Day Books

These poems are amazing, haunting, beautiful. Full of emotional quicksand to pull you down into a miasma of broken dreams, lost love, aching, joy and wishing for things just out of our reach. I will be giving this book as gifts over the holidays.

Poetry is a funny thing. Poems considered epic, famous or great usually put the reader to sleep. On the other hand, a saucy limerick scribbled on a bathroom wall might be remembered for a lifetime. So, when one opens a poetry book one usually expects the worst. These days, most poems tend to be long-winded, self-indulgent echoes of rock lyrics and soap-opera dialogue, and read like free-association bonanzas. Therefore, poetry is suspect from the word Go and carries an onus of high-falootin' ridiculousness. What a pleasure to come across a book of poetry with all the classical trappings of "great poetry," rendered in a hip, modern meter, that actually speaks to current states of mind.
At first glance, Michael Andros' new collection, On Cloudless Days The Insects Sing, presents a Victorian visage, but as one takes the trouble to read the individual poems therein, his looseness and aloofness becomes apparent. What at first glance seems formal turns out to be fun and erotic. Andros must be aware of his difficult situation, and he never shies away from addressing the architecture of his inspiration (in the poem And Uncertainties, Put Away he even says, "My dreams come, unbidden to me, in twilight..."). Andros shows us what the romanticism of the Twenty-first Century might look like. He draws on much that is established and cliched, yet the result winds up in new, unexplored territory. Anyone needing reassurance about the state of the art need only read such doozies as Her Scent Of Pine And Dogwood Trees or In You I Sail Forever.
Those familiar with Andros' previous work his hard-hitting sexy graphics and take-no-prisoners poems might expect something harsh in this book. Not the case. Andros' verbal versatility takes a different path. With lilting loveliness he caresses the senses. He lets it all hang out with everyday expressions of love and desire. He likes things the way they are but doesn't mind transforming himself into something new when necessary. Therein lies a lesson for today's wannabe poets: don't be afraid to let the past shape the future.

Wow, this is now my most cherished book of poetry! Imaginatively forceful. Dark and mysterious with deep expression of pain, loss and sensual longing. Making it a meaningful, eloquent, evocative gift for lovers and poetry lovers everywhere. I can't wait for this author's next book so I can start a collection of his beautiful work.

Usually I am not fond of poetry. Sometimes poets lay it on too thick, try too hard, or don't make sense. This book is art with words. It's not forced or simplistic. At the same time, it's not too fantastical as to be a contrived product, where "deep" poems all too often spiral out of control, sucked into a vortex of narcissism and irrelevance that is fueled by their creation. Michael Andros is a talented writer. His poems touched me deeply. These are poems created by an author who wears his heart on his sleeve, and the naked honesty made me ache on many levels.

If you are looking for a journey...and you can relate to passion,loss,pain,love,and words not spoken by most, definately pick up this book. I find myself impressed by his style and honesty. Poetry is meant to represents passion, and I found it in the writer.
Deborah

What can be said--this calendar rules! I love the pix, the quotes from cat-lovers of yorn and the tips on cat care. Looking forward to next year!

If you want a page-a-day calendar that has cute pictures of cats taken by ordinary people, then get this calendar.

The photos are entries in a calendar contest, providing better photos than any one person could assemble. The photos are larger than other page-a-day cat calendars, taking 2/3 of the available space, for better visibility. The daily notes are educational and entertaining. This is THE page-a-day cat calendar to buy. None other comes close.

This is the best cat calendar on the market. I look forward to reading every new day's page. The pictures are awesome. Every cat lover should have one.

My wife is a cat lover. This calender a different cat a day for the year. What else can you say, it's purrrr-fect.

Many of the recipes I tried in this book I love.
My favorites include the Pork Chops in Onion Gravy, Caramelized Garlic Chicken and the Glazed chicken with couscous.
I never tried or even thought of trying couscous before so it was interesting to try it out.
The recipes I tried are tasty, fast and healthier than some others books I have.

This is a cookbook I use often. It has easy, healthy recipes that require ingredients already in my pantry. Great book!

I was very satisfied with this cookbook that I saw in a bookstore but got on Amazon for half the price.

So far I have made 3 of the recipes (the ratatouille stew, tuna sandwiches, and salmon with leeks) and they have all been delicious. They were also easy to make and the ingredients were not hard to find or expensive.

The recipes are healthy while still having lots of flavor, so your family will likely enjoy them.

The only thing I might object to would be the use of some artificial or highly processed ingredients (like canned salmon or some prepackaged foods), but these wouldn't be hard to replace. It just might require a little extra time, but if you prefer to eat natural/organic foods, these recipes could be easily modified.

I would definitely recommend this cookbook.

I bought this book when I got married in an effort to help my husband and I support a more healthy lifestyle (ok, we wanted to lose some weight!). This book has by far exceeded my expectations--i use it at least three to four times a week!
the highlights:
-meals that truly can be prepared quickly
-"normal" ingredients that I can find at a regular grocery store and won't sit in my fridge for months after using them once
-truly tasty recipes that rarely taste "lowfat"
-a wide variety of recipes with a multitude of flavors and tastes that suit both the adventureous eater or a more conservative palate.
-directions that are easy to follow with helpful information sidebars. Even you 'non-cooks' out there can use this book!
-It lists nutrition info with each recipe, so you know exactly how many calories and how much fat you're taking in with each dish.

The book is divided into sections for each type of food (ie chicken, fish, breads, etc), and it has a pretty good index in the back so it is easy to find things.
The only thing I would do different is that the entrees don't list suggestions for sides, which would be helpful for those of us who don't have an intuition for that sort of thing.
A book that does do this is "Make it in Minutes", a book by weight watchers that is my second favorite cookbook. Ignore the WW thing, and pick this book up too. It has some great recipes as well!

This cookbook has it all! Normal recipes, easy to follow large print, beautiful glossy pictures and pages, and nutrional information. It tells you to use yogurts etc instead of sour cream and healthier versions of cooking. It has general calorie information for foods, and general cooking tips and suggestions for things you can throw into the recipe if you have leftovers. Something I have never seen before. It has tips on how to spot good produce and the right cuts of meats. I can never seem to find recipes in other books I have bought that I would actually use, but I have used this book several times. I have made the meatloaf several times, and everytime my family loves it. I like it because it tells you that you can use breadcrumbs or smashed crackers as I stated above, it gives options in the recipe, with tips above the recipe. Most cookbooks don't do that. I would reccommend this to a beginner or a parent that doesn't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen after a long day at work, like me.

The literature was outstanding. A tremendous book and a tremendous story. I have nothing but praise for all the books that I recieved and ordered. They are all great.
The service at "Amazon" was at exactly the opposite end of scale. It was simply atrocious and extremely expensive. A recent order had approximately $95.00 worth of literature and very near the same price for the shipping and handling. Thereby doubling the cost of the books. Not only was the service expensive but was very, very time consuming and no way to track the majority of the shipments. The cost was immediate but the arrival of the material was up to a month for continental United States deliveries. VERY VERY UNSATISFACTORY!!!

Awesome book. Loved very page.Now my number one place to visit ASAP is Wyoming in order to walk where these brave Saints walked! A must read.

Andrew Olsen shows that the stereotypical account of the Mormon handcart pioneers is but a crude facsimile of the incredible reality. Olsen digs deep into the journals to expose the lives of these pioneers: their faithfulness, their faults and folies, their lives in England, their conversion stories, and some cases their tragic deaths or disheartening loss of faith.

These pioneers are not charictatures of Mormons. Olsen reveals them to be familiar people. Once can imagine them today as friend, acquaintance, or family member. Their feelings, frustrations, and expressions of faith are almost typical of today's devout, despite the passage of time. That their lives are far from typical is what makes their story so compelling.

Olsen breaks new ground in his exposition of the fatal decision to embark the Martin and Willie companies far too late in the season, and the underlying hubris of Franklin Richards. Richards is the President of the Mission to Great Britain who accompanies his emigrants back to Zion. The Pioneers accept promises of divine protection and choose to proceed with their fateful journey. That the Pioneers are over-eager to proceed and completely trusting of their leaders places great importance on the actions of Richards and others.

Richards had chances to prevent the tragedy and was counseled by company leaders including Jesse Savage to hold the companies over for the season. Instead of listening to wise counsel he severely rebuked Savage and others and the result was tragedy. One would expect Savage to depart the ill-fated companies after such a rebuke, but he doesn't. In a remarkable demonstration of faith and humility he journeys with them, one of the most valuable pioneers, and saves numerous lives with his efforts. For the rest of his life, Savage is not known to bear ill-will or to engage in any "I told you so" gratuitous vindication.

The frost-bite, starvation, death, and other trials are painful to contemplate in this day, especially because we feel as though we know these people. They show resiliance and courage, even in death. For some survivors, their experience is a gateway to a life of divine joy in religious experience. The reader is left to marvel at the mirror-opposite themes strewn throughout the pages: humility and hubris, faith and despair, failure and triumph, even joy in the face of suffering and death.

More than a history, reading this book for me was a mind-expanding experience

18 Oc 2006
I found this book to exceed my expectations in every way. I had numerous questions about "the rest of the story" from prior works by various authors. This volume answered all that came to mind. I found the organization made for greater clarity than ever before while the tone of the book made it easy to read and left me waiting for the next work by this very talented author.
The stories shared are inspiring without being mushy. These real life characters and the tragedies they encountered make these very frail humans seem larger than life for their commitment, obedience and ability to persist in the face of death.
My thanks to Mr. Olsen for all the infill as well as the original material shown here for the first time which adds to the majesty of these early converts to the LDS faith. It will be of universal value for anyone who has pioneers in their family line or pioneering in their hearts.
This book is sure to inspire and uplift those who read it, think about it in the context of their own families then research their family history. It remains to be seen just how widely this book will influence others but the content will certainly bring a sense of family appreciation and desire for further information about our common forefathers.
Shalom,
rhp

Andrew Olsen presents facts and analysis. He separates the Willie story from the Martin story. He pulls together facts about indivuals and gives plenty of individual experiences. Some of the families are so similar in background, conversion stories, and hardships that they tend to blend together yet this book gives details to accentate the differences when possible.
Mistakes and human weakness are not glossed over but explored in a non-judgemental form. The reader is allowed to digest the information. The life experiences after the trek are given.
Don't stop at the end of the chapters as the notes at the end are interesting.
My only criticism is Chapter 20 "Remember". It takes a different tone and gives the author's personal feelings about visiting Martin's Cove. The facts and journal voices in the other chapters allow the reader to feel the events better than chapter 20.

I've tried just about every way of eating there is and I have to say that this way of eating makes the most sense for me.

Mixed proteins for two meals make good sense and are easier to digest and absorb vs. eating a lot of one type of high stress protein.

Too much protein for me is not a good thing and tends to deplete my magnesium and other minerals like possibly calcium.
CC meals at suppertime seem to be a good idea for me so that I can maintain good magnesium levels and more.

Jack Tips is very devoted to holistic health care and I respect him and his unique and very sensible point of view. He's a great guy too.

I like this book a lot.

I love this book! It is an excellent source of data about how the body works and the best way to feed it. It totally changed my life and when I eat the way Jack says to my body is happy and when I don't it gives me trouble. When combined with the data in Dr. D'Adamo's books on blood type foods, it can't help but make people healthier. I have told many, many people about this book over the years and highly, highly recommend it to all. I even met Jack several years ago and found him to be a very sane, truthful researcher and that comes across in his book. By the way, all of his books are equally excellent for sharing the truth.

With a new diet book entering the market place every few months often leading people from one extreme to another, how refreshing it is to find common-sense nutritional wisdom that can really be a positive influence in a person's health. Pro-Vita! is a nutritional classic, timeless, and always helpful in showing how to use foods for health, healing and vitality. Thank you.

This is without a doubt the most comprehensive book on diet and nutrition I have found. Simply put, no nonsense information, easy to follow. All of a sudden everything that you have heard and read about your body and the food you eat, makes sense...

I have been researching alternative health for some time now, and I have read works by numerous authors. It's always hard for me to evaluate who's correct and what to believe. In my search so far, I have found Jack Tips to be seemingly the most trustworthy, accurate, and balanced author writing in this area. The Pro-Vita! Plan is his most important (and, in my opinion, his best) work. I would also recommend his other books, especially Your Liver-Your Lifeline.

Saints for young readers tells about the life of a saint whose feast day it is that day. It is on the reading level of about a 3rd grader, though, with very few pictures in the book, it may take a 4th grader to be interested in it. These one to two page stories are enjoyable and about a variety of saints. As the back cover says, "In these books [IE. the two volumes which cover the year] you will meet saints from every nation and race, from centuries long past right down to recent times. You will come to know saintly kings and workers, queens and housemaids, popes and priests, nuns and religious brothers. They were doctors and farmers, soldiers and lawyers, mothers and fathers, teenagers and children. These great and humble men and women prayed and worked, and never gave up trusting in Jesus. You can be like them too." At the end of each story there is some way suggested that you can apply some principle of the saint's life into the daily lives of children.
If you are looking for picture books on saints you may want to read my reviews of over 30 books on the saints.

This is a beautifully illustrated collection of stories about saints and faith-oriented legends. The text is easy to read and well-suited to children age 9 years on up to adults. The story-telling style is wonderful...a great book for big kids to read to their younger brothers and sisters, and for parents and teachers to share with their classes.

Saints for young readers tells about the life of a saint whose feast day it is that day. It is on the reading level of about a 3rd grader, though, with very few pictures in the book, it may take a 4th grader to be interested in it. These one to two page stories are enjoyable and about a variety of saints. As the back cover says, "In these books [IE. the two volumes which cover the year] you will meet saints from every nation and race, from centuries long past right down to recent times. You will come to know saintly kings and workers, queens and housemaids, popes and priests, nuns and religious brothers. They were doctors and farmers, soldiers and lawyers, mothers and fathers, teenagers and children. These great and humble men and women prayed and worked, and never gave up trusting in Jesus. You can be like them too." At the end of each story there is some way suggested that you can apply some principle of the saint's life into the daily lives of children.
If you are looking for picture books on saints you may want to read my reviews of over 30 books on the saints.

The previous reviews are about a different book. STandL is not a comprehensive educational manual about the lives of saints. It is a beautifully illustrated collection of inspiring folk tales and saints' stories told in a manner that adults and children will enjoy. This would be a great gift book for ages eight on up, although my five-year-old enjoys having the stories read to him.

Coupled with a chapter from the New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism (#1), nightly readings from Pauline Media's two-volume "Saints for Young Readers" are an excellent way for parents to catechize their children.

Organized to parallel the Church's liturgical calendar, each day's saint is given a two-page biographical sketch that highlights his or her life, virtues, and holiness. Also included is a brief reflection or prayer based on a virtue exemplified by the saint.

The book is easy to understand. There are plenty of examples and the exercise help reinforce what you learnt. The two negatives are: it's not XSLT 2.0 and the printing and binding of the book is poor. It is still a good way to learn XSLT. It would be great to have a study group guide.

Some PROs and CONs...

Pros:
Topic flows very well. Author was able to explain each topic without asking reader to refer to upcoming forward chapters. Best part of this book are the examples. They are relevant and short and sweet enough to understand. Best of all, there are lots of examples. The author doesn't just slap them on the page and tell you to figure it out yourself. The author walks the reader thru them.

Cons:
Some areas reads like a technical manual.. causing me to reread sentences over and again. But that said, the book still comes across as tutorial friendly (You figure that out.).

Comparisons:
I rate the book 5 stars. I own Beginnning XSLT 2.0 by Tennison, XSLT 2.0 by Kay, and Mastering XSLT by White. My opinion is that XSLT in 21 days is the best book to get you to learn it the quickest because of the author's superb examples.

If you know absolutely nothing about XSLT, this is the book for you. Very straightforward. I got through the first week (7 chapters) in about a day. You could easily read and understand most of the content in this book in less than a few days. Great for anyone wanting to pick up the language quickly. For advanced users, this is probably not your book.

This book works. It does, however, assume that you have a meaningful level of computer proficiency. This is probably a safe assumption for anyone intending to go spelunking in XML files and performing transformations on same.

To complete the book's lessons, you'll need to download and install one of the free XSLT parsing engines listed in the book. Alternatively, I used the jEdit free text browser and its associated XSLT plugin to run the examples.

I don't believe in assigning five stars, or I would have for this book.

Best book to start out with XSLT;
quickly takes you to the point where you can put knowledge from the book to work;

ALSO - it is very easy to follow the Book on the road BECAUSE it explains exactly what each line of code in examples does;

Very thourough analysis and not much mumbo-jambo (as in xslt for dummmies book)

"The intriguing novel 7 Days by Sammie Ward delivers a page turning read about murder and suspense exposing political life and the shadiness that can be found."

"There are only seven days until Lieutenant Colonel Victor Sexton's retirement from the Army Criminal Investigation Division becomes official. His dreams about living a simple life are about o become a reality. He's looking forward to beginning the second phase of his life. Unfortunately a series of events changes his plans. "

"First of all a previous acquaintance re-enters his life and several murders occur which draws him into an investigation that uncovers information that forces Victor to question the motives of those whom he thought he could trust."

"Sammie Ward does a remarkable job pulling readers into this dynamic story full of dirty deals, infidelity, and hidden agendas. Ward's ability to capture the reader with her well developed characters will keep your eyes glued to the pages of this compelling story."

Lieutenant Colonel Victor Sexton is not a complicated man. He likes things simple; so simple, in fact, that after his retirement from the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), he's looking forward to settling into a low-key life of co-managing the Cadence Supper Club, a local nightclub owned by his brother, Gerald. Other prospects, such as a career in politics, tempt Victor, but he's resolved to getting some much-needed rest after a long life of service and sacrifice. All he has to do is wait seven days, and his dreams of a new life finally become a reality.

Suddenly, a series of events erupt in quick succession that threaten the cherished stability and simplicity that Victor craves. First, he unexpectedly re-enters the life of the lovely Captain Dominique Frazier, officer in the Army Nurses Corp, with whom he had a brief but torrid affair over three years ago. Next, a series of suspicious murders involving Victor's friends and close associates disturbs the peaceful, ordered life to which he's become accustomed. Finally, as he investigates the murders further, the hidden truths that he reveals cast shadows of doubt on those he has grown to trust, and he becomes an increasingly dangerous threat - most especially to his own life.

7 Days is a fast-paced and enjoyable read. The dialogue is crisp, the action quite satisfying, and Ward does an excellent job of crafting a compelling storyline, capturing the realities of back-room deals and the many other unsavory truths of political life. With each new plot twist, she leaves you with just enough questions to keep your interest at such a high level that it often feels as though you can't turn the pages fast enough.

Moreover, 7 Days differs from many of its relatives in the suspense/thriller genre because of its true heart: by displaying the concomitant agony that Victor endures as each of the tough decisions that he has to make places further strain on his personal and professional relationships, Ward gives us the true embodiment of a hero: physically and spiritually conflicted, yet resolved to do what's right for a cause greater than his own. His determination to persevere until true justice is served wins Victor your constant admiration and respect and keeps you silently cheering for him to overcome increasingly tougher obstacles.

Look out for more great works by Sammie Ward. Her versatility in interweaving such divergent themes as political intrigue, infidelity, and ghosts from the past makes her a superb writer to watch.

Sammie Ward masterfully draws the reader in a fast-pace, page turner that spins a web of intrigue, murder, and suspense. This lethal combination with romance will leave you wanting more than Seven Days!

SEVEN DAYS by Sammie Ward is a mystery involving military personnel and murder in the Officer's Quarters. Lt. Col. Victor Sexton had a week left in the military before retiring when the murder of a female Lieutenant occurred in her quarters on base. There was no one around at the time of the crime except her married lover's wife, who had followed them. Sexton wasn't interested in her story about seeing another man on the scene. Sexton saw it as a way to take the pressure off. Meanwhile, a former commander's wife set him up with a blind date. He wasn't very interested, but because of his relationship with the commander who now a senator, he agreed to go. The blind date, Dominique, wasn't interested in him either, that is until she saw him. He was the same man she had a two week affair with two years ago which abruptly ended when he left Germany and didn't tell her as much as good-bye. She also had a vested interest in solving the mystery of the murdered woman because she was a nurse under her command. Soon another nurse died in a very similar way and Sexton knew he must solve this case before the killer got Dominique. The pressure was on.

Sammie Ward created a mystery with a lot of tension, hot romantic scenes and hidden agendas. The characters were well developed and the plot kept the suspense going until the end. There was even suspense in the rekindled affair between Victor and Dominique. Would they succeed this time or was Dominique still too angry at his abrupt departure two years ago? It was a real page turner that I couldn't put down until the last word. It was an excellent read for those who love mystery entwined with romance. You got plenty of both in this excellent book.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Seven Days by Ms. Sammie Ward, tells us the story of Colonel Victor Sexton. He has served sixteen years in the United States Army and is due to retire in just seven days. As Victor prepares for life as a civilian, a nurse is found dead in her room. As Victor's last assignment in the Criminal Investigation Division, he is determined to find her killer before his retirement.

Along with investigating the murder of Lieutenant Tamara Hill, Victor tries to win back the affection of Captain Dominique Frazier. A woman that he spent two wonderful weeks with in Europe a few years back, before he was unexpectedly called away on duty. After Dominique gets transferred near Victor, he is convinced that fate brought them back together. Dominique, hurt from his sudden departure, refuses to accept that she still has feelings for Victor and continues to push him away.

Seven Days is a good book to curl up to on a rainy day or any day. This is a fast-paced mystery that will have you wondering whodunit all the way to the end.

Reviewed by Shaquitta Leday
APOOO BookClub

"Shaker Days" was a very heartwarming and a suspenseful book with many plots and twists especially in the end. For those people who like books with unique and happy endings, this would be a perfect book. The characters' personalities are designed to perfectly balance out the whole story which it practically did. Two thumbs up for the Shaker Days!

Mitchell Bendersky, 13 years old.

Don Terbush's Shaker Days is like a breath of fresh air! I have purchased several copies of this book, and many in my life will be receiving it for Christmas! This sentimental, inspiring and true-to-life tale is exactly what we need to counteract the deluge of violence, corruption and opulence in our society. I wholeheartedly agree with other reviewers that it should be made in to a movie! I'd stand in line on a cold winter night to see it, too!

From the first page, I wanted to return back in time and go to the town of Lynwood, California, even if it did have earthquakes now and then. Life was simpler back then and somehow it seemed more "real" than our media soaked lives today. Set in the summer of 1932, this story has all the elements necessary to make the reader fall in love with the down-to-earth character of Joe and his spirited, seven-year-old sister Katie. Whether it is the summer past-time of sliding down a grassy hill on piece of cardboard, or sticking a berry brier thorn to ones nose and instantly becoming a Rhino, the reader can not help but care about and identify with these kids.

Joe and Katie experience life much the same way that many children did in the 1930's. They were poor, but didn't know it. The only difference is that in the summer of 1932, when Joe was twelve years old, his mother passed away from an illness. These two crestfallen kids were left with a relatively non-existent Father to raise them until their Grandmother came from Illinois. As the summer progresses, further tragedy strikes this household, and lives are changed forever.

The story snakes its way through the life of the main character, Joe and his friends. These kids are a quirky, wise-cracking, worm-loving and baseball-stat-citing lot and they have many hair-raising interactions with the toughest bully in town. They manage to survive being robbed by this bully on their way to the matinee one Sunday and Terbush's description of the event makes the reader's stomach queasy.

Joe's teacher, the sweet Miss Potten, becomes quite an influence on Joe that summer, as she lends her maternal ear to his troubles. He develops a crush on this kindhearted woman, and she guides him through this tumultuous and bewildering time in his life. To say that he learns many lessons from her would be an understatement. This book introduces complex dialogues about grief over the loss of a loved-one, the difference between right and wrong, the difficult process of choosing the correct path in life, as opposed to choosing the most attractive and popular path and it delves into the important value of family ties and the bonds of love that form early in life.

Joe and Katie experience the pain of violent crime and learn about the punishment that is handed out to those committing such acts. They uncover the tragic truth about other people's lives and learn to cope with their findings in an immensely "adult" manner. Joe even learns that his favorite baseball legends are not infallible.

Joe and Katie grow up quickly during that summer, and they (along with the reader) are reminded of just what is truly important in life. Joe, in particular, learns that the road less traveled just might be the best road to take, even though the alternative road is mighty attractive. This boy grows in to a fine, young man right before the reader's eyes.

The valuable life lessons are mixed in with the fascinating back-drop of 1930's Hollywood and Terbush has crafted accurate scenes describing the glitz of the movie star crowd. The well-formed descriptions of the old Rolls-Royce that one movie star drives and the larger-than-life stars of the silver screen are solid. These movie stars, who live close to Joe and Katie, further enchant the reader. The glamour of the Hollywood scene that manages to encroach on the lives of Joe and Katie is alluring and captivating.

Much like real life, this book does not end with a "happily ever after" sequence. It is a poignant book that will leave the reader evaluating their own lives and the decisions they make everyday. It will teach young readers about the true value of material things and the feeling of pride upon treating others with dignity and respect. The education and pure entertainment this book brings is far too intricate to mention fully here.

This book should be made in to a movie, so that the whole family can ceremoniously watch it every Thanksgiving day for years to come. It would be watched year after year, each time reminding us of a simpler world when people focused on doing what is right and when their lives revolved around their dedication and love for their family (and baseball).

Read this book and share it with others. It will warm your heart and remind you of how our lives once were and could be again.

SHAKER DAYS- from the title to the very end of the book, Don Terbush takes a creative and engaging look into the life of a young boy growing up in Southern California during the 30's. The relationship between Joe and his sister Katie unfolds with each turn of the page and takes you on a journey of love, heartache, and triumph. Once I began reading, I carried the book with me filling gaps in my day with the chronicle of Joe's "coming of age". This book is deeply moving, making you wipe away tears one moment, then smile the next. "Caring" is the tread Don uses to weave a beautiful tapestry which envelopes you with a feeling of contentment and satisfaction regarding the outcome of the characters you have come to know and love through the penning of the author. What a great movie this story would make!!

I truly enjoyed reading Shaker Days. The first few chapters were a little slow moving for me, but once it gets into chapter 4 the story really takes off. The characters are very relatable and compelling. I found myself laughing out loud at the character of Katie (the loveable younger sister of the lead character Joe). She reminded me of me when I was her age! There are also some very touching parts of the book. I cried a few times when..., well I don't want to give away any of the plot line. Read Shaker Days, you will enjoy it.

I wish there were more writers today like Don Terbush. What a delightful, well thought out coming of age story. Set in 1933, Terbush gives us a beautiful portrayal of middle class life in depression era Los Angeles and in one sub-plot clashes it with Hollywood life and values. A great read I didn't want to end.

Wow! So glad I bought this! The list of core elements and how to come up with them was key to finally getting me to find a focus for wedding style and colors -- worth every penny!! I bought several other pretty books, but couldn't figure out how to make them apply to my wedding, Signature Weddings has truly helped me design a wedding that will be special for us =)

Wonderful book! Full of beautiful idea's, wonderful wedding wisdom, and you can tell it is written by a person who loves her work.

This gorgeous, inspiring book is worth every penny. Buy it. You won't regret it. Its amazingly full of ideas and inspiration, no matter what kind of wedding you're planning.

If Anna Wintour were to pick a wedding book that was as visually and editorially pleasing to the bride as Vogue is to fashionista's she would definetly pick Signature Weddings. Not only are the ideas obtainable the book really shows you how to personlize your wedding. After reading this book I feel that I am able to help make my wedding a wonderful memorable event...one filled with love and inspiration. I have only had the book for only a week and have read it from cover to cover.

I was searching online for an inspirational book to help kick start my wedding planning. I purchased Michelle Rago's new book and it has been wonderful! I love the pictures and they way she describes everything made me feel like I could really have all those things at MY wedding!! A must have for any new bride.