Jens Jensen's ode to the landscape he loved and enhanced during his lifetime - the prairie. Filled with philosophical musings and selected vignettes from his long career, Jens Jensen writes with ardor about the need to conserve, observe and embrace the natural environment.

Not every good poet is a good translator, and not every good translator is a good editor, but Jen Hofer is a great poet, great translator, and great editor, as "Sin puertas visibles" unequivocally confirms. It is a book beautiful both in its conception and execution, with discriminating but generous selections of accomplished poets unfortunately little known. Hofer is deeply, eloquently engaged with the Spanish originals, consistently managing to elegantly conserve what's typically 'lost in translation.' These are translations to get lost in. Anglophones are now doubly indebted to Jen Hofer - her book of poems, "Slide Rule," having already extended the possibilities of our language considerably.

Everyone I know who has read this book thinks it's superb. Jen Sorensen is the equal of any of your so-called modern cartooning "greats"; Cafe Pompous is laden with beautifully weighted satire - and it's very, very funny. For $6, not to buy this book borders on nutty behaviour.

The story begins with an ancient stone, The Bloodstone or the Clachan Fala. The Bloodstone holds much power and stirs greed in mortals. The Bloodstone can only be found when a Maxwell and a Graham marry. But Musgrave witches protect the stone from men. At the beginning of the book the author tells the reader about the Bloodstone and how the feud between the Graham's and Maxwell's began. All over a powerful stone.

Fayth Graham has felt lost and lonely since her father and Jack, her fiance, died. Her brother, Ridley, is forcing her to marry an old lecher she doesn't love just so he can gain land and power. Her fiance, Jack Graham, was killed by Alex Maxwell, also known as Red Alex. The day Jack died Fayth swore she'd avenge his death by killing Red Alex. He was the reason why she wasn't marrying the man she'd chosen, a simple, ordinary farmer. No land or title to his name. But none of that mattered to Fayth, she wanted Jack because she knew that he would let her keep the freedom she'd always known.

Red Alex remembered the feisty vixen who had disguised herself as a whore, to distract him when the Grahams came to raid his home. He remembered not only her passionate kiss that stirred a longing deep inside him, he remembered her betrayal. He would get his revenge. When he catches Fayth running away from Carlisle, her fiance, he finds his chance to get revenge. He would kidnap her; take her to his stolen tower, Gealach; and use her to make a bargain with Carlisle. Fayth for Gealach. (Alex is an outlaw who turned Gealach back into a great tower, but Carlisle wouldn't let him have it. And Alex is desperate to make the tower his legal home.) But on his way to Gealach Alex begins to admire Fayth's courage and comes to care for her more then he'd like to admit. Once they reach Gealach he can't help but see how much she lights up the tower. How much she lights up his life. When the time comes will he be able to give up the woman he loves more then anything for a tower that he knows would be lonely without her???

And Fayth, against her will, starts to feel something more tender then the hate she once had for him. It kills Fayth to feel so tenderly for Alex, knowing that he murdered hundreds of Graham's for no reason. Will she accept her feelings for Alex or will she live her life alone in hiding??? If only she knew of the secrets and betrayal floating around her.....

I know that isn't very much plot summary, but it's hard to say anything without giving the story away.

There aren't enough words to express how very much I loved this book. I've never read anthing like it before. The mystery surrounding the Bloodstone was thrilling and the romance was very sweet and believeable. I was a little confused at first because I haven't read the first book in the Bloodstone seies, but I plan to. And I can't wait until the thrid book comes out. So if you haven't read, Tempted by Your Touch, I'd advise reading that one before you pick this one up.

The author weaves an intricate web full of emotions, thoughts, motives, betrayls, and so much more. This is the most convincing, hate-to-love books that I've ever read. I could actually believe that Fayth was falling in love with him. In most romances that have the passionate hate turns to passionate love plot, aren't very convincing. Those kind of books make you wonder why these two pepole fell in love, but this book won't make you feel that way. You'll see the transition from hate-to-love. I've never seen so much dialouge betweet two main characters! Usually the two main characters, in romances, are too busy kissing to worry about communicating. Such a refreshing change. One I hope to see a lot more of in the future.

The romance between these two will make her heart ache. At one point I was convinced these two would never have a chance to be together. You'll finish this book with a smile in your heart and on your face. It'll make you believe that love is the most powerful thing on this earth.

This is a wonderful idea -- vintage postcards and a quaint little sectioned keepsake box with accompanying journal for item descriptions. I think this is a perfect departure gift for someone who is embarking on an adventure, trip abroad, or cruise.

On The Spot: Volcanoes employs see-through windows and interactive features like pop-ups and flaps to show the young reader the wonder and awesome power of an erupting volcano. This superbly designed and presented science book is ideal for young readers ages 6 to 8. Also very highly recommended is the companion book On The Spot: Oceans as well as the other impressive titles in the Reader's Digest "On The Spot series" for children including Pyramids, and Space.

My sister-in-law sent me this book because I tend to get excited about cooking and textiles and share freely of the results of my labors with both. I also am fascinated by unlikely combinations, which end up making lots of sense. This book is a joyous combination of food, fiber and creativity. It starts your juices flowing with new ideas about art, kitchens and how infusing the day-to-day aspects of our lives with self discovery and artistic innovation can recharge and inspire. The photographs of the collaborative quilts are enough to send you on a restaurant tour or a trip to the nearest fabric store. But, the writing that accompanies the quilts and explains the nature of collaboration between fabric artist and chef, makes you want to start over in life as a struggling artist and create something enlightening with the raw materials in your kitchen or even your rag bag. What a lovely effort that inspires more deeply because it is accomplished for the purpose of helping young women find their place in the world. Kudos to Girls Incorporated and the women who shared of their labors.

I loved the first 2 books about Katie (Durable Goods and Joy School)and excited to see a third. While I read all 3 I got the sweet feel of reading and life in my pre-teen years, but with an adult writing it there is also a mature hindsight feel and almost sympathy for the kids we all used to be. I even think mom's could read this and pass it on to their daughters of this age, it would open amazing discussions (parental communication, friends and loyalty and of course, sex and it's consequences) and show choices and the path they take you on. While I really believe the second of the trilogy (Joy School) was my own personal favorite, this book is still great.

Who else like Berg can write the quirky and touching observations that women and girls feel, our relationships and differences with the men in our lives, and our struggle in constantly figuring out who we are. One paticular line I loved is when Katie cries for all that is going on her life and notes- "sometimes the feelings inside are so overwhelming that our body has to agree with tears.." boy, can I relate! Anyway you will get many great lines like that throughout the entire book of katie and her friends (classic struggle between the popular, rude ones or good, geeky one) and her family (remembering her passed before mother and forging on with her difficult father) and terms she deals with in more issues.

One note- you can read this and very well enjoy it if you have not read the other 2 books. If you are interested in the themes in this book, do not hesitate if yo haven't read the others, you will still get it and will notmiss out at all.

That being said I give it 4 stars for great writing and observations, but due to a somewhat slow plot ( i'm not really sure it needs more, but yet I love a book with that added POW!) I am holding back on one star.

If you've read and enjoyed Berg before- grab this one!

This is the third Elizabeth Berg book featuring her youthful heroine, Katie. In "True to Form", Katie is 13 years old and struggling with the problems that are so overwhelming to many of that age: feeling unpopular, wanting to fit in, feeling like her father makes too many decisions for her.

I loved the first two "Katie" books and I liked this one too, but less so. I didn't feel like there was as much to it. The storyline is very straightforward and it is more about what is going on inside Katie's head. Also, like so many of Elizabeth Berg's books, the ending felt rushed.

Having said that, I do love the way that Berg is able to portray the thoughts of a teenage girl so well. There were several lines that when I read them, took me back to thoughts and feelings that I haven't remembered having for years.

It is also nice to read a book that gets you thinking things like: "am I as good a friend as I should be?" and "do I give people enough of a chance before I judge them?".

If you like Berg's other books, this is a pretty safe bet. But if you haven't read any before, this is probably not the best one to start with. I would recommend "Durable Goods" (to my mind, her best book), or "Open House" as a better starting point.

Elizabeth Berg first introduced us to Katie Nash in her book "Durable Goods" and now in this book we meet up again with Katie who is now 13 yrs. old and her father has married Ginger whom Katie really likes. Ginger is a quieting influence in the family.........Since moving to Missouri because her father was transferred from a military base in Texas, Katie feels lonely once again, missing her best friend, Cherylanne. Katie did go back to Texas to visit once and the two friends keep in touch by letters.....Katie meets a new best friend named Cynthia, but Katie betrays her when she wants to fit in with the "in-crowd" at a new private school she now attends......Katie feels very badly about this and wants more than anything to have Cynthia forgive her.....Katie has learned not to take people she loves for granted because they could be taken from her as her sister was (she ran away to another state) or her mother was (by dying)...Through trial and error, Katie learns to forgive people, even herself........This story is about adolescence in a more innocent time during the 1960's.......I enjoyed it.

This is the fourth Elizabeth Berg book I've read, and it has cemented my admiration for this writer. "Joy School" is actually a follow-up to "Durable Goods", but I wasn't aware of this when I commenced this book. You don't need to have read the first book to enjoy this one. Ms Berg has a real gift for creating wonderfully three-dimensional characters. In this case she's writing in the first person as a teenage girl (often a curly one for some writers) and she pulls it off beautifully. There are funny moments, sad moments, and moments so poignant you feel as though you're the main character yourself. I've just started another of Elizabeth Berg's books, "Range of Motion" and so far, so good. I'll certainly keep buying books by this author - long may she write!

I borrowed this book and it was only when I got it home that I discovered that it was a sequel to "Durable Goods". I decided to read it anyway, and I'm glad I did.

12 year old Katie lives with her imposing father and is uprooted to a new town and school. She is desperately trying to fit in but finds it awfully lonely, until she meets Cynthia, and then another new girl, Taylor sort of 'adopts' her as a friend. But both have their odd values or family life.

Then Katie meets Jimmy and he befriends her, listens to her, and she hears him. It's what Katie needs and she begins to fall in love him, knowing that he's 10 years older, married and has a child. She wants to promise him the world, share his dreams, be his everything.

Unfortunately for Katie, as the story unfolds, Jimmy is hopelessly in love with his wife, would do anything for her and that involves moving away, to be closer to her family. The scene when Jimmy and Katie meet for the last time is very sweet and will stay vivid in my mind for a long time to come. We need more Jimmy's in this world!!!

Underneath actions and feeling, there is a truth which Elizabeth Berg seems to grasp so easily. It's so honest. If I were in Katie's place, I know I would have done the same things she did.
The characters are so familiar, and there's one of them in every town. I know I can name a person with the same personality as the characters in this book. Can you?
-Katie, the heroine. No, she does not go arund saving people and being Wonderwoman, but she does save herself from some dangerous situations, which to me makes her a heroine. She the type of person we all hope we are.
- Cherylanne was Katie's best friend before she moved. Cherylanne is 2 years older then Katie (who's 12)and is the popular girl who we all secretly envy. You can sense Cherylanne's character easily even though their only communication is through letters.
-Jimmy is Katie's dream man. Yes, man, not boy. Katie is ice skating one day and she slips through thin ice, and this man named Jimmy who is the manager of a garage station saves her. She falls instantly in love with him. He's handsome, and is so friendly to her. The problem is: he's 23, she's 12, almost 13 (she tells him she's 15, though)and he happens to be married and have a 5 year old son. They're not a perfect couple.
-Cynthia, Katie's first friend in her new town. She's one of those people that you are only friends with because you don't have anyone else. She's 12 also, but acts way younger. On their first playdate, they play the Barbie game. She's temporary, Katie hopes.
-Katie's mom is... dead.
-Katie's dad isn't all that friendly. He never talks, is very distant, and has been since her mom's death. The relationship between them is disturbing.
-One last character. Taylor Sinn. They say no one's perfect. Now that Taylor's in the world, they are going to have to make an exception. She's gorgeous, she models, she's brilliant, she's popular, she's funny, she also shoplifts. Katie is honored to be her friend. Did I mention she's also not that trustworthy?
The interesting characters keep on coming. You will be sorry if you miss out on this book!

Sorry but I just didn't like Three Wishes, I like Barbara Delinsky and think she's a terrific writer but I just didn't enjoy Three Wishes and thought it was a very weird story!

This was the first book I've read by Barbara Delinsky, on a recommendation of a co-worker. I thought the beginning was slow going, and found that some of her wording throughout the book was a bit redundent, (I've never seen the phrase What with used so many times in one book). Maybe thats just being nitpicky, but I found it to be a bit dull.
As for the characters, did anyone else want Jane or Bree to punch Dotty right in the face. I mean, that lady was just evil! It was very unsatisfying for me when Verity finally dropped off her baby gift for Tom, and was made to leave the house by Dotty. Someone should have told that woman wher to go. I also had Julia figured out during her talk with Tom in the garden.
The ending did make me cry, how could it not? But I'm not sure I would try another one of her books for a while. I think I need something really funny to bring me back up.

That is what a Delinsky novel reminds me of. I have yet to read one that hasn't brought tears to my eyes. THREE WISHES is set in a small Vermont town where the inhabitants are like family. It is here that the author quckly pulls you into the lives of the characters that will soon step from the pages of this book right into your heart.

Bree Miller is the beloved daughter of the town, with no living family to speak of, and she is about to meet with a near fatal occurrence that will leave her with three wishes. Our story takes off from here with unsuspected twists and turns that brings happiness as well as sadness to all involved.

Written with a bit of mysticism and a what if sense to it, this book was quite enjoyable and sentimental in a Nicholas Sparks sort of way. Kelsana 6/9/02