Montana Books

The book was a little more used than I anticipated, but I still enjoyed reading it again.

I'm a huge fan of the movie. When I finally decided to read the book, boy was I sorry I waited so long!! I love this book, it is so clever, and totally satisfying for those of us who love all the unnecessary cheesiness and romance that a love story can provide. It starts out slow, but once you get going, you wont' want to go to sleep!!

This was a GREAT book. It was maybe the most fun book I have read. If you want a good laugh, then read this book. I actually laughed out loud and thought I was going to wake the house up! It was so much better than I thought it would be. I can't say enough about it!

The book is waaay better than the movie. You could see the entire thing being played out. The movie tried to capture the humor but there are elements that Fielding writes about that just can't be portrayed on screen. Excellent book. It gets 4 out or 5 supermommie stars!

Having read this 'must-read' when it first was published, I was an immediate Bridget Jones fan. Now, years later, I've re-read it, and have to wonder why in modern society, it is still considered imperative for a woman to find a man? Helen Fielding herself has admitted that Bridget Jones Diary is based on Pride and Prejudice. In fact, she wrote it whilst watching BBC's version of the Jane Austen classic. Nothing wrong with that. Except - it was more important for Elizabeth Bennet to find a husband (or else risk not surviving, literally) than it is for Bridget Jones, a modern girl in a developed world.

Having gotten that bit of feminism off my back, I must say that the book is good. It has become the epitome of the chik lit, with many laugh-out-loud moments.

I read the Kindle version of this, but the text is the same, so that probably doesn't matter.

White Oleander the story of a young girl named Astrid Magnussen with a mother who is...unique. If I'm being kind. A terribly sociopathic pretentious abuser would be a more accurate description. Her mother is a poet, or fancies herself as one, and lives life on a level that her skill, fame and money cannot support. None of that matters, and neither does her daughter. If her daughter can be a prop in the great play of Ingrid Magnussen's life, then Astrid will be used that way. If not? Just ignore the child.

Mom does something serious and goes to jail. Astrid becomes a ward of the state and travels from home to home, growing up and trying to figure out how she sees the world, how she wants the world to see her and with every day that passes, seeing through her mother's cloud of lies, pretense and verbal abuse. What happens is not as important as how and why it happens, and Janet Fitch spends a lot of time making sure the reader understands the thoughts that run screaming through Astrid's head. We learn a great deal about how each home and family and friend she makes or doesn't affects how she develops.

There's a bit of Nabokov in Fitch's writing, and not just because there is a Lolita-like passage. The writing - all first-person from Astrid herself - starts out clunky, awkward, like someone who wants to write like a classic master but can't. Over time, as Astrid grows up, is exposed to other people and gets distance from her overbearing, pretentious mother, the writing changes. It becomes more utilitarian and less poetic, yet just as vivid. The writing transforms into (sometimes complex) sentences made up of simple, descriptive elements instead of overly-long poorly done purple prose. You can see these people, her drawings, the houses...Fitch does a good job painting the mental picture you need to truly connect with this material.

If there is a negative to be said, it's that the first chapter is hard to get through. I think that is intentional. There are cliched metaphors, contradictory elements, badly written sentences...I think all of these things are designed to teach you what constant exposure to her mother has done to Astrid's young mind, how it shaped the way she thinks.

One other aspect that could be seen as negative is that it's pretty depressing. Ultimately you can see it as uplifting in that Astrid survives some pretty horrible things and comes out the other side stronger and smarter. Although she is (rightfully) wary of most people and still unsure of her place in the world, you get the feeling she's starting to find it.

Very interesting book. Well crafted, with strong characters and a real sense of the places and things Astrid sees and feels. If you read "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" when you were younger and you want a more sophisticated, modern version of that story? White Oleander is the book for you. If you ever spent any time in the care of the state, you will recognize the people and the situations in which Astrid finds herself.

You'll also very much identify with Astrid if you spent your youth under the thumb of a domineering, overbearing parent.

From what my wife told me about the movie, I don't know if I ever want to see it, good though it may be. I really enjoyed the experience of this book and some the things that were changed in order to make the film are things of which I could not let go. I would never give the movie a fair shake, not any time soon anyway.

A moving story about a daughter thrust into "the world" as her mother is thrust into prison. A story about finding yourself, finding help, finding your way, and finding your will.

Well thought out character scenarios and character personalities. Incredibly well written. Highly intelligent narration by Astrid. Although naive in some instances, she's incredibly intelligent for her age and situation.

Makes you wonder about your own situation, who shaped you 'whether loving or cruel' (as quoted in the book) and how one incident can change your life forever.

I re-read it at least twice a year. I love revisiting the characters, looking at the reading list Ingrid gives to Astrid, trying to see the importance of each book. She's a facinating character to explore and try to get inside. Although I see the story from Astrid's point of view (the daughter), I relate to her more. But Ingrid has an edge that is intriguing.

Interesting story, intriging characters, a must read if you haven't yet.

I loved this book. I've read it at least four times already and love it more every time I read it. It's hard to imgaine having a mother like Ingrid but even harder to imagine the life Astrid had once she was gone. I was glued to every page from beginning to end. Can't wait to see what Janet Fitch comes up with next.

I read this novel a decade ago and this well-written story and all the myriad real-life issues it canvasses stays with me still fresh. I'd recommend it to anyone.

I've read this book several times. I read it at least once a year. It is so beautifully written. It's an amazing story and Janet Fitch tells it so well. No matter how many times I've read it before, I just can't put the book down.

Was able to find a used copy claimed to be in like new condition. It was just as advertised. Enjoyed the book immensely

Reading this novel is akin to being reborn- as a snake eases out of its present coil and strips down to a more essential skin, so too will this violated madonna of lyricism attune you to the fundamentals of what it is to be human. This book strips away the veneer of polite society and illumes the central questions of humanity: why do we hate, love who we love and live as we do? At the end of this pulsating, haunting and all-seeing unveiling, I asked myself the overarching question that is central to each of our daily existence: why do I breathe?

This book has been mischaracterized as magic realism in the notes below. While people are entitled to call it whatever they want, if you want to revert to widely accepted definitions of the style, it isn't, not at all. And therein lies its power: there is no supernatural realm, no genius ghost, no divine intervention. This is us. Really, this is what we are. How can we address that which we carry within ourselves, escaping even our utterest exhaled breath? No matter how deep the sugared sighs of humankind, there is something so appalling that lurks in the human psyche that generally goes unacknowledged, and most people live it on a daily basis. This is one of the few works that can even hope to awake the quixotic part of us, that laments what we are, and gives hope that the reader's empathy will incite something better. This book turns the staid precepts of our world upside down: violation becomes salvation and successfully brings us to the searing understanding where the sickening is natural and right, because time honoured social convention fosters the blinding nightmare.

Only three writers have severely affected my ability to see the page in my life. I cried for Estha and Rahel, for two people who no one could ever understand except each other. I cried because to my knowledge this is the best book ever written on the caste system, and what it says about every single one of us. This is not just a book about India. It is a vast commentary on humanity, and most of all on love- that over-invoked, roughly used, oft bedraggled, and disregarded commodity.

The God of Small Things runs fingers of of feeling over your spine with its rivers of lyricism. It is fresh, insightful and sparkling- one of the great books of our time. There is no other work like it out there. Read it and see.

I read this book as a literature student in college and it is still one of my favorite books of all time. Her words read like poetry. It literally took my breath away in its beauty and message. Highly recommended for those who enjoy reading about the effects of globalization on so-called Third World countries, as well as those who appreciate a good romantic novel in the magical realist tradition.

I had high hopes for this book when I picked it up. Halfway through this book and I find that I have to force myself to turn the next page. If you love reading interesting and in depth books that you can understand, this is not the book for you. The author's words are a spiral of mumbo jumbo that drags on and on. I often found myself re-reading the same sentence 3 or 4 times in order to grasp the meaning but it never comes. If I had to compare this book to something, I would compare it to a long a strange dream... it doesn't make sense and it's not something you would remember after 5 minutes!

Unfortunately, I have yet to receive this item. I remain anxious, as I look forward to receiving and reading it. I am familiar with the writings of this author and expect that I will continue to respect her logic and writing abilities.

What I enjoyed most about this novel was Mr. Guterson's facility with descriptive language. I just loved the snow storm--though I also thought he had his characters moving around in it entirely too much--and I liked his casually elegant way of getting into his characters' heads and hearts to explain their histories.

So why only 3 stars? Because I was ultimately unconvinced by the book. By that, I mean that he wasn't as successful as he should have been in intertwining the book's themes of war, family, and racism (especially the latter). By the time the book ended, I didn't much care about the outcome. That's why I wasn't bothered by its truncated, too easy ending. The event that facilitates the ending was extremely contrived, and even drawn out too much.

Mr. Guterson has some serious talent, though. This book just didn't awe me as much as I thought (based on other reviews) that it would.

The clearest thing I'll take away from my reading experience of "Snow Falling on Cedars" is simply how fast it took me to race through it. I like to take my time reading books - especially if I find them enjoyable - but I found myself speeding through the chapters of David Guterson's debut novel at an alarming rate. It was nearly impossible to put down thanks to the clear yet sophisticated prose, the intriguing and well-paced "whodunit" aspect of the story and the slow unraveling of both the minds and motivations of the characters, which is exceptionally well done. So yes, I definitely recommend this book!

When the novel first opens, we are introduced to a range of people living on San Piedro, an isolated island in the Pacific South-West. All somewhat enigmatic at first - to the reader, as well as each other - we are gradually drawn into their lives, childhoods, relationships and personalities, as the community is drawn together over a particularly controversial murder case. Kabuo Miyamoto is on trial for the murder of the well-respected fisherman and war veteran Carl Heine, due to bad-blood between the two men, and the fact that Miyamoto was (by his own admission) the last man to see Heine alive, out on his fishing boat.

But it soon becomes clear that there is more to this trial than first appears: it is the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbour, and there is an unspoken assumption that Miyamoto's Japanese heritage jeopardizes his chances of being acquitted. A large pile of evidence speaks out against Miyamoto, and his stoic demeanor does not help matters either, despite fighting on the side of the Allies in the War. From this starting point, Guterson draws in a wide range of characters related to the case: wives and family members of both the accused and the deceased, lawyers, witnesses, community members and figures from the past. Most prominently is the character of Ismael Chambers, a journalist investigating the case, who has his own particular link to Miyamoto - or rather, Miyamoto's wife Hatsue, a young woman who in her teenage years chose duty to her people and culture over a love affair with Ishmael. Embittered by her rejection and his experiences in the war, Ishmael cuts himself off from the people around him. Yet Ishmael discovers certain facts pertaining to the case that have a tremendous bearing on its outcome - should he choose to share them.

Guterson draws on the racial hysteria against Japanese-Americans during World War II, and the American government's decision to force Japanese citizens into interment camps for the duration of the War as the historical background for this novel. All over the island of San Pierdro runs distrust and suspicion, as well as bitterness in many Japanese families for the lack of support shown by their neighbours during their deportation to the mainland, and the fact that when they returned home, their lands and jobs had been lost. The main irony of the piece is of course that Carl Heine himself is of German descent, and therefore just as worthy (or rather, unworthy) of suspicion and prejudice as any Japanese citizen on the island.

It seems a shame to give away too much of the tapestry of relationships, prejudices and intrigues that go on in the small island community, as most of the enjoyment derived from this novel is discovering and sorting them out by yourself. There's always more than meets the eye to every single character, and no one is entirely faultless, nor entirely innocent during their lifetimes. Most poignantly of all is the theme of `chance versus choice' that runs throughout the story. Whether it be the war, a particularly nasty snow-storm or other impersonal forces, all of the characters are seemingly thrown to the winds of fate. When entities like prejudice and racism become so large that they cloud judgment and become a way of life, what hope do individuals have to overcome them? Guterson attempts to answer this question through the use of the courtroom drama and the personal lives of his protagonists, and manages to make the answer both optimistic and bittersweet, particularly in his final paragraph.

There are only two more things I need to note: first that San Piedro itself is brought to life through Guterson's poetic-prose, which is as beautiful as you'd expect from a book titled "Snow Falling on Cedars." The island becomes a character in its own right, in all its natural beauty: the scent of the cedar trees, the vast strawberry fields, the markets and enclosed houses - it's all there. Second is the characterization of Hatsue Miyamoto, who is potentially the most intriguing and important figure in the entire book. Guterson has no trouble characterizing a member of the opposite sex, and Hatsue holds a fascinating place within the novel, as a young woman caught between her regard for the white Ishmael and her loyalty to her own culture and upbringing. As a young girl she struggles with her appearance and her restlessness, and even though she manages to find a sense of serenity in her adulthood, we get the sense that she will always be striving between her desire to be an individual, and to take what is deemed her rightful place in her culture's society. Even though she does breaks Ishmael's heart during the course of the story (disrupting what many would consider a classic "star-crossed" romance), yet we are never led to despise her for this - in fact, we sympathize with her decision and understand it. In short: she's wonderfully complex and layered - much like the rest of this novel.

A very powerful book, the kind you remember. A fascinating study of the tragedy that is racism. Brilliant.

What amazed me about this book was the way the story was told. It's kind of a courtroom drama, kind of a romance, and very much a commentary on the state of a torn and divided nation after World War II. On the North end of Puget Sound there was a murder and the accused, Kabuo Miyamoto is a friend turned enemy of Carl Heine, now deceased.

The way it's told is the magic, as I alluded to earlier. It's like peeling layers on the silent man, Miyamoto and the entire island of San Piedro. Each person involved in the trial reveals their history and their secrets as uncovered by the narrator, newspaperman Ishmael Chambers. At first these secrets are far from the murder and the accused, but they throw a wide net and it tightens masterfully as David Guterson weaves a beautiful story. The two families go back, way back. Their stories are difficult and run through Japanese interment camps and bloody battlefields to end up on fishing boats and in strawberry fields.

Besides a tight, intricate plot, the setting is described perfectly - the smells, the tastes, the sounds of the Washington Coast. It's hard to believe that this is a first novel, it's that good.

- CV Rick, March 2008

Compelling and hard to summarize, this book struck me most for its amazing organization and its beautiful prose. Set on a fictitious Island, this book examines post WWII prejudice against Japanese Americans, covers a murder trial, and examines love and passion. The only fault I had with it is that at some times the descriptions of the things going on in the book struck me as a bit perverse.

Carefully read the book, and then read it again. With lots of exercise and work we turned our "wild" biting and attacking 8 month old rescued Lab-dalmation "Layla" into a sweet dog that is actually quite bright and can fetch and hike for hours, and sit and stay. We even have her getting along with the cat. We almost took her back to the SD Humane society, she was attacking our 12 yr old German shepherd and any other dog or person she saw during a walk. But with Cesar's help we didn't fail our dog, "Layla". She still needs work out on the trail, but what a difference.

Forget what you think you know about dogs and let Caesar teach you the proper way to interact with your canine friends. In almost all cases of bag dog behavior, Rule #1 "It's the owner, not the dog that's the problem." Even the kindest gentlest of humans are making mistakes that can lead to problem dogs. Caesar sets us straight with Dog Psychology.

This book is wonderful! His book teaches you how to "think" like a dog and how to train your doog with methods that WORK! I highly recommend this book:)

Good auto-biography and concepts but I would have liked a little more "how to". Learned a few tips for my new puppy and I see where I made mistakes with my dog but would have liked more direction on how to correct bad behavior.

I absolutely love watching Mr. Millan's show, and think that the way he understands and interacts with dogs is magical, so when our family got a chihuahua puppy, we also bought this book, assuming we'd learn how to raise Sam. While the book is full of interesting advice and understanding of dog psychology, I find it lacking in techniques to actually help you deal with common dog problems. For example: no advice on housebreaking, chewing, etc. The book is an interesting read, but I'm still searching for the one that will give me more detailed exercises to work on with my chi (I'll still watch Dog Whisperer on tv, though!).

Luis Mejia - Desperation is a deep and certainly scary work of fiction which gives way to a general sense of message through it's thoughtful scenaries. Among the King universe Desperation is unconventional, although it gets quite refreshing for it's style. It captures the crudeness and strambotic sense of the desert, the mystic power always present in his paranormal fiction, the storyline is easy-going and lineal (which gives the plot a witty sense), and the reader can be excited by the All-American characters King writes with such a dark sense of anti-humor. Apart from this factors usually present on Stephen King's work, it's impossible not to think that, even for King, the work shoud've been better crafted; while the storyline is understandable, it hits into common and even incredilby predictable boundaries; clutches of plot pieces are wrolngly scattered on through (Eg: the survivor lady which gets to the cinema and the impossible to connect section's of David Carver's past) and specially the quick and running ending, which is worst portrayed than the length of the whole novel. By all means, at the end of the novel, take a great time to think about the deepness of the messages so wonderfully expressed on the novel; the merciless aspect of God (the "hole" Desperation represents, the destiny God carries out on David and even the rest of the connecting survivors), the crude appeareances of stereotypes, and how evil and goodness are balanced. Be prepared to read an unconvential King novel, all gotten into the bloody side of the desert and the terrible perspectives of loneliness in towns and it's only connections.

This was the first Stephen King book that I ever read. I saw it at a 2nd hand store and figured for $5 I couldn't go wrong. Well I have to say when I opened it that night after work I could not put it down! This book was amazing! The intese details paint a perfect picture. Definately a good read.

Once again a novel about the classic battle of good vs. evil, but King (as usual) does a good job of coming up with original material. This keeps the reader involved, as the suspense comes from trying to figure out just what/what the bad guy is and what he wants.

That said, even when writing a horror book about the unreal, it is not justifiable to throw all logic out the window, and sadly King forgets logic in both the details and the overall plot.

For instance, in one scene a main character is looking at a WALLET-sized photograph and is able to clearly identify not only three men, and the baseball cap that one of them is wearing, but also the name of the club on a sign behind them. If this isn't bad enough, it should be mentioned that the photograph is 30 years old. (I guess they don't make photos like they used to.)

Flaws in the plot are also clumsy: in another scene hero David makes another one of the main characters empty his pockets to make sure that the guy isn't carrying any "evil rocks". But when does he do this? Not after another lady is found with evil rocks, when it would be logical. Instead, the pockets are emptied in fact much later: RIGHT AFTER David declares that this guy has had a "change of heart" and is now certainly on the good side.

Most embarrassing is the overall theme. All through the book, the main characters all determine that "God must be cruel" to let so many people die in the town. But on the last page of the book, it is once and for all decided that "God is love". What happened during this time for the main characters to change their minds? The evil guy decides to let the main characters escape, but God commands them to destroy the evil guy, which leads to the death of 2 of the main characters in the process.

Flaws aside, overall the book is entertaining. However, in between the action, King for some reason has some of the narrative recounted by hero David (who tells the background story after seeing it in a vision) rather than just having flashbacks in the story. This leads to a book that would be equivalent to a fast-paced action movie that is inexplicably interupted up by 10-minute sequences of dialogue.

This book concerns a number of travellers trapped by what appears to be a maniac cop, in a mining town called Desperation, and their attempts to escape.

As Stephen King books go, I did not think this was one of his better ones, but was a pretty good read, nonetheless. I felt the characters in the story were reasonably good, and kept you interested in them, for most of the time, anyway, as it should be pointed out, that this book is slow moving in parts, by this author's standards.

The main drawback, I felt was that the whole 'Tak' thing was weak, and got slightly boring at times. It also could have been explained a bit better.

Above all, the book is poorly written. The plot is formulaic and forgettable. The author's attempt to be suspenseful and scary fell flat. I'm not a Stephen King reader but I was sorely disappointed by this book.

This is one of my all time favorite books and finding an extremely cheap copy in such great condition is a rare and lucky purchase. Thank you so much

While reviewing the first book, "The Gunslinger", of Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series, I am trying to not let the brilliance of the subsequent editions cloud my judgment on this one. I am a "late" fan of King (still working my way through all his novels), and I finally decided to begin the journey to the Dark Tower. However, after reading this first installment, it took an editor's note from King himself to get me excited about continuing with Roland on his quest.

The main problem I had with this book is that absolutely no context is given for Roland's world on his travels as the book opens. Roland is wandering through a land that looks like our own but definitely is not, contains mutant monsters, and for some reason a "Man In Black" that Roland is compelled to follow.

As I continued reading, those mysteries were only beginning to be touched on as the novel came to a close. Thus, I spent way too much time trying to figure out just what the heck was going on (a task that is nearly impossible without reading the next few installments anyway) and less time just enjoying the adventure.

At the conclusion of my reading, I wondered exactly how Stephen King was going to make an interesting story out of this. Little did I know that King is actually utilizing a form of background storytelling, where the events in this book are not fully explained for two, three, or even four books down the line. I did not care for this type of narrative, as it creates way too much confusion and too little of the mystery that King likely was gunning for.

So, if you are looking to start your own quest for the Dark Tower, you still need to read this book, but keep firmly in your mind that the series absolutely explodes in the next few books, which is far different from the glacial-like pace of this first try.

The first book in the Dark Tower series recently got a facelift from Stephen King, in an effort to make it more consistent with the latter books in the series. Even so, he was not able to greatly improve on an already outstanding novel, and a raw, dark, disturbing beginning to the phenomenal Dark Tower series. The book is disjointed, as it was originally written as a serial, but the overall flow of the book is very good and very gripping. Some feel that this book doesn't fit well in the series as it is so different. I won't argue with that, but it does set the tone rather well, I think. With this book, you'll read what is one of the best opening lines in modern literature, and meet Roland the last Gunslinger of Midworld as he begins his epic quest for the Dark Tower. Awesome read, highly recommended to all, but keep in mind that this book and the whole series is rather atypical of most of the rest of Stephen King's work. But don't let that stop you from giving it a try. A real dark, fun read.

When I read this book, I actually thought that it was written by "another" Stephen King....someone that was using Steve's name to capitalize on his popularity. After reading the series, I am amazed by how it all comes together.

"The Gunslinger" and "The Drawing of the Three" are probably the best of the series. Some of King's best work, especially from a writing standpoint. But I do want more, like maybe a prequel series that isn't a graphic novel or a rewrite of the 5th and 7th books, which both had moments, but in the end left much to be desired. Villains have to be bigger and badder then the protagonist, and they were until King emasculated two baddies (Crimson King and Randall Flagg/Martin) that not only ruined the Dark Tower series but a host of other King novels that they are connected to. If they are that weak as villains, why should I be afraid of them?

This was a thought provocing and very enjoyable read. Although it isn't "action packed" or anything, that isn't the point. The author's naration tells the tale of his philosophical journey cross country with his son on his motorcyle. Not only was this book inspirational, but provides new insight in terms of how one sees the world around them. A must read!

I re-read this book after about 15 years and enjoyed it just as much as the first time, but I got something different out of it this time too.

This book has a great calming effect on me. It's so interesting on so many subjects, and so accesssible. This is such a relevent read.

Despite the high brow reviews by self proclaiming philosophers and intellectuals who think this is a book about philosophy, it is not. It is also not a "how to" manual on maintaining a motorcycles.
This is a book about overcoming intellectualism and becoming whole. If you are contemplating reading this book please disregard the reviewers who flex their imaginary philosophical and intellectual muscle and just read it. Yes, there will be parts that seem to endlessly pursue some thought or idea but by the end of this book you will be very glad and satisfied you read it.
...of course if you have ever ridden a motorcycle, experienced the landscapes temperature changes, sounds and elements and/or struggled with and beat mental illness this book will take on a special dimension.

Reading it is like catching a bug between your teeth at 70 miles an hour. Surprise at first, then comprehension. A belated thanks to Mr. Pirsig for weaving philosophy, science, engineering, and fatherhood, into an insightful and compelling read.

I agree with many of the other one-star reviews, this is actually the worst book I have ever read, out of thousands read, in my entire life. The worst book designation goes to Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance because it is extremely, extremely, over-rated. I found it to be one of the most self-absorbed, self-pitying, whining complaints I had ever been exposed to - and I know about those, because I'm a former junior high school teacher.

Not only did it not contain any philosophical insights whatsoever, the book is just plain boring and badly written. The only book I have ever thrown in the garbage can - it's just rubbish, and that's where it belongs. I'm sure the author is a fine human being. I just think he wrote a very, very, bad book. Please don't waste your time on this book.

Man do I hate Odd Thomas...This is a winding ride of a read that takes you through highs and lows ins and outs only to drop you to a depressingly dead thud in the end. All that work and expectation to be left deadly dissapointed in the end is not worth the read or your precious time on this earth. I know for certain I would have dropped this book as quickly as a rattle snake if I could have for saw it's downer of an ending. This book definitely falls in the DO NOT BOTHER AND DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME category of books I have read.

This is Koontz' most interesting book to date. The sequels all lose some of the fun of the original. I still have hope for the series, though, with the introduction of a possible melding of this storyline with that of his second most interesting character, Chris Snow.

This is yet another high caliber book that Mr. Koontz has read. It makes me wish when I had moved that I had kept my previous DK collection. :( *sniff* now im sad. oh well, i'll work to rebuild it.

This is my 2nd Koontz book and although the first one that I read (The Husband) wasn't my favorite book of all time it definitely had some gripping moments and good twists. This book was boring, horribly paced and the detail was so overwrought it was painful at times where I'm to the point of me mentally screaming "JUST GET ON WITH THE STORY!!" I don't mind details and painting a picture, but this was just unnecessarily descriptive to say the least. Did he really have to plot a way to get away from the coyotes for 2 or 3 chapters?

I can easily say that this was one of the worst books that I've read and I continued to read it in some hope that the 4 and 5 star reviewers knew of some revelation toward the end of the book that would represent a payoff. My payoff is to write this review and possibly warn someone to not read this book unless you have time to kill and nothing better to read.

This felt like a 75 page short story stretched out to an excruciatingly boring novel. I definitely will read more Koontz, but certainly not another Odd book. Odd Thomas a dull mix of Forrest Gump and Rain Man with the Sixth Sense thrown in for kicks. What a bore...

Book 1 is my favorite Odd Thomas book, to-date. Awesome story with a memorable character. I thought about Odd long after I put the book down, and it definitely made me want to read more. I started on Forever Odd (book 2) the same evening.

Dean Koontz has created a very interesting character and some witty dialogue and humor. While it might not be as dark as most of his other works, Odd Thomas has an eerie foreshadowing that really works. You have to keep reading to find out what happens.

I must start book 4 soon...

Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of Divine Intervention and The River

I didn't have a problem reading the book from beginning to end, however the storyline was a bit predictable. Everything just came together so perfect and in such a cutesy romantic fashion, that it made the book less enjoyable. The character development could have been better. Its always good to read a happy ending, but the book was too happy and a bit unrealistic, even the terminal illness thrown in didn't seem to shake the characters up.

This book was basically a filler for me. I was waiting for another book to come in the mail and this one came first. I was impressed. I have never really touched on the topic of HIV and i think this opened my eyes and created a real person in my mind and their feelings. Ending is predictable but i felt good about it. Days after finishing I kept thinking about the book.

This story started out strong but was incredibly predictable. I kept reading because I thought it would get better. It didn't. What bugged me the most was that Eddie was ready to kill the teenage hoodlum for throwing a bottle thru the window - yikes!!! The teenager was completely unredeemable to him, which was totally weird since Eddie did much worse in his lifetime (that's putting it mildly), and he seemed redeemed. In fact, he had become a saint of sorts. And what about crazy church lady's motives? That part of the story was weak and just did not make much sense.

I wanted Ava to continue doing hair - that was much more interesting than her ridiculously perfect romance. I gave it two stars because I did chuckle a few times, and some of the story was original and interesting. Sorry, Oprah, this was a dud.

I didnt pick this book up because it was on Oprah's Book Club, I picked it up while browsing Costco for a new fiction book, YEARS ago when it first came out. I absolutely LOVED this book! Made me want to move to the south and get back to whats real. It has a genuine down-home charm and who would imagine she falls in love? Its an AMAZING BOOK! You wont be disappointed!

My cousin suggested that I read this novel a long time ago. When she told me what the title of the book was, I was immediately interested. First of all, it's a lengthy title. Secondly, I was internally wondering, what does look like crazy on an ordinary day? I asked my cousin to give me a brief synopsis on the book, and she did, and I was even more interested after listening to the synopsis. After reading "What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day", I was intrigued more so than anything. One critic said Pearl Cleage tells a story better than Terry McMillan. Terry McMillan? Really? I have read a plethora of books and not many authors can tell a story better than Terry McMillan, and honestly, Cleage didn't even come close. However, the plot was brilliant. The story could have been executed better, though.

"What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day" is the story of Ava, a hairdresser living with AIDS who resides in Atlanta. She used to be a very promiscuous woman and decides that she wants to inform all of her sex partners of her diagnosis so they can get tested, too. The wife of one of her old sex partners reads the letter and comes to her salon and tells everyone that she has AIDS. Embarrassed, Ava decides to visit her sister, Joyce, in Idlewild, Michigan. While she is there, she meets Eddie, a Vietnam veteran and former murderer. Eddie is attracted to Ava, but shows her only subtly. Their relationship begins by the middle of the book. Pearl Cleage created one of the most beautiful literary love scenes I have ever read with these two people (when they have their first sexual encounter.) There are many subplots in this story. Joyce is the foster mother of a crack baby, Imani, and she does any and everything to keep her safe.

Collectively, this is a beautiful story and I highly recommend it. Cleage did a very nice job.