Clubs Books

Linda has created a fine collection of life stories. Once you begin, you will find it difficult to put the book down. If these incidents have not been a part of your experience, someone you know has been there. My only complaint is that the collection comes to an end much too quickly. Fortunately, the author has compiled another one in "Thirst."

These short stories are bullets--shots to the brain that stay on your mind long after you read them.
"Shadow Man" is very powerful. In less than 10 pages, Ms. Lavid made me care deeply for a young woman who's invited to meet her estranged father in the Tea Room of a fancy hotel. The dad abandoned her and her mother years ago.
The events that follow indelibly scorch my mind. I'm amazed how a writer can cram so much emotion, excitement, and vivid descriptive imagery in such a small package.

The stories were so good, I read the book in one day.

Fred Tomasello Jr.

Rented Rooms is bite-sized reading that grips your imagination. Each story, from four to eighteen pages, is complete, with a message, all 130 pages crammed with life's lessons.
Visualize the three-dimensional characters, live the vibrant scenes that you know exist, enjoy the measured, thoughtful writing but beware. When you think the story is set, Lavid hasn't finished with you as the sting in each story's tail penetrates.
This collection demonstrates refreshing writing craft, the whole a quality job, the reading time well spent.

Rented Rooms permits the reader to be a voyeur peeking in the many windows of a carefully constructed house of words. Linda Lavid takes ordinary situations and turns them into brilliant little gems of stories that examine the secret corners and surreal moments of life. Her style is engaging, her characters like people we encounter daily, and her plots--oh, her plots are so sublime. All in all a terrific read from someone who promises to master the classic short story and help rescue it from the tediousness of angst-ridden pointless short fictions that seem to be the rage today. Well done.

This is a valuable book. It will start you thinking about all sorts of things. The stories are well written and interesting. I found that the more time I put into thinking about the stories in this book, the more I thought about life in general and my life in particular. I found that many of the stories resonate with my own life. There was one story that I reread several times, called "Aunt Leona". Each time I reread it, I found that I was rewarded with a newer and larger understanding of the story.
"Aunt Leona", like many of the stories in this book, is about ordinary people: a secretary, her niece the narrator, an attorney, and the attorney's wife. On the surface, they lead ordinary lives and died ordinary deaths. As I read and reread the story, I began to see that beneath these lives, strong emotions came into play and their lives and deaths were something quite different from what they seemed. Who of us can really tell what someone else is really thinking? Really doing? Really did? Really has done? And why? Do we really ever know one another?
After each story are a few words from the author, commenting on the story and the author's feelings about the story. It's an added benefit of buying the book. Reading this book is sort of like a visit from a favorite friend, like having a cup of coffee with someone you like and respect and want to listen to because of all of the interesting things she's going to say, and the interesting questions she might ask.

Finneran writes a Gripping mystery that one can not put down. Both of his books, "Retribution" (#1) and "Murder in Two Parts" (#2), artfully shift scenes between two cities, and are tales well calculated to keep you in Suspense. Am eagerly awaiting #3.

Completely enjoyed reading this attention keeping book. It was fast paced and held interest until the final page. I liked the twist of an ending. I would recommend this book to all my friends. Is there another book in the works by this author?

That this is the author's first novel is difficult to believe given the fast-paced action and well-developed characters. The author quickly grabs the reader and draws him into the story, keeping him there with an insider's knowledge of the Navy, police forces, the FBI, and technology. I can't wait for the next entry by this author!

Finneran gets off to a dynamic start! After a very serious problem is resolved (about midway), he moves swiftly to the satisfying resolution. With inside knowledge of police work, computers, surveillance hardware and a host of other things he brings the reader to sweet retribution!

Fast paced, hard to put down novel with a surprising twist at the end. Holds attention and is enjoyable to read.

This book is written in rather an old-fashioned way and is difficult to understand due to queer wording. In spite of the great exaggeration it makes entertaining reading, and brings to light the life, habits, dress, ideals, and manner of worship of the people of the year 2167.

This is an amazing work of fiction by a first-time author that is both provocative in tone and reflective in scope. It is a prescient look at the future of organized, "for-profit" religions and the continued desire to find meaning, any meaning in life. The author has successfully walked the fine line between absurd comedy and inflammatory parody to create a book that I enjoyed reading as much the second time as I did the first. If you have read Joseph Campbell's "The Power of Myth" and/or Walter Miller's "A Canticle for Leibowitz," you should read this book.

Kracht's dark and fatalistically humorous work appears to be as influenced by movies and television as much as it is by other works of science fiction. From the explosive prologue to the "brief" courtroom denouement, Kracht knows how to draw an audience into his shamelessly chaotic universe, filled as it is with mega-corporations, oppressive bureaucracies, useless police and the consequences of religion without restraint. This IS a dark vision. Only Kracht's bemused, semi-detached narrative style imparts the material with a sense of lightness. The closest parallel this reviewer can draw would be to John Varley's "Gaia Trilogy" (Titan, Wizard, Demon). Make no mistake, though, Kracht's tale of the hapless Simon Shadow bears only superficial similarity to Varley's final tome (Demon) - in which a genetically engineered moon suddenly appears in orbit around Saturn, attracting the faithful - and those who prey on them. Perhaps Frank Herbert's "The Jesus Incident" - a story of a desert enclave, the Redoubt, whose population of genetic misfits seeking transcendence - is more conceptually akin to "The Rise and Fall of Shimmerism." This is not the sci-fi of marauding aliens and incomprehensible physics - instead, this is a STORY, a tale of one man's journey into the unknown. Simon Shadow is us. Along the way we witness the futility and consequence of dogmatic adherence to faith beyond reason. We find that a small favor may be remembered - and we find that even when all is lost Simon still lands on his feet. We all want to break away from the Dilbert-like humdrum of every day life, only Simon actually goes and does something about it. Ultimately, the cost of pursuing this vision may be too high, but it seems that in the end, he did what he had to do.

One part utopian satire, one part apocalyptic vision; an imaginary voyage that reads like an encyclopedic epic. Strong images dominate this work, and they did not leave my consciousness for weeks. There is also an element of realism that is hard to ignore, dealing with drug use/abuse and the nature of human perception. This is one of those works that is almost recursive in its use of allegory. The primary story thread - that of Simon Shadow and his quest for freedom from the constraints of a society plagued by overpopulation - has, wrapped around it, two "lesser" story threads, which themselves are intertwined (the military presence above the planet Reetar, and the survivors of the crashed starship below). The three work in unison, leading to an almost perfect (and always entertaining) use of the 'deus ex machina' - and I say 'perfect' since this work's overall theme is religion - or rather, the dominant, soulless spirituality that runs rampant in the year 2167. Despite its length, it blazed by. Very well written.

Engaging. Kracht manages to weave a tale of ultimate cynicism, humor and adventure. A page turning, Sci-fi epic, that spans across the galaxy taking the root of religion with it. At least five different sub-texts circumvent the protaganist on his quest for a new life. Of course, whatever planets human beings decide to colonize in the future; religion is sure to follow. Shimmerism is a pure example of the 'written exquisite'. Intense character development suspends the reader in a reality of cool music, weird alien lifeforms, mind altering drugs (or sensory enhancing), and awesome galactic operations dealing ultimately with total military control of all colonized planets. And then of course their are the spiders, ah, yes....the spiders. Excellent job James.

This is one of the most AMAZING books I have ever read. Touching, heartfelt and gutsy! I have passed this book on to many friends and they have all had the same response. One of those books that changes your outlook on pretty much everything.

I have known Bob Muzikowski for three years now, and he never ceases to amaze me. Reading this book has been a revelation. If you're feeling cynical, or doubt that one man can make a difference in society, read this book. Muzikowski chronicles his life from a tough childhood to a self-destructive early adulthood through his current and permanent persona, a caring, compassionate person who genuinely wishes to spread goodwill. Hopefully, this story will inspire others to follow in Bob's footsteps, and love their neighbors. The narrative is alternately heartbreaking, hopeful, and humorous, but always honest. A seemingly endless parade of intriguing supporting "characters" add color and depth to Muzikowski's infectiously interesting vignettes. Rather than see the Keanu Reeves/Hollywood version, read the real thing. Pass it on!

I never knew Bob Muzikowski ... nor did I know of the book prior to last month (April 2004). However, I was fortunate enough to meet this amazingly honest, articulate, straight-shooting gentleman [yes ... gentleman] at a prayer breakfast in Albany, NY. After hearing him speak [him being the featured speaker] and hearing his story I simply needed to know more. I spent a little time researching Bob and was interested in reading the book.

OK ... now for the book review ...
DON'T READ THIS STORY if you are not interested in changing your heart and mind for a greater good. THE RIPPLE EFFECT will occur in your heart as you realize the full potential each and every one of us has to better the lives of others. HHHMMM ... isn't that what Jesus taught?
AND if you're an Evangelical Christian, the story will either motivate you INTO service for Him or it will refresh your walk and current service.
Either way ... this story is SO MUCH BIGGER than Bob and his boys. It's a glimpse of the ON-GOING ACTIONABLE LOVE AND COMPASSION for everyone associated with Bob and Tina ... and for you and I? It's fuel for our hearts ... raw honesty, compassion and love seen through very tough circumstances and people.

BOTTOM LINE ... this book is an example of what God can do when a heart is willing to be transformed.
PS: Check out the Chicago Hope Academy ... a school opening in 2004 that was built on the fire and determination of these folks.

When Bob Muzikowski and I sat across from each other on a plane ride last September, I mostly listened as he told his story. As publisher for Zondervan, I knew by the time we landed I'd be asking him if he was interested in telling this story in print! The world is hungry for stories about "everyday heros" with whom we can actually identify. Bob is a regular guy who, in spite of a rough and tumble first few decades of life, has found a way to live an extraordinary life. His story reads like a novel but the inspiration that drives him is compelling and accessible to all of us. This is a book that you will not be able to just read. You will most definately encourage your adolescent children to read it and you will talk about it with your colleagues and friends. Trust me...for what started as an idle conversation on a plane last September is now a wonderful book that in just over a month is being read by thousands.

Although Bob Muzikowski's book, "Safe at Home," is catagorized as an autobiography, it is so much more! This book is a real life story of THE Author's plan for one man. Bob Muzikowski has shown us how one man (and woman, Tina!) can make a difference when he chooses to please an Audience of One - the blessings of God on Bob Muzikowski's life have been multiplied exponentially to others! "Safe at Home" has been described as "inspiring," but Bob's story will only be truly inspiring if it generates a response from its readers; one that takes them out of their comfortable church pews and into the God-prescribed place that He wants them to be! "Batter Up!" The choice is yours: you can take the challenge as the designated hitter or warm the bench in the dugout!

If the title of this book is keeping you away you are missing out on what could easily be the best book I've ever read. This book took my mind, my heart and my soul to places that they enjoyed immensely. My husband is reading it now and I felt honored to give a copy to my sister for Christmas after she spotted me reading it at Thanksgiving and expressed interest in it. Read it and spread the word!! This author deserves major attention. She has a new book out, called "The Brothers Campbell" that is so much fun! In fact, I dare you to put either one of these books down without regret!!

This is an absolutely amazing book! When I read the book I felt like I was Toby and could feel everything as he was feeling it. This book is so well written that I could visualize every detail.

From the first paragraph this book has you entranced, wanting read on. When you have to put the book down, you find yourself reliving what you've just read over and over.

I've found that now I have been educated and enlightened from reading about Toby's quest. It's sure got me thinking and wondering how this could possibly be fiction.
I am looking forward to reading more stories written by JW Coffey and would love to see this book one day as a movie. It would be a brilliant one!

The Savior by J. W. Coffey is not just a book to read. It is truly a book to be "experienced".

I was then and am now, completely and totally intrigued by this book. And that is rather an understatement! As I read, I would find myself having to close the book and sit back while I pondered what I had just experienced......and it WAS an experience. The further I delved into the intricately woven plots, the more I had to sit back and contemplate, not because it was confusing but because it offered so many avenues I had never really explored.

The Savior is a remarkable book filled with endless possibilities from the present to the ancient past and beyond. It is so well written it is difficult to believe it is a work of fiction. I know that I will read this book again and again, and everytime I will find another new road to travel.

J. W. Coffey is an amazing author with a unique gift that is rare today. I am so looking forward to "experiencing" more of her works.

This is an engaging book about the ultimate 'what if'. I was completely caught up in the story of Toby, and his fantastic journey through time, back to the youth of the carpenter. Historical persons are rendered with balance and imagination, yet are completely plausible in this completely different perspective of life in 20A.D. I highly recommend this.

This is an absolutely amazing book! When I read the book I felt like I was Toby and could feel everything as he was feeling it. This book is so well written that I could visualize every detail.

From the first paragraph this book has you entranced, wanting read on. When you have to put the book down, you find yourself reliving what you've just read over and over.

I've found that now I have been educated and enlightened from reading about Toby's quest. It's sure got me thinking and wondering how this could possibly be fiction.
I am looking forward to reading more stories written by JW Coffey and would love to see this book one day as a movie. It would be a brilliant one!

In the secret life of Mary Anne Spier sh spends so much on her father's credit card. Mr.Spier told Mary Anne that she would even have to pay interest just like he does.Mary Anne takes a job at the mall and meets this girl Angela and their family helped Angela by inviting them to stay for Christmas.

I Loved This Book!. Mary Anne spends so much on her father's credit. Mary Anne takes a job at the mall and meet this girl Angela. Mary Anne's parents invited Angela to stay for Christmas!.

Mary Anne has a skeleton in her closet. It means that she keeps a secret life that nobody wants to know. One day, she worked in a mall. Then, this girl Angela appears. The spiers Are so kind because they let Angela spend Christmas in their house. I am so happy about this book =)

I liked it! Mary Anne's kind, tender heart gets her into trouble, but I admire how she takes responsibility for her mistake and willingly takes the elf job to pay for it! Also touching is how Mary Anne feels so sorry for Angela, the homeless girl, that she cries quietly under her elf head. Her tender heart is endearing; and her strong sense of responsibility is to be commended. It's hilarious how she goes to extremes to hide her secret job from her friends and boyfriend because she's so easily embarrassed!

Mary Anne keeps on using his father's credit card. Until Mary anne has to pay all the things she bought.

I am a novice artist and need all the tips and help I can get. This book is a big help and I refer to it frequently.

I was looking for a book to go through all aspects of nature sketching and journaling. This is the book! I have lended the book out to other sketch artists and they found it very useful as well. Lots of pointers on different types of sketching and FANTASTIC illustrations. It it worth purchasing just for the illustrations alone. I would recommend this book to ANYONE who is interested in sketching nature.

This book provides a tremendous amount of information on sketching in nature but don't let the title fool you- this is a terrific general sketching and drawing book. Johnson covers topics that are rarely covered in other books. The use of pens, watercolors, pencils and colored pencils (both water soluble and not) are covered. This is an invaluable book and is an asset to both the beginner and more advanced student. I'm on Amazon right now trying to find other books by Cathy Johnson- I'm that impressed.

This is a very refreshing book. Cathy Johnson not only makes it look easy to draw and paint loose, yet accurate, watercolor sketches outdoors, but she tells you everything you need to know. This book will actually teach you how to draw and paint what you see, without making things overly complicated. Best of all, her supply list is well within the means of most people. I really enjoyed this book, and learned a great deal from it. This summer, I caught Lyme disease. It's nasty. For months, I could hardly walk, let alone hike and garden and do stuff I used to love. But Cathy's book has helped draw me back outside, and I'm learning to love nature all over again, one leaf, flower, and bug at a time. This book would make a great gift.

I loved this book. I am a beginner and it was an excellent resource.

I had the tremendous good fortune to read "The Sojourner" in the early stages of my discovery of Marjorie Rawlings' works. As a result, I have read virtually all of her published writings. Anyone who wrote such a magnificent book as "The Sojourner", I decided, certainly deserved as much attention as possible. My loyalty has been richly rewarded. I cannot recommend this book too highly to anyone who enjoys a beautifully written, epic and inpirational story with an extraordinary protagonist. It amazes me that this book has never become better known. Rawlings' last novel, it shows her at the formidable peak of her powers.

What a wonderful book! The characters are vivid and captivating. Asahel Lindon is the type of warm, decent, honest human being we may all aspire to be. The author's simple, direct prose is enlivened by her appreciation of the central character's love for the land he tended for over sixty years. There is also much of the author's love for good food in evidence, with many country home-cooked meals described in mouth-watering detail.
But it is the caring, gentle nature of Lindon which is the real drawing point of the novel. I was sincerely saddened when I came to the end of the book. In leaving Asahel, I felt that I had left a very good friend whom I shall not soon forget.

Although Asahel Linden would not have cared whether others considered him successful or not, it is a great encouragement to watch the protagonist of this book live with such an integrity and a highly developed ability to perceive beauty and wonder and delight and excellence that all with the capacity to recognize such qualities see in him a great man. Marjorie Rawlings writes honestly and well; her novel encourages us to live in the same way.

I join the other reviewers in praise of this book. I cannot believe that I had never heard about it before. Once started I could barely put it down. The characters are well-drawn, and the prose is lovely. The storyline of good and evil, the obvious love of the land, drew me in and wrapped me up in the story. I feel as though I know these people, particulary Ase, the main charactor. I was truly sorry to see the story end, althought he ending was deeply satisfying. Read this--you won't be sorry!

The Sojourner, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings 1953.
Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. 313 pp.

Ase Linden, is a small farmer who adores his wife, loves and fears his lunatic mother and yearns for the return of a brother who fled the confines of an overly affectionate mother to never look back again. Over the course of the story, Ase is confronted with trials set upon him by family members. The story is surrounded by the theme of Ase recognizing his failures with his children, mother, and wife. He desperately wants to share with them his thoughts and feelings, but is unable to effectively articulate what he wants to communicate. This literary effort greatly contrasts with Marjorie Rawlings' earlier Florida writings. Critics tend to be hard on The Sojourner, probably due the enormous success of her previous Florida based novels. This criticism is unfounded. This story, though unlike her Florida novels is an impressive book. The readers will find themselves siding with Ase Linden and cheering him on in his pursuit of simple pleasures and joy through personal connections.

Since i received this book i have used it many times over and it has saved me mega hours trying to surf the web for info!

It's all here in this great book! It's all in this book, from the Majors to the very obscure! Get the websites and emails without staring hours at your computer screen!

I also purchased the companion book, The International sports Directory and was amazed what is covered in the world of sports.

Both of these books are well worth the price! my congrats and thank you's to the author for coming out with two such great books!!! THANK YOU!!!

This is a FANTASTIC book! It has saved me 100's of hours surfing the web to try to locate information, when it's all there at your fingertips in minutes!!! Before surfing, get this book! Then go to the internet. The content of this book alone is simply amazing! Everything from International sports & the Olympics to the major leagues, minor leagues, real obscure semi-pro and amateur leagues, college info, interscholastic info! so much more info than I can mention here! Well worth every penny of the price! I also got their companion book, The International Sports Directory. Both books deserve an A+++ rating!

This is an amazing book! I'm sure much of the information is available on the internet, but this book saved me 100's of hours that I would have done in my research on surfing the web. I found the information I needed right at my fingertips in minutes, then went to the internet. The time this book saved me is well worth the price!!! Loads of information on everything from major league sports to the minor leagues, obscure semipro & amateur leagues, college information, etc. (much more information in the book than I can mention here) The book goes on and on with great info! I also got their companion book, The International Sports Directory! Both of these books deserve an A+++ Rating!!!

Anyone in the business of providing goods or services to sports organizations will find this book to be a money maker. By using such an incredibly comprehensive list, marketers can be sure to reach the widest possible number of prospects.

The Sports address Bible is a fantastic book! A super reference and resource book! It has saved me an enormous amount of time that I used to spend on the web searching for websites and information. With this book, I do my research quick and easy then hit the web! This is a sports reference book that everone should have! Hats off to the author! Well Done!

Stacey's boyfriend, Robert is acting odd. Soon Stacey is realizing that Robert is cheating on her. Stacey is shocked.

"Stacey's Broken Heart" is a book that focuses on Stacey, the treasurer of the Baby-sitters Club. She will be gone for a week and is confused about her boyfriend, Robert. She thinks she might be afraid of loosing him.

Poor Stacey! Robert broke her heart. I liked how it showed that even though Stacey's heart is broken, she goes on with her life. I liked how supportive her mom was. It tells you that, no, not all romances are "happily ever after"...only a tiny percent of teen romances last a lifetime. I have the feeling Mary Anne and Logan are next in line for splitsville...just a gut feeling.

The book was good and thick and suspenseful. It was a well-written and enjoyable book. I can't really decide if my favorite book is Stacey's Broken Heart or Claudia and the Terrible Truth. They're both good stories but Claudia and the Terrible Truth is too short.

Stacey's Broken Heart is a great book. Robert, Stacey's boyfriend is acting odd, and disappearing often. Stacey doesn't know what's going on, but soon finds out. Robert is cheating on her! Stacey is shocked. So was I. In the other books, Robert seemed to be Stacey's boyfriend forever. Like Logan and Mary Anne. Meanwhile, Kristy in Hawaii vacationing, and Abby has taken over her role as BSC president. Abby thinks it's going to be easy and fun, but it isn't at all! The reviewer before mine said that this book is funny. It isn't funny at all. Not in the sense as of jealousy anyway. If you want to read what happens sometime after the break-up, read BSC #119 Stacey's Ex-boyfriend.