Journals Books

Fantastic book for experienced diarist or beginners. Beautifully written and easy to read, I will use this book for reference purposes in the future. I can't praise this book enough!

Only one regret... I bought this book very late!
It is the best one I read about journaling. I'm gonna sell every others books I have about the subject. All you need is there.

I've kept a journal/diary off and on for over 20 years. The biggest problem I have is that I have been stuck in the little locked book/calendar frame of mind with my journal. Tristine Rainer gives her readers some really great tools to break out of that thought pattern. Before reading this I didn't fully realize that I was in this pattern of self-editing/self-consciousness with pretty much all of my journal writing. It really held me back. Instead of not having enough to say, not thinking that my life is interesting enough to track on a regular basis, I now feel freed to explore my inner life. The combination of encouragement and practical tools to do this make it an invaluable book for the journaler.

My only complaint is that the language is dated and I would like to see it updated. It took me out of the moment book too often.

After keeping a journal for the better part of the last decade, it had started to lose its lustre for me and at times even felt chorish. I felt I had nothing to write about and was guilty for no longer writing.

And then I read The New Diary. It reminded me of all the wonderful things about journalling that I'd forgotten and opened me to new techniques and tools. Most importantly, it stopped me laying a guilt trip in myself for not writing and helped me recapture everything I'd previously loved about my diary.

I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who's thinking of starting a journal or wants some inspiration to refresh their current one.

This book by Tristene Rainer is reccommended reading for this U 3 A course and although I have not completed my reading it is very helpful with good advice and pracices to do I would highly reccommend it to anybody beginning a Diary or journalling.

Although the famous author's last years brought her much sorrow and depression, she continued to depict the world as it once more became plunged into yet another world war. In her famous journals, she described movies she saw, including GWTW, air conditioning, and the frustration involved with generational gaps. It is a must read for those who followed the previous books.

Obviously this is for fans of L M Montgomery - if you know and love her writing, you will recognise among the friends and acquaintances of her youth the characters that people Anne of Green Gable's turbulent world. But this wonderful journal is much more than that - it is a fascinating insight into a world which is long gone.

We read of Maud's complex family arrangements, her desire to be a good teacher and disappointment with some of her placements. Her small victories selling stories to publications, and the seemingly endless stream of suitors who proclaim love for her (my favourite is the hapless Mr Mustard). It is a tale of love found and not acted on (and the agonies that accompany it), familial obligations, frustrated talents and beautiful Canadian country side. It tells of heppiness, despair, joy and nostalgia, and is as engagingly written as any fabulous novel.

By all means read this if you wish to understand the creator of one of the world's most engaging literary characters, but also to have a glimpse of a world none of us will ever see the likes of.

Poor poor woman. I could scarcely put it down. But it brings up many questions. Why did she think that Mr. Leard, the Love of her life, was not worthy of her? Why did no one ask her husband Mr. McDonald what the heck was bothering him? Why did she not know in 5 years of courtship that something was terribly wrong with him? Poor, poor woman. The synthesis of this book is when she asks herself why a woman that she felt was mean and hateful was happy and she was not. Indeed, why?

IF YOU LOVE THE OTHER DIARIES YOU WILL ENJOY READING ABOUT HER FINAL DAYS. I ENJOYED ALL OF THE OTHER DIARIES BUT THIS ONE IS THE SADDEST. SHE HAS HER GOOD DAYS AND BAD, BUT SADLY SHE STOPPED WRITING IN THE LAST YEARS WHEN LIFE BECAME SO UNBEARABLE THAT SHE COUDLN'T EVEN WRITE ABOUT IT SO THIS DIARY IS INCOMPLETE. YOU WILL LOVE SEEING INSIDE THE LIFE AND MIND OF AN AUTHOR WHO ACHIEVED SUCCESS IN HER OWN LIFETIME AND LIVED TO WRITE ABOUT HER PERSONAL LIFE FROM CHILDHOOD TO HER LAST DAYS. THIS DIARY IS HER LAST, BUT LUCY MAUD MONTGOMERY WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE ON IN HER WRITINGS. HER DIARY WAS A WAY TO SHARE HER INNERMOST THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS THAT SHE COULDN'T SHARE IN HER NOVELS. YOU TOO WILL FEEL LIKE A KINDRED SPIRIT.

These journals, are beautifully put together. I remember when I found the first one and then each suceeding volume. I knew this one was coming. I even called the author at Guelph University to ask her how much longer I would have to wait.

She said then that they had to wait for some of the people in the journals to die before they could publish them. I would guess Dr. Stuart Macdonald was one of them.

They thrill me and make me feel closer to thise amazing woman. I've read everything she's written now. The sad thing is that once this volume is finished there is nothing new to read.

My greatests thanks to L. M. Montgomery and to Drs. Rubio and Waterson for their great work.

I found this read to be heart felt, emotional, and real. Even though I have never know anyone myself who has had an eating disorder, I related to it simply by the struggles of raising children. When our children are born, they don't come with a book on how to raise them, we just go with the flow and do the best we can. Normal is hard enough, but Mary went the extra mile with blinders on and never gave up on her family. Now that's real. Wrinkles on the Heart is for anyone. To actually read a book (journal) written by a mother, and feel every emotion that a person can feel was amazing. Thank you Mary for sharing your story to help anyone dealing with an eating disorder and the insight of just raising children and not giving up.

First, let me say that I have never had any first-hand experience with this condition, so this story was a real eye-opener for me. I found this to be a riveting story of determination, courage and love. It is the moving and true story of a family's struggle to help their daughter overcome anorexia. This book details the mother's daily struggles to understand and support her daughter while trying to continue her role as a wife and a mother to three other children. The reader will be drawn into the story of this terrible battle with its many ups and downs. Father and mother often disagreed on the right approach to this problem in their family and even the medical professionals didn't always have the right answers. Mary Fleming Callaghan tells her story through a series of letters written to her uncle and through diary entries.
The chronicle of a family's struggle to overcome this threat to the life of a beloved daughter should be read by everyone who is experiencing this problem with a family member. And, it should be required reading by every medical professional who deals with this frightening disorder.

`Wrinkles on the Heart' by Mary Callaghan is a godsend for all parents of children with anorexia. It is a poignant, immensely readable book, written with enviable honesty. (It was a catharsis for being able to remember how much of a brat my own my beloved daughter, who also suffers from anorexia, was at the beginning of her illness.)

All the stages of Mary's family and her daughter's plight were identical to ours, not the details, but the frustration, anger and helplessness that accompany the illness or behaviour or whatever it may be. The difficulties of our own struggle and quest for appropriate support, in both England and in France (medical help is more efficient and readily available in the latter country) were compounded by vastly different, sometimes conflicting, approaches and attitudes. Only when I had become thoroughly confused by the different psychiatrists and their sometimes stupendously inhuman treatment, did I feel I had to take a step back and leave my daughter to take responsibility for her survival and improvement. What a relief to find this is what Mary Callaghan recommends; it was the turning point in her daughter's illness.

Mary Callaghan's book is an ever-present help for suffering parents. And when you finish reading it, there is Mary right on-line willing to help parents with any issues she may not have addressed. A great writer. A great woman. Thank you Mary.

Being an aspiring writer myself, and currently recovering from anorexia, I immediately expected to be critical of this novel. I gained new insight on the chaos and pain I placed my family and loved ones through during my diagnosis, and have a new appreciation for everything that they, my mother in particular, have done for me. The story is passionately and appropriately told. It's difficult for the recovery anorexic to except, but it is also essential. I would recommend it for those suffering or recovering.

Keith from Tucson

We found Mary Callaghan's book,Wrinkles on the Heart, and we ordered it immediately. We didn't expect much since most every book we read on this subject found parents an easy, vulnerable target. I was pleasantly surprised. Wrinkles was a refreshing departure from the many academic volumes and their unfair conclusions. The Callaghans had walked the same road as we were now on, and Mary was able to put those agonizing struggles into words.

After reading Wrinkles I was struck by a surprising reality. The suggestions Mary makes in her narrative could also be applied to other cases of aberrant teenage behavior, situations that had nothing whatsoever to do with an eating disorder. That perception alone encouraged me to write this review.

I could relate to George's frustration with Kathleen. My daughter's stubborn refusal to listen to reason drove me crazy, just as it had for George. My wife seemed able to handle the stress better than I simply because she could talk to her friends about it, whereas I found that difficult to do. This caused disagreements and tension between us, just as it had for the Callaghans.

Mary addressed these kinds of issues in her book which made me feel that she understood how I was feeling. She and George didn't agree but they both cared for and agonized over Kathleen's welfare. Their approaches were diametrically opposed, but they were as one in their love for her. This was so close to our own scenario that it was almost eerie.

Thank you, Mary. You helped us see that we were not so strange after all, that we were just like thousands of other parents looking for solutions to an alarming and life-threatening problem before it was too late.

I whole-heartedly recommend Wrinkles on the Heart to all parents and families who are faced with similar life and death struggles, no matter what the source of those struggles might be.

Michael D. O'Brien is a masterful storyteller. He has compiled a stunning series, Children of the Last Days, of which Plague Journal is the second. I am now just beyond half way through Eclipse of the Sun, the third. I have two more to go, and by then perhaps he will have written some more. While I'm reviewing his work, I'd like to applaud his latest work : Island of the World. That was a "watershed" book for me.There are not words to convey the power and authority which which he strings words together. It is compelling fiction. Any one choosing to read Michael D. O'Brien's work will be in for a major treat as well as learning experience.

Michael O'Brien has a tendency to overwrite his books (one of his very few flaws as a writer). But in Plague Journal, he reined himself in (or finally got an editor who did) and the result is a book that is no less packed with plot tension, cultural criticism, and character development than his other tomes.

The middle book of a trilogy of books about the Delaney family (starting with Strangers and Sojourners and ending with Eclipse of the Sun), Plague Journal also fits within O'Brien's larger series, which he calls Children of the Last Days. The first of those is the explosive novel Father Elijah.

While Plague Journal is my personal favorite. I recommend reading it after Father Elijah and Strangers and Sojourners, since it needs the other two to provide its context in O'Brien's view of the Last Days.

And O'Brien's view is a bleak one. The government has become the tool of the antichrist, whether it knows it or not, and an honest journalist (even one who doesn't have a living faith in God) can't get an honest shake, but is hunted down.

Swift, sharp, and poigniant, O'Brien provides his readers with everything that Left Behind readers should have gotten but didn't and without all of the silly speculations. This is good literature that shapes the heart and the mind Christianly.

Michael D. O'Brien's novels are among the best I have ever read. Plague Journal is the (chronologically speaking) 2nd book in the Children of the Last Days series. Which should be read: 1. Strangers and Sojourners, 2. Plague Journal, 3. Eclipse of the Sun, and the other 3 in any order (although I'd personally read Father Elijah 4th, Sophia House 5th, and A Cry of Stone last--which is the least connected to the other books). They are deep and thought provoking books, and will make you look at the current trends in society in a whole new light. Although there is an element of action/adventure in this story, it is by no means mindless entertainment. The action/adventure element is always secondary to the philosophical/spiritual element that we see and partake of in the lives and thoughts of the characters; in much the same way as the murder/mystery element in Crime and Punishment is secondary to the philosophical/spiritual element.
I've grown up a Protestant, but these books (along with other influences) have made me take a good hard look at Catholicism. I'd say I'm 9 tenths converted--and almost ready to take that last step. But whatever your religion, denomination, or lack thereof, do yourself a favor and read these books.

O'Brien's "Children of the Last Days" series shows what the apocalypse might be like through Catholic eyes. "Plague Journal" shows what an average man would go through when he sees the very land he loves slowly but surely choke off all joy and life in the name of an efficient government. The main character's actions and thoughts make you slow down and wonder what you'd do. Also, not all the characters automatically do the right thing. Each of their actions has a consequence, whether good or bad, and they have to put up with those consequences, which is more realistic. There's no flashy deux ex machina, but God works through the characters in a way that's somehow more majestic than simply suspending laws of nature to make sure the good guy wins. I highly recommend this book no matter what religion you follow. You will laugh, cry, and think.

As I'm sure most reviewers have said, be sure you read Strangers and Sojourners first; PJ is the second in the series. Also, it is good to read Father Elijah too; it occurs about the same time as PJ.

I read PJ in a week. It is one of the most moving books I've read, but I was reluctant to heed its message in the beginning. In this world of half-truths and deceptions where everyone is a partially educated philosopher and politician, PJ really does show the need to not believe everything we heard or read.

Should we be constantly paranoid? Not really. But a healthy skepticism is necessary.

The title is what initially caught my attention, and I was impressed with the quality of writing exhibited by the author, Ed Williams. The humor and sarcasm displayed in this book hovers steadily on a tightrope between earthiness and family-friendly aw-shucks hilarity.

One of the most amusing and beautifully crafted stories in this collection is entitled `Rasslin' and Riskin' (Our Asses)' because that's precisely what the author and his 60+ college buddies do one fine Tuesday evening. As Mr. Williams writes: "We knew that the Macon pro wrestling crowd (mostly rural country folks-some came from counties miles away just to see it) didn't take kindly to people cheering for the bad guys. We knew if we did this we'd piss a lot of people off." And Williams skillfully narrates and quotes a lot of comical dialogue from his wild, wild adventures that he and his classmates experienced that night in the Coliseum.

The varied lengths of the pieces from vignettes to full out tales such as the one mentioned above, allow the person who reads this book to really get a feel of what life in central Georgia is like. A loving ode to his grandfather, Ed Sr., who in the chapter quote is succinctly described by his son: "His ass was wilder than yours and mine put together," along with the insightful and fun chapters, `Let's Be Honest About Little League' and `Meetin' BTO' demonstrate Mr. Ed Williams III's innate storytelling abilities.

"Rough as a Cob," by Ed Williams III, is a compilation of ten hilarious stories about growing up in the rural South of Juliette, Georgia.
The book encompasses the lives of Ed Sr., Ed Jr., and the brotherhood, whose antics are so crazy that it's impossible to keep a straight face.
I particularly enjoyed the stories, 'Snake in the Cobs,' and 'Ed Sr.,' where Frank and Ed Sr. devise a plan to beat the crap out of Santa Claus. Overall the whole book was hysterically funny, unpredictable, and well thought out.
I must admit this is the first time a book has ever made me belly roar with laughter. In fact at one point the tears were streaming down my face so badly, that I couldn't even see the words.
The characters are likable, well developed, and believable. The author portrayed his family and friend's situations so wonderfully, that he really gave his reader a glimpse into the actual scenarios, as if going back in time. Ed Williams has an uncanny way of drawing his reader into the story - meticulously, and with flair - making this book a real page-turner.
"Rough as a Cob" is a wonderful example of family life and the human condition. It is a truly incredible book, and I highly recommend it.
I hope that if Ed is ever in Canada to visit BTO, that he'll personally sign my books.

Linda Oness

I won an autographed copy this book in a unique essay contest. I honestly didn't know what to expect when I started reading it. Funny and hilarious are mere words that simply don't do this book justice. I literally laughed until tears were running from my eyes. Ed Williams can spin a tale like no other. Anyone who picks up this book and fails to find a master story teller spinning tales of a simpler life in a simpler time has no sense of humor. Williams has the ability to reach out and take the reader back to a simpler time of nostalgia and humor.

More importantly than the humor is the obvious love, repsect and sincere admiration that Ed Williams has for his father and family. Wiliams writes a loving tribute to his father told with incredible humor and appreciation for a simpler time in life when outhouses were "in" and corn cobs had a unique and imagintive function.

Rough as a Cob is a must read and a book I will cherish and continue to enjoy over and over again.

In Rough As A Cob, Ed Williams' second collection of essays, I found myself laughing out loud. I was intrigued from the beginning chapter of "On Being Southern" to Chapter 10 "Meeting BTO."

I especially enjoyed the stories of Ed's family and I loved hearing about what Ed Jr. and Ed Sr. had to say. The down home stories brought me endless smiles, particularly Chapter 3 "Snake in the Cobs." Ed's love for and admiration of his family is apparent through his stories. I have to say I was amazed at how well written this story was written. Also the stories and characters were true to life and the images made me feel like I was right there - in the story, witnessing every experience, first-hand. I have to admit feeling pity for Charlie Pounds when Ed Sr. tells him "Charlie, you are too damn ugly." But in essence it is this type of pure honesty that is missing from today's society. I realized we need people like Ed Sr., who tell it like it is, with no fabrications. I laughed endlessly at Ed Sr. and Frank attempting and succeeding at beating up on Santa for being a greedy bastard. I felt the loss when Ed Sr.'s friend, Wig passed away. That's how real this story is.

If you only read one book this year - read Rough As A Cob, you won't be let down.

Renee Bagley

"Rough as a Cob," by Ed Williams III, is a compilation of ten stories that attempt to be hilarious, but fail to deliver the punch at the end. They are based on growing up in the rural South of Juliette, Georgia and attempt too hard to use this as the root of the humor. (...)

This book provides stories that are somewhat entertaining about the life of Ed Sr., Ed Jr. and Ed III. Somehow, visions of Ed, Edd and Eddy from the Cartoon Network come to mind. Anyway, we are provided the disturbing life of these three while the author presses hard for the laugh that is an occasional chuckle at most.

Let's be honest. Is a plan to gang up on Santa Claus really considered funny? That is the level of humor we are given from the book.(...) A nice try that falls a few inches short of its goal.

Student ministry is so strategic, young people need a clear path to right and wrong, more importantly the ability to make good decisions on there own, After 25 years of youth ministry I was pleasantly surprised to find a book that puts the essentials students need to understand before leaving home and the keys to good decision making all in one book, each check point gives students a deeper understanding of not just what, but why, we are to follow God's direction, Andy is gifted at getting to the main things the plan things, he and his team have given student workers one of the most valuable tool they will ever have.

I read this book for a youth ministry class in college and it is probably the best youth ministry book I have ever read! They cover a lot of ground and make it applicable to real life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone!

Great resource for anyone who minister to youth. I bought this book for our youth ministry team. It has helped them to focus on the important issues that youth face today.

I can't wait to start using the checkpoints as laid out in this book, or use it to create our own version.

Andy Stanley and Stuart Hall have done amazing "legwork" for Youth Leaders everywhere in defining essentials that are usable now. To find out there's curriculum to go along with this book was a lifesaver.

I highly recommend this book to help define your YM strategy.

this is the most practical book for streamlining a youth ministry i have ever found.

I recv'd this book a couple of weeks ago and wished I had purchased sooner (my son is 2 and the book is from 1-3 years). The book is a combo b/w a toddler reference and a journal. There is space for you to note what your toddler is accomplishing at particular weeks but not preset lines/questions like "what is their favorite food" or "name 3 of your toddlers favorite songs", etc. If you prefer the preset questions, you may not prefer this book.

I am so glad there was a sequel to The First Year Journal. A friend of mine got me started on the first one and I had to purchase the toddler journal to continue commenting on my child's development. Now, two kids later, I have had the chance to read and take notes about how they've developed for the first three years of their precious lives. What a great gift to give them later in life. I love the scribbling pages and handprint pages to show their progress. I also love the three areas that are covered each week: physical, cognitive, and social. I highly recommend getting this book, as well as the first one, and make as many comments as you possibly can because you forget so much about those first three years throughout your child's life.

I love this book! It provides very helpful developmental information that is always VERY accurate and also provides great prompts to help you journal about your toddler. I would recommend it to anyone!

I loved this journal and had 3 of them for my 3 triplet girls. I enjoyed entering little tidbits about their life every week, adding handprints and their own artwork in the appropriate spots, and the descriptions of development at this age and questions asked. It was not onerous. Usually, I would jot down a few things while I watched TV at night at the end of the week.

I was sad when my girls recently turned 3 and I could not find another journal like this one to continue charting their journey.

Love being able to give my kids something that will tell them about how they were as a kid.. It has cute little pages for them to draw on to help make it more special

Reeve surely has Ann's gene for writing. This book should be read by all who still have parents alive and will be faced with their eventual death and by those who have already lost a loved one. Alzheimers and dimentia are a death before dying. It is hardest on those left behind and gilt and worry are only some of the emotions one has to deal with during the dying process. Reeve caught the essence of her mother and was fortunate to be able to have 24/7 caregivers to help her through this ordeal.
This book is a tribute to Ann and to Reeve's Sister.

This is a fast reading book concerning Mrs. Charles Lindbergh's last few years of life. Written by youngest Lindbergh sibling, Reeve, she tells of living on her own farm in Vermont, with a smaller house on the property her mother lived in during that time. Reeve Lindbergh is a wonderful writer - she doesn't need the famous last name to prove that. When she isn't writing about her mother, which is riveting for some reason, her writing of anything else in the book has such a fresh, emotional spirit behind her words. Anne Morrow Lindbergh, a legend in her own time both in flying, her husband, and her many published works, did not talk much in her last years. It is a story of how the family felt and coped with her condition, letting go of the vibrant mother they once knew. An excellent book for those who have been a caregiver to a parent or sibling. Anne M.L. was such a famous figure, it was both interesting and heartwrenching to have the privilege of reading about her day to day living. Thank you, Reeve Lindbergh, for sharing this story that you could have kept to yourself, but chose to share. It's a book that will be remembered long after it's read.

I have read Reeve Lindbergh's work before in her memoir, "Under A Wing". I was surprised at her candor regarding her father, and what was equally clear was her fondness for her mother. "No More Words", which records the last 17 trying and rewarding months of her mother's life, is a tender tribute that is notable for what it includes and for what it omits.

The only photograph of Mrs. Lindbergh is the one that appears on the cover. The photograph depicts a young woman at the start of what would prove to be a life as fascinating as it was lengthy. The closing months of this woman's life are chronicled above all else with a great deal of respect. This is a most private family event, and just as the book is devoid of any pictures for the voyeur, the narrative too is informative without taking away any of the dignity of her mother. This would seem to be an obvious manner to write of one's parent, but a person does not have to look far to find books written with sales as the first goal, and exploitation of the subject left unconsidered.

Reeve Lindbergh is a poet, she is reflective, and these aspects of her personality provide a narrative that is unique. This book is not simply a diary; it is not a chronological description of the systematic health decline of her mother. It is more of a story that is driven by the limited interactions she was able to have with her mother, and the memories that were either hers or recollections of her mother's life. This is not a sugarcoated story of what was a very trying time. The book is a balanced memoir about how difficult it is to deal with not only the death of a parent, but also the very real difficulties and frustrations that caring for an elderly, ill parent involves. Mrs. Lindbergh had the best care available which took much of the moment-to-moment care off of the family. It did not remove many of the difficulties, and the reader can easily imagine what it would entail to care for a parent with little, or no outside help.

This is a very contemplative book that moves at an associated pace.

Reeve Lindberg has succeeded in giving us a marvelous journey through the last two years of her mother's life. It is also a very helpful description of what it is to deal with someone who is deep in the fog of an Alzheimer's like state. I plan to give copies to many of my friends, most especially those with elderly parents. Reeve's language is lovely and crisp in the strokes of its portraits. It is easy to see she that is her mother's daughter. I am so happy to have discovered this book and I would recommend it to anyone who is seeing or will see an elderly parent or friend through his or her last days and months. Tasha Halpert

This is a touching memoir of the time when Reeve Lindbergh was helping to take care of her aging mother, the famous Anne Morrow Lindbergh in the last year(s) of her life. This book is a look inside the private lives of a very well known family during a difficult transition in their lives.

The story is about how Reeve is trying to make sense of this time. It contains her thoughts and reflections and fears about the change in her mother's condition. I appreciate the honesty in which this book is written, I feel like the author held nothing back in relating her story. I was surprised and delighted at the openness of it. She wrote about things in dealing with this situation that people think, but would rarely admit to.

I found this book to be very comforting, as I recently experienced a similar situation in my own family. There were so many times, as I read this, I was shaking my head thinking....I know exactly what you're saying. Throughout the ordeal, there are sad times, but there were also light and funny times as well. Dealing with the aging and decline of a loved one that you have known so well all of your life is difficult. They change, and when it happens, we don't always know how to deal with it or what to think, and we wonder what they are thinking. It's hard and it's confusing when you are trying to guess at what is going on in their world. Reeve writes beautifully about it all.

I had not picked this book with the intention of experiencing what I did...the comfort of reading about someone else going through a similar situation as me. I initially picked this book because I love Anne Morrow Lindbergh's book 'Gift of the Sea' and I wanted to read more about her life. Once again, as I am a firm believer of...the right books come along at just the precise moment that we need them and so often they come in an unexpected way as this one did for me.

I came across this delightful book a couple of years ago while searching for new music by this wonderful songwriter. Since then it has remained a consistent re-read whenever I start to feel overwhelmed by the day to day drudgery that sometimes affects us all. I've purchased this book for many friends and family because I think the meaning of it is so important, yet so simply told. Sadly, the book is now out of publication so it's difficult to locate. I will always treasure my signed copy.

On that note, I'll now explain why this book is so important to me.

Joshua wrote this quirky novel in the form of a handwritten journal that has been "discovered" by a traveler in a railway station, delivered to a publisher and published to share with the world. The journal has been kept by J., a young botanist, who is sent to the remote tropical island of Sakahara to research the quality of the land for a commercial mango plant. After he arrives he meets Katchumo and his life will never be the same. Katchumo appears out of nowhere on a regular basis with words of wisdom that J. must decipher. As the days go by, J. is keeping his journal of all the activity on the island and he's making observations about his funny new friend, as well. "'There are seventeen ways to eat a mango' he (Katchumo) said matter-of-factly." (at their first meeting.) As time goes by, J. realizes that Katchumo has been giving him the tools to live his life in his seventeen ways to eat a mango. Each way to eat a mango can be transferred into your everyday life and remind you of the riches you already have and the riches you can have. Not the material riches, but the riches of your heart and soul.

Although this book is written very simply it has truly influenced me like no other. My favorite is Way Number Seven. Or maybe Way Number Two. No, definitely Way Number Seventeen. Yeah, definitely Way Number Seventeen.

As a huge Joshua Kadison fan, I have to admit that I was curious about this book. Needless to say, it blew me away. There is so much advice given that applies to much more than just eating a mango. It's a perfect book to have around and read whenever you are doubting yourself or the world around you. His book is as beautiful as his music.

I enjoyed this short book, though I felt that I wanted more profound experiences to occur in this story of transformation. It is, however, a sweet and well-told tale of one man's reevaluation of his life and the assistance that a wise man gives him. I recommend this book for high school aged students and am planning on using it in my class! It has wonderfully fun illustrations and is extremely easy to read. It does also make the mouth water for mangoes, which is a lovely experience regardless!

Check out Joshua Kadison s new website: www.radiohumanity.com
NEW songs to download and lots of new information about a great singer/songwriter !!!(April2005)
Greetings,
GABIOLA :)
gabiola123@t-online.de

I bought this book not expecting it to have as deep as an impact as it did. However, I found it to be so profound in the most simple way. Reminding me of how complicated we make things...realizing that the point should be to get to the true essence of life and living. It is well worth any money spent. Its one of those books that you will want to read over and over again. It should be shared as often as possible. I believe that it is literature like this that may help create a circle of peace in this otherwise unpeaceful world.

Songs for a Teenage Nomad by Kim Culbertson tells the story of Callie Smith, a teen girl who's been moving from town to town with her mother for as long as she can remember. As far as Callie is concerned, the story seldom changes - her mom meets someone new, falls in love, they move in together, life is normal for a while, and all too quickly normal ends and they are packed up and on their way again. As she starts high school in a new town, Callie dares to make friends and has hope that this time things will be different.

As the story unfolds, Callie realizes her mom is keeping a secret about their past and Callie's father, and the mystery becomes a great part of the story. A thread running throughout the narrative is the song journal that Callie keeps. It's like having a soundtrack of her life, and I found myself thinking about the songs that would go in my own song journal, and what the soundtrack of my life would be.

Songs for a Teenage Nomad explores many issues that are of interest to teenage girls and their moms - when is it okay for parents to withhold information they think is harmful to their children? What obligations does a child have to a potentially abusive parent? There's a lot to discuss in this well written book.

Ms. Culbertson really knows her audience. These characters become alive as the story unfolds. It's the type of book that's hard to put down because you become so involved with every character in the book.

Songs for a Teenage Nomad was a great, amazing story for pre teen and teenagers! It had fabulous descriptions that made you feel as if you really were in Calli's unique theatre troup or walking at the soft, sandy beach with her and a football player, whom she fell in love with. Her dad was a character who came in and out of the story, leaving young Calli to figure out whether she wanted her dad to be in her life, or if she just needed her mom. Calli the main character moved so often, and had to adjust to new cities, and make new friends which was especially harder for her to do. Even though Calli is just a regular teenage girl she has a sweet, funny personality and is determined to find her dad who wrote music for her when she was young, but ended up leaving her mom. The story captures passionate emotions and is truly a sorrowful, yet wonderful story of love, dissapointment, and excitement.

Calle Smith is a teenager that you've seen standing outside of a high school, or sitting on rocks at the beach. Lucky for us, Kim Culbertson gives us the privilege of knowing Calle, who has been forced to wander through her childhood, moving constantly, never really feeling a part of a community, or a school, or a group of friends. Music lyrics link the chapters to memory and place, the magic that melody and song give Calle, the constant she has lacked, and she records these moments in her journal. I have two teenagers who both read this book at a record pace, which is a testament to the phenomenal writing, compelling dialogue, and relevant emotion that prevails throughout the story. You will love this book, as Kim Culbertson makes everything about it feel so natural: this story of a girl who seems very real, who is familiar and new, who has a unique voice that is worth hearing.

Songs for a Teenage Nomad was a great, amazing story for pre teen and teenagers! It had fabulous descriptions that made you feel as if you really were in Calli's unique theatre troup or walking at the soft, sandy beach with her and a football player, whom she fell in love with. Her dad was a character who came in and out of the story, leaving young Calli to figure out whether she wanted her dad to be in her life, or if she just needed her mom. Calli the main character moved so often, and had to adjust to new cities, and make new friends which was especially harder for her to do. Even though Calli is just a regular teenage girl she has a sweet, funny personality and is determined to find her dad who wrote music for her when she was young, but ended up leaving her mom. The story captures passionate emotions and is truly a sorrowful, yet wonderful story of love, dissapointment, and excitement.