The Lais of Marie de France is a wonderful collection of some of the best lais known to man! We were asked to read this book for my World Masterpieces class, and I must say that I'm glad that I did. Although many of the lais are short in length, you gain a valuable understanding of the way of life in ancient France as well as helpful knowledge for problems you may have in the love department.

Most excellent. Correspondence flies between schoolmistress Goddard of Highbury and her married sister in London; between the insufferable Mrs. Elton and her sister of the renowned Maple Grove residence, between Captain Gordon and his married daughter. Familiar characters as well as new acquaintances mingle in this sequel to Jane Austen's Emma.

A depth of knowledge relating to daily existence during the Regency period provides a solid background to this light fiction which also acts as a sequel to Austen-Leigh's previous novel, A Visit to Highbury (now out of print).

Dialogue is exactly what one might expect of an Austen descendent. For example, Mrs. Goddard at a ball observes "...alas, there are always too many pretty girls and not enough men at a ball. I do not know why that should be. But it is quite an immutable law."

Do not hesitate to give this to a young reader just discovering Jane Austen. Neither plot nor vocabulary should be cause for concern.

This book is a must read for family therapists. Most therapists marginalize the experience of homosexuals in their practice. This book gives them the opportunity to learn how to treat these clients equitably

"The Life and Hard Times of Heidi Abromowitz," by Joan Rivers, is the alleged biography of the sexually adventurous woman of the title. The book features illustrations by James Sherman. As comedienne Rivers writes, Heidi was a tramp from day one: "She did things with her pacifier that most women still haven't done with their husbands." The book has a copyright date of 1984, and the Dell paperback is dated 1985. It's good-natured, dirty fun.

The book charts Heidi's sexually promiscuous life from babyhood through elementary school, high school, and adulthood. Rivers covers such milestones as a sex-filled trip to Europe. Interspersed throughout the book are supplements like a page from Heidi's fouth-grade diary, a list of her favorite films (including "Easy Rider" and "Anything Goes"), etc.

Quite a bit of the humor stems from Heidi's tendence to spread sexually transmitted diseases. This is very much a pre-AIDS sex comedy, and the STD related humor may leave a bad taste in the mouth of some readers. Still, the book is entertaining, and Heidi comes off as a likeable free spirit who lives life on her own terms; she may have something in common with HBO's "Sex and the City" women. Besides, how could you not love a woman whose "body has been declared a national recreation area"? If you're in the mood, give "Heidi" a try.

Joan Grant has written a vivid account of her life as Carola, the illegitimate daughter of a Griffin in 16th century Italy. One in a series of her "past life" novels, this account is seen through the child Carola's eyes against the backdrop of pre-Renaissance Italy. As Carola faces major life challenges and matures into a young woman she grows both in strength of character and spirituality. Grant's style, as always, is seemingly effortless (as in Winged Pharaoh and Scarlet Feather) and it is as though she'd experienced this life herself. It's a masterly read which has parallels for today's society as it contrasts the harsh conditions of the very poor with the excessive privileges of the rich. The idea that we cast off our bodies at the end of each life (as an actor does his costume) and return again and again until we learn life's lessons provides an intriguing perspective. An unforgettable book.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable book filled with vivid descriptions of St. Kitts and its people. Joan's style of writing enables the reader to be swept away into the relaxing lifestyle of island living. Her humorous tales are interspersed with many historical facts about the Caribbean.

Great stuff. She has a way with words. The work is dramatic, arresting, bone-chilling, Kafkaesque, and cute. Read it. It's better that getting hit in the head with a pizza.

I have owned this book for many years. It opened my fascination with this most interesting bird. Although it is illustrated rather than having color photographs, the illustrations are excellent. Most important, it is the most informative text I have found before or since. I would definitely recommend it to anyone with a passion and interest in loons.

This is the second volume of Joan Wyndham's war diaries covering her time in the WAAF and her cascade love affairs with men ranging from the blue-blooded cousin of Lord Lovat to a beautiful Norwegian torpedo-boat sailor, a scarred pilot and some very raffish artists. Her description of the poet Dylan Thomas is, by itself, enough to justify buying this book. I didn't find it as compelling as 'Love Lessons', it feels too truncated and compressed, but if you enjoyed the first book you'll want to read this too.

The Loving Spirit is the most underated novel by Daphne Du Maurier. In her first published novel Daphne's characters, especially the women, are multidimensional with many desires, the strongest being to follow their heart and remain true to their spirit. With four generations of family, each character gets closer to the truth and living a life that fulfills their inner needs and that of their soul. Rich in romance, wit, adventure and also very much a spiritual book, even for it's time period, The Loving Spirit should be read by all DuMaurier fans and those wanting to change their paths in life and look within themselves.