Short Stories Books

Kate Bloomfield, a Canadian teenage girl, records her thoughts and feelings through a series of poems and vignettes. The very first page quickly sets the tone of Kate's story - she announces her arrival to the World, but when she gets no response, her Self celebrates with somersaults. The World had its chance, but now it's Kate's turn! Simple stories, like not being able to eat parsnips or being proud to be Canadian, are mixed with longer portraits of Kate, her friends and family. Kate struggles with becoming a teenager and learning more about her parents and neighbors. The reader gets an intimate portrait of Kate and may discover a kindred spirit.

Kate has already appeared in two book, Kate and Look Through My Window, but Hey World, Here I Am! certainly stands on its own. Little's writing style capture the teenage voice perfectly, without any of the angst or drama found in so many other books with a teen protagonist. Kate is caught between a world where she is old enough to have experience and reflect on her opinions, but still new to the world of adults. Truesdell's illustrations, wobbly black and white drawings, are both silly and sentimental. The drawings interact with the poems, somersaulting around the words. Not only will younger readers find a companion in Kate, they will be introduced to poetry and the short story format.

This is my very favorite book. It was delivered in a very timely fashion and it is so great. The main character grew up in Canada and is Jewish and I'm Hispanic and in Southern California, but I so get her!!! The style that she writes with is so simple, understandable, and creative; it's poetic. It would be a great book to read at bedtime with your child or by yourself.

This is such a great book! It's perfect for any young girl. The book has short poems and stories told from Kate's point of view. It's fun, it's happy and it's sad. It talks about friendship,parents and life. I cannot recommend it enough! I read it when I was in middle school, probably. Rereading it reminds me of how much I enjoyed it. Really a great read for anyone at any age, but will speak to a young girl's inner voice. GET IT!

I was about eight years old when my mom first brought this book home for me. I was so thrilled because I shared the name of the character in the book, Kate. I absolutely devoured the book, enjoying it more for the humor Jean Little displays impeccably in her writing, and the utter appropriateness of Sue Truedell's wonderful illustrations. Later, when I was a teenager, I went back and read the poems again because they seemed to describe the utter tumult and solitude that I felt during such a trying time. Poems like "Today," "Alone," and "Yesterday" capture perfectly feelings and emotions that nobody ever thinks to capture, yet Ms. Little does it in such a fabulous way that one instantly understands just what kind of mood she is describing. Now that I am a young woman, near to having a family of my own, I treasure my battered old copy of this book, nearly worn to pieces from repeated readings. Even today I can still find wisdom in every poem and piece of prose. The writer, Jean Little, is blind; I can only say it has sharpened her other senses and her intuition of basic human emotion powerfully. Bravo!

I purchased this book at a library book fair in the second grade. After one reading, I fell in love with the goofy pictures (I like Kate's hair and messy bedroom) and poetry. It combined poetry and pictures, my two favorite things in a book at that time. Over many years, I have gotten rid of the old books of my childhood, but I have never parted with this one. I take it off the shelf about once a year and read it (since I was seven I've read it ten times). I can empathize with Kate and her love of books, spats with her mother, and her dislike of interpreting poetry. Even though I am not Jewish like Kate, after reading the Diary of Anne Frank like her friend, I felt Jewish too. I also write poetry, but they are usually about my cat and nature. After reading this book many times, my love for Hey World, Here I Am! has never faded.

After the death of his wife, Kade Strong has spent the last few years mourning his loss and just focusing on his work and daughter. Deciding it's time to move back into the family home he shared with his deceased wife, Kade finds himself in need of a sitter and his brother's luscious housekeeper fit the bill. Already a part of his family and loved by his daughter, Garcelle Santos is a fiery spirit who reminds him how to smile. Garcelle understands Kade isn't ready to move past his loss so she will have to not only watch out for his little girl but also keep the man-hunting vultures away from her new boss and friend.

The heat in Holtsville turns up as the single women in town come out the woodworks at the chance to catch the eldest Strong sibling. Garcelle will soon find herself under his magic spell as too much friendship and time spent as a family lead to emotions neither are sure they're ready for.

In a series based around a well-respected and loving family, the story of Kade begins with a somber note with Kade still suffering from his loss and unable to see the possibilities of a future. Hot Like Fire brings a little Latin flavor and fire to a relationship built on friendship, trust and eventually love. Garcelle is the essence of fun, a woman with a great personality, a nurturing spirit and a volcanic passion for the man she wants. Niobia Bryant created a beautiful story that was sensual but still sweet. The slow building of this relationship allowed me as a reader to see that past the lust a true connection was brewing. The backdrop of family added additional depth to this romance and the multiple side plots made an already interesting story even better. I have to give Ms. Bryant additional kudos for the personality of Kadina, Kade's daughter, who was the reason for more than a few laughs and someone I'm sure readers will fall in love with.

Indy
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

It was a great read. I have always enjoyed Ms. Bryant's books and this was no exception.

Hot Like Fire is a fabulous love story which is the second installment of the Strong/Hot Holtsville Series.

Kade Strong is a grieving widower that has retreated into a shell upon the death of his wife. All work, raising their daughter, and just making it through another day has been his daily routine while being assisted by his loving parents. Kade finally makes the decision to reclaim his privacy and he and Kadina move back to their home and the games begin. Garcelle is a young, vivacious family friend that likes to shake her moneymaker whenever she gets a chance. She's attending college, taking care of the men in her family, and working to pay for her education. In the midst of babysitting, she's become Kade's personal bodyguard as she matches wits with the local hoochies in their quest to scheme their way into his bed with all sorts of enticing promises of lustful tricks and treats. Due to their daily camaraderie, this pair's initial attraction blossoms and ignites into a blazing affair.

Niobia Bryant has yet again penned another best seller that not only endears the characters to your heart with a realistic view of one of life's many heartbreaks but also sprinkles the triumphant light of second chances in love and life in this brilliant series. I love the creativity portrayed in the characters, the silver-haired theme (very original), the familial first names, and how she introduces each character and their personalities. All of these things pique your interest that much more and has the readers anxiously anticipating the next installation to this series. Excellent read! Another winner to me, Ms. Bryant! Continue to shine!

Reviewed by Tazzyt2bossye
for Urban Reviews

LOVED IT. great read for me i think i like this one better than the first brothers story. really a good quick read.

Very sensual. Passion between Kade and Garcelle jumped off the pages! Liked that they became good friends before lovers. Like Garcelle, her father was a straight shooter with his words. The little girl was a sweet touch too.

Byrd Baylor's book "I'm in charge of Celebrations" is the best "any age" book I've ever known. Everyone I know has started keeping a celebration book modeled after hers! What an absolutely marvelous journey! And Parnell's illustrations are magnificent!!!

This is a memmorable book for a child

One of the best picture books ever. I'm one who believes picture books are not just for children and this one proves it! It reflects a wonderful attitude that there's always something out there to celebrate. A most uplifting book. Byrd Baylor is really tuned into nature and Peter Parnell turns those words into unforgetable images.

I use this book in the beginning of each school year with my fifth grade students. It always leads to great discussions about what is important to them and leads into interesting writer's notebook entries. The book is a great tool for inferencing, noticing details, and celebrating the little events in our lives that make us who we are. A good book to use when teaching about differences that make each of us unique and how we all have our own set of priorities.

I stumbled upon this book recently and, as an avid reader of children's literature, believe it is one of the most amazing books I have seen -- for readers of all ages. It is lyrical, humorous and quiet. The illustrations are spare--and that's all that's needed. Life in the desert is depicted beautifully. I felt like the book was speaking me, calling me to a more mindful way of life. I plan to buy it as gifts for all my friends this year, no matter their age.

Very often, as it happens in a Beatles album, you find yourself wishing, "if there was only one more song."

I experienced a similar emotion at the end of If by Neeru Nanda. After reading this book, these two letters when combined took on the form of a bottomless hat, filled with one possibility after another.

I don't want to reveal even an iota of so as to spoil the surprise for anyone, but suffice to say, that you are transported from the Himalayan Peaks to the shade of a banyan tree with effortless ease. It is clear that Neeru Nanda has a deep understanding of the collective consciousness of the Indian mind, and I for one, look forward to her next book.

One of my friends gave me this book to read, after he had received it from his Aunt. He told me that I may not understand some of it, but that I should read it anyway. Well I did read it and I could not put it down. And I never once had a hard time understanding what was going on. Even though the stories are set in India, I still understood the meaning of each of them, and after reading them I am left with a realization that this does happen everywhere. The stories are short but so captivating that it is hard when each one of them ends. You just want each one to keep going. The characters are so well thought out and explained that you feel like you know each one and have for a long time. Over all I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to read, no matter what age. It is amazing book and I look forward to more gerat stories from the author.

I read the book, 'If'. Quite liked it. All the stories are good, very readable and soulful. Even the author's take on 'If' in the Foreword is most appropriate.

I especially liked the first two stories. 'The Peak' is an excellent depiction of a simple soul, still untouched by the modern materialistic world. 'His Father's Funeral', takes one back to the style of Premchand. 'Memories. And other possessions' is an absorbing story, with which many of the readers would be able to identify themselves in some way.

Well, I can go on and on, but the long and short of it is that the stories start a thought process which stays with the reader, even after the the story has ended.

Expecting to see the author's work in progress (Sanskruti) soon.

Dr. J.K. Mehta

We all get so busy in our everyday life that we have a difficult time identifying with the problems of others or even taking the time to notice the struggles going on all around us. IF is a collection of short stories that forces you to look at the many problems in society. The characters stay with you long after you have finished the book. Although the stories take place in India I could imagine similar situations taking place in the United States or anywhere else.

While the setting for these stories is India, the range is so diverse that it is really limiting to describe this as a book about India. Even those without a connection to the subcontinent will find "If" absorbing, direct, heartfelt and truly universal. The stories are moving without being sentimental and make a strong impact without preaching.

We can all relate to characters like Padma (Memories and other Possessions) who can hardly find time to visit her ageing mother yet remembers her happy childhood in such wonderful detail. Or the young man who becomes a spiritual leader (Sarvaguru) after exploring and struggling with the joys and perils of material life.

A wonderful book and an amazing achievement for a first-time writer!

"J.G. Ballard scans the suicide-code of a chemical=anthropoid into the abolition world, as if the drug fetus's modem=heart of the corpse mechanism is aspirated acid." - Kenji Siratori, author of Blood Electric

J.G. Ballard's "Quotes" is one of my favorite books. How does Ballard do it? He offers the starkest insights about Western culture and the psychopathology of the human race, and yet the book is fun, exciting, and totally addictive. The editors have combed all of Ballards books for interesting excerpts, and they have arranged them conveniently into chapters. There is a chapter on Writers and Writing, a chapter on 9/11, a chapter on Beaches, a chapter on William S. Burroughs--it goes on and on. Yes, sometimes there are redundancies, but that did not bother me. In fact, it is interesting to see how Ballard takes an insight or prediction and retools it slightly over time. One of my favorite of his predictions is that in the future, science and pornography will intersect. That may seem obvious to some people now, but Ballard made this prediction in the early 1970's. Another thing this book is good for: getting titles to other interesting books. Ballard reads widely, and he recommends books throughout this volume; some are books I had never heard of. "The Black Box", for instance, contains the transcripts of dialogue between pilots and air-traffic controllers for flights that eventually crashed. Ballard cites one of his favoite books: "The Los Angeles Yellow Pages". He considers this directory a surrealist work. Likewise, the chapter on film is good for some titles: after reading Ballard I returned to "The Road Warrior" and "The Hitcher" (two of my childhood favorites) and saw them in a new, Ballardian light. If you like this one, I would also recommend the book of Conversations with Ballard and "A User's Guide to the Millenium". Of course, "Crash" is not to be missed...

"jg ballards: quotes" is a book of maxims, aphorisms, statements, and glibly profound comments from the mouth and pen of the perspicacious jg ballard.
if you are at all interested in the theories of a modern thinker without all the impenetrablenous of postmodern theorists from academia, then check this tome out.
the chapters on 'PSYCOPATHY' and 'THE SUBURBS' alone are very salient indeed, soaring through the time and mind barriers of our age looking with hindsight at the strange possibilities that time and mind present to us now.
ballard transposes the psychical landscape onto the physical one using freudian theories of the libido and the unconscious to evoke a surreal landscape at once familiar and yet alienating.
these are the themes ballard tackles and talks about in his own inimitable and exciting manner. always fascinating.
i recommend this book to anyone interested in a worthwhile compass to the imaginative world around us right now.

RE/Search has compiled the best blips and ramblings from Ballard's extensive body of work, illuminating the uninitiated and re-affirming to the already converted that Ballard is one of the sharpest commentators on the modern world. The book itself is compact and formated for easy digestion during commuting hours or periods in limbo, and each quote is a gem. This book will definitely keep you intrigued and sane on your otherwise dismal journey through the day to day.

J.G. Ballard has had his fingers on a strange universal pulse for many years, somehow seeing just around the corner in time. His comments, whether in fictional form from his literary characters, or from himself in interviews, are truly unique.

This new collection from Re/Search is like a box of psychopathology candy. Your brain is going to be nibbling on these bits for a long time. The collection draws from his published work, private notes, and interviews. If the usual inspirational sayings leave you feeling rather flat, just open a page of this book and read one at random. Chances are you will be thinking about it the rest of the day.

The quotes are organized into topical sections including (but not limited to) The Future, The Past, Virtual Reality, Celebrity, Death, Film, Art, Technology and Science, America, Airports, Freeways, Swimming Pools, Car Crash, Sex, William S. Burroughs, and reflections by Ballard on his unique life and experiences.

A great book for Ballard fans, those who love to discuss/debate, or anyone who likes to keep their brain dusted off.

If you read just one book this year, make it this one. Barbara Haines Howett's book is that good.

Patty Hardin
author of Devil In Her Arms

Ladies of the Borobudur, is a series of linked stories as rich and complex as its setting, 1976 Jakarta. At that time, Pertamina--Indonesia's national oil company and the hope of a stable Indonesian economy--was reeling from appalling levels of debt as well as widespread mismanagement and corruption. To bolster itself, Pertamina partnered with predominantly French and U.S. oil corporations. This ensured a large, expatriate population in the capital city of Jakarta. It also ensured that numerous corporate wives would be thrust into a very traditional society at the height of the modern women's movement. Ladies thoroughly explores what happens when women find themselves in unfamiliar surroundings isolated from familiar tempering forces. "Strangeness" acts as a catalyst, and women's responses are faster, deeper, wilder than they would be at home. While culture-clash is a concept that permeates the book, for expat corporate wives of that era it is a truth denied, only spoken of in whispers; coping only gets them so far, and when it fails, all hell breaks loose. And that makes for fine reading and a meaningful understanding of the pressures on real women in the 1970s.

Howett covers a tremendous amount of ground. Ladies of the Borobudur offers up ten linked stories about nine women who acclimate to Jakarta at the Hotel Borobudur. The common location is a grounding thread, while the linked-story format allows exploration of numerous themes: control, re-invention, escapism, coping, pretense, belonging, fear (especially expressed as anger), victimhood, loss and grief, duality, abandonment, isolation.

Ladies of the Borobudur offers so much--terrific writing, great characters, and a very broad spectrum of themes. Reading it is an enriching experience--I've done it twice so far. Howett is a wonderful wordsmith who gives us an intimate look at real women during a central moment in the history of the women's movement. She puts traditional women under pressure during a time of change, adds catalyst, and shows us what happens. It is sobering, funny, and meaningful. Howett lived through this, and thank God kept her eyes wide open while she did. Her observations are priceless.

Author Barbara Howett takes the reader on a tour through the lives of the wives of American oil industry workers who, in 1976 A.D., are taking up residence at the Hotel Borobudur in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Lisa, Maddy, Sharon, Lexie, Srikandi, Ohney, Lila, Edythe, Katherine, Miriam: These wives cultivate relationships with one another, with the citizens of Jakarta, and especially the employees of the hotel.

The text explores the relationships between the wives and their families and friends left behind in the United States as well. Auhtor Howett demonstrates her prose and exalts the reader in her crisp, and tantalizing details that create the background in which this tropical narrative takes place.

Great book. Five stars.

The ladies in this book all lead very different, but interrelated lives. Their stories, as Barbara wrote them, grabbed my attention and pulled me into their lives until she ended each one with a new twist. I had to read each story in one sitting as a new adventure. I couldn't wait to begin the next one. Her last statement in the book, "Take along what has meaning for you now and leave the rest for another time" sums up the feelings I was left with at the end of each story. I'm sure as I reread the book, I will find new meanings and adventures that I missed the first time. I'm looking forward to meeting more ladies of the Borobudur.

Not being a real avid reader of ficiton novels, I wasn't quite sure if this book was for me. But, I suddenly found myself pleasantly surprised and caught up in this book and I looked forward to picking it up to read. In this book, Barbara takes me to Indonesia and really makes me feel like I am right there. The Ladies of the Borobudur all have very different and interesting lives. I easily became pulled into their stories and their lives, which became so real to me. I could not stop reading to find out more about their adventures. This was a good read for me and I look forward to more from Barbara.

These stories are a great length for my 4 year olds bedtime routine. I used to get bogged down in extra long stories, but now I can zip through our routine and he's satisfied. The stories are great. There was some repetition in the tiger stories, but beyond that I have no complaints.

This is one of our new favorite books! My 5 and 3 year old boys absolutely love it! It's enjoyable to read as a parent, too! Highly recommend it!

These are great international stories with good values. The shipping took forever (3 months?) but it was worth the wait for a unique book.

This is a family favorite. My children pick it up often, even if no one is reading to them and look through the pages. I like that some of the stories are old classics, but many are tales I've never read before. The variety is terrific.

We really love this book for bedtimes. It has a great multicultural focus and the stories are engaging and promote good lessons in character training. My kids love them and ask for them over and over again. Definately a keeper!

This is a compelling story about a political dissident imprisoned in Burma--how he got there, his life in prison, how he ultimately gets "free." Not only is the plot of interest, but the writing is beautiful. Connelly makes us feel every step of his way--his thirst, his hunger, his dirtiness, his loneliness. This story will stay with me for a long, long time.

I was so engrossed by this book. Not only is it a fabulous story of a relationship between a child and young man and a story of survival under extreme conditions, but also an indictment of the Myanmar regime, as the author interviewed some who had been imprisoned by the generals and incorporated that information in the book. While hard to read at times, because of the imprisonment descriptions, the book is beautifully written and totally captivating.

Karen Connelly is a superb author, she brings both skilled craftsmanship of story-telling, and a penetrating evaluation of the human soul that soars beyond the confines of the cage. We live in a world where we are all connected, and, it is critical in a time where we cannot save Teza, or other cruel victims of repression - that we remember. The story of Teza is replayed in Burma every day, but as well, in far too many places in our world. We cannot save all victims of terror - but - thanks to Karen Connelly, we can at least not forget - we can keep them in mind, we can share the feelings of their terror, and rejoice in her story that reminds us that the human spirit can overcome both terror and the cage. Until Burma is free, until there are no more victims of repression, at least let us remember Teza's soul and spirit and song, as taught to us by Karen Connelly. You will as well be rewarded by discovering as incredible new author.

If you're interested in getting both a historical and emotional understanding of what's happening in Burma (Myamar, as the generals have named it), then THE LIZARD CAGE is a must read. It will not only help you understand why it is so difficult to get aid into the country after the tragic hurricane, but it will also inspire you the way THREE CUPS OF TEA has done.
However, even if you don't care about the effects of the hurricane on the long-suffering Burmese people, you will want to read this book for its fine imagery, meticulous characterization, and exploration of humanity and compassion. It's a classic, great novel along the lines of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. (Yes, it really is that well-written).
The Laguna Book-Worm

Imagine serving a 20 year sentence for writing protest songs or eating lizards raw to ward off starvation and disease. Imagine that possession of a pen could add another 10 years to your sentence, along with beatings and disgusting tortures. This is Teza's world as narrated by Karen Connelly in this honest portrayal of life under the generals in Burma (Myanmar). Connelly doesn't pull any punches. Nor does she offer false hopes and solutions for her characters to assuage the reader's sensibilities, making the book, at times, a hard read. However, don't let this put you off. Despite the horrors, one thing shines through - the indefatigable human spirit. Karen Connelly is a poet and this is her first novel. Her poetic talent is evident in the descriptions of the beauty of Burma, its history and it's people. Her poet's soul leads me to my one minor criticism - I think it sometimes interrupts the story's momentum. But this small quibble doesn't prevent me from giving the book 5 stars.

I had known a little about Burma and its problems before reading The Lizard Cage, but had not given it much thought, because of, I suppose, lack of media coverage. A sad comment on our media (and me). Anybody who reads this book will surely be unable to extinguish Burma from their thoughts and, hopefully, will add their voice to the campaign against the inhumane regime of the generals.

Lucia Lucas (born Emmeline Smith) wished the world to know that the recent death of her husband's aunt, who was 83 years old and who had spent the last seven of them bed-ridden in a private lunatic asylum, was "a grievous blow". Suppressed were the facts that neither Lucia nor her husband had hitherto given much thought to the aunt, and the fact that when Lucia's husband last visited the aunt, seven years previously, she bit him. No, the world must be convinced that the death of "dear Aunt Amy" was not a "happy release", it was "a grievous blow", requiring the wearing of veils, the drawing of blinds, and stoically-born, inconsolable suffering.

So begins E F Benson's 1927 novel "Lucia In London", one of six in which the author chronicles the worlds of Riseholme and its social climbing leading resident, Lucia. I say "worlds" because we are presented with two worlds. There is the real world and the world of pretence. Most characters, especially Lucia live in both worlds. What they privately covet, the publically despise. What they really feel, for example at the death of an aunt, they suppress in order to pretend to something more publically admired.

Benson's chronicles are great fun. The pretence, the point scoring, the absurdity, are richly detailed. There's not much testosterone, but there's a chuckle at least in every sentence.

This is the ultimate book for social climbers everywhere - Lucia the Queen of the tiny town of Riseholm goes to London and takes the town by storm.

This is such a brilliant story - absolutely hilarious - full of the beauty of social sycophancy and insincerity. Everyone knowing what is going on except Lucia who is (almost always) triumphant.

When Lucia's husband's aunt dies they are left with a house in London (and when the news is received in Risehome much calculation is doneby everyone based on no real facts at all.) It is up to Lucia's sidekick, Georgie, to wheedle the news out of her about the house in London and the income.

Lucia, who has always stated how she loathes London has now (very reluctantly you understand) decided to go to London for the season. Her departure from Riseholme however has a number of effects - the first being the power vacuum in Riseholme itself, and secondly she really does end up taking London by storm. Even the most vague of acquaintances of hers are treated as close bosom friends and called by their first names and name dropped shamelessly by her everywhere. This goes on till there is a firm group of Luciaphils in London who are so astonished and appreciative of her powers as the Queen of Social climbing that they establish an informal club to help her and to admire her mastery at work.

In Riseholme life does not go on without Lucia, it goes on firmly DESPITE her - everyone is determined to make a success of their village in her absence to show how much she is not at all needed there. There is the museum to establish,and then Daisy Quantock has helped them all discover the Ouija Board and the powerful spirit Guide (Abfou). They spend a great deal of time 'weedj-ing' for signs of what to do next.

If you haven't discovered Lucia novels yet, you must - Benson writes wonderful sardonic stories full of the small, pettiness of village life and its power struggles. This is wonderful light, laugh out loud stuff.

Since the other reviews here relate to the printed version of the E.F. Benson book, I thought I'd chime in with a review that is specific to this CD version read by Geraldine McEwan.

McEwan starred as Lucia in the delightful "Mapp and Lucia" series in the mid-1980s. It's out on DVD now and I highly recommend you snatch it up immediately before it goes out of print. It's one of the very best British comedies ever.

In the series, McEwan establishes what I consider to be the definitive version of Lucia. She is so delightful that as soon as I found out her readings of two of the Lucia books had also been recorded, I bought them -- although I had never purchased books on tape/CD before.

Suffice it so say, I was not disappointed. McEwan is a wonderful reader who brings out all the wit of the books, and I can't stress enough how marvelous it is to hear her once again using her "Lucia voice."

This has my highest recommendation.

Continuing the extraordinary adventures of Lucia, Benson's delightful story is full of the gossip and social-climbing one comes to expect of Lucia. Peppino, Lucia's husband, inherits a fortune and a house in London after the death of his aunt. Lucia has been the queen of all of Riseholme for ages, with her court including her best friend Georgie, an eternal bachelor who embroiders. When she ascends to London, Riseholme is bereft and feeling slighted, but soon they plot their revenge. Unfortunately for them, Lucia conquers London's high society and overcomes all obstacles in her path to greatness. But can Lucia keep up the pace of London society? And does she plan to desert her beloved Riseholme forever? The Lucia series, beginning with "Queen Lucia", is a delicious concoction of maliciousness and snobbery that will convert any reader.

I prefer Lucia in the country, though it is fun to see her get her comeuppance so regularly. Using her best social-climbing instincts and refusing to be embarrassed, Lucia sets out to conquer London and mingle with the beau monde. Soon a secret group of "Luciaphiles" springs up; the social climbers who make up its rank never tire of watching her get into and out of all kinds of trouble.

George, known to me and the rest of his students as Mr.Flynn, is an amazing person and this is a wonderful book. Parts of it made me cry and others made me smile. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to read about true love.

I know that I cannot write a good review but I loved the book. I am not fond of reading too many books but I started to read this when I was bored and now I have read it eight times! Mr. Flynn was my English teacher and I will never forget him!

The stories in Maggie's Heart are short, but each is moving in its own way. The book can be read in sequence or kept as a quick pick-me-up for those times when you need something to read, but don't want to delve into a novel. There is a gentle love of people and goodness that comes through in each story. You are left with a catch in the throat and / or a smile on your lips. In a word the stories are wonderful.

I know that I cannot write a good review but I loved the book. I am not fond of reading too many books but I started to read this when I was bored and now I have read it eight times! Mr. Flynn was my English teacher and I will never forget him!

This great little book brought smiles, a couple of laughs and a few tears. My favorite was The Last Amaryllis. It still brings a tear.