English Books

This is absolutely one of my favorite books. I don't typically enjoy historical fiction that much, but I've read These Is My Words twice and loved it both times.
I felt totally connected to Sarah, like I was going through all the good and bad times with her. I laughed, I cried, it was great. I couldn't put this book down, and felt so disappointed when it was over! In the following days, I actually felt like I missed Sarah, like she was a person that I actually knew!
This book is fascinating storytelling and wonderful characterization at its absolute best! I've loaned it to every woman I know, and they've all loved it too.

This is a story that you can't put down. Written from an honest heart, you really feel like you are living the story with the characters.

These is My Words is filled with wild west high adventure. It is fast paced and reminds me of watching an action movie. Sarah grows from not understanding what is love. How it is demonstrated etc... to a profound understanding of a healthy marriage relationship. Filled with woman's issues: child bearing & rearing, pregnancy, marriage, courage, strength, meekness, life and death. A woman's classic.

This book is great. It has everything ----- humor, sadness, romance, and just pure true grit!! Sarah and Jack are exceptional characters. I couldn't put the book down, but wanted more when it was over.

I loved this book. It was recommended to me by a friend and at first I wondered if this would be something I liked. But I have been absolutely enthralled with it, hardly wanting to put it down. This is a wonderful story about determination, ingenuity, love and loss. Definitely inspiring and endearingly moving. I am ready for the second book in the series.

This is a book just itching to be made into an outstanding film. It's got all the elements of a film that people enjoy: action, drama, romance, danger, and IT'S TRUE! The new cover on The Company She Keeps is an eye-catcher and readers won't be disappointed when they read Georgia Durante's biography. The book captures the essence of life for a woman connected to an organized crime family. It spans a time period in Durante's life that goes from good times to bad times, from tragedy to triumph, and from fear to freedom of spirit.
Not just another biography like Nicholas Pileggi's Wiseguy, which became Martin Scorsese's Goodfellows, The Company She Keeps chronicles the spousal abuse which Durante endured while married to a member of the Family. How Durante coped and eventually left the Family life with her daughter is a chronicle that is all too common in cases of domestic violence and abuse.
Read this book and urge everyone you know to read it. Come on, Hollywood, when are you gonna get off the dime and put this on film???

Georgia Durante's book had me at the first word-- be prepared to go through the emotional roller coaster of a lifetime. How Georgia managed to not only survive but succeed is beyond me but her story is one that everyone-- men and women-- should read and remember. I carried the book with me everywhere until I finished it last night. You won't be able to put it down either!

I plan to buy a copy for each of my friends-- it's the perfect stocking stuffer!

The Company She Keeps by author Georgia Durante is one of the most
fascinating books i have ever read. No work of fiction could ever top
the life this woman lived. Ms. Durante has held nothing back, all of the
highs and lows are here, she has laid bare her soul. I can't believe
this book has not been made into a movie. It would be one of those
movies that you would want to watch over and over to make sure you
have seen every detail, it would be just that fascinating. Any of
hollywood's leading ladies could turn this role into an oscar winning
performance. This is one book i will not be lending out, it is one of
those you want to read over and over.

Georgia Durante's book "The Company She Keeps" is riveting. I could not put it down, I could not sleep because I wanted to get back to her story. I was proud of the warrior she is and I was sad when it was over because I will miss reading about her. I can not wait for her next book to come out.
She is truly an inspiration...to change your life...you can change your thinking.
Sincerely,
Susan Lynn
Jupiter, FL

I found this book very honest, exciting and interesting. Georgia Durante takes you along on her adventure and you will enjoy the ride.

As always, Madeleine L'Engle delivers a stunning piece of fiction with `A Ring of Endless Light.' Although the main character, Vicky Austin, gives off a distinctive mary-sue air, the book (especially the guys!) are very enjoyable. Pieces of poetry found in this book are beautiful and elegant; they alone would be cause enough to read the book. `A Ring of Endless Light' also offers the reader an insight into the emotions and thoughts of a teenage girl in a fantastical setting. I would recommend this book for ages 13 and up. If you enjoyed this book, I would recommend Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume, Father Figure by Richard Peck and With You and Without You by Ann Martin as well as the rest of L'Engle's books.

A review from my teenage daughter:

"A Ring of Endless Light" is one of my favorite books!

I've read it five times since I first found it at the library last summer, and since then, I have also read "A Wrinkle in Time," "The Moon by Night,"and "An Acceptable Time".

What I really like about it is the characters. They are so interesting!

The movie, on the other hand, was nowhere near as good as the book. (Characters they left out: John, Leo, Grace, Binnie, Nancy Rodney, Jeb Nuttley, and probably somebody else, too...) And after I read the book, I was rather upset with the Disney Channel.

Although this is a wonderful novel, I would not recommend it to anyone under the age of thirteen because of some mature content.

Lastly, I want to include my frequent rant ( more of a whine, really) about that Zachary Gray person: I never understood why Ms. L'Engle kept putting him in her books. He never changes, and he's just as much of a jerk in "An Acceptable Time" as he was in this book. I don't know what Vicky sees in him. He kept saying that he "needed her" but she can't be his psychologist; Earth to Vicky, Earth to Vicky! Not a good reason to go out with him!

Once again, Madeleine L'Engle has constructed a masterpiece. All her books are superb, but this one stands out to me as my absolute favorite. I understand its a Disney Channel movie now as well. I remember reading this book when I was about middle school aged and thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, I took notes. There are several wonderful quotes that are worth remembering, and I think by the end I was left with some 10 pages of notes. I was a bit of a nerd as a kid, I guess. Still have all the papers filed away somewhere. Also memorized one of the poems to recite in my english class in about 7th grade. Fantastic book. I need to read it again.

In Madeline L'Enlgle's A Ring of Endless Light, 15-year old Vicky goes out to visit her sick grandfather to spend some time with him. During her stay, an old family friend, Commander Rodney, dies because he was trying to save another person from dying. On top of this, three young men are trying to get her adornment. Leo, Commander Rodney' son, is the nervous and puppy like young man who needs Vicky's attention. Although he may be nice, Vicky just wants to be his friend. Adam, a young man working at the marine biology center, confuses Vicky because he likes her, but pushes her away at the same time. Zachary, the rich, young man Commander Rodney died saving, wants Vicky back and claims that he needs her. Even though she has to deal with her love life, she has to help her grandfather, and other family members. During this vacation, she learns a lot about herself, death, life, her friends and family.

I really liked this book because it is very insightful. It gives me a lot of insight about living life. I want to live my lifelike Vicky and think like her because she lives her life to her fullest poetical and is moral, unlike me. She put phrases and lessons to heart and has a way of putting things into the right words. I liked how the author also wrote about death because I know that everyone is confused about tins subject. Some people firmly believe in one thing while other people are confused and wobbling. I remember what the Madeline L'engle writes about death whenever I come across one because her words sooth and help the soul.

I dislike the fact that the characters are a bit to perfect. The Austins are a bit like robots. There is the housewife mom that loves her husband and doesn't seem to have any arguments are all with him. The father is a strong man that supports his whole family. The oldest brother, like his father, is strong and smart. The youngest sister is beautiful and smart. The youngest brother is cute and innocent. Although Vicky seems more human than her family, she is still robotic. She always tries her hardest and it seems that everyone is drawn to her. Everyone trusts her with his or her secrets and everyone in the story has a longing to be with her. She is the person that people always want to be.

My favorite part of the book is hard to decide, but I think that my favorite part is when Vicky goes and visits the dolphins. I think that this is really interesting because Vicky learns that she can communicate with dolphins. In the beginning, she is really scared, but then she realizes that there is nothing to be afraid of. Soon, she feels comfortable with Basil. She can play with the dolphin and communicate freely. Even though people can't communicate with dolphins, Vicky can because her mind is somewhat childish, open, and free. I think that this is my favorite part because Vicky's relationship with Basil is much like my relationship with my friends. When I first made my friends, we were scared and shy, but once we knew each other, we had a lot of fun. When I am with my friends, I become childish, open and free, just like Vicky.

I loved this book and I would recommend it to girls from the ages 10 and up. This was a good story to connect to your life or the lives of the people around you. The things that happen to Vicky in A Ring of Endless Light might happen or may have happened to the reader. Therefore the plot of the story is believable. I would like to read another story by this author because I loved how thorough she was when describing Vicky's thoughts and feelings. When she was explaining how Vicky was seeing only darkness after a friend died in her arms, she painted a very vivid picture in my head. I thought that a Ring of Endless Light was truly a great book.

To get the most enjoyment from this beautiful book, buy the original Katherine Woods translation.

This is a wonderful story and a great book I was able to share with my students. The only drawback with the book is that the pages are not in color, but the extremely low price allowed me to purchase the books for my students out of my own pocket.

Katherine Woods' translation is the only English-language version of The Little Prince which captures the beauty, simplicity, clarity, and profundity of the Antoine de St. Exupery's classic, penned in French.

(The newer translation is appallingly horrid and bland, mistaken, and frankly perplexing.)

This is really not a children's book, although older children will appreciate it.

Don't measure the value by the thickness of the book. De St. Exupery, himself a WWI pilot, writes with a great economy yet produces here the most beautiful poetry with a delightful playfulness and childlike innocence -- a fresh vision which thus sees clearly and does not obscure the profound.

Mr. Fred Rogers used to quote from de St. Exupery, whose image and illustrations once graced the 20-franc note (in the days before the euro).

There simply is no other work like this one. It is an exceptionally rare treasure, a masterpiece.

Be sure to read Katherine Woods' translation. Read it privately, when you have time to savor each word. And keep a box of tissues nearby.

I was an adult when i read this book, and i really appreciated the lessons in life that Saint-Exupery shares through the Little Prince.

A great book, full of beautiful illustrations, easy to read, while fun and sad at the same time.

I personally read it as if Exupery is sharing with us the conversations he has with his own inner child, in the image of the Little Prince. That is why the Little Prince would ask many questions, but rarely answer the ones he was asked. Like all our inner children he's been hidden inside and kept silent for a long long time, and now that he was given his chance, he will speak. And we better listen, for he is an integral part of our psyche, who will take us through the most unbelievable adventures.

The Little Prince has often been heralded as a youthful book, required reading in elementary and high schools alike. In delivering it this way I think The Little Prince is missed by the only audience that is likely to truly appreciate it, that is adults. It is not an uncommon misconception that this is a children's book. Indeed, I keep the pictures stored on my computer, and am often asked where they came from. I reply that they are from one of my favourite books, and without fail the response is along the lines of, 'I don't mean to be rude but is that a children's book?'. 'No', I explain, 'it is not'.

The Little Prince is most needed, I think, by adults. It is easy to be caught up in, as De Saint-Exupery describes it, 'matters of consequence' and forget that it is not these matters which bring meaning to life. By pointing out the futility of professions practised endlessly and in isolation of other people, it becomes clear that the Little Prince, with his rose, is the only character with a life of consequence.

This book is beautifully written and translated by Katherine Woods. It speaks volumes through its simple tale, strange though it seems that matters such as these only become clear when they are somewhat removed from reality. Matters such as love, innocence, imagination and priorities. The Little Prince is a gentle and stirring reminder to never forget to see the boa constrictor from the hat.

My son loves this book. He really enjoys listening to the stories that his dad makes up about each animal. There aren't too many words, leaving you room to ad-lib it, which is fun! This is one of our many books we tend to read at night.

My 18-month-old loves to look at this this book over and over again. ("Gwa!") But I don't mind at all... "Good Night, Gorilla" is one of my favorites.

The pictures tell the story in this book; there are only a handful of words. I love the stunningly vivid and detailed illustrations. There are little surprises everywhere you look -- a stuffed Babar doll in the elephant's cage; a family picture of the zookeeper's wife holding the baby gorilla. When I read it to my son, I tell him something different every time. He loves to point out the things he knows the words for: "Keys!" "Moon!" "Abido!" (otherwise known as an "armadillo").

Even though I know what's coming, I can't help but smile every time at the animals quietly following the keeper through the zoo, tiptoeing through his living room, curling up in his bedroom, and then finally following the zookeeper's wife back to the zoo. (You get the feeling it isn't the first time she's had to do this.)

This is a beautiful and peaceful bedtime story. I hope you like it as much as we do!

A wonderful story. Classic kids' book. They love the art work! A terrific little book for kids. A goodbook before 10 minutes tlll Bed Time. It's sturdy.

Opposed to other reviews, my personal opinion is that Good Night Gorilla is better than Goodnight Moon (although both are great bedtime stories). Funny and filled with great illustrations, Good Night Gorilla is a charming reader. My sons just love it. Another bedtime story I'd recommend and they love is Ladybug Baby Bug, by Janice and Mark Perkins.

In this beautifully-illustrated bedtime book, the gorilla steals the key from the zookeeper, letting out all the animals, who follow the zookeeper home to bed.

The story is cute, but what I really loved about this book was the great illustrations. The colors pop out at you from the page and capture your attention.

This book is one of my new bedtime favorites! I can't wait to read it to my son.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul Volume 2 is an inspirational and enlightening book. Being a teenager myself I can relate to a lot of the stories told in this bestseller. The first time I read this book I was younger and didn't understand what the authors in the book were saying, but when I revisited it this year I actually understood it and connected more to the stories. This book has inspired me to write about my personal experiences and really look back at the good, bad, or in between as a way to learn from my mistakes. Instead of breaking down I decided to write. This book has taught me and helped me through some rough times. This book is great and I recommend it to anyone. Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is not just for teenagers, I have even read some stories with my friends and family. This book has been a real joy and inspiration on all aspects of my life. Thanks Chicken Soul and I hope all readers out there will get a chance to read this delightful, motivating, and wonderful book.

This is a great book for every teenager. Every teen goes througha tough time at least once in their life and this book can really help. It has stories on things from teenage romance to suicide. This is a great book for everyone from teenagers to adults.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul 2 is a great book for teens because it is something we can relate to. It is filled with short anecdotes written by teenagers or once-teenagers about their adolescent experiences. It is inspirational and teaches us about who we are, about people, and about life in general. I recommend this book for all teenagers.

I think that this book was a very good and fun book to read. Anyone who enjoys hearing about different teens telling their own stories would greatly enjoy this book. While I was reading it, there were times when i felt like laughing and other times when I felt like crying too. The things that teenagers go through are so hard and alot of adults do not understand this, that is why this book is so helpful. It is a very good book to read and I would recommend it to anyone, espically teens.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul ll is a great book written by teenagers and some adults about life. It teaches us about life and how to deal with it. It shows us that no matter where you came form, what you look like, or how you act, almost all teenagers are the same. This book is an inspiration to everyone.
This book influences me because it inspires me to become a better person. Before I read this book I thought, "Oh this book is just some boo full of made-up stories", but as I continued to read into it more, I thought" Wow this is a really great book". This book tells you that all teens go through the same stuff. It shows you that your not alone, and with faith and courage you can overcome most obstacles. This book is filled amazing stories of love depression, and hope. I encourage everyone to read this book.

I have the summer off and I plan on revisiting all the Christopher Pike books I read when I was a teenager (just bought 22 of them today for $20 at a local used bookstore!).
But this is really the one that has stuck with me the longest. The imagery, tone, and mood of this book is really awesome. And I mean by 'awesome' actually awe inducing; it's riveting and haunting. I last read it 14 years ago and I still recall moments from it. Pretty crazy.
Sadly, this isn't one of the 22 I picked up today so I'll be buying it online instead. Oh how I wish I hadn't let my mother get rid of my old Christopher Pike collection... sigh.

I remember starting this book when I was just 14. I didn't finish it, but several years later at the age of 25 I bought it. At first I thought that it would be geared more to teens considering the author is Christopher Pike. Oh how wrong I was! This book is excellent, well written, and proves that an author like Christopher Pike can rise above stereo-types and create a master piece. I have now, almost 2 years later, read this book 3 times. And it never gets old.

Pike wowed me as a pre-teen, some eightenen years ago, with Slumber Party, Weekend, and Chain letter, etc...he continues to wow me in my early thirties; now a wife and mother, who does not have the luxury to read Pike's books all day in her bedroom. Thank you for continuing your creative writing genius in the adult fiction relam. This book was simply captivating. I am looking forward to Pike wowing me through the next several decades!

I have always enjoyed reading Christopher Pike's books, not only for their intriguing storytelling, but for the way the stories are written. Specifically, Pike goes deeper into his stories, as opposed to other young adult horror writers whose books about vampires who drink blood and serial killers who lurk in high schools are meant to be taken at face value, and thus provide shallow tales of blood, gore, and - ah! someone tapped me on the shoulder and I thought it was a murderer so I jumped and screamed at the end of the chapter. But, to my relief, it was actually just my mom telling me to finish my homework. You know...THAT kind of writing.

Pike's stories are not these kinds of stories. His stories often contain a web of mysteries that all come together at the end - making you want to reread them to "catch" things you didn't notice before.

This is definitely one of those stories. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I looked forward to reading more every time I picked it up. This was, I believe, the only story I have ever read that actually creeped me out a bit when I was reading. The part where they head into the cave and find the island...yeah, don't read that at night, when you're by yourself. Or do - it makes it all the more spine-tingling. Thus, the reason I recommend this book.

It's not for those who just want a shallow horror book with zombies and vampires and blood. It's for those who enjoy actual, well-thought-out, original stories. Maybe you'll like it, maybe you won't. Give it a try.

I found a copy of this book at my library and was able to buy it for forty cents a while ago. The only reason I picked it up was because the author's name caught my eye. I have read many of Christopher Pike's young adult books and enjoyed reading most of them, if not all of them, so I decided to get this book.

I'll admit, I wasn't sure if I was going to like this particular book, only because I was somewhat disappointed with one of his other adult books. However, once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down--- everything about it is so good; the characters, the plot. I have read it several times already, and I plan to read it over and over again.

Definitely a worthy read.

The book was delivered promptly, and the condition of the book was as described. Cover in good shape and no marks on the inside of the book--this last part is very, very important.
PS: to Amazon.com--my REAL name is J C Cox--there are no Periods.
J C Cox
10/30/08

This book was fabulous! I couldn't put it down! I finished it in 2 days (stupid work! I'd have finished it in 1 day if I didn't have to go!!). I've always seen books about immortals as vampire, gross, bloody books. This one is not that way at all. It's cleverly written, everthing has an underlying meaning. While you read, keep notes on facts...you will have "aha!" moments later!!

My Soul to Keep grabs you and moves with descriptive style as if you are one of the characters. There are several stories within the story that end up intertwined later. The Jazz musician, the slave , the Ethiopian, the professor, the perfect husband and the immortal all of these characters were David also known as Dawit.There are bumps and bruises along the way with murders to cover up his "immortality", David was loved and was "Mr. Perfect" where did it all go wrong? When he fell in love and wanted to give the gift of life to his wife and child? Or when his wife stumbled on the mysterious death of his daughter Rosalie?

There were hints from "Grandpa" who's always eating a Whopper. When looking back on it I think the author used Grandpa to soften the anticipated, almost expected, blow of Kira's death. This was definitely painful to witness. I was frustrated with the speed of the unfolding. I wanted more time with Kira and to offer advice to the characters on how they could save her. Almost yelling at the book! I lost track of time reading the final chapters and couldn't put it down until I was finished.

The story leaves you hanging with several lose ends. What is Jessica doing sharing the living blood with terminal children in Africa? Was she in mourning over Kira and wanted to help as many kids as she could? Why was she so short with David when he came to visit? Will she go after him soon? I think she will. The new child seems even more powerful and superior then his immortal parents. Knowing that there is a sequel is comforting. B/c there are several more stories to be told.....

Overall it's a very good book. I would put it in the top 10 for sure. I can't wait to start the sequel.

Due is an amazing author and I can't wait to see the film adaptation of this book.

Filled with deep spiritual questions, these Tananrive Due horror novels (The Between, My Soul to Keep, and Living Blood) make my blood run cold and give me real goose bumps. It takes alot to make that happen.

We recently bought this book for our 15-month old and he loves it. The illustrations are lovely, the narrative is sweet and melodic, and it is short enough to be a book that holds his attention start to finish even when he is tired. A lovely find!

Time for bed is a wonderful bedtime story for children of all ages.
My granddaughters just love it and want it read over & over!

This is absolutely a lovely book. The illustrations are soothing for bedtime, and the rhythmic story makes for a perfect bedtime story. I have been reading this to my son since he was born, and he still loves it at 3 years old. Great bonding experience with this wonderful story.

This is a great book that I would recommend to all for those quite moments just before sleep. This gentle story leads you through an array of animals as they settle down for the night. I find the pictures great and the gentle rhythm of the book a delight. I could not as more of a bedtime story.

I read this book to my daughter many nights from the night she was born until she was old enough for chapter books. She loved the cadence of the rhymes and would repeat them along with me as she got older. Now my oldest step-daughter is having her first baby so this is one of the books we got her - we hope it will be a favorite in her house as well!

I give this book 5 stars for a few reasons. One, it has a couple of subplots that make up the bigger plot, but they are not disjointed and then hastily tied together in the end. The subplots build carefully with interesting character development that make it interesting from the beginning even if you are not sure how they will tie together.

Two, the characters are very believable. I enjoy Christian fiction immensely if it is quality and the characters are believable, someone you could picture in real life. I have a hard time finding Christian fiction I enjoy because the characters seem canned and to be perfectly honest, corny. Francine Rivers however is able to develop interesting characters with characteristics and interaction you can find believable and that you can relate to. Hadassah can at times seem a little too "good", but you get to see the human side of her when her struggles and thoughts are described. And to be perfectly honest even if it is difficult to relate to her at times you see the impact she has on people and see something to aspire to.

The third reason I enjoyed it is because of the Christian principles and characteristics involved. Like I mentioned, Hadassah does seem a little too "good" at times, but you get to see her struggles and how she handles them. Struggles I find very believable and easily related to. Many other characters are able to be related to as well. The selfishness of Julia, the unwavering pursuit of money and pleasure by Marcus, the frustration and sadness of Phoebe and Decimus, and the judgment from the servants all make it able to be related to. I know that even as a Christian who is pursuing God, I still struggle with many of the same things that people who don't know God struggle with and this book shows clearly the logical conclusions that these characteristics take you to. Hands down one of the best Christian fiction books I have ever read.

This Book is not only an inspirational book but also a thought provoking book and a love story. You won't be able to read this one and not order the next two books that come with it.

From Jerusalem to Rome to Ephesus, travel with Hadassah, a young slave girl, as she clings to her faith in the face of the decadence of Rome in "A Voice on the Wind". As usual, Francine Rivers crafts a beautiful work of fiction full of poignant and thoughtful moments that touch the heart. There is also plenty of action as the author brilliantly draws the reader into the breathtaking locations of her tale. She brings Biblical characters to life beside her fictional creations in this wonderful novel. I highly recommend this novel and am proud to have it in my collection.

This book also contains a very helpful glossary of terms and an invaluable discussion guide for use with any reading group.

This book was recommended to me by multiple people and I found out why once I read it. It is my new favorite book, and Francine Rivers is definitely a new favorite author. Francine Rivers knows how to create an exciting story plot and bring you into it with vivid descriptions and believable characters.

Well written ... check.
Historical ... check.
Spiritual ... check.
Adventure ... check.
Romance ... check.
Characters you love ... check.
Characters you don't ... check.
Pondering when you set it down ... check.
Today's reality revealed ... check.
Lessons for life ... check.
Growth in your heart ... check.
Inexplicable deep meaning ... check.
Wish you read it earlier ... check.
A hunger for more ... check.

Bon Appetit!