Seasons Books

In what is apparently the first of four books with the scripts from Season Two of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the one-liners come fast and furious with a liberal dose of drama.

The book begins with "When She Was Bad." At the end of Season One, Buffy was killed by the evil vampire known as the Master (albeit just for a minute) and this episode deals with the aftermath of that trauma. Buffy's friends try to find out why she's being such a...er, witch...to them while a group of vampires tries to revive the Master.

The second episode is "Some Assembly Required." Although well-written, it's probably one of the less impressive episodes in the book. It features Buffy and gang trying to find the secret behind grave robbers who now have their sights set on a living person...acerbic queen Cordelia.

"School Hard" introduces Spike and Drusilla, two of the series' mainstay villains (and sometimes hero, in Spike's case). Parent-Teacher Night at Sunnydale High happens to correspond with the Night of St. Vigeous, the day when vampires' power is at its peak. Needless to say, things get a little hairy in what is probably the best episode of the bunch.

Regular guy Xander gets a showcase in "Inca Mummy Girl". He's finally found a girl he likes (who isn't a giant praying mantis). Unfortunately, she's an ancient mummy who must survive by draining people's life force. Is it any surprise that it doesn't end well?

"Reptile Boy" is probably the worst episode in the book. It's still good, but not up to par with the other five. In it, evil frat boys are planning to sacrifice Buffy and Cordelia to a gigantic snake.

And finally, in "Halloween" one of Giles' old friends comes to town, and as a result everyone turns into their costumes - Willow becomes a ghost, Xander becomes a military private, and Buffy becomes a helpless aristocrat from the eighteenth century. It drops hints of Giles' past, which will come back to haunt him later in the season.

Without a doubt, a good buy for anyone who enjoys Buffy or wants to see what the fuss is all about (although newcomers might want to start with the Season One scripts).

As fine as Season One of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER had been, it was nonetheless at the start of Season Two merely a very good show. During the second season, however, Joss Whedon and his stable of crack writers would transform the show into something truly great. Nonetheless, it took some time for Season Two to achieve the greatness that it ended up being. So, in a sense, the scripts in this volume represent the last shows where Buffy was struggling to realize its enormous potential. Not that they aren't very good, or even in a couple of instances quite exceptional; they simply aren't as stellar as what immediately followed.

"Lie to Me" is, like many season openers, the product of Joss Whedon. As fine as other writers on the show are, I don't think anyone would question that Whedon always remained the King of the Hill. This script provides a marvelous transition from "Prophecy Girl," the Season One finale. Buffy returns to Sunnydale after spending the summer in L.A., and she is obviously reexperiences the trauma of her encounter with and death by the Master. She completely supplants Cordelia as the Queen [word that rhymes with "witch"] of Sunnydale high. Not only is she indifferent to almost everything, she is positively nasty to Cordelia, and engages in an over-the-top sexy dance with Xander that both unmercifully steams him up only to dash him with cold water, and cruelly makes Angel jealous. As Xander and Willow agree, Buffy has always been different, but she had never been mean before. But when vampires kidnap Willow, Giles, Jenny, and Cordelia to perform a ritual to resurrect the Master, Buffy not only saves her friends, but as Xander puts it "works out her issues" by killing all the vampires.

"Some Assembly Required" is one of the weakest episodes in the entire run of the show. When fans are polled on the worst episodes ever, it usually garners one of the highest vote totals. As a rule, Buffy is a highly nonderivative show, but this episode is a fairly lame updating of BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN. It does contain one of my all time favorite exchanges. Upon seeing Giles, who is trying to work up the nerve to ask out Jenny Calendar, Xander says: XANDER: And speaking of love . . . WILLOW: We were talking about the reanimation of dead tissue. XANDER: Do I deconstruct your segues?

"School Hard," written by David Greenwalt, is a very good episode, with several memorable moments. I don't think it is quite up to the level of the better scripts later in the year, but it is still extremely fine. Two things make it especially memorable. First, we meet Spike and Druscilla for the first time. Spike's part is especially well written, but reading the script demonstrates just how much James Marster's brings to the role. All the performers bring a great deal, but I believe he adds more to his part than any other performer. The second great thing in the episode is Spike's killing "the Annoying One" near the end of the episode. The episode is also crucial for reemphasizing the nontraditional nature of our heroine. Most heroes are loners, bereft of friends and family, but Buffy is great because of her friends and family. As Spike remarks, "A Slayer with family and friends. That sure as hell wasn't in the brochure."

"Inca Mummy Girl," written by Matt Kiene and Joe Reinkemeyer, continues the pattern of the first season and a half of Buffy, of one very strong script followed by a fairly weak one. This episode isn't as bad as "Some Assembly Required," but it is one of the weakest of the season.

David Greenwalt's "Reptile Boy" is an odd bird: unpleasant story with a bevy of absolutely great lines. If you focus on the story, this isn't a very good episode, but if you focus on the lines, it is great. The opening bit with Buff, Will, and Xander watching TV is a stitch. The episode contains one of the greatest of all Angel/Buffy exchanges: ANGEL: This isn't some Fairy Tale: when I kiss you you don't wake up from a deep sleep and live happily ever after. BUFFY: No. When you kiss me, I want to die.

"Halloween" was the only script that Carl Ellsworth wrote for Buffy, and while it isn't an especially great one, it is definitely a lot of fun. The idea of people becoming who or what they dress up as on Halloween seems a tad familiar, but it is all done in fun fashion. One of the great things about the show is the continuity from one episode to another. On several occasions in the future, Xander's having been a soldier briefly plays a crucial role in plotlines.

So, overall, not nearly as strong a group of scripts as we would see later in the season. Season Two is unquestionably great, but it is on the basis of what came after what we find here. In fact, the greatness would start with the very next script that follows these: "Lie to Me."

The writing of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the Television series is much celebrated by fans and critics alike. This book is a collection of the original shooting scripts for the first 6 episodes of season two. Included are When She Was Bad, Some Assembly Required, School Hard, Inca Mummy Girl, Reptile Boy and Halloween. Some of these scripts contain dialogue or scenes which were cut due to time or other concerns. This volume is a must for the Buffy collector and wonderful for anyone that appreciates quality television.

In any devotional, I'm happy to find an occasional nugget of wisdom here and there. The average devotional is mostly a collection of junk that tries to make one a better person through guilt-trips. A great devotional will have a really good reading maybe once every week.

But this book has really succeeded in picking out the best of the best of Christian writing. Nearly every day, the readings are both very profound, encouraging and thought-provoking. Well recommended, with its companion, "Celebrating the Saints".

There is a holiness about this book of readings, "Celebrating the Seasons: Daily Spiritual Readings for the Christian Year." I bought my copy at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco in 2000. Here are some of my writings about that event, and I call it an event since the book has meaning to me:

"January 11, 2000. I visited Grace Cathedral Gift Shop and bought this since the 12 days of Christmas are over. I was going to get a new pew copy of The Book of Common Prayer. I ducked into the Cathedral--while waiting for a friend--this turned out well...God loves a sinner and seeks the lost sheep and the lamb."

You can see I was in a spiritual state of mind, and discovered that the readings enhance my sense of the liturgical year. So the compiler and editors intended. The publisher is Canturbury Press in England that the compiler is an Anglican priest working in the Diocese of London named Robert Atwell. He has a Benedictine bent, and that tells you something of the nature of these selections.

They will move the reader, and inspire. So it is, for here is a word or two from the introduction about the book's intent: "Beginning afresh each year on Advent Sunday, the Church has crafted a rhythm of prayer and worship that continues to shape much of Christian life and thought." The readings aid in that exercise and manner of life. This short quote from Ephrem of Syria on Christmas, since as I write this we are celebrating the Christmas season.

"At this feast of the nativity
let each person wreathe the door of his heart
so that the Holy Spirit may delight in that door,
enter in and take up residence there;
then by the Spirit we will be made holy."

Here are some of the titles to these short, daily readings in the Christmas season. They give an idea of the kind of readings offered in this keeper and daily book of meditation and thoughts: "A Reading from a sermon of Augustine;" "A Reading from a letter of Athanasius of Alexandria;" for today, January 4, "A Reading from a sermon o Bernard of Clairvaux;" "A Reading from the 'Catechetical Orations' of Gregory of Nyssa;" "A Reading from 'The Light of Christ' by Evelyn Underhill." There are many more, a kind of religious education of their own to be read again the following year. This excellent compilation (and I am sure you will agree should you purchase and use the book) is useful year after year.

You may think some of the things said obvious, but really they are necessary things to say such as this from The Epiphany date, "A Reading from a sermon of Peter Chrysologos, Bishop of Ravenna." "In the mystery of our Lord's incarnation there were clear indications of his eternal Godhead. Yet the great events we celebrate today disclose and reveal in different ways the fact that God himself took a human body." You'll like the story, too, as a prospect for such a book as this.

There are words about loving God, who is "...O Lord adorable an loveable..." There are words about opening one's heart to God through the psalms, "...receive Christ, unlock your soul to him, offer him a welcome in your mind..." There are words about Christs offering and bringing to the world love that reconciles and transcends, "...never stops wor4king to bring it back into being through love, inviting it back by grace..." I find the opportunity in this review to find more Epiphany statements, but you get the idea. These are food for thought, food for meditation.

The words by the spiritual and religious writers are good words, and those inclined to matters of the Christian faith and spirit will find some direction for the seasons, like this from Lent as part of "A Reading from 'Holy Living' by Jeremy Taylor." "God is especially present in the consciences of all persons, good and bad, by way of testimony and judgement..." These are easier to understand than one would think, and just the right length for daily reading and thought.

Notes in the back of the book give the page number for selections, their reference under each category of season. For those who will want to study the book more, or search out readings by particular figures, there is a listing of people (John Donne, Gertrude of Helfta, George Herbert, and of course many others) with the pages numbers where they can be found. There is other material at the back of the book, interesting also and probably something a reader will want to look at if only for curiousities sake.

There is a companion to this title, compiled by the same man. For those who like this title, take a look at it. "Celebrating the Saints: Devotional Readings for Saints' Days." The two books together make a set, and having them for daily reading makes for a full measure of meditation.

This reviewer recommends the title "Celebrating the Seasons" because it is food for thought, with many excerpts of inspirational and spiritual value for the Christian. The book itself is easy to use, and contains a variety of religious writers throughout the Church seasons of the year. A helpful title when keeping the rhythms of the Church year, this is a handsome edition for someone's library and daily use.

--Peter Menkin, Christmas

This is undoubtedly one of the finest compilations of daily readings to date. Far from the cotton candy, warm fuzzy approach taken by so many daily devotional readings, this collection draws on the wisdom of two millennia worth of writers from Clement of Rome to Dietrich Bonhoffer. The readings are primarily excerpts from larger essays and Atwell does a fine job of selectig salient portions from the larger works.

The best cookbook ever! My favorite cookbook by far and each recipe in here is delicious, (i've tried just about all of them!). highly reccommend it, and now purchase this book for everyone I know who enjoys Italian food and cooking!

When I received "Celebrations, Italian Style", I was so very overwhelmed with fond and wonderful memories of my mother. The explanations of the special holidays/celebrations were exactly as I remembered them as a child growing up. These recipes produce the same mouth-watering aromas that used to fill the whole house. You knew the minute you approached the house that Mama was cooking up something special. Each time I prepare one of these recipes, I feel my mother is right there beside me. When I read this book I am completely absorbed by the foods, the smells and the traditions that I hope to pass on to my own children. I highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to be taken back to recapture their favorite Italian memories. Enjoy!!

Mary Ann Esposito has dotted her collection of Italian-American recipes with stories from her childhood, reminding me of my own family's history. These recipes are practical, requiring easily found ingredients, written in an explanatory style. There are many little "hints" to turning out the dish in fine style, serving suggestions, new ways to incorporate Italian cooking methods into everyday meals. The Torta Nuziale (Wedding Cake) is a masterpiece! Buttermilk, almond oil, hazelnuts, coconut combine to create a dense cake that will become a family favorite. The cream cheese icing is easy and tasty. Sra. Esposito has given us a handbook of Italian-American cooking, spiced with her personal stories. It is a combination that makes for good reading.

Just like all the others, we love this book! Lola's perspective on things always cracks us up!

My son is a huge Charlie and Lola fan. I gave this to him for his 4th birthday recently. There is snow all over the ground. He took the book to pre-school. All the kids love the book. This will be a favorite in our house for years to come; I can't wait to read it to my grandkids too & have my son's face light up again years from now with love for Charlie and Lola!

"Snow is My Favorite and My Best" is a wintry "Charlie and Lola" book, based on episode of the TV series.

This is a fun one. Lola says that snow is her "favorite and her best" and she wants it to snow all the time. Indeed, her friend Lotta loves the snow too and they have quite a bit of fun playing in it. So Lola is very disappointed when she discovers that the next day, the snow that fell has almost all melted. Charlie has to think of a way to help his little sister and he comes up with some great ideas indeed. He helps her to see that things wouldn't be nearly as fun if it snowed *all* the time.

"Snow is My Favorite and My Best" is another sweet and charming book from this series. Fans of snow of all ages will appreciate this celebration of things that are good --- in moderation. I think Frosty would approve of this book.

The Clifford books are probably my favorite books. I like reading about clifford and all the different things he does. Like in this book clifford first autumn. Clifford finds out what it is like in autumn. He jumps in the leaves and see his first pumpkin. I think it is to hard to pick your favorite clifford book. They are all good and I like them all.

This is the cutest book ever! I always enjoyed the Clifford books, especially this one. The illustrations are just adorable. I just loved how he was such a mischevious puppy!
I gave this book 5 stars.
Kathy Weirauch

I approached Clifford's First Autumn without any expectations of greatness. Boy was I wrong! This book's deep plotline, masterful writing and intruiging characters make it a true masterpiece. The simple symbolism of the many leaf colors represents man's struggle with multiculturalism, with the moral being that we should jump together into mankinds big leaf pile. This is a true classic of literature shows the spirit of America!

Sheila Wintle's Color Palette Applique patterns are not only absolutely beautiful, they are the best value I have found in the marketplace. Full size patterns, guidance as to value placement, and helpful instructions for choosing suitable fabrics are all included for an extremely reasonable price. I have all three of her patterns, and I eagerly await any new ones she produces.

More patterns are coming out in packaging like dress patterns - everything in one re-sealable package. THE SEASONS IN BLOOM is one of these patterns. The plasticized envelope has the materials list right on the back, plus it lists the finished block and quilt size.

Inside, you will find pattern sheets that you can tack up on the wall or bulletin board. No more hunting for the book under the fabric you are cutting. These sheets contain all the information you will need to create this quilt including full sized templates of the four appliqué flower patterns and the border flowers too.

The instructions are clearly written and contain illustrations to help explain the written instructions. There is even an "extra" included. It is a booklet entitled "Color-Palette Appliqué". It explains how to gather a palette of colors and the best way to put the appliqué together.

There is another bonus. If you don't want to create a whole quilt, make just one of the four panels of flowers and use it as a wall hanging. You could even create all four flower pieces and use them as a "four seasons" wall hanging. So many ideas, so little time! Grab your copy and start "growing" your flowers.

I have another similiar pattern and they are gorgeous and so easy to follow the directions. Make a gorgeous wall hanging. Or, enlarge and make a large quilt. Will buy more of these again gladly.

Jill Becker

I was sold on this craft book right away! I am impressed with the variety of crafts and how many I wanted to make with my kids right away--too many!! Yes, I want to make them too!
The crafts use a minimal amount of supplies that are easy to find and that will be shared in many crafts. Which is nice because I don't want to buy a bag of pipecleaners for only a few and be stuck with a bag waiting to be used up.
I think what impressed me the most is how eco-friendly most of the crafts are. I don't believe that is a point touched by the author, but I am so happy to see glass jars, bottle caps, and packing peanuts listed as supplies.
My kids will enjoy making these crafts and giving them as gifts at Christmas time.
My personal favorite craft is the Spring Cleaning Apron because it will get my kids excited to help clean and we don't have to drag a roll of paper towels around room to room(even though we use microfiber cloths). Very clever idea!!

This book has great ideas for crafts to make with children. The directions are clear the supplies are easy to find and the illustrations are very helpful. I think the projects would be appropriate for children k-5, and because they are arranged by season they are great for gifts and holidays. I bought one for a student teacher gift but I'm ordering one for myself because I know I'll really use this book... through all the seasons.

I only recommend books I love and this is the best craft book I've ever seen. The crafts are simple, they use thing you have at home, and the illustrations are great. My kids can thumb through the book and easily see what the craft will look like when completed. Even if you're not crafty, you can follow the directions in this book.

The cranberry is a distinctive part of American culinary history. Not only colorful, beautiful and tasty, the cranberry is an excellent source of Vitamin C, devoid of fat or cholesterol, low in calories and sodium, and relatively high in fiber. In Cranberry Cooking For All Seasons, Nancy Cappelloni has assembled a superbly illustrated cornucopia of 125 outstanding recipes showcasing cranberries. From Cranberry Maple Syrup; Nantucket Roast Loin of Pork with Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing; Sauteed Chicken with Cranberries and Apple Cider Reduction, and Cranberry Orange Raisin Walnut Conserve; to Pork Chops with Simmered Cranberries; Roast Saddle of Venison with Cranberry Essence and Celery Root Puree; Cranberry Tangerine Loaf Cakes; and Shaker Cranberry Pie, Cranberry Cooking For All Seasons will prove to be a truly "family favorite" addition to any kitchen cookbook collection!

When my wife came home with Cranberry Cooking, I was more than a little uneasy. The only time I ever eat cranberries are in the chutney my wife makes on Thankgiving, and that's usually just to avoid an argument. However, one day, being curious, I started flipping through the book, and was amazed at how delicious the cranberry recipes actually looked. I made a few of them, and they were outstanding to say the least. I'd like to thank Mrs. Cappelloni for this amazing edition to the world of cookbooks, and for changing my view on Cranberries.

I have read many cookbooks which include cranberry recipes, but none with such an extensive look into the magnificent fruit. Mrs. Cappelloni provides the reader with an enlightening view on the subject of cranberries. I would say it is certainly the best single subject cookbook I have ever encountered. I recommend it to all.

Are these books (the "Let's Make a Memory series") taken straight from the content of the book, "Let's Make a Memory?"....if anyone knows, this would be helpful info in deciding if I should order these. thanks!

I LOVE this book. Family traditions are a must in my family. This book gives great Godly ideas to create new traditions for each season. I highly recommend this book!

Love, love, LOVE this little book! Divided up into seasons (beginning with Spring), this little book is chock-full of wonderful ideas for creating new family traditions in your home that your kids will cherish for a lifetime and will draw your whole family closer together and closer to God. This book is well-written and full of great illustrations! It is deeply spiritual - Scripture verses are scattered throughout and there is an overall awareness of the Church calendar - without ever being preachy. It covers every possible "holiday" in all four seasons, including a few surprises like The Last Day of School and Grandparents' Day! My hands-down favorite is the Birthday Party for Jesus - a hit with my kids! Why not have a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas Day?!? What better way to teach children the REAL meaning of the season?!? A wonderful part of childhood is all the beautiful memories you have forever, and this book will help you create new and wonderful memories in your children's lives. Highly recommend!

In the middle of a bleak, New England winter and at a time in my life when I felt disconnected from the natural world due to health difficulties, I purchased this book. I opened it to the section on winter and read the first essay entitled, "Sounds and Silences of December." Not only was it interesting to learn that sound travels farther and is clearer over frozen ground, but it encouraged me to go outside and see for myself! Since then, this book has been a source of valuable information regarding the unique aspects of each season. Also, it has been a source of encouragement, drawing me out-of-doors to explore. I don't have to venture far from home to experience some of the things written about in the book. Learn about peepers in spring, mud season, insects, messages in spider webs, chipmunks and squirrels, animal migrations, exploring the off-season beach in winter...just to name a few. If you've never been an outdoorsy person or need some guidance to reconnect, this is an excellent choice.

This is a book that I will never lend out. I will buy a few extra copies of it to give away, but I want to keep my copy forever. I found it by searching Amazon for some good natural history books to read in the winter, when I miss my garden. I really lucked out with this one.

Sy Montgomery was the nature columnist for the Boston Globe. She is extremely knowledgable, and her writing is concise yet filled with wonder at her magical subjects. I learned about the lovelorn messages sent by singing insects on autumn evenings, the messages contained in spiderwebs, the effects of winter snow on the way sound travels, the way all life depends on the unusual structure of water. Most fun is the author's description of ways to interact with other creatures. I learned that it is easy to teach wild birds to eat out of your hand, and that one can flirt with fireflies in their own language using a flashlight in the grass. The author offers some of these suggestions as experiments for children, but at the tender age of 54 I am looking forward to trying them all out by myself.

Another thing I like about this book is that each essay can be read in a single sitting (or a single night before going to sleep, in my case). They are concise. I get a lot of delight per unit time spent reading.

The only thing wrong with this book is that it needs a better title. If Sy Montgomery had the lovely titles that Diane Ackerman comes up with, she would quickly overtake Ackerman's sales numbers.

A beautifully written book about the natural world that supplies the reader with an enormous amount of information about the world we seldom see and the other lives which inhabit it.