N Books

Well, they didn't, but it's a classic anyway.

This is a terrific book for anyone who wants to learn how great projects are visualized, actualized, and pressed through extremely challenging environmental circumstances. It's a source of inspiration for the dreamers and the practical alike.

If you want to read about architecture and engineering, you get only a small dose here. It's more about the capitalization, visioning and building. But that story is magnetic and wonderful.

Only thing they left out: that it was to this (then half-empty) building that Annhaeuser-Busch delivered the "first" case of legal beer to Al Smith at the end of Prohibition. Smith, the "wet" and the eternal optimist, exemplifies what this building was conceived to be: a vibrant and living testimony to the human spirit.

So, it stands to reason that it survives now as New York's essential symbol.

From the outset, the Empire State Building seemed to have had everything going against it. Although conceived during the 1920s boom years, most of the construction went on during the earliest years of the Depression, thereby putting the idea of high occupancy in the severest doubt. Its location wasn't ideal either. It was three miles north of the Wall Street district and a mile south of the center of the midtown business center. And it was ten blocks south of Grand Central Station and three avenues east of old Pennsylvania Station. The idea of mooring dirigibles was quickly scrapped after failed attempts. And sure enough, although the Empire State Building did get built, the tenants did not come. King Kong did, but he didn't pay rent.

John Tauranac describes all this and more in his exhaustive book, THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING: THE MAKING OF A LANDMARK. Written in an engaging style, Tauranac's book is as elegant and interesting as the subject itself, while his wit is as colorful as the characters surrounding the Empire State Building's creation. The book covers the idea for the building, Raskob's and Smith's supervision, the monumental task of the construction workers, and, most importantly, the survival of the building to become THE emblem of America's cultural and economic reach while become THE identifying symbol of New York City. The generous amount of photographs add to the understanding and enjoyment of the book. Highly recommended.

This is an excellent work that details the history of the Empire State Building. I was a bit surprised to find how much the author managed to pack into my paperback. Everything from skyscraper height restrictions to land leases and modern restructuring of ownership for tax purposes (and all the "interesting" stuff in between). If you buy this book and you're not from New York, do yourself a favor and get a map of the area. So you can follow along in the early chapters.

This book is a must read for anyone interested in not only the Empire State Building, but in New York City history of the late 1920s and early 1930s. Who would think that a building completed in 1931 at 1250 feet high would still be the tallest building in NYC in 2007 (of course, we can't forget the tragic loss of the taller WTC Towers). This book covers the quick construction of the ESB, but also covers the politics and history behind the building's location (the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel used to be at the corner of 5th Ave and 34th Street) and the people involved. This is an interesting book about an exciting time where anything seemed possible in one of the world's greatest cities.

I bought this book shortly after a trip to NYC in 2000, and found it to be an excellent history of one of the Big Apple's architectural jewels, the Empire State Building. It is full of intrigue, history, great anecdotes and one-of-a-kind photographs. If you're a visitor to Manhattan or a local resident, you owe it to yourself to read this book.

I am a huge fan of Derek Jeter's. That's why I chose this book. I gave it five stars because Matt Christopher described every part of Derek's life accurately. I had already read Derek's autobiography and in that book I learned that his Dad made him sign contracts. In these contracts with his father, Derek had to promise to get good grades -- or else he didn't get to play in any All Star games or anything. Later, dude!

This series in general, and the Jeter book in particular, are great for a 5-10 year old sports nut. I read this with our 6 year old, a chapter a night for a couple weeks.

It's well written and moves quickly.

It makes reading fun by being about something a sports fan kid will really enjoy.

And Jeter in particular is a good story because he's such an great role model for kids -- he crosses racial divides, espouses the virtue of hard work, respect and not taking anything for granted.

Highly recommended

It's a grand slam! Baby. If you like nod slam Yeah baseball you are going to love this book. It's called on the Field with Derek Jeter. It's about a boy who has a fantasy to become the greatest short stop for the New York Yankees. His dreams come true. This book is cool and it is for all Ages. You will like this book but baseball Fans will love this book at One point in he book I all most cried I
recommend this book to you because I am a big baseball fan.

On the Field with Derek Jeter

On the Field with Derek Jeter is my favorite book because it is about my favorite player dreaming to be the player he is today! The setting is mostly on the baseball field. This biography is written by Matt Christopher and he has lots of good biographies. Derek Jeter is the main character and there are lots of people that helped him make his dream come true, like his dad! My favorite part is when he is assigned to the Minor Leagues! The book starts when his mom and dad meet. The theme of the book would be Derek Jeter's comes true. The book starts very exciting even thow it is very serious.
And I think anyone who is a baseball fan or a Yankees fan will love this book!
- Natatlie,9

The book I'm reviewing is At the Plate with Derek Jeter by Matt Christopher. I think this book deserves five stars. This book is a Derek Jeter biography. A problem that occurs in this story is when he's in high school. He almost gets cut from the team. This tells you how Derek Jeter became a pro baseball player. I would recommend this book to anybody.

Emerson N.J. fifth grade student

The original paperback of this caught my eye in the used bookstore. The back cover summary sounded interesting, so I picked it up even though I could tell it was a "kid's book."

Well, that's what it may claim to be. But adults can enjoy this just as much. It's AKIRA meets CARRIE meets BRUCE ALMIGHTY meets THE MONKEY'S PAW. It doesn't pull any punches and could almost be classified as horror. The characters are, at one and the same time, both archetypes AND realistically drawn. That is a balancing act that is nearly impossible to pull off, but Mr. Shusterman does it.

Highest POSSIBLE recommendation, no matter your age.

Opinion: I've read alot of Neal Shusterman books and I've loved them all. The Eyes of Kid Midas didn't capture me the way the others did.

Summery: When Kevin Midas decides to follow a story that his teacher tells, he soon finds himself in a strange place. When he finds a pair of sun glasses, he soon realizes they aren't just any sunglasses. These sunglasses let him change anything he wants. Any thing he says is true! How cool is that? But with a few misplaced words here and there, Kevin changes two lives forever! Unless, he can get time going again!

Kevin Midas is nothing more then a major bully target for the school's big bully, Bertram Tarson. Then, just because of a gloomy camping trip, an urge to beat Bertram, lack of common sense, and a pair of glasses, Kevin finds himself in charge of the world. At first it seems like fun, but as time goes by it gets out of control. Can Kevin repair the damage he has done or has he made permanent changes in the world?

The Eyes of Kid Midas is a good book for people ages 8- 100. 100 if adults like reading good kids' chapter books. This book is also probably more appealing to people who like fiction, adventure, and suspense. I really liked this book for many reasons, but the main ones are that it describes things exactly the way they would be in real life if a boy had the power to rule the world. The other reason is it keeps you wondering so you can't stop!

I can't even remember what it was exactly that first caught my eye about this book way back when it was new. But I still have my original copy and have read it several dozens times at least, and it is still a great read. The book is both appropriate for the younger crowd, the main character being at their age and acting like they would, but also for the older crowd as well as the main character acts out everything we would have done at that time, heh.

I think the most important part about the book is it doesn't shy away from the conqsequences, and right to the end his actions have major ramifications on the world around him. The ending is nice and fitting, with one small concession after it all to put a small smile on your face, just a little nod to him at the end of everything he goes through that I thought was a nice touch.

The cover claims it was being made into a movie, but sadly those plans seem to be long... long abandoned. I still like to hope once in a while that the book would see light of day as a movie, with modern CGI I think the ideas in the book could be given full justice, but until that hyopthetical day, we will have this great book to tide us over.

Can't beat it for the price, I highly reccommend anyone pick this up and give it a try.

I remember purchasing this book in the sixth grade, and reading it quickly and eagerly. Quite simply, it's a wonderful book that contains profound themes in a package that's intelligent, yet easy for preteens to swallow. Abuse of power, addiction, loneliness, responsibility, greed, destiny....it's all covered in this novel. I heartily recommend purchasing this book. And guys? Don't spoil this book for other people in your reviews!

The exhibition was absolutely wonderful with material from Louvre,British Museum,National Museum of Iran,my eyes were filled with tears as soon I walked into the exhibition rooms and I remembered my first visit to Persepolis(Parse) as a child.Cyrus the Great laid the foundation for an Empire based on tolerance for other cultures and traditions and the Great king and Persians demonstrated their desire for other nations to maintain their own ethnocultural traditions.I recommend this book specially to readers who wish to get the correct information contray to the repeated Macedonian propaganda and I hope this book will be available in Persian language for that group of my compatriot who have forgotten their glorious past.The name of the book describes my point of view.

This large and attractive book is the work of two scholars from the Department of the Ancient Near East at the British Museum - John Curtis, the Keeper of the Department, and Nigel Tallis, his special assistant. It was created to accompany an exhibition of the museum's holding, and acts as something of a catalogue. But, it is so much more than that.

What this book really is is a history of Ancient Persia, illustrated with many colorful pictures of Persian artifacts. Many subjects are covered herein, ranging from a general history of Ancient Persia, through the royal table, religion, imperial administration, and transport and warfare. And last, but not least, is a chapter on the legacy of Ancient Persia.

Overall, I found this to be a very interesting book. It takes a very interesting look at certain subjects that are not adequately covered in most books - such as burial customs. Plus, I must say that the brightly colored pictures of the artifacts, such as Persian stamp- and cylinder-seals were worth the price of the book alone.

I think that this is an excellent book on Ancient Persia, one that is sure to please any student of ancient history.

I loved the book. There are hundreds of excellent quality photos, lots of descriptions, wonderful articles, and useful maps to help understanding the old Persia. It covers every aspect of life in ancient Persia: the government, the financial system and daily life. I have watched the photos every day and still want to watch them more. Articles are academically sound, easy to read and the book is well structured.

Another good thing about it is that, it reveals the bias introduced to the Ancient history by Greeks.

The book is an excellent introduction to the Persian Empire; the world's first true empire. From developing new forms of political administration, building roads that would inspire Rome, fromulating monotheism and fostering cultural tolerance, the Persians were innovators in every sense of the word. Sadly this world is all too often forgotten or only mentioned in passing. This is an excellent beginning for anyone interested in the history of Iran, whose people trace their roots- both ethnically and culturally- to the world of ancient Persia.

I have the Catalog of the British Museum Exhibition: "Forgotten Empire, the world of Ancient Persia" by the same authors. This book's text is essentially the same as the text in the catalog. The exhibition, and this book, mark a turning point in our appreciation of the legacy of the Ancient Persians in 'western' civilization. For too long the Greek texts colored western opinions of the Persians. This consise, clear, well-reasoned study begins to correct that biass. Oh - and the illustrations are exquisite!

I've read practically all the self-help OCD books out there and this one is the creme de la creme. It is the only one that truly resonates with me and has helped me to change. I continue to use it in therapy. So many therapists have not been trained to treat OCD properly so this is essential reading for therapists (before they do go ahead and get trained properly ;-)

Dr. Grayson's book is an excellent explanation and plan on dealing with OCD. He puts his explanations into such insightful terms I would wonder if he somehow knows what I'm thinking!

A very close friend of mine is an OCD sufferer and she was actually treated by one of the professionals at Dr. Grayson's practice. Working with her therapist, along with the proper medication monitored by a psychiatrist, were a tremendous help to her. She is now more able to cope with her symptoms. I've read up on OCD, and have found this book to be an excellent resource for sufferers and loved ones of sufferers. Also check out "Tormenting Thoughts and Secret Rituals" by Ian Osborn.

This wonderful book has the ability to help anyone suffering from anxiety/OCD. Dr. Grayson does a tremendous job in making the case that OCD can be overcome, and he gives great, practical ideas on how to get your life back and be happy. I hope you choose this book because I believe it is so helpful - you won't regret it.

This is best one for OCD. It has explained the orgin and nature of OCD...The answer lies in the question - - THis is what OCD is about.The author discusses several cognitive techniques but also warns not to use some cognitive techniques. He selectively picks up best ones to fit OCD problem.
Also discusses Responsibilty ocd, pure 'O' ocd problem. Lot of techniques tailored for specific forms of OCD.
I recommend using this along with

[...] - Dr.phillipson

Having introduced us to the rabbit, dragon (seahorse), rat, cat, dog, boar and cow of the zodiac, it's time to meet a few new people.

Specifically, it's time to meet the sinister head of the family, and the heretofore unknown snake of the zodiac. And while the fourth volume of "Fruits Basket" is extremely funny and kooky, Natsuki Takaya introduces us to some of the darker, more tragic dimensions of her characters.

Momiji and Haru have just entered high school with Tohru, Kyo and Yuki. The class president makes trouble for a gender-bending Momiji -- and almost gets throttled by "black" Haru -- but otherwise things are going well. Then Akito suddenly shows up, and while he initially seems friendly to Tohru ("You really are cute!"), his cruel streak is revealed when he sees Yuki.

Later on, Yuki and Tohru are gardening when a snake slithers into Tohru's clothes -- and it turns out to be Ayame, Yuki's flamboyant, flirtatious older brother. Problem is, Yuki can't stand the sight of him, and the more Ayame talks about himself the worse the rift between them grows.

When the anniversary of Tohru's mother's death rolls around, the Sohmas become involved in the lighthearted ritual at her graveside -- even having a raucous meal on it. But Hana hints at a dark connection between Tohru's mother and Kyo. And when Tohru is hanging out with Momiji, she finds out the saddening story about his own mother, and why she doesn't remember her own son.

The fourth volume of "Fruits Basket" is when Natsuki Takaya really starts balancing out her comedy with angst, rather than more straightforward romantic comedy. She doesn't lay on the dark stuff too heavily just yet -- a scene here, a line there -- but you can tell that things are getting less fluffy.

Most of it is still very fun and light -- Haru showing the class president that the, um, carpet matches the drapes, as well as generally abusing him ("That's incredible! Say something, GOD!"), the grave visit, Yuki's woes with new girls, and virtually any scene with Ayame. The flashbacks to Ayame and Shigure's teen years are especially funny ("Now please, lust after me!").

But Takaya shows her darker dimensions, hinting at Yuki's abusive past, and Kyo's possible involvement in Kyoko Honda's death. These are no more than glimpses, but her elegant artwork makes them chilling. And she ups the tragedy exponentially with Momiji's backstory. Despite his chirpy, sunny personality, we find out that he has a story even sadder than Tohru's. Good luck not crying during that chapter.

This volume also introduces us to Akito (well, up close) and Ayame, and Akito is about as nasty and creepy as you'd expect. But Ayame steals whatever scenes he's in -- flamboyant, flirtatious, socially inept, an astounding liar, and very arrogant ("Direct your passions at me!"). But we do get to see his more sedate side, and his real (though confused) desire to bond with his younger brother.

The fourth volume of "Fruits Basket" delves into darker territory without losing its comic edge, and introduces us to two important characters. And it only promises to get better.

I own this series in Japanese, and it is a wonderful read! It has all the important elements of a good shoujo manga: it is romantic, twisted, with a shoujo (in the traditional meaning of the word) involved in finding a new family and love triangles galore. It is just a very fun read, no matter the language!

it was wonderful sweet and momiji was positive cute.loved all the carters. got to read more. the best there is

i just started getting into fruits basket and i love it! i also have the anime series. now i am wanting to read the manga. the manga has a lot more that the anime doesn't have but it's still very good. i definitely recommend it.

I purchased this book and two others in the series for my 12 year-old daughter after she received the first volume as a Christmas present. She absolutely loves them all.

I own this series in Japanese, and it is a wonderful read! It has all the important elements of a good shoujo manga: it is romantic, twisted, with a shoujo (in the traditional meaning of the word) involved in finding a new family and love triangles galore. It is just a very fun read, no matter the language!

I love Fruits Basket. It is really awesome, and I love Yuki! Anyway, I have something to say to Mew Pretear. If you had the smallest inkling about Fruits Basket you would know that its nickname is Furuba. Guess what? It was made up by the creator. She says so in either book one or two. So I suggest that you actually think before you try contradicting a fact.

I though this book was very good in this one it starts out with them at the summmer home place that Shigure brings Toharu, Yuki,and Kyo and since no of them can drive Hatori drives them there. When they get back they later find another member of the Zodiac, this time it's Kisa the one cursed by the tiger.
Trough out the book there was a lot of funny parts...but I was reading this in school so every time I can to a funny part I had to restrain my self from giggling in the middle of class(do you know how weird that would seem...). But I thought it was an Awsome book I rate it 2 thumbs up err... I mean 5 stars ^.^' .

I don't know why, but I love this volume! I think because it has so much of Hatori in it- actually so much of all the Mabudachi trio! They're most definitely my favorite characters- especially Shigure and Hatori (Ayame's growing on me...)
Anyway, the Sohma's lakehouse is beautiful! (I always wonder what they did to get so fantastically wealthy...) There are some very adorable Tohru Yuki Kyo moments. We meet Kisa, the tiger. (Who's about as un-tiger-like as it is possible to be...) Kisa's adorable, and Hatsuharu makes a wonderful big brother to her. (Proving that you don't have to be Tohru to be nurturing and loving...)

Shigure decides to go to the Sohma family lake house for a much needed vacation, and to torment his editor. He invites Tohru, Yuki, and Kyo.. And persuades Hatari to come along as well (because he's the only one with a drivers liscence. This episode deals largely with Yuki and Kyo's changing relationship, and how Tohru deals with. At the Lake house Ayami Sohma shows up out of the blue. The rift between him and his younger brother, Yuki, is tested once again. He also reveals to Hatari that his former fiancee, Kana, has gotten married.

While out on a walk together Yuki and Tohru encounter Hatsuharu Soma carrying a small tiger. This turns out to be another member of the Sohma family, Kisa, also a member of the Chinese zodiac. When Kisa's mother comes to retrieve her it is obvious that she needs a much needed reprieve from her daughter's curse, so Shigure allows Kisa to stay with them for a few days. Kisa soon bonds with Tohru.

Kisa's mute behaviour causes some concern for the Sohma family, and for Tohru as well. Momitchi Sohma reveals the root of Kisa's silence and a letter from Kisa's instructor proves to be too much for Yuki. Then Hanajima suddenly invites the Prince Yuki fan club to her home after they ask to write a newspaper column about Denpa waves. President of the fan club, Motoko Minagawa has ulterior motives, and Hanajima doubts it not. Hanajima's little brother and his ability to curse people is awaiting for them at the house.

Much to Tohru's shame and dismay she fails one of her mid term exams and has to attend a make up test day. Under this stress her body becomes susceptible to a cold and the Sohma family becomes concerned that she is pushing herself too hard and force her to spend her illness in bed convalescing. Kyo proves to be an apt nurse when he makes her a cure all he loathes, and listens to Tohru reveal her anxieties about graduating high school and why it is so important to her.

Again...I am hopelessly addicted. I'm going to stop telling people to read this anymore. If you have read all of my other reviews of the manga so far, you already know how much I love it. Go read it for yourself. It's wonderful.

A beautifully written, engrossing story of Christmas in a small town where a heavy snowstorm changed the course of events and the lives of many. Theroux paints vivid endearing characters and a portrait of a town I wish was my own home town.

What a charming Christmas fable--it draws you in with its tales of various residents of Ryland Falls and leaves you filled with the wonder of this special season. The appreciation of communities, families and individuals lingers, along with more intangible appreciation of what binds all of us together. This is a treasure!

When I finished reading this absolute gem of a book, I was astonished to find myself sitting there, feeling my heart chakra open, and on the verge of shedding tears of joy. This is one of those small rare treasures of literature that quietly opens the readerÕs heart and lets in a gentle flood of light and warmth and love. A short story written with a deft touch and without a shred of pretense or saccarine embellishment, GiovianniÕs Light displays the effortless mastery of the craft, evoking Guy DeMaupassantÕs classic explorations of life and the human heart. Take time to savour every word. Phyllis Theroux has truly written one for the ages.

Leaving my cold weather roots with the outside temperature at 70, I never dreamed I'd be able to be deliciously snowed in for the holidays cozying up for a fresh winter storm so vividly brought back to life in "Giovanni's Light". Holed up with me, to my delight, were Ms. Theroux's richly endearing cast of characters who one by one are given the chance to revisit the essence of the holiday spirit. I was at home in Ryland Falls eagerly awaiting each turn of events. A great solo read but just as much a wonderful family read-a-loud. It allowed my sun-bathed clan to experience the magic and wonder of a Christmas where nature's snowy blanket sets the town residents on a new course. A warm glow of a book I have continued to buy more copies to pass on to frenzied, frazzled friends who are all begging to find a way to slow down and experience the true gifts of the holidays. "Giovanni's Light" is just the answer.

What does it take for some people to stop their harried pace and take a look at their lives and then, to put a better perspective on what is important and what can wait? In this case it takes a blizzard to force people's lives to a slow crawl and give them the precious gift of time, to clearly see what is taking place in their lives that needs to be re-examined and fine tuned. This is a beautiful, thoughtful tale that encourages you to adjust your priorities to those with real value before something "big" or even tragic has to happen to force you to do so. Phyllis Theroux wisely shows that time is a priceless gift and that to live a fuller, richer life, time should be spent wisely, not nickled and dimed away.

In a display of pluck and determined resistance to her kidnappers, Carrie McEdan becomes Girl-on-Fire, the name her Comanche captor, Blackhorse, gives her in the summer of 1874. It is Carrie's luck to be the manifestation of a dream and that enables her to survive, as does her openness to learning the language and custom of a new people.

Marked for marriage to her captor, she escapes that fate in the immediate present when he and the other warriors answer yet another call from Quanah Parker and head into battle that takes them from the band for several weeks. Most Comanche have succumbed to the white man's destruction of their native way of life and have gone onto the reservations, except for Quanah's group and a few other bands. During Blackhorse's absence, Carrie/Girl-on-Fire learns the ways of the people and immerses herself in the culture. In her own dream/vision, clues about her fate come to her that she has trouble discerning.

Vicki Hessel Werkley tells her tale with passion, honor and great sensitivity. This is the story of a survivor, not of misfortune but of great good fortune, in her experience among the people. Carrie learns new skills, respect for the women's role in her new setting, and a system of values and traditions she comes to respect. The reader is caught up in the romance and visions, just as the writer intended.

Ms. Werkley's meticulous research into the culture of the Numunuu people shows in this well-constructed story of a young white girl captured by a raiding party of warriors. Carrie must survive the shock and fear of her kidnapping and await rescue while assimilating herself into Comanche life. She finds that she has more in common than not with captors who quickly become friends. The addition of Numunuu language and grammar adds to the reader's enjoyment as well as being educational. Apparently written for young adults, but anyone can enjoy - and will. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

As a Native American woman, I greatly appreciate this book for the way that it captures the flavor of Plains Indian women's lives in the pre-reservation days.

The story falls into two halves. The first half is about the capture by Comanche warriors of the main character, Carrie, from her homestead in Texas, and their journey over the Plains. That half of the book is a vividly and skillfully written adventure, but not outstandingly special as adventure stories go, other than having a brave female protagonist.

It is in the second half that the book shines. That is when Carrie is brought to the Comanche camp, an alien place to her at first, and chapter by chapter she starts to form relationships with the women of the camp and to become assimilated into the women's community.

Native American women's culture and women's community, of past or present, are given very little attention by novelists in general, and in this book in a few short chapters the life of Indian women of the Plains 150 years ago becomes vividly alive. This is a book I would highly recommend for Women's Studies classes and for anyone who is interested in experiencing the lives of women of another time and place. I would also not hesitate to recommend this book to other Indians, because even though the story happens through the point of view of an outsider observer, the Indian characters are flesh-and-blood human beings and it is obvious that the author actually talked to Indians to do her research, and didn't just read books.

Set during the 19th century events that brought an end to the Commanche way of life, the story opens and concludes with Carrie's dream of a great black horse with eyes of fire. An appropriate devise, as "the Commanches put great store in their dreams and visions and the messages they get from their spirits." Deftly written detail makes Carrie's adventure spring cinematically to life. Especially vivid is her attempted escape on horseback. Carrie's interior conversations, as she listens to the different voices within her, add depth to the story. She gradually comes to recognize that the ways of the Commanche, at first so different from anything she has known, are intrinsically closer to her own than those of the culture in which she has been raised. Like Danny, Carrie eventually finds herself caught between two worlds--immeasurably enriched by the joys and sufferings of both.
The helpful pronunciation guide at the front enables the reader to "hear" the Commanche being spoken. Anyone who has ever wondered what it would be like to live as a Native American in the old West will be enthralled by this book.

Girl-On-Fire is a quick-paced, exciting, well-researched book that'll make you stay inside reading on a beautiful Spring day! As personal (you feel you KNOW Carrie)and in-depth in the folkways of the pioneers as the "Little House on the Prairie" books, but with unexpected insights into Comanche lives and culture as well. A terrific story depicting the conflict of two cultures and the rare bridges that individuals can forge in spite of these differences. I found the end so wrenching, I couldn't imagine how Carrie could stand to make her decision!

I've never read another book like "Good Books Lately: The One-Stop Resource for Book Groups and Other Greedy Readers." It's clever and smart without being condescending. Completely accessible! The book is a blend of history, anecdote and How-To. Whether you're in a book club, or just an avid reader on your own, this book is helpful. It gives great tips on being a more active reader and participant in discussion of books.
I had the good fortune of attending a reading of this book by the authors, Kira Stevens and Ellen Moore, and they are even more charming and clever in person! I was in tears with laughter listening to their encounter with Oprah - very funny stuff! Don't worry, the Oprah story is in the book, so you can get a good laugh too!

At last there is a lively resource book for book group discussions! With easy to follow chapters, this book gives the reader the tools to deepen any book group discussion. Whatever book type your group prefers, Kira Stevens and Ellen Moore have created a one-stop easy reference guide. I find that I often return to the book before book dicussions, making Good Books Lately an invaluable investment. The authors have made the analytical art of book discussions accessible, and fun. For all of us "greedy readers" - this is the ultimate reference for book lovers everywhere.

Everything one could want to know about starting a book group in a helpful, informative, and entertaining format. A great read from authors who are not just PhDs in English but clearly women who love reading and writing. In addition to detailed descriptions of just about everything one would need to know to get started and keep going, the authors provide lists of books that have proved to be most popular with reading groups. Loved the part about their meeting with Oprah. This is the sort of book just to keep handy to refer back to when you need inspiration or validation in what you're doing whether it's preparing for a group meeting or analyzing a book on your own.

What a great book! Most how-to books can be dull or hokey, but the advice in this book is interesting, creative, fun and often hilariously funny. The authors take an important topic and make it very accessible. I was pretty nervous about starting a book group before I encountered "Good Books Lately," but now I'm encouraged and excited! After just starting this book, I felt like Ellen Moore and Kira Stevens were good friends of mine! This book's a great reference that I'll use and recommend often.

I absolutely loved this book on book groups. A friend of mine recommended it because I was complaining that our book group had gotten a little dull after 7 years. Now, we have reinvigorated our group with the help of this book. Every book group needs to read this book. Ellen Moore and Kira Stevens are absolutely brilliant and incredibly funny.