Fiction Books

What a chase!!!! Not only was it a lot of fun, but engaging. I enjoyed the character's first person perspective that as a reader led me to feel tied to the story.

The twists and turns just kept me going to the very last page. (I elbowed more then one person in the crowded train trying to get comfortable to enjoy the read during my commute.) More then once I thought "how is Jake going to get out of this one?" There were also times that I wanted to skip pages to find out what happened - but dared not to because every time I thought I had it figured out, Cort had me on another road.

The tastefulness in the writing is obvious. You could see that NOT one detail was spared in not only describing the characters, but the city setting and touching on details that most writers would not dare to or fumble over.

This was a great read - Kudos to Cort!!!

This book was well written and I was caught up in the intrigue,twists and turns, etc.

David

. . . times are tough in New York City. You know how that song gets stuck in your head and you just can't stop thinking about it? That's how I feel about this book. Except instead of annoying you with the same bit of melody over and over during the day, this book brings a smile to your face. While you're reading it, you can't stop thinking about what may happen next and you look forward to learning all you can about the characters. When you're through with it, you just want to find as many people as you can to read it so you can talk about those same characters and the plot twists. Just what a book is supposed to do. If you haven't read it yet, buy yourself a copy so you can join in singing its praises.

Having been immersed in the pits of NYC investment banking and as a civil litigator for over 35 years I feel uniquely qualified to say that Cort Malone's depiction of the suspense and intrique of the underbelly of those worlds is right on the mark. Even as a rookie, I feel that he can suit up against Grisham, Patterson and DeMille and would be an odds on favorite in keeping your page turning attention.
Bruce W.McAlbert

In support of a new author I bought copies of this book for all my family and friend readers for Christmas. Of course I bought one for myself too, especially being a fellow attorney (and aspiring author). I put it on the stack of yet-to-be read books that I always have and read a few before finally picking it up and cracking the spine. Well, by the time I was 20 pages in I realized that Malone's next book will cut the line and be read as soon as I have it in my hands! The character development and plot twists were great fun and I got so wrapped up in the storyline that I couldn't wait to find a free moment to visit my "friend" Jake and find out what he was up to in the big City. I am anxiously awaiting the next book! I'm offering "reader" services free of charge if I can have a sneak preview! I have also been inspired to delve back into my own novel! So thanks for a great story and the push to get me into my own!

This is a COOL book. It makes you want to believe, and it gives you hope. It's SAD, but also has FUNNY parts. I like the part about the dog. You will LOVE this book!

Readers will get one third of the way through this book and say, "What's so comforting about this book? This book is SAD!"

Well, parts of the book ARE sad...but other part and inspiring and uplifting. You just have to keep reading till the end. I had a chance to hear the song, "The Spirit of Christmas," that goes with the book: it is wonderful!

I can't wait for this book to be made into a MOVIE!

I also loved:This Christmas Night: Reflections from Our Hearts to Your Home

This book was in my opinion average at best. Yes it had some sad parts, yes it had some warm parts, but all very expectant. You knew what was coming down the road with every page turned. To me it just wasn't worth the time I spent reading it. You can judge a book by how often you think about it once you've finished it. Does it linger on your mind? Does it strike an emotion in you when you think about it? This book does none of that. Once I finished it and put it down, I never thought about it again. The writing style of the Author felt more like someone that is in high school. No depth. The book was also very short with larger font so it didn't take more than a an hour and half to read.

This book gets better with each reading...and so far I've read it six times!

This is a book of comfort, inspiration, faith...a parable about the rewards of anonymous service...a story of eternal bonds. This story shows how service to others can make a life meaningful, even after the most severe and traumatic of tragidies.

Life can bring you to your knees in despair...but it can also exalt you when you learn what great things can come of everyday kindnesses.

This book has made me really think!

John Allen is a consumate story teller...a modern day Dickens. I contacted HCI Books and they told me John is working on another book that should be completed soon. I cannot wait to read it!

Also recommended: The Christmas Jars--wonderful!

Why would my friend give me a Christmas book when it wasn't Christmas?

Why?

She knew that I had just suffered a devastating loss. And she explained that "Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices" was more than a holiday novel...it was a parable that showed how service and thinking of others ultimately brings peace after a loss.

The other book my dear friend gave me had a less perplexing title: "I Wasn't Ready To Say Goodbye" by Brook Noel.
While Allen's book was lyrical and parable-like, Noel's book was filled with straightfoward advice.

Because my friend helped me out so very much by giving these books to me when I needed them most, I wanted, in turn, to tell others about these books. They are wonderful and comforting.

And isn't it interesting: one book that helped me was set during the holiday season, and the other book was written by someone with the name "Noel."

I bought a copy of this book at a performance of The Phantom Of The Opera in 2000 and really love it. I tried to purchase a copy for a friend at the most recent performance we went to but it is no longer available and feel very lucky to have been able to find it here at Amazon. It tells of the Paris Opera House, Gaston Leroux, the original story and the movies. The reason I bought it is the last 100+ pages cover the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical and includes some incredible photographs. I was delighted when I got home and found it also includes the Libretto! I would encourage any fan of the musical to purchase a copy.

Loads of beautiful photos and lots of info. I love it. We do need and expanded edition to cover the movie. This is for Phantom Fans.

This a must have for any phans of the A.L.W. musical!!

This book... I have no words on how amazing it is.

When I rekindled my love for musicals, and of course, Phantom of the Opera made that happened... I had to get everything and learn everything about Phantom. So I found this book at the library and I went insane over it.

Firstly, it gives a clear background history on Gaston Leroux--the writer and the creator of Phantom of the Opera. Then, it goes into another section when talking about the films it inspired. You'll be surprised and amazed when you see it and read about it. Not only that, it tells you some small tidbit facts on the actors and actresses of these movies.

And then, my favorite part, it goes into the Lloyd Webber musical. And when I say "goes into" I mean it!! There are so many pictures of the Original London Cast it's phenominal! There ares ome behind the scenes pictures as well. I never seen so many pictures about Phantom sure in a book, ever.

And when you think that's enough, there is a libretto of the stage production--including scrafito'ed pictures of the OLC copied in there as it was when the CD/Cassette first made it's debut.

All in all, it's not clearly updated as it is now, there is mention of the movie and who they want in it. But otherwise, if you are a London Cast or simply a Phantom obsessionist, you MUST have this book. If you find it at a house sale, a junk pile, book sale... whatever... BUY IT. You will not be dissapointed!!

I recently purchased both 'The Complete Phantom of the Opera'and the novel, and I am soo impressed! After I saw the movie and bought the soundtrack, I knew that I had to have these books. My interst in the Phantom of the Opera was first sparked when I saw the silent version with Lon Cheney. Then I heard about the movie coming out, so I saw it and I was more than impressed. I still have yet to see the Broadway version however. So, I highly recommend the movie, the soundtrack and the books. In my opinion each is well worth the cost!!

This a a very interesting book. If you like stories about girls who have powers. Then this a a good book for you to read. IN this book it is about a girl name Catty. In this book she is trying to find her real mom. While she tries to find her mom she bumps into something strange. A guy is trying give her this little message thing to help her. BUt she still doesn't know that who it is though. So anyways she finds out a little thing about the passage. In the middle of the story she finds out who her mother and all that good stuff.

What would you do if you had dreamable powers? Clean your room, get rid of your annoying younger sibling, who knows maybe even same the world? An amazing book named The Secret Scroll is about four girls that have unbelievable powers. The Secret Scroll is part of a series called Daughters of the Moon. In this book one of the characters is named Catty. Catty has never met her birth mother. So, Catty travels back in time (which is her power) to meet her mother. Her mother gives her a necklace that could destroy the evil Atrox. The only trick is she has many people that are working for the Atrox, trying to find her.
I think the book was incredible. A lot of stuff comes up that you wouldn't suspect. I definitely recommend this book.

This is a series of books that are about 4 girls that have special powers. This one is better than the 3rd one for me. each book is about a different girl of the 4 girls and it tells their points of views. i thought this book was a lot more exciting. my favorite one was the 1st one. when the chapters end they just leave you hanging and it makes you just want to keep reading it. you never know whats going to happen next and it makes you really think about it. when you predict something will happen your usually wrong because its hard to guess what will happen next. it was just a really good book to read!

This is the best in the series so far. (I am currently reading the 5th book) Ewing's portrayl of Catty is the most realistic and fully realised. She even comes across well in the other books, her character is always well defined and unconfused. This book also focuses a little more on the technicalities of being a moon goddess than any of the others and sounds far less hokey in doing so. Stanton has a nice featuring role, which is good, because he is the strongest character in the whole series (the most interesting too, that bad boy that needs to be redeemed is always appealing). It is also nice to see a glimpse of another generation of Moon Goddesses and how someone else could be as frustrated with Maggie as I am. I hope this is a sign the rest of the series is picking up in quality.

I read this book over the week-end and loved it. stanton played a great role in this one by the way he went out and helped Catty. The story also introduced a new character but Stanton is still my favorite. The scene at the park was the best with the merry-go-round.

My kids love these books, and love to have them read to them often. I even enjoy hearing them read to me. I would recommend any of the "Diary of a" books.

We all love the Diary of a Worm, Spider and Fly books. Great illustrations, educational and funny!

I bought "Diary of a Spider" thinking that Doreen Cronin's books are always a big hit with my daughter. After all, she just loves, "Click, Clack, Moo!" and the others of that series. I thought getting this series could introduce her to the world of insects and "icky" things.

Instead, I found something unexpected happened. My daughter was 5 when I first started reading "The Diary of a spider" to her, and sure enough, she loved this book became interested in the life of spiders. But that was not all. My daughter also began to express an interest in keeping her own sort of diary, even though she cannot yet write. She asked me to buy her a little journal, and she glued pictures and stickers from school and her Kindergarten class in it. She added some photos of our family; had me write the names of the people under the pictures for her. I do not think she would have come by starting this sort of scrapbooking or diary-making without having read "Diary of a Spider" and seeing the value of this activity. "Diary of a Spider" really helped her to see that every body's point of view is unique and special.

I am really delighted in this result and highly recommend this book for its value not only in garnering interest in entomology, but also for developing positive self-worth and interest in Diary making.

My grandchildren (2 & 3) both liked the book. My grandson loves spiders and he was excited about it. The illustrations were great.

In the same funny vein as Diary of a Worm, Diary of a Spider is chuckle-inducing fun for kids and adults who are kids at heart. Not much of a story line, per se, the book is just a peek into the "every day life" of a spunky little girl spider - a composition of humorous vignettes. The art is perfectly suited to this style of humor.

I bought this book when i was working for border's as another light read, and although i liked the firat in the series better, I still fell in love with it. It was exciting and detailed and well written. Finally Seth does something stupid with good intentions instead of selfish ones. We get to meet the brownies. And we also get to see more of dale and his brother clearing up alot of unanswered questions about dale and his bleak outlook we've seen before. Oh, and we get to see my favorite puppet again, yes i am a mendigo freak (for those of you who havent read the first book, mendigo is a limberjack, google it if you want more info). I had wierd and funny dreams three nights in a row after reading this and it all togeather gave me a warm fuzzy satisfied feeling throughout and after.
End Strange unorganized rant...

As a result of being touched by fairy magic, Kendra is now the center of attention from the Society of the Evening Star. After trying to kidnap her and Seth, they escape back to Fablehaven, where they must try and secure one of the five keys to a prison holding an ancient demon - before the Society of the Evening Star does! On the way they have to defeat a demon intent on devouring Seth and figure out who the traitor is bent on stealing the key!

If you get this book, get #3 as well - Grip of the Shadow Plague. You won't be able to stop reading until both are done!

I couldn't wait for kendra to get her next powers. As I finished the first book and awaited the next book I wondered who was going to save the day next. It was suspenseful. It was like a mystery thriller wih the question, "who sent who to their deaths?" The author gave a description about what humans thought as true myths and reshaped those myths into his own evil monsters and fit them into his story. 1 or 2 of the few pictures will probably freak you out. This book is a must read.

Seth and Kendra Sorenson are looking forward to another summer visit to Fablehaven with their grandparents who are really caretakers of a preserve for magical creatures. However, Fablehaven's magical mayhem comes to them as a fairy creature appears in their school, and a mysterious group bent on the destruction of magical preserves, the Society of the Evening Star, targets the kids at home. Seth and Kendra head for Fablehaven for protection, but also to help solve a mystery that could be a greater threat to Fablehaven than they faced last summer. New characters, new mysteries, and a bigger view of Brandon Mull's magical world make "Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star" a must read. Not only is this a fast paced, fun read, it also has some good lessons to learn about obedience, authority, decision making, and courage without being preachy. Just like the first installment in this series, I can't wait until my kids are old enough to read this. The action and other aspects may be a bit intense for kids under 10, but adolescents and teens will love this one. Parents will love it, too!

The moment that I finished reading the first Fablehaven book, I went online and ordered this one. My husband and I both loved the book, and couldn't wait for the third one to come out. I don't know what more to say than the other reviewers have already said, but I just had to add my vote. If you're considering buying this book, do it! We are so glad we discovered this series and they will always be part of our family library.

This is the first Pike book I've ever read. And this book is a must read. I enjoyed it very much. Once you start reading this, you wont be able to put it down. There is a surprise waiting on every page you turn (: The murderer was the last person I thought it would be. This book is very exciting and leaves you wondering. There is a huge twist at the end. The end was okay for me. But I didn't find the end very satisfying. But overall, the book was very good. For any fans of Pike, this is a must read. Hope you enjoy (:

Fall Into Darkness is a really good book if you like horror, romance, drama, and a huge twist. The characters are Ann, Sharon, Paul, and Jeff. Jeff is accusing Sharon of pushing Ann off a cliff. Read this book to find out if she is guilty or not.
Steven, Grade 5 Rhode Island.

this was the best book i've ever read. I don't like reading books as much, but this one really caught my attention.

This is one of the best books I`ve ever read. Its put together so nicely that I was never bored. I don`t regret reading this book and you won`t either.

Fall into Darkness is a great book. It is definitely surprising. It was suspenseful, mysterious, and amazing.It's sooooo good that there's a movie on it. Pike definitely catches the reader's attention. I LOVE this book. This is one of my favorite Christopher Pike book.

I thought this book was so sad. Mary Anne loses everything- only a few things survied. Mary Anne is woke up in the middle of the night by her cat Tigger. She didn't even cry about it. Finally at the very end, she decides to cry. I would have to say, if you are like Mary Anne, and you cry allot. Don't read this book.

I cannot believe Mary Anne's house burned down! She and Dawn were VERY upset. But I can't figure out why Mary Anne could not cry. She normally cries right when she SEES something sad or cute. Or even HEARS about it. Finally one night she is able to cry. Dawn cried when she got one look at the house. I was glad they got to save A FEW things even if they weren't worth very much. I an VERY glad Tigger woke Mary Anne up. She might not have gotten out in time if he hadn't. I loved the book.

I know just how Mary-Anne feels. Our house burned down a year ago. I lost everything-including old letters (I'm like Mary-Anne and, the worst, pictures and things of my older brother, whom died when I was 7. So I know it was really hard for Mary-Anne. I cry when I read this book and I feel like Mary-Anne and I are crying together.But life goes on and changes happen-to Mary-Anne and the whole BSC (And We Love Kids Club too!)

In this book, Mary Anne's house burned down due to faulty kitchen wiring. She's very upset and in total shock. She loved the colonial farmhouse she moved to with her father after his marriage to Dawn's mother. Mary Anne loses almost everything during the fire. Her clothes, books, diaries, letters, pictures, etc. are gone, but she found some jewelry, her mom's picture, and her recent diary. Even though I've never liked Dawn, I'm glad she came to CT to comfort her family. Dawn was pretty upset about the fire. Even though she mostly hated CT, she loved the old farmhouse, the barn, and the secret passage. (the barn didn't burn down, but the secret passage from her room is gone!) I'm glad that Mary Anne finally cried about the fire, after her long shellshocked spell and she's hoping for some positive changes in her future. She doesn't want to move to Philidelpia, where her dad was offered a new job there. It's great that Kristy and her family took in Mary Anne and her parents and that the club and other neighbors comforted and donated lost items from the fire. It was a great book, but I cried my eyes out when Mary Anne lost her house and felt lost. I think she's a strong, brave girl who dealt with a lot of tough events in her life. I'm glad that Mary Anne, her dad, her stepmom, and her cat Tigger got out of the house safely. During a house fire, the number one thing is to get people out of the house and not try to save possessions. I give this book a 10.

Mary Anne's house burned bacause of wiring. Mary Anne almost loses everything like clothes, books.... Dawn was pretty upset when she heard that Mary Anne's house burned. Where Will Mary Anne live?. Will the Baby Sitters help her?

It was a great book! i read it when i was 11. I could really connect with Zoe (the main character). It doesn't talk about boys. so, if you want a kind and nice friendship book you should get this one!!!! I loved it, so, so will you!!!

I read this book when I was 13 years old. I absolutely loved it at the time. I could relate to all of the characters because they were just like my friends. And the plot completely reflected life as a preteen or how I wished my life could be. I will be 20 next month and I still remember this series of books being one of my favorites as a young teen. I would also recommend the California Diaries to anyone who enjoyed this series as they were also a favorite of mine.

on reading this book you would seriously have the feeling that you are actually reading a secret diary of a 12yr old. anybody from age 10-14yrs can relate to zoe's character of being tomboyish and feeling clumsy & unpretty at some stage or the other.this is a must read for all the teenage crowd who have less than sqeaky clean lives.rachel vail is the best!

This book was awesome. It is about a girl who was always considered one of the guys. All of a sudden, she finds herself becoming attracted to Tommy Levit, her next-door nieghbor, and wearing tight tops to school. She asks Tommy who he likes, and it turns her life upside down, because CJ Hurley, who she wants to be her best friend, likes him too. Did she make a big mistake?
I think that Rachel Vail is an awesome author. If you like this book, you should read all the books by her.

"When you're the yougest of five girls,nothing's your own" that's the first sentence of the book.Zoe Grandon is the fifth child in the Grandon family. she has heroldest sister,Anne Marie's mouth, her second oldest sister Bay's hair. But unfortunately, she has her mom's behind. Zoe is friends with everyone.Even boys.Zoe is kind spirited and friendly.Zoe has a crush on herf riend,Tommy. But her almost best friend, C.J,has a crush on him too! Zoe can't decide whether to she should go after Tommy or let C.J have him. But she finally decides that since C.J liked him first,C.J should have Tommy. But does Tommy like Zoe? Or does Tommy likeC.J? What if he doesn't like any of them?

I first chose this book when I saw my friend reading it. The cover was a picture of a girl holding a tennis racket in her hand.I read the blurb and I was hooked. But I was confused too. In the blurb,there was this word, hormones.What does it mean?I asked my teacher, Mr.Carbone.I found out that hormones means something in your body that makes you act differently and behave differemtly.I was still puzzled.As I read more, I understood what it meant.I really like this book and I want to read the other books in the series. It's a very good book and I know other people would enjoy it.

When Zoe let CJ have Tommy, I was angry.If Iwas Zoe, I would go after Tommy. After all, so what if CJ liked Tommy first? Zoe KNEW Tommy first. Zoe is just too friendly to hurt CJ's feelings. Another book, "Kitty in High School" is about the same thing. Kitty likes a boy named Skip. Kitty wasn't sure if she should ask Skip to the dance, and when Kitty makes up her mind, Skip is taken by her best friend. So if Zoe doesn't go and try to win Tommy back,she'll never get the chance!

My favorite part in this book is the whole book, so there's not much to explain, is there?

I would recommend this book to people who are ready to learn about growing up. If you are like zoe and you have a crush on someone, read this book and you might learn something.

This book features Heyer's bravest, strongest, happiest, and most spirited heroine. One of the best Heyer tales.

I had carefully avoided anything to do with Regency Romances, formula romances, and the like, until a friend (who knew me pretty well, as it turned out) insisted I give 'The Grand Sophy' a try. What a hoot--I loved this book. It really should be required reading for any student of comic literature. The final scene is classic kaleidoscopic comedy at its best. I then went on to read other Georgette Heyer books, but I think this is her finest hour. As it turned out--Heyer, along with Margery Sharp, Angela Thirkell, and others, proved to be inspirational for my own work, 'Composing Molly'. I hope that someday Georgette Heyer gets the credit she deserves for her clever, innovative style.Composing Molly

The Grand Sophy is one of my favorite Heyer books - funny, touching sometimes, with a keen discernment of the absurdities of the Regency world. Heyer used a detailed knowledge of the manners and thinking of the day, even to the slang currently in use or deplored, as the case might be.

This is one of the best of Georgette Heyer's novels. For anyone unfamiliar with her works, she is Jane Austen with an even strong sense of the absurd and the wit to see through people's pretensions. Sophy is the "not-so-little any more" niece of Lady Ombersley, whose arrival promptly sets the family's well ordered world on its ear. Her cousin, Charles, is at first infuriated and then gradually charmed by her no-nonsense ways, and it is clear that the family is in dire need of someone like Sophy to get them out of the doldrums. Charles' intended fiancee, Eugenia, who has a very fine opinion of herself and a very low opinion of everyone else, is one of those prim and proper young ladies who delight in point out others faults "so that they may improve". His younger sister, Cecilia, is in the midst of forming a disasterous relationship with a pretentious young man who writes very bad poetry, and his brother, Hubert, is into gambling debts up to his eyebrows. Sophy, very much the managing female she's accused of being, decides she's arrived in the nick of time to save the family from a disasterous ruin.

This is one of Heyer's most delightful books, full of fun and amusing characters, including Sophy's soon to be mama, Sancia, who seems to be straying from her desire to marry Sophy's papa. Through it all, Sophy maintains a firm hand on the reins, steering the family from the brink of disaster until all of them, most especially Charles, realize what a prize they have in Sophy. For anyone who's never read a really well-written Regancy novel, I highly recommend they start with The Grand Sophy. It's one of the very best.

Much as it grieves me, I can't recommend this book for the insulting description of the Jewish moneylenders which is the big ugly elephant in the room. It is simply a racist chapter in an otherwise delightful book.