Lifestyle Books

nice photos easy reading . i can say that a lot of work is being done and this book shows it every time i read it!

An excellent guide to using essential oils for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes. Beautifully designed book with no fluff, commercialism or overdone botanical details. Yet another winner from Neal's Yard Remedies.

this is the 3rd copy of this book that i am puchasing. i keep loaning it out, and nor getting it back. it is a wealth of knowledge. i have used this book for curing just about any ailment. i highly recommend it.

My avocation is making herbal medicines and cosmetics. This is one of the few reference books I cannot live without - ragged from constant consultation. The descriptions of the essential oils are thorough and quite useful, without being overly technical. The chart in the back of ailments and the oils that can be used to treat them is particularly helpful. The psychological profiles of the oils are also interesting, but not overstated. This book would be suitable for people new to essential oils and their properties as well as an appropriate tool for those who are more knowledgeable.

Easy to read and understand, Susan Curtis, has a wonderous understanding of holitic therapies. Essential Oils by Curtis gives the basics on aromatherapy (ie. how essential oils work, storage and care, blending, base oils etc.) along with a detailed discription of 42 essential oils. Each essential oil has informaton on its orgin, therapeutic properties, method of extraction, psychological profile and its' most common use. Paper quality and photographs add to the quality of this book, as well as, a table of "method of application" listed on each essential oil.

I love all the books in this series. I think that Nina and Ben make a cute couple and I'm glad that he has a chance to get his his sight back. I was surprised at what happens between them. I was also surprised by what happened with Aisha and Christopher. I don't like the Aaron character, though. I think he's ruining things for Lucas and Zoey.

I understand wants to go through with this alone. However, he allowed Nina to come with him during the test and he even slept with her. So why doesn't he quit being selfish and let his woman be by his side and quit acting like it is pity. I like Ben; but, he is messing up. As for Zoey, well history does repeat itself. These were similar circumstances that lead to her and Jake breaking up. Aaron is a bit manipulative, but that is what Lucas gets for pushing the sex issue with Zoey. If he would have been intelligent enough to back off the other 100 times Zoey said no, this situation would no exist.

I understand that he loves Zoey, in fact I get that. But, no is no, and when she told that she wasn't ready for that he should have left well enough alone.

I think the Making out Series of books are great!! I hope Ben's surgery goes well so he can see again. I just finished it and I recomend it to everyone who likes a good romance/teen novel. Lara and Jake should definatly stay together and I hope Lara can stop her drinking problem. My least favorite character is Clair. She is sooooo mean. Me and my friends have all started reading the books. Some of them are really hard to find though cause they are out of print!!!

OMG these are the best books! I just got done reading Nina Shapes Up and I think it's the best one yet! Nina and Benjamin are my fave island couple, they are so in love (even tho I peeked at a review 4 a later book and it said they break up and now Nina is with LUCAS of all people...I hope she and Ben get back 2ge+her!). NEwayz, the point of this book is that Ben finds out about a blindness reversal surgery project in Boston. He and Nina run away so he can have tests done 2 see if he's eligible. Then something...*surprising* happens between him and Nina. You'll just have 2 read it 2 find out! If you plan 2 read this one start w/ Zoey Fools Around and work your way up...you'll get more out of it that way! C-ya later! - Sara -<3-

i have read all of the books in this series, most of them in 1 day, and i was really sad when i finished; i wanted to read them all again! My fav character in the series is Nina, cos' she is so funny.

This book is all about how Nina wants to make sure Ben will always love, even if he does get his sight back. Plus the slimy Aaron arrives and causes alot of heartache for Zoey and Lucus. Christopher has a question to ask, but Aisha's not sure how to react!

i recommend these books to any one who wants to laugh, cry, smile and be suprised. After i read the first few books i told some friends about them and now i've got them all addicted! i think the books appeal to teenagers because the series is written in the way we think, using the way we talk.

This book is a roller-coster of a ride, so hold on tight!

I read this to our son, sadly, after he "out grew" these books, they were passed on. Happily, after searching all over I found these treasures on Amazon and now have a new collection for our beautiful grand daughter to enjoy.

My daughter wants to read this book and sing the song every single day!

My grandchildren love this book. The illustrations are almost full-page, are colorful and cleverly drawn; also, the words are exactly the ones I learned as a small child and taught to my children and grandchildren. The last page even contains the musical notes.

Everybody knows Old MacDonald Had a Farm, and this Little Golden Book tells it with wonderful, educational illustrations that will most definitely put a smile on a young child's face!

This is a classic, and belongs in your child's library.

I purchased this book for my new gransdon to start a collection of the classic stories. I feel that it's important to read to a child, I read all types of books to my kids. This one will teach all about animals and what each one looks like, then as he gets older he will be able to recognize them when he sees them.

My 14 month old son giggles every time we play with this one! I wish I'd have found this when he was younger. I take it with us whenever we go out to eat so he has a fun distraction.

I purchased this book (along with several other books/toys) to help keep my 19-month-old son occupied during our flight from the west coast to Europe. He loves it! He likes seeing the animals dance when I wear the glove and likes reading the book. He even puts it on his own hand and gives it hugs. I would definitely recommend this book.

When I saw this darling little hand puppet book combination, I just had to get it for my little grandson. Each finger has a sweet little animal who lives on Old MacDonald's farm: a duck, a cat, a dog, a pig, and a cow. Within the palm of the puppet is a little board book imbedded into it so that you never have to go looking for both the book and the puppet.

Within five minutes of this book arriving at home, the packaging was ripped off and the puppet in full use. Within half an hour of gleeful laughing (both the adults and the baby), the fingers were completely soaked. Evidentially, my grandson likes the feel of the fabric in his mouth. It seems that the cat is his favorite as it is bright orange and has some colourful stripes on it. Thank goodness the material is durable because I think this item is going to get a lot of rugged use.

I am a teacher and this product makes the kids love to sing Old McDonald! They laugh everytime I bring out this book for music time!

Our 14-month old granddaughter absolutely LOVES this puppet book. First, she learned to identify the animals; then she started to imitate the sounds the animals make (you should hear her quack!); and finally she, herself, puts her little hand in the puppet and "reads" the book. It is a favorite in our house!

This book was great. I have only read three books from the Love Stories series, and so far this was the best one . I think every teen should read this book.

Wow! What a way to end the 50 + book series with a bang!

With "The Older Guy" the writers have ventured into slightly new territory. No longer the G rated material of "My First Love." The series has grown up along with its readers.

Too bad this is the end. Just as things were getting good.

P.S. Rachel Hawthorne is my personal favorite author in the series. Does anyone know who's pseudonym that is?

Well the reason I first read it was because the girl a the same name as mine. It's a stupid reason I know but I also liked what the book was about. I kinda thought I wouldn't really like. You it would be so airhead freshmen lieing about her age just to get a guy(senior). It actully turned out to be more. I really liked this book. I would also like to say that Kelly has a very big imagination lol. She gets her self out of alot of situtions using her imagination. I also recommend At First Sight that is the best book I ever read. It's a must read to every one!

i think this book was great I recommend everyone to buy it.

Kelly Carson has been crushing on total hottie Michael McCandles all summer. Finally Michael seems to have noticed her and Kelly is thrilled. But while flirting Kelly and Michael run into a few airheaded freshman who Michael expresses his not so friendly views on. So when Michael asks Kelly, who is a freshman, what grade she's in she lies and says she's a junior. She also ends up lying to him to get herself outta other situatons. I have to give Kelly props though, the girl is inginuative.

The Love Stories series has definately come a long way. It's grown with it's readers and this was a great finish. I'll sure miss it.

This is a book that all of you cowboy fans will definitely appreciate! Ben, who is the star, goes through the trials and tribulations of a young man growing up on a ranch. As most everyone knows, living on a ranch has its share of ups and downs and it is no different for this family. It is a story of Ben growing up under painful circumstances, but living to see the light of the day. This book is one that would be good for a teenager or adult and I will definitely add this one to my gift list. Ms.Young is a talented writer and gives us all of the details of the "cowboy era."

THE ORANGE SLIPKNOT
By Jan Young
Illustrated by Pat Lemkuhl


The Orange Slipknot is an easy-to-read modern day story about ranching in the western United States told through 12-year-old Ben's eyes. This is a great coming-of-age story where Ben learns the tough realities of being responsible for his own actions which results in his being treated as a man on the ranch.

The illustrations by Pat Lemkuhl are beautifully done, enhance the story and are placed strategically throughout the story bringing more effect to it.

There is a glossary at the back of the book to help understand some of the usage of specific ranching terms. Ms. Young has written a story that definitely allows the reader to learn and experience life on a western cattle ranch. This will be a book that stays on many young adults bookshelves as a keeper. Congratulations, Ms. Young.

Hard to believe a little slipknot could cause such a ruckus, but this one sure did. Ben was trying to be inventive when he lassoed a ground squirrel, but what happened next, well, let's just say it wasn't pretty.

Jan Young drops us into the action pretty quickly in this, her first novel. Hoofs are flying, fences are breaking, and the herd's scattering and when the dust settles somebody's gotta pay.

The cowboy way certainly allows for its share of fun but mostly it's hard work and thinking ahead, not something Ben is that good at as his bunkhouse friends remind him. But his time to shine is coming.

With some words of encouragement from one of the cowhands he's off on the first job he's gotten by himself. He's feeling pretty confident until weather starts to play a part and his money making scheme goes south. As it turns out that same weather gives him a chance to redeem himself.

When all is said and done he comes out with flying colors and newfound respect from not only his bunkhouse friends and his father, but the cow boss as well.

Jan Young takes a super story and gives us the behind the scene action so we can feel like we're right there riding with Ben. Realizing not everyone has a cowboy for a dad or lives in the Great Basin area she's added a glossary of terms that she uses in the book so we can "cowboy up" and learn the lingo.

The Orange Slipknot is a wonderful tale of a young man named Ben, who is coming of age in the land of cowboys. His dad, Peter, is a ranch hand that had moved his family from city life. His wife, Suzie, loves to be a cowboy's wife and live on the ranch. While life is mostly pleasant on the ranch, old Fred seems to hate Ben, and nobody knows why. He constantly belittles him and doesn't want him around, which causes problems for Peter, who works for Fred. After Ben causes a bad accident causing the death of one of the horses, he makes decisions on how he can win back the faith of his father, and everyone else who is around, including the ranch hands, who help Ben out.

Jan Young has well described the feelings of this young buckaroo, and the hard decisions he had to make. This book will encourage the young person to also take steps in making mature decisions, even though it may not feel good to them.

Tutor Jan Young draws from her husband's real-life experiences as a cowboy in The Orange Slipknot, a novel set on a Nevada cattle ranch for young readers in the middle grades. Twelve-year-old Ben doesn't want to be treated like a child, but he's at wits end trying to deal with his short-tempered father and the old cow boss with a grudge against him. A salt-of-the-earth, modern-day tale about riding and roping, and coming of age.

Brian Meehl's OUT OF PATIENCE tells of pre-teen Jake's father's dream of opening the American Toilet Museum. The town they are in is cursed with obscurity and bad history and Jake's tired of waiting for it to dry up and blow away - he wants out. When his father brings home a relic to fulfill the town curse's last prophecy, trouble and mystery begins in this fun story of baseball and intrigue.

I loved this book when I read it over the summer. Lots of "LOL" places for me, and I don't often laugh out loud when I read. But when my 11 year old son started reading it this week, he was not only "LOL" but also reading passages out loud to me! Instead of playing basketball or a video game, he was reading this book non stop. He is now talking it up with his middle school buddies.

Teachers of YA Lit should note: "Out of Patience" is a wonderful selection for a reluctant reader, yet also appeals to adults and a more sophisticated YA reader. On the surface it may appear to be a guys story but it really appeals to both genders, thanks to the terrific female protagonist!

I disagree with the prior reviews that indicate a weak or unbelieveable ending; you are looking with too much of an adult eye, and need to consider the (main)audience. Does a book about toilets and manure really need a "believeable" ending?

I enjoyed every page of this novel and look forward to future works by Meehl.

By the way, "Out of Patience" would make a terrific summer movie. Are you listening, Disney?

Brian Meehl's book incorporates some of the srongest elements of the best contemporary young adult's authors such as J K Rowling and Roald Dahl, and plunks it all down in the middle of a small town out in the vast, grassy plains of the midwest, where Mr. Meehl grew up. Yet his writing style is distinctly Meelish from first paragrasph to the last, as he dispalys a daring, occasionally bordering on reckless willingness to follow his muse and resist making safe or homogenised artistic choices. The midwestern-ness is wonderfully authentic, and he writes from a point of view that's compassionate yet brimming with a witty thread of (sometimes dark) irony.
Jake, the twelve year old hero of the book, dreams of someday escaping what he considers a terminally dead beat town. His optimistic plumber dad is convinced that he can bring tourists (and life) back to the town of Patience by opening a toilet museum, so he's been collecting antique plungers, toilets, odd pairs of men's/lady's rooms signs and the like. The flashback subplot follows suit, delving into the tale of how Jake's frontier ancestor purchased one of the first flush toilets and brought it to Patience. This, in turn, leads to a humerous and intriguing exploration of the evolution of the mechanical technology, sociology and superstition that surrounded toilets and outhouses in frontier times, which like any aspect of human psychology is a lot weirder, funnier and more colourful than one might imagine.
Jake is plunged into anxiety (so to speak) when his father aquires the antique so-called "Plunger of Destiny" on E-Bay for the museum, fullfilling the crazy frontier preacher's prophesy from a hundred years ago that when the "Plunger of Destiny " comes back to town, a curse will be set in motion. It sounds a little hoaky on paper, and personally, I'm not too fond of "curse" plots, so I was mentally daring Mr. Meehl to make it work. So I was surprised and gratified he made it work so well and so organically, in part because one's never quite sure if the events that unfold actually are the curse, or just coincidence. This book is never preachy, but has plenty of between-the-lines insight into human relationships and the true nature and value of community.

With bookstores so depressingly full of kids' novels that are straining so hard to be hip it hurts, "Out of Patience" is a breath of pure oxygen, even with the knockout stink of the local fertilizer farm. First of all, it paints the most endearing portrait of Kansas since... well, okay, The Wizard of Oz. And Brian Meehl has so-called "prairie eyes" of his own when it comes to telling a terrific story: he keeps a sharp eye on the old-fashioned ground of great plot, humor, and vividly drawn characters, but he's just as likely to sucker-punch you with descriptive writing of unexpected gorgeousness that rolls in like a midwestern storm. Kids will think all the historical gems and toilet trivia are a total blast, but never intrusive. The young heroes are smart, funny, refreshingly unobnoxious kids who are a credit to 12-yr-olds everywhere (I LOVED Sira and her motel-owning Pakistani family). I loved the Nowheresville atmosphere where the line between adults and kids is blurred by the sweet necessity of respecting everybody's weirdnesses, and EVERYONE turns out for the baseball game. But most of all, I reeeeally want the experience of eating Thunderstone Ice Cream (you'll just have to read it to know what I'm talking about :)). The action and mystery will hold readers til the very last page, the homespun wit ("Howie held a secret about as long as a dog holds onto a slice of lemon") is a total treat, and some moments of real peril are extremely effective. All in all, this is a wonderfully unique and entertaining book that deserves an extra star for that ever-elusive quality of Boy Appeal... my son said it was his favorite summer reading choice ever. "Patience" pays off!

When I review a children's book, I have a highly sophisticated system of keeping track of a book's funny passages and interesting moments. I take tiny pieces of paper and stick them between the pages. By and large, this is a good system and one that, until now, worked for me. That is, until I came across Brian Meehl's, "Out of Patience". By the time I reached page 50, there were already 15 tiny pieces of paper sticking out of the book. As indications of quality go, I can't think of any better sign than a book that resembles nothing so much as host to a million tiny paper bookmarks. Meehl has a talent and a sense of humor that hoists him heads and tails above the competition. Unfortunately, while his book has a brilliant conceit, fabulous characters, and the zing of small-town credibility (i.e. he knows what it's like to live in one), he's better on set-up than on pay-off. Nevertheless, reading "Out of Patience" is a joy. I don't think I've enjoyed reading a book as much as I enjoyed this one in a long long time.

It's good for kids to have dreams, right? Well Jake has one but it's a secret. Jake dreams of someday leaving the town of Patience as soon as he is able to do so. He can't tell this to his dad, though. Mr. Waters, the town's plumber, is too involved in the idea of creating the ATM - American Toilet Museum. He's been collecting toilet memorabilia for years now and in his quest he's gone and done something that leaves his son speechless in horror. He purchased the Plunger of Destiny on eBay. According to the town curse, the final destruction of Patience, Kansas will occur when the Plunger of Destiny returns to the tiny dying town. Now that event has occurred and Jake is fully convinced that the curse is in full swing. He's going to have to become, "a detective on curse patrol", keeping a watchful and vigilant eye for anything that might indicate the final destruction's form. Unfortunately, it may be too late to do anything at all.

People have been comparing this book to Louis Sacher's, "Holes", and they've got their reasons for doing so. Both books involve family curses and buried treasure. Both authors know how to make something funny. I mean guffawing on the subway funny and not the tittering behind your hand in the salon variety. But while Sacher may lead in the storytelling department, Meehl wins in the One Liner and Bon Mots category. It's really Meehl's writing that makes the whole book worthy of reading aloud to anyone and everyone you know. For example, when Jake wants to know if his father's girlfriend is leaving them he knows that, "Asking her a direct question was like doing a search on Wanda.com and getting a dozen pop-ups". When something inexplicable occurs in nature it's, "for reasons only scientists who have yet to be born will someday understand". The phrase for someone who's a bit loopy? "A half-bubble off plumb". The term for reading a lot? "Butt travel". And someone who's lived in Kansas might acquire "prairie eyes". "Prairie eyes see two things at once. They see the ground at your feet, which delivers the fruits of labor. And they see the distant horizon, which delivers the destructive acts of God. Prairie eyes are quiet, neutral, ready for whatever the ground or the horizon delivers".

I would love to know where Meehl collected all his information. From prairie eyes (is this a true term or did he make it up?) to toilet facts (is the portion on the prince who wanted to be a plumber true?) to weird and wacky Kansas info (definitely all true), I was kind of hoping for a Bibliography at the end. Maybe it would have been a bathroom bibliography, but that's okay. It still could of been cool. At the same time, I think that Meehl should copyright his rules for playing baseball with just eight players. They make sense in an odd way, but they're also so beautifully convoluted that by the time to you get to, "5) Committing an error costs players 12 years old and older 1 point. Players under 12 are not penalized for an error", you'd do anything to view a game of this nature first-hand.

And I adored the characters! Jake's best female friend is Cricket, a daughter of Pakistani parents who run the local motel. She's been memorizing weird and wacky facts about Kansas or Patience corresponding with years between `00 and `99. Say a number near her like 8 and you might end up hearing something along the lines of, "In 1908, the Kansas legislature passed a law against eating snakes in public". And there's Jake's best male friend Howie. Howie's a good natured sort, but he's the kind of fellow who would hold onto, "a secret about as long as a dog holds on to a tossed slice of lemon". This turns out to be particularly problematic later on in the tale. Of course, it was kind of an odd choice making the book's villain an employee of the EPA. Meehl makes it somewhat clear that this villain has a personal vendetta and isn't representative of the Environmental Protection Agency proper (they even repave the town's streets), but it's tricky territory. Frankly, I think the book didn't need to bother with a contemporary villain when the fellow who cast the curse in the first place was fulfilled all the requisite bad guy duties.

Which sort of brings up my problems with the book. This hurts to do, cause I feel a great affection for "Out of Patience". Plucking any portion of it apart from the rest and criticizing it just makes me feel all kinds of crummy. That said, I think there may have just have been a smidgen too much... um... potty humor (for lack of a better phrase) in this story. When a story involves a town getting covered in biological muck (wink wink) then you've kinda pushed me too far. "Out of Patience" is certainly not for the squeamish. If you're not into poop in all its glorious wondrous forms then keep this book at arm's length. Then again, it certainly will teach a heckuva lot of kids about nitrates. The other problem with this title involves its ending. The first three fourths of "Out of Patience" is strong. It doesn't quite know what it wants, but it's a wonderful ride. Then the last fourth kind of falls apart. Not too terribly. I understood how (a) led to (b) led to (c). But the villain seemed forced and the climax came way too early. It's not a terribly objectionable series of events, but they seemed a little too convenient at times. That's just me, though. You might have an entirely different take.

In spite of how you view the book's success, I think we can all agree on one thing. It's hee-larious. Funniest darn thing I've read all year, no question. Kids will adore it and adults will turn up their noses at the bathroom jokes while secretly succumbing to its charms. I have great faith that Meehl will bring us even more brilliant fare in the future. In the meantime I will wait for that fare to surface.

Written in 1953, this is clearly Billy Graham's best book. It was penned for any person who wants to know how to have peace with God. "Peace with God" is a term that the Rev. Graham uses to refer to how a person becomes a Christian and a child of God. Becoming a Christian generally involves the following steps:

1. Realizing our (mankind's) state of sinfulness and spiritual depravity and realizing we need a Savior.
2. Repenting of our sinfulness (turning our backs on sin and the willingness to seek a new life).
3. Learning how the death and resurrection of Jesus makes a new life (being "Born Again") possible.
4. Accepting the sacrifice of Jesus and making him the leader and King of one's life.
5. Beginning a new life in Christ, receiving his Holy Spirit, and living a life that is pleasing to God by loving others.

Billy Graham's book is probably the single best book that explains the above process in detail. The reader learns what sin is, how God's law affects man and its implications for salvation, and what mankind can do through Christ to find a rock-solid secure salvation. People often hear how "Christ died for the sins of mankind", yet, many people do not understand what this means. Billy Graham makes this very clear chapter by chapter.

This is a wonderfully written book and is gripping for the earnest person seeking peace with God. It helped me understand what the purpose of God's Law is, and what significance Christ's death has for every believer. Highly recommended. This book can change your future forever!

Jim "Konedog" Koenig

Rev. Billy Graham hits a homerun with this book, Peace with God. He has an aggressive writing style that won't leave you bored. This book was written for the everyday man, not just for theologians, it is informative, profound, and simple. If you are looking for a good Christian book, you can't go wrong with this classic. There is no hidden agenda, just the truth, and the truth will set you free. God Bless.

This is probably the best book by Billy Graham. I have read several books my Billy Graham and this one is the best!!! Very good book, one of the first christian books ive ever read.

This is what it is; medecine for the ones who are constantly searching for truths in life; ones who have a wound; an empty part of them; needing that empty part to be filled. Well the wait is over. This extraordinary book soothes the spirit as it helps one to understand the Christian Religion and the Bible to a great detail in which it makes perfect sense! For those of you who have thoughts rampaging your soul, this book will connect your thoughts together; a peaceful conscience. Excellent book.

Written in 1953, this is clearly Billy Graham's best book. It was penned for any person who wants to know how to have peace with God. "Peace with God" is a term that the Rev. Graham uses to refer to how a person becomes a Christian and a child of God. Becoming a Christian generally involves the following steps:

1. Realizing our (mankind's) state of sinfulness and spiritual depravity and realizing we need a Savior.
2. Repenting of our sinfulness (turning our backs on sin and the willingness to seek a new life).
3. Learning how the death and resurrection of Jesus makes a new life (being "Born Again") possible.
4. Accepting the sacrifice of Jesus and making him the leader and King of one's life.
5. Beginning a new life in Christ, receiving his Holy Spirit, and living a life that is pleasing to God by loving others.

Billy Graham's book is probably the single best book that explains the above process in detail. The reader learns what sin is, how God's law affects man and its implications for salvation, and what mankind can do through Christ to find a rock-solid secure salvation. People often hear how "Christ died for the sins of mankind", yet, many people do not understand what this means. Billy Graham makes this very clear chapter by chapter.

This is a wonderfully written book and is gripping for the earnest person seeking peace with God. It helped me understand what the purpose of God's Law is, and what significance Christ's death has for every believer. Highly recommended. This book can change your future forever!

Jim "Konedog" Koenig

My 16 yr old daughter read this book over the summer, and she not only loved it but used it as inspiration to go up to her crush and ask him to junior prom (way in advance albeit). He said yes, and now they're dating. She went from a wallflower who never dated to a confident young lady who finally got the nerve to ask him out. She's thrilled and could never have done it without Platinum Prom. In this book, the girls take charge of getting their dates to prom and don't wait around for the boy to ask. This book is like my daughter's bible. She raves about it and won't let me read it, but of course I flipped through it and approved it when it came in, and it looked like it was packed with fun prom stories and interesting dialogue. I respect her wishes and won't read it, but it must be something very special. So to all the fellow moms out there, I'd recommend getting a copy of this book. Believe me, it's a lot cheaper than anything else you'll spend on prom.

I'm so excited my daughter just got asked to senior prom and she's only a freshman! We just got her a strapless dress and a gorgeous necklace to wear. I know it's early but there's so much to do. We even bought her this book because we're living prom, and she loved it! She's read it a couple times and has gotten some great ideas for her big night. Some of the pages are even earmarked. The book is written as a countdown to prom starting in January, and my daughter and I are starting even earlier. Prom isn't what it used to be. Kids in her school are already planning who they're going to sit with at the tables and who they're sharing limos with. I can't imagine what it will be like doing this all four years! But this one's her first and we're pulling out all the stops. Time goes so fast and I just cherish this mother-daughter time and am thankful for all the help this book has given us.

Hi, this is Paris. Me and my BFF Nicole are reading this together. It's really hot. Okay we're not THE Paris and Nicole, but everyone calls us that and we're hot too. We're seniors and gonna graduate this year. We live near Beverly Hills so we wanted to check this out. And it turned out to be a really good book.

It's all about senior prom and a group of BFFs scoring the best designer dresses and throwing the most amazing after parties. Two girls get Chanel dresses and one girl gets Versace. They jet to Vegas to go shopping, and then they're off to Palm Springs for spa time at the Ritz. My fave scene was in the mud room in Palm Springs where they dish out all their secrets. Awesome scene. The prom after parties are hot. They rent the Staples Center and party all night long. I've done that too. So take our advice and read Platinum Prom. Tell your BFF to read it too, so you can be as close as me and Nicole :)

Hi, it's Nicole. I read this with my BFF Paris, and no we're not the famous Paris and Nicole, but everybody in school knows to call us that. Like Paris says, we're seniors and read this book together. It was way better than I thought it was going to be. First of all, the dresses the girls find are way too hot, and their shopping trips are unreal. Anyway, this book rules and like Paris says, the mud scene is one of the best, but I also LOVED the big after party!!!

Everything and anything that can happen at a prom does, and you'd never expect one of the couples that gets together at prom. You'll love it too, especially if you're into reading about dating, friends, and fashion.

I loved Platinum Prom. As soon as I opened it, I couldn't stop reading it. It's about four rich girls who live in Beverly Hills and are planning their senior prom. But they're not just going to prom. They're competing with each other to win prom queen, and to throw the biggest post-prom party. The girls go wild and hire planners, stylists, and spare no expense on their designer dresses, custom limos, and after-parties that are bigger than weddings! The book is a countdown to prom and follows the group first to Saks to pick out prom dresses, then around Beverly Hills with their prom planners, then to Las Vegas for even more prom dress shopping, and of course to prom, where lots of awesome surprises happen.

The clique is Claire, April, Tawny, and Shayna. Claire's the tall, thin, beautiful blonde type, but she surprisingly isn't as self confident as she seems. She practically starves herself to fit into her tiny designer prom dress. April's the "old money," classic deb in the group, who has a big secret she's keeping from her friends. Tawny's the fun-loving beach bum who's like a guy magnet and attracts boys all over the world. Last there's Shayna, and she's the feisty brunette who's not as "perfect" as the others, and is always trying to keep up with them. It's very funny and some of the best scenes are with the girls going back and forth dissing each other.

I really recommend Platinum Prom and definitely give it five stars. It was a great time and so much fun, especially with prom coming up. Any girl in high school should check out Platinum Prom!

- Lil' Deb

This is a must read tennis book for seniors who are beginners and also a refresher book for more advanced senior players. A tennis 101 course
with illustrations on strategy and techniques for singles and doubles.
Emphasizing that tennis can be a fun lifetime sport, no matter what the age. It is a very encouraging read for those of us who are seniors,
who love the game and know the benefits.

Linda Pugliese

Having come to tennis seriously in my mid-40's I can report that one is never too old to learn (or re-learn) the fundamentals of the game and to continuously improve after seemingly reaching a skill plateau. The Woods' book covers all that territory with solid tennis instruction in a well-organized and entertaining format, but also much more. Want to pick up some fitness tips to help your game? It's there. Want cited research on the health benefits of the game? It's there. How about something as fundamental as choosing the place to play that will satisfy your needs? It's there, too. The book is almost as good as being on the court with Kathy and Ron, and I have been with both - lessons from Kathy, and gaining tips from Ron as my doubles partner for two years. And owning the book has the added benefit that I don't have to buy a pitcher of beer after reading a chapter.

This is such an encouraging book. It is written to keep we seniors active and thrilled to be on the court. A must read to keep you playing the game with a smile on your face.

I've been playing tennis for many years and had got into a rut. Playing Tennis After 50 has "juiced" my interest by changing my approach to the game from the point that I walk on the court all the way through play. I am doing more than just playing at tennis. I now have more than a vague idea of what I am about to do. Its about goals, strategy and tactics as well as more basic stuff. A must for my bedside reading between games!

Having played tennis for most of my life, having been a monthly contributor to World Tennis and Tennis magazines for over a decade, and having coached some of the finest players in the world, this is a great book. If you are serious about getting better and you're 50 or over, this publication will prove invaluable on many different levels. The book is unusually through, well-written and filled with important insights that will protect aging players from injury as they age and help them compete at the highest possible level for as long as possible.

I particularly liked the chapters devoted to doubles. Kathy and Ron have done an excellent job distilling the functional dynamics of successful doubles. The book is also entirely consistent with the latest technology in sport science.

Regardless of your level, if you want to get better and avoid injury as you age, this book has it all.
Jim Loehr