Maine Books

I love to snowshoe, so I got this book in anticipation of a snowy Maine winter. It has some wonderful ideas of places to go for a satisfying snowshoe treck! It gives good directions, has topo maps, and also gives tips on the level of difficulty. It tells you the scenic highlights of each trail, whetting your appetite for each & every one. There aren't enough weekends in a Maine winter to try them all! It even offers info on nearby motels and grocery stores (so you can pack a lunch). Looks like it offers a lot of information for the cross-country skiier, too. I've snowshoed for years, but this offers a multitude of new ideas of wonderful places to go. Now I can't wait for the first "heavy dumper."

When I first received the spiral bound book I must say I thought I was going to be disapointed. But once I started delving into the contents of the book I was more than happy that I had made the purchase. Coleman uses this book as an opertunity to offer updated information and further detail on winter harvesting for market with very specific varieties for each vegetable, methods and timelines for production and well outlined information on marketing and cold weather covers and high and low tunnels. I highly recommend this book as a permanent reference on every serious gardener's and small farmer's bookshelf.

I thought the book was an excellent review of some very powerful women who, in most cases had scant means, but who have risked much to keep our planet whole and protect it from being exploited for short term gains. I would recommend it strongly to anyone interested in preserving the environment and/or in realizing how much work has been done by some outstanding women to protect and restore our planet.

A real "Down East" book about a real Down East fisherman, his life, trials, and stories. Reads great and I found it hard to put down. Being from Maine it reminded me of my childhood lobstering with my great grandfather and my great uncle. The memories just kept streaming in and this book is a keeper!

I purchased a copy of this book at the local library sale. I found Jennie and Alick great characters, and wondered at their circumstances. It is a great story of love, mystery and people coming to a new country. The pride of becoming Americans and their children born on American soil. Glad to know that there is more to this story than just the one book

This book is beautifully written and describes parts of island life from a summer resident's point of view, in addition to the deep feelings caused by the loss of a son who is now buried on the island and has, thus, become part of the island's history. Amazingly, there is nothing sentimental about this book; just heartfelt. Highly recommended to anyone who shares an interest in Maine's island heritage, or summer residents' place in it, or how one family has coped with their personal loss and incorporated it into Maine island culture. Thank you for sharing these very personal feelings and stories with a larger audience.

Originally pulped almost 5 years ago now, this book has just been read in our household. We are really, really late to the Harry Potter party, but isn't that the best way to be? Considering that we would have to have waited 3 years between books four and five, and now we get to dive into the 6th book the night after finishing the latter, is a fortunate thing for us.

Order of the Phoenix is the longest of the series, and culminates in an epic battle at the end which does not let down in the action department. There are new enemies introduced in The Order: both Dark Eaters and one enemy who is an apathetic/insane bureaucrat. And whether or not we can trust Snape has still not been entirely hammered out for us.

By the fifth book, our hero has turned from a child to a young man. He is dealing with much more complex issues than most have to deal with (predestination, seeing a friend die, issues of orphan hood) and yet when he lashes out in anger we still click out tongues at him. Rowling makes sure to show that Harry Potter is human (a magical human) and although he is destined to save us all, he still can't understand girls, really hasn't learned how to study for a test, and can't keep from feeling jealous when friends do better than him.

The pattern is followed here, just as it was in the past four books. Harry deals with his hateful biological family, goes to school, danger ensues, and there is a battle at the end--Just a regular school year for the students at Hogwarts.

There's one thing that I think this series does best, perception. In the fifth book, the war is well under way in the normal world, but the reader has to go to school and deal with everyday issues with the three heroes, despite the ever hanging anxiety that the world is falling down outside the school grounds.

The characters are funnier and truer than ever. And if we had to be honest, the brain behind this entire operation is Herminie. She is rarely wrong, and always knows what to do. Harry just has the talent to carry out the ideas and Ron cracks jokes and nearly kills himself along the way.

It's a great read, especially for fans of the series who have not made it this far.

I remember when this book was about to come out, the hype, the media, the LONG lines.
If you weren't smart enough to preorder this book you were out of luck.
Harry Potter was all over the news and the media was in a complete frenzy.
The book is just as long as all the others and just as brilliant.
Without giving away any of the story line, more drama, more action, another blazing story line and another masterpiece.
If you've stuck with Harry this long, then this book won't disappoint.
Can J.K. do anything wrong?
No.
Another masterpiece and another must read.
Recommended.

This product was in perfect condition with a really low price. I also received it within a few days of ordering. This company is amazing.

Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix is a suprising, entertaining book. The main characters are Harry,Ron and Hermione.The main characters broke the rules that would get them expelled from Hogwarts.My favorite character is Ron Weassly because he never fights to make people stop teasing him.I can relate to the character Ron because I don't like to be teased. I also find ways to make them stop teasing me. I loved the book; every page was exciting.I recommend this book to people who like fiction and have questions after every chapter.

While "Azkaban" and "Goblet of Fire" began the transition of the series towards the darker and more mature side, "Order of the Phoenix" was the first to really explore the pure evil that Voldemort and his death eaters were capable of and the conflicting feelings going through Harry's mind. This was when Harry first realized how close of a connection he really did have with Voldemort: he could be in his head and vice-versa. I loved that Rowling explored this more mature side to the story and the way that Harry was maturing along with the stories. Overall, this was my favorite book from the series.

This book is somewhere over extraordinary. King's characters are well developed and the reader almost develops a tangible bond with each of them. Although this book is tremendously long, King gives enough action at the perfect times to keep the audience attentive. However, even if he did not do so the writing alone would keep my intrigued. I highly recommend this epic book, and is by far the best Stephen King book that I have ever read (of about 20).

P.S. I will never eat fortune cookies again

I would consider myself a pretty big fan of Stephen King's work, and I can confidently say that this book basically defines the horror genre. I guess a good (although somewhat unfair) way to gauge the genius of this story is to compare it to "The Stand" (my personal favorite work of King's). Where "The Stand" is slightly different than the rest of King's work in that it's not so much horror but rather a horrifying yet believable "what if" situation, "It" truly perfects the "monster under your bed" kind of horror. While it seems slightly more juvenile than "The Stand", it paints the images in your mind that haunt you as you lay in your dark bedroom trying to go to sleep. King did a terrific job of developing some very interesting characters and traits. It is not my favorite book of all time, but I'm sure I will pull it out every few years to read it again. If you are a fan of horror, "It" is a must read.

I was under the impresion that the book "It" by Stephen King would be in like new condition when I ordered it. I ordered a hard copy and it arrived on time but was not in good condition. I contacted the seller and they said they would give me half off the price. I wanted the book I ordered, not a deal. It wasn't the book I ordered because it wasn't the same price as I was quoted. I was very disapointed and probably will not order again.

"It" by Stephen, © 1981

Bill Denbrough is eleven years old. He lost his kid brother to a monster last fall and it has become the bane of his existence. He has six friends who eventually help him kill 'it'. He, and his friends, also have the bullies from school to fight every so often. This 'it' is magical and the lives of these two groups are interfered with by the magic. It is funny how the memory of what is happening blurs into what happened twenty eight years ago and then blurs out just as fast.
Part of the joy of reading Mr King's stories is that he makes the people seem so real and alive. Sometimes you get to know and understand even the smallest character as well as any of the others. It makes reading the book interesting. In the end, you have to wonder what happened to Eddie's wife, Myna? How did she get on? What did she do with the business? Etc, etc. You only got to know her through ten or so pages, but she was there and in the memory of all that occurred afterward.
It does seem that Mr. King wrote of fifteen year olds, not eleven year olds. At one point it was bandied about buying beer, at another things and realizations happened that were beyond the thought of eleven year olds, or maybe even fifteen year olds. It may have been the magic of (or 'needed for') the story and what not, but it sticks out like a sore thumb. What happens is well explained and acceptable as presented, just not for eleven year olds.
It is no wonder it took five years to write this story. The plot was intricate and some of the ploys became weird, yet it turned out okay. "The Stand" was better. Now off to read another of his stories. See if he can do better then "The Stand."

I write this review primarily to dispute the idea that this book is an epic. Time and again are people constantly labeling this book as an 'epic'. Rest assured folks, I am here to dispute that claim!

I mean people, let's be reasonable! We cannot go around labeling books epics just because they are over a-thousand pages in length can we? Epics are stories which involve a bunch of people, places, and things. This story is mainly about nothing much more than seven kids battling with some creature out of a Star Trek episode--at most to save a small town! Not even a whole country or planet or course of history either. Most of all I, as a reader, get little out of it!

Now [The Stand], that can be considered as more of an epic, as it involves a lot of characters and happenings--a plague hitting the earth and its consequences, which are mostly relatable.

[It] however, is mostly unrelatable due to simple logic!--I've never in my life seen a statue of Paul Bunyon move; nor did I ever see a silly girl running hysterical in the streets because of blood coming out of her sink that nobody else can see. And really people, if no one else can see it, then just what is she so worried about anyway? Then there's the moving polariod snapshots--what's that all about? Home videos on photographs!!? Don't make me laugh! This is supposed to be 1958 not 2058!

Now friends, I'm just as much a fan of Horror/Sci-Fi as the next guy, but I DO have my dignity to think about. Although most horror stories may be based on things we never really do see, a good one should have some sense of suspending ones disbelief or at least being so engaging that a few insults to intelligence would be forgivable.

This novel does neither, as it is often much too silly and full of silly occurances. (Mummy floating over water?) Often it reads like a drunk depressed man bitching his woes over a typewriter wrote it more than it really reads like a professionally written novel. Example--toward the end of the book when the town is collapsing: is it really so necessary for the narration of that whole occurance to occupy more than a couple pages? (Rhetorical Question.) Then there's the business with Bill Denbourough's stuttering. Is a man really going to start stuttering again just because of some stupid phone call? And don't men stutter a bit more maturely than children? I sometimes had trouble even differentiating between the adult Bill Denburough (forgive my spelling, if incorrect)in contrast to the child one, because the dialogue written for the adult version was NO DIFFERENT in style. Nor did the characters in general behave much differently than their child selves as adults!

At any rate, this novel still may be good for minor educational aspects, such as 1950's life in a small town, including the topic of racism. But, in truth, it reads much like a really long comic book that could've been more enjoyable if shorter.

Yet, who knows? Perhaps my view of this book may change the day my kid brother is murdered by a clown in a sewer, or the decapitated head of a childhood acquaintance of mine appears inside of a refrigerator. Who knows... maybe then...

--Rick Jones

This book kept me hooked from start to finish. Very well written. Recommended it to family and friends, and they loved it. Can't wait for the next novel from this author to get released in English.

Shadow of the Wind is a book that leaves you breathless. It is a beautiful mix of Gothic darkness and allegorical light. It has mystery, romance, danger and humor in just the right proportions. It is a homage to literature and reading and the magical journey that happens when you open a book that touches your heart and soul. Everything about this novel works ..........the coming of age story of Daniel, the mystery surrounding Carax ,the setting and political history of Barcelona, the amazing characterization of Fermin.etc, etc, etc. Once you have read it, it will linger forever in the shadows of your mind never, ever to disappear into the cemetery of forgotten books. This novel truly cast a giant shadow for me!!!!

It's rare to come across a book as breathtaking and superbly narrated as this one. A novel that makes you wish it were shorter so that you could finish it one read but then makes you yearn for more pages beyond the last, so the story and the spell never ends.

I love this book, read it so fast that by the time I was nearing the end, I had to slow myself down because I didn't want it to end! I have since read it two more times. Love the characters, the plot, the writing.

This book, "Shadow of the Wind" was one of the best I have read in a long time. I found it in a library cast-off sell. Oddly enough; after reading it, I discover that it may be the book that found me. If you don't understand the premise behind that statement than you need to read the book. This book is excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed every second of reading it. It was the best ten cents I have ever spent. It is one of the books that I will read once or twice a year for the next ten years.

I'm not much of an academic; just an average reader with a voracious appetite for good books. That being said, I don't deem myself qualified nor interested in reviewing the details of the book line after line. What I will tell you is that if you're looking for a book that will hold your attention and keep you interested until the last page; you will find it in "The Shadow of the Wind".

"Suite Francaise" by Irene Nemirovsky would perhaps be interesting solely through the facts relating to the demise of its author: a Ukranian and Jew by birth, who after living in France for nearly a dozen years was arrested and deported to Auschwitz, where she shortly died. Her manuscript was kept in a suitcase for years until her two daughters, who survived thanks to friends who faithfully hid them, could come to terms with the memorial their mother had left them. It is a story that seems too fantastic to be true, yet Nemirovsky was an established author before the war cost her everything, and "Suite Francaise" is a remarkable reintroduction to her talent.

The novel, originally planned to have five parts, is complete with just the first two sections. The first section, "A Storm in June", is a far-reaching affair, filled with a wide cast of characters, as citizens endure the hardships and chaos of the exodus from Paris in 1940. Nemirovsky paints vivid portraits of all sorts - a wealthy, large family trying to save their dearest possessions, an idealistic author and his mistress, a poorer couple who long to find out information about their wounded soldier son - and interweaves their plight and attempts to reach safer areas. This exodus is sheer chaos, as cars break down and run out of petrol, as the German army advances and the French soldiers cannot hold on; it is a breathtaking, sometimes slow-building examination of what people are truly made of. Nemirovsky deftly examines the deepest seated feelings of pride and how everyone reveals their true colors in the end.

The second part, "Dolce", continues after the armistice has been signed and the German army is billeted among the families in a relatively well-to-do village. Some of the same characters who were in the first part make appearances, but do not play a large role. This story focuses on Lucile, a wife whose unfaithful husband is a prisoner of war, and the young German soldier who is staying at their house. The Germans are their enemies, but Lucile finds herself drawn to this man, and struggles with how she should treat him. "Dolce" is faster-paced than the first part, and examines the violent passions of prejudice and hate, how on the surface the townspeople accept almost numbly what is happening to them, but their inner turmoil reveals wholly different feelings. "Dolce" ends with the Germans pulling out, off to fight a new war in Russia, and that is where "Suite Francaise" comes to an end.

The ending of this book is a bit of a letdown, only because Nemirovsky crafted such compelling characters and stories out of the chaos that was her life. While the appendices offer her notes for what was to happen in the next three installments, which offer readers some insight into the fates of these characters, it is not enough. Perhaps Nemirovsky made these notes knowing that she did not have too much time left. The correspondence is a poignant look at what happened to her and her husband after they were both arrested and their loved ones searched in vain for help and information. "Suite Francaise" is a remarkable testament to the weight of war and the cost of survival.

Suite Francaise captures the weakness of humanity during WW2 rather than the horrors of war - a unique approach which engenders great admiration for the author. The publication could be improved by placing the preface and appendices at the front - this would add greatly to appreciation of the work.

I recommended this book to my book club after reading about the author and her story (as well as the book's fabulous reviews). Only two of us finished it (and not because they liked it - they wanted to honor the author). Maybe it's the translation, but I'm very sorry to say I found the writing and the characters absolutely horrid. Please note: I stopped at page 70. Maybe it got better from there, but I just couldn't take it anymore.

This book was fine. Not great, not awful, just fine. It took a bit of patience to read, but the 2nd half was much better than the first. By the time I finished I didn't care to read her notes and plans for the rest of the story. I expected something totally different, and honestly have no idea who the couple on the cover is supposed to be. The book is choppy, jumping from one family to the next and it gets irritating. I'd prefer more character development and less characters. The second half is much better, focusing mainly on one group of people. This is probably a good book for students as the right professor can talk about the author's plans for the stories and how she intended them to relate had she not died. I read this book for a couple chapters, then put it down to read "Tis" by Frank McCourt b/c it was a more interesting read. I did finish the book, but until I got to the 2nd half I kept substituting it with Tis.

Another brillant piece of writing by a Russian emigrant in a second language. The book remained tragically incomplete; in its current shape it has 2 of the 5 intended parts. The 3rd one was supposed to be called Captivity and was intended to cover the resistance, according to the notes in the appendix to this pocket book. (Irene herself was arrested and died in captivity. So did her husband, who was also Jewish. Her 2 daughters escaped and saved the manuscript for 60 years.)
The first part, called Storm, is about the time when Germany was winning the war in France and the citizens of Paris made a mad dash South. It introduces a broad spectrum of characters from different shades of middle class plus farmers and the servant class. Workers are outside the spectrum of the book, which may be an accurate reflection of Mme Nemirovsky's social experience. Central characters are the members of a rich upper middle class family, the Pericands, and of a lower middle class one, the Michauds.
The armistice causes the exodus to stop, life becomes 'normal' again, in a situation of occupation. The narrative in part 2, Dolce, moves to a small town near the demarcation line between the occupied and the 'free' part of France. We meet some new people, mainly the two Angellier women, and some old aquaintances. The aristocracy becomes a relevant player in the plot. The village has German troops billeted in every house. Biology takes charge: many young men from the village have left as soldiers, are in captivity or have died. The German troops and officers provide a solution to a felt need. Collaboration grows on simple physical and psychological factors. This phase is temporary: the war in Russia starts, the troops move out of France, the resistance begins to show up.
In the first two parts, IN did not touch on the situation of the Jews in France. Actually, none of the many characters in the story seem to be Jewish. This is odd and I have no explanation for it.
I realize this is the only fictional account of WW2 in France that I have read or that I can remember. Also odd. I also realize that my French has become too rusty for this level. I also realize that I need to give up on my arrogance which makes me often ignore the 'best books of the year' selections. I have often been disappointed by such dignitaries, but Nemirovsky demonstrates that the jurors can also be right.