Clubs Books

This is a fascinating look at how people all over the world live. My children have enjoyed thumbing through it, & our realtor gives it out as gifts to his clients! A unique project indeed.

This book was created from pictures taken in the early 90's, so it is s bit dated, especially in the more developed nations. Things like computers and other tech is obviously missing. I know that many destitute Africans now even have cell phones, not shown here. Otherwise, this is a great book and is very educational. After reading it, I got to wondering what my possesions on the street would look like...

I thoroughly have enjoyed this book, looking at the people from around the world and their possessions and realizing how different I live from another. It was amazing to see each family so proud, of either how little they have or how much they have, and to have all that they own on display (from in the dead of winter to floating on a boat!).

This book is absolutely a wake-up call for many people out there who think they don't have enough! Beautifully put together. Outstanding.

Material World by Peter Menzel is one of the most exciting and informative books I have come across in a long time . No other book I have ever read has given me such in depth knowledge of the lives and circumstances of people living in other countries around the globe. The photographs are breathtakingly beautiful and the statistics are fascinating. Ursula Michelson, author of Alzheimers Patients in the Nursing Home: How Well Do Caregivers Meet Their Needs?

This is a marvellous book - Rafael Sabatini meets P.G. Wodehouse, humour and adventure and elegance and, yes, romance, perhaps the best of the early-style swashbuckling Heyers, and the first of a series continued with "Devil's Cub" and "An Infamous Army."

But won't someone, ONCE, get the covers right? What is this chichi sub-Tissot Regency pap? This books takes place in the 1750s in England and France, less than 10 years after the Jacobite uprising and Culloden. Madame de Pompadour has a cameo. This coy illustration (really, only fluffy kittens are missing) would have INFURIATED Georgette Heyer. Tchah!

I did not think I could like a May/December romance. I was wrong. The hero is dark - he needs redemption. He finds it in a sprite of a heroine who needs to save someone. It's wonderful.

True to Heyer's style, this regency romance has humor, mystery, and romance. The romance is clean enough for your teenage girls and sophisticated enough for your grandmother.

This Heyer book has it all. A little bit of mystery, a lot of humour, and romance.

Justin Alastair is the Duke of Avon and he is the hero in this story. He is jaded and has lived a life of hedonistic pleasures and vices. He is always coolly aloof, never one to indulge into a fit of temper, and has the most dry sense of humour that is very amusing. He is not known as the kindest of gentlemen, being known by his peers as "Satanas" (or Devil), he has quite the black reputation.

While in France, by chance he comes across a young boy in the back streets of Paris as the boy is being chased by his older brother. The Duke takes pity on the boy and buys him from his sibling and takes him to his residence near-by. Needless to say, the boy is no boy but a girl, the heroine named Leonie. The heroine is quite young, in comparison to the hero, but her mischief and innocence is captivating. Her charm is her youthful exuberance and honesty and unaffectedness.

Alastair sets up the "boy" as his page and as the story unfolds it becomes clear that the Duke did not take Leonie in out of the kindness of his heart, but that he has other more ulterior motives in mind. Namely, to use her in his game of vendetta against another, a French nobleman he crossed paths 20 years before.

Though I've read this type of plotline before (the innocent and young heroine, masquerading as a boy, being saved by the hero), what makes this novel different is the secondary characters and the feel of the novel (as if it has been lifted straight out of mid/late 18th century France and England).

One of my favorite secondary characters is Lord Rupert Alastair, younger brother of the hero. Rupert is an irrepressible young man, very passionate and always ready to joke and make fun. He acts as comic relief and on more than one occassion I found myself laughing aloud at his behavior and words.

Anyways, this is a great book to start out with Heyer. It is fast moving and you'll find it hard to put down once you start reading!

I realize that Georgette Heyer is a woman's author, but I still feel compelled to suggest this to anyone who likes to escape into wonderful humor regardsless of the reader's sex. Many years ago my wife picked up a book by this writer, read it in one night, and insisted on getting everything else available. After being kept awake by her night long bouts of laughter, I decided I could either get angry or join the fun. This book was so good that I smuggled the sequel {Devil's Cub, which I heartily recommend) onto the subway in a plain brown wrapper and amazed the other riders by rolling off the seat by the humor of the book. Is it roamntic? I don't know, maybe. What I do know is if you don't find the characters and events of this book funny, your sense of humor needs some serious help. Get yourself a paper bag and enjoy yourself.

I am still reading this book; there are so many insights that I find myself highlighting and writing them down; then I go back to review them over and over. For the person who wants to be an Effective Executive or just an effective individual I would recommend you read this book. You can just read this book you have to put the information into practice. It is a text book for the effective leader in you. You will go back to it over and over again to ensure you are doing the right things to become more effective.

Skip all the "hype" about leadership theory. Drucker is the king. Years since this book was written - it is all about Executive Effectiveness. Well isn't that the same as "leadership" but just without all the hype? You bet. Buy and read this and burn your leadership mental masturbation books.

If you're looking for concise, simple dialogue on what it means to be effective and how to parlay that into your work life, here it is. If you are looking for a fashionable, faddy, flashy Seth-Godin-type mantra to chant, you will be vastly disappointed and fantastically bored.

To those who are serious students of business and it's execution and are willing to do what it takes to be leaders, this is one of probably 3-5 books on the required reading list. Read through it quickly at your own peril, for amazing gems are buried mid-paragraph in the most seemingly innocuous paragraphs.

Now for the love of effectiveness, please buy, read and apply this to yourself so I don't have to do business with you sloths anymore!

Very good book on the true management skills required by any and every manager. Drucker clearly points out that not all great managers were created the same....but most share certain traits. An excellent, must read for any and all managers everywhere!

Excellent advice from a incredible coach. From time management to management contribution this book offers what you need to achieve management positions. A must.

This is one of the greatest childrens books, especially if you are from New England. Recommend it for everyone, big and small.

I haven't actually read this book in many years but it was a favorite of mine as a child. I remember my mother reading it to me night after night after night and then taking a trip into Boston to see all of the places mentioned. It's a great story and the illustrations are beautiful. I now use it as a gift for new moms to read to their children.

Prior to a planned trip to Boston, I purchased Make Way For Ducklings for my grandchildren who were three and a half and five and a half at the time. Their mom was running in the Boston Marathan. Knowing that we would be taking them to the Public Gardens and they would see the "ducklings"..this was a perfect history lesson written so well for little ones and adults to learn...Highly recommended

This book is simply sublime. I had it as a child, got it for my own children over 25 years ago, and now am buying a copy for my new grandson. Everything about this book is wonderful!

Make Way for the Ducklings by Robert McClosky has become a classic in children's literature since it was first published in 1941. Children's books have changed a lot over the years, but this particular work is substantial proof that change is not always best and more importantly, that quality will always stand the test of time.

The work has a lot going for it. First there is the story. Two Mallard ducks, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are trying to find a safe home to start a family; one that is safe from foxes and turtles. As they fly, several locations are considered and after a lengthy journey they settle upon a small island in the Charles River, Boston, Mass. Before settling here and starting their brood, they visit the Public Garden in Boston, where at first the find food rather hard to find, but after they encounter the "Swan Boats" and the people riding these boats throwing peanuts to them, they decide that the park is a good place. After checking the area out, the settle on the small island in the Charles River where Mrs. Mallard hatches a number of ducklings; eight in all. At that time, Mr. Mallard decides to take a short trip to check the area out. In his absence, Mrs. Mallard cares for her young and one day, after the little ones can walk, swim and learn to line up in a straight line, she takes them to the park.

The story of the friendly policeman and his coworkers, the journey through the city and their eventual arrival at their new home makes for a wonderful tale. Actual place names are used in the story and are depicted quite accurately in the illustrations. Louisburg Square, Charles river, Mount Vernon Street, Beacon Hill, The Book Store and several others sites allow visitors to more or less trace the journey of the duck family.

The second thing this story has is the marvelous art work. All is done in charcoal, with wonderful shading and great detail. The buildings, cars, people, dress and stores all are accurate to that particular era. This does not distract from the story in the least, and indeed, adds to the charm.

This is a wonderful read along book and is suitable for ages four through eight. I have personally "kid checked" it with these age groups and get asked for many rereading.

This book received the Caldecott medal in 1941 and it was well deserved. Other children's books by this author include Lentil, Blueberries for Sal, One Morning in Maine and Time to Wonder. All of these are excellent choices and should be included in any child's library.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

I must say with regret that I have only read one of author Ronald L. Donaghe's nine novels--thus far. Having said that, "Common Sons" is a marvellous place to start.

It is a tale of two teenage boys, Joel and Tom, growing up in the dusty town of Common, New Mexico. They do the usual things like cruising the main street in Joel's pickup, and eating hamburgers at the A & W, but there is fundamental difference between them. Joel is a farmer's son with a pragmatic way of looking at things, and Tom is a Baptist minister's son with only a biblical view of reality. Albeit, they are also in love with one another, although neither of them realizes this at first.

Ron Donaghe has also done a remarkable, and equally superb job of emphasizing the oppressive atmosphere in which their love is destined to bloom, i.e., the oppressive heat, the howling sand storms, and the relentless boredom of Common itself. Add to this a cast of narrow-minded bigots, sneering bimbos, and Tom's fire-and-brimstone breathing father, and the stage is set for an adventure in human endurance.

The catalyst is an ill-advised but quite innocent kiss at a 1960s dance--read a "pre-coital warm up with beer and brawls" before the `main event.' Joel and Tom also get around to the main event in the pick up truck, the first event for both of them, and in the cold light of dawn they each reflect on it from their different perspectives.

That's as far as I will go with the plot--for fear of ruining it for others. Instead, I will deal with the many admirable points that the author has incorporated into this novel.

Point one: The author has approached the topic of `coming out' with sensitivity, insight, and a remarkable degree of reality. Those of us who came out in the 1960s, especially in an insular community like Common--or Pefferlaw, Ontario, Canada, for that matter, can attest to how well he has captured the isolation that Joel and Tom might have experienced when they realize that they were `different.' We can also attest to the extent, and delight that others went to pointing this out to us.

Point two: Ron Danaghe has also given us insight into the dark ages of psychology, when homosexuality was considered a mental illness, or, at best, a deviation. The greater part of society would now regard this as "quackery," but it did exist along side religious dogma.

Point three: Referring to the last point, Donaghe has approached the topic of religious dogma--especially "literalist" religious dogma, with remarkable objectivity. Donaghe's is an intellectual approach--as is the Reverent Suskine's Unitarian view of it in the novel, so this is not the indictment it might have been.

[As a historian, I can also add that this homophobic view of sexuality has only existed for about six centuries. The Catholic Church was the first to declare it a sin, and then King of England adopted it into law to strengthen his political ties with the Holy Roman Empire. Ergo, it has more to do with politics than morality].

Having said all that, "Common Sons" is an inspirational read, and an absolutely must read for anyone coming out--young or old.

Gerry Burnie
[ASIN:059546730X Two Irish Lads]]

I read "Common Sons" in a day. It was definitely an engaging story and it packed an emotional whallop. It would be wonderful if everyone regardless of their sexual orientation could read this story and understand the challenges same gender loving persons have to face in their quests for happiness and acceptance. Unfortunately, the same fear and ignorance that was demonstrated by some of the residents of Common New Mexico is present all over America. Countless young adults will undoubtedly face the same obstacles as they seek acceptance of who they are and assert their right to live openly without judgement from others.

Overall this book was good. However there were parts where I wondered who edited it, only because sentance flow was not that good. Odds are I would have skipped over the sentance problems if I had really been pulled into the story. Although I had trouble putting the book down after I started, the characters weren't real enough for the story to just suck me into it.

Like I said before, overall this is a good book, and it is worth the read.

The Year is 1965, the location a small town in New Mexico; Joel is seventeen years old and living on his families farm, Tom is a little older, the son of the local church minister; they have been best friends almost since Tom arrived in town about a year ago. But when, sitting around a crowded table of school friends at a local dance, Tom drunkenly kisses Joel (and later consummates his professed love), it unleashes a chain reaction of troubles.
Initially Tom, troubled by his Bible trained conscience instilled in him by his strict father, tries to dismiss the events; but Joel is not so easily put off. His brief experience with Tom, when he compares it to his abortive attempts with girls, brings him to the realisation that he must be attracted to men. But will he be able to convince Tom that they have a future together even if he can get past the curfew Tom's father has imposed on his son for drunkenness? How will their respective parents react if they learn of the boys' true inclinations? How will their friends, Tom's fellow church members and the narrow-minded townsfolk in their small community respond?
The story follows the relationship of the two boys and the reaction of those around them in the year following that careless kiss, the difficulties they encounter as they try to accept their love for one another and remain together. Tom and Joel are each very likeable characters, physically attractive, mature for their years and caring. The characters around them are well described and range from the supportive to the duplicitous and the actively hostile.
This is a heart-warming love story, maybe a little improbable at times, but the overall idea is very appealing. I feel it suffers occasionally in the telling; the writing, while very descriptive, is at times rather dry; but that aside it is well worth reading.

This is my most favorite book I have ever read. I Have read it several times over the last 12 years and enjoy it every time. Ronald(author) takes you there with these boys. It's a movie I love to watch over and over again. Common boys, true love.

This book is incredible! full of such great life changing things, it will change the way you think and the way you view the power of your own thoughts! very remarkable

This book is really wonderful. A definite read. The chapters are short, written in big writing and the message and positive living and her own experiences and her learning makes this an amazing book. Living for Christ and worshiopping and her own beliefs sharing them that has helped her in writing this book and sharing with others how to do and live the same ways for a peaceful and joyous life. I love it and plan on reading this book again.

I am repeatedly blown away by this book! It has been so helpful to me personally, and I share it with those I love. I would read certain sections, and literally, my jaw would drop. This book really put all the pieces together for me; it makes complete sense. I am only 21 and feel I am lucky, not only because my mother gave me this book, but also because I have truly understood it at a relatively young age. "Remembering Wholeness" is eye opening and empowering at the same time. One of my favorite chapters is the one titled, "The Universe is Abundant"...definitely one of those jaw-dropping sections!!
A MUST-READ!!! :)

This book has answered so many long held questions with perfect clarity and understanding.

I've been studing the law of attraction for over 6 years and find this book to fill in the spiritual aspects that seemed to be missing from so many other authors and teachers.

Thank you Carol for your wisdom and gifts.

The concepts of choosing to do things to each other here on earth that would cause us to have to forgive is not a concept of God "brokering" these contracts. That seems a little exaggerated. The idea behind the "little spirit" is simply this. When we choose to see our perpetrators as something other than perpetrators it becomes easier to forgive them.

We choose to do things that require forgiveness all the time, sometimes out of ignorance and regretfully on purpose, but on some level, we CHOSE to do it. Do I believe that we make contracts with each other to inflict pain and suffering before we came to earth? No, but it was a given that we would submit to evil, and do things that would require forgiveness and when we can see our offenders as perfect spirits who have been caught in evil, it is so much easier to forgive and let God handle it.

There is darkness and light in every book written by the hand of man. He who seeks for fault will find it, he who seeks for truth will find it as well. No one should claim this book to be scripture, and ANYTHING written by men is "the philosophies of men mingled with scripture" unless otherwise specified as scripture. Look at the light this book brings. I have had multiple personal experiences of transformational healing for myself my family and my clients as a Rapid Eye Technician and Life Coach. The concepts of this book can bring people to Christ. Carol has a gift in making practical sense out of vague concepts. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water, see the fruits, they are there.

Irving Stone created a wondeful biography of Van Gogh, who is one of the definative "tortured" artists if for nothing more than his name is synonymous with the phrase to most people who are even casual fans of art.

In this book Stone captures the emotions of Van Gogh and the highs and lows of his life. This sheds even more meaning on his works of art. I was fortunate enough to see a Van Gogh Exhibition and hopefully will be able to do so again now that I read this.

I am sure it will add to viewing his works.

My boyfriend's father convinced me that, as an art history major, I needed to read this book. I was a little hesitant, but after the first chapter I was completely hooked.

This was a truly powerful book. No matter that it is not a true biography, it was beautifully written and moving. I would recommend this to anyone with even a passing interest in art.

Amazing book and so very well written as all of Stone's other books are...I have always been mesmerised by Van Gogh's paintings, especially when I saw an exhibit of his in London.The colours were so wonderful that I just stood there infront of those pieces of art like a zombie ! I loved this book !

I loved this book. For someone like me, with just a passing knowledge of art and art history, it was pretty amazing to learn about Van Gogh's development as an artist and the Impressionist art movement. In addition, I think that its two major themes of expression and immortality are going to have a lasting effect on me.

By expression, I mean that Van Gogh put all his time and energy into expressing himself in a way that he felt was making the best use of his skills. For him, his calling was a new form of art, and he stuck with it despite receiving no recognition or profit for his work during his lifetime. By immortality, I mean that although Van Gogh was not successful in his lifetime, his work lives on and is hung in the most important museums in the world.

Highly recommended.

This is a beautiful novel about a beautiful human being. If you love Van Gogh's paintings (he is my personal favorite of all painters) then by all means, you need to read this wonderful book. In his prose, Stone is able to paint a vivid, vibrant, illuminating portrait of an amazing artist. I was truly blown away and completely consumed from the first chapter on. I actually read this fine story after visiting the Musee d'Orsay (Museum Orsay) in Paris and seeing first hand the magnificent works of this illustrious Impressionist. Of all the great many paintings presented at the Louvre and d'Orsay, it was the Van Gogh's that captivated me more than all the others (which is saying a lot, because the whole place is captivating!). I couldn't believe some of his self-portraits. What really fascinated me the most was the despondency in those steel blue eyes of his. This is what led me to read this story. I wanted to know where all that pain and suffering came from. Irving Stone answered all of my questions and then some. He is a brilliant and insightful writer and I will be looking forward to reading his novel "The Agony and the Ecstasy" which is based on the life of another favorite artist of mine - Michelangelo.

Anyone who is struggling to become an artist needs to read this! Talk about sacrifice and desire and heart and passion... this man Van Gogh was a true original. A man like no other before or since.

"...for by sadness the countenance of the heart is made better."

I can't recommend this one enough.

I thought this book was so sad. Mary Anne loses everything- only a few things survied. Mary Anne is woke up in the middle of the night by her cat Tigger. She didn't even cry about it. Finally at the very end, she decides to cry. I would have to say, if you are like Mary Anne, and you cry allot. Don't read this book.

I cannot believe Mary Anne's house burned down! She and Dawn were VERY upset. But I can't figure out why Mary Anne could not cry. She normally cries right when she SEES something sad or cute. Or even HEARS about it. Finally one night she is able to cry. Dawn cried when she got one look at the house. I was glad they got to save A FEW things even if they weren't worth very much. I an VERY glad Tigger woke Mary Anne up. She might not have gotten out in time if he hadn't. I loved the book.

I know just how Mary-Anne feels. Our house burned down a year ago. I lost everything-including old letters (I'm like Mary-Anne and, the worst, pictures and things of my older brother, whom died when I was 7. So I know it was really hard for Mary-Anne. I cry when I read this book and I feel like Mary-Anne and I are crying together.But life goes on and changes happen-to Mary-Anne and the whole BSC (And We Love Kids Club too!)

In this book, Mary Anne's house burned down due to faulty kitchen wiring. She's very upset and in total shock. She loved the colonial farmhouse she moved to with her father after his marriage to Dawn's mother. Mary Anne loses almost everything during the fire. Her clothes, books, diaries, letters, pictures, etc. are gone, but she found some jewelry, her mom's picture, and her recent diary. Even though I've never liked Dawn, I'm glad she came to CT to comfort her family. Dawn was pretty upset about the fire. Even though she mostly hated CT, she loved the old farmhouse, the barn, and the secret passage. (the barn didn't burn down, but the secret passage from her room is gone!) I'm glad that Mary Anne finally cried about the fire, after her long shellshocked spell and she's hoping for some positive changes in her future. She doesn't want to move to Philidelpia, where her dad was offered a new job there. It's great that Kristy and her family took in Mary Anne and her parents and that the club and other neighbors comforted and donated lost items from the fire. It was a great book, but I cried my eyes out when Mary Anne lost her house and felt lost. I think she's a strong, brave girl who dealt with a lot of tough events in her life. I'm glad that Mary Anne, her dad, her stepmom, and her cat Tigger got out of the house safely. During a house fire, the number one thing is to get people out of the house and not try to save possessions. I give this book a 10.

Mary Anne's house burned bacause of wiring. Mary Anne almost loses everything like clothes, books.... Dawn was pretty upset when she heard that Mary Anne's house burned. Where Will Mary Anne live?. Will the Baby Sitters help her?

This novel is absolutely wonderful....it is one that you will never part with ..... you will keep Lori Jean close to your heart and never forget the beautiful and tragic pages of the story as it is told so perfectly by our 10 year old little friend.....Please do yourself a favor and READ this book as soon as you can get your hands on it!! It is one for the ages!!

This was a fantastic read!! I couldn't put it down and finished it within 12 hours! (I should have been sleeping...) This story will break your heart and you will fall in love with Lori Jean. This was a fabulous book that I would recommend to any avid reader.

This book is not only a page turner, but it pulls you into the characters. It is well written and a must read!

J.L.Miles is a undiscovered treasure. I couldn't order her next book fast enough, "Coldwater Creek". It is turning out to be another fantastic read. She really gets it. The characters are so real. I love southern fiction and Ms. Miles did not let me down. I feel I have gained better understanding of other peoples' "worlds". I learn something from each of her books. I have already ordered, "Divorcing Dwayne". Ms. Miles writes with heartwarming HUMOR and wisdom.

This book was a page turner! I finished it in two readings - couldn't put it down until I found out what happened to Lori Jean. This story is very sad but well worth your time. I definitely recommend it.

I loved this book as a child and now my 2 year old loves it too. This book tells the story of Harry, who hates baths. He hates them so much that he buries his brush and (temporarily) runs away from home. He plays and gets so dirty that his family thinks he is a different dog entirely. The story is sweet and simple enough for my 2 year old to enjoy, but not so simple that it's boring or babyish.

This book was my Daughter's favorite when she was a toddler, I must have read it a thousand times! She just had a Daughter of her own and I thought she might like it to read to her little girl.
Ben

I absolutely adored this book when I was little, so of course I was pleased when one of my first graders picked it up at the school library and beged me to read it for our class read-aloud this afternoon. Since we have recently discussed thinking about characters' emotions as we read, this was a perfect exercise--the text never actually says just what the cute little dog Harry is feeling during his adventure of getting dirty. And if you think about it, his tale is quite poignant. Anway, comprehension lessons aside, my kids were glued to the story and we had a great discussion afterwards. The writing is brisk and fun and subtle, leaving plenty to the readers' assumptions. The black and white pictures are adorable, detailed, and full of expression. Really, not many people write like this anymore.

Harry the Dirty Dog was undoubtedly a favorite of my children 25 years ago. I read it over and over. Despite the repitition, I also love this book. There is a rhythmn to the prose that makes it as fun to read as it is to listen to. I'm thrilled to see it again so that I may purchase it for my grandchild.

Our household has the whole series of the Harry books and I wouldn't have it any other way! I found an old copy at the local library and the first night I read it my daughter didn't make a PEEP she was utterly captivated and shes 2 and a half for 3 months she'd call "Harry Harry Harry" just like in "Harry by the Sea". If you love dogs, you'll love Harry!