Day Books

The Best Day the Worst Day: Life with Jane Kenyon
This compeling memoir took me into the most intimate life of these two outstanding poets. The details are such that I felt that I was actually a part of their lives. Jane Kenyon's life and death are contrasted in words that bring her to life by one that knows her best. A most excellent read.

Donald Hall's memoir of health and illness with his wife Jane Kenyon has stood in my mind years after I read this book. It is an understanding of issues in living through a bout of illness, of survival to regain health, or the fall when one loses the fight.

Above all the book is of a poet who loves another fellow poet.

But I think poetry is secondary to loving a wife who shared his home and passions for animals, people, words and social engagements to be with people who appreciated their love of literature and the love in the marriage.

I thought this book was a wonderful, loving tribute to the author's wife. :)

I recently finished reading Jane Kenyon's collected poems which left me missing her and wanting more. And so I picked up The Best Day The Worst Day: Life with Jane Kenyon written by Kenyon's husband--the esteemed poet Donald Hall. While the subtitle of this book is "Life with Jane Kenyon," I would argue that it is not so much about Kenyon's life with Hall as it is about her death, her dying. Yes, Hall does recount memories and vignettes of their life together, particularly how it was they came to live in their beloved farmhouse in New Hampshire.

Mostly I found this touching book to be an exploration of a husband moving through the process of grief, of holding on, and of letting go. Throughout, Hall beautifully and matter-of-factly reveals what it feels like when the one you love dies, and what are those threads that carry you through to this end, and what are those threads that bind you to this life afterward: "Poetry gives the griever not release from grief but companionship in grief. Poetry embodies the complexity of feelings in their most intense and entangled, and therefore offers (over centuries, or over no time at all) the company of tears."

I saw Donald Hall read at AWP almost a year ago and decided then that I had to have this book. I was moved to tears in the reading. I bought it and it took me a while to have the time to read it, and then a month and a half to read. It is not in anyway shape or form, easy to read. Not only is language dense and medical at points, but somehow each technical word is embedded in a love that is as strong 10 years after Jane Kenyon's death as I imagine it was at Hall and Kenyon's marriage 35 years ago. It a book that moves you to tears on almost every page. And not only is this written in tribute and memorial to a life of love, but it is a catalogue of life for popular and well respected poets. Writing habits, readings, trips, the things you write and do to have the money to write, the way that dedication is your life.

I'm reading this book now, i'm when Roger is crossing the Taurus to Jerusalem, and i make to myself the same question that, surely, makes a lot of people: Is this HI/story truth? or just a simple novell of a brilliant man like Stephen? cause, i been reading "Cabayo de Troya", from J.J. Benítez (spain) that tells a story about Jesus, that he say is true, but i have some doubts about it! . Please, i really wanna know... Thanks a lot. Deus le Volt!

the book is great!very good really!Ni!
of course i had some doubts if the book was true..(eustace part) but
anyway...i really thought it was true..this means just one thing...that his research and work are brilliant!Ni!
(could also mean I'm a little idiot to believe in that..)
its a very good story and i recomend anyone to read it!

So be it!

-Foge cão, que te fazem barão!
-Para onde, se me fazem Visconde?

The critics do this novel an injustice by stating that it is a slow read and more of a documentary than a epic novel. True, there are many historical points and notes which root the story in actual history, but these only help to show the richness of the history and help to express the story's fine details. I could not put this novel down, and I have gained a seemingly firsthand knowledge of the tragedies and glories of the crusades. I recommend this book to all interested in the crusades as well as those wanting to learn more of military camp life and history without the trials of textbooks.

The Booke of Days is the story of a minor lord from Southern France who joins the first Crusade. His name is Roger of Lunel. Roger joins the Crusade because the Pope has promised absolution for any who fight, and kill, for Christianity. The irony of this is not lost on Roger who keeps a diary of his journey. At first Roger examines the ideas of the crusade even as he compares them to the reality. Knights who ravish women in southern France, wear body parts cut off from their enemies, and murder other Christians who don't follow the proper pope. These are the people who will save Christianity?

With this start, I was concerned that his book might become an anti-Christian or anti-West book. It is not. It is a realistic look at the Crusades which describes the good and ill, of all sides. A Booke of Days also describes the people, the customs, and the times, better then any book about this period I have encountered. Some of the twists of the personal story seem stretched, but I liked the story so much I will was willing to believe. In the end, rather then being a book about the Crusades, it is a book about Roger of Lunel, set in the Crusades.
I liked Roger, so I loved this book. I also loved the hundreds of small touches which show the effort and the artistry of the author. If this book really isn't true, it could be. And anyone who has even a passing interest in History or Romance should read it.

The Booke of Days is the story of a minor lord from Southern France who joins the first Crusade. His name is Roger of Lunel. Roger joins the Crusade because the Pope has promised absolution for any who fight, and kill, for Christianity. The irony of this is not lost on Roger who keeps a diary of his journey. At first Roger examines the ideas of the crusade even as he compares them to the reality. Knights who ravish women in southern France, wear body parts cut off from their enemies, and murder other Christians who don't follow the proper pope. These are the people who will save Christianity?

With this start, I was concerned that his book might become an anti-Christian or anti-West book. It is not. It is a realistic look at the Crusades which describes the good and ill, of all sides. A Booke of Days also describes the people, the customs, and the times, better then any book about this period I have encountered. Some of the twists of the personal story seem stretched, but I liked the story so much I will was willing to believe. In the end, rather then being a book about the Crusades, it is a book about Roger of Lunel, set in the Crusades.
I liked Roger, so I loved this book. I also loved the hundreds of small touches which show the effort and the artistry of the author. If this book really isn't true, it could be. And anyone who has even a passing interest in History or Romance should read it.

I first found out about Marcia Evanick through her more recent book, "Mistletoe Bay." I was in the mood for a fun read and picked it up at Wal-Mart one day.. With that being said, I loved that book so much I searched local book stores and couldn't find any of the others in the Misty Harbor series, so I ordered them.

I loved "Catch of the Day," it had me on my toes, and I really didn't want it to end. The characters were amazing, and the story was just plain fun! I can't wait to read the other books in this series!! =)

These books are not Nobel Prize winners. That being said, they ARE incredibly fun, witty romances. All of the Misty Harbor books that I have read are sweet and fun, with just enough spice to keep things interesting.

Marcia Evanick perfectly describes the trials and tribulations of love and relationships. She weaves several tales into one book, keeping each story interesting.

If you're looking for a fun, happily ever after read, the Misty Harbor books are perfect. Read them in order, so you can really get to know the characters.

My friend initially thrust this book into my hands. I wasn't chomping at the bit to read about a woman moving to a small town to start a restaurant. I wasn't put off by the idea either- thankfully. Small towns have a way of sucking me in.

This book isn't a fast paced thriller, nor is it an enigmatic mystery. Plain and simple it is a story of man, woman, food and love. Not necessarily in that order.

The book made me long for a town such as Misty Harbor, Main where the eligible bachelors far out number the eligible women (gotta love those odds!). If you're looking for laughs, small town gossip, twin vikings and romance, then this is probably a good read for you.

This was a very nice read. Gwen and Daniel were great characters alone with all the others. I especially liked Jonah and clarence. I looked forward to reading the entire sequel.

I stumbled upon this book at the library, and after reading such heavy books as "Da Vinci Code", etc..., I wanted to read something light. I've also been disappointed by several books that I read lately as well..."Pushing 30" and "English As A Second Language."

The cover looked a bit cheesy, but I figured what the heck...I'm from Maryland and never been to Maine. I loved the book. It was fun and easy reading. I finished it in two days. I didn't have to do alot of thinking, and all the characters are charming.

I am reading "Blueberry Hill" by the same author (the third book of the series), and it's not as good, but enjoyable. I can't seem to get a copy of the second book of the series "Christmas on Conrad Street." I guess I'll have to order it on the internet.

"Kari Joys has created a new paradigm in the way we heal from depression,

anxiety, poor self-esteem and dysfunctional family issues. With confidence and

proven methods, Kari Joys' new book "Choosing Light Heartedness" utilizes three

decades of research and practice to provide healthy alternatives to prescribing

anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications! "Choosing Light-Heartedness"

transcends old belief systems and provides new techniques for healing your mind,

body and soul. I believe in Kari Joys and in this remarkable book!"

This is an excellent book - an incredible journey to loving one's self first. A resourceful guide for self discovery. The journaling I've done as I read this book is so enlightening. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to grow, discover and improve their life. Well written.

"Choosing Light-Heartedness" is an excellent book for anyone wanting to grow within. The way it is written is very easy to follow and is in common everyday language. I enjoyed how Kari added experiences to the chapters which gave an added connection. The assignments are well laid out and easy to follow. I especially like how the chapters are broken down; it makes it easy to find a specific issue that you made need to work on again.
I recommed this book to everyone. The assignment are work, but worth the effort. In the end you will find a "lighter you".

October 21, 2005
An excellent book combining spirituality and psychology in a very delightful, practical way. A must reading for anyone who wants to deepen their spirituality and know themselves better.
Frederic G. Emry

I find Joys' book "Choosing Light-Heartedness" to be very impressive! For years we've read many wonderful books about codependence and dysfunctional families, but never before has a psychotherapist written a book from his or her own professional experience that teaches clear, simple steps of an emotional healing journey that anyone can undertake, no matter what their history or their educational background!

Kari Joys writes with the kindness and heart-felt compassion of someone who has overcome the emotional pain in her own life and now sincerely wants to help others who also want to heal. She also demonstrates true lightheartedness through her writing that is clearly from someone who has succeeded in her own emotional healing journey. I believe this book could easily be a national bestseller! When it does I believe it will help millions of people who are struggling with anxiety, depression and poor self esteem to actually find the guidance they need to overcome their issues and create new and better lives for themselves!

This is such a great book. I really enjoyed reading it. It tells Buddy, Ritchie and J.P.'s story in a very interesting and easy to follow book. I would recommend this book to any Buddy fan. Five stars!

This is a great book. I have always been interested in "The day the music died" I had read several books and magazine articles about Buddy Holly's life but there was little in the way of the actual Winter Dance Party or the other musicians. I purchased this book and was shocked at how well and detailed the accounts of the musicians lives and the aftermath of the plane crash was. Larry Lehmer did an excelent job and should be commended on telling the truth not just what Buddy Holly's widow wanted or others who are wanting to cover the truth about what life was really like for all those involved. I recommend this to anyone who is interested in rock and roll, Buddy Holly or just 50's style music.

This book is great because it not only tells of the careers of those involved in the Winter Party Tour, but also tells details leading up the crash (including stops in many small towns along the way). It was quite informative.
Buddy Holly is the best known,yet most elusive and enigmatic of all Rock 'n' Roll legends.This man was a genius.The way he constructed his songs was sensational.

The initial first run of this great book was not around very long and people have been begging since for a reprint and here it is! This one is hard to put down, it is intriguing, informative and FACTUAL, which most Buddy book are not (avoid the Amburn book at all costs). What is particularily nice is that it features a great deal of updated info about the last tour & crash, info about Roger Peterson, and a good deal about Ritchie & The Bopper that usually doesn't get included. Lehmer talks to people that were at the shows, helped with the Tour, etc. No wild theories here, just the facts. Top notch in every regard. You see any bad reviews here? 'Nuff said!

Larry Lehmer has crafted one of the better journalistic books about a historical rock 'n' roll event. He brings a newspaperman's observations and senses to the project, which connects all the dots in the tragic last tour for Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. "The Day the Music Died" is not only entertaining -- somber and occasionally macabre in appropriate moments, and humorous elsewhere -- but it describes the days and weeks leading up to the tragic crash in Clear Lake through the eyes of people who were there. In each case, he paints a vivid portrait of a fallen star, making their stories all the more tragic. To read this book is to understand how American rock 'n' roll evolved from its early, innocent roots toward the fragmented, even chaotic market it encompasses today. I highyl recommend this book.

We just lost our Golden Reteiever of 10 years totally unexpected due to cancer. She ran off to die. We were able to find her and bury her in our backyard. "Amy", the Golden in the book is like our Chantal who loved the Gulf beaches. For any Golden owner, this is MUST have book to help with the loss of the best breed of dog I've ever encountered.

I laughed and cried when I read this book. Vanderbilt truly depicts life with a Golden. My son was devastated when we lost our twelve-year old Golden; I sent him this book so he could, like the author, reflect on the joy of having one of these incredible dogs in our life. The author truly touches the sacred moments we share with these beautiful creatures. A must read for Golden owners.

You don't have to own a golden retriever to read and really enjoy this beautiful book. As a dog lover that I am, I read anything which has to do with dogs regardless of breed. This book is similar to "the dogs of our lives", a book which touches your heart and brings tears & laughter as you read it. Thank you Mr. Vanderbilt for sharing your memories with us.

This is a beautiful, honest book about a family's love for their Golden Retriever. While the humans in the story are skillfully drawn, the central character is Amy--a loving and loved Golden Retriever. I cried at the end of the book. The lesson of the book is that a much loved dog can have a dramatic impact on a family's life--even if she isn't a search and rescue or therapy dog.

I will admit right off the bat that the Chatham neighborhood that Amy and her human family inhabit is also my neighborhood. But I am sad to say that I never met Amy who sounded like a wonderful dog. All dogs are wonderful, in my book, and certainly in Arthur Vanderbilt's book "Golden Days." This is one of those tales where, although you know how it ends, you still weep at the end. Months later, certain scenes-- such as Amy's unusual love of bananas-- stick in the memory so that you feel you really knew Amy. "Golden Days" is a book about a golden retriever and it's also about those golden days of summer in a certain special place that Arthur Vanderbilt knows very well. I recommend this book for anyone who has ever cared for a dog. For anyone who has ever loved Cape Cod. In fact, I recommend this book, which is profoundly moving without being sappy, to everyone!

I like this book because it gives me something to think about and apply everyday. Just what I need!

I'd heard about Max Lucado from others who thought he was good...so having found this devotional for less than $4 & less than $8 with shipping... decided to see what all the fuss is all about.

His insights & stories are good & the layout is good.

The bible was an excellent copy, everything the seller said and more. I am enjoying reading it everyday.

This devotional is wonderful, as are all the things Max Lucado does for the Lord. It is just the right mix of old and new testaments daily. Sometimes I am tempted to read several days at one time! I am ordering two more; one for my oldest granddaughter and one to keep in my car when I don't have time to "sit" at home first thing in the morning. Great daily help for your spiritual walk.

This book is a must reads for everday of your life. It is almost impossible to have a guideline for everyday of your life, but this book helps to guide you to more structure and stability. It is a must if you want to have peace everyday. Great.

This book is the best. Short recipies, most on only one page complete with an introduction to the recipe, accompaniments, serving suggestions, tips and resources for hard to find ingredients this book has it all. This is a collection of recipes from some of the greatest burger restaurants in the country like, P.J. Clarke's, Hut's Hamburgers, Mel's Drive-In and so many more. Wether you love beef, pork, veal, lamb, turkey, chicken or duck, you got the best recipies at your fingers. Legal Seafoods Tuna Burger, is "to die for" and it's here along with other fish, crab, lobster scallops and shrimp favorites. Veggie burgers never tasted better. This book is a must have for anyone that loves to cook, entertain and eat.

Overall, this book is what i wanted in terms of hamburger possiblities. There are some recipes that i wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole, although they are all well written and i think i could pull them all off if i decided to cook them. Good book on hamburgers and overall a good buy.

The collaborative effort of culinary expert Jane Murphy and food writer/recipe tester Liz Yeh Singh, The Great Big Burger Book is packed with one hundred recipes for lip-smacking burgers, ranging from such exotic offers as Shrimp Gumbo Burgers and Japanese Rice Burgers with Chicken Teriyaki, to brussel sprout, apple, and walnut burgers, and more. Recommendations for ingredient sources, along with tips, tricks, and techniques for preparing meat in general, round out this first-rate and highly recommended cookbook for folks of all kitchen skill and experience levels.

This book is yummy. The health-conscious authors offer lots of alternatives for the non-beef eaters among us and their burger toppings are great. The factoids and restaurant mentions that garnish the pages are fun, too. Highly recommended.

I love to BBQ and Grille (there is a big difference). My wife and I have cooked at least 10 of the recipes in this book and they are all fantastic. This book is not like some that give a handful of recipes, there are tons. This is very creative stuff, easy to cook and unbelievably flavorful. If you want to get oohs and aaahs over your cooking for the minimum effort, this is the book. And to think, they're just burgers! This is one of the "Man Trilogy" (as dubbed by me). The other 2 must have in the "man library" are the Weber Big Book of Grilling, and the Complete Meat Cookbook. Grille on!

Great book. Most of Hallinan's books are. How Do I Love You is his best.

This book is good. More for 5 year olds and up, I would think. I do have to explain a lot to my 4 and 2 1/2 year old what the words mean. But still, this is a nice book. Loving and fun! Pictures are bright and cheery!

This book is a perfect way to teach children how to be thankful for all the wonderful things God has given us. It shows that we should be thankful for non-material things. It is a precious book for parent and child to read together. It reminded me of a few things I needed to be thankful for!

This book is wonderful. My daughter and I read it every night at bedtime, and I never get tired of it. Now, I am on a mission to collect ALL of PK Hallinan's books. I think they all have a great message, they are well written, have beautiful pictures and are just all around the best kids' books I have encountered. Definitely a must have for all toddler moms-- and moms with young kids!

This is one of my favorite books to read to my son (almost 3 yrs. old). I love how the author reminds us to be thankful for the things that are easy to overlook, like the power of the mind or the look of an autumn day. It's helped everyone in our house to stop and be thankful for even the little things in our lives.

When I recieved the book, I felt like the book was too small to contain so much information. But now I feel like I've accomplished a lot!
The book is very helpful in every espect and it doesn't JUST help in SATs but also in writing an essay in high school.
I love this book. I think everyone who is taking the SAT should have a go and try this book. ^^
This was my first time buying something from Amazon and I'm very proud of myself for having a go. I love the books and the books were delivered fast and on the right date, the books are in fine state... I just love it.
Thank you Amazon

I had the pleasure of reading Mr. McCutcheon's new SAT book. It helped me immensely! I particularly needed help on the Essay portion. I followed the format that was outlined, and lo and behold I scored perfect on the Essay! This book is a must for all students!

I, being a normal adolescent, tend to procrastinate. As the SAT was looming over me and steadily approaching in a week's time, I quickly searched for a quick and easy lifesaver and chose this book. 3 days before the big day, I scoured the contents and followed the tips. The result? A perfect score on the essay (which is odd considering I'm a terrible writer--thus I attribute my good grade to this book.)

Now this isn't the "end all be all" to SAT essay books, but you do have to realize no book can really "teach" people how to write. Good writing comes from a combination of guidelines and tips (which this book provides), reading what the graders are looking for and "good" essays (which this book provides), and most importantly, practice (which only you can provide).

This has great tips on how to write an SAT essay. All you have to do is apply them!

I decided to get this book which I saw at a store and it was a lot smaller, and easier too read than most other SAT books. When I got my score back, it was 30 points under perfect. This is the best SAT help out there, and I reccomend it 100 percent. This book is exceptional.