I first noticed this little book in a bookstore when I happened to read the blurb on the back cover by Doris Day: "a book reminding us of the wonderful bond between humans and animals" When I opened it, I knew why.

Julia Miles has the eye of a photographer and the heart of a poet. She has composed prose poems in light and shadow and shade to my favorite creatures, the cats.

My favorite photo in the collection, apart from the stunning dual-cat cover, is of two cats, each drooped over each other, headlined by Virginia Woolf: "incessant company is as bad as solitary confinement." Cats and poets can teach us things.

The book is a treasure trove of quotations and philosophical quips for everyday care of the soul, as well as for appreciation of felines. "I can resist everything but temptation" was surely meant for catdom: the photo in question is of a tiger cat-as-stealth-machine-stealing-up-on-a-piece-of-rug, besieging a piece of oriental carpet, mottled after mottled.

Cats are friends, foes (in play), funny, and enigmatic. Most of all, cats are curious (when they're not bored). In fact, cats are most cats when they're absolutely contradictory from one moment to the next. But then, inconsistencies are the "hobgoblins of little minds," as the poets remind us.

Take your mind and imagination out for a stroll by buying this book. It's also a great gift book - for yourself, family, friends, coworkers, for anyone you know, even if they don't like cats (tell them it's a "humor" book).

I should add that I didn't read the very moving introduction until after I'd completely looked through the photos and smiles and words in the text. The fact that Ms. Miles' kittens were rescued from a sure death makes the book even richer and deeper. "Cat Muses" speaks straight to the heart as well as the eye.

What a wonderful book for all ages. My daughter loves looking at the beautiful photographs over and over again. The quotes magicallly match the expressive cat faces. This book is a great gift for anyone (including themselves) who admire cats and great quotes.

All cat lovers will love this book. The beautiful black and white photos of the cats along with the meaningful quotes are so appropriate. It really touches the heart. I've given the book as a gift to my cat loving friends, and they all enjoyed it. It's also great that the proceeds go to help the Wash DC Humane Society.

This is a thorough, well-writen, and edifying introductory chemistry book. I particularly enjoyed the chapter dealing with bio-chemistry.

Shipped book quickly and answered my concerns right away. I am willing to do business with this person again. Book in "new" condition. I am pleased.

I am taking this book for college and it is truly very good. It covers every content for inorganic chemistry. Moreover, the fancy pictures, explanations, examples, essays ease the learning experienfce that you may entail with this book.
The supplementary website and CD-ROM are pretty helpful as well. Specially the website, I like it very much because it had 3-D pictures of experiments and bonds, which help you to imagine the reaction menchanism of inorganic compounds.
The exercise section is extensive 80 question for each section. The same type of exercises repeat often, yet they really help if someone wants to practice more and more for a test.
For someone who has taken stoichometry, inorganic naming, gas laws, bonding and basic concepts of inorganic chemistry (like me) in High School, then teh first sections might be useless. However, the last sections which covers thermochemistry, electrochemistry are quite intriguing and interesting.
Overall, I think this is a great book as I mentioned. Although I think that I would buy one edition earlier since the contents do not vary very much (but the price does!)

Like another book that I reviewed by this author (Blessings: Prayers and Declarations for a Heartful Life) this book provides life affirming reflections written by the author. These reflections are religious in nature but are non sectarian, i.e., they are appropriate for all faiths: Christians, Jews, Moslems, etc. When you need spiritual reflections to help you connect with God, this peaceful book fills the bill. When you need thoughts to reaffirm your worth in the scheme of things, this book is for you. I recommend it.

I love almost everything Julia Cameron has done. I read something from "Heart Steps" each day when I sit down to write. It invariably helps me feel centered & focused. It's best used in conjunction with some of the other tools Cameron has created, such as "The Artist's Way," the practice of morning pages & perhaps an audio edition of "Heart Steps" &/or "Blessings" in the car. I also love Cameron's brand of sprituality because it neither whacks non-Christians over the head with Christianity nor criticizes Christians--it's ideal for anyone independently seeking their own conception of a Higher Power, including those skeptical about traditional organized religion. Cameron's books & tapes also are ideal for creative people in 12 Step programs. "Heart Steps" is a wonderful little volume that can be savored over months as part of a daily practice.

A friend of mine had given me this book as a gift. Now I would gladly give it to all my friends. I have read the affirmations to friends and clients. I think this defintiely worth your time and effort.

I just finished reading this book from MVLL. In fact it is the first novel I read from my paisano (compatriot) and I was amazed at his technique and how entertaining this novel is. Excellent work, you wont' be dissapointed.

MVLL es considerado actualmente como uno de los escritores más representativos de la Literatura moderna y el eterno candidato a ganar el Premio Nobel. Su estilo ha innovado la narrativa y, valiéndose de técnicas ingeniosas, le ha proporcionado un dinamismo especial a sus novelas, favoreciendo su lectura fluida y canivalesca -a pesar de los pequeños espacios de tiempo que me permiten leer, he podido devorar a cada uno de sus personajez con una avidez pocas veces experimentada con otros escritores.

En esta novela MVLL demuestra sus habilidades para entretener al lector a través de un humorismo sutíl que arrebatan carcajadas durante su lectura.

El título, "La Tia Julia y el Escribidor", refleja de manera amplia y rígida la temática de esta novela. Por un lado nos cuenta la historia de Julia (Urquidi) -cuñada del tio Lucho (Llosa) y, por lo tanto, su tia política- con quien sostuvo un amor desenfrenado que no admitia barreras ni prejuicios sociales (ella tenia 32 y él sólo 18) y el cual culminaría en un matrimonio original y divertido.

La otra historia referida, y que se desenvuelve paralelamente a la ya comentada, describe de cuerpo entero las concepciones que, el entonces novel escritor, tenia (y que con el tiempo se lo ha tomado más que en serio en la vida real) acerca de su profesión. Estas concepciones estarían disfrazadas de un personaje más que peculiar, Pedro Camacho "El escribidor". Pedro Camacho simboliza, según una opinión personal y más alla de lo cómico que nos pueda parecer este personaje, al escritor "ideal": escribe más de 15 horas al día, su vida está dedicada en cuerpo y alma a la invención de nuevas historias. Y el rasgo más importante: cual Mario Vargas Llosa, sus historias son vivenciales, es decir, surgen de situaciones reales y las entremezcla con sus propias invenciones.

No acostumbro a recomendar libros ni escritores pero si a calificarlos. En ese caso diría que MVLL, sin temor a equivocarme, es uno de los mejores escritores de la actualidad y, al igual como todas sus novelas, "La Tia Julia y el Escribidor" mantiene esa calidad que caracteriza a las publicaciones de MVLL.

La tía Julia y el escribidor. Mario Vargas Llosa

Esta novela es impresionante. En el principio parece una obra liviana de vargas Llosa pero en la medida en que se avanza uno ve en este libro una gran obra que se va contando de una manera tan natural que resulta fácil terminar las 464 paginas del libro en escasos días y sin sentir el menor cansancio o fatiga. Las historias principales se desarrollan en la juventud del autor recontada y ficcionalizada de forma amena. Se ve que la novela ha sido trabajada arduamente para lograr ese equilibrio perfecto y esa ficcionalizacion que impide al lector mas aguzado adivinar que es verdad y mentira en la narrativa del amorío del escritor con su tía y su posterior casamiento con ella. ( no he leído nada sobre la vida de vargas Llosa así que evitare hablar mucho de esto para no caer en la trampa que Mario tiende para los lectores de hablar sobre una vida ficticia).Varias cosas de su vida me dió gusto saber como esa de que fue profesor un tiempo en Berlitz, instituto donde también yo desempeño esta labor de instructor, y me dió gusto saber ese detalle. La otra parte de la historia, la vida de Pedro Camacho, es tremenda en su contenido de obras al estilo Corin Tellado y radioteatros de los 70. Recuerdo haber oído algunos en mi infancia. Y ese personaje de carácter tan fuerte, de dedicación extrema al trabajo de escribir tan prolíficamente sobre una base diaria, me dió al igual que a marito cierta envidia, no por su contenido sino por la prolífica producción y nivel de ventas. Lastima que la vida le juegue una mala pasada, pero eso es algo que no contare aquí y que tendrán que descubrir los lectores que se embarquen en esta obra de Llosa que no los defraudara y los hará volver a buscar mas libros del autor Mis respetos a un buen autor y compañero de armas en la enseñanza.

Luis Mendez

The New Family Cookbook is a thoroughly engaging compendium of tips, facts, and recipes for flavorful, exciting dishes drawn from cultures and cuisines worldwide and eminently suited for the family table. From hors d'oeuvres such as Deviled Eggs and Marinated Mushrooms, to Vegetable dishes ranging from Spinach and Portobello Mushroom Stir-Fry and Green Pepper Vegetable Au Gratin, to Fish And Meat entrees like Grilled Tuna Steaks and Roasted Chicken, to mouth-watering desserts like Pumpkin-Pecan Spice Cake and Raspberry Sherbet, The New Family Cookbook offers palate pleasing, appetite satisfying, kitchen-cook friendly dishes for every occasion.

This is the first cookbook I've read that's a page-turner--I found myself flipping ahead to the comments and reflections by Dr. Eichner and many members of his family: a family drama is revealed through recipes and the memories they inspire. Eichner's encouraging tone and unpretentious style are really appealing. His recipes are simple and his appreciation for home-cooked food is inspiring. I'm making soup again these days, and have fallen in love with the chocolate cake and semolina cake.

This is a cookbook I want to give everyone in my family, some new cooks, some not so new. Dr. Eichner's simple but sound nutritional advice, along with playful recipes, uncomplicated cooking and eating philosophy makes cooking well seem easier, and eating right more fun. The addition of personal thoughts on food, eating and cooking from Dr. Eichner's family gives this cookbook an intimate and thoughtful touch. It is an easy going but helpful hand in the kitchen.

Can't afford to hire a publicist? Don't despair. This book is an excellent resource. It's clear and jargon free and it gives you step by step instructions on how to get publicity. I'm studying it like a textbook.

I just read this book and think it offers great insight into free and concise publicity. My husband read it and even my dad agreed. It must have been an oversight in the business world and for folks who work out of their home and on a budget, it's a given. Thanks!

Getting Publicity is a primer for any business owner, and I wish I had found it at the beginning of my career rather than mid-stream. With powerful tips such as evaluating your PQ (publicity quotient), creating a publicity planner, and setting publicity goals, it's a must-read for all professionals. After reading Getting Publicity, I felt that I had just completed a comprehensive coaching session with a public relations team, but well within the means of my modest entrepreneurial budget. Reading Getting Publicity will start you on your path to success with the media and help you achieve the recognition you and your company deserve.

Although this was a book I didn't want to put down and I like the independent portrayal of the female priest....I take exception to some of the things she did.

As an Episcopalian I don't know of any priest in their right mind who would go to dinner at the house of a person of the opposite sex when their spouse is out of town. Or, for that matter, after only 4 or 5 weeks on the job, accuse two of their parishioners of murder. Or, as a person with survival training going off half-cocked & ill-equipped in the middle of a blizzard to an unknown mountain top without letting anyone know where she was going.

I'm anxious to read more about Clare Fergusson to see if she wises up.

I am giving this five stars because I think it is well-crafted and more satisfying than most. The author does some things very well--such as, being able to describe her characters in little gestures and believable dialog so that we know what they looked like without being told. We know their attitudes, values, demons, likes and dislikes, and general comportment with no editorial slanting. They are human beings with failings as well as strengths. We even know the two absent characters, the murdered girl, and the chief's wife, who never appear but pervade the story with their presence. One does not doubt the sincerity of Clare's devotion to her ministry, although the reader wonders at times why a woman with such rigorous training and discipline from her years in the armed service would be such a ninny as to rush headlong into the mountains so ill prepared (shades of the heroine entering a dark attic when a known killer is lurking in the house!). She also seems to be too eager to manage other people's lives, although a certain amount of nosiness is required of the amateur detective. The sheriff, who should have known better, seems to give out too much information to the perps he is interrogating. All the cops I have known are pretty close-mouthed. And I can't think of any good reason why Russ took her to his house for supper when they could have gone to an eatery in town. Well, of course, we had to see his house and they needed a heart-to-heart, but that is a good way for a preacher, either man or woman, to lose a job and reputation. Still, this was a good story and kept me going to the end. How refreshing to find characters who are not super human!

I couldn't read this book in one sitting--I do have a day job! And I didn't want to, either--because I didn't want the experience of reading it to end. "In the Bleak Midwinter" is one of the most skillfully crafted mysteries I've ever read: the plot is focused, and moves rapidly through the various personalities enmeshed in it: the priest, the police chief, the congregation, the tragic love story. It's notable, too, for the characters we DON'T meet but who hover over the action: the chief's wife and the dead young mother. And of course there's the snow, the never ending snow that keeps falling on the rural New York town, trapping the residents into small and predictable movements, underwhich lies great human passion and ambition.

The winter was a little less bleak when I reluctantly finished this extraordinary reading experience. Read it.

I think this book is the best of the three Quantock Hill stories I've read so far. The scenes in hospitals in France during the war are so real, you feel you are there. As with the other stories, you see some of the same events, but from a different point of view. ... it's a sad story in many ways, and very moving. Definitely read the other books in the series too!

I remember when these books were first on display at Borders, thinking I wanted to read this one, because of the romance, and how pretty the cover was... "Julia's Story" was another interesting installment in the lives of the Purcells. It starts after Sara & Frances' stories, and lasts a little longer. It tyes up what you were left wondering at the end of Frances' Story. My favorite part of all the novels is how they all give a sisters persepective on that walk they took over the Quantocks. My favorite part of the story would probably be the few days Julia and Geoffrey manage to steal away, to spend time together in Paris. Their romance is a lot more complex than you were led to believe. It just makes the inevitable all the sadder...if you've read the other books, you know what I'm talking about. "Julia's Story" is definitly not a let down. It's just so sad...but so is life. Definitly read these books - all together they are a great story.

...I got excited, sad, then actually cried. I've never cried while reading a book before. I tried to persuade Julia to say something although I knew it wouldn't matter. This is an extremely sad and compelling book. The sisters have such a strong bond with each other. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND reading this book!!!

What a fun book for Halloween or anytime!

The book offers a gentle lesson in cooperation as the animals work together to rescue their friend. (It's a dirty job, but somebody had to do it--you'll see what I mean when you read the book.)

The rhymes work well for reading aloud and the vividly colored illustrations are full of details that little children will want to look at again and again.

For the most part the characters are smiling (except, of course, when the dragon tries to eat the witch). Even the youngest child will not feel threatened by either the characters or the plot.

I have a feeling this is going to be the featured story at my Halloween story hours this year.

My girls, ages two and four, love this book and so do I! It's a clever rhyme and a sweet story that teaches a subtle lesson about how doing things for others can ultimately benefit oneself. I also appreciate how everything is not spelled out for the reader and there are some portions near the end that the child has to figure out. Very clever -- my favorite Halloween book this year. Nevertheless, this book is not Halloween-specific, and is definitely appropriate for any time of the year.

This is a great book. My 1 1/2 year old loves it and my husband and I love to read it to her. It is delightful in both the verse and the illistrations. My daughter carries it about the house, sometimes she wants it to be read to her and other times she'd rather look at the pictures and read it herself. I have sent it as a gift and recomended it highly. Sometimes when my daughter is napping I pick it up and read it to myself.