Reviews about Books

VolFanGrl says "Full of plot twists I never expected....." about New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2)

VolFanGrl — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:32:09 GMT

I was highly anticipating this book. I had finished Twilight, and watched the movie, I could hardly contain myself. I read over half of the book in the first day!!!

While I was disappointed that there wasn't more Edward/Bella in this one, I thought that it was important to explore the relationship between Bella and Jake. While, I haven't read the next two novels yet, I was never so excited when Bella and Edward were reunited in the end. They are truly this generations Romeo and Juliet. I just hope that it doesn't end as tragically as that book did.....

During the break-up part of the book, though I felt silly, I cried like a baby!!! When I was 15-16 yrs old, I myself went through a terrible breakup, and while it was....a long time ago, the authors telling of it brought all of those old emotions flooding back! I felt that emptiness that Bella felt, and that pain, as I'm sure most, if not all, teens experience at some time or another. There is nothing on this earth like the pain of losing...

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VolFanGrl says "Best Book I've Read In A LOOONG Time" about Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)

VolFanGrl — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:17:23 GMT

I have to admit, I went into this book wary....I had heard that it was more for teens and young adults. And, since I just turned 30 (gulp), I had no intention of reading it. BUT, my husbands cousin, I think she's 21, kept telling me that I HAD to read it, that I would love it. But, when her MOTHER chimed in and told me the same thing, I thought, "What the heck!" So, I bought it....I am so glad I did.

I immediatly fell in love. It took me back to my teen years (which weren't SO long ago!!), and I could actually feel that angst and passion of your first love....Edward and Bella are perfect. I could barely put the book down! I couldn't wait to watch the movie afterward!

This writer, Stephanie Meyer, put into words every emotion I felt at that age! She is such a wonderful author, and I can't wait to check out some more of her work!

I am so glad that I listened to my husbands cousin and picked up this book.....it is well worth it!!!

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this2shallpass19 says "After two attempts, I officially quit this book....again." about Monster

this2shallpass19 — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:52:53 GMT

Let me preface this review by saying I am a Jonathan Kellerman fan. I have read over eight of his books and almost always enjoy them. However, his book Monster, is his worst book yet and so bad, I couldn't even finish it.

It is extremely rare for me to quit on a book. I will usually finish a book just in case the end makes up for the rest. Since Monster is written by an author I almost always enjoy, I gave the book two chances before giving up on it.

The first chance was about a year ago. I tried and tried to get into it and couldn't, so I put it back on my bookshelf to try at a later time. At the time I thought that perhaps the reason why I couldn't get into it was because I was in the mood to read a different kind of book. Now a year later, I tried the book again and realized that this is just a bad book. I normally read a book in the span of a week or two. After about 6 weeks, I was a quarter into the book. I just couldn't get into it.

Monster is for...

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BarbaraLyn says "Powerful men and world economics" about THE CALIPHATE

BarbaraLyn — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:12:54 GMT

Wall Street, kidnapping and appreciating currency are what THE CALIPHATE is all about.

The prologue describes a woman setting up a boat to explode. There are several characters in this scene but I was confused as to who was who and what exactly was happening even after reading the whole prologue.

Trent Lambert is the CEO of a large company. He has the power to depreciate the currency of countries when he wheels his power. With the ins and outs of the Stock Exchange, it was hard for me to follow what was happening. Most of it went right over my head.

Lambert's son, Eric, is kidnapped. The price for his return is to bring the South East Asian currencies back to their former value in one week. Lambert's wife asks him to contact the FBI. The problem with that is that they are investigating him for securities fraud.

If you want to read about how powerful people twist and turn the world's currencies and the trouble in the economy of the countries of the world, then this...

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GigiandAdonai says "A story of young love, loss and faith above all else." about A Walk To Remember

GigiandAdonai — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:37:19 GMT

After reading Lost Souls I needed to read something that wasn't so scarey and I wanted something to lift my spirits. I went to my bookshelf and began running my fingers across the many books and was taking notice of the ones that I have yet to read. I spotted A Walk To Remember and after having seen the movie tons of times and listening to the soundtrack I decided this was the book for me, at the moment. The funny thing was that I really didn't realize that Nicholas Sparks was also the same person who wrote the book Nights In Rodanthe that would later become a movie. You can read my review of the movie Nights In Rodanthe here if you like.

As I began reading A Walk To Remember I noticed rather quickly that the book was going to be a little different from the movie. The book opens up with Landon Carter providing a prologue to his senior year in high school, 1958, Beaufort, NC. The description of the town was what I can visualize modern day Hilton Head or Beaufort, both in...

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BarbaraLyn says "Every myth and legend available" about SHADOW DANCERS

BarbaraLyn — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:32:01 GMT

Vampires, Egyptian lore, the Devil, aliens, immortals and werewolves are all things that make up our myths and legends. SHADOW DANCERS are about those myths.

James Brooks is a Shadow Dancer. He has the ability to take a human body just after it dies and become that person. He is innumerable years old and is a warrior whose purpose is to keep the evil in the world from overtaking the good. Tricia Morningstar and her friend, Brad Thomas are attached in the park. Tricia is saved by James from the werewolves attach but he is too late to save Brad. They tear him literally limb from limb.

Jeffery Cole is the police detective that is given the job of investigating this attack. He and his partner cannot even begin to understand what they see. Even better is the fact that James was mortally wounded in the attack but when then detectives question him the next morning, he is all but healed. Trying to talk with James, they get nowhere.

Then James disappears from his hospital...

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GigiandAdonai says "Is it a vampire or serial killer? What's happening to coeds?" about Lost Souls

GigiandAdonai — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:30:35 GMT

There's a big hype about vampires and werewolves thanks to the Twilight saga. Several weeks ago my dear friend Lisa Carey introduced me to the book Lost Souls. This typically isn't my kind of book but after reading all four books in the Twilight saga I decided to read it.

Lost Souls goes above and beyond what Twilight does. In fact, it's more powerful, less romance and more of the things that vampirism is made of. This book scared me more than once but once I got into it I couldn't put it down.

Kristi Bentz is a 27-year-old going back to All Saints College. She is wanting to investigate and report on the mysterious disappearance of four coeds who have all vanished within the last 18 months. Her father, Rick, is a detective with the New Orleans Police Department and fears for her life because he knows that she has already escaped death twice.

All Saints College is a fictitious location in Louisiana. A lot of the storyline will pull in information from the events of...

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jokerku says "Adventurous Ninja story about friendship and acceptance" about Naruto

jokerku — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:15:45 GMT

Originated from Japan, the Manga Naruto is the story of a teenage kid striving to be the best Ninja of his village while learning the true meaning of friendship and acceptance. Naruto, an adolescent Ninja who pledged to become a Hokage, the strongest and acknowledged as the leader of their village. This ongoing Japanese Manga series is written and illustrated on a weekly basis by Masashi Kishimoto. Popular aross the globe and translated into numerous languages, it was first publised in Weekly Shunen Jump Magazine in Japan in 1999. The most recent Volume is Vol. 45, which was released in June, 2009 in the US published by Viz Media. The manga has been adapted into an anime, and was premiered across Japan on the terrestrial TV Tokyo network in 2003. It has also been developed into movies, light-novel, action-figures, and Video games. The story includes Ninja fighting scenes and intense plots that was well written accompanied by the beautiful and precise linework...

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Jessicaam2006 says "Hoping for the sequal to this breathtaking heartbreaker." about Dear John

Jessicaam2006 — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:54:38 GMT

Nicholas Sparks has a way with words and he takes you into a magical place with Dear John. In this heartbreaking novel you are on the edge of your seat praying for John as he is overseas defending his country after 9/11, while your heart goes out to his beloved girlfriend back in the US. Its an improbable romance that steals your heart and makes you wish for a love like theirs. You go through the ups and downs of family devastation and them being thousands of miles apart. This book puts you in a small town and makes you believe you are a part of it, It is a perfect novel to read on the beach or on a rainy day, but be warned you will be crying its definately a tearjerker. It would be incredible if Nicholas Sparks would make a sequal because it was left very open at the end and left you wondering with a million different questions in your head. I love all of his books but this one was by far my favorite yet.

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Fardreamer says "Blair's Silent Victory is classic book on U.S. subs in WWII" about Clay Blair - Silent Victory: The U.S. Submarine War Against Japan

Fardreamer — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:23:58 GMT

Even though I have never been in the United States Navy nor have any relatives who have done so, I have always had more than a passing interest In almost all things naval, including the evolution of warships and naval tactics, famous battles and/or campaigns, and biographies of famous naval officers such as John Paul Jones and Chester W. Nimitz.

Of course, because I'm a big World War II buff I tend to be more interested in books and movies that tackle the topics of modern naval warfare, and one of the types of warships that fascinates me is the submarine.

Although much has been written about Nazi Germany's U-boats and the 1939-1945 Battle of the Atlantic -- Admiral Karl Doenitz's all-out effort to strangle transatlantic trade to Britain with submarines and surface raiders -- there have been few really interesting books on America's successful efforts to interdict Japanese naval and merchant shipping in the Pacific War.

Yes, there are a few good novels out there on the topic (Edward...

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onyx95 says "Suprisingly good combination of romance, history and paranormal." about Mina Hepsen - Under the Blood Red Moon

onyx95 — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:07:52 GMT

Princess Angelica Belanov grew up knowing she was different, she was able to her other peoples thoughts, so she had decided to seclude herself from others to protect herself as well others. Finding that another seemed to have that same gift, gave her hope as a way to control it better. Prince Kourakin was so used to reading other peoples minds that he thought nothing of it, until he realized that the enchanting beauty that had just been in his mind was not of the same race as himself, a vampire. The search for the rouge vampire, the need to track down the newest vampire slayer and now he had to decide how to deal with this human, beautiful as she may be, but still she couldn’t be left knowing about his race.

The added combination of paranormal (vampires) and historical romance (set in 1871) was well done. Vampires and all the legends surrounding them could be summed up as legends, the book, the rituals, the ceremonies, the fight scene all down played (but still very well detailed) so...

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LisaCarey says "Two Savich and Sherlock Mystery Stories in One Book " about Double Jeopardy

LisaCarey — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:44:58 GMT

Catherine Coulter is the author of the New York Times-bestselling FBI thrillers The Cove, The Maze, The Target, The Edge, Riptide, Hemlock Bay, Eleventh House, Blindside, Blowout, Point Blank, Double Take and TailSpin. In Double Jeopardy, The Target and The Edge are reprinted on one volume. This crime, suspense, mystery brings back the familiar FBI husband and wife team of Savich and Sherlock to solve the mystery and get the bad guy (or girl).

In The Target, an appellate court judge takes a break after a courtroom fiasco which he emerges the hero and comes across a little girl in the woods who had been kidnapped, tortured and sexually abused. The story develops as he and the girls mother explore the world of Las Vegas, the Mafia, the pop music industry and try to solve an unusual murder and discover who is ultimately behind the kidnapping and why.

In The Edge, an FBI agent is recovering from a bombing when he dreams of his sister involved in a life threatening car crash. However,...

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LisaCarey says "Murdering English Professor vs Small Town Sheriff " about The Language of Evil

LisaCarey — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:05:00 GMT

Author Robert Beattie is author of Language of Evil as well as of Nightmare in Wichita, and a New York Times Best Selling author. In Language of Evil he gives us a look into what is described as a "brilliant mind, a brutal murder and almost a perfect crime."

Tom Murry, English Professor is suspected of the murder of his ex-wife Carmin, who left him for another man, a so called "New Age" lifestyle and planned to move with his daughter to San Diego California.

Carmin's murder was brutal, with stabbings and beatings but very little actual evidence.

Small town Deputy Sheriff Doug Woods was persistent in his investigation of Tom Murray as well as other suspects (of which there was very little evidence to point to) and eventually brought him to trial with the District Attorney's office a year after the murder.

Much of the book is devoted to the approximately 12 hour long interview of Prof. Murray, and English professor who stated he was innocent and had no need of an attorney....

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awlafon says "Mom and Me Cookbook: Great first cookbook" about Dk Publishing - Mom And Me Cookbook

awlafon — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:54:50 GMT

Mom and Me Cookbook

Have fun in the kitchen!

by Annabel Karmel, published by DK

We've invested in several cookbooks for our kids and we've been rewarded in kind with a great interest in cooking and helping out in the kitchen. One of our very favorite kid's cookbooks has been the Disney The Magic Kitchen Cookbook but the Mom and Me Cookbook is also very worthy. In fact, I think that the Mom and Me Cookbook by Annabel Karmel, author of First Meals, would be a great first cookbook for kids. It is published by DK Publishing, a house that does a terrific job with non-fiction books for kids.

What I like about Mom and Me Cookbook:

The Table of Contents is so user-friendly.

A well organized, large print list has both the titles and page numbers as well as photos of the prepared dish. So kids can quickly scan and find what they are looking for and even non-readers can use this cookbook.

Photos of all of the ingredients and each step of the recipe.

Each of the twenty two recipes is...

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njchicaa says "The Next Thing on My List is a fast and easy summer read." about The Next Thing on My List

njchicaa — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:34:01 GMT

The Next Thing on My List by Jill Smolinski certainly has an interesting premise: June Parker is driving a virtual stranger, Marissa, home from a Weight Watchers meeting when they are involved in a major car crash and Marissa is killed. June finds a list written by 24-year old Marissa in the car entitled "20 Things To Do by My 25th Birthday." Because Marissa obviously cannot complete the remaining 18 items on the list, June becomes determined to finish everything off to honor her memory.

June was obviously depressed after the car crash and she waits until there are only about six months left before she gets serious about working on the list. Some of the tasks are easy (6. Dare to go braless, 12. Try boogie boarding, 16. Get a massage, 17. Throw away bathroom scale), while others are much more challenging (3. Change someone's life, 5. Run a 5K, 15. Take (Marissa's) Mom and Grandma to see Wayne Newton, 20. Make a big donation to charity).

During the course of the story, June meets...

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njchicaa says "Coming Unglued didn't impress me." about Coming Unglued

njchicaa — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:15:48 GMT

I didn't particularly love the first book in this scrapbooking series, Sisters, Ink., but it is summer and I'm willing to read just about anything at this point, so I requested it from the local library. 2 days and about 3 hours (total) later, I've finished the second book, Coming Unglued, and am ready to send it straight back to the library.

The Sisters, Ink series follows four women from different backgrounds/ethnicities who were adopted by the pastor at the local church. Their adoptive mother has long since passed away due to cancer, but the sisters meet frequently to work, laugh, and talk in her scrapbooking studio. This particular book focuses on Kendra Sinclair, an African-American artist who spent eight years watching her insecure mother get in relationship after relationship with loser men, some of whom also violated her. She has been dating Darin for a couple of months, but doesn't feel that she is worthy of such a good man's affection. Unfortunately, she also is involved...

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LisaCarey says "Twilight Saga Continues with the Rise and Fall of New Moon " about New Moon (The Twilight Saga, Book 2)

LisaCarey — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:28:46 GMT

I really don't have as much time to read as I would like, so when I do read several things happen. I either lose patience with poorly written books or I devour them up sort of like a group of teenagers on a pizza. New Moon, book 2 in the Twilight Saga was one of those that, to be honest, had me confused. I read it quickly, I think in about 2 days. Let me explain, I am a WAHM, I have 4 children and a very busy schedule, so if I read New Moon in 2 days there must have been something done right don't you think?

New Moon opens with what can only be described at the birthday party from you know where. A small cut on Bella causes members of Edward's vampire family to go into a frenzy. As a result, Edward in an effort to protect the disaster prone Bella from herself and being torn apart by vampires decides that they will all leave her alone.

After pulling herself from a deep, dark depression mostly be rebounding by spending time with Jacob and also acting out with irresponsible...

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BarbaraLyn says "Triangles made easy" about TWIN PEAKS

BarbaraLyn — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:02:17 GMT

A Baker's Dozen of quilt patterns are in TWIN PEAKS. As with most quilting books, it begins with eight pages of basic techniques including how to make the "Twin Peak" block. If you are just learning to quilt, this is a great section to read. If you are a more advanced quilters, you never know when a technique might need to be reviewed.

In looking at the "Twin Peak" block and comparing that to a Quarter Square Triangle Pair, I do not find any difference. Maybe this is just Gayle's way of making QS Triangles quicker and easier and the traditional method.

The patterns begin with the name of the quilt and a full color photo. The finished quilt and block size are given next with a paragraph about the quilt. A list of materials needed and the way to cut the fabric is next. Instructions on how to make the blocks are well written and have graphics to help you understand what you are reading. Suggestions on borders and finishing are the final items in the instructions.

Tips...

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BarbaraLyn says "Retro quilts in pieced and applique" about QUILTS FOR ALL SEASON

BarbaraLyn — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:32:30 GMT

This book contains fourteen quilt patterns with an retro look. It begins with a five page basics overview, just in case you need to refresh yourself on a particular item. Then it jumps right into the patterns.

Each pattern gives a skill level and the finished block and quilt size. A materials and cutting list is next with tips on seam allowances and strip length. A full color photo of the quilt with a paragraph about it is next, followed by detailed directions on creating the blocks. Lots of graphics help to understand the written words. Borders and finishing suggestions are the last of the written pattern.

Tips are given through out the book and are found in colored boxes with wavy tops. Any templates that are needed to complete a quilt are given at full size. This is very nice as you don't have to run out to the copy shop to get enlargements. Eight of the fourteen quilts are done in piece work only; the other six have appliqués on them.

The last page has a photo...

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jrg2005 says "great storytelling at its best" about Brandon Mull - Fablehaven: Fablehaven; Rise of the Evening Star; Grip of the Shadow Plague

jrg2005 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:44:33 GMT

This is a great series.Fablehaven is for those that like adventure and strange creatures.The story is full of faries,a golem and witches.I have fallen in love with this series.If you like harry potter you will like these books.I would say they are for ages 12 and up because there are some scary parts in the books.They can be hard to find.I had buy copy off of amazon I just hate waiting for it come in the mail.This book would also be great for a classroom or a teacher because there are so many things that can be done on the morals side of things.I can't wait to read more.

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