A Books

Although the rhymes as nice and the content of picking various berries come into play - I think the pages are way too busy with lots of illustrations that distracts the story and causes focus problems.

I love this book. I love the rhythm of it, I love the note at the end, I love the dedication - love it.

Unfortunately, I've yet to get either of my nieces overly involved in it. They'll sit through it, but they won't request it :(

So I've had to take a star off what I'd normally rank this book as because, in my house, it's just not doing its job. I don't know why they don't love it, they just don't.

This book was a favorite with our first child 10 years ago, and we just bought another copy for our 1-yr.-old! I love the flowing, rhyming prose, and the illustrations allow for so much discussion and interaction. As with Dr. Suess books, I find myself repeating the words throughout the day (like when we're eating berries!) I definitely recommend this book!

This was my kids' favorite book when they were little, and now I'm buying many copies for nieces, nephews, and little cousins. Wonderful verse, fun pictures. Lots of repetition, which the little ones love. Enjoy!

My grandson loved this book once he turned about 16 months old. Before that he had no interest.

This cookbook is useful to me in several ways, but the constant drum beat of egg replacer and vegan butter just drowns out everything for me. I must admit I was sorely disappointed. And what's up with all that "all purpose flour"?? Looks more like a capitalistic venture than a truly vegan cookbook. Why cannot we have a cookbook that uses wholewheat pastry flour for cookies (for instance), for heaven's sake? I guess this was written for people just jumping onto the health bandwagon via the cookie department, but it was not that great for me. I have to re-create any recipe by figuring out how to avoid all those "1/2 cups of vegan butter" and using whole grains--what a drag. I do use Earth Balance, but not by the cupful! Puh-leeze!!

I could hardly wait for this book to arrive. When it finally did, I couldn't wait to open it up and look inside. It was then that I was so disappointed! It is a "vegan baking" book, right? I expected the ingredients to use good things in them but instead they call for "sugar". Yuck!

There are not enough good things to say about this cookbook. We are now known as expert Vegan Bakers among our friends and relatives...and our secret is that we're not! We follow these recipes and everyone loves them! The best things about this cookbook are: the tips and tidbits that are tucked in on the pages and the indices that are very comprehensive. Everyone should have this cookbook!

We have already made several recipes from this great cookbook in the couple of weeks that we've owned it. My eleven year old daughter is trying to lay claim to it (no chance! It's mine!!). Whether you are an aspiring vegan or veteran, you will love this cookbook. Vegan baking is the bomb and this is the best tomb of knowledge out there on this subject to date. I also recommend Veganomicon as a great overall vegan cookbook. Simple recipes in both, delivered with enthusiasm, fun and expertise.

Enjoy!!!
Perry Tow
Placerville, California

This is one of my very favorite cookbooks and perhaps the most consistently used. Every recipe I've tried is simple and delicious and a big hit at home and the office. I've taken a number of vegan treats to share with non-vegans and they've all been a huge hit and a pleasant surprise to those who thought vegans were only allowed to eat grass and hay. ;-)

The recipes are easy to follow and most of the ingredients can be found at your neighborhood grocery store. The book is also filled with nutritional information and gorgeous photographs that inspire you to get out the cookie sheet, muffin tins, or springform and get baking!

I had read another book on making lampwork beads which left me wanting so much more. I decided to purchase Passing the Flame and wish I would have purchased it first. Cornia's step by step instructions are what I needed as a beginner. I read her instructions, try making the bead and if I fail read the instructions again. This is a must have book for any lampwork bead creator, especially if you are a beginner. She "talks" to you and makes everything very understandable. I can't thank her enough for her instructions and tips.

Es un libro completo, excelente para los que comenzamos en este bello hobby, los paso a paso, asi como las demas explicaciones son tan graficas que se entienden facilmente aun estando en otro idioma, lo recomiendo ampliamente, ahora será más facil para mi realizar el curso de lampworking, gracias.

I had heard that this book was the "bible" of glass bead making and so I had to buy it even though it was quite expensive.
I must admit I was a little disapointed by it. I found the content all a bit jumbled and hard to follow. There is no doubt that this book is packed with amazing and useful info, but it's a bit hard to access because of the layout.

I like clear pics, not too much text to wade through and I'd always rather see big, clear images of a process than a full on written description - most creative people are visual learners, so loads of text really isn't much use.

Perhaps I wouldn't have minded if it was a bit cheaper. I'm still glad to bought it and I do wade through it sometimes and find out really useful stuff, but I just feel that it could have been so much better.

I love this book. I use it all the time when making beads. The techniques are understandable. Corina's sense of humor shines through and makes me laugh! Thanks!

Is the most comprehensive and beautiful book on lampworking out there. You can follow the prokjects and techniques and the pictures are just brilliant!

In short, I am an amateur historian of Russian history and found this biography to be very detailed, thoroughly researched biograaphy while at the same time reading as a top notch novel. I can't recommend it more. If you are interested in the man, this transitional period in Russian history or are after a great read, you won't be disappointed. Enjoy!

Much like Pierre Berton's great Canadian history books, Robert Massie brings history to the "people" with Peter The Great. In this long but highly readable biography, Massie illumimates the distant past of a backward nation which grew into a major European power under the energetic Peter. We read about the palace intrigues in the Kremlin in Peter's early years, his rise to power, and his historic trip "incognito" through Holland, Austria and England. A major part of this book is devoted to the Great Northern War with Sweden, and the fascinating character of Swedish king Charles XII. I knew very little about that attempted invasion of Russia, and Massie paints a vivid picture of the Swedish campaign. The author also brings us inside the Ottoman Empire and the life of the Sultans and Grand Viziers. He puts Peter's life in context with the greater world and shifting alliances of Europe.

The brutish nature of life in Russia in this era is not glossed over. So many labourers died in the construction of Peter's centrepiece city St. Petersburg, and the cruel punishments of the time are depicted. Overall, this is the type of historical biography they don't write anymore. History can be and should be written to appeal to a broader audience, and also to tell things as they were, without resorting to revisionism. Books such as this encourage readers to explore history more.

What a treat this book was to read. Robert Massie demonstrates an ability at biography to a level I had never before experienced, though a huge portion of my reading is in fact biography. Truly amazing is the level of detail and background, which is somehow seamlessly spun into fibers, into yarns, and into a rich textile of thoughts and events sweeping through Russian and world drama by the fluid hand of Mr. Massie. He is with no exaggeration a master of his craft. I suppose this is why the book has earned a Pulitzer prize.

Not only is the worth of the author a call for every historically curious person to swim eagerly through this work, but so do the very facts of the account examined create among the richest stories available in history for any author to weave into narrative. It just so happens that here we have a wonderful and rich history handled by an unusually able story teller.

Peter The Great is such a curious character that one might consider such a collection of ability, insight, temper, and crushingly wielded power more the subject of a novel before thinking him one who walked the Earth, leaving his mark forever impressed upon Russia until the modern day.

It was Peter who pulled Russia kicking and screaming from the dark ages. It was Peter who created the Russian Navy from nothing (actually it is said from a single rotten sailboat). It was Peter who created Russia's first standing professional army. How? From the ranks of children with whom he played army as a child himself. He grew, they grew, and they became the core of the new Russian army. This by the way is a brutal and captivating tread of the story in its own right.

The book is riddled with such accounts, rendered in a degree of detail as to leave you simply awestruck and immersed in your own transported imagination. This to the point of regretting the arrival of that last of its many polished and engrossing pages.

This is truly a wonderful display of scholarship, of factual organization, and of rich story telling. This book is absolutely perfect for those with a mind, seeking to have it engaged.

I love to read history and have numerous books about many people and events that happened throughout history. But this book has to be my absolute favorite. Peter the Great was an amazing person and led a life without one dull moment. Once you start reading this book it will be difficult to put it down. Even though he did not live into old age, he lived a life full of adventure and you will never be bored while reading this book. You will find that Peter the Great is one of the best leaders of all times and I often wonder how Russian history would have evolved if Peter had lived to be eighty. It is too bad the man cannot be cloned.

This is a rich, detailed examination of the life of Peter the Great. One almost gets a sense that his was a life characterized by ADHD--but with enough ability and imagination and focus that the almost out of control energy worked to his homeland's benefit.

This book examines in considerable depth the arc of his life, from childhood and the dangers that he faced, to his play warrior simulations, to his journey abroad, to his desire to reshape Russia as a more modern nation. Well told is his zeal to create a Russian navy that would be a force. From his childhood on, he was fascinated with this thought. The book recalls how his childhood imaginings developed until, indeed, he had developed a navy that was able to project Russian power.

His learning to be a soldier is also told well. He had ups and downs as a military leader. Part III of the book details dreadful losses and an ultimate triumph over the Swedish forces at Poltava.

Then there is his desire to create a new capital city, a city to be the envy of the world. The book outlines the many struggles and challenges in the creation of St. Petersburg.

The reader will feel almost exhausted by the end, as a result of the great ambitions, the enormous energy, the prodigious accomplishments of Peter the Great. The book balances well his failures with his triumphs and provides a nuanced view of this important historical figure.

Now, I loved this book, this is the second book by Ms.Ervin I have read (I need to get Mina's Joint)and I am amazed and very appreciative at the authors growth and how she's come into a style of her own, I could see it in Hold U Down but she was still trying to find her way and I saw to many other authors in that one too. And once again, the designer name droppin and talking about how much something cost and every detail in peoples clothes and all that stuff could be lessened. But this book is all MISS ERVIN! And she did a great, great job! This book took me back a little I can really understand Mo's pain, the up's and the down's, the in's and the out's. Mo is wayyyy better than me though lol(accept the kid part, she was bogus for that lol). What we won't go through for love, but this was very well written, with a nice pace, not to slow, not to fast, not overly dramatized, but nicely put together you really could feel the emotions, and the supporting characters were wonderful as well and fit nicely into the book. It was emotional, funny, made you mad, I mean I was ready to jump in the book and smack dude around a little bit, then smack her around a little then hug em both! I read it in a few hours(ok so I didn't pace myself and almost burned my rice) but it was that good. I loved how it ended with nobody holding grudges or wishing ill on the other. Good going Miss Ervin, keep up the good work!

From the Beginning to the end it was good.....Especially at the end. Good Twist Torn (Triple Crown Publications Presents) (Triple Crown Publications Presents)

I THINK THIS IS THE BEST BOOK THAT I HAVE READ IN LONG TIME. KEISHA TO U (YOU HAVE SOME MAD SKILLS)CONTINUE TO DO WHAT U DO.

THIS BOOK WILL SEND YOU THRU SO MANY EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTERS ITS NOT EVEN FUNNY. YOU CAN ACTUALLY FEEL THE PAIN MO IS GOING THRU. I THINK MANY FEMALES CAN RELATE TO THIS BOOK, I KNO I DID.I LOVED IT.

This has to be one of the best book i ever read. Torn kept me tearing through the pages, from the day i started it. The book hit so close to home because i went through the same experiance but not for 10 years. Its easy for people to say that Mo shoulda have left quan, but in all reality when you are in the situation,loves clouds your judgement. But otherwise the book kept you intrested, it made you feel like you are really there. I laughed and i cryed and i can proudly say that i am going to pass this book around to each and everyone of my friends. The book made me realize that you could easily think that you love a person,but it might be the idea of love, that makes you hang on for dear life.I WISH I CAN GIVE IT MORE THAN 5 STARS. this book deserves 100 stars.

I couldn't put the book down. I stayed up half the night reading it. You become absorbed in the story, very well written.

All I can say is it's a good thing I didn't have much else to do. I could hardly put the book down. Great story, it flows and is easy to read. The story line was fun while intriguing and touching...Melissa Good is truly and artist with words. I have already purchased Hurricane Watch and am looking forward to starting it.

As the first Melissa Good novel that I have read. I found it to be engaging and the contemporary setting was refreshing.

While the relationship element was predictable, fortunately Goode stayed on the high road by not dipping to graphic details, leaving that to our own imagination.

The twists and turns of the actual story line were compelling and fairly true to life, in the 21st century. It was fun to to identify with the people and situations. It is apparent that Goode has more of this story to tell.

Kudos to whoever is making this novel into the movie. Cannot wait to see it!

An uber with a duo every bit as vibrant as those in her beloved X&G sagas. Whoda thunk the world of corporate computing could be so darn entertaining and compelling. With one of the best rescue scenes ever. Dar and Kerry are alive and living in Miami.

This was the first "uber" piece I had ever read and I was pleasantly surprised by what a good story it was. I didn't know what to expect in the beginning, and even had a hard time getting past the first chapter. But, I persisted and made it through. Boy was I glad that I did. Ms. Good has written about two very strong characters who are different as night and day. I found myself intrigued by their relationship and couldn't wait to read more. I have now read all of the DaK series and would still say that this one is my favorite. However....
What I didn't like was the large amount of inconsistency in the story. At first Kerry's siter's name is Susan, then it's Angela. Her father's name is Kevin, then Roger. Kerry's personnel file says she's 26, but she tells Dar she's 27 (okay, I can overlook a birthday). There are at least four or five other inconsistencies that I can't think of right now...but it bugged me...a lot. The grammar was fine, in my opinion, but there were some typos which should have been caught during editing. And I don't buy Dar working for ILS for 15 years when she's only 30 (I may be bleeding into some of the other books).
The point of the matter is....honestly I really did like this book. That's why I continued to keep reading the other stories. Yes, I wish the love scenes had just a little more "umph" to them and I wish Kerry wouldn't say things like "oh, poo." I gave this four stars, mainly for the continuity issues....but it is a good read and I would recommend it to my friends.

I just loved this book! It is a very quick read and so enjoyable from cover to cover. It's a poignant story with a tremendous amount of affection between the two correspondents, which is ultimately very touching. I was so sorry to get to the end. I wanted it to continue with more story evolving about the lives of the characters.

I read this book around '84. In 1988, my uncle Rich, a retired college dean and my fabulous Aunt Cecilia went off to London for a year, American College, I think. I went on a road trip to the UK...England, Scotland, Wales, spent a few days with them, brought my aunt a copy of 84 Charing Cross Road. My uncle didn't get the concept, economist that he was. Letters? Who wants to read someone else's letters? Lurch forward about a month. The end of my road trip, both had read and loved this book. I gave the vid to them when it came out, it's a wonderful movie. They came home, at any gathering my Aunt Cecilia always asked...what are you reading?

84, Charing Cross Road is a delightful collection of letters chronicling the 20-plus years' correspondence between screenwriter Helene Hanff and Frank Doel, bookseller of Marks & Co. It begins with a request in which Helene inquires after a series of books she wants to buy, saying that Barnes & Nobles's sells "marked up, grimy schoolboy" copies of the books she wants (my, how things have changed!), and continues through a friendship between Hanff and Doel in which the two never meet. As their lives grow and change, Hanff and Doel's friendship remains the one constant.

It's a special friendship, and Hanff is sharp-tongued and witty, making her a delightful narrator. I have a feeling that not all of the letters are preserved here in their entirety, but they're reprinted word-for-word, including Hanff's idiosyncratic punctuation--no doubt due to the fact that she typewrote all of her letters, but nonetheless, the letters show Hanff's personality and her rather abrupt way of corresponding.

It's a short book (just about 100 pages), but it's a special book, nonetheless, about a shared love of books. 84, Charing Cross Road is a must-read for any bibliophile. It's too bad that a woman on the subway accidentally tipped soda into my bag and all over my copy of this wonderful book...

I discovered this book on a dusty HS library shelf and as in Ms. Hanff's words, devoured it "all at once" not coming up for air or cigarettes. I also bought the VHS many years ago as soon as it came available. Since then, I've gone on to go out of head for Donne, Quiller-Couch, Austen, and Blake (though not anywhere near Donne!).

In less than one hundred pages, Helene Hanff has given her readers a rare and special gift. Here in this delightful little book are the notes she exchanged with the employees of Marks & Co., a used-book store in England. Being fond of the old-fashioned yet still highly personal act of letter writing, and being equally fond of old books and used-book stores, Hanff seemed to have compiled these letters just for me. I doubt there is anyone who can read this book without experiencing a wide range of emotions complete with laughter and tears.

A lifelong letter writer, Helene Hanff studied playwriting at the Theatre Guild. She has written scripts for "The Hallmark Hall of Fame" and for "Ellery Queen." Her other writings include several children's books as well as articles for Harpers and New Yorker magazines.

Living and writing in New York City, Hanff finds herself unsuccessful in finding certain rare or out-of-print editions of books.

"Gentlemen:
Your ad in the Saturday Review of Literature says that you specialize in out-of-print books. The phrase 'antiquarian booksellers' scares me somewhat, as I equate 'antique' with expensive. I am a poor writer with an antiquarian taste in books and all the things I want are impossible to get over here except in very expensive rare editions, or in Barnes & Noble's grimy, marked-up schoolboy copies."

So begins the opening letter dated October 5, 1949, and addressed to Marks & Co. at 84, Charing Cross Road in London. What follows on the pages of this book are the letters Hanff wrote to Marks & Co., and specifically to Frank P. Dole. Also included are the responses to her requests, mostly from Frank P. Dole. Through their twenty-year relationship, the two strangers become in some ways like family. Frank introduces his family to Helene in letters. She corresponds with the family as if they are her own. Knowing that in a time of rationing, certain items are not readily available to the residents of London, she takes great care to ship Christmas and Easter gifts to the store with plenty of eggs and meat for everyone there.

The final entry, dated 1969, brings the relationship between the bookstore, Frank Dole and Hanff full circle. The twenty years between the first and last notes are fondly recalled on the pages of this book.

These short notes, her requests for specific books, the monetary transactions that took place, and the solid relationships that developed allow the present day reader to glimpse a bit of the nostalgic... a gentler time when costs were lower, trust was higher, and people were more willing to be compassionate to complete strangers.

This is a truly delightful little book that has captured my heart. And, by the way, the fact that I discovered it while browsing through my own favorite little used-book store lends a special sort of appeal to it. I treasure the gifts within these pages--the gifts of self, of the written word, and the appreciation for the simpler things in life.

by Lee Ambrose
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

Item sold - exactly as stated online - item was delivered very fast and in perfect condition.

Out to Canaan (The Mitford Years, Book 4)

Most wonderful fiction series I've read in many years! I love Jan Karon's Mitford Season, and can't wait until the next ones come out. The characters have become so real to me, I feel like I've known them all my life. It's hard to find good Christian fiction, which are loved even by those who do not usually read Christian literature, but these fit the bill! I give them for gifts to many.

I just loved this book. I am reading the Mitford series and getting to know the characters. It's great to have a respite from our busy world. This book had me laughing out loud in a few places.

My 97 year old grandmother is in love with Mitford. She has macular degeneration and can no longer read with her eyes so she "reads" with her ears. Whenever she is feeling blue or is sick in bed, she just puts Mitford in and says she feels comforted. This was the missing book of her series on CD and we sent it for her 97th birthday. A highly recommended series - the first book may seem a bit slow, but once you finish, you'll want to read the rest of the series.

This is a great book. It contains no violence or sex and still manages to entertain on every page.

Just read this book (yet another great page turner) and i enjoyed the fact that Kendra uses everyday real life things in her books..i was so into this one i gotten upset every time my boyfriend called, i'd let him know he was interuppting me and Grace and nem...LoL. someone else said that it was a romantic and wholesome book....I have to agree! i pray that God continue's to use Kendra as a great author and continued her success...her books also have a way of having a person beleive that God still has some nice man or female out her and that all is not lost as far as a God ordained relationship goes...God Bless ya!

I've read A Love So Strong, Crossing Jhordan's River,and One Prayer Away. LOVED ALL THREE. I found the first two Grace books, and FLAG and BOG were letdowns. I realized they came first, and KNB was probably fine tuning her flow, but I just could not get into these. I ended up skimming them on the train. Not terrible books, but definitely not repeats like her others for me.

I loved this book it had elements of drama, humour (the two mothers were funny but I felt there as a bit of overkill with those two it started to get annoying to read) and romance. Yes there is a fairy tale aspect to the story - the hero and heroine seem too perfect to be true- they have the perfect courtship with no drama whatsoever maybe cos Grace spent most of the time in a coma- lol. Anyway this is a good start to a lovely series. However an element of realism is there in regards to Derrick's response to his mother's death. It does makee one think this is where one's faith really is tested and how most of us probably would truly behave if we were in his shoes.

I really enjoyed this novel by Kendra Norman-Bellamy. She is an extrodinary writer when it comes to Christain books. It was soft and sincere. Also emotional. All I can say to sum this book up is 'You Go Girl'. Because this is truly every Christain as well as non-christian dream come true. Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This book was so GOOD!This was one of the best books I have read,my first christian fiction book was COVER GIRLS,but this book ,FOR LOVE AND GRACE takes the cake! As a young women who one day wants to get married, this book shows what to look for in a good saved man. Thank you soooooooo much for writing this book kendra norman-bellamy!This book was so good,I was almost done reading it in less then two days!Keep doing what you are doing because you are doing it right! GOD BLESS.

I read a lot of inspirational and motivational books, and I confess that I usually feel good about them for a short while and then gradually forget the details. HOWEVER, with "The Go-Giver", I find myself remembering the principles and putting them into action. And, I don't mean once in a while, but every day since I read the book. It feels as natural as breathing.

The funny thing is the same day I finished reading the book my career started to take off in ways that I never planned nor imagined. I received national recognition in my company (for helping a different department) and I received some lucrative sales referrals from prospects whose business I lost (because even though they turned me down, I still helped them with their charitable work).

Coincidence? I don't know. All I know is I'm ordering extra copies of this book and I'm going to share them with my sales team (and with my kids).

Regardless of what you are doing to earn money or if you are retired there is something to learn in this book. It is very entertaining, with some good humor. The principles taught in this book will move you forward in business and your personal life. I enjoyed reading this book, and would highly recommend it to everyone.

In a world that's been over-saturated with parables on business and life success, The Go-Giver is a standout. It is also a powerfully important message in a world where too many people are listening to radio station WIIFM.

This is the kind of book that you can't put down. As a matter of fact, I read it twice can plan to read it many more. The authors conveyed the go-giving principle in a most excellent way. I have personally given this book out to several people and will continue to do so. The principles outlined in this book apply to both business and personal living. The whole concept of giving is sound and does reap great rewards. I personally have experiences massive success from using what Bob Burg and John David Mann teaches in this book. Would I recommned it? With no question! As a matter of fact, order serveral copies and practice the Go-Giving principle. If more people practiced the 5-Laws to Stratopheric Success; this would be a different world. The good thing is that YOU can change your world by practicing to be a Go-Giver.

I'm not used to finding a business book that I can't put down. The Go-Giver is written is such an easy to read, enjoyable style that I read it in one sitting. I love the simple yet powerful lessons in the book and look for ways to use these ideas in my life. After reading The Go-Giver I shared it with ten colleagues for our next business book club meeting - share it with your friends - they will be grateful you did.