Bean Books

This collection of Smith Brown Jones comics is hysterical! You don't have to know anything about the comic to find it funny. Both the art and the humor are reminiscent of Foglio, so if you like his stuff, you should like this, too.

Let's never forget that history is a story. And, in this case, it's her-story, the story of Marie Antoinette.

Young readers are sometimes turned off by dry-as-dust history books. This volume, however, is the antidote to boredom. Comical illustrations underscore the tone of the presentation, making a good history lesson palatable to all.

Spilling the Beans on Marie Antoinette would be a great gift for your young history student. But, be aware that you will certainly enjoy readingit yourself.

Recommended!

Excellent book for those children wondering where babies come from. Tactfully shows children all the various ways they may have heard before. In the end, the importance is that we come from Mommies. Very cute book.

TAMI HOAG NEVER DISSAPPOINTS ME! GREAT IDEA TO TAKE ON A LONG TRIP-PASSES SEVERAL HOURS THAT WOULD OTHEWISE HAVE BEEN BORING.

This 3 book collection featuring Still Waters, Night Sins and Guilty as SIn are three of Tami Hoag's most suspenseful early thrillers. Great police procedurals with lots of drama- the romantic suspense is high on drama in both the romance and suspense departments. Joyce Bean is a capable reader who really holds the listeners attention keeping the stories moving along and holding the listeners interest. I like abridgments like this esp for the romantic suspense books- the author and editors work to bring the book down to its best elements so you get a concise hard hitting story that entertains fully.
Each book is 4 tapes- so 18 hours total of listening in one package- this is a great deal!

As a former Psychologist and Berkeley hippie, I can appreciate the zany view of Dr. Juan in writing you can't tell if it's real or concocted--thus Nonfriction. Some is kind of naughty, too, in a playful way. Women's Libbers may be offended, but it's all in fun. If you're open minded, but not empty headed, you will probably get a kick from this. The pieces are short, so you can read one or more at a sitting.

I read this book quite a while ago and enjoyed it. It is a tale that everyone who has ever had a dream should read. It is not just a love story. It is pure drama and a twist of intrigue. I think that Ms. Bean tells the story with a lot of heart. She is obviously a new writer, but is able to use her own experiences to twist romance with drama and humor. I look forward to her next novel.

It's a very good story for a child at the age range of 4-8. Excellent story because it really touched me how a little girl took Arthur at the end. Very excellent illustrations. Just a heartwarming book!

Tracklisting:

1. More Than This - Roxy Music
2. Brass In Pocket - The Pretenders
3. English Roundabout - XTC
4. Just Like Honey - Jesus & Mary Chain
5. Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Tears For Fears
6. Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division
7. Hand In Glove - The Smiths
8. Never Stop (Discoteque) - Echo & the Bunnymen
9. In Between Days - The Cure
10. I Wanna Be Sedated - The Ramones
11. Another Nail In My Heart - Squeeze
12. The Ghost In You - Psychedelic Furs
13. Dancing With Myself - Generation X
14. A Message to You Rudy - The Specials
15. Genius of Love - Tom Tom Club
16. (What's So Funny `Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding - Elvis Costello & the Attractions

First, let me just say that this compilation is overall pretty amazing. The music here is, for the most part, iconic and with good reason. The bands represented here are among the most significant acts of the post-punk era, and most of these songs encapsulate just why these bands are so revered. However, that's not to say the album is perfect.

Some of the song choices range from questionable (the Cure's "In Between Days," rather than "Just Like Heaven;" the Psychedelic Furs' "The Ghost In You" instead of "Pretty In Pink") to head-scratching (the Smiths "Hand In Glove" over "How Soon Is Now?;" XTC's "English Roundabout" instead of "Dear God" or "Making Plans For Nigel;" Echo & the Bunnymen's "Never Stop" in place of "Lips Like Sugar" or "Bring On the Dancing Horses" [or for deep cuts, "The Killing Moon" or "The Cutter"]).

Also, some of the bands here are questionable as well. While Squeeze is not a bad band, there are many others that would be more iconic and essential to the second wave, such as Depeche Mode, Love & Rockets, Siouxie & the Banshees or the Cult. And while the Specials are important, where is the English Beat? Not only are they an arguably more important band, but a song like "Save It For Later" would fit better with the overall vibe of this compilation better than "A Message to You Rudy," which sticks out like a sore thumb, as does the Tom Tom Club's "Genius of Love" (and where are the Talking Heads?).

That said, let me just reiterate that, quibbles aside, this compilation is full of almost uniformly excellent music and would be a great place to start for anyone wanting to find out more about the second wave. Congratulations once again to both Rhino and Starbucks.

This is the story of MacKayla, Mac, Lane. her sister is in Ireland going to school and turns up dead. The police have no leads and are going to close the case. Mac is a spoiled brat that gets it in her head to go to Ireland and solve the murder. When she first gets there, she see horrible creatures and almost gets killed because of it. Then she learns that she is a sidhe-seer, people that can see the sidhe true self and has the ability to null them if she touches them.

Stumbling around for information, she finds Jericho Barrons. At first he tries to get rid of her because he knows that she is worthless and going to get herself killed. But she keeps annoying him until her learns of her abilities. From there on he tries to teach her how to survive and locate the artifacts of power of the sidhe's. The idea is if these artifacts are combined, then the borders between us and them can be reenforced and they can not get to us.

The book has potential. I just got to the point that I was ready to kill Mac. She is so selfish and narrow minded. I have no idea what the point of giving her this attitude then expecting her to do something about the murder. I did like the story beyond the pity party Mac stuff. I will admit that I don't like the teaser at the end. It seemed like it was just ended in the middle of things and left hanging.

Loved the highland series and this continues that saga
into modern times from a different vantage point.
Original and clever seque. I am now addicted to this
series. Have read the next one also. Just keeps getting
better. Can see the growth and maturity of Mac. Am intrigued
with the handsome, dangerous Jericho.

I normally don't read romance but I thought what the hell. I sure am glad I read this one. I wouldn't classify it as romance though. I kept me on my toes. I enjoyed it and plan on reading the whole series.

Holy cow! What a ride. I have the audio version and the narrator really enhanced the story. The southern accent and voice matched the character perfectly.

MacKayla Lane, the main character, is like an adult version of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. And instead of being at war with Vamps, it's Fae she'll be fighting. I think for those who miss the Buffy days, this will be a welcomed experience. I can't to get the next two audios in this series.

Awesome book!

I really enjoyed reading this book. It put all of my favorites into one book: suspsense, mystery, romance, strong willed/strong minded heroine. I also had the joy of growing up in a close knit Italian family, so I could relate to that as well. This is one of those Nora Roberts books that after you get through the first chapter or 2 and are hooked, you have no personal life until you are finished.

Nora Roberts continues to amaze. I have read all of her novels written by Roberts and J.D. Robb. Nora is my favorite author.

I enjoyed this story very much and the convenience of listening as I went to and from work.

While I haven't read every one of Ms. Roberts works I must state that I have read quite a few. I absolutely adore her way with words and the way she moves a story along without being obvious. Since many other reviewers have given a synopsis of this book I will limit myself to comments on the whole.

Fully rounded characters were what first grabbed my attention. It is through the central character's interaction with those around her that we learn of the events that have brought her to the present day and why she is so fiercely independent.

Ms. Roberts attention to details is one of the many things I love about her writing. Not too wordy, not too sparse, just enough to give you a perfect picture of the who or where she is describing. In Blue Smoke she is absolutely eloquent in her descriptions of fire, especially how it is perceived by some as a living thing. Her heroine, Reena, and the nemesis, Joey, are actually cut from a bit of the same cloth but the fine line between madness and sanity is what sets them apart. Both are drawn to fire because of its power but one is drawn to its capacity to harm while the other is searching for a way to quench the powerful beast.

The Hale family is down to earth as they rally to protect their own. The Pastorelli family is as dysfunctional as they come. Thrown into the mix is a wonderful leading man named Bo Goodnight (with a name like that you know he rides the white horse).

Suspense piled up as this reader tried to figure out where the arsonist would set his next, premeditated fire. I literally held my breath when Reena and Joey finally confronted each other.

I truly enjoyed this book. The final couple of chapters are definitely not for the squeamish but I didn't think they were too gruesome. I've seen plenty worse on the TV set.

I give Blue Smoke five stars for keeping me up way past my bedtime on way too many nights.

Reena Hale learned at an early age what fire could do. She was a small child when she had to watch her family's' restaurant burn to the ground thus beginning her love/hate relationship with fire. As she grew up she devoured everything possible to expand her knowledge because she continued to be tortured to fire. In college, her boyfriend was burned to death, and this is just another event that directs her to her career as an arson investigator.

Renna feels content with her life when she becomes a member of the police department, and buys her first home. She is surprised when she meets neighbor Bo Goodnight to find out he has been trying to find her since college. He saw her at a party across the room and has been trying to find her since. As they grow closer and fall in love, Renna is horrified when Bo's life is threatened again with fire. As they investigate further, it is revealed that two of her other boyfriends were touched by fire, and it is all perpetrated by the same person.

I loved this story. It is definitely one of my favorite NR tales. The characters were phenomenal. Reena and Bo are a good match, but all the supporting characters were an important part - from her loud obnoxious loving family to the creepy villain.