Schools Books

Starting at this book, the entire series takes on a very dark overtone. Just who is Saint Dane? Why does he want everyone dead? After his last victory, what powers has he gained? And most of all, how will this effect the very boundaries of the territories?

The book starts where the creepy ending of the last book left off. Bobby returns through the flume to see that Saint Dane had made a change of look in front of Mark and Courtney and given them Gunny's disembodies hand in a bag.

After this, Bobby is thrown into a world full of people who are DEFINITLEY not human, and where humans are nothing but poorly treated slave animals to the dominant spieces. Did I mention that a mysterious plague is going to wipe out this entire territory and the only way to stop it is to cross items between the territories, one of the biggest Traveler rules?

Will this have an effect on everything? Will Mark and Courtney have a special task from now on? Who are the acolytes? How does the mysterious old man connect to Uncle Press? All of this is answered in this book of the Pendragon Series!

I was given a gift of the first Pendragon book. I groaned because I NEVER read science fiction/fantasy. I felt I should "try" to read it because, after all, it was a gift. Keep in mind that this series is for teens and I am a grandmother! You guessed it: I couldn't put it down. I am about to start Book # Seven - The Quillan Games. These are so very entertaining. I would highly recommend them to anyone over the age of 10!

The book Black Water is centered around the main character of Bobby Pendragon. Bobby is one of a few select individuals who are called Travelers. Travelers go all around Halla through flumes. The main part in the travelers job is to protect the territories in Halla This particular part in the series takes place on Eelong. Eelong is a jungle-filled territory where humans are called gars and, cats are the supreme rulers. The humans are treated terribly here. The gars are planning to escape, but Saint Dane is looking to ruin there plans. If Eelong falls so does Halla. Can Bobby save Eelong and the rest of Halla along with it?
This book not the best book in this Series; nevertheless, this is one of the best series I have ever read. This is a book that anyone can read and really enjoy it. It was on the New York Times bestseller. It gets your imagination running and you get lost in the wonder of the book. This book should be much more highly recognized than it is. This book is great and part of one of the greatest series of all time. This book is wonderful.

I have been a fan of fantasy and science fiction for all of my life. I stumbled upon this series and have enjoyed each of the books. As you progress with Bobby from book to book it hooks you into waiting for his next journal. The books are written for teens, but adults can enjoy them as well. The moderation is well done and consistent between each of the books so no different voices to piece together for the same character. I've found that as each book in the series builds upon each other, the storyline keeps getting better. I would recommend this series to both young adults and adults. As good does not always win in the books, as in real life, the storyline of perseverance and making hard choices parallels decisions that our youth face in their lives. A good series for anyone to read.

The first time I started reading "The Merchant of death," I loved it. I thought how could it get much better than this. Well, it just did. Black Water is the most "Spiff" book yet. When Bobby Gets to Eelong, he is instantly engulfed in exciting adventures and risks being eaten and killed in pretty much any way you could imagine all to stop Saint Daine from sending the territory in to chaos. This is a great book you'll love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mitch Huckaby

We really like this book. It makes kids really think about doing the right thing and being honest. It's great!

"The Empty Pot" is a nice Chinese fable that teaches an important lesson about honesty.

The Emperor was getting old and wanted to choose one child in the kingdom to succeed him. He posed a challenge for the children. He gave each child a flower seed. Whoever grew the most beautiful flower within one year would become the new emperor.

For one year, all of the children spent their time growing the most beautiful flower. Everyone was doing good, except for this one child named Ping who could not seem to get his flower seed to sprout a flower.

When the time comes to present each child's flower to the Emperor, Ping brings the empty pot with his flower seed and is declared the new Emperor. To find out how Ping becomes the Emperor, just read the book. It will surprise you.

As expected from Demi a beautifully illustrated (clean colored and detailed) book, a simple, sweet story with a gentle message. Ages 3 1/2 +

A great introductory book to different cultures. Can also be used as a jump start to many conversations (doing your best, being brave, honesty, growing seeds, seed viability etc)

Our family loves this book! It is a truly wonderful story that teaches such lessons as the importance of hard work and honesty! There is just something about this book that warms your heart!

This is such a wonderful book about honesty and humility. I saw it on Between the Lions one day and fell in love with the story. Not much else to say but to make sure you get this book!!

I thought this was one of the best of the hundereds of books I have read during my short 12 year-old life (I read ALOT). I like the way Karl turns out to be the good-guy and Eric was a vicious terrorist battling the Naizs by killing inocent civilians. I did like the way it started, better than most.

A truly amazing story of love and adventure, a definite read for anyone who longs for romance.

Cameron Dokey definately hit the mark creating an adventerous and romantic story line. However, I wasn't thrilled with the way the book was written. Too much information was repeated over and over. Instead of showing us the action and leaving the reader the joy of drawing inferences, the narrator, Anna, reveals every thought. These internal revelations came so frequently, I had a hard time believing Anna's conclusion at the end of the novel. The story was thrilling, but the characters didn't pop.

Hindenburg 1937 by Cameron Dokey is a great read, because it consists of romance, history, and a tad bit of adventure. I found myself not wanting to put it down because I so wanted to find out what would happen next. This book never gets boring, because there is always so much drama and events going on within the pages.
The main character is Anna Becker, a brave, young woman living in Germany. Her grandfather never finished his dying wish, but he was holding tickets for the trans-Atlantic voyage on the Hindenburg. Anna takes this as a sign to board the plane, despiter her fears. After all, if she doesn't leave her brother might marry her off so he can advance as a Nazi. Anna has bigger dreams than a housewife, which is another reason she takes the journey. She takes total trust in a stranger boarding the Hindenburg, because traveling alone is not safe. She soon finds out that his name is Erik Peterson and she really gets along with him until she sees that her first true love, Karl Mueller, is also on the plane, working for Germany.
This book has lots of twists and turns, so you'll be sure to stay interested. The festivities on the plane are always exciting and its fun to go along with Anna'a adventure. What is even more enjoying is the love triangle that is soon created. This book also refers to the voyage from history that changed Germany forever. The book is not a difficult one, and it's also easy to fall in love with the awesome plot.

This is the most beautiful historical romance fiction I've ever read. Anna must escape her brother in order to persue a future of her choice, instead of letting her brother choose it for her. So she aboards the Hindenburg and the excitement begins. I love this book to no ends even with its terrifying ending. Why Cameron, why??? I just have one last question: why choose a sad and-you know it's true- horrible ending when the story could've ended with me smiling in pleasure with hope, instead of me crying and believing that fate is truly twisted when it comes to love?

I read this book along time ago, but I can still remember it. It is an awesome story about the struggles of life years ago in the appalachian mountains. This story left me on the edge of the bed every night until I finished it. I want to read it again soon.

Silas House has written a beautiful book that is so descriptive that you'd swear you could smell the wet leaves as the characters walk through the woods after a spring rain. This love story between Irish Saul Sullivan and Cherokee Vine is not to be missed. Wonderfully drawn characters, (my favorite is Serena, the wild midwife who befriends Vine), and lyrical, evocative writing make this a story not to be missed. If you enjoy this as much as I did, read House's The Coal Tattoo next, followed by Clay's Quilt. This will follow the whole family's saga from start to finish. All of these are wonderful stories, but this is the best of the batch, followed closely by Clay's Quilt.

This is a beautifully written, beautifully told story of Vine, a young Cherokee woman in Kentucky of the early 1900's. Vine is a three dimensional character, well-defined and very real.

While the story is slowly paced, it does not lag in any way. House does a great job of describing what "Holler" life was like during that period of time, and especially what life was like for Native Americans. Esme, Aidia and Serena are also well written characters and add a great dynamic to the story.

I did find that the characters of Saul and Aaron needed a little bit more defining for me. Why did Aaron become the type of person that he did? Other than Saul being described as a man of few words, I never got a good sense of him. I'm not sure it was an entirely good idea to have written him out of so much of the book. I would have liked to have read more about the relationship between him and Vine. Regardless, this is still a great book that I highly recommend.

Silas House writes beautiful novels. He teaches rich American History many of us would never learn if not for his books. I love to read about the Appalachians.

One of the best novels I have ever read. This book has everything a good read should: characters that become real to the reader, a wonderful sense of place, a sense of history and knowledge. Not only do you get completely wrapped up in the world of Vine Sullivan, but you also learn more about yourself in the process. A truly beautiful book that I can't recommend highly enough. I've bought a copy for everyone I love.

I would have to say that so far, this is my favorite book out of the Everworld series (I still have 8 more to go). April, Jalil, David and Christopher have escaped Loki only to be in a never ending forest with not much to eat or drink. They finally come to what looks like a town and the smell of baking bread drives them closer to it. They find that it is more a prison than a town. Mostly everyone in town in male and terrified of "she". Who is this she and why is everyone so scared of her?

I loved this book because of its extreme intesity. It made you excited and anxious to see what happens next. It is unpredictable and builds up tension while you read. I would reccomend this book for anyone between the ages of 12-and up.

WOAH, this book is the best book that you will ever read (unless the other books that you read are in the Everworld series). In this book you will be the character Jalil and will go through many different journeys and will encounter many different foes. Many people who you will think who and what they are, but really aren't. Overall this book will blow your mind with the amazing descriptions of friends and enemies. I hope that you will enjoy reading this book!!! :-)

Jalil, David, April, and Christopher have landed in one of the worst places yet. They are fed and well taken care, Until they find out about a cave that could take them home. But instead they have entered the realm of Hel. Loki's half dead daughter. She can get all mens attention (Mortal, Immortal, and Gods). She has a beauty to her that no one can resist. David, Christopher and Jalil do not have a will of their own. When Hel is about toss them to her snake, Jalil comes upon Senna. This reunion was not good at all. Better yet, all of them are about to fall to Hel's giant snake that is miles long! W.T.E

A Review by Jonathan

The group Jalil, April, David, and Christopher are still searching for the witch Senna. They stumble upon a village of men. The need for food and rest drove them to an inn. They cannot leave this village unless a dredded "She" of which people speak, lets them. They learn of Loki's daughter Hel, and that she plans to torture them for the end of eternity. If they can't escape her clutches, they will certainly die.

I liked the feel of the environment of this book. It envelopes and immerses the reader. It creates an atmosphere that helps the reader along. It also creates a sense of emotion such as fear. Another point of liking is that it is very easy to get into. The book has a clean, crisp plot that is easily readable, yet enjoyable. One more point of interest is the problems that the characters face. This adds to the intensity of the book. I like the fact that most of their problems are god related. This makes it interesting because they also have to survive. They don't know what will happen to them in the real world if they die in Everworld. Sometimes the concept of their consciousness traveling between universes can be confusing, but I get it. This is a semi- easy book.

I recommend this book to people that take a liking to thrills and adventure. Also, there is a lot of action in this book. I think this book is excellent, I think the same about the entire series. This is a semi-easy book to read.

This is by far my favorite book from that genre. I first read it in high school and have gone back several times over the years. I just purchased it again to give to my 13 year old daughter.

I grew up in Santa Fe, reading this book, serving Mr. Bradford coffee at Zook's Pharmacy on the Plaza. Mr. Bradford's book reassured me that my turbulent adolescence was do-able, by lighting the way.
I have not been back there in thirty years. Santa Fe has been taken over by the rich and the entitled and they have squeezed the soul out of what we knew growing up there, though there is plenty of beauty and spirit left to be sucked dry by the commercial people. But if you want to know the siren song of Santa Fe, read this book. Sagrado is, indeed, Santa Fe. This was what it was like there even in the 1960's and 1970's.
I mean, where else could you have that unforgettable horse AND world-class opera AND the mountains AND the humility of entertaining the Native Americans by just being white people on the Plaza?
I read this book, I can smell the pine wood burning in the farolitos, and the breeze in the chamisa after the Summer afternoon cloudbursts.

This is a wondrous short novel. Read it if you'd like to be a teenager again. Buy an old paperback copy showing a teenage boy and girl standing facing each other with their foreheads touching--a very sweet illustration.

Now a good review (recommendation) doesn't have to be long, so let me give you a few lines of description. A boy moves from Alabama to New Mexico during World War II, and while his father is away in the war, the boy finds friends and a home in the small mountain town of Sagrado. One of his new friends is an sculptor who carves stone heads and places them on a hillside.

On the great book cover: Sometimes book covers actually decline in quality with the many printings of a book. This has happened with "Red Sky At Morning," but remember you are buying the book for the story.

Another example of the decline in a book's cover is seen in the early cover for "Summer of Night," by Dan Simmons.Summer of Night (Aspect Fantasy) The 1991 "Warner Book" edition has a window with a cut out. Through the window you can see some boys riding their bicycles at night. When you open the book, you see a mysterious school in the background.

The later covers of "Summer of Night" were not half as mysterious or fun.

As many others have said, it's impossible to get tired of this book. My parents gave it to me when I was 18 and (again, like several others) the first time I read it I found it a little slow and disjointed. It gets better and better with every read - each time I pick up on the subtleties of a scene for the first time.

Rather than boring the reader with a bunch of obnoxious capers and hijinks, Bradford envelops you in his characters' community, and it's this day-to-day banality (which turned me off so much the first time) that really draws you into the story. Josh's adjustment to Sagrado takes time, but when it comes it's so natural and amusing that you're almost completely unprepared for the sobering conclusion of the story.

I had no idea the book was so loved until I read these reviews. There are so many special moments in the story - the big wet snowfalls that ruins Chamaco's fiesta, the horribly backward residents of La Cima, the refreshing "white trashiness" of the Cloyd sisters, even Parker Holmes tearing an elk sandwich apart with his teeth.

I wish these characters existed in real life, and I wish I could be their friend.

I thouroughly enjoyed this book, I do not know how I missed it for so many years. It was recommended in Nancy Pearl's "Book Lust" (which you really should buy if you are an avid reader.) I have never been dissapointed by her recommendations.

Josh, as the narrator in "Red Sky at Morning" is a 17 year old high school senior at the end of WWII. His dry wit mad me laugh right out loud several times. I loved his sensibility and humor. The cast of characters in this book reminded me of some of the characters in "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving.

This is one of my favorite reads of the year, so much so I will probably hunt down a hard cover edition for my collection.

Although I'm in high school, I recently reread the book and found it refreshing. It's not very sophisticated, but it is a nice read. Also, Jacob's reactions to events in his life were quite... intriguing, to say the least.

What would you do if your mom died, and your Dad did not even know about it? Then your step Dad was going to send you away to your closest relatives really far away. Thunder Cave is the first book in a three book series, about a young teenager who was in a similar situation. The boy had a lot of courage, love and friendship that was beautifully written by Ronald Smith.
Thunder Cave is an emotional book about a boy named Jacob Lansa who is14 years old and from New York. His parents are separated and he lives with his Mom and her husband, Sam. His Dad is in Kenya helping the elephants survive the major drought. After his mother dies from a car accident Jacob has nowhere else to go because Sam is leaving. Sam tries to send Jacob to Nebraska to his closest relatives. But Jacob decided he wanted to be with his Dad. His Dad couldn't be reached, so he went on a courageous journey to Kenya on his own. He went through tough times. He got mugged, he runs low on money and he almost dies. But all of a sudden a remarkable friend came along and helped him. His friend was like rope that he held on to forever. Together they encountered elephant poachers who wanted to kill them. They also had to perform a rain dance to make it rain because of the drought.
Thunder Cave is one of the best books I have ever read. I liked it because no matter what happened to Jake he never gave up. I would recommend it to anybody who likes action and adventure books because it takes Jacob on an adventure that he and you will never forget.

this is a great book! this storey took place in kenya africa. a boy named jacoob lansa is looking for his father dr. robert lansa a feild biologist trying to save the african elephants. when jacoob nearly dies an african native man named supeet finds jacoob and helps jacoob find his dad! great book!!!

This book is a total eye opener. I recommend it to all readers my age. It's a total surprise. You'll be glued to the book as you turn each page. This exciting book will be one of your favorites. I read his other Crypted Book Sasquatch and it was amazing.

I met the author, Roland Smith, when he visited my elementary school years ago, and he made such an impact on me that I have never forgotten him or this book. I have re-read it at least half a dozen times, and the imagery and fantastic plot and message make this one of my all-time favorite books from my childhood. The great thing is that he really knows his stuff- he's worked with animals for years and traveled around the world, so his stories have an authentic feel rather than I'm-pretending-to-know-what-I'm-talking-about-but-really-don't. I would easily recommend this to any kid interested in a well written adventure and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

This book is beautifully written. The words on the page flow like musical notes. This book is a valuable addition to any home or school library and a great way to introduce children to the types of musical instruments. I love the way the book introduces the instruments one at a time and gives the vocabulary for the number of instruments in the orchestra each time a new instrument is added (solo, duo, trio, quartet, quintet, etc.). At the end of the book, the author shows how all of the instruments join together to create music "that we all adore."

Great picture book to use in the classroom from preschool through 4th grade. For 3rd through 4th graders, you could use this book as an engaging tool to discuss musical terms, context clues, alliteration, adjectives, prefixes.

This is my 4 y.o.'s favorite book. We had read it to her so many times that she has memorized it. She can name every instrument and tells me which ones she likes the best. A plus plus.

I purchased this for my Kindermusik class, and the only thing that would've made it better would've been a real violin. It is a charming book, and it wasn't too long even for 3 year olds.

My just-turned-3 year old likes this book, and so do I. It has deepened his curiousity about and enthusiasm for instruments and the music they make, and it has inspired him to play his miniature guitar both as a 'violin' and a 'cello' (though he knows he needs a bow!).

I like the illustrations very much, and the verse is also fun to read.

I was very happy that he liked the book so well--when the Amazon package arrived, he was hoping for a book about excavators--his other passion! I'm glad to say he was not at all disappointed, once he saw the pictures.

This book is one of my standard gifts to families with small children. It's a great way to introduce them to poetry, music, and art. It's a great vocabulary builder, too--I've read it to my 4th-6th grade choir and had to explain musical terms to them. Fun sounds and interesting pictures to explore!

Is there *anyone* on the planet who doesn't like Beverly Cleary's books and the wonderful characters she created?

Beezus and Ramona (along with Henry Huggins and the rest of the gang on Klikitak Street) were part of my childhood. 40 years later, they were just as appealing to my own son. And don't tell anyone -- although we bought these audiobooks when he was about 8, at 12 he still likes to put these on ocassionally and listen. Why? In large part because of Stockard Channing's masterful performance here. Her rendition of Ramona is EXACTLY how we imagine this impish little creature would talk.

I highly recommend these books, both because of the delightful stories and characters that Mrs. Clearly created for us, and because Stockard Channing has brought them to life so perfectly here. The stories are reminiscent of simpler times and will take parents back to their own childhoods while providing toddlers to tweens with good, wholesome entertainment.

We listened on road trips, and unlike certain kids entertainment (a certain purple dinosaur comes to mind), you won't want the kids to wear headphones to preserve your sanity. You'll want it on the main speakers for everyone in the car to enjoy.

Five stars!

If you have a little sister and think she's annoying, think again. Does your sister think Bendix is the most beautiful name in the world? Does she ruin your birthday cake--twice?! Sometimes little sisters are annoying, but Ramona is impossible! Beezuz, Roamona's big sister finds out that no matter what happens in her childhood with Ramona, they will think it funny when they grow up. I hope you'll enjoy this book!

Beezus really got annoyed with Ramona, she wrecked the art class, she bite into all those apples,etc. I would have probably screamed if I had Ramona for a sister! I like Beverly Cleary's books. I own this particular book of hers, and I read it again and again! It's awsome! I totally recomend it, along with Cleary's other awsome books!

I recently read this to my 8yo daughter (who has a 4yo brother) and she loved it even moreso than some of the more Ramona-centred book, I think because she could relate so much to Beezus's feelings. She was particularly taken with the first story about Ramona's obsession with the libary book as we have similar issues with The Very Hungry Caterpillar at our house.

Ask any older sibling about younger siblings, and you'll get one common answer...they're A-N-N-O-Y-I-N-G. They steal your toys, throw tantrums, and constantly steal the spotlight. But, even the most perturbed older siblings know that, deep down, it's impossible not to love younger sisters and brothers - sometimes.

Nine-year-old Beatrice "Beezus" Quimby has always been a quiet soul, content with spending her time embroidering pot holders, helping her mother do the sheets on Saturday's, and reading the countless books she checks out of the Glenwood Branch Library on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, her four-year-old sister, Ramona, is the exact opposite of her. Ramona has one thing on her mind, and that's making as much noise as possible, and driving the whole family out of their mind. Beezus can't stand it, especially since the responsibility of taking care of Ramona, and ensuring that she behaves, is often delegated to her, so that her parents can get their work done. Ramona, however, refuses to obey Beezus. Unless, of course, she's reading one of her favorite books - The Littlest Steam Shovel, or Big Steve the Steam Shovel - to her. But even that doesn't keep Ramona occupied for long. When Beezus is in the midst of creating pictures for her art class, Ramona is there to cause a mess, and challenge Beezus' imagination. When Ramona is offered two marshmallows as a snack, she uses them as powder puffs, as opposed to putting them in her tummy, where they belong. During checkers games with Beezus' pal Henry Huggins, Ramona destroys the checkerboard, and wreaks all sorts of havoc - even some involving Henry's beloved dog Ribsy. In Beezus' eyes, she can't win - even when it's her birthday. But as she gets older, and learns more about her mother's relationships with her siblings, Beezus begins to realize that, as obnoxious as Ramona is, she's still her sister. And even though she may become angry at Ramona for her crazy antics; she still loves her - just not all the time.

I fell in love with Beverly Cleary's RAMONA books when I was five-years-old, and now that I have decided to re-read them, I'm finding that I can't help but fall in love with them all over again. I feel as if I have reverted back to my five-year-old self, and can actually relate to the mishaps that continually take place during both Ramona, and Beezus' lives. Beezus is such a fun character, who seems wise beyond her years, and is serious to a motherly extent. Ramona, on the other hand, is carefree and impossible to handle. Her wacky thoughts, and determination to always have her way is humorous; while some of the debacles she finds herself in are downright cringe-worthy. Cleary has penned a book here that is essential to read aloud to both older and younger children. The message of love is clear on every page, and truly helps to bring siblings together. Clever, funny, and irresistible.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Those that are positive that this book is a fantasy and therefore will not be read by them really needs to think straight. No, this is not a fantasy, which did surprise me considering Ms. Snyder's passion for the weird. Instead, it is a book about those oh-so-classic themes of family, friendship, and growing up.

Snyder makes a wondrous world between two small-town friends who are as different as different can be. One becomes enchanted by the passion and creativity of the other, and this is a friendship that leads them through the changes of life.

It's touching and inspiring. A great girl book.

There are some typical "teen novel" elements but overall this is a great story of friendship. Shy, awkward, overweight and sensitive Martha Abbott is a misfit in her own shallow and constrained upper-middle-class family, who take her for granted. Martha befriends the vibrant, imaginative, and outgoing Ivy Carson, herself a misfit in her own poor, wrong-side-of-the-tracks, criminal fringe family. Their sometimes-misunderstood friendship nurtures and sustains them over the years, and their imaginary games help inspire their own inner talents. Even through separation and quarrels, their bond remains strong, and the reader can see how much each owes the other as they grow. A touching tribute to both the power and joys of friendship and the imagination. A blessing to see it's back in print.

This book gave me new ways of looking at the world, at myself and at my neighbors when I was 11 years old and read it for the first time. And the second. And the third... I don't think there are many American girls who could not identify both with Martha and with Ivy, in turns, as these tender characters vividly represent the dichotomy of female adolescence.

I have sought out, purchased and given away a number of copies of this book in recent years, and now that it is in print again I have just ordered two copies. One is for my friend's 14 year old daughter who lives overseas and has few options for books in English, and the other I will save for my granddaughter, who was just born. Her mother will re-read the book in the meantime (after I do) and we will both relive a wonderful experience which helped us cope with a most difficult time of life.

The Changeling is a very intresting book. Martha Abott goes through some tough times at Roosevelt High School. The Changeling is such a wonderful book. This book is confusing yet mind boggling. The Changeling's end is very sad. Sad enough to make you cry. Martha Abott meets someone who she thinks is from supernatural parents. When Martha spends time with this person,she discovers

Recently, was at the book store helping my 10y son look for a book to read, I ran across a copy of "The Headless Cupid" I bought it and asked to order "The changeling" but they couldn't get it for me, So I turn to the internet (Got to love eBay) and found it. I read it as soon as I received it. I've ordered several more of Snyder's books as well. Maybe my kids will enjoy them as much as I have.

I was 12y. at the time I first read it. I wasn't a "reader" this was one of the first I had ever read that I didn't force myself to finish. I lost myself in the pages. I felt a huge connection to Ivy our life's were so similar, she had a better outlook on life one I longed to have. Since then I have read a fair amount of books but none ever touched me the same way.