http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/PatGabM2 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:50:05 GMT Reviews by PatGabM2 http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Kite-Runner--131589-review-b13a1 I read the Kite Runner after my 21 year old daughter recommended it.  I was immediately engrossed in the book.  My daughter even hosted a book signing for Barnes and Noble for Khaled Hosseini, and he signed my edition of Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns.  I was hesitant to see The Kite Runner, especially after reading some other reviews...they didn't stay true to the book, etc and so on.  Then, too, we have the hype surrounding the Afghani boys that were in the movie and had to be relocated due to a scene in the movie.  — — Marc Forster did an amazing job with this movie, and anything that wasn't true to the book was subtle, and not integral to the movie.  This is the plot synopsis courtesy of about.com:  Hosseini's debut novel follows Amir, the son of a wealthy merchant from Kabul, who harbors guilt over a horrible event that happened to his friend Hassan. Amir eventually flees Afghanistan after the Russians invade to begin a... Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:50:05 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Kite-Runner--131589-review-b13a1 PatGabM2 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/American-Airlines-review-3b053 We used American Airlines for our last trip which was from Boston to Austin and back in the early part of the month.  The flights were right on time, even connections, we had no problems getting on or off the plane, our luggage was waiting for us when we got to baggage claim, and their schedules were very compatible with what we were looking for. — — My son is flying home for Christmas out of Dallas-Fort Worth.  The flight was a little more expensive, but the schedules were AWESOME, and they were direct flights.  I hope my son has the same experience that we had.  — — My only disappointment was the sale of snacks.  I knew that they did that though, and was prepared with snacks for my family.  — — Hope this helps. —... Fri, 23 Nov 2007 05:53:51 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/American-Airlines-review-3b053 PatGabM2 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Nineteen-Minutes-review-b3161 This book was very disappointing to me.  The subject matter, which hits home with so many that have students in high school, or who are the parents of bullied children.  So much more could have been done with this book that wasn't.  There were very good character twists that illuminate the characters a little better, but overall, this wasn't a book I would... Fri, 23 Nov 2007 05:39:55 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Nineteen-Minutes-review-b3161 PatGabM2 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Kite-Runner-review-a43f1 This book is just beautifully written about two young friends and the turn of events in one day that effect the boys for the rest of their lives. It was fascinating to learn about Afghanistan pre-Taliban, even though it was a work of fiction. This was definitely one of my favorite books. His other book was good, but not nearly as good as this one! If you get the opportunity, definitely read... Fri, 23 Nov 2007 05:28:51 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Kite-Runner-review-a43f1 PatGabM2 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Jodi-Picoult-My-Sisters-Keeper-review-3c8d1 I ATE this book, it went so fast.  Seriously, I read half of it in one day.  The writing style was very unique, using different fonts for the different characters in the book.  The ending was totally unexpected for me.  I think everyone that I know that read this book was in tears at the end of it.  This was my first Jodi Piccoult book, and everything else has paled in comparison.   Definitely, read this book!!!... Fri, 23 Nov 2007 05:16:30 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Jodi-Picoult-My-Sisters-Keeper-review-3c8d1 PatGabM2 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Simmons-College-review-0cd50 My daughter is in her third year at Simmons and absolutely loves it.  It was the only school she applied to, and they took her on an early admission.  She also won the Presidential Scholarship.  I do agree with the previous reviewer, that the tuition is fairly high, but in comparison with other private colleges, it's about average.  She has a large group of friends, and is very active with the crew team.  Her dorm room is small, but the building that they live in was re-vamped recently (and I'm hearing that they will be doing that with most, if not all of the dorms), and they have a private bathroom this year.  In previous years, when she's been in dorms that had community bathrooms, when we used them, they were always clean.  My daughter has mostly had amazing teachers (there were some that she didn't enjoy), and is overall, very pleased with her experiences there.  The quad where she lives is very impressive with fencing all around that is... Fri, 23 Nov 2007 05:08:49 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Simmons-College-review-0cd50 PatGabM2 4