V Books

A box that will make you cry, make you want to be a better person BUT if you have ever read a book written by Richard Paul Evans, you already know that..

Betty Graham

I SEEM TO LOVE EVERYTHING RICHARD PAUL EVANS WRITES .VERY WELL RESEARCHED ,I ALWAYS HAVE TO KEEP READING TILL I FINISH ,NO BREAKS .

this book is really eye opening as to faith and where it can lead you if you let it.

I am a big fan of the Christmas Box books, but when I saw this book I thought UHHHHHH I guess he needs even more money. RPE must have realized that he was a flash in the pan, and was desprate to hang on to his falling fame. This book does have its moments though, but it sounds like a broken record. They were giving this book away.. a free copy with every $10 purchase. I wish RPE would get over himself he's no Charles Dickens!!!

Unfortunately I read this after reading "The Light of Christmas" so I knew most of the story line but it was still worth the read. It is a simple story with a powerful message about the importance of our individual lives and the lives of those who love us. The Christian message of hope in life is prevalent but subtle and doesn't come across as 'preaching' while still delivering its impact.

This book is broken down into 70-something wonderful pearls of wisdom and advice-some practical, some nurturing, and some just pointing out where we can appreciate the "now". I would recommend this book for anyone, especially if you have a shorter attention span (each chapter is 2-3 pages), or if you're short on time (you can read a chapter at a stoplight or in line). Excellent insight and wisdom!

A friend of mine gave me "Creating a Charmed Life" last year and told me that she used it to read a chapter at a time to her staff at work. I found myself reading each chapter or essay in a similar manner and enjoyed it very much. So this Christmas I bought two copies to give to friends with the same advice. It has a calming effect in the harried life.

I spotted this book when I was going through a particularly difficult period in my life. (I read the book and truly felt inspired to make changes and to become more accepting of myself and others. I refer to the book all the time-it's like my own little pocket guide to life. Yes, I bleieve in God and have faith but I'll admit, I waiver. I grew up in a house where my mother did not have the skills or confidence in herself to be able to enjoy her own life or teach her daughters to enjoy theirs. If I am lucky enough to have children I will make sure I teach them these principles. Thank you, Victoria Moran for helping me wake up and enjoy life.

This can be useful: to keep this book on your shelf and open it to a fun suggestion at random. It lists ways to treat yourself as a way of reminding yourself to be good to yourself at regular intervals.

But it may only work if you're a very girlie kind of gal: this is something I don't usually notice unless it's very pronounced as it is here. The author's idea of a good time is to dress up with hat and gloves and call all her best girlfriends and go out for a traditional English tea and then to get pampered at the neighborhood spa. I myself would find that a total ordeal!

So, even though she has some good insights, she and I don't have much in common, and this book struck me as more outer-oriented and materialistic than her Lit From Within book, which I would recommend, and which concentrates on inner peace.

I have read this book and loved every chapter!....and I am purchasing a dozen, one for every female on my Christmas list, friends, neices, mother-in-law, setp-mom, etc..... I feel relieved that I am not the only female who feels this way. I especially like Chapters 8, 12, 31, 44....all of them ! This is the book you will read over and over again !!!! Thank you Victoria !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Debbie

We assign this book for our Advanced Yoga class. It is a great way to bridge physical activity with mental activity in the practices of yoga. I enjoyed this book, but it is not for beginners. I think some basic understanding of the practice is needed before reading this which is in more detail.

Being a yoga teacher, I am often asked if there were only 1 book on yoga that I could recommend, which would it be? The answer is The Heart of Yoga. There is no hidden agenda here. The essence of yoga from the heart of a yogi. My second choice would be Srivatsa Ramaswami's-- Yoga for the Three Stages of Life: Developing Your Practice As an Art Form, a Physical Therapy, and a Guiding Philosophy. Second only because it did not have a translation of the Yoga Sutras included, as does The Heart of Yoga.

This book is interesting but is a somewhat detailed read. It teaches the background of yoga and ideas toward developing a personal plan toward practicing yoga.

I had to pick this book up for my yoga instructor certification course. Initially, I approached like I do all textbooks, with dread and out of necessity. I expected it to be WAY over my head, especially since I am relatively new to rigorous practice of yoga. However, Desikachar's writing style and tone make this book completely accessible. I have learned so much from this book and what I have found is that Desikachar's words are very easy to incorporate into my dharma talks and apply to my yoga practice. The book is very well organized and very well laid out with each section building on the previous section's information. There is even a Sanskrit pronunciation guide in the back of the book! In addition to that, Desikachar's gift is his ability to share his knowledge and his passion in a way that engenders hope and allows the readers to have faith in their abilities, at whatever level of their yoga practice. It's not so much that he tells you what to do and places an expectation on you to do it. No, it is more as if he shares what he knows and wants the reader to be able to experience the joy and the profound effects of yoga. I highly recommend this book to any level yogi who practices any style of yoga.

I have used this book both a teacher and a student. I use this book for all our teacher training programs with huge success. This is a gem of a book. A necessary read for students and teacher's of Vinyasa. Having practiced at the KYM mandiram and having met Desikachar makes this book even more amazing as he is a living vibration of this book.

This is a sweet remembrance of the author's friendship with Fred Rogers. But it also gives an interesting insight into the spiritual side of the "Mr. Rogers" so many of us grew up with. Most of us know that Fred Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister, but this book shares correspondences and conversations that reveal just how deeply spiritual Fred Rogers was.

This book is about a relationship between two friends. I often give this book to friends who have lost a parent. In this world where so few people encourage and lift each other up, are able to have a heart-to-heart talk with a friend, this book is an excellent example of how to do just that! "I'm Proud of You" is one of my favorite books. I would highly recommend it and preferred it so much more than "Tuesdays with Morie"(spelling?)since the story seemed so much more heartfelt.

This book made both my wife and I cry at times as it covered the sensitive topic of a son's relationship with his father and a man's relationship with a mentor. This is a must read for all father's, son's, and mentors.

I like all of Tim Madigan's writings, for he reveals his heart. I felt 'I'm Proud of You' showed the time a busy person took to share his love and concern with others. Mr. Rogers never stopped sharing, never spoke of himself even when he was terminally ill. Mr. Rogers did not brush off someone with troubles, Tim described as the 'furies', claiming he did not have time; expertise or knowledge, but shared himself. I thought the book was very well written.
It came in a few days after being ordered and in good condition.

I had no appreciation for Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) until I read this book.
He is an incredible human being.
And this book carries along that incredibleness so people like us who have never met the man can learn and bask in his example of perfect friendship.
Truly an inspiration.

This is a great self-help book. If you complete the exercises you will learn a lot about yourself.

This is another excellent book by Harville Hendrix in which you can learn a lot about what makes you do the things you do in a relationship, and why others do what they do. I found both this book and Hendrix's Guide for Couples extremely enlightening and I've read a lot of self-help books! (The Guide for Couples is fine for Singles, by the way)

I found this book quite disappointing, because I found the author's writing style quite dry and not applicable to my life, because it tried to dissect everything down into pieces. Measurements alter the state of the system, and I think this is especially true for relationships: Don't think *too* hard about them, or you will forget to have fun. Which relationship can survive if you don't primarily enjoy being together? So I think this book will help grow the already overly large group of over-thinkers.

I read this book 4 years ago when my marriage of 11 years ended. My goal was to understand what happened in my relationship and make sure I didn't make the same mistake again. This was one of about 20 books I read and literally the only one that I still practice what I learned everyday. I would love to boil it down to the key elements, but I strongly recommend taking this book to heart and going through the entire process. Also, it is important to be honest with yourself when Hendrix asks the tough questions. I also advise keeping this book and the notes you will write in a private place. If you're honest with yourself, you will be looking at yourself from the outside in. You will be completed and "whole" yourself and ready to be in a relationship. I also recommend that when you do find that next person, to encourage them to read this book, if not, at least employ some of key tactics, which you will pick up through reading the book. This is truly one of those books that has had a dramatically positive affect on my life.

If you are really committed to personal growth and to not repeating the same old mistakes in your next relationship, then this is the book. it is not an easy read. I was recommended this book by my therapist and it's the most intense self help book I have ever worked through (and I have been doing this for some time).
Doing the exercises in the book has helped me to bring all kinds of thoughts and habits that I wasn't aware of into consciousness where I stand a chance of healing them and doing things differently in the future. The process has been painful and uncomfortable at times and I had to take breaks and come back to it, but it has accelerated my personal growth dramatically. Really worth it.

This is a gorgeous book. I haven't tried any recipes yet, but the pictures are coffee table book quality.

"Luscious Lemon Desserts" is the must-have cookbook for the true lemon aficionado. Lori Longbotham showcases the clear, piercing flavor of lemon in all of its magnificence, whether you long for the creaminess of rice pudding, the luxuriousness of lemon mousse, or the palate-cleansing clarity of gelatin.

The flavor of lemon can be delivered through several distinct mediums, all of which have different uses and tones: zest, juice, and oil. Most home cooks have used the first two, but the third is an unusual addition. Ms. Longbotham recommends not using lemon extract, comparing the results to furniture polish, and I must agree with her comparison--the warmer, subtler flavor of lemon oil makes a significant difference.

Ms. Longbotham's recipes include standard desserts with a lemon flair, such as pudding, mousse, gelatin, rice pudding, angel food cake, pudding cake, pound cake, lemon meringue pie, lemon tart, three different cheesecakes, souffle, lemon curd, and more. They also, however, include some more unusual takes on dessert. For instance, while I adore pots de creme, I haven't quite been able to get myself to try the version in here that includes coriander seeds, and the same with the creme caramel that includes fennel. Of course you can leave these little additives out easily enough, so I don't think they should put you off of buying the cookbook if they don't sound good to you.

We've made a number of recipes out of this cookbook since we first purchased it. The "ultimate lemon mousse" is still my favorite, and yes, it truly deserves its name! We've made it repeatedly, and it's been a big hit at multiple dinners we've thrown. The lemon rice pudding is mild and not-too-sweet, almost something of a palate-cleanser; it's unexpected and delicious. The lemon curd goes beautifully over biscuits. The only recipe we had any trouble with was "my favorite lemon pudding;" it broke and didn't thicken properly, but I suspect that may well have been due to problems with our old refrigerator rather than the recipe.

For those who find cooking to be a delight and love the flavor of a good lemon, I can't imagine a cookbook library without "Luscious Lemon Desserts!"

I think the Triple Lemon Cheesecake and Lemon curd are worth the price of the book. I'm a fan of cheesecake but only make one at a time, and very occasionally. As often as not, my family requests the Triple Lemon Cheesecake over any other cheesecake I make. And the Lemon Curd (which goes on the cheesecake, among other things), Yowza! Fantastic!

I don't cook or bake much, so I don't tend to try out new recipes often, but have been very happy with what I've tried in this book. It's also lovely to look at and enjoyable and friendly to read. Two thumbs up.

I'm a huge lemon dessert fan so when I saw this book, I didn't hesistate to buy it, even at retail price. Then I hurried home and got to work on the recipes. I do quite a bit of baking and I love to meticulously follow directions, but almost everything I made from this, with the exception of the lemon curd, turned out almost inedible. This book offered the worst recipe for madeleines I have ever had the misfortune to encounter, the cheescake with dense and disgusting, etc. I was very disapointed in this purchase, and wouldn't recommend it to anyone. It seemed as though the author had never tested these recipes herself. Completely unreliable.

For anyone who likes lemon desserts-which is just about everybody! It's pretty surprising that no one had written a lemon dessert book before Lori Longbotham, but fortunately for any home baker that it's one of her favorite flavors. This book is filled with delicious, easy desserts-try the homey Ultimate Lemon Pound Cake, the Chocolate Ganache Tart with Lots of Lemon (wow!), or the delectable Crisp Lemon Wafers-and then move on to the dozens of other delectable recipes. When summer comes, there are lots of great frozen desserts too. The recipes are clear and easy to follow, and she includes lots of tips. And the color photographs are gorgeous!

I give the Merck Manual 5 stars in general but I wouldn't buy this edition because is was written in 1999. Everything in this book is obsolete. It's very important to buy up-to-date medical books for the proper information. If you're looking for a newer Merck, I would buy The Merck Manual of Medical Information, Second Edition: The World's Most Widely Used Medical Reference - Now In Everyday Language which was written in 2004 but is the most up-to-date Home Edition of Merck. However The Merck Manual 18th Edition was written in 2006 but is intended for doctors. I wouldn't recommend The Merck 18th Edition unless you have a good knowledge of medicine.

This is the most comprehensive guide to health related issues available on the market. There is a more authorative edition of the Merck Manual, but at 1700 pages this edition will keep you occupied. It covers the broad range of illnesses with handy diagnoses. But, what I like most is the children's section, which not only fills you on all the ailments that plague little ones, but the vast array of problems that can occur during pregnancy. While much of this information may provide more anxiety than assurance, it is worth knowing, especially if going through the experience of child birth for the first time. The children's section also has good information on health and nutrition. It quite literally covers the gamut of health related issues and no home should be without it. But, don't get carried away with self-diagnoses It can be frightening!

This is a wonderful summary of general medical information written in simple terms so this is a great addition to the family. It is very current in describing medical understanding of a variety of illnesses, and it provides a solid foundation upon which you can start doing more research on the Internet for the condition that you may be interested in finding about. It even suggests temporary remedies and puts you in charge of how you are treated by the medical profession. This is a must have book to keep around!

This book is cheaper [on] AMAZON than the one I bought at my warehouse club. I'd buy it for twice list price if I did not already have a copy.

The text is marvelously complete, yet devoid of fluff and fillers despite its 1500+ pages. The illustrations are very helpful, as is its exhaustive index.

If I have a medical problem in the house, this is what I grab first, even before logging onto the net. It's that good.

All that being said, it is not a complete medical library, you can get more detailed info by visiting a medical library, buying more specific books on the condition that interests you, and be spending hours researching a subject on the net.

If you want to understand something medical in a hurry, reach for this first.

This Merk Edition is perfect for patients with limited medical background. The explanations are more in laymen's terms but it would be good to have a medical dictionary to help when needed. Most term are explained in the book and it is full of diagrams to help with understanding. Merk recognizes the need for patients to become educated and have confidence that this is not a difficult thing to do. Some doctors have led patients to believe for too long that the knowledge was beyond their comprehension, so nothing that they do is ever questioned. I have met other doctors that explain in great detail and even draw on a bed sheet what they are going to do and why, giving the patient the respect that they deserve. I have a Degree in Early Childhood Education, and one crucial thing that was drilled into us that everybody can be taught anything if you start on the level of knowledge of the subject that you wish to teach. I believe this about children, and I certainly feel the same about every age level. Doctors are just people who went to school to learn. You never know what quality of the knowledge is that they learned or if they have kept up with an ever changing field with updates from research all of the time. If you are particular about who watches your pet, you should be even more concerned about your health care. Whatever depends on you to stay alive and for you to take care of, need for you to be healthy, and the health care of your loved ones should be a serious concern. It is easy to understand. Mrs. Symmington

Nice, colorful, easy to read and has 40!!! stickers, which are the most important part after the kid reads the book. Organized in one full book.

I have recommended these books to all of my friends. They have helped my 4-year-old (born October) read and he LOVES to read them every day, twice a day. He can read sentences with ease like "I want a plane and a crane" or "The hot dog is on a log." In a matter of one month he's learned to read. The stickers offer a great incentive and make it so much fun for him. I have bought these for kids birthday presents (they have enough toys already, right!) and have 5 of them at my home. I wish there were more!

Great for blossoming readers. My kindergartener is really enjoying these funny short books. He loves seeing what happens next as he sounds out new words. My only complaint is that in this series as well as the level 3 the font isn't appropriate for new readers. The "g" is cursive looking & is very confusing. Don't know why that changed from the pre-readers & level 1&2, disappointing.

The best way to expose your child to reading. My daughter reads a couple books on most nights and she has improved dramatically over the past months. She enjoys reading the stories and putting a sticker on each time she does. Every parent that cares about education should get these books for their kids.

I bought this for my 4 yr old after having used the first two sets of Bob Books (scholastic). Now I'm Reading!: Amazing Animals is an excellent next step! Amazing Animals introduces long vowel sounds and vowel pairs (digraphs) in managable chunks.

This set is great for kids who are intimidated by the usual graded learning-to-read books (like Danny and the Dinosaur) or books which rely on the repitition of longer sight words.

Younger readers benefit from these short funny texts with lots of words worthy of sounding out. The illustrations and vibrant colors have kept my dughter enthused through out.

Young children can learn to read too with patience and these great books.

I love Jacquelin Thomas books and this one by far is one of the most moving stories. The personification of redemption! Be prepared to stay up until 3am and pull the Kleenex out because you will need it! This book was truly a blessing to me and all my friends that I've passed it along too! I even bought a second copy as a gift for a friend =)

The book brings the stories in the bible to life...reading the book made the story of gomer and hosea make so much since. The one thing I do like is after you read the book you can turn in your bible to that story and see the similaries. God has truely given you a wonderful gift. Keep using it to gorify God

I just finished reading Redemption and I have to say i was trully touched by the way that Ms Thomas mixed in the scriptures so eloquently with the story line. Marin and Warren are two souls in love with life and themselves. I really thought Marin would pull it together and her and Warren would live happily ever after. All things weren't meant to end in pure joy and happiness. Marin's mother was a pure WITCH I don't see how Marin stood to be around her...i know..i know she is her mother but good gracious. I felt her father couldve stepped up and spoken on her behalf. This book teached a lesson of love and forgiveness that all of us could learn from.

EVEN THOUGH THIS BOOK REFLECT SIMILARITIES TO THE PROPHET HOSEA, THE STORY CENTERS AROUND IMAGES. IN THE BIBLE STORY THE PROPHET IS TOLD TO TAKE A WIFE OF WHOREDOM, WHICH IS NOT THE CASE AND THE PROJECTION OF MARIN BUT CHOICES THAT ONE MAKE WHEN THERE ARE NO ANSWERS. HER CHARACTER IS ABOUT A WOMAN SEEKING TO SOLIDIFY HER AFFECTIONS BUT CAN NEVER FIND ANYONE TO BELIEVE IN HER UNTIL THE END. BOTH SHE AND HER HUSBAND REPRESENT FOR ME THE PROJECTION OF TWO IMAGES COMING TOGETHER SEEKING TO VALIDATE WHO THEY ARE IN A WORLD APART FROM EACH OTHER. CAN THEY FIND SOLACE IN EACH OTHER AS SHE REPRESENT ONE WHO SEEKS TO BE VALIDATED AND HE AS ONE IS STAUNCH IN FAITH AND THE CHRISTIAN IMAGE TO REPRESENT EVERYTHING SHE NEED IN HER LIFE? HE FINDS HER AND SHE GRAVITATE TO THAT WHICH HE HAS OFFER AS THE LOVE OF CHRIST IN AFFIRMING HER. BUT THE TENSION COMES WHEN HE DOES NOT SEE AND UNDERSTAND THE EMOTIONAL PINING OF HER SOUL AND THAT OF BEING INSECURE. BEING THRUST INTO A REALITY IN WHICH SHE IS NEVER COMFORTABLE WITH HER ROLE, SHE ENDURES AND OVERCOME SOME OF HER FRAILTIES BY CLINGING TO HIS REALITY WHICH EVENTUALLY SEND HER SPIRALING INTO HER OWN PERSONAL JOURNEY FILLED WITH THE TREACHERY OF A DECEITFUL WORLD. THE STORY IS MOVING AND SHE FINALLY IS ABLE TO OVERCOME THE DEMON OF HER SOUL THROUGH HER OWN PERSONAL JOURNEY OF SELF DISCOVERY, CHOICES AND THEN CONSEQUENCES. A WONDERFUL STORY THAT CAN BECOME A MOVIE.

This book, I think, is her best. I have read several of her books. None of her other books had me so emotional. Great story of God's love and redemptive power.

Kokoris does something unusual with this book: he captures the core of people that you probably know (at a minimum, their personalities will be familiar), and shows them in a sweet, compelling story. The boy's-eye view works to a T. The Dad is a delightful introvert, neither simple nor heroic . . . . the result is a novel that will win you over.

This book was very well written and captured my interest from the beginning. It was interesing to see how people make a decision and the ramifications just continue on through the years.

You will laugh, you will cry...but you will not put it down... A great read...can't wait for the movie Jim K.

I'm a little late getting to read this wonderful book, published in 2001, but am oh so glad I found it on the shelves.

What a delightful read, couldn't put it down. When you laugh out loud and also shed a few tears you know you found the perfect book.

Good Job, Jim KoKoris...keep 'em coming.

Penny Burke
Mt Laurel, NJ

"The Rich Part of Life" depicts the good, the bad and the ugly that befalls the Pappas family after winning the lottery for $190mm. Theo, the family patriarch hits it big playing his deceased wife's lottery numbers. Upon revealing that he is the holder of the winning ticket, Theo is bombarded by request for financial assistance from strangers, neighbors and family. Socially introverted and emotionally reclusive, Theo is faced with the challenge of managing the celebrity of his new found wealth in the midst of the resurrection of a long forgotten adversary whose demands of Theo threatens to destroy the Pappas family.

"The Rich Part of Life" is filled with genuinely likeable and detestable characters portrayed in clean, crisp language that uniquely sets them apart. The only character disappointment for this reader was the unimaginative portrayal, usage really, of the Maurice character. Although I never discounted his importance to the novel, I wanted to know more about him than was broadly revealed by the author. Ultimately, the novel is successful in its exploration of the dynamics of chance. What are the odds of winning the lotto? What wonderful or dreadful situations await us when the stars are perfectly aligned or the comets collide? What's likelihood of a middle aged recluse starting a family with a young dancer? This is an excellent debut novel that reconfirmed for me that it's not money, but people that's at the root of all evil. Enjoy!