Non-fiction Books

The text is great. Some of the essays are questionable but this may be helpful when teaching how to write a critical essay.

This book provides a critical look at the world of postmodern culture. It gives perspective which is not easy to find and also provides a critique in non-academic language, a helpful addition to any library.

This book has a very humorous touch to it, while questioning our culture. The book is the story of a typical family, living in this commercialistic society. It shows that our lives' are based on what the media tells us. It's strange that a book that questions so much about the way we live can also be comedic, but it does so very nicely. Why? Because Don DeLillo is a genius. He does not act as though the concepts he writes about are very important. His humor is comparable to those of us who can't stop laughing at funerals, or roar when someone trips and falls. This book is indeed a trip!

I've sometimes asked myself why I don't get a library card and save the money I spend buying books. This book answered that question, because the reviews and essays featured in this edition provided such insight and enlightenment that I was inspired to return to the novel again and again for a more penetrating read.

The novel itself is beautifully, brilliantly written; DeLillo is a master ironist. Though I thoroughly enjoyed the novel the first time, I highly recommend revisiting it after reading the critical essays (which were so informative that they were quite enjoyable reads themselves).

If you're going to read White Noise outside of a college class, this is the edition you should get.

This book was required reading in my college literature class at Auburn University. I enjoyed this book more than any of the other books required (Jane Eyre, Madame Bovary, Gulliver's Travels, etc). This book gave excellent descriptions and amazing character development. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

This is the wrap-up volume of the author's "Bromeliad" trilogy (the title of which has to do with tiny Amazonian frogs living in tree-top flowers, who know nothing about the world at large, or even that it exists) -- though it runs parallel, actually, to the second volume, which followed the exploits of Grimma and the nomes who stayed behind at the quarry while Masklin and a couple of others went to investigate the nearby airport. Now it turns out that, in their quest for the Ship waiting for thousands of years somewhere out in space, the three bickering adventurers have managed to stowaway aboard the Concorde and have gotten to Miami and then to Cape Canaveral. There, they meet other nomes, much more widely traveled than themselves (thanks to migrating geese), get close to a rocket launch, and make use of the Thing to contact the Ship. As always, Pratchett tells a delightful, very humane story with lots of humor (the nomes tend to be VERY literal), while at the same time commenting on subjects like interspecies relations, religious dogma, and the whole point of society. Written for adolescents but enjoyable for any thinking reader.

DON'T READ THIS BOOK INTILL YOU READ THE FIRST TWO BOOKS IN THE BROEIMLEAD TRILOGY. This book is about when Masklin (a nome) trys to find this one ship that while supposedly send the nomes to a different planet. This ship is faster than light. The one thing that leads them their is a thing. This thing is like a box with lots of electric inside, and only if this thing is by something that is powered by electric it works. Now in this book Masklin, Gurder, Angalo, and the thing go out to find the ship. At the beginning they fly on a airplane to Florida. When they get their they find more nomes (which they never knew that there was any other nomes). Now they have get the ship to them somehow. Read this wing of a book to find if they find the ship.

My Dad has been reading Terry Pratchett books and he thought I'd like this one. He was right! You should read this book , because it is very funny and exciting. The book is about three nomes that got stuck on Earth and need to take a space shuttle home. The nomes get a lot of useful help from Thing, a machine. But too bad when Thing runs out of "pow" (power)!
I don't have the first two books from this trilogy but I am getting them next!

Wings is the third and final volume of the Bromeliad (following Truckers and Diggers).

Masklin, Gurder and Angalo have just left the quarry and are heading to the airport in hope to go to Florida, where they can put the Thing on a space shuttle so that it can call the Ship. Following Grandson Richard, 39, they board the Concorde.

What somewhat surprised me with Wings is that it's not only the conclusion to a tremendous adventure: the story really gets a level deeper, as the relationship between the nomes and the Thing develops. And don't worry, you still get those hilarious puns such as the one about frogs who have "such a tiny life cycle it still had trainer wheels on it"!

The Bromeliad trilogy is a gripping story, extremely funny and easy to read, but it's also a story about how the world around you can always amaze you if you only look a bit further than just at your direct neighbourhood. I highly recommend it to both children and grown-ups alike!

The Bromeliad trilogy soars to a grand finale with "Wings," the companion volume to "Truckers" and "Diggers." This tale runs parallel to the second book of the series, and brimming over with Terry Pratchett's usual wit and satire... and a mild dose of insanity.

Now that humans are returning to the quarry where the tiny nomes live, the nomes must somehow find a new place to live -- and fast. So Masklin is following the instructions of the Thing (a computer who is smarter than all the other characters put together) and going on a secret mission with Angalo and the Abbot to Florida.

After they sneak aboard the Concorde, freak out the stewardess and hijack the plane, the nomes learn that none other than Richard Arnold (grandson of Arnold Bros, founder of The Store) is on board. Now they must somehow send the Thing into space, so it can contact the spaceship and whisk the nomes away. Easy? No way.

Technically, anybody who has read the end of "Diggers" will know exactly what will happen in "Wings." But like flying on the Concorde, it's the ride that's half the thrill. "Wings" is a little tighter and funnier than its predecessors, partly because it has a much smaller cast -- the small bickering trio, plus the Thing. It doesn't get much better than that.

The nomes are fun protagonists, partly because they're so likably naive about the world in general. If they were left alone, they would probably produce a cute little civilization, and their naivete produces plenty of entertaining humor (Concerning the sound barrier: "All right, own up. Who broke it?"). Pratchett manages to make us laugh with the nomes, not at that.

The long-suffering Masklin has a new slew of problems the moment he leaves, ranging from the Thing refusing to talk to him to Angalo razzing the stewardesses. Atheistic Angalo and the abbot just avoid biting out each other's throat. But it's the Thing's dry, superior guidance that really steals the show.

Pratchett brings his Bromeliad trilogy to a close full of action, suspense, and frogs. A witty and wild ride on the Concorde, and not one to be missed.

"Auntie Mame is the American Alice in Wonderland. It is also, incidentally, one of the most important books in my life. Its witty Wildean phrases ring in my mind, and its flamboyant characters still enamor me. Like Tennessee Williams, Patrick Dennis caught the boldness, vitality, and iridescent theatricality of modern American personality. In Mame?s mercurial metamorphoses we see American optimism and self-invention writ large."--Camille Pagli.

I could not agree more with Camille. I just wish that P. Dennis and T. Williams could have combined and written AUNTIE MAME AND BIG DADDY IN WONDERLAND.

What a funny book! I just read it for the first time (after letting it languish on my bookshelf for something like 2 years) and couldn't put it down. I hesitate to give away any of the plot - it's best read for yourself - but trust me, it's HILARIOUS! The only drawback is that the writing seems sort of overwraught in places (i.e. descriptions of people yelling and screaming at each other when it seems only a small tiff might have transpired in real life) but it hardly matters. It's a fun read.

This is an extraordinarily funny novel by Patrick Dennis about a woman, who-despite a lot of mishaps conquers her life and never gives in or up. There is a slight supposition that the author pours a lot of autobiographical parts into this novel,which is especially notable in the sequel of this book "around the world with auntie Mame". His portrayal of Mame let her become the prototype of human optimism,who is able to master any kind of situation, fate or illfate, good or bad,which life can bring. She is simply the super woman as regards survival. Auntie Mame should be compusery reading for all disappointed and depressed of this world.

I have read this book several times over the years, and find something funny or poignant that I missed each time I have read it. Also, the movie with Rosalind Russel is a gem among gems. (FORGET the musical "Mame" that Lucille Ball did!!! It is the pits!!!)

Auntie Mame is just the sort of novel that leaves you dancing for more. I was first introduced to Auntie Mame through the Rosalind Russell film, which is just wonderful. You can imagine how pleased I was to find this book and to know that the adventures went even further than the film. After reading this book, I became so attached to Mame and Patrick that I felt like they were old freinds and I carried the book around with me at all times. They were there when ever I needed to be cheered up or simply bored and there was no one to talk to. Auntie Mame's exploits while extreme are totally believable and you get a distinct feeling for the time period and how it was a time of innocence and innovation. Patrick Dennis has gained a prominent place on my bookshelf.

This book Is one of my favorie SVT chilers. It is about Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield who get parts in a movie about the mysterious death of Lillian Keller. Jessica picks up a ruby necklace from the beach nearby the mansion where Lillian fell to her death. She has awful nightmares about Lillian and her last few moments of life. She gets frieked out by the necklace, so she gives it to Elizabeth. She, also get these nightmares. Then the twins cousin, Robin waeres the necklace when sleeping and ALSO gets these horrors. The girls piece togeter 2 and 2 and visit the cousin of Lillian Keller who supposidly pushed Lilian over the cliff because she was mad at her for getting her dead mothers necklace. She tells them the true story and they set up the real killer to tape. To truely relive the facts I told you, read the book, I left out a little for your sake. :)
You should also read "The Carnival Ghost", also by Pascal. I hope you like them as much as I did.

When The Twins get parts in a Lillian Keller movie,Jessica finds a Ruby Necklace,She puts it on and that night has a dream about falling.The movie is aboout Lillian Keller and her cousin Hilda.Hilda is accused of Mudering her cousin,but she is innocent.The Twins invite their cousin,Robin to come see the makings of the movie.Elizabeth has the dream of falling,so does Robin.Where is Stacey is,Why didn't Stacey come along on the trip? anyway this guy who was at the party killed Lillian.

Twins Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield are lucky enough to score parts as extras in a locally filmed movie,about a real life murder!!...At the same time,Elizabeth discovers an old ruby necklace,having belonged to the murdered girl.she starts to have strange dreams in which the murder is played out,and as they unravel the mystery,their own lives are placed in danger,because the murderer is close.Very close...

The curse of the ruby neklace written by Francine Pascals is a great book to read. The book is about two teenagers girls who have to solve a mystery of a murder that happen years ago in an abandon mansion.The whole story stars out when elizabeth and her twin sister jessica wakefield get parts as extras in amovie their going to film.The movie is about this two girls Lillian and hilda who were both causins.The part of the movie their trying to film is when lillian is having her birthday party and she gets killed by hilda her own cousin at least that what everybody believes.The plot of the story is when elizabeth and jessica find out who really did killed lillian and clears out hildas name.The roles of the charecters in this story makes the readers think they are for real which makes you get into the book even more. I like the book because it's pretty well explenatory. The author does a great job at making you understand whats going on with the lives of the charecters.One thing that I did not like about the book is the way it ended.I was hoping the ending was going to be a little bit more exiting and scary but it ended up being normal like any other book I read.Other then that I thought the book was very interesting.This book really got my attention because I love reading mystery and scary stories.I like the way the author puts words in your head that creates a picture of whats going on with the life of the characters and the story itself.The curse of the ruby neklace is a fabulous book to read I would recomended to everybody.

The curse of the ruby neklace written by Francine Pascals is a great book to read. The book is about two teenagers girls who have to solve a mystery of a murder that happen years ago in an abandon mansion.The whole story stars out when elizabeth and her twin sister jessica wakefield get parts as extras in amovie their going to film.The movie is about this two girls Lillian and hilda who were both causins.The part of the movie their trying to film is when lillian is having her birthday party and she gets killed by hilda her own cousin at least that what everybody believes.The plot of the story is when elizabeth and jessica find out who really did killed lillian and clears out hildas name.The roles of the charecters in this story makes the readers think they are for real which makes you get into the book even more. I like the book because it's pretty well explenatory. The author does a great job at making you understand whats going on with the lives of the charecters.One thing that I did not like about the book is the way it ended.I was hoping the ending was going to be a little bit more exiting and scary but it ended up being normal like any other book I read.Other then that I thought the book was very interesting.This book really got my attention because I love reading mystery and scary stories.I like the way the author puts words in your head that creates a picture of whats going on with the life of the characters and the story itself.The curse of the ruby neklace is a fabulous book to read I would recomended to everybody.

Get Lucky by Suzanne Brockmann
Silhouette Intimate Moments # 991- March 2000

Luke aka Lucky has movie star looks and knows he's a magnet to women. He's been assigned to a special Navy / Local Police task force to find a serial rapist who leaves clues that indicate he may be a SEAL. Sydney is a freelance investigative journalist. Her neighbour is a victim of a brutal rape. Sydney pieces together that this isn't a one time thing, and that there may be a serial rapist out there. Using that power, she manages to get herself assigned as part of the task force. She's hoping this will be her big break to getting that fantastic job with a New York magazine. Lucky's not very pleased that Sydney's been placed with him and his SEALs, but soon he grows to admire her; not only for her investigation skills but because she's not one of those women who swoons when he walks in the room.

We've gotten to know Lucky quite well through the earlier TD&D books. He's the playboy who will never settle down. Until he meets Sydney who doesn't seem to fall for his charms. She's smart and sexy and Lucky can't seem to stay away from her. The sparks fly in this one!

The cover is horribly misleading; what a clunky guy!!! The story, hero and heroine were terrific. True to Ms. Brockman's writing. One of the best.

I first read the story of Cowboy Jones and got hooked on Suzanne Brockmann. Since then I have been searching desperately for the older books, but when I found Got Lucky...who cares about any others! This book was EXCELLENT. Like the others below, I don't know what that cover was about, but everything inside it was wonderful.

Suzanne is one of the (few) romance authors today who can write about many different characters and give each a distinct personality. Her Navy Seals could all be carbon-copy, Ken-doll perfect soldiers, but each is unique. The only similarity between her characters is that they are all strong, determined people.

I am jumping from here right to Suzanne's website (suzannebrockmann.com) to search for information about reprints of her books--especially since the ugly cover is just about to fall off my copy from being read so many times.

This is another example of the talent that this writer exhibits every time one of her books is published. I own the whole series to date. (Lucky Me!) And it isn't over yet according to the author who has a newsletter you can subscribe to. Just e-mail her a note asking her to add you to her list. HER E-MAIL address is SFTHQ@aol.com. Once again in this book we have a strong character heroine who is able to match the heroics of the SEAL hero and come off still appearing as feminine as a beauty queen. Whether she is or not has no bearing on Lucky's opinion as he is totally absorbed in his love for Sydney, the woman he plans to seduce but ends up needing, not just wanting to marry, which is a surprise to him. By the way Suz was more upset than anyone about the cover, which should have pictured the hero as a movie star idol type. I predict that Ms. Brockmann will be on the Best Sellers list one day soon. This series is just a beginning as she is testifying to by her new book THE UNSUNG HERO! Another seal series begins!

The Seals find their reputation in jeopardy when a rapist brands his victims with something only a Seal could own. I found this to be a great mystery thread that held up. Navy Seal Lucky, or Navy Ken as journalist Sydney calls him, is assigned to find the violent rapist. Sydney is a strong character with goals in life. At the beginning, Navy Ken, who prefers Barbie like girlfriends, disappointed me, but with Sydney's influence hope may be near.

Suzanne Brockmann is a great writer. Her characters are full of depth and she doesn't mind making them sound human, or taking risks with them; most of all she gives them hope and a chance to turn things around for the better.

It was a smooth, attentive read all the way. I really enjoyed it.

My daughter had been looking for this book for some time after seeing it on Reading Rainbow TV show. The book is fun for her (5 yrs old). Great buy at a great price.

I have an autographed copy of this book, and from the moment I read of a little girl with antlers, I was hooked. Years later, this story still captured me, enough that when my husband asked me what we would name our new little kitten, I piped up with "Imogene!". It fits, believe it or not, some of the time! This book I talk about with all the childhood wonder and love, and reverence due to it. Its the most wonderful book to read to a child, and the ending is just as fun! Too bad David Small hasn't written another book to follow up! I'd buy it in a heartbeat!! I treasure this book and I CANNOT wait to read it to my children!

This is a darling book! David Small has created such a lively story and pictures that my children have loved. We raised 4 kids who are now teenagers who fully enjoyed this book; they first saw it on Reading Rainbow. Now, we're starting over with a new baby who will undoubtedly wear out her copy of this book. As a former English teacher, I can say with authority that this is a childrens' classic and a must-have.

Our Daughter loves this book!!! Her Daddy is a deer hunter so seeing a little girl grow antlers is really funny to her!!

This book has received great reveiws far and wide. I hate to admit it, but I just don't see why. The protagonist, Imogene, wakes up with a set of antlers on her head. To many of us, this would be a big problem. But, Imogene doesn't seem to mind all that much. Her family, however, hates the whole idea. Now, in most children's story books, the protagonist is faced with a certain conflict and at the end of the story he/she has solved it and has grown somehow from the experience. In this story, Imogene isn't bothered by her problem and does nothing at all to solve it. In fact, the problem solves itself. She wakes up and voila, no more antlers. Instead, she had grown a new problem. (Another that she doesn't seem to mind.) In no way do I see that either Imogene or her family has grown or changed in any way. I admit, some of the situations are comical and in their own way pull the book along. But again, there is no solution to the problem and I have issue with that.

My girls love this book. The 5-year old has it almost memorized. We love Tasha Tudor.

perfect gift for a little girl (or not so little girl). A very elegant book that harkens back to another age. Will bring a little refinement to any library and I can't think of anyone who wouldn't find it charming!

What a lovely and sweetly-worded book with charming illustrations! This is high on my list as a beautiful book for granddaughters and daughters to be cherished for decades to come. Nothing surpasses this book's illustrations.

Ever since she was born, I couldn't wait to buy this for my niece, Annabelle! We gave it to her for her first birthday. It is just exactly the way that I remember! The adorable alphabet introduced me to the necessities of this Victorian doll. Now I will share it with her.

I picked up a very tired copy of this book at a thrift store and fell in love with it - so did my sister! The illustrations are exquisite and the book is easy to read. Some words are not unfamiliar to children, and their parents should explain them. I would recommend this more for a female. My 8-year old son liked the pictures, but not as well as my 10-year old daughter

Ireland has a strange relationship with England. For generations we were part of the British Empire and we still have the echoes of this in the designation "British Isles". Many of our countrymen answered the call to arms in World War I and fought on the side of the British Army, something that is often glossed over in history books. Another thing glossed over is the treatment of the Irish soldier after the 1916 rising.

That's really what this book is about. Willie Dunne is the son of a British Police officer, living in Dublin Castle, born in Ireland to Irish parents but for all intents and purposes a Briton. Too short to become a police man he answers the call to fight for England. This story follows him through the trenches, to return to Ireland and experience some of the 1916 rising and back to the trenches. The 1916 Rising is only a short part of the book but with a big impact to Willie's life when the leaders of the British Army start asking questions about the loyalties of their soldiers.

It's an interesting read, I am glad I picked it up because of Dublin City's One City One Book project.

This is a superbly written and moving novel about the thousands of Irish men who fought in the British Army's Irish Divisions in the Great War and were later largely written out of the histories of both countries. It tells with wonderful pose the story of their sacrifice, immense bravery, and eventual disillusionment through the eyes of a young Dublin Fusilier Willie Dunne. It is a novel that says a lot about Ireland in those years and the Great War in general from the view point of some of those caught up in the tragic events. Its central themes have echoes that can be seen in many of the later the conflicts of the 20th century and those of today.

A truly outstanding novel of the Great War that tells the poignant story of the thousands of ordinary Irish soldiers that fought in that conflict and the over 35,000 that died.

I do not see Barry's prose rising to the elevation of my favorite Irish writer, Liam O'Flaherty, though I think he provided a highly compelling story pointing out the absurdities of war. For those who would like to follow-up with the brutalities of WWI trench warfare, I would suggest reading O'Flaherty's "The Brute."

This is an incredible touching book. Millions should read this. It is a cry against the violence of war. President Bush should take notice of this message!

He writes like a poet (which he is) and moves his reader as very few other writers ever have. War is brutal and senseless, and it destroys the hearts of the young men (and women now) who go to strange places to fight it. No one can bring home the sense of the innocent soldier who is loosing his soul more than Sebastian Barry, except perhaps Hemingway. Barry writes about Ireland's heart and the hearts of its young as no other.

I first heard of this book when I had this book for literature. The title "Red Sky In The Morning" gives people a melancholy feel that just fits the theme of the book.
This is about a girl, Anna, who has a severely handicapped brother, Ben. Ben was more of intellectually disabled than physically and he brought great joy to her life, changing it drastically.
Through this book, you can actually empathize with Anna. It is also a very touching story with a great plot. I'd recommend it strongly to everyone!

I loved this book, but it is very sad when Annies Little brother Ben died...you will cry on and off for at least the next half hour.It is emotional yet funny at parts...I definately recomend it!

This is one of the best books i have ever read. It has a lot of twists and deals with subjects that some people find difficult to talk about. All though it is quite sad when her handicapped brother dies, there are some funny and lighthearted points as well. I think this book has a meaning inside, and I would recommend it to anyone. Although I am not in this situation, I also think it would be good for people who have handicapped friend or relatives. I could read this book again and again.

This heart-warming book is about Anna's life during her early teens. Her mother gave birth to her younger brother, Ben, when she was 12. Unfortunately, he is severely disabled. Anna loves him very much and spends most of her time with him, taking care of him and teaching him to do things that normal kids could learn when they were younger. The parts I loved best about this book are the touching and sad parts as it seems so real, it could make you cry on and on without stopping... I would definitely recommend it to people between the ages of 12 to 15 as they would definitely relate to the characters.

When I was first introduced this book for Literature, I thought it would be like the rest of the Literature books-boring. However, when I started reading it, I realised it was not, it was filled with touching scenes. This story basically revolved around the main character called Anna. Her mother gave birth to a baby boy, Benedict or Ben in short, when she was 12. Ben was not born normal, as he was disabled, but this disability brought in lots of joy, fun and laughter to Anna. Throughout this book, I encountered some themes such as family relationships, relationships amongst classmates and friends, and romance...
This is definitely a book not to be missed, and near the ending, I was especially touched.... I would like to recommend this book to all between age nine to thirteen and...those who think this is another dumb book, you are wrong...

I don't have any kids, but this book has actually been around for a long time. I was born in 82, and this book was by far my favorite. The illustrations are great and the message is even better. It's a really witty way to tell children that labels don't matter. The illustrations also make the book even better, my personal favorite as a child being when Fluffy sticks marshmallows all over his quills to make himself more fluffy.

I bought this book because I'm going to school to become a teacher. It teaches kids that it is ok to be your self. Kids will laugh and so will parents.

This book is very appealing to me and my two kids (ages 2 and 5). The illustrations are wonderful, and it is very well written. The kids laugh as we turn the pages, and it is a book that reads well over and over.

I bought this for my three year old daughter...again based on reviews on amazon. Other reviewers were right: this book is a hoot. Everytime we get to: "H...H...H...H...H...Hippo" my daughter bursts out laughing. Highly recommended. Great illustrations set off the writing.

This is a GREAT book. Well written and illustrated. This is one of the most hilarious children's books I've read to my child. We were laughing throughout the whole thing.

I highly recommend this book to both children and adults.