Clubs Books

Cassandra Sturges is an African-American high school dropout who completed her G.ED., earned two masters and a doctoral degree, and became a counseling psychologist and founder of New Beginnings Social Development Program offering counseling services for families in the foster care system. A Woman's Soul On Paper is more than just Cassandra's personal memoir; it is also a testament to strength, independence, and spiritual faith. The gifted, earnest style of the narrative completely draws the reader into Cassandra's adolescence and personal travails. A Woman's Soul On Paper is a very highly recommended, deeply personal glimpse into the conflicts, choices, and struggles involved in understanding and learning to celebrate contemporary African-American female identity.

I read "A Woman's Soul on Paper",By Cassandra George-Sturges and I was deeply moved. I laughed, I cried and most of all I related!! This book reminded me so much of my own journey in life and some of the things I tried to tuck away in my memory. It brought back memories of when I was 15, 20, even 30 years old. It reminded me that I am beautiful and that I am human and I am o.k. Reading this book will help women...men... people understand that they are not alone. "A Woman's Soul on Paper" is about truth and self discovery. I dare others pick up a copy and enjoy. You won't want to put it down. It is a must read and a must talk-about. I thoroughly enjoyed it and my spirit was lifted when I finished it. I highly recommend this book.

I found "A WOMEN'S SOUL ON PAPER" To be rivoting and thought provoking. Ms.George-Sturgis is a very talented writer who is well on her way to becoming a member of an "elite" group of author's not only within the African-American community, but world wide. I look ever so forward to her future works, and offer her my congratulations on this well written perspective of women of color. Each word I read reminds and makes me proud to be a member of a strong and distinguished people.

A Woman's Soul On Paper is a soulful and thought provoking book which is written in a narrative voice by the author, Cassandra George Sturges. It's a story about a journey from self-help through self-discovery based on Sturges personal memoirs. The journey begins with the illustration on the book cover. A woman is writing in her diary and she is in deep thought as noted by her reflection in a mirror. This illustration is what inspired me to start reading the book.

Sturges bares her soul on paper in a quiet and spiritually uplifted voice. Her stories are indeed a testament of strength and spirituality. Although she writes about the most intimate details of her journey you know that she is sending you a heart felt message. Sturges is truly a gifted writer.

This book reminded me so much of my own journey in life. I was able to relate to most of her stories. I cried and laughed while reading this book. I highly recommend this book to all women. You won't want to put it down.

Reviewed by Dorothy Cooperwood

I read "A Woman's Soul on Paper",By Cassandra George-Sturges and I was deeply moved. I laughed, I cried and most of all I related!! This book reminded me so much of my own journey in life and some of the things I tried to tuck away in my memory. It brought back memories of when I was 15, 20, even 30 years old. It reminded me that I am beautiful and that I am human and I am o.k. Reading this book will help women...men... people understand that they are not alone. "A Woman's Soul on Paper" is about truth and self discovery. I dare others pick up a copy and enjoy. You won't want to put it down. It is a must read and a must talk-about. I thoroughly enjoyed it and my spirit was lifted when I finished it. I highly recommend this book.

Bianca, Detroit, Michigan

Bill Mason and son Paul really get down to basics in canoe and paddling technique in this revised soft-cover paddling manual. This book is geared to those who want to learn everything there is about flat-water and white-water travelling. It's the most definitive guidebook on the market.

This is an almost perfect book - Bill Mason's love of the craft shines through homey but well-written prose, while his descriptions of canoe technique and rivercraft are generally clear and easy to follow. He obviously writes from a wealth of experience, which translates into solid advice without becoming needlessly dogmatic. As a technique book, I much prefer this to Jacobson's series of canoe texts (although those are reasonable in their own right); I especially appreciated his series of river scenarios and discussions of how to handle them.

I would really liked to have rated this 5-stars. However, the production could have been much improved. The b/w pictures accompanying the text are often poorly reproduced, with insufficient greyscale to allow them to be clearly interpretted. Additionally, a bit more editting might have spotted some inconsistent terms as well as other undefined terms. But all in all, this is one of my favorite canoe books. It certainly should have a place on the shelf of every serious paddler.

Path of the Paddle provides more than an instructional text, it introduces the reader to the art of canoeing. Mason infuses the practicality of the subject with a respectful dose of philosophic underpinnings that anyone who has ever slid a canoe onto the water's surface and experienced the joyful dance of boat, paddle and water will appreciate. There are many "how to" canoe books, covering the basic stokes and safety concerns, but this book conveys that information in a form that demonstrates the author's love for his craft.
If you want to become a canoeist, not only do I recommend this book, I recommend finding and getting the video of the same title.

Best canoeing book on the market. Not only is it a great how to guide on canoe handling, it is an excellent read for those long winter nights for the canoe enthusiast. The book imparts Bill Mason's love of the canoe. Written by a true legend in canoeing and wilderness film making.

I own both "Path of the Paddle" and "Song of the Paddle". These are the best books I have seen on canoeing, written by one of the best canoeists ever. They cover all facets of the canoe and how to use them properly. The "step-by-step" photos and the diagrams help teach proper techniques and the text is both informative and entertaining without becoming confusing or boring. Bill Mason and his son Paul have done a splendid piece of work and these books are a cherished addition to my personal library.

The book I am reviewing is "Addy's Surprise," written by Connie Porter. I think this book deserves five stars because it was the best book I ever read. This book is about a girl named Addy who escaped from slavery in 1864. She's living in an apartment above a dress shop that her mother works in. Before Christmas Addy sees a red scarf in a store window that she wants to get her mom for Christmas. To earn money, Addy delivers dresses from her mother's store and keeps the tips. When Addy gets home from school one day, she sees the jar full of money her mother and her have been saving to buy a lamp. Here mother really needs the lamp to sew clothes. Addy decides to put all her tip money in the jar. Then one day, a woman with a young girl walk into the shop and the woman gave back a beautiful dress that Addy's mother worked so hard on to make and says that it was too small, so Addy's mother took it back. The next day, when Addy was in the shop and her mother was in there apartment, Addy sees a long piece of red trimming that she could make into a scarf. Addy worked all that day to make the trimming a scarf. On Christmas Addy's mother gave her the beautiful dress and Addy gave her the scarf she made. They wore their new clothes to church and after church when all the kids were watching a shadow play Addy saw a familiar shadow peeking through the door. Read the book to see who Addy's "surprise" is!

I never can quite pick a favorite American Girls character, but I think Addy's Christmas Story is my favorite of those. I think the selflessness she shows (as does her friend Sarah) throughout the story is a wonderful example of Christian love in action.

Addy's Surprise is my favorite Addy book. In the story, Addy and her mother are just getting setted in freedom. They're saving up for a gas lamp so their room well be better lit. And Addy finds a scarf that she wants to get her mother for Christmas as a way of saying thanks. Addy and her mother are especially looking forward to their church's Christmas celebration. But when the pastor at Addy's church preaches a sermon about helping those in need, Addy and her mother forgo their own Christmas plans to help the freedmen. But even so, there's a big surprise for them on Christmas day. A very, very nice book about Addy and her family during Christmas. In my opinion, the best book Connie Porter wrote about Addy!

This is another in the American Girls series about Addy Walker, a ten-year-old African-American girl living in the America of 1864. With Christmas coming up, Addy spots the perfect gift for her mother, a bright red scarf. However, when their church puts out a plea for money for those arriving from slavery with nothing but the clothes on their backs, Addy and her mother decide that their money should go to those less fortunate. In this book Addy learns a lesson on giving and receiving, and hope.

The final chapter is a look at Christmas for African-American children in the America of 1864. This is another great Addy book, with a great lesson and a moving story. My daughter loves this book, and yours will too.

Addy, an escaped slave, lives during hard times with her escaped mother. She wants Christmas to be happy. Will Christmas be a disappointment? Will they find Sam and Poppa, who were sold before Addy and her mother escaped, or Addy's baby sister, whom they had to leave behind? Get the questions answered in this beautiful tale of hope in hard times.

I love all of Wanda Brunstetter's books. The books make you feel as if you are a part of them. Hard to put down.

Again this is a fabulous book by Wanda Brunstetter. She always has a great story line and I can't put them down. I think I have them all and I love to share them with other readers. You won't be disappointed in any of her story lines.

This is a wonderful book about an Amish girl and life lessons in love. Wanda Brunsetter know how to write and how to keep your interest all the way through. Recommend reading all of her books. You will never be dispointed.

I purchased this book a few days ago and I simply could not put it down until I finished it. It is a beautiful story of love and forgiveness. A story of one girl's journey of a life without Christ to a life with Christ and learning how to forgive her aunt. A story of not giving up. Her journey leads to love as well which makes this book a wonderful good book. I recommend this book and all the other ones written by Wanda. Her books never disappoint me and when I finish one I wait with anticipation for the next one to be published.

A wonderful Christian Book about the Amish and Allison's Journey is a wonderful read as are all of Mrs. Brunstetter's Books. Allison becomes a Christian and is able to lead her aunt to Christ before she passes away. A sweet love story as well.

If you are going to do The White Mountains, here's your book. Useful, hold that, extremely useful trail maps... If you want to do the 48 4000 footers in NH, this is a great tool to plan your travels!

"THe White Mountain Guide" is the Appalachian Mountain Club's 28th and Centennial edition of its popular and indispensible hiking guide to New England's top outdoor recreational area. The guide itself, once past a few introductory chapters on safety and geography, has descriptions of each of the established trails in the region. Each description tells how to get to the appropriate trailhead, a narrative of the trail itself, and a breakdown by distance and elevation change of the major segments of the trail. These trail descriptions, updated for each edition of the guide, are invaluable in planning anything from a day hike to a multi-day trip in the beautiful White Mountains.

The guide comes in a small cardboard box with three double-sided color maps that provide coverage of all the trail routes. The maps are detailed, easy to read, and at a usable scale for the White Mountains. Inexplicably, the maps included with the guide are paper and unlikely to stand up to repeated field use in the conditions often found in New Hampshire. Dedicated hikers are recommended to invest in the waterproof and tear-resistant versions of these maps, also published by the Appalachian Mountain Club.

This guide is very highly recommended to hikers and walkers planning an outing in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

This is a great set of maps and trail descriptions, though its not much for planning or suggesting anything in the white mountains. The trail maps are very well detailed, complete, and having the mileage on them directly is a nice addition. The book is a hard to use for planning, though it works for simply looking up a particular hike and reading some about the difficulty and anything you need to know to not get lost.

This is the first edition of the WMG that I have owned, but owners of previous editions have pointed out that the maps in this edition are superior to theirs because the new maps include mileage on every single trail in the White Mountains. It is too bad that they are paper and not Tyvek or some other waterproof material, because they are already falling apart. If you are an avid hiker in the Whites, I suggest getting the Tyvek ones sold seperately.

The guidebook itself is exhaustive and lists every detail of every trail, which is useful if you already have a route picked out but not if you are trying to find a good hike and aren't sure where to go. For that, I recommend Michael Lanza's New England Hiking or New Hampshire Hiking from Foghorn Outdoors.

This 100th anniversary edition of WMG comes in a box that came unglued fairly quickly and then again after I reglued it. I would get rid of the box altogether except that the book doesn't have a pocket in the back for the maps like other AMC guidebooks do and I don't want to lose them. I hope that future editions of this guide will do away with the box and go back to the pocket.

If you do not have your own copy of WMG and are looking to purchase one, this is definitely the product to buy. If, however, you already have an older edition of this book, I would suggest buying the Tyvek maps seperately and wait for a few more editions to be published before replacing your book.

Just what I was looking for, a guide with all kind of details about the routes of the beautiful white mountains. This is a very complete guide and it is well complemented with the maps that come with it. Some visuals could be a good add to the book but the excellent descriptions are enough and clear.

Good buy for those seeking adventure at the whites.

A lovely book which captures the essence of Appalachian life. Cynthia Rylant writes skillfully with knowledge, sensitivity, and compassion--her descriptions painting pictures as vividly as those produced by Barry Moser's brush. Together they've produced a powerful yet warm portrait of Appalachia.

For those of us who've experienced life in the Appalachian Mountains, this is as true as it gets. It's a world filled with ruggedness and determination, yet with so much serenity and warmth at the same time. Rylant has done a masterful job bringing this to life for her readers.

I'd suggest that anyone studying the many cultures of America add this to their reading list.

Denise Hillman Moynahan
The Great Cavern of the Winds: Tales from Backbone Mountain

I started crying when I read this book. It is so beautiful and true, from the free hounddogs to the shy contemplaters and those of us who left home and can't quite figure out why there is an invisible rope pulling us back.

Author Cynthia Rylant and illustrator Barry Moser were both reared in Appalachia, and they are completely in sync on this book. The calm, clear-eyed text and the evocative watercolor paintings balance and enhance each other beautifully.

Rylant doesn't shy away from the harder truths of Appalachian living. About coal mining, she writes, "Many [Appalachians] are coal miners because the mountains in Appalachia are full of coal which people want and if you are brave enough to travel two miles down into solid dark earth to get it, somebody will pay you money for your trouble." On the facing page from this plainspoken truth is a haunting Barry Moser watercolor of a green-clad coal miner, his eyes weary and his skin gritty with coal dust, his lunchpail resting beside him.

The beauties come through, too. Rylant writes, "Morning in these houses in Appalachia is quiet and full of light and the mountains out the window look new, like God just made them that day." Throughout the book is a sense of quiet and purpose and appreciation for a way of life most of us will never know. It's a moving and transfixing read.

This book is wonderful! I read it to my class to help them understand what life was like in the Appalachian Mountains compared to their life in Chicago. My students were spell-bound, held by the wonderful descriptions and beautiful illustrations. They really understood that there are many different cultures within our nation!

Cynthia Rylant has once again captured the true spirit of the Appalachian culture. Her descriptions are right on target. Many of us, who live in this wild and wonderful country, know folks just like those she introduces to us in all of her stories. The significance of this book, for me, is to keep alive the warm, wonderful spirit of this amazing culture she so colorfully shares with readers. I'm giving this book to children and adults as well.

Every person considering making a decision about about choosing a life-long partner should read this book. I know I will not marry anyone unless they read the book and have conversations about her excellent points. PS- I am a male!

This book is for all of those people out there who are wondering whether or not to stay in their current relationship, it's for all the people who haven't found their true love yet, it's for the people who think they've found their true love but still aren't happy. I guarantee you that by the time you finish reading this book, you'll understand your situation a lot better and feel a lot clearer about what needs to be done. It's been a long time since I've learned so much from a self-help book. All of her advice comes from viewing hundreds of couples, reading all the research articles and dealing with all of it personally, so this lady really knows what she's talking. SHe also covers it very in-depth so that you're guaranteed to find something that deals with your particular situation.

Absolutely invaluable for those considering life-changing and important decisions regarding the relationship they're in. Thought-provoking self questionaires regarding their partner/potential mate. I have sent copies to friends. I recommend reading it during the early to middle stages of a developing relationship. Another similar book which is well worth getting is "Be Your Own Dating Service" by Nina Atwood. Despite the the poor title, it is a superb book on how to find and maintain a healthy relationship. Includes the best treatment on the subject of "attachment" I've ever read. Get both - You will thank me later! :)

Dr. Barbara knows what is like out there today...not 42 years ago. Relationships are different now. She summs it up perfectly for a world of men and women in a world that has changed.

I was having one failed relationship after another, then my mother gave me this book. It made me realize why my relationships weren't working and how to change that plus so much more. She knows, she understands. She admits she's been there, done that and is sharing what she learned. Excellent book!

Armchair Detective is a wonderful mystery with lots of plot twists that keep you interested and make you late for work. I am a fan of lesbian erotica, but i don't care for "nasty stuff." This was a great read because the erotica storyline was tastefully done. Basically, this book was believable. It was not filled with stereotypical lesbo charaters. They were healthy people that had a life in and out of bed.

Oh. My. God. How much did i love reading the sex parts in this book? okay, i am interested in other things besides sex. But this is really good in that area. The story was also excellent, and i enjoyed how fast it was to read. Really a good book- i recommend it!

I have a lot in common with the main character, Jobeth. I, too, was a P.I in my earlier life. She made me miss my old vocation. I'm not gay, but i have gay friends that have long encouraged me to read gay fiction. They told me i was missing out and i must say they were right. I was a bit apprehensive about reading "lesbian erotica"--but i got over it. Baeli was right on the mark with the P.I character--it was very credible--the job is not glamourous, and you can get hurt, and you do make stupid mistakes, and for any "straight" readers, the sex is hot, no matter what sexual orientation you may have. I would have given this five stars, but i'm reserving that for the sequel!

My best friend, Sally reviewed this book, and i felt the need to....see, while waiting around for her to get ready to go out one night, i picked up this book from her coffeetable. I became so involved after a few pages, i asked to borrow it. I'm glad i did. Now, i've never read 'lesbian fiction' and i have no idea if it's all like this or not--but this book was really good. I have to admit i got a little hot reading the 'romantic' parts--but more than that, it really was, overall, a great read. I remained interested in the plot and in the characters. I look forward to Ms. Baeli's next offering. So my advice to anyone reading this review is that if you enjoy a good book--whether you're straight or gay, this is a good choice.

Being from Oklahoma, it sure was nice to see so much detail in a book about an area i live in. Being a lesbian, i fully appreciated how realistic it was that a stone butch woman can meet someone who opens her up and teaches her to believe in love, and to trust again. This is a book i wish i could forget--so that i can read it again!

I recently completed my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and this book was very helpful as a reference for my art history classes!

I am a docent and at times a docent trainer, and this guide came in very handy when I was preparing for an exhibition on contemporary artists. It is well-written, to the point, and has extensive coverage for a little book!

A glossary of art terms. This book is a definite must for those writing analyses of art. It's also good for looking up those tricky terms in your text books. It is filled with artsy terms and illustrations. I used it in all my art history classes.

I'm a BFA student at Virginia Tech heading to grad school and this is an excellent book to teach from, have as a reference, or just thumb through for fun. Simple and succinct while still thorough. It's really an invaluable thing to have for ready info at your fingertips. This book has been part of the curriculum here for Performance Art, Found Object Sculpture, and Installation classes, and everyone in the class universally approves and finds it helpful.

Perfect for writing critiques and analyses from all art movements. Great glossary of terms for a beginning art student looking up hard-to-understand words in text books.

A Book That Lives Up to the Title!
This book has a prominant place on my KEEPER SHELF! Ms. Jackson has done an outstanding job creating characters that you can care deeply about and want the best for. I was rooting for Alexa and Darius the entire time and hoped that their deep love for each other would bring them together again and keep them together this time. By the end of the book, you'll think, 'At last, a great story with great characters!' You won't be able to put this one down.

A Book That Lives Up to the Title!
This book has a prominant place on my KEEPER SHELF! Ms. Jackson has done an outstanding job creating characters that you can care deeply about and want the best for. I was rooting for Alexa and Darius the entire time and hoped that their deep love for each other would bring them together again and keep them together this time. By the end of the book, you'll think, 'At last, a great story with great characters!' You won't be able to put this one down.

As Alexa and Darius find their way from college lovers to man and wife, you will travel on their journey with them--crying when they cry, frowning when they are frustrated, and cheering when they reach the ultimate success of true love.

A wonderful journey!

This book is quite an enjoyable read! It clearly demonstrates the phenomenal love a man, Darius, has for a woman, Alexa, despite the choices she makes. The tables have turned. It is refreshing to read about a man desiring to have the complete love of his woman as opposed to a woman striving to receive total and complete love from her man. Alexa and Darius are very believable characters that easily slip into your heart as you experience the ups and downs in their relationship from the beginning and on to the suspenseful conclusion. The book not only provides a passionate love story between two endearing characters, but also presents an opportunity for the reader to reflect upon and carefully consider his/her own life-changing decisions. Again, a very enjoyable read!

Although, Lisa Harrison Jackson is classified as a romance writer, her book, "At Last" is not just a romance novel. The story encompasses the social understanding of the career versus family dilemma relating to females in corporate America. The center of the novel is Alexa Kirkwood who is a successful executive for a publishing company. Alexa becomes the maid of honor for the renewing of vows for her best friend, Maya Renault, a news anchorwoman for a local television station, and her husband, Bryant Renault. To Alexa's surprise, Darius Riverside, who, nine years ago Alexa was engaged to but walked out on because of her career, was also in the wedding. It is not long before the two rekindles a loving and joyous relationship. And just as everything begins to fall into place, Alexa is challenged with another decision of choosing between a career and the man she loves. The novel was easy to read and the author's descriptions of the characters, environment, and the love scenes were magnificent. I love the way the author sprinkles into the novel the names of real life people and things such as celebrities and designer brand names to give realism to this fictional novel. Jackson gives us a slice of life from the middle-class African American community. We can hardly wait for Jackson's next novel.