Used Books

Easy to read, solid good advice and the fact that it worked for Oprah makes Bob Greene's book a great first stop for wanting to learn about healthy eating and living.

After a month of working out HARD and eating right, I had lost a total of two pounds and was beyond despondent. In desperation I re-read all those diet/exercise books I had purchased over the years, including this one. Greene explained that my situation was not only not that unusual, it was actually a good thing! He also explained that for some people (me) there is cycle of gaining a few pounds back before each cycle of losing. That knowledge alone has kept me from running to the ice cream when the scale goes up after I've done everything right.

Greene doesn't cite any references, but my personal trainer says these concepts are in the professional literature. It just doesn't sell a lot of books (or get many training clients) to tell people they may not lose any meaningful weight right away.

This info, which I have seen nowhere else, helped me stick with it. Six weeks in the weight started coming off, just as his predicted. And now when I gain an unexpected pound or two I know that soon I'll be dropping three or four.

I NEED to set time aside to do this.
It is pretty deep but it will get you there. You've got to want to get there. It's a great program.

If you have never read a diet book before than this one is as good as any. The author addresses all aspects of dieting and exercise. My disappointment was that you have heard it all before. I have had success on Weight Watchers, Body For Life and the South Beach Diet. My problem is that after the initial excitement wears off, I don't maintain the program. I was interested in this book because the other reviews indicated that it addressed emotional aspects of over-eating. Specifically, boredom, stress, etc. But I was really disappointed when he discussed these issues because he wrote a little blurb on each aspect and then gave some personal story. To me it was childish psychological advice.

For example, he discusses binge eating. Now I am only about 10-15 pounds overweight and I can eat properly all day and then right before I go to bed ruin my diet and eat 3 doughnuts or some other high caloric food. His belief is that it is often related to some childhood trauma and that seeking professional help may be the answer. I dont know about you but I am not going to seek professional help to lose 15 pounds.

Then he suggests to eat wisely. He has a chart that actually says if you want to eat fudge, then choose fruit. If you want cake, choose skinless grilled chicken breast. Duh? I did not make that up. Here's another one. If you want to eat pie, then choose soup. Is he kidding? I guarantee that I will never eat chicken breast instead of accepting a piece of birthday cake.

Okay I don't want to just bash the book. Everything he writes is probably dietetically correct. It's just that I have read them all and done most of them and I have yet to experience one that worked long-term. The one that I had the most success is Body For Life of which I lost 40 pounds and as I mentioned I have put back 10 to 15.

Good luck. Nothing new to report.

Like many fitness gurus who resort to training as an escape from learning science, math, and the other related disciplines, yet believe that they could master the complexity of these integrated fields, without even touching a text book, Bob Greene embodies such naïve and simplistic approach. In this book, he improvises many flawed information, believing that the folks training for fitness are the last people to discover his lazy and flawed interpretation of the physiology of fitness.

Although he states that this book is not about fitness or diet, yet he deals solely with fitness and diet claiming to enhance health and emotional well being. He describes FOUR phases for accomplishing that goal as follows:

(1) Phase One is preparation in which he recommends drinking a minimum of 6 glasses of water daily.
(2) Phase Two is revving up your metabolism in which he recommends drinking a minimum of 7 glasses of water daily.
(3) Phase Three deals with emotional eating in which he recommends drinking a minimum of 8 glasses of water daily.
(4) Phase Four deals with emotional well being in which he recommends drinking 9 glasses of water daily.

So, if the 6, 7, 8, and 9 numbers do not raise your suspicion about the irrationality of this author, hold your breath, for you will have to unlearn all common knowledge and relearn new flawed information from this book, as follows:

(1) On page 59, the author states:
"Physically fit individuals store considerably more water than unfit individuals. This explains how a very fit person can weigh much more than their appearance would suggest".

He does not cite a reference for such simplistic explanation. One would assume that a physically fit person has better cardiovascular condition that manages water storage more efficiently without accumulating body fluids. He explains that based on the glycogen contents of fit muscles, while ignoring the increased calcium storage in fit people that adds to their bodyweight.

In that page also, he states: "daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal water cycles fluctuation is not fully understood" without citing any reference for such bizarre phenomena that he alone believes in.

(2) On page 66, he defines "metabolism" as the rate that your body burns calories and that `rate' is the key word. He thus does not understand that metabolism is a process of assimilating biological products.

(3) On page 67, he erroneously states:
"There is no way to measure the rate of burning calories directly other than feeling perspiration and getting clothes more loose after exercise."

He thus does not understand the basic physiological experiment of measuring caloric expenditure that many high school kids learn in high school.

He erroneously states that "when you're dehydrated, you eat more" and calls that "artificial hunger". That is very bizarre way of interpreting physiology.

(4) On page 107, he claims that research proves that 30 to 40 minutes per week of aerobics is adequate, without citing any source for that research.

(5) On page 109, he erroneously claims that low intensity exercise burns lots of calories but makes you get "very hungry" and eventually eat back all of the burned-off calories. There is no justification for that false claim.

(6) On page 117, he states that alcohol contains 7 calories per gram without stating which type of alcohol. The USDA National Nutrient Database gives less than 3.83 Calories/ gram of WHISKEY, other alcoholic beverages contain less than that.

(7) On page 152, he claims that starting training with weights in phase One will increase your appetite, which is another bizarre discovery.

(8) The book has 72 blank sheets, for the reader to fill in, out of 200 pages of the whole books. There are no references.

The Lord of the Rings Official Movie Guide is very well-done. The writing is excellent and very thourough. It was very informative and enjoyable.

For even though this is an informative book, and I am Tolkien/LOTR fanatic, I don't think I'd pay eighteen bucks for it. Yet, now I'll focus on the book's qualities. First of all, it has interesting overveiws of the actors' careers and lives
and has quotes made by the cast and crew scattered throughout.
Overall, the book has good content, and Brian Sibley is quite a good author, overveiwing the pruduction of the movie, and some parts are somewhat humorous. One thing that was very strange was in the 'workshop of the fantastic' chapter, they labeled a picture of a uruk-hai, as the uruk-hai chieftan Lurtz, though if you look at the picture you can see it is not Lurtz, for he does not have Lurtz's trademark top knot or his specific downwards pointing hand print on his forehead. Overall, this book is somewhat of a disapointment.

This gives you beautiful pictures of the movie and tells you a bit about the actors who played the characters in the movie. It is a great edition to any fans collection!

This book was informative and all but i don't really think it is worth the money. Well it really depends, if your a lord of the rings fanatic, then it's for you. Mostly gives the introduction of actors and how the movie was set up. Costume design and so on.

They give detailed explanation on how they made the movie, how they got Hobbits look 1/2 size of humans. How they made the movie sites, used the elvish language, and so on... Also, the actors get to speak. They talk about how they came upon making of this movie, what they've learned, the fun they had, and basically they just share something.

This book is in a way interesting, and when your watching the film, you can try to pick out all the fake stuff knowing what the book said. it's interesting to read, but after you've read everything... there's nothing left to do but put it in your self and never look at it again. It is worth reading the first time around but i don't think it would be something you would want to come back too again in the future. maybe when you've forgotten everything, but then... who knows?

The first thing I would like to say is a slight warning. This book is focused on The Fellowship of the Ring and contains basically no information concerning the last two films. Do not be deceived by the title. If you are interested in the other films, there are visual guides for each seperate one, including The Fellowship...

Other than that, this is an incredible book, with STUNNING pictures and lots of information concerning the actors and the process involved in making the film. The paperback copy is extremely sturdy, and unless you are going to read it to death, I would purchase it instead of the hardcover.

Although my two young siblings (ages 7 and 9) love to look through the book at all the incredible pictures, it isn't a children's book and would probably interest only those who are really interested in the process of making such a film. For me, reading books like this increases my appreciation of the film itself--how much work goes into these things for only three hours of entertainment.

In summary--a great buy!

I read the book Remnants: The Mayflower Project I liked the book and will definitely read the other books in the series. The book was about a time in the future when a huge meteor is going to kill all of the living things on earth including humans. In the book they send eighty humans into space to try to continue human life after the blast. Jobs, the main character faces problems while on earth and while in outer space. Read the book to find out what he faces and if they survive in outer space. I liked this book because of all the action and all the things that the characters get into. I think this book could have had less pages in it and it contained a lot of none useful information. I think this is mainly a boy book and this book is pretty easy read. I would recommend this book to people that like action and a lot of events in one book.

In the year 2011, a huge asteroid is heading straight for Earth... The Earth is going to blow up! Eight people have been chosen to survive the explosion. They are placed in booths, which make the people go into a state of hibernation. Then they are put on a spaceship and are on their way heading to a star that may be able to supply the needs to keep the human race alive. I would recommend this book to anyone that is in at least 3rd grade and is up for action.
The author, K.A. Applegate, does a good job making the voice of the story, because he looks at both of the sides of view, the people on the spaceship and on Earth. While the eighty people are on the spaceship, he still tells you about the people on Earth at the same time. "There's a full-fledged riot going on in half the cities in the county" (122).
So basically, if you think you are ready to read your favorite book and you're into action, then this is the book for you. I thought this was a very good book and would encourage you to read it. This is just the first book in the series and I believe there are 14 total. This is the only one I have read so far, but I plan to read the rest in the future.

This is a what if book. What if the world as you knew it was going to end. What if you along with eighty other people could be saved. How would you feel? What would you do? Well all of those questions are answered in this book.

In the first book of the series you are introduced to a group of people who will be leaving earth because an asteroid is about to hit.

If you like sci-fi then you'll adore this series.

Penny Lane

Although I am hooked on this series myself, I will definitely not allow my ten year old son to read these books.

A few of the books were given to my son as a gift, since he loves the Animorphs series so much. I read books #1 through #5 before my son could and decided that this series is too mature for ANY 10 year old. Some of the scenes/mental images from the books further along in this series (the monsters of hell, man being skinned, etc) gave me the creeps (as well as a few nightmares), and I'm a FAN of horror/thrillers/science fiction.

I think this would be great for adults, especially if the series was combined into one large book. However, I do not understand why the author/publishers feel this is an appropriate series for ages 9 and over - have they read any of the books in the series besides the first one? My 10 year old will not be reading this series for quite a few more years!

This book takes place in the year 2011. There is an asteroid the size of Rohde Island that is going to hit the Earth. There is a Escape Pod to go to a new planet that is named the Mayflower. The only catch is that there is only enough room for 100 passengers on the Flight. There is no turning back and every thing will be left behind in the process. There is little time, so they must pack all of their belongings, and shove off.
This book had many good qualities. The author K.A. Applegate used a very sophisticated vocabulary, which kept you on the edge of your seat. I have to say that this is one of the best books that I have read, but that is comparing it to the few books that I have read. I think that this book would appeal to young teens that are looking for a Sci-Fi thriller.
There where few things that where unsatisfactory in this book. The major one being that the time line was horrifically fast passed and that threw you off a little bit if you weren't paying attention.
As a whole this was a wonderful book, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

This book was clearly written in a different time. Apparently, the only warning that Little Critter had that he was getting a new sister was on the *day she came home*. That's not realistic to how most children today are raised!

It does show a normal, if somewhat idealized reaction to a new baby - Little Critter can't show her his favorite toys, but he *can* let her pull his finger.

I was a little disappointed to see the presumably newborn baby left alone in a crib with a bottle - my nieces were always held when fed.

My 2 1/2 year old son really enjoys this book. I think it has helped him understand what it will be like to have a baby in the house. I thought it was really cute. The only thing I thought the book didn't really address was the fact that the older child will be getting less attention after baby comes. It would have been nice to have a page showing the older child playing on his own while Mommy changes baby's diaper or feeds baby. Other than that, a really cute book!

I bought this book for my 2-year-old before we brought baby #2 home from the hospital. It's a cute book, as all Little Critter books are, but it lacks the substance and creativity in the other books.

Enjoyed the ideas for how big sibling can interact w/new baby.
My 2-yr old wasn't impressed though, and is still too physically rough to do the suggestions, which are more for an infant + big sibling than a newborn + 2 yr old.

my son is 4 and we recently turned him on to the little critter series. he absolutely adores the whole line and now that we're expecting another baby he's gotten really excited and loves for us to read this book to him.

My goodness, but even as an adult these are some of the grossest, most macabre, and downright coolest books I've read. Hooray for Darren Shan!

Anywho, onto this particular installment. The horrors of Vampire Mountain continue with gritty terror, blood, and good ol' fashioned horrible vampire things. Shan clearly has a grand time writing, and one can't help but be sucked into the disgusting description and action with a smile on the face.

Besides that, Shan keeps his story going strong with a labyrinth of twists, turns, and character developments.

Well, here we are, a half-vampire readying himself to show himself to the vampire clan. The trials certainly seem awful, but for reasons unknown to me, they just didn't...seem right? I dunno. Lately, however, Darren seems to be lacking. He's not exactly beinga strong character to me. And he's awesomely lucky. Trouble is, I knew what was going to happen...sort of. The Blooded Boars, I was NOT expecting. I loved Darren Shan's works, until these last two books. Oh, Darren, please shape up!

Cirque Du Freak #5
By: Darren Shan
Reviewed by : K. Arita
P:1

Cirque Du Freak #5 is the fifth book of the Cirque Du Freak series. There are 17 ways to die in the trials of death unless the luck of the vampire is with you. He has to prove to the vampire clan that he is good enough to be one of the Princes. He has to risk his life in 5 deadly ways. The first three ways is finding a secret door in a maze that slowley fills up with water in aproximately 17 minutes. The second trial is when he has to walk through the Hall of Flames. That trial is when he has to survive in a big box for 15 minutes while furious bursts of flames are coming straight at him. The third trial is the Cave of Needles. This is when Darren has to climb through a slippery cave that has needle sharp stalagmites and stalagtites. Any faint noise will cause some of the stalagmites and stalagtites to fall and maybe pierce through his body and kill him. But in the end, one of his close friends, a Prince, turns out to be a vampeze prince (an eviler version of the vampire. The vampeze actually kills its victims while sucking the blood out of it.)
I liked this book because it keeps you in suspense. Lots of cliff hangers. One of the cliff hangers is at the very end when Darren finds out that his friend, Gavner Pearl, is the Vampeze Prince. The vampires hate the vampeze because it kills its victims, so Gavner decides to spare his life and Darren makes a run for it. He runs to the Hall of Princes, but the Vampeze are all over the place, so he was trapped. And thats where the book ended. Now I really want to buy the 6th book!
Also I liked it when he was in the Hall of Flames. It said, "It was a lousy choice, but there was no time to complain. I covered my fave with my arms and darted forward into the wall of crackling flames." I was planning to only read a chapter a day, but when i read those sentences at the end of the chapter, I just HAD TO read on! I couldn't stop myself. This book is really good at the suspense that he leaves you with at the end of each chapter.
My favorite part was during the Hall of Flames. During the resting period before he had to go on with the next trial, the Blooded Boars, he was really messed up because of all of his burns. He had only 2 days as a resting period, and his feet couldn't even support his weight because his feet were badly burnt. So when the Trials came, he had to do them so that he wouldn't be exicuted. When he was about to die because he was pinned down by a boar and another boar was headed straight for him, his friendm Harakat, saved him. That was the most exciting part of the book.

"May luck be with me even in times of death," said Darren Shan as he let go of the rock and is taken by the strong current down a dark river tunnel. This is the fifth book in the Cirque Du Freak saga and this has to be the most suspenseful. Darren is the half-human, half-vampire that is the assistant to another vampire, Mr. Crepsley. Darren wants to earn the respect of his peers and can also be made into a general by taking the trials of death. The trials of death are very simple to complete; there are five trials and then you are welcomed in the vampire world. If you fail one of them, you will die in one of the thirteen ways in the hall of death. This book expands the mind of kids like me. The words are hard and the plot is full of twists and turns. Also there are surprises that will shock and dismay you. Overall, I really like this book. Darren Shan is a great writer and I hope he continues this heart pumping saga.

Great book. This has the most action out of the first 5 books in the series. In Trials Of Death, Darren is really tested physically and mentally by the vampire clan. He has to undergo Trials, that will test him mainly physically, but also mentally. Has to fight through water, fire, sharp objects and so on but i'll let you read about that.

This is the best book out of the first 5, because there are big turns of events in the middle to end of the book. At the end, Darren thinks he might be doomed, but is he? When you reach the end of this book, your gonna want to read book 6 directly after to find out what happens. Get this!

Although Spencer's novels are usually between a soap opera and Hallmark movie, but with more substance, this one was so cliche that the outcome was predictable. I listened to an audio-tape from the library and found myself fast forwarding a good bit of it. The leading characters were more perfect that real life: Lee, widowed mother of three teen age and adult children, was perfection herself, beautiful, brave, loving, and caring. Christopher, best friend of Lee's recently accidentally killed oldest son was also understanding, gentle, lonely, admiring, and caring, in spite of an abusive childhood. The story progressed slowly about the Lee-Christopher relationship and essentially eliminated Lee's surviving two children.

When the two go off swimming together, to the disapproval of Lee's adult daughter, I thought: "Oh no! Not another one of those older woman, younger man love stories." It was, explicit sex scenes and all. Fifteen hours of this was too much. An experienced, excellent author like LaVyrle Spencer is capable of and has produced much better.

I purchased this book thinking it was about family tragedy. It is and it isn't. It's really a novel about a love affair between an older woman and a younger man and the obstacles they face. It's a good read and I highly recommend it.

Spencer is a master storyteller, it's true. This book is heartfelt and so moving, but why does everything in it have to be so painfully normal? Throughout the book, sexist cliches abound -- mothers clap for their sons playing football even though they don't know what's going on without a man to tell them, Lee can't fix stuff around her house, and everything Lee owns is flowery and what Chris owns is simple and plain. The characters always seem to be eating beef and ice cream. Lee's daughter Janice is just a normal, pretty girl with nothing interesting to her. Lee's son Joey is portrayed as the generic slightly slobby but lovable awkward young man. It's just so...Average America or something. I connect with the story but not with the uninteresting characters, I guess because their lifestyles are different than mine.

This is the 2nd book I've read by this author and have enjoyed them both. Though she is billed as a 'romance' author, she is really a 'relationship' author, because her character definitely develop relationships. This author does a great job with character development, and with descriptions of people and places.

I did feel the book dragged at one point, shortly after the relationship became physical. I guess the point was to let us know how passionate they were for each other, but truly, I got the message early on, and all the extra did nothing to further the story. The book probably could have been shortened by about 50 pages.

I know some had a problem with the 'mother of best friend' thing, but really, I think they had a problem with the 'age' thing. Once you are a mature adult, friends come in all ages, so those people need to ask themselves...if Chris had been 45 and Greg's best friend, woud the 'mother of best friend' thing still come into play.

Anyway, I really DID enjoy this book and will read more by this author. I recommend her to anyone who wants to take there time 'savoring' the descriptive writing.

I picked this book up at the local Salvation Army for ten cents, which is about what it's worth. You get the feeling early on there's going to be some kind of sexual encounter, which sure enough is off-putting, pretty close to incest in this situation (best friend's mom, for pity's sake). I'm no prude, of course I know this stuff goes on every day. And I've never read any other Spencer books, maybe they're all not so touchy-feely ad nauseum. In the back of the book is a bit of the author's successful professional and personal life, picture of the hubby and she on vacation, daughter's wedding. But this book is a downer. There's enough glorifying of the wrong thing to do in the general media as it is. Guess I had the wrong impression of this author in my ignorance - thought she might be a saved Christian, ha-ha. If you have to read this stuff, save yourself some bucks and hit the local thrift stores and garage sales.

The first half of Sheldon's book, which popularized the phrase "What would Jesus do?" in the early 20th century, is poignant as it drives home the meaning of that phrase, which for many people today has become just another Christian slogan with too little meaning. The first half of the book is worth a read as it brings practicality to the much quoted phrase.

However, the second half of In His Steps, grows a bit stagnant by the end of the book. Though there are connections between the two parts/settings, we are yanked into the second half (and second setting) without much apparent reason. More bothersome, is Sheldon's overuse of extreme statements (i.e., "never had he..."), which in the first half of the book is alright, but by the end becomes tiring.

All in all, this book may be worth reading, but I can't help feeling that it would be much better off with only the first eighteen chapters.

If you are a Christian, as I am, you will be inspired by this book. WWJD is passé these days, but here in its original environs the thought is still fresh, and moving. Sheldon really lays out the possibility of a changed world, where we finally take the Gospel seriously. I am irresistably drawn to consider Jesus' actions in everything I do, to live the life that He calls us to.

If you are a lover of good writing, you will be disappointed. Sheldon starts off strong. There's a lot of promise. I want to find out what happens to these characters.

Nothing happens. Or rather, nothing unpredictable. Although there are certain similarities in genre to the The Cross and the Switchblade, In His Steps isn't at that level. The one event unexpected feels so forced that I am still scratching my head to understand why it was added. The tragedy in this event ultimately goes nowhere. Rather than taking the opportunity to explore the characters Sheldon begins with, 2/3rds of the way through the book he switches to Chicago, introducing new characters. These new characters are just as flat as the first. Beyond the initial conversion or rejection of conversion, there is no character development to speak of.

I recognize this book is dated; it is a book of it's time. So the language-style, breaking the fourth wall and speaking to the reader, is a bit off-putting, but was normative at the turn of the 20th century. Similarily it is fascinating to read and remember a time when Christians were against alcoholism and drinking because it destroyed lives, and not just because "it was wrong". We forget how alcohol was once the cocaine of it's day. And its refreshing to remember a time when Christians actually thought there was something wrong with two grown men beating each other up before spectators and calling it sport.

But the book betrays another dated aspect. Sheldon is to be commended for repeatedly having the characters point out that they are following what they feel Jesus calling them to do, and are not saying that anyone else should do exactly as they do. But there is all pervading the tone that only a particular Christian viewpoint would be appropriate. Its the viewpoint that says a work of art is something Jesus would do, only if it evangelizes, or praises God explicitely. The art can not be beautiful in itself, and also be something Jesus would do. This underlying view is not wrong- but it is limited.

In addition, there seems to be a general attitude that, after people convert, they are good. They don't recognize the continual evil in them, their continual need for help from the Master. This contrasts sharply therefore with those around them, who they are reaching out to. There is little of the idea of learning to be served by those we care for, seeing God in them, and learning from them how to come closer to Christ.

All this was entirely appropriate in the late 1800s when the book was written. It just doesn't quite fit in today's post-modern world, where a public business can't put one religion above another; where we recognize there is that of God to some extent in all faiths; where we appreciate that Jesus expresses Himself in many different ways, and not only in the altar call.

The theology is old. The writing is poor. The call is still strong. If you like good writing, you may want to avoid this book. But you also should avoid it if you don't like your worldview being challenged, and being called to change your life to truly follow Christ.

I am not much of a reader, so the fact this book is a simple read worked well for me. I not only agree the author rushed through this story, but also agree he made his point. Do I desire to know more about each character and how everyday decisions came into play? Yes. With that said, however, I finished the book with a confirmation of what we as Christians already know. We are to live our lives as closely to the way Jesus did. It is not easy and much may be lost, but nothing is lost that is of importance in the Kingdom of Heaven. Mr. Sheldon got his point across and I pray my friends and I make a conserted effort to ask ourselves that very question each day.

This is the second time I'm reading this book because it's just that good.

This book was first written as a series of unusual sermons that was a continued story, one chapter to be given out each week about what happened in the lives of various persons with different backgrounds and vocations, but all applied WWJD to every decision they made. Charles Sheldon was the author, and he was the pastor of Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas, and this series began in June 1896.

One of the amazing things about this book is that despite it being written over 100 years ago, the story still applies to this very day. As you read it, you will find not so much that you travel back to 1896, but it feels like it was written for today. What would Jesus do if He were you?

This book challenges the reader to consider the question "What Would Jesus Do?" in every decision in life. It tells of different persons who after taking an oath to do that began to bear their cross as a Christian, but at the same time experience the Spirit's work in their lives and through their lives. Though it is a story written by Sheldon, it could very well have been a real life story as well.

This was another memoir I wasn't sure I would keep reading. I am glad that I gave this book a chance. It is a very moving, sad book. I think about it fairly often.

I've never been moved to write a review before, but this is such a moving memoir. Jennifer's story inspired me in every way. Although I'm completely healthy, I could relate to the book. Life is hard but we all should feel lucky for what we have, for what Jennifer didn't get to have. I want to kiss my kids more than I ever did before, after reading this book. And Jennifer was a great storyteller and writer. I'd recommend this to anyone in need of a good read in front of the fire. That's the kind of book this is. Curl up and enjoy.

First off, I have to admire how Jenifer used her illness and influence to educate others and raise awareness and money for ALS.

That said, I have to agree with the others who said that this book seemed to be heavy on the early-childhood memories and name-dropping than it was about Jenifer's self-awareness and feelings throughout her illness. I would have liked to know how more about how she created and structured Project ALS--it seemed like she just picked up the phone and called a few of her celebrity friends to organize a fundraiser. It might have been more powerful and meaningful if she had gone into more detail about her feelings and thoughts as the disease progressed.

I'm glad I read this book. I certainly do appreciate the courage that Jenifer and her sisters had around ALS, but I agree with the other reviewers who could have done without the list of her many celebrity friends and childhood stories.

I came across this book in a stack of books my mom had and I read it only because my dad died of ALS when 31 years ago (I was 3 at the time.) Jenifer and her sisters tell a very touching story about their life past and present and about the struggles Jenifer had with living with this horrible disease. I found it very interesting and a way I could picture what my family went through with my dad as I was too young to remember. Kudos to Jenifer and her family for their hard work in doing fundraising for Project ALS. It didn't take me long at all to get through the book!

In 1997, at the age of thirty-five, Jenifer Estess was forced to confront life and a debilitating illness head on. She did so with the help of her two sisters, Valerie and Meredith. Years before the diagnosis, the three sisters had made a pact with each other: "Nothing, no one will stop us." They never lost sight of that pact, nor did they lose sight of the powerful connection they had with one another even in the bleakest of times.

This is a memoir of life--of a life worth celebrating and a life learning the fine points of how to live while dying. Jenifer is diagnosed with A.L.S. (amyotropic lateral sclerosis), better known to many as Lou Gehrig's Disease. She sets the stage from the beginning. We know that there will be no "happily ever after" ending, but there will be a legacy of love and concern for mankind.

With a foreword by Katie Couric, we are introduced to Jenifer and her sisters as well as Project A.L.S.,the company they formed to combat this terrible disease. As Katie so eloquently puts it, "ALS robbed Jenifer of so much. But through it all, she continued to appreciate the beauty of life even when her ability to live it was so creully curtailed. ALS couldn't take away her brilliance, and the one muscle it could not destroy was her heart."

This book is filled to the brim with heart. Jenifer used her heart, even when the rest of her body was failing her, to champion the cause of finding a cure for ALS. Through Project A.L.S., the sisters became political activists for stem cell research, speaking before congress along with Christopher Reeve and other well known people. They enlisted big corporate sponsors to fund research for a cure. And they kept on living despite the obvious progression of a killer disease.

Jenifer is one of those uncommon people who exemplifies grace under pressure. She might have withdrawn from the world, hiding behind her failing body and the cruel fate with which she had been presented. Instead, she reached out to the world, to the healthcare community and to her friends and sisters. She was the strength behind them all, even as she could no longer care for herself or use most of her muscles.

To read this book is to feel as though Jenifer has become your friend as well. In the afterword, written by Valerie Estess, we discover: "For Jenifer, having it all was a simple, exquisite recipe... Combine love, work, compassion, and you will some day, in some way, get to the mountaintop. Making the climb is the ultimate honor and privilege."

Jenifer lost her battle with ALS in 2003. Her legacy lives on in the lessons she taught her sisters, this book which is a true inspiration to all who read it, and through Project A.L.S., which continues to work toward a cure not only for ALS but also for its "sister" diseases--Parkinson's, Alzheimers, and Huntington's.

by Lee Ambrose
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

In the story, Heart Song, Melody Logan, the main character, was living among what seemed strangers to her. Her mother Haille recently died in a car accident so she has to go live with her relatives on Cape Cod, leaving everyone she knows behind in West Virginia. When she gets there, she finds out that they are strange people and have lots of secrets.
Melody finds out that her cousin Laura Logan just recently died too in a boat accident. At the Logan's house, her Aunt Sarah thought of her as a replacement of her dead daughter, her uncle Jacob thought of her as the devil's daughter, her cousin May who is deaf always seems lost and confused most of the time, and her cousin Cary, who was the only one that really cared for her.
Her cousin Cary finds her a job with a man named Kenneth Childs, he is an artist and her job is to clean his home and studio. Everyone thinks Kenneth Childs is Melody biological father. In the artist's studio, there is a secret room that is always locked. One day, when the artist is gone, Cary comes over and they get suspicious about the room. They open it by screwing the hinges off the door. Melody is very surprised to find pictures of her mom that Kenneth had drew but Melody doesn't say anything about it.
One day, her grandma Olivia tells her that she isn't her real grandmother. Her real grandmother Belinda, was put away in a resting home by her sister Olivia because Olivia makes everyone believe that Belinda is crazy. When Melody discovers who her real grandmother is, goes to visit her and the grandmother tells her secrets that no one in her family knows about. Later, Melody also discovers that she and Cary aren't really cousins and after they found out, they reveal their feelings and affections for each other.
Suddenly, a surprising accident in the family occurs, her Uncle has a heart attach and decides to tells Melody things about her mother that no one else can know about. Then, one day in a magazine, she finds a model that looks exactly like her mom but cannot be her mom because her mom is dead. So Melody seeks out to find out more about the model that looks like her mom.
The story is very interesting because it tells you how a girl has to suddenly grow up when her mom dies and has no body to go to except her relatives that live in a different city and are practically strangers to her and have lots of secrets. It is very exciting to find out how Melody starts to discover the secrets of her family and how she falls in love with her Cary, a guy that she thought it was her cousin.

This book was rather dull, and it took almost the entire book to let the reader know the identity of Melody's maternal grandfather- we learn nothing else of intrest from the plot. The love scenes between Cary and Melody are a bit much to bear, considering that they are 2nd cousins.But if you consider the fact that no one seems to be upset with the idea that Hallie(Melody's Mom) ran off and married her first cousin we should not be surprised. If you are bored on a rainy sunday, pick this up at a book store.

For a book this long, there isn't that much thrills. It's too much like a soap opera, and Grand. Olivia is way too boring. Even when Melody visits her real Grandmother in the mental clinic, there was no action!!! But if you want to learn more about the Logan family, then I would read this. Otherwise, skip to the third novel.

Everyone seems to hate the Logans but I like them!

Melody has a good job working for Kenneth over the summer. Kenneth told Melody that he and his dad Nelson tried to help her mom Haille make good choices. Kenneth was disappointed that Haille didn't listen to him. I am sure even Samuel wanted Haille to be successful too. Jacob and Olivia had no right to be blaming Melody for their problems with Haille. I was glad when Melody stood up to Jacob and Olivia. Somebody had to. Jacob and Olivia was stressing everybody around them out. Cary needed every hug Melody gave him. It must have made Cary feel better when he knew he didn't have to face his problems alone. When I read about Melody, her character reminded me of a college buddy I have who is a Scott County sheriff's deputy. I hope if my buddy is reading this, he will consider talking with me about the books of my favorite author VC Andrews. Those books could help him with his work while he's questioning others. I could use more time meeting with people like Melody. People like Melody help people who are in most need of help.

This book cheered me up when I was going through a break-up with my ex (still am actually) but it did make me feel better. It's like having a best girlfriend there to remind you that it's ok to hate him, even if it's in your mind, if it gets you out of that place (you know what I mean). It really stresses getting in touch with your best mates, even if you have abandoned them for the jerk, so you can remember who you are and why your worth isn't determined by whether he likes you or not. The only part I couldn't relate to, because it doesn't pertain to my situation, it the part about mates (friends), because I don't have any to lean on at the moment, I wonder why??? That Jerk!!!

Following a devasting recent break-up, I pulled this book off my shelf again for a good laugh. If you're in a "my-ex-is-wonderful-and-my-life-is-over" kind of morose mood and need to get some perspective, this book will really help you feel better. It's a tongue-in-cheek tome to get in touch with your anger (instead of your sadness) over being dumped. It contains hysterical fantasy scenarios for getting back at your ex; stuff you would never do, but that sure feels good to THINK about doing. It will also help you take your ex off the pedestal and realize he's just a guy, not some god. And it will help you realize there's a lot more life for you to live.

Don't waste your time with "Its called a breakup because its broken" or "Don't call that man"--just pony up the 12 for this book and get going with your life. This book is all about dealing with the drama of the breakup, reclaiming your own life, and not wallowing and being desperate. It also deals with what do to when your ex wants you back. There is no reason not to buy this book; its fantastic. It will help you and make you laugh at the same time.

Not your ordinary breakup survival guide is right - although I am still mourning the end of my almost 2-year relationship, I was in stitches reading this. James offers razor-sharp wit, such as, "If a man calls you 'psycho', it's his way to cover up what HE did wrong." HA! I love it. Although I would never employ the body-maiming suggestions (dunk his head in hemorrhoid cream - voila - he's gone!), I did need the laugh. If you want to hermit yourself, that's ok, but take this book to bed with you. You'll be glad that James sheds the light on how men really think, and reminds you of the diva you really are.

I saw the title of this book and decided to buy it. Glad I did because it is a cute and sarcastic book.