Literature Books

EVACUATION PLAN brought me to tears at several moments throughout the book. It's dark beauty and poetic interpretation of our struggle to embrace and accept death is heart wrenching in its honesty. A true work of art and a novel that O'Connell should be tremendously proud of!

"Evacuation Plan: a novel from the Hospice" is a wonderful blend of lives ordinary but with sometimes extraordinary elements. We all share these stories of life in some way, despite moments of harshness or unforgiving pain. There is always a common thread of "humanity" and ultimately forgiveness to be found, even if it's in the last moment of life. Elaine Williams

Aspiring script writer Matt visits a hospice in order to gather inspiration for his great play. Spending the days getting to know the people staying there, Matt realized the hospice is full of stories, for anybody who cares enough to sit down and listen. From the lady whose sister ran off with a circus artist (or wanted to, anyway) to the old man who was just hoping to be reconciled with his children before he left this earth, Matt talks to them all, asking them what was their best experience in life, and hearing the stories they just have to get off their chest-before it's too late.

The idea behind Evacuation Plan is brilliant. Joe O'Connell works from the theory that "everybody has a story to tell," and you are left with the knowledge that this is without a doubt true. The book changes focus constantly with the chapters alternatingly being told from Matt's point of view, and then from the view of one of the people at the hospice.

The main thread running through all the stories is death and how to cope with it, but this is not a strong enough connection to get the stories linked together properly, and Evacuation Plan ends up feeling more like a book of short stories with a common theme, than like a full novel. This doesn't make the book any less worth reading, but it is always an advantage for the reader to know what to expect, in order not to be disappointed by the number of loose threads left hanging.

Though dealing with a sober subject, Joe O'Connell manages to be neither too somber nor engage in too much gallows humor. Death is faced unapologetically and straightforward-a very refreshing change from books that tend to either shy away from the subject, or wallow in it.

Armchair Interviews says: This is more a collection of well-written short stories than a novel, with the thread that connects are the stories at the hospice.

Hospice-----a place to die. The End. Joe O'Connell's Evacuation Plan is a beautiful contradiction to those very general concepts of human finality. For those who believe there is life after death and for those who don't, O'Connell has shown that there is life BEFORE death with each glimpse into the souls, hearts and memories of us all. Evacuation Plan reminded me of the woven potholders that my older brother and I made during our childhood-------over, under, around and through, and a final stretch to completion. Life experiences- fascinating, painful, endearing, complex, ugly, but a part of each of us, make this book a worthwhile read. Joe O'Connell's writing opens our eyes wide to see human beings rather than Hospice patients and those who are brave enough to go as far with them as mortals are allowed to go.---Eleanor Bosl, Joe's mother-in-law and very proudly, his friend.

You are in a hospice, and Rod Serling walks in and asks you to tell him a story. If you had to pick one event out of your life to tell him about, what would it be? Evacuation Plan, by Texas writer Joe M. O'Connell, is a collection of stories told to the novel's protagonist, Matt, who is a screenwriter working in a hospice so he can collect material. The occupants of the hospice -- dying residents, their family members, and the hospice staff -- are like the tattoos of Ray Bradbury's Illustrated Man, each one offering a tale that stands out in their lives. Like the loser who stares at himself in childhood pictures until the pictures come to life. Or the guy who gambled his wife in a game of Monopoly at his murderer father's Christian home for the deranged. Or how fate undid the fate of a young unwed father-to-be. These are stories of reflection, of the best day in one's life, the worst day, the turning points, and the close calls, some joyous, some sad, some bizarre. Not the stuff one would discuss on a first date or a job interview. The surreal atmosphere of the hospice, where angels might be eavesdropping, drops the guard of the storytellers, and sincerity prevails. Evacuation Plan is both entertaining and thought provoking, and it is a wonderful book.

Tyler and Lymie have know idea what trouble there getting in by just getting the chicken pox and imatating a famous local artits. The town is having a huge festival for the annversity, also they are dreding the local river to find heads that the artist made. As a joke the boys make heads of there own. If you like a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat and guessing until the very end then this book is for you. The boys are always getting into mischeif from running into the river with there clothes on to egging the infamous keepouts who want no one near there house not even the a little eight grade kid.Also they are always getting in trouble by there parents from being grounded uncountable number of times to having a gun to there head to riding home in a police car. From reporters chasing them to there home and calling there house you'll be on your seat untill the very end!!!!!!!!

This is a great book! It is so funny and so well written!

Tyler and Lymie had no idea that having the chicken pox would get them into so much trouble. It was about time for the centennial celebration of an artist named Badaglio. Badaglio was rumored to have made two heads out of stone and thrown them in the nearby river. Tyler and Lymie have some fun and make their own stone heads and they too throw them in the river. Theywere found just before the big Badaglio art fest. Two art critics declared that they were authentic. They fouled everybody. Tyler and Lymie were worried sick , because they thought they would get in trouble. Now the real fun begins. I really enjoyed reading this book, because it was very interesting and funny. I would recommend that one of my friends read this adventurous novel.

In this book EYE OF THE BEHOLDER there are two main characters Tyler and Lymie. All throughout the book Tyler and Lymie have you on the edge of your seats wondering what their next move will be. The story take place in a small town called Wakefield. Wakefield isn't really all that exciting but in just a few days the twon is going to throw a big celebration for the twon's hero the famous sculpter Badoglio,Tyler and Lymie cook up a plan to give the town a big surprise but they just don't know how their surprise will go. I really liked this book alot becouse, it had to do with kids. I could relate and understand also. I would recommend this book becouse it's really good and funny.

I just finished reading Eye of the Beholder.It is a very interesting novel. It keeps you very interested and you just don`t want to put it down. I liked the novel for the most part.The two main characters Tyler and Lymie get into a little trouble during the novel with their interests in art. I like the novel because of what happens during the novel. I would urge a friend to read this novel because it is a fun book to read,and if I liked it I`m positive that they would like it to.

The Flame Tree is a realistic fiction book by author Richard Lewis. This book takes place in 2001in a small town in Indeonesia called Java. Placed around the September eleventh terrorist attacks, this novel weighs Islam and Christianity in a way that makes you really think about both sides of this religious difference.
12 year old Isaac Williams lives with his parents in a Baptist hospital compound, where there is also a Christian boarding school holding hundreds of students. A giant flame tree towers over the compound. This is where Issac makes a discovery that should have been his first clue to realize something was wrong. In the bamboo forest that surrounds the compound, Isaac finds a gate that is hard to see from the inside and even more difficult to see from the outside. He thinks he has found a way to go see his friend Ismail without getting caught outside the compound, but has he found something sinister? He doesn't give a second thought to this. He slips out to go visit Ismail, a Muslim boy who lives with his family in Java. He and Ismail have a great time and Isaac slips back into the compound unnoticed... almost. His mother catches and then scolds him,but otherwise he feels pretty good. His life is that of a normal 12 year old boy. He has nice parents, a home, a loving God, a best friend, and a way to escape from his punishment sentence. Then, the twin towers collapse and kill thousands of Americans. Suddenly, Java's muslims are like a deadly cobra waiting to rear it's ugly head and release it's poisonous venom onto the Americans at the hospital compound.
This was an emotionly hard to read book, but it was very helpful in understanding Islam and maybe why he 9/11 terrorist attacks happened. Don't read this book if you are interested in stories from 9/11. Read this book if you are looking to understand them. This book also has a lot of religious issues and comparisons between Islam and Christianity in it, so if you are interested in that, this is also a good read. I would recommend this to 13 year-olds and older because it has some tough material in it. What will happen to Isaac? What do the gate, the flame tree, and Ismail have to do with it? Read The Flame Tree to find out.

Growing up in a Muslim country, you seem so used to the Muslim traditions and way of life. Just like 12 year old Isaac. The realistic events in this novel are very thought provoking. It opened up my eyes to an uglier side of people. When religion becomes a cause for fighting. When people take on their own meanings of their religion. I was very surprised to find,after reading this book, that it isn't popular. It provides such an insight into the world in which most of us are oblivious to. It is painful, because it is told through the eyes of such a young child. But just like To Kill A Mockingbird, maybe it is only through eyes of a child which true suffering can be seen. I hope that more people, especially Americans pick up the book to read. It is powerful, and provides such a ticket into seeing the complications there exists in this world.

The Flame Tree
By Richard Lewis
Set in post 9/11 Indonesia, this coming of age tale offers an intimate look at the culture of Muslims and their Christian neighbors through the eyes of a 12-year old American boy. While the story is compelling with the kidnapping of the hero (fair-haired, blue-eyed), Isaac, it is perhaps a little too gritty for most 12-year old readers with its graphic description of a brutal circumcision. While the realism of the tale isn't in doubt, once again Muslims' 'bad guy' status is brought into sharp focus. The author does attempt to "normalize" the view of the religion of Islam through the clever introduction of wise, old cleric Tuan Guru Haji Abdullah Abubakar, among others, who ultimately helps Isaac and his mother with the tall order of reconciling their anger with friends, God and terrorists.

The book does a superb job of raising questions in the readers mind about the origins of the Judeo-Christian and Islamic faiths in its attempt to show their fundamental similarities, but most middle school readers are going to gloss over these details and get caught up in the "gory details." This book is better recommended for the high school student studying cultural diversity or comparative religion. It would be interesting to see if this author attempts another look at the subject from a Muslim boy's perspective, since that would also be a compelling read.

The divergence of the monotheistic religions came when Ishmael went to Mecca, and Abraham's other son, Isaac, stayed in Palestine. Richard Lewis's The Flame Tree, is the modern example of the continuing conflict that resulted from this divide. Twelve-year-old Isaac is the son of Christian missionaries in Indonesia. He watches the world from the branches of the flame tree and plays with Ismail, a local Muslim boy, along the riverbank.

However, when the Tuan Guru Haji Abdullah Abubakar appears, in their once peaceful town of Wonobo, accusing the missionaries of committing sin against Allah by trying to convert Muslims to Christians, it's not only the boys' friendship that is threatened but their beliefs, as well.

Lewis's depiction of religious conflict is honest, real, and objective. Though the son of American missionaries, his story is neither one-sided nor preachy. The violence portrayed in the novel is shocking and painful but tastefully written.

The Flame Tree is intelligent and thought-provoking. It is action packed and lyrical, a wonderful contribution to young adult literature, and an excellent read for older adults too.

A marvelously, wonderfully spun tale, steeped in first hand knowledge and laced with imagery so realistic, that you forget that it is fiction. As an American living in Indonesia who was deeply impacted by the Bali Bomb, I battled between not being able to put the book down and needing to put the book down to process my response. This is an amazingly informative book. Through it, one is engaged on all levels - intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. Lewis' clever whit, ability to lead the reader into intimacy with each of the well-developed characters, and well-balanced approach to cultural and religious issues faced by our current generation, provided a greatly satisfying read. This story cuts straight to the heart, while being full of such great fun, adventure and suspense, that one is able to easily press through what would otherwise be a slow go through amazingly huge issues faced by our world today.

This sounds like a story that is happining all over. How many men could tell the same type of story. I needs a continuation story

This piece is a brilliant work. If the reader is able to remove himself/herself from the rattle that has become our society, and enter Joeron's WWII world, you can surely appreciate such honest writing. This is not a story of child abuse. It is a true story of a young person, and his experince. There is a clear difference in the way this work is presented.

For a Lost Soldier is an artfully told story of love and loss during wartime. The author skillfully creates the mood of uncertainty and lurking danger in the opening pages when eleven year old Jeroen is about to be separated from his family for the first time in his life, due to food shortages in German-occupied Amsterdam. The dangerous journey to Friesland, the homesickness he feels upon his arrival, his introduction into a family mildly disappointed that they did not receive the expected girl evacuee, and the insensitivity of a pious teacher who humiliates him when, overwhelmed by the changes that have been forced upon him, he breaks down in tears in class; these are all conveyed in painfully believable scenes in this English translation of the original Dutch.

Van Dantzig makes 1944 Friesland so rich in detail--visual, auditory and olfactory--that the reader experiences palpable fear when months pass without young Jeroen hearing from his parents. So we are as vulnerable as Jeroun when, in the giddy days of liberation in 1945, he meets Walt--a young Canadian (erroneously believed by Jeroen to be American) who, with his status of liberator, is a God-like being who could theoretically do no wrong. Much has been said about the relationship between Walt and Jeroen, as it should be, for it is the most forbidden possible. But approaching For a Lost Soldier as literature rather than social commentary, one has to admire van Dantzig's ability to coerce the reader into assessing what happens between these two humans from Jeroun's point of view. And from that perspective, we see that exploitation is only one of the calamitous things that can happen to a child during wartime. There is a startling revelation about how the events of 1945 color the world of an adult Jeroen thirty five years later. It is impossible to go any further with that thought without spoiling things for the reader.

For a Lost Soldier leaves its reader with that unsettled feeling that comes over us when we have become so immersed in the life of a protagonist that when the novel ends we hardly feel capable of setting the book aside and going on with our own lives.

It's very hard for me to rate this book. Was it brilliantly written, insightful and honest? Yes, yes and yes. Was it entertaining, informative and thought provoking? Again yes, yes and yes. So what's the problem? The solider in this story raped the little boy. I'm not talking about statutory rape where you could argue that the boy was a willing participant and enjoyed the experance. The solider took the boy by force. I suppose that in war such things are not uncommon. I also suppose that in war there are greater acts of immorality. What troubles me is that after being ravaged the boy falls madly in love with the man who raped him! What sort of message dose this send? Have fun with whatever boy you fancy, even if he screams and cries you'll win his heart! However I'll have to admit that although we are influenced by the books we read at the end of the day each of us is responsible for his own actions. I give this book five stars because I admire the courage of the man who wrote it.

Like many others here, i first viewed the video and expected the book to be based on it,somewhat based on it but to my suprise, it wasn't exactly what i expected to be...The books takes a whole different view on the relationship between Jeroen and Walt and the what 'WE' see in the movie is in totally opposite from the book...

To start off, some of what we see from the movie is NOT even in or from the book, just added on by the writers/directors from the movie, i believe!!!I loved the movie very much but perfer the book since it's *REAL* compared to the movie...The movie gives you more of a fantasy to their story and love but still somewhat based on it, is the fact that Walt does love Jeroen but after reading the book, i really *QUESTION* if Jeroen does indeed LOVE walt as he claims he does in *REAL* life????

I keep questioning myself after reading it and i feel soo sad by the fact that *THESE* two human being haven't yet seen or meet each other after 1945..Sooo sad for them and also by the fact that Jeroen should of known or at least TRIED his very best and every effort to get clues as to whom and where Walt was from..The name from the photo should at least given him a clue and he should of kept the photo in a safe place but instead *FORGOTTEN* about it and Rudi Van Dantzig said in the book that he searched for his lost soldier for 2yrs but in Amsterdam but the soldier is obiviously from either the STATES or Canada and in the book he's referred too as a 'AMERICAN SOLDIER' so but near the ending it talks about a Canadian Biscuit which Jeroen refused to eat, which i really don't get why if he loved his soldier soo much..??

I have no doubt that that Walt does love him and by saying declaring his love it says it all but Jeroen NEVER ever said or reply or returned the love by saying it, and i'm a little disappointed by that...

I also wonder why he didn't search for his lost soldier later on in his life?? I know the soldier could do the same but why didn't Rudi Van Dantzig do so???This ? booogles my thoughts after reading the book..

Their age gap is very little becuz by what Jeroen says, walt and the other soldiers should be around their early 20 or even 18 and 19..

Walt is definitely not a child molester and not an abuser also.The first time maybe and afterwards,it's Jeroen that can't seem to keep away from the soldier and goes to him..While reading, i keeep telling myself, why is Jeroen always questioning himself when in regards to Walt and obiviously he wants walt and wants his attentions and wants his love and affection but the consistent questioning and doubting and somtimes ridiculous remarks when referring to walt is somwhat annoying..

I sooo hope that these two can meet after 50-60yrs of not knowing what happened to the other..I love this book and it's going to stay with me until i die..That's how much i love it..

When i get it!!!

I got a copy of the book from the library becuz i couldn't wait any longer and wanted to read it NOW!!!!

Another question comes to mind, how truthful is this book, it has been like 41yrs since the events happened and how can he remember everything sooo clearly and i say to myself that Rudi Van Dantzig doesn't need to lie to sell books, i hope that everything i read is true and not false and some ppl do have good memories and too bad that he didn't understand english when he was 12yrs old becuz we're not able to know what Walt said to him and how Walt felt..

While reading the book, Walt does the talking, somewhat and Jeroen didn't say a thing, that's a little disappointing also..I mean, he could at least said his name out loud more than once and tried to talk to him like in the movie but it's not the movie...It's real life!!!

Also a little disappointed that the dance scene and the teaching him to drive and the plane thing were all false and never actually happened..

The only true thing from the movie was bits and parts added into the movie and even then, it didn't match up with the book..

I wonder if the name given from the book is really the soldiers real name and if Jeroen whatever is really his name but later on changed to Rudi Van Dantzig??If anybody knows thy answer,please let me know...Thanks!!

LOVEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDD the BOOOOOOOOOOOKKKKKKKKKKK!!!It's coming with me to the GRAVVVVVVVVEEEEEEE when i die..

Too bad, the two never got a chance to meet again.....Sad.......

Shwartz is a Boston trail lawyer with an unabashed love for the well-written word. In the introduction Shwartz wrote about reading, "I would read, as readers do, to tame the unfamiliar or see the familiar through new and enlightened prisms; to see how different or eerily familiar, another person's interior life could be from my own."

This is a book of short commentaries by 115 writers on the books they love most. And indeed it is hard to flip many pages without finding the word love. Shwartz set out to produce the very book he couldn't find in bookstores!

This is truly a book that your reading group could share. Buy one copy and bring it to meetings. It can give you a wealth of insights and ideas for books to read- read a book written by one of the 115 authors interviewed and then select a book to read that influenced that author. The bibliographical index is reason alone to buy this book. Shwartz has said that he always found himself asking what the authors themselves read; and here you'll find that answered both in text and in the index.

Penelope Fitzgerald, author of "The Bookshop" wrote in her commentary that "Fathers& Sons" was one of the books that made the greatest impression on her, "I still feel close to weeping when I get to the end. . . " John Irving, author of "The Cider House Rules" named "Great Expectations" and said, ". . .the intention of a novel by Charles Dickens is to move you emotionally- not intellectually . . . " And Anna Quindlen, author of "One True Thing" said, "The books I've loved most were the books I could inhabit."

Our interesting word selection was "Verity"" The quality or state of being true or real. Faithfulness to aesthetic truth.

Our favorite quote was by Anne Fadiman: "I was so ludicrously unprepared for Humanties 190 that the course nearly proved my undoing. With a doggedness born of panic, I defaced nearly every line of Aristitle's poetics with citron Hi-liter and crammed the margins with felt-tip notations."

Shwartz wrote that it was his hope that his book "might inspire people to read more. . . " Oh yes!

Anyone who has ever wanted to be a writer will hear from writing instructors all about the importance of constantly reading. Books on writing theory state the same thing as do works about writing by published authors. The importance of reading cannot be disputed, but many writers may wonder what would be appropriate to read. Fans of great writers may also wonder what would be a great next read. Ronald Shwartz has edited a book that answers these questions for all who wonder, what do great writers read and what books have inspired these writers to write?

The book includes many well known authors of both fiction and nonfiction, including notables such as Anne Bernays and husband Justin Kaplan, Robert Coles, Joyce Carol Oates, Penelope Fitzgerald, John Irving, Norman Mailer, and Anna Quindlen just to name a few. Some of the writers simply list the books, others explain why they include the books. Most of the entries are short and to the point, and all the entries are insightful. I only wish Norman Mailer had a bit more to say, but since he just published a book on writing, any questions I may have will probably be answered in that book.

Ronald Shwartz was curious about what books writers read, how and what influenced them, so he set about to seek answers. This book contains 115 different viewpoints. Each chapter, written by a different author, begins with a brief biographical blurb followed by two or three pages describing the authors' choices. Some, like Mario Puzo or Norman Mailer, were quite terse, just itemizing their choices, but most of the other entries were a bit more revealing, giving us a feel for what the books meant to them, when they read them, etc. Their passion for books and reading were truly inspirational.

I kept a pad and pen handy as I read this book to make a list of the books mentioned that sounded interesting to me. By the end of the book I had a huge list of books that I wanted to find and read.

This book not only served as a great source for recommended reading, but provided a wonderful window into all of these authors' lives.

A wonderful collection of some of the most remarkable authors likes and dislikes and what books influenced them most. From childhood memories to adult appreciation, each author shares their favorite titles as well as how they came to appreciate reading and the written word.

As a fellow author, I felt like I had a window seat into the soul of many great writers. "WAR AND PEACE" won many votes as a favored choice.

Some authors distinguish between historic works and current favorites. Most agree that readers make writers! Each author seems to highly respect the written word.

Truly enjoyed the stories told about what was viewed as the catalyst to an early appreciation of books. My only negative comment would have to be on the size of the text. Personal opinion is that with so much written word on a page, you can lose the interest of the reader. These stories should be appreciated and read.

Easy to see why this would make an excellent choice for any adult book/reading group.

the only drawback of this book is that it will rob you of precious hours devoted to reading other books! i'm being facetious, of course -- this is a wealth of reflections to (a) place by your bedside table, (b) in the glovebox of your car, and (c) dare i say, in the bathroom to savor whenever you get a spare moment -- or to enjoy simply for its own sake. it's very much like sitting down face-to-face with a garrulous, self-reflective author (or grandparent) and hearing a lifetime of wisdom squished into a few minutes. so grab a pencil -- you're going to need one! -- and mark what sounds interesting. funny how often "the brothers k" gets mentioned, "moby dick" etc. but so many wonderful surprises in store, too. thanks to kurt vonnegut's (brilliant) short essay, for example, i picked up "candide" and am much the wiser. oddly enough, no one recommends "les misérables" -- i can't imagine why not -- or "musashi" for that matter. but "the tale of genji" is recommended, so all is forgiven. "for the love of books" = beautiful!

Loved this, all of it, especially the beautiful and smart poetry.

This anthology is not particularly erotic, literate, clever, amusing, or original. If you think it is, you need to read better erotica. There's a boring lecture about abstinence, a fishy story about a cat and canned tuna, a geography lesson that features a woman reciting the capitals of countries, and a simply uninspired recipe for a human strawberry shortcake. The quality of the book is poor, too; after a single reading the binding came apart. Maybe my hands got too excited from reading it? Nah!

I think that what I most enjoy about the "From Porn to Poetry" books, as well as CleanSheets.com, the magazine they originate from, is that you can say something like "sexy, classy, hot, wild, and true" and be accurate in your description. The editor's name, Susannah Indigo, represents authenticity in writing to me, and all of her projects that I've read have been a cut above ordinary erotica. The mix of material in this book ranges from the down and dirtiest stories to elegant, sexual poems, and there's nowhere else you can read that kind of pleasurable mix. The subtitle is "Clean Sheets Celebrates the Erotic Mind," and that's how it felt to me after reading the book - like my "erotic mind" had been thoroughly and joyously "celebrated," honored, turned-on, and was raring to go.

Nothing in the book resembles cheap "Penthouse" stories; stunning stories by writers like Kim Addonizio, Maggie Gray, Mike Kimera, Greg Wharton, and Susannah Indigo herself simply leave you begging for more. I can't recommend these books enough to anyone interested in erotica; I've gifted friends with them and they all agree. They wonder, in fact, where I found them, since there's nothing in big bookstores done as well as this. Thank heavens for the web and the ability for small book publishers to put this cornucopia of erotica out there for us!

I love the mixture of fiction and non-fiction and poetry in this book. All of it is sexy, interesting, fresh and new. Highly recommended, and a great gift for a love to get them talking about what they like.

This is a terrific book, it's sexy and smart and unusual. Some great stories and sexy poems, much better than many erotic books.

I don't usually write reviews, but I found this book too enlightening to not. Getting Into Character is full of excellent ideas and excellent examples. I am in the process of editing my National Novel Writing Month novel using Collins' ideas. Her examples are clear and illuminating. The recommended reading at the back of the book is extensive and well-explained.

I would have liked a little more on creating a good "Level A," but that is my only complaint.

If you write and are in the market to raise your writing to the level of such literary greats as Twain, Austen, Tolstoy, Dickens, Siddons, Dumas, Hugo, Mitchard, Foster, Waller, Martini or Saul, then this is a must have for your research library. From the fingers of Brandilyn Collins comes the experience of a best selling novelist and her adaptation of Method acting director/instructor, Stanislasky's words. Included are samples of contemporary and classic novels teaching you how to push your writing higher. You can learn how to draw the reader to your characters as their story unfolds. Don't miss this one!

An interesting analogy of how writers are like actors and must get into their characters' heads in order to portray them in a convincible style. Filled with good ideas.

This book seemed to be one-half Lajos Egri (The Art of Creative Writing) and one-half John Cleaver (Immediate Fiction). Like both of these authors, Brandilyn Collins explains how to create well-developed, compelling characters that you can let loose in your stories.

All of the author's techniques tie back to Stansislavsky's "Method Acting." Each chapter starts with an analysis of one of techniques of Method Acting. Then that technique is summarized in terms of ficiton writing. The remaining chapter fills in the details and gives examples.

In addition to the techniques of character development, the author presents several narrative frameworks for the overall plotting of the story. She also discusses crafting each scene using character objectives that flow from the character's Inner Values.

The chapter on dialog was interesting. Here, the author shows you how to link the hidden-message of dialog (sub-texting) back to the richly-developed psychological profile, or inner values, of the character.

I liked the book very much - particularly her conceptualization of Method Acting back to narrative writing and her well-explained examples. This book is different than many others describing character development. The author also includes exercises that the reader can pursue.

John Dunbar
Sugar Land, TX

The reviewers have said it all, and yet I feel the need to add my two cents as an author and a 'how-to' book collector.

I struggled with my characters from the beginning and since reading Brandilyn's book I can understand why. Never before have I read a book that gives such explicit examples of how to create characters of depth and motivation.

My copy is dog-eared, highlighted, scribbled, and has lovingly earned a spot on my shelf as a book I could not write without. I can't recommend GETTING INTO CHARACTER enough for new authors and those who think they have nothing more to learn.

Since I have two teenage nieces who live in other states, Catherine Dee's books are one way I can pass on ideas and thoughts that are good for them as they grow up. Two years ago I purchased The Girls' Book of Wisdom for both of them for Christmas (in fact, I have this one myself!). I'm sending one niece The Girls' Book of Friendship and The Girls' Book of Love for her birthday. The whole series is great!

Catherine Dee's brilliant blend of quotes, poetry, stories, advice and honest questions are a must-read for every girl falling in or out of love. Everyone's heart is different-yet each can be touched by these pages. Just reading this book brought me on a journey through every emotion and love that I've ever felt.


This is the big sister that you always wish you had when it comes to matters of the heart.

The Girls' Book of Love has been a great, great help to me. I read it when I fell deeply in love, and it had great tips for me!

Who do you talk to the most about love? Friends? The 'rents? Ever feel like the sitch is helpless because your friends all have the same probs as you and Mom's great advice piece is "boys are just silly"? Why couldn't we have a great guide, jst for girls that shared insights about love from all sorts of people, even guys?! Well relax ladies, it's finally here!

From the author of The Girls' Book of Friendship and The Girls' Book of Wisdom comes a new guide for girls on love and life. And it's not a "how to" guide that'll show you how to flirt like a pro and snag yourself a sweetie. It's a lively lil' collection with cool quotes, true stories, love poems, and a guy's eye view. All meant to " deepen your understanding of love," the joy and the pain. There's even thoughts from fabulous gals and guys like Madonna and Justin Timberlake.

More than anything in this transitory life mine eyes desire the sight of you. ~Catherine of Aragon

The Girls' Book of Love is a collection of stories, poems, lyrics and quotes. Throughout the pages of this beautiful collection, the mysteries of love are revealed. It is more a celebration than an explanation and you will also discover trends and trivia.

Is personality more important than looks?
Is there a scientific way to measure love?
What are the first signs of falling in love?
Can fantasy be a natural pain reliever?
Why should you whisper into the left ear?

I remember being in love when I was just seven years old and I think all girls can relate to the desire to be in love all the time. Being in love makes the world more interesting, you feel more inspired and for women, this might just be a way of life.

A few of the true love stories take place in exotic places. A sixteen-year-old gazes intensely at her newfound love while visiting temples in India and then while traveling in Egypt, a girl is frozen in place by the sight of boy she views from a distance.

"Although our time together was short, it's a treasure I'll hold in my heart forever. He was the beginning of something great, and through his eyes I saw the beauty of life. ~Dina Chehata, 16

Reading about love and being in love is pure pleasure for the female heart. Catherine Dee has captured these desires, soul longings, the wonder and excitement of first love and the experience of discovering something new. Within these pages you will find intellectual enjoyment to satisfy your curiosity and warmth and longing to satisfy your heart.

~The Rebecca Review

This was a Christmas gift from my mother when my children were small. We wore out the book and it has been taped together lovingly to read now to my grandchildren. This is one of my favorites from the book.

The Chickens

Said the first little chicken,
With a strange little squirm,
"I wish I could find
A fat little worm."

Said the next little chicken,
With an odd little shrug:
"I wish I could find
A fat little bug."

Said a third little chicken,
With a small sigh of grief,
"I wish I could find
A green little leaf!"

Said the fourth little chicken,
With a faint little moan,
"I wish I could find
A wee gravel stone."

"Now, see here!" said the mother,
From the green garden patch,
"If you want any breakfast,
Just come here and scratch!"

I was given this book when I was two by my grandmother, a librarian. I have poured over this book from the very first day it was given to me. First, looking at the pictures and having my parents read the nursery rhymes. In elementary school, I began to read it myself. By late elementary school through high school, the book had become a useful reference. I still have the one given to me by my grandmother and absolutely treasure it. I look forward to sharing my book with my soon-to-be born first child.

This collection covers everything from nursery rhymes to Shakespeare. Wonderful illustrations and a great collection of poetry, which doesn't believe that children are too young to grasp the meaning of the poems.

My favorite poem(terrifying) was the Skippery Boo, next, The Tyger (Blake). Great book for parents reading to kids and introducing poetry, at many age levels: great for that. Glad it was reissued and on the market again! And what about James the Snail reaching the end of his brick, eh?!

I was given this book on my 7th birthday and read it over the years until the covers came off. It is full of every delightful children's poem you can imagine. When young, I read the nursery rhymes and "The Moon is the North Wind's Cookie" and "The Duel".

When older, I delighted in "The Village Smithy" "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" and "The Children's Hour".

To this day I can quote great swatches of it. The Joan Anglund drawings are charming and capture all the excitement and inspiration of this wonderful collection. If you at all think your children will like "rhymes" give this one a try.

This book originally came out back in the 1950's and my mother used to read it to me every night since I was an infant (that was nearly four decades ago). This is the book that got me to love reading. I recently bought a number of copies for friends and family who just had children and there is only one minor change from the older editions: five poems were removed because today they would be considered quite racist. But the tone of the book and the illustrations are superb! Untermeyer (editor) did a wonderful job of collecting funny, witty, deep, and profoundly moving series of poems that will appeal to anyone. Among my favorites are: "The Owl and the Pussycat", "Winken, Blinken, and Nod", "Father William", and "Little George."

This book is a must for children. I cannot say enough about it. Just buy it and keep a few extra copies on hand to give away. You will not regret it!

Bob Tucker has a unique ability to make us smile...a great gift particularly when writing stories for children. One of his characters, Sammy Snake is a favorite for both parents and children at a library story time. His book is a wonderful addition to my home bookshelf.

My son and I have read this book together from cover to cover laughing all the way. We have truly enjoyed each and every story. It would be hard to pick a favorite because all of them are so cute, but I guess it would be the one where Sammy Snake gets stuck in cement trying to write a letter to Sally Snake. What is especially good about these stories is that they teach good morals to children without boring them. It gets the message across in a humorous way that children love. My son likes the rhyming style which is fun and easy to read, and I think every child would love Grandpa Tucker's stories.

(Joni Miller)

Grandpa Tucker's Rhymes & Tales is a great book full of peoms for any ages. About half of the peoms are about a funny snake whos always on different adventures, like when he meets a vampire on Halloween night in "Sammy, The Snickers Snake" and when Sammy and his friends help out the Easter Bunny in "The Easter Snakes." Also there are other stories about people other then Sammy Snake, like "Willie Worm" and "Rodney Rooster." This is a great book and I just didn't give it a five star because with me it is harder to get a five star than it is the find a needle in a hay stack. So I award this book four stars for it being great!

I've known Grandpa Tucker my whole life, but even if I didn't his book of wonderful rhymes and stories are beloved by children all over! Its the kind of stuff that gives kids the giggles so badly that they get hiccups!

Buy this book for the children in your life!

- added: Grandpa Tucker passed away, but he left this wonderful legacy for children for years to come. If you get one book to read to your kids, get this one. They will surely love it as silliness abounds. This book will be something they treasure the rest of their lives and they will teach their children the rhymes.

This is an OUTSTANDING collection of stories!
It is a great bedtime story book and a good
book for use when a child is ready to advance
from picture books to something a bit more
advanced.