Reviews by booksaver

booksaver says "You need to own this album. " about Keb' Mo' by Keb' Mo'

booksaver — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:43:31 GMT

Keb' Mo is an amazing singer/ songwriter. His laid-back ballads will soothe you, and his reggae will make you dance. He can write and play all the kinds of blues: Chicago, Delta, Electric, Acoustical. His voice is warm chocolate and his lyrics speak from the heart. This debut album does not have a bad song on it and even has some cover work on Robert Johnson. If you do not own this music you are missing out on a great one. He may be the heir apparent to B B King . . . and that would be a very good thing....

booksaver says "wonderful, sparkly, satsifying" about George Winston - Autumn

booksaver — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:28:15 GMT

I love George WInston. . . this music never gets old or feels stale. He creates the music out of his soul every time you hear it. All of his albums are jewels, and this one shines brightly. Brillant piano player and masterful songwriter- this man touches my soul....

booksaver says "compelling- can't put it down" about Promise Me

booksaver — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:56:48 GMT

Harlen Coben has not published a bad book yet. This one is a start- it - in- the- eening- and- stay-awake- all- night- until- you- finish- it book. Do not plan on doing anything else while you read this book. Always a pleasure to fall into his world and his stories....

booksaver says "Great start to a good series by a skillful writer." about Someone To Watch Over Me

booksaver — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:50:26 GMT

This is the first of the Grace and Favor series. The characters are fun, the setting authentic and believeable, and the plot entertaining. These are "cozy" mysteries with fun titles which are taken from the songs of the era. If you like these, and they are very easy to like, try Jill Churchill's other mysteries. A fun read by a skillful author ....

booksaver says "Compelling, thought-provoking classic" about The Giver

booksaver — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:42:36 GMT

This may be the best of Lois Lowery's books. Its setting is reminscent of Huxley's Brave New World. The individual vs society theme has never been explored this well before for readers on an elem/mid school level. Images from this book echo through your mind long after the book is over. It is wonderful to re-read. I have taught it in my 7th grade classroom and never had a student dislike it. I have had students stunned, moved, and crying at the end of it. This is a very powerful book. My students seek out the rest of the series when this one ends. Also in series: Gathering Blue and Messenger. Some editions have the author's Newbery Acceptance speech as an appendix. Read it if you can- it is as good as any of her other published work....

booksaver says "her best so far with Rourke and Dallas" about Strangers in Death

booksaver — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:49:08 GMT

This is her best so far in the " in Death" series. The characters are more enjoyable and seem to be more alive than in some other books. The plot is nicely constructed and holds out until the very end. Although terse ane tense in some scenes, this installment has the characters enjoying themselves more. There is very little extraneous violence or blood, and some of the anger seen in previous books has mellowed in this one.

Always a delight to revisit Dallas and Rourke!!!!

...

booksaver says "typical but not outstanding" about Gardunos of Mexico - Albuquerque, NM

booksaver — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:42:10 GMT

Garduno's has been around for a long time. The food is typical and rather touristy. It may call itself "authentic" but it is the standard, homogenized Tex-Mex food that you can get anywhere. The chili is mild and the dishes are often dry or over-cooked. The atmosphere is loud, the prices are reasonable, and the service sporatic. Suck down enough beer or a few marguritas and you will think it is wonderful....

booksaver says "not worth the money- not up to the hype" about RoC Retinol Actif Pur Anti-Wrinkle Treatment Night 1.01 fl oz (30 ml)

booksaver — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:47:33 GMT

I tried this on the advice of a friend. I was not pleased... expensive and no effect. I see this as one of those " I should have known better" products. It is especially upsetting when I figure how much this is per treatment. I am sticking to my tried and true- this is a rip off....

booksaver says "Family owned and delicious" about South China Chinese Restaurant - Albuquerque, NM

booksaver — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:36:35 GMT

This hole in the wall is run by an extended family and is miles different from the chains of buffets in town. The prices are very reasonable, and the food is prepared after you order. This is not a buffet, and the freshness of the food really comes through. The very accommodating kitchen staff will add/ delete to dishes ( no MSG, extra hot on some dishes, etc). They will remember you and greet you as you return. One of our favorites for eat in and take out....

booksaver says "Satisfying for fans" about Stephen King - Duma Key

booksaver — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:09:44 GMT

The name Stephen King is associated with horror, but this is a more subtle tension than some of his earlier works. He concentrates more on personalities and compulsions and less on the gruesome. He weaves the lives of his characters together- it is not as complex and The Stand or It, but this is reminiscent of how all things echo back and forth in time and cause and effect. Satisfying.

...

booksaver says "soothing and soothing" about Allergan Refresh Liquigel Eye Drops

booksaver — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:01:22 GMT

These were recommended to my after my Lasik surgery and I'm still using them because they feel so good. Long-lasting, non-stinging-, very refreshing. Good for your eyes (according to the Dr.) so you can use often.I have tried others but never feel - relief from them- can feel the difference every time I use this. I love this product. ...

booksaver says "worth the wait. . . tour de force" about World Without End

booksaver — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:29:31 GMT

This is the long awaited sequel to Pillars of the Earth. It was worth the long, long wait. The charaters are richly portrayed, the plot is multi-layered, and it is historically accurate. Totally engaging and wonderful. It, like Pillars, is very long but does not seem to last long enough. A tour de force by a great author....

booksaver says "not perfect for everyone, but darned close" about Lands' End classic tugless tank

booksaver — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:18:51 GMT

The people who designed and made this swimsuit know and like women's bodies. This is a great suit- classic, comfortable, and timeless. You chose the bra type and the leg cut for your body type. This suit forgives any extra pounds you may gain or (don't we all wish!!) lose. Any suit from Land's End is good, but this one piece keeps its shape, stays where you put it (top and bottom), keeps it color and shape for a long time,and lets you really swim without thinking about your coverage. Probably not for 16 year-old size 0 girls, but terrific for others.

...

booksaver says "I would shout my recommendation from the rooftops!" about Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser

booksaver — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 23:23:39 GMT

If I could shout it from the rooftops I would tell all the women (and men) I know to toss out the over-priced, over-advertised junk out there and go with this. It cleans, smooths, and moisturizes. It is available at drug stores, has no added scent, and is packaged with no frills. I wish I had known about this when I was a teen ager- or even when I was in my 20's. I have used it now for over a year and there is nothing that would make me use anything else. This is a great product from a great company. It is a mostly unknown treasure....

booksaver says "dump the high priced junk and use the best" about Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream

booksaver — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:06:42 GMT

Forget the drama and overblown hype- nothing will make you younger or give you surgerical results from a bottle. Cetaphil lotion will make your skin smooth, hydrated, and comfortable. It is just a moisturizer ( available with SFP), but it makes all the difference. I live in the desert and have tried every moisturizer out there, and this is my hands-down favorite. Cheap- available in drugstores, and not flashy: Also not overpriced, overhyped, overscented, or overadvertised!!!!Great stuff for everyone!!!...

booksaver says "suspensful and evocative" about The Darkest Evening of the Year

booksaver — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:18:15 GMT

Reminescent of some of his short stories, Koontz gives us believalble characters facing great odds. The good vs. evil, his main them, is a bit overplayed, but the story line is gripping and fast paced. As in his book The Taking, there are strong spirtual notes. As Koontz has matured as a writer he has moved beyond simple horror stories and explored more of the evil within all of us. This book satisfies as well as entertains- and it touch deep chords about how we know, trust, and rely on truth. Well worth your time....

booksaver says "unfinished business- shallow characters" about Patricia Daniels Cornwell - Book of the Dead Books

booksaver — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:34:09 GMT

The lastest in the Kay Scarpetta books is curiously unsatisfying. Dialogue is predictable, unfinished business from previous books is still unresolved, and the characters seem flat. The story line itself is simple , but it is confused with superflious details to unimportant items. Parts of the narrative feel like filler - padding out pages instead of adding to the story. Cornwell has demonstrated that she can tell a good story well, and this is a medium at best. Most disappointing was the lack of growth by the main characters- that had been a strength in the earlier books.

...

booksaver says "favorites fron the first" about In Death (Series Books)

booksaver — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:12:03 GMT

Although the crimes are often brutal, the affection the characters have for one another make these a cut above other series. The futuristic touches are a nice bonus, but the real pleasure comes from watching the characters grow from book to book. The plots are well-crafted and there are surprises in nearly everyone. It is especially gratifying to introduce someone to this series. I do wish she would write more/ more quickly in this series....

booksaver says "honest but incomplete" about Clapton: The Autobiography

booksaver — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:03:23 GMT

Clearly this book is written by a very private person. He is most honest and forthcoming when discussing his music. He admits that he had lost years due to his addictions, but even while he is talking about his recovery there are gaping holes in what he doesn't say. Since this book was not ghostwritten it is easy to see that there are things still too painful to make public.

If you are interested in a view of the last forty years of rock and roll and blues it is wonderful. Many artists of that era are named and praised both as colleagues and as influences. He seems more comfortalbe in the last chapters of his story as he talks about his current life. He seems, finally, content

...

booksaver says "good end to an epic" about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

booksaver — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 23:47:45 GMT

It picks up right where the previous one left off- and makes some very unexpected turns before the end. The middle dragged a bit, but time was suppose to drag in the plot, so that was OK. I liked the resolution, and the epilogue showed that the forgiveness and compassion from earlier in the book had really redeemed and changed some of the characters. Some characters perished, but since the first book in which a character died she has written about the high cost of fighting evil and the choices people make. There are scenes with unexpected humor and others with pathos; all in the dominant theme of ordinary people ( even if they aren't exactly ordinary people) doing extraordinary things. ...