V Books

....on today's society. A woman who blames herself for all the shortcomings in her marriage, a man whose indiscretions destroy his marriage and scar for life his family, a teenage daughter who is disrespectful and deceitful, a mother who doesn't have the backbone to discipline her daughter or the inclination to even parent her. All that wrapped around the girl-meets-guy, girl-dumps-guy, girl-gets-guy-back storyline, laced with acceptance of immorality and distorted Christian views. Disappointing.

Wonderful story and mystery, realistic characters. Thank You Ms Richards

What a great book, and having lived in Dupont Circle several years ago, the images painted of Georgetown, DC, Booeymonger's, etc brought back vivid and accurate images. I'll bet I can even guess the name of the restaurant from which Pavel brought curry, rice and daal to Faith's home! Enjoyed every page immensely!

I loved the characters, the plot, and the mysteries. I feel like I've just been to Georgetown for a brief holiday. This book is going on my "favorite books" shelf. Thank you, Emilie Richards, for a wonderful read.

I haven't written a review in a while but I was so excited to have found a new author (to me)whose writing I really loved, I couldn't let the opportunity pass to offer encouragement to Ms.Richards to keep writing and to readers who are wondering whether to delve into this latest novel.
I thoroughly enjoyed the character development and sublte mystery in this novel. The issues addressed by the author were sensitively probed with an expert understanding and depth of
prose. There was no gratuitous sex or distasteful language. The author writes with feeling about a family in trouble; their needs, secrets and the people who enter into their lives to help.
You finish the read realizing that everyone has a story and truth and love and doing the right thing is the only way to live a life. Wrongs can be set right and forgiveness is possible.
I found the insight particularly helpful since the author worked in the counseling profession and knows the nuances of charter human beings are capable of displaying and the deep reasons for their actions. Read it! It's like being in therapy without even knowing it!!

I'm a long time breakfast lover. I love breakfast at 8 AM and I love breakfast at 8 PM. And they're all here in one book. Even more pleasing, most breakfasts are a snap to prepare. The Jamisons are particularly strong on Southwestern favorites, so if you like to start your day with a few jalapenos or some beans, this is definitely the book for you. The other regions of the US are not neglected and then there are the surprises, meals I'd never dream of but are quite wonderful. It's a huge book, a compendium of the American breakfast, so I'll be testing and tasting recipes for a long time to come. I look forward to the many pleasures!

This is the best cookbook I have ever had. I purchased this cookbook about 2 years ago, and I have already made about 50 of the recipes. Every recipe is as good as it possibly can be. Using this cookbook, I've made the best coffee cake I've ever had, the best muffins I've ever had, the best french toast I've ever had, the best cereal I've ever had, and breakfast sandwiches and breakfast meats that I didn't even know were possible. Anyone who loves making good food and especially anyone who enjoys making breakfast at home must have this book. It's perfect for eating a quiet meal at home for two, for making a nice breakfast to share with your children before school (we use a lot of the cereal recipes and fruit recipes for weekdays), for impressing overnight guests, and it is so good it should be a staple in every B&B. I recommend this cookbook to anyone who loves to cook- and it is one of my favorite gifts to give.

A Real American Breakfast: The Best Meal of the Day, Any Time of the Day packs in a coast-to-coast feast of nearly three hundred breakfast recipes, offering up a centerfold of color photos and including historical notes, old menus, and variations on themes as well as traditional fare. The mix of innovative dishes such as Spinach Bread Pudding and Mixed Vegetable Hash and old standards such as Apple Fritters makes this a lively, fun cookbook.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This book is for the breakfast lover in you. The oatmeal pudding with vanilla sauce is a masterpiece. Everything I have made has turned out great. I made a coffee cake and no could believe how tasty it was. The flavors linger and your mouth sings. I was amazed at the amount of recipes and the variety in this one book.

...you're going to want something else once in a while.

This is a really good book. It was on Food and Wine Magazine's 25 best list a couple of years ago, and it's full of all kinds of breakfast delicacies, both familiar and unusual.

Breakfast (the American way at least) is an interesting meal, as it's appropriate any time of day -- the buzz created in September '06 by McDonalds' consideration of serving breakfast all day shows that much. The Jamisons take full advantage of that, starting out with the San Francisco classic Joe's Special (a spinach, hamburger, and egg scramble) and branching out into dishes with both wide appeal (waffles and corned beef hash) and strong ethnic and regional associations (including the much-loved grits and the much-dreaded scrapple and menudo). There are numerous variations on some themes as well -- pancakes include basic buttermilk pancakes, chuckwagon-style sourdough pancakes, big puffy Dutch baby pancakes, and even silver dollar pancakes (a long, long stack of which decorates the spine of the book). Hashes go from basic corned beef to fish, poultry, and even mushroom-based. There is even an entire section on baked goods such as biscuits, muffins, and doughnuts.

Books on breakfast are hard to find for some reason -- it's possible to get a very good idea of what a culture eats for lunch and dinner from a good ethnic cookbook, but breakfast seems to be left out in a great many of them; as a general rule, I believe that if you find a good breakfast book, you should buy it, as there aren't that many out there. Overall, this book is a good breakfast book -- a remarkable tour of the breakfast habits of Americans, with a bounty of interesting and unusual recipes. Anyone who likes to cook breakfast -- at any time of the day -- should have this book.

your friends will think you are serious until they read this. the "chicken leg" illustration is the best...

Brilliantly written with a sense of humor that goes beyond the normal chuckle! Purchased both books by the author as a gift for a pregnant friend. Can't wait to hear the erupted laughter from everyone that comes in contact with these books!!

OMG--this book is sooooo funny! My niece recently had a baby, my sister purchased it for her, and I recently visited them & was able to read it. I laughed so hard; I was crying & my ribs hurt!! :)

I gave this gift at a baby shower and it was big hit...everyone passed it around and was laughing at it and wanted to know where I got it.

A co-worker brought this book into work one day and we all had a good laugh. I ordered it shortly after reading it. Everybody I have showed it to has laughed hard and really enjoy it. Several people asked where I got it and plan to order their own copies.

Laughed so much reading the first Tantamoq book that I started reading parts to my family--then we all realized this author reads better out loud anyway. Ordered the whole series from Amazon, but unfortunately they seem to be sold out of the 3rd in the series (another printing? hint hint). May have to go on to the 4th skipping the 3rd.

Cute adventure/mystery featuring the watchmaker turned amateur sleuth mouse, Hermux Tantamoq. Very lively story with plenty of action, suspense, and humor. This would be a great read-aloud. Although obviously the second book in the series, it wasn't too difficult to jump right in and follow Hermux on his adventures. I didn't feel like I was missing too much by not reading the first one yet. Recommended.

This was a cool book about the watch fixing mouse, Hermux Tantamoq! It is the second in a series about him, but it's just as good as the first book(which doesn't happen very much)and I loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It all starts when Mirrin Stentrill, puts on an artshow in the museum. When Mirrin was blind, she saw many visions and so when she recovered from her blindness, she decides to paint pictures of what she saw when she was blind. But it turns out that the pictures she paints are cats- a word no one likes to use in the city of mice and rodents. Then along comes Birch Tentintrotter, an old chipmunk, a friend of Hermux's father. He tells a secret to Hermux; a secret no one knows about, and about a map he had found in a library years ago. Birch believes that cats really did exist. To prove that, Hermux, Birch, and their friend, Linka Perflinger, set off on a journey to the Kingdom of Cats. On their journey, Hermux and his friends uncover the evidence that cats once had mice as slaves. Now, Hermux doesn't know if he's doing the right thing to find the whole truth about them.
Michael Hoeye describes all his characters and the scene very carefully and really well. I like the way he gives a personality to a character and he sticks with it. He doesn't mix Hermux and Mirrin's personality together. It's just Hermux. And it's just Mirrin.
I really enjoyed this book because of the great journey that Hermux and his friends went on. It was so exciting and I really loved how Michael Hoeye made me want to keep reading more and more!

Hermux Tantamoq, a distinguished mouse who lives in the heavily populated city of Pinchester, is sailing through life day in and day out, in his watchmaking shop, until one day, an old, weather worn chipmunk missing an ear stops by, says his name is Birch Tentintrotter, and he would like to speak to Mr. Tantamoq seinor. Hermux's father had passed away five months ago, and no friend of his from college would look like that old wreck!
Meanwhile, Hermux's friend Mirrin Stentril's first art show is causing tremendous uproar. She's been painting CATS!!! Everyone (the hamsters, mice, ferrets, squirrels etc.) knows they're not real, right? Well Hermux, Birch and aviatrix Linka Perflinger are out to prove those art critics wrong!
Michael Hoeye combines detail, vocabulary and suspense in this stunning sequel to Time Stops For No Mouse, proving never to overlook history, even if you are afraid.

I love this book. I've read a ton of books lately on the planets because of teaching a class on beginning astronomy for kids. This book presents the most interesting facts in the most interesting and compelling way. If I had not had this book to look at, my lessons would not have been as fun or exciting. The author writes beautifully, and has a nose for the intriguing. :)

Fantastic! This book is a perfect mixture of science and storytelling. This was educational and inspiring. I don't re-read many books, but this may be an exception. Loved it.

Many people, including myself, often marvel at the night sky to the point of seriously thinking of buying a telescope. The question that then arises is: What if I invest in a decent telescope, use it a few times to examine some of the celestial bodies, then eventually get bored for lack of knowing what to look at or to look for? This book attempts to help potential amateur astronomers dance around this sticking point. The author discusses the current activities of some professional but mainly amateur astronomers: what they look for, the equipment that they use, what they've found and what they continue to find. The book is well written and fun to read; it covers most areas of interest in astronomy and briefly describes what's out there. The book's only shortcoming is that it contains no figures, pictures or diagrams of any kind (other than star charts in the appendices); this is unfortunate since a few optical diagrams and pictures of the various items and people that are discussed would have complemented the text very nicely. Nevertheless, this is a great book that does much to encourage amateur astronomy. I heartily recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in the night sky.

I received my copy of this book as an early Christmas present from one of my "stargazing friends". Even tho' I had glanced at this volume on bookstore shelves , I usually bypassed it for books on starhopping , star atlases , or other "hard data" type publocations. I now lament my earlier loss , and have truly enjoyed this very well written and extremely informative book.

The author , Timothy Ferris , takes us on a wonderful tour of the solar system and "near space" in the second section of the book ; he then moves on to the Milky Way and the wonders of gaseous nebulae , open star clusters ,globular clusters , and planetary nebulae within our own galaxy in section 3.

Finally , in the fourth section of the book , the author deals with the imensity of the universe (as we presently are capable of understanding it) by moving on to galaxies , and galaxy clusters.

But it isn't all about the wonders of the Heavens , for Ferris intersperses some entertaining anecdotal material as well. Starting with a personal tale of how he became a stargazer-astronomer to passages about Steven James O'Meara and his phenomonal visual observing feats while breathing oxygen at 14,000 feet on Mauna Kea. We are introduced to Barbara Wilson , a mother and former housewife who excells in actually "seeing" the faintest of astronomical objects.

This is a great book for amateur astronomers at almost any level ; the author manages to communicate his passion for the skies and the fine art of observational astronomy in a warm and entertaining manner. It is an ideal book for a frustrating evening when the clouds roll in as the sun sets , thus postponing the observing plans of the day.

I rated this book 5 stars and give it my highest recommendation. No real warts on this one!

This is an informative and at times whimsical work about outer space, specifically who is doing the observing and what is being observed. The material goes considerably beyond the title, as only one chapter actually treats of near earth objects [NEO's] at depth, and I am still confused over the author's distinction between "amateur" and "professional" astronomers. With those caveats in mind, "Seeing In The Dark" is a fine overview of astronomy for those of us who have been out of school awhile and think of Pluto as the edge of the meaningful universe.

As a boy I was intrigued by astronomy and at age 10 owned an off-the shelf hand telescope that, in my recollection, simply made the bright stars brighter. I once tried to observe the crescent of Venus through my mother's hand mirror and a magnifying glass. I did get to see the rings of Saturn, finally, through the 8" telescope at the Buffalo Museum of Science, and to this day I divide the world into those who have seen that spectacle firsthand and those who haven't. Popular astronomy in the 1950's was lunar and planetary: the supposed canal system of Mars, for example, was still an issue of debate.

I lost my interest in the 1960's when astronomy became less optical and more electronic. Real observations and photos of heavenly bodies are egalitarian. Spectroscopic charts, radio waves, radar exploration and the like required time, sophisticated education, and money. Every decade or so something would catch my fancy: Apollo 11, Viking, Pioneer, Hubble, Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, Cassini. But why should an amateur like myself spend money and time at something already being done with more precision at Arecibo in Puerto Rico or Mt. Palomar in California, or from a satellite in space, for that matter?

Timothy Ferris argues in so many words that the modern astronomical-industrial complex, so to speak, is too big and too expensive to perform some of the most critical work of present day astronomy. The author provides a plethora of examples, such as planetary weather. Most planets have atmospheres with characteristics not entirely unlike the earth's own. The atmospheres of the large outer planets [and in at least one case, a planetary satellite] have predictable patterns of wind currents and even storms that produce lightning. Mars, we have come to realize, has significant dust storms and seasonal markers. To monitor these systems, however, requires daily observations over months and years. With the crush of competition for seat time for the monster telescopes and the costs involved, such meticulous and time consuming planetary observations are gradually falling into the hands of the dedicated [and exquisitely patient] amateur backyard astronomers. The older, smaller, and midrange telescopes have come into a new age of usefulness, where persistence is of equal value to optical power. And, as the author observes, the marriage of a modest telescope with digital photography, computer controls, and Internet access to professionals, has created a formidable network of information gatherers.

Nowhere is the amateur's value of more importance than in the discovery and tracking of NEO's, asteroids whose orbits regularly criss-cross the earth's. Observation of these dangerous bodies and forecast of collisions is extremely difficult for several reasons. NEO's are hard to see [in some instances, at the 29th magnitude], only small tracks of their orbits are currently known, and they are notoriously vulnerable to gravitational influences from the earth, the sun, and even Jupiter. Science has developed a public coding system for risk from each known object, and I would venture a guess that readers will find particular stimulation from Ferris's discussion of the "Torino Scale." [As I was reading this work, I checked the day's "Torino forecast" on NASA's web site, the very day that NASA used a "Torino 4" rating for the first time, for Asteroid 2004MN4. As this occurred the same day as the Asian tsunami, little or no press coverage was devoted to the event, though astronomers around the world focused on the potential risk of a 2029 collision. The odds for 2004MN4 were downgraded to Torino 1 a few days later.]

Suffice to say that NEO's are the "high needs child" of space observation, and every verifiable observation by an amateur astronomer enables NASA and international tracking systems to add another fraction of certainty to a body's orbit. Ferris intersperses observational details of heavenly bodies with interviews of the men and women who do the observing. His use of the word "amateur" is stretched like taffy. Some of these unsalaried observers have spent six-figures in outfitting their equipment or, in some cases, pursuing doctorates to expedite their work. Some have walked away from lucrative professions and made wholesale disruptions in personal and family life on behalf of serious stargazing. In some cases "amateur" does not do justice to what is more appropriately an "obsession."

Ferris summarizes what we have come to know about planets, stars and galaxies in the past few generations of advanced study. Again, if one has not addressed astronomy systematically since school days, this work is an excellent primer on our current state of understanding the heavens. There is a thorough 25-page appendix that treats of basic stargazing information, including issues of light pollution, choice of equipment, and basic star charts, as well as a summary of periodicals and web sites. I regretted that there are no photos of any kind in the book, so we never get to see with our own eyes the quality of work produced by the amateurs in our communities. Perhaps the author was deliberately setting out to pique our curiosity, for yesterday I found myself investigating the features and price tag of a small telescope at the Brookstone's in my local mall. It's been a long time since I've done that.

I saw this book on the "Bargain" table at my local bookstore and, after reading the inside flap, decided to give it a read for the $5 cost. The book centers on the chase to break the 75-year-old largemouth bass world record and I had no idea that such a wonderful read awaited me!

Starting with the story of Bob Crupi, a black-or-white-with-no-shades-of-gray policeman who pretty much sacrificed his entire non-working life to chase the record, and ending with the story of Samuel Yera, the easy-going husband and father living in Havana who puts his family before fishing, Monte Burke weaves the tales of the "big players" in the chase for the record in a way that makes the book surprisingly easy to read.

Between Crupi and Yera, we meet the Long-Kerr duo, a pair of the most accomplished largemouth fishermen out there who work together to fight for the record. We also meet the trio of Jed, Mac, and Buddha who are a bit Johnny-Come-Lately and chase the record for the money. The details of the two groups' rivalry will make any casual fisherman or non-fisherman scratch their head in amazement.

And what would the book be without meeting the top lure makers who are helping make it all happen from the "other" side of the pole? Burke introduces us to Jerry Rago and Mickey Ellis. How the state-funded group in Texas, led by fisheries biologist David Campbell and director Allen Forshage, that is trying to grow the record bass in a fishery? Even better, how about Porter Hall, who has seemingly given up a wife and child in his pursuit to grow the record bass in lakes of his own?

Finally, Burke gives us a look at the "bassholes" who are doing their best to swindle their way into the record books. His look at some of the more notorious examples of "bassholes" is simultaneously hilarious and mind-blowing.

Over and over again, Burke finds a way to keep the reader interested in this colorful cast of characters, while interweaving the feel-good story of the current record holder, George Perry. But, and maybe more importantly, Burke manages to keep all the characters straight in the reader's mind by not complicating their relationships. He keeps it all simple, as it should be, and gives such a telling description of each that when you finally look at the pictures in the middle of the book, you feel like you've already viewed them.

This really is an "anybody" kind of book, but those who have had some fishing experience will truly get the most out of it. Those who have never fished may be scared to touch a rod and reel after reading this book for fear of catching the bug caught by the characters within.

Though the book is written in an easygoing style it contains a lot of fascinating and in-depth information on fishing and the American history of the sport.

Burke is both a capable writer and a fisherman and his intelligence, sense of humor and love of the sport come through in the stories he tells.

I could not put the book down. What a great writer. I don't fish for the Big bass but I really enjoyed reading about the men that do. A great read. I would recommend this book to any avid or even weekend bass fisherman (woman)!!!

Wow and I thought I was an obsessed fisherman. The book is all the more relevant now that one of the anglers mentioned in the novel has garnered recent publicity for his unofficial world record. It covers all the aspects of the hunt for the world record: the guys trying for it, the lure makers, the scientists, and many others. The author even goes to Cuba for a fishing trip and talks to an eccentric angler in the U.S. who's trying to grow his own world record bass. It's an eye-opening read.

Mr. Burke....Excellent. From California, to Cuba, to Georgia, I loved this book. Very well researched, and written. I felt I got to know each character in the book. Being a fisherman myself, I knew the names, but not the stories.....again, BRAVO!!!

This book is an excellent choice for the child or adult who is just gaining an interest in watching their back yard buddies! The book is color coded and so you can look up the bird by it's predominent color. It definitely narrows the field to the most common birds. We have really enjoyed this book!

A very colorful, well written review. I am very much a novice bird watcher but share the interest with my 5 year old grandaughter. She immediately scooped up the book and it is in her bike basket so that while she is riding in her neighborhood she can look up and identify her feathered friends. Has been a great tool to share with her.

Great ! This was a gift and it was the perfect for the bird watch beginners book. Now you can sit out in the back yard together watching the birds and naming all the little feathered friends we have attracted.
My husband loves his Book!
Great Bargin and experence.
Fast Delivery!

This book has pictures that are sharp, detailed and close. They are arranged by color, not species, and include the most common birds in the area. It is my third bird ID book and my new favorite. Have shown to other people and they love it, too!

Beautiful book. Good information. Very helpful to a new bird watcher.Gives common birds that everyone can find easily in their own back yard or local park. Gives a new birder confidence and practice in observing birds that they are familiar with. Another book that makes my grandson happy.

I picked this book up at the San Francisco MOMA a few years ago. I saw it and immediately began to wonder, "What exactly did I do with my old Blythe doll"? I spent endless hours as a child, pulling the string, and clicking through the eye colors (though I always loved the purple best). In the absence of my girlhood doll, the book was a delightful trip down memory lane!

I'm a collector and I love having a book with photos of Blythe that I can study for the endless possibilities the doll offers for dressing and customizing.

Oh my gosh I love Blythe! She is the best doll ever. in this book, gina garan photographs Blythe so well that the dolls actually look real. i have a Blythe doll collection for myself and I don't photograph it but maybe I should! Blythe might be expensive doll-whise but she's worth every penny! (Or every...dollar!) Blythe, your eyes can change but the rest of you can't! Blythe, dearest Blythe......YOU RULE!!!!!!!!!!

..I just had to add that I picked this up not knowing that my 30-year quest for a beloved doll that was taken from me was about to end until I turned to the page (near the end) where the two dolls are wearing that famous green dress (the only part of my doll I was able to salvage).

Gina Garan, thank you!!

I am several years (almost 5 to be exact) reviewing this book but after seeing a few of Gina's Blythe pics online, I ordered this book and ever since I've been hooked! BIG TIME. These pictures and all of Gina's are so beautiful that I had to get a collection of my own Blythes underway ASAP. Here I am 5 years later and more than 20 Blythes richer! Get the book! Like most people I know, you'll either fall in love or be creeped out.

This is a refreshingly open-minded source of health and medical information by a person's whose medical training began with the most traditional of medical approaches and expanded because of his receptiveness to his own intuitive sense and compassion. Tremendously valuable source of information and plan to follow.

I received the item in good condition. Well packaged and in a timely manner. D.Caradine

This is the best book on self-cure and healthy living, period.
It's easy to read and easy to follow. A friend of mine recommended this book to me a while ago and now I am recommending this book to anyone who believes in healthy living.
Dr. Frank Lipman provides detailed scenerio, and cures for 20th century health issues that he has helped his patients to overcome. I loved 'total renewal' book so much that I've been buying it for my friends and family members. The best part is that you don't need to 'join' website subscription if you are looking to cure your 'condition' like Kevin Trudeau's book on 'Natural Cure' does. In fact, I was quite shocked to see how Kevin Trudeau of 'Natural Cure' book never tells you about how to cure any illness in his book unless you become a member for his website which ranges from $10 to $500, which is just another way of making quick money.

I must, at the outset, declare an interest in my review. I am a diabetes sufferer currently being treated with a regimen of drugs living in a country where the foods one buys from any supermarket are diametrically opposed to the maintenance of good health.

My concern here is with the book per se as opposed to the beneficial effects that I may have gained from following the guidance contained within. It should not, therefore, be taken as a testimony about the good works of the doctor's method.

Given these qualifications, the authors, Dr. Lipman and Stephanie Gunning have done an excellent job. Essentially the focus of the book is that western medicine has become too narrowly focussed on the treatment of the symptoms of diseases throught the widespread use of manufactured drugs. Dr. Lipman's background has led him to explore alternative methods of dealing with the diseases themselves and found that some of these methods have generated results which are hard to ignore.

The book chronicles a series of steps which people should follow in order to restore a sense of balance in our bodies and in our lives and thus enable us to be fit and well.

I would stress that Dr. Lipman is not advocating a wholescale rejection of western medicine. Instead he embraces a holistic paradigm which incorporates best practices from everywhere, utilising approaches from yoga and acupuncture as well as herbalism and other areas in concert with the traditional enlightenment medical science perspective. He advocates utilising our physicians as partners in our health which we need to take personal responsibility for and advising us to be assertive with our medical practitioners if we feel that our concerns are not being addressed.

There are some drawbacks however, to implementing some of the steps he advocates. Firstly, in my experience, it is not easy being a vegetarian in the United States even though he is not advocating a vegetarian approach. Similarly, for working parents in corporate America, there is often not the time nor the capability to prepare food in the right way. To those who say that one must make time, I would only say that those people have the means to sculpt their schedules the way that they want or they do not have to be like the other rats in this particular trap because their partners are bringing home enough money to allow them that luxury. The main issues are essentially twofold. The lesser of the two is the lack of provision of retail outlets where health foods and specialist vitamins can be purchased over the counter. For instance, although I only live thirty minutes away from the New York metropolis, the nearest health food store is a twenty-two mile, thirty minute car journey away. The more serious negative factor is the sheer volume of sugar and calories contained in foods of all descriptions which are available from supermarkets and food outlets all over the country. At a back to school night last week the principal was boasting of the replacement of colas in the drinks machines with healthy drinks, and healthy snacks instead of chips and candy, while across the street from the school the catchment are parents continue to chop for food at the local supermarket, totally oblivious to the damage these foods do to their health.

That aside, some of the practical problems of instituting such a program, the central point is one with which I do not dissent whatsoever. The key to a long and healthy life is clearly a sense of balance, a yin-yang from which many in the world have strayed. A recent study in England, reported in the Financial Times indicated that Britain is now the fat man of Europe indicated by the huge volume of people who are now considered morbidly obese. This problem has severe implications for life and health but also for healthcare costs directly and indirectly.

Total renewal is one guide to avaoiding such problems and I have no compunction about heartily recommending this book to all readers.

This is an excellent rendition for total self-improvement. The volume covers holistic exercises; such as, triangular stretches,
the wall pose, half dog pose and many more. The volume lists
strategies to reduce stress, maintain bone density, neutralize
blood sugar, decrease body fat percentage(BMR) and improve
aerobic calistenics. Regenerate the body with Glutamine, Gamma
Orizanol- (rice bran oil compound to heal intestines ), Omega 3
fatty acids,flaxseed oil, Gamma-Linolenic Acid, Licorice Root
and Aloe Vera. Products which help leaky gut are Glutagenics,
and Perm A vite. Colostrum may be utilized to assist the immune
system in operating optimally. The author provides good protocols
for treating insulin resistance and metabolic syndromes.
He treats insulin resistance with a low-glycemic diet, limiting
intake of grains/cereals, exercise, non-starchy veggies and
Omega 3 , Omega 6 fatty acids and Glucobetics. A sluggish
thyroid may be treated with Thyrosol from Metagenics. Adrenal
exhaustion may be treated with Magnesium 300-500 mg.,
Zinc, Licorice Root, Siberian Ginseng and Ashwaganda (Indian
ginseng ). The authors deal with parasitic infections via
Grapefruit extract 300 millgm, Candibactin BR or Paraguard.
There is a resource section at the end of the book which shows
where to purchase the supernutrients. The book is an excellent
value for the price charged.

This book is truly amazing and I will always count it as my favorite science fiction story. If you are considering buying this book, you should. It is both hilarious and memorable, and you will probably find yourself dreaming of it and waking up to hungrily devour more of it. I simply could not put it down and I agree that this story has no age limit. Kids and adults might interpret it differently, both they both will love it. The True Meaning of Smekday is full of witty dialogue, takes at pop culture and famous people (Jennifer Lopez and Chelsea Clinton, for example), and wonderful illustrations. Some of the pictures in this book are comic book style. The others are pretend newspaper clippings and photographs from Polaroids. I discovered this book on a trip to the local bookstore. I opened up the front flap and read the product description. I was a bit confused when I got to the part about the mole (Aliens sending messages through a pimple. What's up with that?) I put it down and my attention was drawn elsewhere. I forgot it existed, really. I would not of read one of the most magnificent books EVER if on the faithful day my dad decided to purchase new books for me the book I had selected turned out to be not at all what I thought after reading an exerpt. It was terrible. I turned away and out of the corner of my eye, The True Meaning of Smekday twinkled serenely. I proceded hesitantly to read an excerpt which I found quite marvelous. Forgetting the fact I originally had not been atracted towards the book, I found myself dashing to the cash register as fast as I could. After reading it, I sat for a while, shaken from such a powerful read. I plan to make a landing tarmac in my backyard for the Boov ships. Just kidding! Enchanting and emotional, The True Meaning of Smekday will grasp you and never, ever let go.

This book is truly amazing and I will always count it as my favorite science fiction story. If you are considering buying this book, you should. It is both hilarious and memorable, and you will probably find yourself dreaming of it and waking up to hungrily devour more of it. I simply could not put it down and I agree that this story has no age limit. Kids and adults might interpret it differently, both they both will love it. The True Meaning of Smekday is full of witty dialogue, takes at pop culture and famous people (Jennifer Lopez and Chelsea Clinton, for example), and wonderful illustrations. Some of the pictures in this book are comic book style. The others are pretend newspaper clippings and photographs from Polaroids. I discovered this book on a trip to the local bookstore. I opened up the front flap and read the product description. I was a bit confused when I got to the part about the mole (Aliens sending messages through a pimple. What's up with that?) I put it down and my attention was drawn elsewhere. I forgot it existed, really. I would not of read one of the most magnificent books EVER if on the faithful day my dad decided to purchase new books for me the book I had selected turned out to be not at all what I thought after reading an exerpt. It was terrible. I turned away and out of the corner of my eye, The True Meaning of Smekday twinkled serenely. I proceded hesitantly to read an excerpt which I found quite marvelous. Forgetting the fact I originally had not been atracted towards the book, I found myself dashing to the cash register as fast as I could. After reading it, I sat for a while, shaken from such a powerful read. I plan to make a landing tarmac in my backyard for the Boov ships. Just kidding! Enchanting and emotional, The True Meaning of Smekday will grasp you and never, ever let go.

An utterly fantastic, highly creative book that both my 9-year-old son and I loved. The story details the adventures of an 11-year-old African-American girl and a friendly alien as they search for the girl's alien-abducted mother on the way to the new subportion of America set aside for humans. The first section is the school essay on "The True Meaning of Smekday" written for a time capsule project, from which the book gets its name. "Smekland" is the renamed term for Earth, and "Smekday" was the date of Earth invasion by the Boov.

This book is very funny, both directly and via the use of satire and irony, and very absorbing. I finished it, went to see what else the author had written (he's an illustrator, and this is his first major novel), and then immediately began rereading it. My son and I still quote portions of the book at each other, several weeks later, and my husband is next in line to read this.

I cannot recommend this enough, especially for fans of humor and/or fantasy. What a delightful surprise!

Let me start by saying I am 40 and I loved this book. I was a little surprised to get a chapter book - I was expecting a picture book for some reason. I have a 4-year-old girl that loves her books. Can't wait to read this one with her (you know, I mean I _have_ to wait cause she's 4 and it's a book about alien invasion, but I know she'll love it in a few years.) I am even breaking my read-it-and-donate-it rule to keep it on ice for awhile. Gratuity is such a plucky, clever heroine. I enjoyed her journey and wish the author could figure a way to slip her into another book.

It all starts as a school assignment. Eighth-grader Gratuity Tucci (known to her friends as Tip) is assigned to write a story about the "True Meaning of Smekday" as part of a national contest. The winning story will be buried in a time capsule, to be unearthed a hundred years in the future, in the year 2113.

It turns out that Smekday is actually Christmas, the day when a race of aliens (known as the Boov) invaded Earth (which they renamed Smekland after their leader), destroyed its most famous and valuable landmarks --- from the Statue of Liberty to the Great Wall of China --- and forced its inhabitants to resettle in small colonies while the Boov themselves took over the rest of the world.

It also turns out that Gratuity, more so even than the rest of the human race, has a vested interest in the meaning of Smekday. Gratuity's mother had actually been abducted by the Boov months before the invasion. While on the ship, she was tested on her language ability and on her talents at folding laundry. After her abduction, Gratuity's mom was never quite the same --- especially when she got sucked up into an alien ship on Christmas Eve, just before the main invasion began.

Gratuity also has a personal relationship with the Boov, or, rather, with one particular Boov who has named himself J.Lo. J.Lo is on the run from the other Boov for accidentally broadcasting their whereabouts to a particularly nasty brand of aliens, the Gorg. When Gratuity, who has decided to drive to Florida (the location of the American human colony), runs into J.Lo, the two join forces to escape from the other Boov and the Gorg alike. As the two drive cross-country, they rely on their limited shared language, on comic book drawings and on their growing friendship to cross the bridges between their cultures. The result is a road trip as riotously funny as it is bizarre --- and it's a trip that readers will willingly tag along on.

Adam Rex is best known as a picture book artist and illustrator. The clever humor he uses in his picture books is certainly abundant in his debut novel as well, as is his talent at drawing --- the book is illustrated with hand-drawn "photos" from Gratuity's journey, as well as by J.Lo's amusing cartoons detailing the history of the Boov, among other things.

In addition to being a wild road trip story and a completely original take on alien invasion, THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY also manages to include satirical (but surprisingly insightful) commentaries on everything from global warming to the state of Texas ("Who ever thought a state that big was a good idea? It's just arrogant.") to Walt Disney World to the resettlement of the Native Americans after European colonization.

Combine these social commentaries with plenty of action, a mission to save the world and a resourceful alien whose naiveté and know-how are both on display, and you have a novel with equal appeal for kids and adults. In fact, the best idea yet is for parents and kids to take this road trip together --- it's a journey you won't soon forget.

--- Reviewed by Norah Piehl