A Books

What a great, great book! I just finished it and told my daughter when she finishes reading it, I am going to read it again. So many life lessons. You could feel God's presence throughout the whole read.

I could not put this book down. It was really a compeling story, but did get tired of the main character continueing leaving to find herself, and the last time it really was unbelievable she got herself mixed up with "Duke" again, but guess the author had to do that to bring the book to a close. I read alot of Christian historical fiction and found this one a little more "suggestive" than most. But all in all a entertaining book.

This is such a beautiful book based on biblical principles. I really do recommend it to all who are having trouble in their marriage. It really shows us so clearly how GOD wants us to love and how an unconditional love transforms each of us into the image of HIS dearly begotten Son Jesus. A must read for Christians and Non-Christians alike. GOD created us and HE has certain spiritual laws we must follow. Some follow them unconciously some read the manual which is naturally the Bible.
The book is fast paced and next to impossible to put down. Be very very blessed.

WOW! I could not put the book down. I read it in three days and it only took me that long because I have a 1 year old that consumes so much attention. This book was amazing. I have my mother in law reading it now. It reminded me of the way we treat God. This book can be enjoyed by anyone.

MY SISTER PLEADED WITH ME TO READ THIS BOOK, SHE HAD AND ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!! I DIDN'T THINK THAT I WAS GOING TO BECAUSE, I'M NOT AS SPIRITUALLY MATURE AS SHE!!!!! I GOT THE BOOK ( JUST TO SHUT HER UP!!), AND LITERALLY WAS SHUT UP AND DOWN UNTIL I FINISHED IT!!! IT WAS SO INTERESTING AND CONSUMING THAT I LITERALLY LAUGHED ,CRIED, GOT ANGRY, MY HEART SWELLED AS MICHAEL CONTINUALLY SHOWED HER UNCONDITIONAL LOVE TIME AFTER TIME!!!!! THE SIZE OF THE BOOK DID INTIMIDATE ME IN THE BEGINNING, NOW I WAS THAT THERE WAS A SEQUEL!!!! THIS ONE IS FOR MY LIBRARY DEFINITELY!!!! THE PERFECT STORY OF GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!!!!!! THIS BOOK IS ANOITED BY GOD HIMSELF!!!!!! ENJOY!!!!!!I TRULY DID!!!!!!

I bought this book as a gift for my 16yr old niece. The very next day, she told me how much she loved the book. She even cried reading it. I think it's nice to find reading materials that can move the minds and feelings of teenagers.

I skimmed through the book before I gave it to my granddaughter who just turned 13. I thought it had some well written stories that a teenager can relate to and a lot of food for thought. She was so happy to get it, since she had the one for pre-teens also and really liked it.

Once again, "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books has a hit. This is a wonderful gift for young teens with its easy read of short stories on pertinent topics and experiences teens face. Teens I have given it to as a gift have loved it and purchased the next in the teen series. Also a source of good talking points for those anxiety ridden moments or social issues teens face.

I am a teacher in two high schools and I like to read the stories of the book to my students from time to time to inspirate them and reinforce their teenage self esteem! I suggest it to all teacher to make the same with a nice calm background music.

I recomend that you read this book because its stories are touching, sad, heart warming, and pretty much every other emotion you can feel. You can learn a lot about different in life, and how people got through them. :p
zoe r.
lanier ms

The book was well written, great humor and very relatable for anyone who has ever been in love or would like to be. The only thing is that the cover does not give the book any justice. At first glance you would think its one of those trashy romance novels, however its about more than romance, its about true love and the romance behind it.

This novel was a soulful journey. It connects with the reality of relationships and with all of its struggles and triumph. I was drawn into the characters from the opening page. He tells this tale with a poetic spin. His words unfold beautifully and each character takes on a life of its own. I think readers will find a little bit of themselves in this book. I loved it!

This book is a beautiful experience. It is one of the most passionate and real books that I have ever read. I couldn't put it down and I wish that it was longer. The emotions of the characters are so strong that they leap off of the page. This book makes you want to go out and fall in love and hope that you experience half the passion and true love that these characters experience.

I must admit I have not normally been a fan of romantic fiction, but Mr. Channer provided me with a very pleasant literary experience. The story was one, not just of romance, but of life and the joys, pains, ups and downs of the situations we deal with in life.

I felt a true insight to each character. I admired Fire's loyalty to his friendship with Ian, despite the fact that Ian was not always the most pleasant or trustworthy person. Surprisingly, I was on the edge of my seat during every "episode" between Fire and Sylvia. The attraction between them was electric and I was drawn into their romance. Black love is not always tastefully displayed in literature or the media, but there was a real-ness to their situation. Their experience made me mad, saddened me, made me smile and then go through each emotion all over again!

The book had a poetic flow to it. What I also enjoyed was the very colorful descriptions of the different settings in the story. I could visualize the streets of New York and London, smell the scents, hear the sounds and feel the culture of Jamaica.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It is a story of struggle: exploring struggle, working through it, overcoming it, and realizing that there are some things you just never get over. It is a story of love and passion, tragedy and conflict. It has motivated me to include more Black romantic fiction in my reading collection. And that was no easy feat!

Colin Channer to me is like a modern day Picasso with a pen. His dialogue is compelling, soul-stirring and purposeful and his characters are engaging. You can almost close your eyes and imagine yourself seeing the story unfold as if you were a fly on the wall at a gallery in New York, a beach house in Jamaica, or the Streets of London. This is the mark of a truly great storyteller.

Our main character, Fire, is a "simple" man with a "complex" life. By simple I mean he wants what any sane person would want, a circle of good life-long friends, a fulfilling life, and someone emotionally and physically available to share it all with. So, when he meets Sylvia, he feels like he has found the one. What he doesn't know is that Sylvia, an engaged magazine editor, is all but disengaged from her own true desires for her life. Soon we see that complications abound, and the journey they take throughout the story takes the reader on a cross-continental journey in search of introspection, true meaning and, possibly, true love.

An interesting point is that Channer's characters are written from their souls - what drives them to do the things they do is less about their gender than their emotions and their pasts. With such a multi-faceted story, several layers of conflict, we still get a crystal clear picture and understanding as to why things unfold teh way they do. It is a believable, gripping, page turner, and Channer conveys it effortlessly.

Waiting in Vain, simply put, was one of the two best books I have read in a long time. The other was Satisfy My Soul (also by Colin Channer). As an aspiring writer, I wish my prose was as naturally beautiful as Mr. Channer's. Until it is, I will keep devouring his work in hopes that some of his literary poeticism rubs off.

This book, along with another came in on time and for a great price. I Love this book.. I am now waiting to read the two books left that tells the rest of Dave's Story. There are 4 all together!

This book will open your eyes to child abuse. You will forever remember and reflect on what you have read. We all have a need to be loved.

this is a good book! i love it when dave sees that kid and the kid says what you call my sister? then dave says a horror? then the kid punches dave, makes his nose bleed, and says don't you ever, ever, call my sister a whore again! read it if you liek dave pelzer as much as me!

I purchased this book for my girlfrind, and she loved it! The compelling story of this little boy and his fight for survival would motivate anyone to keep moving forward. It is a must read!

"After a few sweeps I shook my head `She`s gone! She`s not there!'" The book, The Lost Boy bye Dave Pelzer, is about a boy named David who goes into foster care. His mom, (who is the actual crazy person) thinks her son, David should go into a Mental Institution! I think that she has already punished him enough, but apparently she will still try harder. On page 203, Lillian (David's first foster parents) tells David how his mom has been trying to put him down since he went into foster care! She try's everything in her power to tell everyone that David is crazy. She tells lies about David like starting fires and much more! I think that ages 13 and older could read this book. I think that anyone under the age of 13 wouldn't really understand this book very well. The setting of the book is in a couple different places, in court, and in different foster homes. This Non-Fiction book tells a true story of how David Pelzer servives his life untill he is eighteen, when he has to move out on his own! It is an interesting book, and I believe that people will like it. (It is a very emotional book.)

I smoked a pack a day for 23 years. I tried every possible way to quit and nothing worked until I read this book.

My story is pretty much the same as all the other reviews. Halfway through I had already decided to quit but I kept smoking until the end (as recommended by Mr. Carr). By the time I got to the end I was excited, happy, and looking forward to quitting. Then I quit without any pain or irritability, and hardly any cravings whatsoever.

That was about 9 months ago and I haven't had a puff since (and I'm quite certain that I won't ever again). Don't bother with gum, patches, pills, or other pharmaceuticals. The whole industry is a sham. All you need is Allen Carr's book and a few hours to read it. Thanks Allen!

This is a fantastic book! I can't believe how easily it worked for me. Stopping smoking is so hard for almost anyone caught in the grip of nicotine addiction, yet this book makes it almost simple to stop the cycle.

The whole premise is to re-brainwash your brain into believing you don't need the cigarettes. You will read the same statements over and over throughout the book and it eventually gets into your brain and becomes true.

You are instructed to keep smoking until you complete the book. I did take about 2 weeks to read it, as I knew when I was finished, that would be the end and my final cigarette. I wasn't sure it would work as I was going along but didn't figure I had much to lose. Even as I shut the book, having smoked my final cigarette, I thought to myself, "I don't know..." Well, it did work. And with no pain or cravings at all. I was amazed! The first couple days were the trickiest (and to be expected) but it wasn't anything like I expected. After reading this book, I have not been tempted to go back to smoking since I stopped 4 months ago.

I was once a 2 pack a day smoker, got hypnotized and stopped for 15 years. Then somehow I got caught up into the cycle once again during a stressful place in my life. Back up to a pack a day, I realized I didn't want to do this again and luckily I found this book.

I purchased the book for my brother and my sister. It's that good. It really works!

Treat nicotine addiction like alcohol addiction and realize you can never have "just one", and you will be free forever. Just keep an open mind and try reading the book. It works for almost anyone that reads it. If it doesn't, read it again!

I bought this after seeing so many five star reviews. I tell you, I didn't intend to stop smoking. Just wanted to see what they were talking about. Lo and behold, I stopped before getting halfway thru the book(Eight year smoker). As of today (5/14/08), it's been five weeks since I stopped. I truly don't need that monster any more. Now, I gotta get my wife to read it. God bless.

I am entering this review to pick an argument with those who gives the book 4, 3, or 2 stars, based on their opinions to the tune of "yes, I quit smoking, but the book is horribly written", "...there are so many repetitions", "...the logic is faulty at places".

As if there were so many other (working!) books on the market, so many (working!) methods to stop smoking, that nobody should be subject to suffering through a less-than-perfectly-written book just to get rid of the habit. As if there weren't a huge pharmaceutical industry supposed to help people stop smoking (but not helping). As if thousands of physicians, hypnotists, acupuncturists, etc., etc., hadn't built their careers around our addiction to nicotine. As if many people weren't spending thousands of dollars on Nicorette, nicotine patches, hypnosis sessions, etc., with no lasting success.

Dear Smoker! If you are looking for a rigorous study of smoking/stopping smoking, or for a piece of fine reading on the subject, look elsewhere.

It absolutely SHOULDN'T MATTER to you how well the book is written. What does matter is that it works. While reading the book, there were moments when I thought the author was insulting my intelligence. A couple of times I wondered whether the publisher's main goal was saving on editors, so many repetitions and logic faults were "missed". All the reviewers who say "I quit but..." have their facts after "but" correct.

However, it's obvious that the book is written this way ON PURPOSE. It aims not at winning your admiration for the author's mastery of words, but at HAVING you stop smoking. That goal appears to get achieved in the vast majority of cases. And the way it's achieved is not by giving the reader the scientific info on smoking or telling anecdotes about successful quitters. It sort of re-tools the way the reader-smoker thinks about smoking and the process of quitting. For that the author employs methods of NLP (Neuro-linguistic programming). THAT'S WHY the text may seem weird to many readers.

My 5 stars go not to the author's style, not to the scientific facts presented in the book, but to the product that HAD GOT me stop smoking. That's after many attempts over a decade, using nearly all other well known methods. Had it been not a book but a pill, an injection, a nursery rhyme, or a hit on the back of my head with a club, had it cost not $10 but $1000, it would still get 5 stars from me and would still be worth the money.

This book made my mother stop smoking this past Februray. She's 58 years old, and smoked since her early teens. She was diagnosed with COPD (chronic obstrutic pulmonary disease) due to smoking on 6-06-06. Ironically between that date and being told that diagnosis and placed on Albuterol inhaler she only quit for a month. She continued- and her conditioned worsened when she came down with a bought of routine bronchitis that was inches away from walking phenumonea. Her lungs could not fight it off anymore. To top it off, The albuterol inhalers were reformulated and lost their effectivenss for some persons. After going into the doctors again for her bronchitis (I had to drag her there), and being placed on an excellent new medication for COPD called Spiriva, AND, convincing her to read this book- SHE QUIT, AND her lungs are dramatically improved within just several months time. She could even cut in half her other medications, and practically eliminated one altogether. Her phlem, cough- all that is better. She should have done this years ago. I'm 31 years old and I remember this was going to be a Christmas presant to me when I was 12. I feel through my persistence in taking her to the doctors (she is just not one to be worried about things like this as crazy as it sounds), getting her on that Spiriva, and me researching this site on this wonderful book FINALLY got through to her that these things are nothing but life destroyers. I believe you should quit not just because you know you should, but because you truly WANT to. Never give up on somebody or yourself for that matter. It can take a long time- but in this case persistance paid off- and this was MY Christmas presant to her.

except for the Bible, this is the best.
It is the full and undiluted version from the first english translation.
read it, learn it,live it.
j

The book is excelent reading but please get a different version.
This version only has 580 or so pages where as other versions have over 1,300 pages. That means that this version is only half the story.
So much gets lost in translation already don't cheat yourself even more.

Although the story is well known to me, the editing of this audio book was so confusing. I absolutely could not follow it. Too much is cut out.

Story has good twists, but there are too many French places and people which makes the audio confusing.

This book is long out of copyright and so is available free for your Kindle elsewhere on the net.

(Great book though!)

the lives of retired rangers their story, on a journey on the trip to montana, the lost of one of them. and story of the other taking him home.

The best novel I've ever read! You'll fall in love with the characters to the point in which road trips out west will never be the same.

Get past the first 50 pages and it will pull you kicking and screaming to the very end, where, when you close the book, you'll feel the loss of a good friend.

I too read the book after watching the made for TV series, and as far as the made for TV series is concerned, I can't imagine it ever being any truer to what McMurtry's literary intentions may have been than what Bobby Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones did with it; even if John Wayne and Henry Fonda were its original intended cast.
Regardless, people will always tell you the book is much better than the movie and after reading this book you will no doubt agree. Though the series proved to be absolutely compelling, the book proved to be even better, dispite your knowledge of the novels outcome.
The wit and depth of constitution these old cowboys possess will make you realize what an exciting, enchanting and downright wild period in Americana history it truly had to be.

Great movie, and absolutely captivating book.

This is my second reading of this contemporary classic. I generally disapprove of long books, but this was one tome I regretted closing for the last time. It is truly an awesome accomplishment. LONESOME DOVE was written at a time when popular culture had recently abandoned the Western as too hackneyed and bathetic to entertain. Then comes this massive novel opening up numerous unforseen perspectives about the American West a mere 130 years ago. This is the novel future generations will read when they want to know how it was on the high plains in Custer's time.

The characters are given huge latitude to capture your imagination, and even the minor ones are impressive. You will come to know them better than most of your family. You will dream about them. And, unless you're as hard as Blue Duck, you'll shed a tear over their destruction.

Both a prequel and a re-imagining of Gaston Leroux's "Phantom of the Opera", PHANTOM tells the story of how Eric came to haunt the Paris Opera House and how he grew from a disfigured but brilliant child prodigy into the cruel and maniacal, if not sympathetic, Angel of Music.

Susan Kay's treatment is fantastic and done with the utmost respect for Leroux's characters, settings, and tone. This book will make you laugh, cry, burn with righteous indigation and suffer at the cruel hands of unrequited love.

I would HIGHLY recommend purchasing this book if you are a POTO phan desiring a deeper look. This book is riveting, dark, and moving. Never have I read a tale so exquisitely written about my favorite character: Phantom.

The only thing I disliked about the book was the fact that there was a smattering of language throughout. 'D**n' and 'h**l' were used frequently, and the 'f' word popped up once. For someone desiring a clean book, I would recommend "Through Phantom Eyes" by Theodora Bruns over this book.

Overall though, this book was wonderful, and I wouldn't trade it for the world!

~Laura

This is an amazingly well written book. It holds your attention and is just a work of genius. Obviously I was very impressed.

What a touching portrayal of the beginning of the Phantom's life! Society has changed for the better in many ways but this shows the real picture even if it is fiction. Bravo.

This is an amazing book. Ms. Kay has successfully filled in the missing pages of the Phantom's life, and I know that M. Leroux would only applaud her effort. For anyone starting on the road of Phantom Phandom, or anyone that is on the journey already, this is a must book. Not only do we see Erik growing up as a lonely,forlorn child, but we see his character develop as he is driven mercilessly on the road that will bring him to the Opera House in Paris. The 'lost' pages from Leroux's book are found here as Erik is caught up in a hopeless attraction for a young woman, and her frightened reaction to him. What is it about this forlorn man that has Christine coming back to him? All is explained here, with passion, love, and understanding. No one is treated unkindly, as all are flawed human beings, and that in the end, is enough to make tears flow. A MUST have!

This is a must read for everyone who has suffered pain and loss. Imaculata is amazing!

Immaculee is an inspiration! Her amazing courage and faith in the face of such unbelievable evil is awesome. This is a book that you will read more than once, high-liting much for future reference.

The Left to Tell book has done much to raise awareness of the Rwandan genocide, and of course I am sincerely happy she survived. There are some honest issues of integrity with the story, however. Immaculee, like every other Rwandan, learned English in high school, rather than by the gift of tongues. Also from my talks with Rwandans living in the United States, there are questions regarding how a bathroom like that would have been available in her village. Normally, they use pit latrines. There are some other issues that make the book confusing to me, because I know so many from the country. The Missionaries of Charity also do not allow pictures to be taken at their orphanages. It's easy to get a crowd of kids around you and take a picture in Rwanda...I am glad she survived and sorry for her plight, but I question the packaging of the book.

This book is a beautifully written, honest, and inspiring. Imaculee experiences absolute evil and through it plunges into the depths of contemplative prayer discovering God who is love. Her anger is transformed into forgiveness, her expereince of knowing God is transformed into this book. She speaks the language of the mystics and lives the life of a saint.

This book was recommended to me by Catholic Relief Services and I highly recommend it to you.

-Fr. Michael Denk (Diocese of Cleveland)

Left to Tell is a haunting story that reminds us of the evil that racial predjudice perpetuates. Locked in a tiny bathroom, hidden away for months, these women were survivors, and lived to tell the story. As readers, we are better for knowing. Imaculee's sustinence was her faith in God. This isn't a religious book, though for those of us who are religious, it's a reminder of the power of God to sustain us through the hard times. I cannot imagine living through what these women, and the many others who have lived through the horrors of civil wars in Africa and other places where unexpected coupes turn their worlds upside down in a second. Yet they survive, left to tell. A must read.

One of the best kids books in my opinion. I got this and some 'monster slippers' as a gift for friends kids. Everyone should own a copy and read them (if not to their kids than to themselves!).

This book has been a 5 star publication since it's inception! I have never seen a child not love this book! It is definitely a winner!

According to the characteristics of picture storybooks, this is a high quality book. The text and illustrations equally convey with the storyline. The shape and size of the book is rectangular and does not have page numbers. It includes all of the literary elements. The book's strength is its illustrations. The book received a Caldecott Medal for its illustrations. The author does a nice job of telling the story through the illustrations. The illustrations get larger as Max's imagination grows and start to decrease in size as he returns home. The colors in the beginning of the book are duller than the end of the book. As Max's feelings and mood change, the pictures get brighter. The book's reading level is 3.4 and geared toward a lower grade interest level, however, can be enjoyed by older ages. One concern is that there are monsters in the story even though it is a children's book. Introducing this book to primary students may lead to questions and misconceptions. One instructional activity to handle this situation would be to talk about the monsters. Ask Were they scary? Did they change? Show the pictures of Max being carried by the monsters and the way they dance and play. Talk about feelings and emotions (the monsters and Max were not sure about each other at first, but then they grew to like each other and play together). The students can then draw monster faces depicting an emotion.

Second best children's book ever. My 15 month old son LOVES it, as did his older siblings when they were little. The song "wild thing" fits in well when the wild rumpus begins... highly recommended!

It's about monsters, for crying out loud! Why on earth would you want to plant the idea of fear and worry with your children just before bedtime? I remember being terrified of this book when I was a child. I will not read it with my kids. I know they will be introduced to it somewhere along the line, and I hope they are not frightened by it. I just do not understand everyone who says they love this book.