This book was extraordinary. I usually don't trust the library's choice of books, but in this I was mistaken. I completed the book in two days-and one was a school day! In parts I almost cried, but in the next instant, I could rejoice and cheer for the brave, spirited little Hitty. Some of the charecters I wish I knew more about -Andy, my favorite charecter, as a start- but it made it more realistic-Hitty would concnetrate most on her current owner, I suppose. That's really it's only flaw that I could find. Good reading!

Hitty Her First Hundred Years was inspired by a real doll. This doll is currently displayed in the Stockbridge Mass. Library Museum. Many readers have wished they could have their own special doll like Hitty. From 1830 til today doll artists have attempted to make their version of this doll. Some of the most famous names in doll making have attempted to capture her spirit.

I have a photo of this orinial Hitty doll posted on my wood doll web page:

If you compare the original doll with the illustrations in the book, you must note how well Dorothy Lathrop captured the sweet, Mona Lisa type smile of this doll.

"hitty" is much more than a book; for a child, it is a very unique experience. It is written with skill and class, and Hitty's adventures blended with whimsical illustrations make this a classic of children's literature. One of the more distinguished (and deserving) Newbery Medal books. A compulsively readable, thoroughly delightful book.

I LOVE this cookbook. Everything from making soy yogurt, to soy milk and my favorite, soy spaghetti balls! I had no idea the things you could do with soy until I found this little book! It's priceless if you are just turning vegitarian and want to cook soy different ways for variety! The Cooks that volunteered the recipes are incredible. I'd love to go down to the "Farm" and take some cooking lessons. THE BEST SOY COOKBOOK!

I must admit that just 6 months ago there was no way I could fathom the thought of eating vegan meals on a daily basis, until I tasted a recipe out of this book. Not only was I astounded but I was also insulted. Insulted because one of my own famous recipes that I had made for years (with meat), was "up-staged" by the vegan recipe I had tasted in the New Farm Cookbook. And to add insult to injury, it took only a fraction of the time to make it! One of the main things I like about the book is that the recipes are absolutely delicious, simple, and most of the ingrediants can be found in just about anybodies cupboard. From gluten roast to non-dairy cheesecake you just can't beat it. Anyone who wants to change their diet and are skeptical would do themselves a tremendous service to get this book. I have since bought another one in case something happens to my first one. It has changed my life and I can honestly say that it is truly worth its weight in gold. This is why I call it my Vegan Bible.

I love cooking with this book! It has everything from soy yogurt, milk to (my fav) spaghetti balls! The recipes are easy and very delicious. I just ordered another one because mine is falling apart from using it so much! I wish they'd make a spiral bound hard copy! :) The Cooks that contributed the recipes are awesome and I'd love to go down to the FARM to take cooking lessons. The BEST book if you're just turning vegitarian and are looking for different soy choices for variety. I LOVE IT!

This book and the other Practice-Makes-Perfect workbook by Dorothy Richmond ("Spanish Verb Tenses") are the best Spanish books I've ever used. I just got back from 2 years in the Peace Corps in Honduras and I studied these books every day. They REALLY helped me learn more Spanish! In addition to the concise, easy-to-understand instruction sections, there's tons of exercises to do (with the correct answers in the back of the book) and as I did the exercises, I picked up all kinds of things that I'd been wondering how to say. I also liked this workbook a lot because it covered all those difficult things I never understood before, like how to use "lo que..", direct and indirect object pronouns, the passive voice, the difference between "para" and "por", and many other things. (This book is especially great if you already know some Spanish because you need some vocabulary to do the exercises, unless you don't mind looking up lots of words in the dictionary.) I highly recommend this book!

This workbook masters two important grammatical concepts that present difficulty for Spanish students. Thanks to the clarity and thoroughness of the text-workbook, students and those looking to perfectionize specific weaknesses in their understanding of pronouns and prepositions will immediately recognize that this book is an excellent resource. It is well organized, first tackling pronouns of all categories then prepositions with a strong emphasis on "por" and "para". Each chapter offers a clear explanation of the topic at hand, followed by a wide variety of examples of its usage, ample practice exercises and a practical translation at the end of every chapter. Once having completed the exercises, there is an answer key at the back of the book which is extremely beneficial in that the student can readily identify his/her strengths and weaknesses. As a Spanish teacher, I found this text and the exercises to be a useful supplemenatary study aid that enables Spanish students at all levels to fortify their knowledge and understanding of the grammatical topics covered in the book. This workbook can also be an eternal reference. This is definitely a worthy purchase and very economical considering the wealth of information that is offered. A strong recommendation is given, this a great grammar resource.

The Practice Makes Perfect books are, by far, my favorite spanish study guides of all time! I highly recommend them!

Victor Dean worked at an advertising agency in London. Then Victor Dean died at an advertising agency in London. Accident? Murder? That's what Lord Peter Wimsey is asked to find out.

Shortly after Dean's death, he is replaced by copywriter Death Bredon. That's pronounced "Deeth", by the way. Bredon soon gets down to the business of writing copy ads. We find out that Victor Dean fell down a steep flight of stairs, that he had fought with various members of the ad agency, that when you are advertising for margerine you shouldn't mention butter, and that if you write 'from' instead of 'with' you will cause your client a great deal of anguish. We also discover that something fishy is going on at Pym's Advertising Agency, which somehow ties in with London's thriving cocaine smuggling industry. Soon we're wrapped up in advertising slogans, tea and cake costs, catapult snatching, Whiffling Round Britain, Harlequins in trees, cricket games, and that unfortunate incident where Mr. Death Bredon runs into Lord Peter Wimsey. This is one of Dorothy Sayer's most entertaining, amusing mysteries featuring Peter Wimsey.

Tightly written and featuring Sayers' gentlemanly sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey at his self-mocking best, Murder Must Advertise is generally regarded as Sayers' finest work in the genre. Several of Sayers murder mysteries--most notably Gaudy Night--achieve much of their effect via unusual settings and atmosphere, and Murder Must Advertise presents us with a mystery set in a 1930s advertising agency, a circumstance that not only gives the reader insight into a world that the author knew first-hand, but allows Sayers to satirize the business of advertising itself. Charming, witty, peopled with interesting characters doing interesting things, and thoroughly fun to read.

This has to be my favorite Dorothy L. Sayers mystery. It is Sayers at her most witty and amusing. She has cleverly weaved several threads of storyline into one perfect book, building up the suspense into a neat ending. She manages to make Lord Peter Wimsey still human and realistic, despite being amazingly good at everything he turns his hand to. There are lots of great twists on words and phrases, which make the book fun to read more than once, less for the murder mystery than for the savouring of all the little details and dialogues. Enjoy!

"Oh, rapture! Oh, bountiful Jehovah! Oh, joy for all our former woes a thousand times repaid!" ... "You blasphemed the aspidistra, and something awful HAS come down that chimney!" How can we resist an intelligent, deft, good-humored protagonist like Lord Peter Wimsey, here assisted by his new bride Harriet Vane? They honeymoon in the countryside at a newly-purchased house, whose previous owner turns up -- not early in the novel -- quite starkly & mysteriously dead in the cellar. With that unfortunate find begins a merry, mirthful, sharp, scintillating murder mystery which anyone will enjoy.

The 30 pages of letters & diaries which open the book are slowish going, but do keep going ... This reader's first experience with a Dorothy Sayers mystery was marvellous & rewarding. "Busman's Honeymoon" is literature, if we can rob that august noun of any suggestion of the ponderous, the boring, the dull -- it is literature that effervesces!

Based on a stage play co-written by Sayers, Busman's Holiday is Sayers last significant statement in the mystery genre--and a completely satisfying one at that. Like several other novels that involve both Sayers' sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey and mystery novelist Harriet Vane, the novel is as much a portrait of their relationship as it is a murder mystery, and while these two elements occasionally seem at odds in other works (most notably the unworthy Have His Carcass), Busman's Holiday strikes a perfect balance between the two as we follow the couple through the first few days of their honeymoon as they deal with the shock of marriage, domestic disasters, and an unexpected body in their honeymoon home's basement. As in other novels, Sayers draws a great deal from her setting--in this case rural England on the eve of World War II--and presents us with a memorable cast of supporting characters, and the result is as fine a novel as she ever produced, particularly notable for its wittiness and sly humor. A greatly satisfying finish to a highly enjoyable series.

There is, incidently, an extremely well-made 1930s film version of this particular work starring Robert Montgomery and Constance Cummings. Although Montgomery is not quite the image of Lord Peter Wimsey, he plays quite well, and Cummings is Harriet Vane brought to life on the screen. Sayers fans should enjoy the film almost as much as they enjoy the book!

As a DLS Groupie, I love all of her books, but especially those books that pertain to the Harriet Vane character. This book, as well as 'Gaudy Night' by Sayers, is primarily about the relationship of Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane. The extraordinary thing about all of Sayers' books is her beautiful amd sensual use of language to paint a picture with words.

With the public's awareness of possible planetary collisions (Jupiter and Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9) and the recent visitation by comet Hale-Bopp, many people will be interested enough to do a little background reading on the subject. I highly recommend this book for starters! I like it because you may delve deeply into minutae, such as the chemistry of meteorites, check the charts and graphs, or simply read the good stories about meteorite hunting! Great pictures abound inside as well, though most are black and white. Please consider that this book is intended for older teenagers and adults but take the kids out to see the night sky after reading. Thanks!

Here's the book you'll need to take along, as meteorites are much easier to find when you know their characteristics and the places where they stand out from other rocks. I've held onto my own copy of Rocks From Space for some time, although I have not gone out hunting for meteorites yet, because this is the book that entices me to make time for it. There are a lot of good quality photographs printed here on slick magazine paper, and some are in color. The book is what it's supposed to be, but if I was going to improve it for someone planning to pack it for a hike across the Utah salt flats, I would suggest that the next edition be on a lighter weight paper. This guide fills you in on the famous meteors (In the sky) and meteorites (Striking the earth) which fell in earth's recorded history. These are great fun to learn about, as there's nothing like a surprise from outer space to brighten up everyone's day. And while meteorites can even impress us as being pretty weird in the modern era, wait until you read about the one that fell in Alsace, France in 1492. It drew so much curiosity and awe that even King Maximilian of Germany came to see it. Many people took souvenir pieces from it over the centuries, but its last 122 pounds are protected by being in a local museum. Another fall Norton records came in 1992, when a car belonging to a young lady was struck. Excited collectors soon made generous offers for both the car and the meteorite. Not too long ago an old meteorite from Mars was sliced open to reveal what many scientists suspect is evidence of past life on that planet. The possibility was considered strong enough that it prompted President Clinton to go on national television to announce it; so if you use this book, you may even help confirm one of the greatest mysteries of all time.

I've read this book from cover to cover and have gleaned an enormous amount of information on meteors. It covers all subjects from composition of various types of meteors to classifications to what to actually look for if you are hunting for them yourself.

Dorothy Cannell has made a category all for herself with this hilarious, well-plotted, and exquisitely characterized novel. Ellie and Ben are some of the most likable and sympathetic characters I've ever read. I've read all of the Ellie Haskell mysteries now. They just get better and better -- read them all!

Overweight, romantic, insecure Ellie rents an escort, Ben Haskell, to pose as her boyfriend. One monumental lie told to her relatives, that Ben is her fiance and about to marry her, results is more shock- Ellie's rich uncle leaves Ben and Ellie his fortune: if:(a) Ellie loses weight,(b)would- be sexy writer Ben writes a novel with no sex and no pronography, (c) they find the "treasure". Ellie's greedy relatives: beautiful, conceited Vanessa (Vanessa found something meaningful to do-

varnish her nails!), lecherous Uncle Morice who invades Ellie's bedroom "A mistake my dear", klptomaniac Aunt Lulu,pony tailed hippy Freddie, and the dipsy cousin whose cooking is so foul Ellie loses pounds because she can't eat it! combine for a hilarious mystery. Ellie begins losing pounds but may lose her life before she can fulfil the conditions of the will! A witty, charming mystery so funny that you want to read and reread it for its howlers.

Not only is it a lot of fun trampling about in search of hidden treasure, but it's such a cosy, light-hearted and well paced book with moments of snorting hilarity and chortling humor. The cast is utterly adorable; the plot terribly enchanting and very mod-fairy tale. Ellie says some of the most delightful things written, Ben is perfectly drawn, and Dorus was very chipper and jolly. Really, this is something of a must read. Exactly appeals to the female nature.

By 1922, World War I was becoming a memory, but the United States began a new war as the battle of Prohibition started. Some communities like Fertile, Missouri remains calm because everyone knows each other on a first name basis. Twenty-year old Julie Jones left school early to raise her younger siblings.

War hero Evan Johnson returns to Fertile only to find rampart destruction to the family farm caused by his low-life father. Although angry, when Evan meets Julie for the first time, he falls in love immediately. Julie reciprocates his feelings. However, before a Jones and a Johnson can hook up permanently, they must overcome problems starting with trouble making Birdie Stuart, who has the interest of Julie's dad. Birdie gets Evan arrested forcing a torn between two lovers Julie to choose between her father and her soul mate.

THE EDGE OF TOWN is an exciting historical romance that showcases the abilities of Dorothy Garlock to tell a good story. The plot takes the reader back in time to a simpler era. The lead couple provides the basis for a luscious Americana novel. Fan of Ms. Garwood will know they have another treat from a delightful talent.

Harriet Klausner

In a time when flappers run wild, Julie Jones lives a quiet life on her father's farm, taking care of her younger siblings. Evan Johnson, the son of the town bully, has come back to Fertile, Missouri from the Great War, and his arrival heralds a season of change for the small farming community. The town's hired a new police officer who discovers that something sinister is going on in town, and a rich, helpless widow sets her sites on finding a man to take care of her...if Evan won't do it, then maybe Julie's father will. Evan spends his summer proving to the town he is nothing like his father. He doesn't look twice at the widow, his eyes are set on Julie. Together they find they can overcome any obstacle. Dorothy Garlock delivers an emotionally charged story of love and change. Change for a nation, change for a town...and change for a couple who was meant to be together.

"The Edge of Town" is a really nice, believable story about Julie Jones who unexpectantly but willingly falls in love with Evan Johnson, as she cares for her 5 siblings and her father Jethro on their farm in the edge of town--a"contrified" American town in the early 1920's.

The novel surrounds itself around the issues that threaten to tear Julie's life apart: Jethro goes head over heals for a woman that no one approves of and the town has a serial rapist who the town believes to be Walter Johnson, Evan's Father.

Like all of Dorothy Garlock's books, you are intorduced to Julie's life altering event right in the very beginning, which is why it's hard to put the book down. "The Edge of Town" is a heartwarming experience and I highly recommend this read.

This is the one you want. The sum of it all, or at least, the bulk of Dorothy Parker's best stuff. Buy this book first, read it, then read it to your friends. Then buy them a copy.

Read to your friends her gloriously articulate rips into her peers' books, her acidicly cynical (but humbly honest) poetry about her relationships, and her well-crafted stories about a moment in life. Pour some coffee, then read some more.

You probably know her quote about 'horticulture' and might be familiar with what she said about the girls from Yale. Maybe in high school you read her famous poem, "Resume" ("Razors pain you/acid stains you..."). Now, introduce yourself to her other work. Her poems and other turns-of-phrase are never raunchy, but somehow, in her brutal clarity, some still fill in the not so naive reader with plenty to laugh at.

Her stories helped found the New Yorker Magazine, where she was an editor. Her book reviews are on the insightful, smirking level of Mark Twain's review of "Last of the Mohicans." Her ability to insult a book or play is more than just witty, but more than often intensely accurate. She wasn't just making fun of a writer, but educating them. She tore them apart and had them happier for it.

Brendan Gill's intro will give her writing context, helping you see why she wrote the way she did.

I learned from Parker how to take a few minutes and see the complex subtleties and find a story it (read "A Telephone Call" as an example). Her craft is masterful, allowing her wit and sense of social nuance show through.

Fans of Flannery O'Connor, Joyce Carol Oates, and even the short stories of Ernest Hemingway will love her.

I fully recommend this book.

Anthony Trendl

I suspect that Dorothy Parker was angry most of the time. It certainly seems so from her writing. Yet she seems to have enjoyed the state of being angry more than any other writer I can think of. This excellent collection of her poetry and prose presents a brilliant cynical take on the world she inhabited. One we largely still inhabit. I have heard her condemned as a product of her time and place, but the insight and emotional connection that readers still feel from her jabs and verbal skewerings, is quite real and personal. She had a way of turning the pain in her life into a good joke - often at her own expense - expressed in a truely memorable way. She also could deflate others (especially in her reviews) with a skill that few writers have ever possessed.

For those gifted with a little anger at the world, this book offers a brilliant collection of ways to express it.

Dorothy has a possession of the english language that is almost demonic, and coupled with her insight into the weaknesses of human nature (not to mention her own), her prose and poetry are witty, cutting and hilarious. Her poetry is short and quotable and her short stories explored the mundane and ridiculous of American Life far earlier than most writers. My favorites, however, are her book and play reviews. They are genius, and can leave you rolling on the floor. This is my favorite collection of Dorothy's work. I have found that collections of only poetry or short stories soon became tedious and extremely depressing (I wonder if Dorothy on Prozak would have produced such great work). This is an excellent volume for those just discovering Dorothy, and great to keep handy for a "little read."

QUEEN'S PLAY was the first Lymond book I read--stumbled across it at the public library about 20 years ago. I then had to ransack the rest of Washington,DC's branch libraries to get my hands on the other books in the series, and ever since, Dorothy Dunnett has been my favorite historical fiction writer. She is not for the faint-hearted: you must be literate (in several languages if possible)and well read in history of the period if you are to appreciate the books to the fullest. Or, if you come "cold" to the book, the kind of person for whom a novel opens a door through which you begin to learn about the real contemporary history. Her characters are so well-educated and well-bred that I have no problem picturing them at the various European courts where Mrs. Dunnett places them. Modern politics seem very dull indeed in comparison (Tony Blair vs. Mary Tudor!) Mrs. Dunnett writes a beautiful, lush English--one of my major fantasies is inviting her to tea in ! order to find out if she's anything like one of her creations.

I love Dunnett books because the characters are so well developed, and the plot so intricate yet discernable, I read in awed admiration. I have been fooled by the plot twists so many times, I have now come to expect it, and just smile when I see that I had been totally wrong yet agian. Dunnett has such a profound understanding of history and the human nature of both her characters and readers, that the story lives in my mind stronger than any movie that I have ever seen. I recommend this series to everyone, even if you don't speak French and Latin. It's worth the effort.

A friend lent me her much loved copies of "The Disorderly Knights" and then "Queen's Play" and I've been hooked on this series ever since. It has a richness of prose and depth of character that set it apart from the average hero story. It also has an intriguing plot line and an interesting view of Renaissance politics. All six books fit smoothly together with a tasteful use of foreshadowing. This is perhaps the slowest moving book of the series, but I find that each time I re-read this I enjoy it more. I would recommend starting at the beginning (with A Game of Kings) instead of in the middle and out of order, as I did. While each book is self-contained, there are enough references to previous incidents to make following the series order worthwhile. This is the series I always recommend when a meet someone who TRULY loves to read. I can't say enough good things about it.