Ball Books

This book is an essential addition to the library of every rheumatologist, internist, and dermatologist.

This treatise, both usable and scholarly, is destined to become known as the authoritative source on the topic.

Ball and Bjornsdottir have made a hell of a thing. The book is written using a vague and methodical exquisite corpse technique which heightens the surrealism that is deeply imbedded in the core of this fine book. The "plot" (if you you want to call it that) of this thing centers around a beautiful, deranged, and extremely murderous pair of lovers who engage in all manner of butchery, carnage, torture, and unwilling bodily modifications in a strange and serene place. At one point in the book one of the authors (either Ball or Bjornsdottir, it's hard to tell without referring back to the decoder ring they invent in the book's preamble) break the fourth wall of the novel so as to threaten you, the reader, with the act of getting your face cut up with a razor.

The book is written with a highly effective brick-in-your-face style reminiscent of Borges' early short stories about cowboys and knife fights.

Highly recommended!

Before I began reading Vera & Linus, I was struck by the physical beauty of the book. The pages are extra thick with a nice rough feel. The edges are roughly cut. It is as if my book was hand made with care. In today's age of mass produced books, it is easy to forget that the book itself can be as much a piece of art as the words inside.

The story continues in the tradition of Mr. Ball's first publication, the March Book in that it uses vibrant language to describe a world that we can't quite be sure is real or in the imagination of the author.

The passages in the book are beautifully descriptive while often describing very painful scenes. I am reminded of one of my favorite stories, Patriotism by Yukio Mishima where the author descripes Seppuku in the most romantic of terms. I am so taken in by Mr. Ball's world that it is hard to remember if the author is speaking of the evil of the world or the most beautiful that life has to offer. In the end, I believe that we are to know that such a dichotemy does not exist.

Another writer neglected in the States, this book never found an American publisher but is well worth chasing down. "White Lightning" explores the transitions of life and unfulfilled promise. James Kronk returns to his Native South Africa to tend to his ailing mother, and in the process deals with the thoughts and emotions of confronting his past in his birth home and the so called promise of living abroad in London. Through a series of actions recalled through memories an the truism that life is a summation of little decisions reveals itself. A homecoming is an opportunity for redemption, and that's where the story unfolds.

The circumstances and plot elements of the story are real and identifiable giving the story power, ok the baboon isn't so identifiable. But don't let that deter you from a first rate book.

White Lightning is a beautifully written novel about the clashes within the human community and between the animal and human culture. At times passionate, and certainly erotic, White Lightning is ultimately sad in that there is a series of completely believable and interlocking betrayals. Expatriates and the native born vie for supremacy and survival comes at a terrible price. The hero achieves his dream of buying a small farm back in the land of his birth and revels in his new freedom and the gradual liberation of a baboon who becomes an unlikely friend. Memorable and therefore quotable lines on almost every page. An exhilarating read for anyone interested in Africa. Highly recommended author in Canada and UK.

This book is a must have for every household! Carla's wit and crafty rhymes will inspire both young and old. Also a great gift idea.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm not Jewish, but there are still some wonderful parts I can use, and the rest made me really appreciate what it means to be Jewish. Carla's poems are so funny and/or sweet--it makes me want to be invited to a bat mitzvah because I now have just the right poem for a card!

I know these are not the most amazing books ever written but i enjoy them. I love catherine hapka's series star power it is alot like this story. they are both about "down to earth teens" it makes them seem unreal, but is nice for people who want a sweet story instead of most storys about teens. In this book it is school spirt week and at the end of the week there is a sadie hokins dance. Troy is waiting for Grabreila to ask him, but there is something else on her mind. She over hears her mom on the phone talking to her boss. And grabriala thinks they are going to have to move again. The ending is not queit what i thought it would be but it does have that super sweet happy ending.

This is a short and sweet book. I read it in a day (plus or minsus a few hours.) It was a sweet story. I think that it is very nice for young girls to read i would recommened it to anyone who likes disney or the movies (high school musical 1 or 2.) This book takes place inbetween the two movies. And at the moment there is a battle of the bands, troy is doing it with his b-ball friends. Sharpay is doing a girl group, with her devoted "fans" (and taylor.) so where does that leave gabreila and ryan?? the book of course has a happy ending but is very nice.

Great books for this age group are difficult to come by, and Leda Schubert has created two of them with Winnie Plays Ball and Winnie All Day Long. A hugh, lovable dog, Winnie proves to be a totally appealing character for young children, and her activities engage their imaginations. These books have the same classic charm as Cynthia Rylant's Henry and Mudge stories, and they are enormously popular with very young children.

These simple stories are loved by my children, age three and five. My five year old, just learning to read, loves the fact that he can pick out certain words which are often repeated, as well as look at the pictures, and 'read' the story without help. The gentle humor is just right for this age group, and the illustrations are sweet. We read our Winnie series almost every night and the kids don't get tired of them. I highly recommend them for all beginner readers!

If you're a fan of vintage TV history, this book is a must. It's well-researched, wryly written, and downright interesting. It offers insightful profiles on ten of television's most important actresses (Gracie Allen, Eve Arden, Lucille Ball, Spring Byington, Joan Davis, Anne Jeffreys, Donna Reed, Ann Sothern, Gale Storm, Betty White), and provides fascinating details about the early history of television, delving into advertising, networks, contracts, ratings, behind-the-scenes details, and more.

The author deftly combines research, original interviews, and dialogue snippets (after reading this book, you will definitely want to seek out the TV shows). Mr. Tucker, who possesses a wonderful sense of humor, is not shy about bringing out controversial topics such as George Burns' infidelity, Donna Reed's anti-war efforts, Spring Byington's lesbian relationship with Marjorie Main, and Joan Davis' reputation for being difficult. I was surprised at how much I learned from reading this book, and hope for a sequel--Ten More Women Who Made Television Funny.

It's great to see a book that pays homage to someone else besides Lucy. While taking nothing away from the red-head, there were also other great female TV stars with comedy series. I enjoyed reading about them, especially Gale Storm who has always been my favorite, but I like all 10 of the ladies. David Tucker captures what made each lady so unique and I learned new things about them. It encourged me to see these wonderful shows again.

Every young baseball fan (especially a young Red Sox fan) needs to read "Zachary's Ball". You can't help but get the goosebumps while reading this book. It's a great book for a parent to share with their son/daughter at bed time. You both will go to sleep with a smile on your face, and it will quickly become a favorite in your home (as it is mine).

I dare you to read this and not get a tear in your eye. This is a touching inspirational story that has become a favorite for my seven year old son who LOVES baseball. I read this to his first grade class and it was a HOME RUN ( girls, boys baseball fans and non sport fans alike really enjoyed it). You need not be a Red Sox fan to enjoy this but if you are it is a must have for your library..GO RED SOX

I own a pair of these balls in a larger scale, but this kit is perfect for carrying in the purse, the pocket or anywhere you like, thanks to the tiny bag included. They are not heavy at all.
The design of the book and the balls have changed slightly, so maybe the kit you'll buy would be different from the one shown as reference.
When you use the balls, you can actually hear them make a bell-sound like.
Be careful when handling them; if you drop them and they hit the floor, this can cause they lose their round shape or the enamel that covers them.

I bought these meditation balls last year to use for exercising my hands for carpal tunnel syndrome. They have helped greatly and the miniature size is perfect for smaller hands. I am now ordering two more sets for my grandchildren who love to use them when they visit.

A Time For Glory: 1861 by R. B. Greenwalt is an intriguing, albeit fictional, account of the American Civil War and the lives of soldier and civilians caught up in that tumultuous time. Following the life of Joshua Campbell through his experience with the Confederate army through battle, leadership, a soldier life and love, A Time For Glory: 1861 then carries readers over to the life and experiences of Elihu Hawthorne, a Massachusetts Congressman affected by the radical vision of the republican party, and a perpetual fear of capture by the enemy. An original, well crafted, and entertaining novel showcasing quite diverse perspectives of Civil War combatants, A Time For Glory: 1861 is especially commended to readers and would make a popular addition to community library collections.