in a land as mean and poor as Oz, where superstition and magic are not strong enough to explain or to overcome the natural disasters of flood and famine. But Elphaba is smart, and by the time she enters the university in Shiz, she becomes a member of a charmed circle of Oz' most promising young citizens.
Elphaba's Oz is no utopia. The Wizard's secret police are everywhere. Animals -- those creatures with voices, souls and minds -- are threatened with exile. Young Elphaba, green and wild and misunderstood, is determined to protect the Animals -- even it means combating the mysterious Wizard, even if it means risking her single chance at romance. Even wiser in guilt and sorrow, she can find herself grateful when the world declares her a witch. And she can even make herself glad for that young girl from Kansas.
InWicked, Gregory Maguire has taken the largely unknown world of Oz and populated it with the power of his own imagination. Fast-paced, fantastically real and supremely entertaining, this is a novel of vision and re-vision. Oz never will be the same again.』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (J. Smith, California) 『My favorite novelist and short story writer is J. D. Salinger. However, his novel Franny and Zooey was a huge disappointment. His writing is excellent. The characters aren't. I had no interest in them. I became totally bored before reading half the novel. What a shame. The first chapter, however, was a joy to read. The remaining chapters weren't.』
(Book in great condition!) 『Book came quickly and doesn't look like it has ever been read. It is, however, a very old copy. Fortunately for me, I really enjoy this factor!』
(painful) 『I loved re-reading Catcher in the Rye awhile back and when a couple of my friends recommended Franny and Zooey swearing it was better, I couldn't wait to get into it. It started fine with dramatic tension between the neurotic college girl Franny and her "Holden Caulfield like" college boyfriend Lane. Then it all derailed with Franny's brother Zooey (another Holden) and this painful long back and forth wih his mother about what to do with poor mixed-up sister Franny. I wanted to like this book, but oh well. One good thing, it was very short, but this reader says save your time.』
(mcj review) 『The book is in fine condition, as described, and arrived in a timely fashion. Very satisfied.』
(Unless you plan on reading all of Salinger's work, avoid this book at all costs.) 『Like many, I'm sure, I loved Catcher in the Rye and wanted to read another book by J.D. Salinger. I happened to be in the mood for a quick read, so I figured I'd check this out. Bad decision. Although the book isn't entirely boring and uneventful, it mostly is. The book is a whole lot of talking and not a whole lot of substance. The dialogue is very well done, but it gets annoying when it just goes on and on. It gets very, very repetitive as well. Every now and again Salinger breaks it up with some useless, repetitive descriptions. The book actually starts out okay. It's not an exceptional opening, but it's adequate. You think that Salinger will go into more detail and character development, but he doesn't. There are two characters in this book, Franny...and Zooey. The rest of the characters, like 2 or 3, are very, very minor characters. The story just isn't interesting and it's not what I expected. Believe me when I say that I enjoy a wide range of books and that I am easy-going and easily interested in lot's of topics. Someone who has trouble getting interested in reading in the first place would NEVER get past the first couple pages of the Zooey section of the book, unless forced to. Anyway, I hope this review has helped you to make a decision if you are looking up reviews to decide to read this or not. I understand this may be a cult classic and that others in the past may have enjoyed this, but there is no way I can give this a good review and say that it was enjoyable to read.』 『This book contains two wonderful stories about members of the Glass family by the author of "The Catcher in the Rye". The first story takes place in downtown New Haven during the weekend of 'the Yale game' and follows Franny Glass on a date with her collegiate boyfriend. The second focuses on Zooey Glass, a somewhat emotionally toughened genius. As his younger sister Franny hits an emotional crisis in her parents' Manhattan living room, Zooey comes to her aid, offering love, understanding, and words of sage advice.』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (a true classic) 『I don't think anyone can go wrong with ordering this book. It is a true classic that every child needs read to them during their early developmental years.』
(classic) 『I loved this book as a kid and just bought it for my sister's upcoming baby.』
(Wonderful classic to begin early literacy skills with your child!) 『This is a great book to begin reading to your child very early. It has very predictable text and is great to begin early literacy skills that children need before they begin school.』
(Great bed time story) 『My one a half years old baby really likes the old lady whispering "hush". Its so cute hearing her complete the line about the old lady...
Hope you enjoy the book as we do.』
(An "I Spy" for babies.) 『I think a lot of people are missing the point of this book. The book is an "I Spy". The intent is for the child to find what is being mentioned. It provides interaction for the parent and child. You can do this with any picture book, but this one has been specifically illustrated to do so (on a much simpler scale then others).』 『
In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. "Goodnight room, goodnight moon." And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room--to the picture of the three little bears sitting in chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one--he says goodnight.
In this classic of modern children's literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day.
』 『Perhaps the perfect children's bedtime book,Goodnight Moonis a short poem of goodnight wishes from a young rabbit preparing for--or attempting to postpone--his own slumber. He says goodnight to every object in sight and within earshot, including the "quiet old lady whispering hush." Clement Hurd's illustrations are simple and effective, alternating between small ink drawings and wide, brightly colored views of the little rabbit's room.
Finding all of the items mentioned throughout the book within the pictures is a good bedtime activity--a reappearing little mouse is particularly pesky. By the end of the little rabbit's goodnight poem, the story has quieted to a whisper, and the drawings have darkened with nightfall. As you turn the last page, you can expect a sleepy smile and at least a yawn or two. (Picture book)』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Love This Series!) 『I'm really enjoying the Elvis Cole/Joe Pike novels. This is the best one I've read todate. I've read all the other novels by Mr Crais that doesn't feature Elvis and Joe, so I decided to give this series a try and I'm glad I did. I've enjoyed them all. "Demolition Angel" was my first Crais novel and I've been a fan every since. He's definitely on my list of favorite authors.』
(The Very Best Cole/Pike Book) 『I own all of the Crais Elvis Cole books, and have read them all at least twice (except "The First Rule" which just came out).
For depth of plot, character development, action and suspense, this is hands-down the best of them all.
*** Small Spoiler ***
Am I the only one who thinks Elvis should have dumped that schlub Lucy and gone with Samantha? She's the shyzz...』
(L. A. Requiem (Elvis Cole Novels)) 『The murder of Joe Pike's ex-girlfriend, Karen Garcia, leads Elvis Cole and Joe into dangerous waters as they search for a possible serial killer.
Elvis's girlfriend Lucie doesn't care for the lifestyle he keeps and there's a female detective with a crush on him.
This is an entertaining story with a solid plot. The killer's identity eluded me all through the story and I enjoyed that. 』
(What a Book!!!!!) 『I have just now read the final words. I closed the book slowly, running my hands all over it, before I held it tightly to my heart for a few moments. I do that after great reads. One of the best Detective titles I`ve red. Oh, man, man, MAN.... what a book!
No reader can ask for anything more, but if you`re an exception, you must read these ones:
The Mysterious Affair at Styles The Secret Adversary: A Tommy and Tuppence Mystery!
』
(Comparable to the best of Michael Connelly - this is an excellent crime novel) 『This is only the second Robert Crais novel I've read but I knew it was one of the first Crais novels I should read. It is widely regarded as the best of the Elvis Cole series and, while I haven't read many, I'm inclined to believe that's true. LA Requiem is a great crime novel that rivals the best of Michael Connelly.
I understand that this novel marked a real shift in tone over previous Cole novels that were regarded as well-written, but lightweight and formulaic detective novels featuring a wise-cracking PI. I can't comment on the early Cole novels but I can say that LA Requiem is more complex and considerably darker than most novels in this genre.
Crais' writing is high caliber with great observations about people, life, and the City of Angels. The characters are well developed. Pike played only a minor role in the other Crais novel I've read (Chasing Darkness) but in this novel he is a fully realized character. Cole isn't just a smart Alec PI in this novel. Crais makes him conflicted and vulnerable and has him deal with a wide range of emotions including grief and fear and loss.
The only slight weakness of the novel is the mystery itself which isn't very mysterious. I knew who the killer was going to be the moment the character is introduced in the novel (nothing I could prove in court, but I've read enough crime novels to know when someone is going to end up being the killer). The killer himself is not especially interesting and his motivation seemed a little thin to me. Personally I would have preferred it if Crais had dispensed with the whole 'mystery' regarding the killer's identity and provided more back-story and insight into the mind of the killer.
The bottom line: LA Requiem is a top drawer crime novel. It is far richer and much more rewarding than the vast majority of novels in the genre. Highly recommended. 4½ stars. 』 『
The day starts like any other in Los Angeles with the sun burning hot as the Santa Ana winds blow. But for private investigator Joe Pike, the city will never be the same again. His ex-lover, Karen Garcia, has been brutally murdered with a gunshot to the head, and her powerful father has called on Pike and his partner, Elvis Cole, to keep an eye on the LAPD's investigation. In the City of Angels everyone has secrets, and what starts as procedural hand-holding turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse.
』 『More than 10 years ago, I was shocked to learn that some puerile piece of fluff had won the Edgar for Best Paperback Original, when it was so obvious to me and virtually everyone else in the Western Hemisphere that the award should have gone toThe Monkey's Raincoat, the book that introduced Elvis Cole, private eye, and is to this day one of the funniest books I've ever read.
The terrific Elvis Cole series has grown through the years, each book better than the last, but nothing prepared me for the quantum leap (yes, it's a cliché, but it belongs here) that Crais has made withL.A. Requiem. It's not as funny as the other books in the series, but it's a beautifully plotted detective story, rich with police procedure, and it will keep even the most sophisticated reader at sea right until the end. And that's what elevates this book to the level of literature.
This one is more about Joe Pike, Elvis's silent sidekick, than it is about Elvis. We learn, through Pike's own eyes, how his childhood made him the way he is today. It's also about a friendship so strong that it threatens Elvis's relationship with his beloved Lucy. It is a tender but dark book--a serial killer book--but it doesn't attempt to outgross the other serial killer books on the shelf. It is funny at times and chilling at other times, making it one of the rare books that can't help but linger in the memory long after it's been read and put away.--Otto Penzler』
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