Gray Books

This is a re-title/reprint of the novel "Steel Magic" by Andre Norton. In it, 3 siblings discover the entrance to Avalon and have adventures there while trying to rescue 3 of magic talismans that belong to Arthur, Huon of the Horn and Merlin.

Nice children's book, which my 8 and 10 year old grandkids are enjoying now. They are the third generation of my family to enjoy the story.

I should mention that I am a fan of Ms. Norton's and own most of her titles, usually in multiples, since I also collect different covers AND the differing titles.

I checked this book out from the library so often when I was young that our librarian wanted to give it to me and was stopped only by her manager. Once, I counted the number of times it appeared on my checkout card, and it was over 50, and I continued checking it out over the next three years until I moved. This book contains a fantastic accounting of the author's many horses, their personalities, and how they affected her life. I recommend it to anyone of any age who loves horses.

The author has written a medical thriller that will have the reader glued to the pages of the book until the very last. It is a well written, suspenseful novel that heralds a novelist whose prose is spare, lean, and taut, moving the story along at a brisk pace. Fans of Michael Crichton and Robin Cook will, undoubtedly, enjoy this well paced thriller, as will anyone who appreciates a great story.

The story line is fairly simple. A well-educated, intelligent, and affluent couple, Rachel and Martin Whitman, have a six year old son named Dylan. He is a sweet and beautiful, good-natured child with a penchant for singing show tunes. He can sing amazingly well and is simply adorable. Unfortunately, he has a below average intelligence quotient, as well as a learning disability that makes academic pursuits a trial for him. His parents' dream of a bright future for Dylan seems remote, given his limitations.

Suddenly, however, they are given hope, when a friend of Rachel's suggests that she see a Dr. Malenko, a neurologist who may be able to help with Dylan's problem through an experimental, surgical enhancement, which appears to be done clandestinely. It is a risky business, but Dylan's parents seem willing to do almost anything to ensure that their son will be able to be all that they would like him to be. Or are they? The ultimate cost may be more than that for which they bargained.

Running parallel to this story line is another one involving a Detective who is investigating a series of puzzling homicides involving children with unusual markings on their skulls. His is a quest that will intersect with the Whitmans' dream in a head on collision, making for a pulse pounding grand finale. The climactic surprise ending will leave the reader open-mouthed.

This novel is multi-layered and complex, providing an engrossing and absorbing read while proffering a whole host of ethical and public policy dilemmas for consideration. This outstanding thriller provides much food for thought buried between its lines. It is a book that demands to be read and one that will have the reader riveted to its pages until the very last one is turned. Bravo!

Simply an awesome awesome book. Jachter picks several issues and really delves into the sources in an attempt to explain all the issues and halakhic complications surrounding them. Where there is an obvious conclusion he states it, but for the most part he tries to keep his own personal opinions out of the work, simply presenting the issues from as impartial a standpoint as possible.

For every issue, Jachter does a superb job of selecting the appropriate sources to present, and even goes into minority opinions, explaining their source and acceptance level within the halakhic system. After reading this book you will find yourself to be very familiar with the halakhic issues surrounding the topics in the book.

Minimal prior knowledge is required, although some basic knowledge of how halakha works is clearly expected.

The Gray Matter: The Forgotten Story Of The Telephone by Burton H. Baker is the fascinating history of two American inventors, Alexander Graham Bell and Elisha Gray, two men who, independently of one another strove to come up with the means to improve upon the telegraph. Yet only one man could utilize their researches and discoveries to earn the coveted and incredibly profitable telephone patent involved with the creation of a newly emerging communications industry. Comprising the absorbing and little-known 1876 American saga of a remarkable invention which became a technological staple of modern life, The Gray Matter is a true and very highly recommended history of judicial inquiries, conflicts, congressional investigation, and perhaps some ethically questionable dealing.

Simply an awesome awesome book. Jachter picks several issues and really delves into the sources in an attempt to explain all the issues and halakhic complications surrounding them. Where there is an obvious conclusion he states it, but for the most part he tries to keep his own personal opinions out of the work, simply presenting the issues from as impartial a standpoint as possible.

For every issue, Jachter does a superb job of selecting the appropriate sources to present, and even goes into minority opinions, explaining their source and acceptance level within the halakhic system. After reading this book you will find yourself to be very familiar with the halakhic issues surrounding the topics in the book.

Minimal prior knowledge is required, although some basic knowledge of how halakha works is clearly expected.

This book was fantastic! This is a hilarious story. Anyone who can laugh at good old fashioned family dysfunction will relate to Kip Storm! He's brilliantly funny!

Dr. Russo has quite a twist in his writings. Robin Cook has some competition here but on a different level. I am awaiting the next "gray" happening.

Hooray! Finally, a book for those of us who are age-enhanced, or age-enriched. In other words, those of us who'll never see 50, or 60 or maybe even 70 again. See that gray hair on the cover couple? Well, believe me, snow on the roof has nothing to do with the furnace inside them. This is a book for grown-ups. Really grown up. Older, and wiser. It's a wonderful love story--with a bit of mystery thrown in, and a huge serving of erotica. (Yes, indeed, older people do think of such things!)

Mary Grace and Nick, both in their 70s, meet when Nick, a poet, comes to speak to Mary Grace's Senior Center Group. The attraction is immediate, and deep. These are with-it seniors, so Mary Grace looks him up on the internet and discovers that he'll be doing a book-signing at the local book store very soon. Off she goes to meet the poet who so intrigued her during his little talk.

Eventually, they have dinner together, learning more about each other, and their respective families. Episodes from Nick's past threaten to completely overset the new romance, but they are able to overcome the tragic situation.

Nick is a creative lover, introducing Mary Grace to all kinds of new things, and she is a most receptive student. Together, they prove that there are other routes to satisfaction than those considered typical or ordinary.

The author is a retired sex therapist who knows whereof he writes. My only very minor quibble is that he knows all the four-letter words and uses them with great joy and abandon. This is not my style, but nevertheless, I enjoyed this book immensely, and will certainly read it again and again. If you cannot tolerate that kind of language, then perhaps this wouldn't be the book for you - or your aged grandma. On the other hand, SHE just might surprise you, and prove to be younger-at-heart than you'd previously supposed.

Seriously, I hope the author can be convinced to write more of this type of book. After all, we all like to read about characters who look like us. And goodness knows, there are enough of us older folks around these days to provide a good market for more books of this kind.

Whoopeee!

The debut children's book by author Missy K., Gray Rabbit and Friends is a softcover storybook perfect for young readers who have graduated from picturebooks are ready to start enjoying wordier fare. Playful black-and-white illustrations embellish this anthology of five very brief tales featuring an eclectic cast of woodland creatures. In "Gray Rabbit and the Bully", the little gray rabbit joins forces with his friends and neighbors to stand up to Jack Rabbit, the troublemaker bully of the woods. In "Gray Rabbit Makes a Deal", Gray Rabbit must think of a wonderful present no one else has to give to the fierce (and hungry!) Golden Eagle in return for safe passage - but what can he possibly find to give? "Brown Bunny and the Four Seasons" teaches young people about the cycle of the seasons, and the security of knowing that spring will return no matter how cold winter gets. "Gray Rabbit Finds a New Home" has the simple, memorable moral that home is where the heart is, no matter how fearful or anxious one might feel about making the change. "Gray Rabbit Wants to Fly" is the final tale, about learning to love and embrace one's own best qualities even though there are some things (such as flying) that not everyone can do; "Every animal has at least one thing that they do better than any other animal." A charming collection highly recommended for young people, or for reading aloud during storytime or bedtime.