A Books

I was in love with Katia Gordeeva & Sergei Grinkov from the moment I first saw them skating together. Their classic routines were perfect enough to win many world championships including a 1988 Olympic gold medal in Calgary Canada.

Romance eventually blossomed and the beautifully matched pair were married in April of 1991. Their daughter, Daria Sergeyevna Grinkova, was born in my favorite Morristown NJ a little over a year later.

Reading Katia's memories of their life and love still brings tears to my eyes.

I recommend this book for its portrait of pure innocence enframed in the magical world of ice skating.

What a wonderful story this was. I love to watch skating and have not missed watching an Olympics since I was a kid. I am familiar with a lot of the skaters mentioned in this book. I thought this story was so touching and full of emotion. Katia considers her life with Sergei almost too perfect. They were so in love and their life together was indeed a fairy tale. I commend Katia for being able to pick herself and go on with her life no matter how difficult after Sergei's unexpected death in 1995. I thought the comparison between Russian and American customs was very interesting. This was an enjoyable and heartwarming read.

I remember watching this pair when they were competing. I wasn't an ice dancing fan, but they were so incredible to watch, I started watching any competition they were in. When Sergei died, I was devastated for Ekaterina. When her book came out, I read it, and cried all the way through. But really, it isn't a sad ending. I find it to be very inspirational to see how Ekaterina faced the worst that could happen, and came out on the other side with a wonderful attitude and will to go on. It is now 12 years later, and this book STILL makes me cry, and still inspires me.

I read this book lastyear in the Hardcover edition and I cried. It is such a moving, loving, tragic, and heartwarming story full of love that a young widow had for her husband and skating partner and the child Daria that they had together. It told of their skating years, marriage, how they met, and came to america along with the tragic death of her young husband Sergei. I couldn't put this book down. A great story that you will love. Well written.

I'm really glad I found this book at a library book sale last year. Though this story is no longer current news, I hadn't forgotten about the tragic death of Sergey Grinkov or watching him perform with his wife Katya in the 1994 Winter Olympics. And even though the world has long since moved onto other headlines and stories of interest in the figure skating world, the love story told in this book is truly timeless. As a Russophile and a historian whose field of expertise is Russian history, it was a double joy to read because of all of the descriptions of Russian culture, the differences between Russian and American customs, and what life was like in the late Soviet period and the early post-Soviet period. (Although I have to say that the transliteration style wasn't completely pleasing to me; for example, I don't think I've ever read any other book where a double O is used in place of the letter U, as in Ligooshina or Katoosha, and I'm still trying to figure out how the nicknames Serioque and Katuuh are supposed to be written in Russian characters.)

Though the book begins and ends sadly, in between there's a lot of happiness and love, making this into a beautiful heartfelt love letter to a wonderful person, skating partner, friend, lover, husband, and father. The love between Katya and Seryozha is so pure and genuine, nothing like the type of superficial and problem-plagued celebrity relationships we're used to hearing about. It even made me a little jealous of their storybook love story! All throughout, Katya is very honest and open, about their relationship, the world of young skaters in the Soviet Union, what goes on behind the scenes at the Olympics, the hectic life on the road of skaters, and how difficult it was to constantly have to leave their daughter Darya behind while they skated. While I'm sure there are some things she chose not to write about, overall a very detailed and honest life and love story emerges. She was so lucky to have this wonderful man, who was so much more than just an athletic partner, for (what was then) half of her life.

Because the love story is so beautiful and like a dream come true, the reader can really feel her deep grief and sorrow expressed at the beginning and end of the book. It's a terrible thing to lose the love of your life, the father of your child, the only person you've ever skated with for the past 13 years, when you're only 24 years old. This beautiful love story isn't diminished for me by knowing that Katya has since moved on with her life and found love again. She had a child with Ilya Kulik six years after Sergey died, and married him a year later; it's not like she jumped into his bed soon after this book was published! (And since Kulik is six years younger, he would have been a bit too young for her then anyway.) When you're widowed at such a young age, you should hardly be expected to be in mourning forever, and it may help the more current reader to not feel quite so sad at the end, knowing that this intense pain and sorrow isn't such an overpowering force in Katya's life anymore. And new husband or not, there's no denying that her first husband, her first love, was indeed the greatest love of her life.

I absolutely did not enjoy this book. I found myself skimming through it about a third of the way. It wasn't keeping my attention and there was way too much going on and I found it tedious to be expected to follow it all.

There was so much that I loved about this book! I loved author's writing style. I loved the chemistry between Sam and Ashela, between Ashela and her best friend, Kyliah and how so much detail went into telling what made the characters turn out the way they were. Although it took much too long for Sam to be introduced into the story, I still thought it was worth the wait. The love scenes were explicit yet tasteful, you certainly felt as if you're right there in the midst of the passion! Also, as long as this book was, when I finished it I kept wanting to read more. I was left with so many questions that I wonder if the author intends to write a sequel.

A Twist of Fate is definitely not a Christian lit book, so don't be tricked or fooled. It's a passionate, graphic and sometimes brutally honest look at the twists that peoples lives can take. If you're searching for a steamy romance with a thick plot, this is it!

Someone in my bookclub said this was going to be made into a movie. If so, Denzel would make the perfect Sam Ross!

I have ordered Preconceived Notions and I can't wait to read it.

This book is a spectacular event. This one of the best books I have read in a long while. Ms. Williams has manged to inspire dreamers to dream. I enjoyed this book completely from beginning to end. There is an Ashela in us all. Sam Ross is the true definition of a Strong Black Man. Ms. William's book gives us back the reality that it possible to be happy and successful.
Ms. Williams is truly one of the greatest writers of our time.

I think that Robin Williams has a way with words. Twist of Fate is an outstanding read, one you can't put down. A I was ready this book I felt like I was actually looking at it on the big screen. That's just how real Robin made her charactors.

Way to go Robin, keep up the excellent work!

This is a very detailed book that is really a coming-of-age tale of Ashela Jordan. It follows her from her childhood through challenging years as an adolescent and young adult into her life as a celebrated musician.

The author writes well and pays great attention to detail. However, there was just too much detail in parts for me and that resulted in the story seeming too long and drawn out. The book started with a very brief introduction to Ashela's love interest Sam before going back to tell her story from the very beginning of her childhood. Although the book visits Sam's rise from child to music executive, its almost 160 pages into the book before Ashela and Sam's stories intersect. Once they unite as adults the story picks up and moves along at a more satisfying pace.

An interesting, but often distracting, literary tool used by the author was the inclusion of many prominent celebrities in the storyline.

I certainly give much credit to author Robyn Williams for her attention to detail and a realistic portrayal of the music business, even though I wished for the plot to move along much more rapidly.

I cannot praise this book highly enough. Having read everything that Montgomery ever wrote, I can say that I believe "The Blue Castle" to be her finest work. It has such a sweet story, filled with wry humor and depth of feeling, not to metion the gorgeous descriptions of the Canadian forests and lakes. (I always wonder where the mosquitos were for the duration of the novel.) There are so many other reviews here that charmingly describe the plot and characters that one will encounter that I shall not add to them, but only say that this is one book you should not miss reading!

This is an excellent book, but some may be put off by the cover. The story is great and it is not a "romance" novel as the cover may imply. Very good selection for a book club or just to enjoy on your own.

Fairy tale is the best description for this novel. The drab, old-maidish heroine with the horrible family who blossoms in a new setting and finds the man of her dreams is the most trite of plots. But LM Montgomery has pulled it off by not taking herself or the story too seriously. It's the kind of novel a young girl can adore, and an older, more sophisticated reader can still enjoy. I loved it years ago, and still do!

If you already love The Blue Castle then this is a great addition to your L.M Montgomery collection. However, the introduction contains a couple of errors about the storyline and, most problematically, gives away the ending. Think of it as an academic, analytical essay and read it only after you've read the book.

This book has no chapter which is less delightful than another. Just good reading from start to finish!

This book was recommended to me by my doctor when I asked him some questions about nutrition. I quite enjoyed this book and most certainly feel it was worth my while. There's not much that's mind-blowing here, there's no easy or magic secret to good health, but it spells out proper nutrition clearly and concisely and does recommend some foods you may not know of or consider, like quinoa as an example. The book is based on years of research, and I have no doubt that anyone's health would improve by following the advice in Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy.

This book is exactly what I was looking for: scientific information related to nutrition and health. It is clear, easy to read, and provides practical ideas for implementation. I have already changed my diet and feel great. I've even lost weight without trying. I really appreciate a book that takes all the research that has been done and boils it down into a readable text. This book has done that better than I expected.

With so much news constant inundating all of us on the most recent nutrition fads it's often difficult to decide what the right choices are when it comes to eating.

This book is an excellent source of advice citing which studies make sense to pay attention to and what sorts of dietary changes we can all be making to improve our lives. I purchased 2 copies, one for myself, and one for my parents.

This book does a wonderful job of taking the scientific information available regarding nutrition and puts it a format the lay public can easily understand. Very professional.

The quality of the books are excellent. I had a problem receiving the books, though. When tracking them I was told they were delivered, but I had never received them. I got connected with customer service through the website and they helped make things right by re-sending my order. These books came in the same time I should have received my other books. I feel confident that I can order through Amazon again and they will make sure that I am satisfied. Thank you, Amazon!

There are two duds in this book, the one about a college in the dessert, that I'm not sure even exists, but whatever, and the one about museums. But after that I think it's an intersting twist on what 'essays' mean. okay

Let me preface this by saying I was a classmate of John's at the Iowa Writers' Workshop in the mid-90's. I remember discussing several of the essays included in this collection, and being incredibly impressed with both the work and the author. The time, imagination, detail, obsession, intelligence, honesty and humble nature of both the essays and the essayist should at the very least inspire a more attentive read than several of the other negative reviewers chose to give.

It's time to give the Iowa Workshop a break. Just let it go. I mean, really, whether it's jealousy, or a rejected application, or just some strange anti-MFA vendetta, there seems to be a pervasive, generic attack on all who spent time at the school. People, it's just a school, good or bad. It's not some factory that automatically frankensteins each poetry student into some Jorie Graham/Michael Palmer avant-guardian. We actually have our own minds, styles, and ideas, and some of us even hold onto them well after we graduate. Imagine that.

I can assure you, there are few labels that would accurately portray all Iowa workshop students across the board, especially in the poetry program. You have no idea what it was like there unless you were there, and it varies from year to year. I would be uncomfortable judging people who've just graduated the program on the same standards, attitudes and practices I found during my '95-'97 term.

I'm not saying you have to like it, but review the work itself as it is given to you, not the Workshop or the writer's personal life. Why do people have to dismiss or attack writers and their works simply because they come out of a specific school, or because they are popular, or because the author has some success at an early age? Good writing has come out of Iowa, bad writing has come out of Iowa, just like every other MFA program, publishing house, school of thought, or geographical area.

This is an incredible work. Truly dazzling.

And to the reviewer who slams John for "plagiarizing" Dave Eggers, I can tell you that John had already written several of these essays, and published at least one of them in a journal (the Martha Graham piece)years before "A Heartbreaking Work..." was even published.

John is an exceptionally gifted writer and person, but even with all of his talent and imagination, I don't think he has the ability to steal work that didn't even exist at the time. To that reviewer, do your homework before you use serious words like "plagiarism" - John has clearly done his.

It seems pretty clear that the world has gone insane, since this is in fact the WORST book ever written in nonfiction, instead of what the insane reviews on here are calling the best. So from now on, every good review that this book gets I am going to counter with a negative one. It seems only fair for a book that is not only unreadable but that has copied better efforts by better writers, which has been camoflaged with lots of "experimental" techniques that are neither experimental nor very technically able. John D'Agata is overrated, untalented, and the least informed writer of his generation. These aren't essays, but just masterbatory effects.

Let me give you the scoop on John D'Agata. I am a student of the Writer's Workshop at the University of Iowa. Before I came I made a point to read everyone's books. I haven't had John D'Agata as a teacher and haven't even seen him yet because he's a freak and a hermit. But this is what I think about his "brilliant" book. Halls of Fame is D'Agata's first book, and you can tell it is. Now that the love fest with him seems to be over, I hope people will be willing to think about this book intelligently. It is a waste of paper. And definitely a waste of money. His "essays" ,if that's what you want to call them, are just hodge podges of bits of information and "observations" that are about as profound as a bowell movement. Just because a guy uses some "experimental" styles while writing in a conventinoal form doesn't make him a "breakthrough!" Get with it people. This is not a good book.

Now that the hype is over, please can we finally agree that John D'Agata is 100% the worst writer this country has ever produced!

So this is the first of 18 book series featuring Obi-wan Kenobi and it didn't disappoint. I couldn't help but thinking something more is needed for this book to merit a 5 star, but maybe because I read the two Darth Bane stories before this one (which are excellent btw)I was expecting more "action". Anyway the good thing about this book is that it eventualy draws you on wanting to read the next book to see want happens to Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon.
All in all a good read.

I was a bit disappointed with this book because there was not as much action as in most other Star Wars books.
Twelve-year-old Obi -Wan is an exceptional student at the Jedi Temple, although his anger sometimes clouds his judgment. Only a few more weeks until his thirteenth birthday and then forced to leave the Temple, he has one last chance to be a padawan. When Jedi Master Qui-Gon-Jin arrives, Obi-wan is hopeful. Unfortunately, Qui-Gon is skeptical and rejects Obi-Wan. Though Fate has placed them on a same trip to Bandomear, Obi-Wan is to farm and Qui-Gon is on a mission.
I would only recommend this book to Star Wars fans because you have to know who a lot of people are such as Master Yoda and Master Windu. Other than that, it is a fairly good book.

Even though this is a young readers book(ages 9-12), any fan of the Star Wars series will enjoy this well told story about the little known history of Obi-Wan Kenobi's teenage years.
The story revolves around the trials and tribulations of Obi-Wan's struggle within to control his emotions and immerse his mind and body ionto the Force. Realizing the reality that he won't be chosen as a Padawan Learmer before the age limit deadline, and will become a member of the Agro-Corps, using the Force to help grow food on planets that struggle to do so.
The ever stubborn and persistent Kenobi learns that Qui-Gonn Jinn, a well respected Jedi Knight is coming to the temple to view the young students who are eligible for apprenticeship, he tries his hardest to impress the Jedi Knight. Even though Qui-Gonn is slightly impressed by young Kenobi, he refuses to take him as a Padawan because his first students fall to the Dark Side has left him skeptical of taking another.
The two find themselves traveling together on a freighter to a small mining planet, Obi-Wan to join the Agro-Corps and Qui-Gonn on Jedi business. Trouble arises and thus begins the first adventure of the two classic heroes.
As I said before any Star Wars fan can enjoy this book and the entire series is just as compelling.
Enjoy and May the Force be with you!!!

One of my favorite characters in the Star Wars Episodes I, II, III, and IV has been Obi-Wan Kenobi. My second favorite character is Qui-Gon Jenn. The Jedi Apprentice Series answers many of the questions that one might have wondering through their minds about these two characters. Some of these questions being how do you become a Jedi Apprentice, what was Obi-Wan like growing up, how does he learn to use the force and did Obi-Wan ever get to experience falling in love etc...? Dave Wolverton starts this series off with Book 1 and Jude Watson writes Book 2 -18. Both writers are good but Jude Watson is the one who bringing to light the emotions and bonding experiences between the Jedi Knight and his Apprentice. Their adventures together are interesting and imaginative leaving you wanting to know what's in the next book.
The Jedi Apprentice series was written for young teens, but it is enjoyable for all ages. These books are what I call easy reading, because you can finish it in just a few hours or faster if your a quick reader. I personally bought the Rising Force out of curiosity about Obi-Wan's character and to find answers to the questions that ran through my own mind after seeing episode III. I decided to buy the whole series to keep for my future grandchildren, so they too will know what isn't told in the movies about the Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jenn, his Apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi and the force that souranded their lives.

Obi-Wan Kenobi is a Jedi student hoping to be chosen as a Padawan by a Jedi Master, particularly one named Qui-Gon Jinn. But after proving his anger can get the better of him, he is not chosen as a Padawan. Instead he is sentenced to be a farmer on planet Bandomeer (yawn!) But he is stranded on a mysterious planet with Qui-Gon and the ship passengers. It leads to an unexpected adventure with Qui-Gon... This is an extremely poignant adventure with action and peril. I'd recommend it for any kid over 10 years old, maybe for some adults. I'm serious! Even if you think Star Wars is the most stupid thing ever, you'll love this book. Probably the second best in the whole series. It just rocks! Why? Because author Dave Wolverton comes up with excellent alien characters and writes about them with great poignance. And the Jedi wisdom written down in the book rings true. Overall, a smart mini novel. It rocks.

Susan is growing up during the Civil War. She helps the Confederate Cause by collecting silk dresses for a balloon to spy on the Union army. She also struggles with her mother, who takes out her anger on Susan. But when she meets her brother Lucien, who was shunned from the family and has anti-Confederate views, her loyalties are tested. Can she do what she thinks is right, without hurting the people she love?

I love this book. I read it years ago and wanted to read it again, so I bought it.

The Last Silk Dress is one of the Best Ann Rinaldi books I have read ( and I have read many). The way Ms Rinaldi discribes the occurances takes you back and makes you feel like you were there. This was actualy the first Rinaldi book I read and now I own at least 7 of her books. The author and the book are wonderful and I suggest anyone who is into historical fiction or just needs a good book to bye this one or check it out of the library.

I thought that this book was well writen and I could really relate to Susen the main character. She is the old version of a todays rebels. It is a very good book and I recomend it to anyone who loves history and fiction.

The Last Silk Dress was an excellent book. The author, Ms. Ann Rinaldi, wrote the story in first person format. The story truly showed what the main character, Susan Chilmark was thinking and feeling. Ann Rinaldi wrote with so much detail that one could picture each and every scene that she described. I felt present in each part of the story.
The book is not part of series. This book is not a journal, but it shows how Susan thought and felt when she was overcoming the challenges her brother, Lucien, set for her. I would recommend this book to anyone, especially people who like historical fiction.

I purchased this book after reading the reviews... not sure if I went into reading this book with great expecations but the book didn't pull me in as much as I hoped. It's a good message, fast read with some good points... not enough to get a full 5 stars.

This book was purchased at a time in my life when I felt the title was written just for me.
The chapters are short and sweet and the content is good. It's nothing you haven't heard before, but it's nice to have it all in one place. There are some concepts in it I didn't agree with, but it was mostly applicable.
My only thing is that it's VERY short - which I guess could be both good and bad. I think the material was complete and thorough so I guess it's good if you're looking for a quick read.
I would recommend this book if the title fits your situation because it helps reinforce what you probably already know and may push you to do something about the situation.

While I was disappointed to get to the end of the book, I considered every page in there loaded with valuable insights and advice.

This book is the polar opposite of, "The Rules". Thank the Heavens!
In Barbara's book, you are applauded, not tolerated, for being your true self. Just think of the word Intimacy for a moment...phonetically it works out to In-to-me-see. In order to be in a real relationship (base word is relate), you have to be real with yourself before you can even begin to understand what it means to share with others. People say, "Oh yes, I know all about that!" If that's truly the case, then explain why the divorce rate is so high in the United States. If you're hiding your authentic self in order to avoid the possibility of rejection, you're not truly present in the relationship. Under such circumstances how fulfilled and loved can you feel? Why bother then?

Then there's the flip side - people hide parts of themselves and don't reveal things that they feel they have reason to be ashamed of, and their partner feels distrusted and cheapened due to the lack of faith demonstrated by their loved one. Perhaps this creates a chasm deep enough to be irreparable and a break up occurs anyway. One of life's ironies to be sure....ah, the wonders of the self-fulfilling prophecy.

I'm a very happily married woman...for almost 20 years now. Don't think a day goes by that I don't thank God for my blessings. Like another reviewer here, I was intrigued with the possibility of being able to help my single girlfriends realize their inherent value.

The message expressed throughout the book is healing, and you can feel it in your heart, not only the mind. Barbara is a very spiritual, tuned in woman and sets a wonderful example to womankind.

Keep up the good work, Barbara!

My wish for each of you beautiful ladies is to revel in your feminine power and embrace it.

I purchased this book because of the reviews it received. I have been trying to figure out the reason(s) for the bizarre behavior of the man I wasn't sure if I was dating (if that doesn't make sense, consider yourself lucky -- unfortunately, it makes perfect sense to The String Along). Was he passive-aggressive? Was he married? Living with someone? Playing the field? In the end, it didn't matter. What matters is that I read this book and was able to rationalize and even quantify his behavior. He received 8 scores on Reasons to Stay and 18 on Reasons to Leave with Skidmarks (when even 1 on the latter is enough to run fast!). The day after finishing this book, I left with skidmarks. It's still hurting, but this book helped me understand that, in spite of our strong chemistry, I was being strung along. Who knows how much longer I would have tolerated the hurtful behavior had I not read this book. I deserve better and so do you.

I wished I had found Barbara's book years ago. Being single for 10 years and dating, most of what she writes I've already learned through trial and error. I found a lot of validation through her book and answered many questions on why it couldn't or didn't work the way I had hoped. Save yourself from the dramas of dating and read her book. It's a quick read and highlights the key areas of "healthy" relating while taking good care of yourself. It's a must have for the woman that wants more in her relationship without giving up herself.

Looking for something I knew I would enjoy, I went for White Knight, the -- ninth? tenth? I've lost count -- book in the Harry Dresden series. I liked seeing the different strains of White Court vamps, especially when we got to see all of their powers in full bloom, so to speak, when Harry and Ramirez had to confront them all at the gathering. I liked how capable Lara Raith is at manipulation, though of course I appreciate that Harry is always able to find a way through her tangled web. I thought their final escape from the cave was great -- though I didn't think a whole lot of the super-ghouls that were the ultimate bad guy; smacked of Buffy and the Neander-Vamps. Especially the whole big-showdown-in-a-cave, with a gate to the underworld that they all come through -- you get the picture. And this book didn't have nearly enough Bob in it.

I did, however, love the resolution of the Lasciel/Denarian subplot that's been running through the last five books. I liked the way it worked, and I loved the message it gave: that everyone has a choice, and the simple fact of that choice makes us better people -- when we recognize and acknowledge the choice, that is. I feel like it makes me a better person when I realize that I'm living my life, I'm not trapped in it.

Anyway, I liked Thomas's part in this, and I loved Mouse, of course -- I dig his super-bark -- and Elaine was fine, though not a terribly interesting character. I liked her resolution, too, how she's going to become a champion of all the lesser magic-users who aren't good enough for the White Council; you just know that's going to come back and slap them right in their elitist faces. Workers unite! Viva la Revolucion! I also liked the insight into Gentleman Johnny Marcone and his relationship with Dresden -- though I'm not really sure I buy the gangster-with-a-heart; can you really be ruthless and run all of Chicago's rackets without hurting innocents? Then again, we are talking about a book about wizards here, so maybe I shouldn't complain about suspending my disbelief.

White Night is the ninth book in the Dresden Files. In the last novel, Proven Guilty, Harry takes Molly Carpenter as an apprentice to prevent the White Council from executing her for practicing black magic. Proven Guilty begins with fairies being sent to centers of fear. Molly had used fear to cause her friends to quit using drugs, and in doing so practiced black magic and became a beacon for the "fear" fairies. Once she was captured, with Michael gone, Charity and Harry led an expedition to the capital of Winter to get her back.

White Night continues the theme lines from previous novels (the war with the Red Court, peace with the White Court, Elaine, Lasciel), but centers around a power play within the White Court. The three powerful families within the White Court are making a play for power by culling the human race of wizards. Jim Butcher also makes strides in the development of Lasciel, Cowl and the White Court.

This is the best book in the series so far; I could hardly put it down. The developments with Lasciel are very fascinating and the climax of this novel was very exciting. If I didn't know that Harry was going to live, it would have even been more exciting. I just thought of interesting plot line for future novels, Butcher could have Harry die, and then continue the series with Molly and/or Elaine to avenge him. Heck, he could even start a side series with what Elaine is encountering in LA with her as the main character. I highly recommend White Night to anyone who has read the first eight novels.

I've never, in my life, ever said this about anyone, ever.

I am a FAN of Jim Butcher.

He has consistently written top notch novels, one right after the other. He's managed to build multiple, detail-rich over-arcing storylines, significant character change and growth, emotionally-laden highs and lows and the evolution of a world so complete that I have to remind myself to eat, sleep and go to work whenever I get started on a new Dresden Files novel. They are, intentionally speaking, mesmerising, pure magic every time.

As I said, Dresden isn't the ONLY Wizard when it comes to these books.

If you are into modern day swords and scorcery or if you just want a little escapeism. This is the way to go. Butcher starts off with a bang and never lets up. The only thing is you will need to have read the rest of the series to understand some of what is going on. Other than that it rocks.White Night (The Dresden Files, Book 9)

You know a book is good when you've picked it apart, word by word, you know it inside and out, and it still takes your breath away when you re-read it.

This is the ninth Dresden Files book, and yes, it's White Night, not White Knight or White Nights. Easy way to remember: every single one of the Dresden Files titles is two words, with the same number of letters in each word--which is why Death Masks isn't Holy Sheet.

Anyway. The have-nots of Chicago's magical community--those people with just a bit of power--have been going missing. Several have turned up dead, mostly in apparent suicides. And somebody's left a message with the bodies: Exodus 22:18. Harry Dresden isn't religious, but that's a verse he knows by heart: "suffer not a witch to live."

And what makes things worse, for Harry at least, is that a lot of the missing women were last seen with either a very handsome man with dark hair or a very tall man in a gray cloak. Wardens of the White Council wear gray cloaks, which makes Harry himself a suspect, and the other man sounds very much like his brother Thomas, who's been secretive about his new job.

The plot is convoluted, but it makes sense once you get all the pieces, and what's really cool is that it's convoluted because that's the way the people involved do things. It's that level of detail that prompts the five stars. Everything in the book has a reason for being there, usually several reasons.

Harry's still training his new apprentice Molly, and that's got a bunch of layers as well--her strengths fit everything we know about her from previous books, and the effects on Harry show, too. It's not just "let's give Harry a teenage girl for a sidekick." It has so much consistency you'd believe they were real people.

Several characters from earlier books show up, ones we haven't seen for a while, and that's fun, and completely plot-driven. No Mouseketeer role calls here.

As you can probably guess from the fact that his brother is a suspect, the emotional intensity is up there. There's also a lot of emotion involved with Harry dealing with anger issues and with Lash, the shadow of a fallen angel who's living in his head. I needed tissues.

There were also plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, and dozens of quotable lines, like "...age is always advancing and I'm fairly sure it's up to no good."

And some very cool special effects, which the TV show will never get a chance to use because it's been canceled, darnitall. Ah, well, they probably work better in my head anyway. Stupid SciFi Channel.

One caveat: this is a planned series: 20 books and then a big old apocalyptic trilogy, because who doesn't love apocalyptic trilogies? Which means that even though the books are complete in themselves, there is something going on that's leading to that apocalyptic trilogy. In other words: read the series in order. You'll get more out of it that way.

I just finished another very painful but interesting and shocking memoirs in "Thanks to my Mother" by Shoshana Rabinovici and started this book. It's absolutely shocking and heroic struggle to do everything possible to survive day-by-day and minute-by-minute the Systematic Nazi Plan to annihilate the Jewish People.
Highly highly recommend to every one who is interested in Holocaust and to everybody to read and to learn what was really WWII about.

An avid reader of Holocaust memoirs, I found "Alicia" an unforgettable story of survival.

Only a child at the onset of World War II in her native Poland, Alicia Jurman soon lost both her parents and all four brothers -- murdered, in different ways, for one reason, being Jewish. It was only through a strange destiny that young Alicia kept surviving herself -- once being pushed through a gap in a train window, heading for a concentration camp; another time, falling unconscious and being presumed dead by the Nazis, only to be rescued by an astute and caring Jewish gravedigger.

Yet even when a person is at her lowest, she can always find others even worse off. It would have been easy for Alicia to say she had nothing left to give; yet even during the most destitute and desperate of times, she shared food and supplies with other Holocaust survivors.

It was also this loving attitude that made Alicia take action after the war, when she noticed a number of starving orphaned children roaming city streets. Only 15 and an orphan herself, Alicia took it upon herself to establish a Jewish "orphanage," moving some 24 youths aged 10 to 15 into a vacated apartment and securing financial help to get their new lives underway.

Still a teenager, Alicia eventually sought refuge in Israel. But, as always, problems arose...

Alicia Jurman is a modern-day hero, guaranteed to inspire readers for generations to come.

This eye witness account of the holocaust in Poland is so horrific it would be too depressing to read, if it weren't for the author's lucid, straight forward prose. Alicia Jurman was 13 years old when she fought for survival against literally impossible odds in southeastern Poland and witnessed the destruction of her entire family, friends and neighbors. Her survival was accomplished through truly incredible pluck, strength of character, resourcefulness, and unbelievable good luck.
We already know (or should know) all about the horrors of the holocaust: the depth of depravity to which the human soul can sink; and we know that to forget this worst of all possible nightmares is to face another genocide in our lifetime (we already have in Darfur, Rwanda, Bosnia, and elsewhere).
What distinguishes "Alicia: My Story" despite the unspeakable horror is this horror as viewed through the eyes of a girl who simply refuses to give in and give up. She is an amazingly strong girl who used everything she had to survive. And she tells the story in a matter of fact way that propels the narrative forward and keeps the reader turning the pages to find out what happens next.
If one has never been exposed to what went on during World War Two, this excellent book is the perfect place to start.

I read a lot of Holocaust-related stories in middle school. As morbid as it sounds, they were so interesting, and so heartbreaking to read. There are quite a few more still sitting in my closet that I could review, but this was my favorite, and probably the one that got me into the topic. A really great story, particularly because it's a true one.

Raised from the age of five in Buczacz, which was roughly a third Jewish at that time, Alicia was sheltered relatively well from the anti-Semitism that plagued her town, as well as the rest of Europe. She had many friends, both Jewish and Christian.
After the Hitler-Stalin Pact of 1939, whereby the two genocidal dictators divided Poland between them, Buczacz fell into the Soviet zone. The Soviets began a forced Sovietization drive, and deported thousands of people to slave labour, or their deaths, who they saw as 'enemies of the Soviet Union'.Alicia recalls being offended and hurt, on behalf of her Christian friends, for whose religion she had deep respect, when the Madonna and Child were removed from their customary spot in the classroom and replaced by scowling portraits of Lenin and Stalin.
Alicia's second-oldest brother Moshe was shot by the Soviets after returning to Poland, from the harsh conditions in Russia, where he had gone for education.
In June 1941, the Germans broke their pact with the Soviets and swept through eastern Poland on their way to Russia - Operation Barbarossa had begun. The Germans, however, had an even worse plan than the Soviets had had for Europe's Jews: it was known as Endlosung (aka The Final Solution).

Alicia's father was shot, alongside 600 other Jewish community leaders, shortly after the Nazi invasion.
Alicia, and her mother and brothers were forced to leave their beautiful home, and to settle in the ghetto.
They lived under harsh laws whereby Jews were forced to wear armbands with stars of David.
Jews who tried to leave the ghetto or to enter the synagogue would be executed.
Alicia's brother Bunion was then executed by the Nazis.

While visiting a Jewish family in the town, 12 year old Alicia was arrested by the Nazis along with thousands of other Jews, but escaped from the train to the death camps, together with a band of other young people.
After Alicia's brother Zachary was shot by the Nazis She swore on his grave that if she survived she would speak for her silenced family.
This book is a powerful and unforgettable fulfilment of that oath.
It keeps us engaged and emotionally involved on every page, as we read of her struggle to survive, her irrepressible spirit, her many brushes with death. She never gave up her will to survive nor her humanity for fellow victims of the Nazis, many of whom she helped to rescue, many of whom died before her eyes.
She witnessed such horrors as babies being shot in their cribs by the Nazis.
While many of the Polish and Ukrainian neighbours helped the Nazis and joined in the killings, there were always those few that helped to keep their Jewish fellow humans alive, including a Polish family on whose farm Alicia worked.
After the war, Alicia's struggle was not over.
She was imprisoned by the Soviets and took part in the secret operation to smuggle Jews to the Land of Israel, across Europe, at a time when the British were keeping the Holocaust survivors out, often with brutal and violent methods reminiscent of the Nazis themselves.
Alicia was on the ship Theodor Herzl, carrying young Holocaust survivors to Israel, in 1946, when it was rammed by British frigates, after which British soldiers then boarded the ship and attacked the survivors, beating to death six young Jews and allowing others to drown while trying to escape.
This courageous girl, had struggled as part of the Jewish nation against three ruthless empires.