i did not enjoy the first half of this book. i did not like how the story jumped from topic to topic. it didn't seem like it was being developed enough. the story picked up a lot once i reached the climax. from that point on i could not put the book down. the ending was twisted. i would recommecd this book.

"John Dollar" is basically "The Lord of the Flies" with girls instead of boys. If you found "The Lord of the Flies" to be horrifying, disgusting and/or disturbing ... you will certainly find "John Dollar" to be more of the same. It is not likely that I ever would have picked this book to read for entertainment - I had to read it for college and because I had to analyze the book it made it interesting to me. Otherwise, on a non-academic level I find it very disturbing!

I didn't like this book so much that I felt compelled to review it. Rather, I'm adding my two cents because I wanted to alert people that most of the other reviewers--typically those who didn't like the book--have chosen to ruin it for others by mentioning important plot twists that wouldn't otherwise be readily guessed.

My opinion on the book though... I think Wiggins is a skilled writer and storyteller. I enjoyed the book enough that I couldn't put it down the night I finished it, despite knowing that it would give me nightmares. The comparisons to Lord of the Flies are inevitable, but it is it's own work. Some complain of being bored or confused by the first half. I felt the first half established her writing prowess. Overall, I consider this book to be creepy, moralistic fun.

BLACK PEARLS is one year's worth of daily meditations. The collection touches almost all motivational subjects. Reading it is a positive way to start the day. It's very inspirational. Written for African Americans, but good for anybody.

This black pearl appreciates Eric's ability to caputure the true essence of black love. The selection of poems was superb. I laughed, I cried but most of all I reflected, on what love meant to me. With Valentine's Day around the corner, this book was right on time. Thank you Eric...

This is a great book to read at the start of everyday. It can be read by anyone of any heritage or ethnic background, it applies to anyone and everyone. Its one of those books that "makes you go hmmmm."

I originally picked this book up second-hand as 'just something to pass the time', and ended up looking forward to each chance I'd get to read a few pages. Hughes has managed to take the timeworn 'castaway colony' premise and create an enjoyable story around it. I would call this a better than average sci-fi purchase. There are a few down points to the book, though: Hughes amplifies the stereotypical 'differences between the sexes' as a method of illustrating how the colonists have reverted to a more savage mode, and this tends to strip depth from her characters ('Me Tarzan, you Jane', etc.) Her characters are strongly polarized, but tend to shift quickly between the poles at a moment's notice. My biggest complaint about the novel would be that the author simplifies her characters' society to the point of claustrophobia; reading the book is like watching a stage play with a painfully limited scope and cast. I still look forward to the next book, though, in which (according to the hints sprinkled throughout Initiation) it appears the colony will turn outward and begin to explore some of the mysteries of their immediate surroundings. Don't let the down points deter you - I still recommend this book for a quick read.

I feel the author did a very good job on developing a complex and interesting society. The way the characters interacted made me feel involved. I have been waitng and waiting for a sequel!

I started the book in the morning and finished it in one read (day). The author has created characters and a situation that is both believeable and complete. Reading this story one can visualize as if the story was on a movie screen. This is a story telling feat only a few authors can achieve, David Weber comes to mind, but I am biased. If the publisher is up to his usual tricks there is another book in the queue. Hidden in the story are clues for two more books and I will be there for them.

While the artwork illustrating this book is beautiful, the text is sorely lacking, being at the same time both too complex and too narrow, besides being confined by the device of using song lyrics to illustrate Anderson's life and feelings.
The text is overly long, and some concepts in the book are more complicated than needed, such as specifying that "the Department of Interior of the United States invited Marian" and "teachers ... marched ... in front of the Board of Education" to an age group which is grappling with the concept that our country is the United States of America. The report of the actual concert at the Memorial is short. There's no discussion of how the concert, the controversy surrounding it, and Anderson herself may have influenced the country's views on civil rights. The author uses the word "Negro" to refer to Anderson's race; that term was appropriate in 1939, but not now.
The afterword by the illustrator is just silly, since he spends much of his time telling us how his uncle knew both Eleanor Roosevelt and Marian Anderson, until he gets to the end of his afterword and says, paraphrased, "just kidding -- my uncle made it up!" The illustrator continues this joke at our expense by making his absent, lying uncle a primary character in the drawing of the audience at the Lincoln Memorial.
The afterword ("Encore") by the author is helpful, as are the suggestions for further reading and viewing.
The theme of Ryan's book is that Anderson fulfills her girlhood dream of singing at the Met, and is the first African American to do so. Everything else is essentially an incident along that road. There's more to Anderson's life than that.
The main flaw of this book is that the text uses too-complex terms to convey a story which is paradoxically too simple. It leaves out important parts of Anderson's life, such as her first "flopped" concert in New York, and her life after the Met. There are other books which provide more reality, and/or a more child-oriented text (such as Patricia and Fredrick McKissack's _Marian Anderson: A Great Singer_). Click on "see more about me" above for a review of and link to McKissack's book.

WHEN MARIAN SANG beautifully depicts the life of Marian Anderson, a wonderful singer who broke racial barriers to become one of the most world-renowned performers. The story tells of her humble upbringing in Philadelphia and the support she garnered from her family, her church, and her community. It also tells of the discrimination that Marian faced when trying to learn music and later when she attempted to perform. Yet, Marian persevered. She went to Europe where she received so much attention and acclaim that it was said the people suffered from "Marian Fever." She later returned to the United States, and fought prejudices and discrimination by performing at the Lincoln Memorial. She was finally able to break down racial barriers and perform at the Metropolitan Opera. At last, Marian felt free to sing.

WHEN MARIAN SANG is an inspirational and educational biography of a great performer. The book gives details in a poignant, yet simplistic way that people of all ages will be able to appreciate. The illustrations are truly breathtaking. I enjoyed the fact that verses of songs that Marian sang were intertwined within the text to add depth to the story. I was also impressed with the detailed information about Marian's life and the fact that her discography was included in the back of the book. Pam Munoz Ryan and Brian Selznick have done an excellent job in telling the story of Marian Anderson. I look forward to future works from this dynamic duo...

"When Marian Sang" not only tells the story of the day in 1939 when Marian Anderson sang on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, but puts that symbolic moment in American history in the context of her entire life and musical career. The moment was historic because one of the premier signers in the world, applauded in the grandest theaters of Europe, was not allowed to sing in Washington, D.C.'s Constitutional Hall, which was run by the Daughters fo the American Revolution because she was an African American. As told by Pam Munoz Ryan and illustrated by Brian Selznick, "When Marian Sang" is about more than the memorable concert at the Lincoln Memorial. That was a glorious aria in Anderson's career, but it was not her ultimate goal.

The conceit of this beautiful book is that it is a musical performance, with Ryan providing the Libertto and Selznick the staging. This actually works, because Ryan tries to provide a lyricism to the story, working in verses from the songs Marian Anderson sang, to reflect her spirituality and culture; she might have been a symbol of equal rights, but we are also talking about one of the class acts of 20th century America. The exquisite artwork by Caldecott Honor Medalist Selznick is done with Liquitex Acrylics in lush Sepia tones. I especially liked the early sequences where Marian has the same beatific expression on her angelic face as she sings for three consecutive paintings, the wall of pictures behind Anderson as she sings for Giusepe Boghetti, and strategic infusion of bright colors into the final painting of her ultimate triumph. More importantly, I like where Ryan and Selznick end her story, 16 years after that first appearance at the Lincoln Memorial. Young readers might never have heard of Marian Anderson, but after reading "When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson," they will never forget her story.

The back of the volume includes "Encore" information about the author and artist and "Ovations" that provide addition information about Anderson's life and career, including the other times she performed at the Lincoln Memorial and Constitution Hall, along with a Selected Discography. If reading the inspiring story of Marian Anderson does not compel you to go and find an album or video of her in performance, then you are missing out on a true appreciation of the woman, her music, and her place in history. Just listen to Marian Anderson singing "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" and all shall be revealed to you.

CANAPES FOR THE KITTIES starts rather slowly, but it never drags. This light and easy-to-read cozy reminded me a bit of Christie in the atmosphere it built up. About a third of the way into the book, it turns creepy and more interesting. Good premise, nice structure, likeable characters (mostly mystery writers!) -- and I love the cats! I wasn't too happy with the outcome -- I thought MY theory of who did it would have been more interesting! But still worthwhile for the nice, fun visit to a friendly village of eccentrics. Nicely done. This is my first Babson. Now I'll look for more!

Although feline references play a dominant role on the cover and title of Marian Babson's latest cozy, it is a gallery of mystery writers who do the catting about when they move into the same English neighborhood occupied by a collection of rivals.

The kitties do play a supporting role, a duo named Had-I and But-Known, owned by cozy writer Lucinda Lucas, and Roscoe, by Macho Magee (formerly known as Lancelot Dalrymple). But they act as cats, not as characters on a par with their owners, as seen in Rita Mae Brown's series, nor do they offer hints as to who done it, as in Lillian Jackson Braun.

No, like the cats, Babson wants to play with the English literary scene, so her authors are beset by the neighborhood's new arrivals: the venomous critic Plantagenet Sutton, a college professor who collects writers like some collect butterflies, and a husband-and-wife duo seeking to record in camera and prose a year in the life of a charming English village. Not only that, but the characters in Lucinda and Macho's books seem to be acting up as well, resenting their creators' plans to replace them with other series.

Babson is a writer with a long track record, and she capably serves up in "Canapes for the Kitties" a charming, breezy cozy laced with some tart darts thrown at some tempting targets.

Dick Francis has his horses, Sue Grafton has her alphabet.

Babson has her cats and they figure in some way (generally quite funny)in each of her mysteries.

This book, like all of Ms. Babson's, is short, a fast read, excellently written and quite funny. She draws her characters quite well and describes the surroundings with such broad strokes that you can almost see it.

While others fall down on the job, with each new title Marian Babson holds onto the title of champion.

I was disappointed with this, I had expected it to have additional writing exercises in it not covered by the book. Unfortunately, it is mostly just blank paper (with fancy squiggles at the tops of the pages) for you to write in. Unless you find the matching cover especially motivating save your money and buy an inexpensive notebook or use your computer for your journaling (or spend your money on a truly special journal that you pick out yourself). This offers nothing that the book itself does not.

one of the hardest things I've ever tried to accomplish is to just sit with myself and my thoughts without turning to any other distraction to keep myself from being still. I am a compulsive everything, and it just so happens that over-eating has been one of the biggest challenges I've ever tried to conquer. After reading the book and getting the journal, I placed the journal aside for a while and then just recently picked it up. I'm so amazed at how this has helped me...not only with food but with other addictions as well. Jounaling is easy and it helps to get in touch with your true self. The book asks simple questions and it's funny how answering something simple can point to what the problem is. I'm so thankful that I've finally found something that works and it's helping me know myself better.

This journal has helped to keep me focuses on the war against compulsive overeating. I take it to work and journal on my breaks and then again at night when all I used to do was eat until I went to bed.
It has a great introduction and then postive, thought provoking statements at the top of the page to keep me motivated to write about what I feel instead of numbing out what I feel with food.

I love this journal!!!

I did not go crazy over this book, but I did enjoy reading it . ..slowly. I wasn't a "can't put it down book!" If you want to read a book that goes straight to your heart, read Stolen Moments by Barbara Jeanne Fisher. . .It is a beautiful story of unrequited love. . .for certain the love story of the nineties. I intended to give the book a quick read, but I got so caught up in the story that I couldn't put the book down. From the very beginning, I was fully caught up in the heart-wrenching account of Julie Hunter's battle with lupus and her growing love for Don Lipton. This love, in the face of Julie's impending death, makes for a story that covers the range of human emotions. The touches of humor are great, too, they add some nice contrast and lighten things a bit when emotions are running high. I've never read a book more deserving of being published. It has rare depth. Julie's story will remind your readers that life and love are precious and not to be taken for granted. It has had an impact on me, and for that I'm grateful. Stolen Moments is written with so much sensitivity that it made me want to cry. It is a spellbinder. What terrific writing. Barbara does have an exceptional gift! This book was edited by Lupus specialist Dr. Matt Morrow too, and has the latest information on that disease. ..A perfect gift for someone who started college late in life, fell in love too late in life, is living with any illness, or trying to understand a loved one who is. . .A gift to be cherished forever.

Once upon a time I was such an avid reader. I would devour a 500 page book in a weekend. One day along came Prince Charming on his white horse and he took me to his castle. Time passed ...things changed....little princes came along.....books were from another life a long time ago. Then one day the Princess demanded she take time for herself. She read this book.....what a joy. She couldn't put it down.....the Prince and Prince, jr. cried and pleaded as they may couln't make the Princess put the book down. The book read so easy and it was so fun she read it in 2 sittings and had a very nice weekend. The Prince and Prince, Jr. got over it and they all lived happily ever after. The moral of this story.....give your Princess time for her joys and in return she will give you joy. P.S. Buy her this book.

Absolurtely no learning with this book. It is not to help you learn to be a psychic, nor intended for teaching purposes. This is great entertainment for the professional psychic. You definitly will be able to relate to some of the incidents! I found the book charming. I had to laugh at the character because there were a few times I knew exactly where he was coming from. Sometimes being psychic has disadvantages. When you are capable of offering insight from a slightly different angle, as well as projected knowledge, people tend to just LOVE you! Persons that if you were just your normal self, would have no attraction to your company what so ever. Even though you may be able to tell others what color their bathroom is, its quite hard to understand and decipher your own life issues! (such as... if that friend is really a friend, do they really want to take you out to lunch for the company of your normal self? Or is it that they have 1001 questions ranging from what color underwear turns their lover on to will they get that expected promotion in their career) Its saddening when you like someone, because they are SOME ONE... Only to find out that, the only reason they are your friend, is for the forecast of their personal life.

This book is a for relaxing. Its almost like a birds eye view of a psychics life from the inside out. How a psychic feels, how they think, how they love. Probably not too interesting to the general public. But nice to read when you can relate! And certainly worth the $5 or $6 bucks!

Marginalia(the study of notes people leave written in their books) is a growing area of academic study. Future readers of my personal copy of "The Cooper's Wife is Missing" will find that I have several notes relating to rambling, incoherent sentences and grammar errors that an editor should have found before the book went to press. The book wanders repeatedly away from its subject, the trials of Bridget Cleary, and dabbles into Celtic folklore and Irish History. I am a fan of both, but the authors of this book do a poor job of making clear the connections between Bridget and Irish History and Myth. I understand their point, but someone not as interested in Ireland would have put this book down long ago if they were looking for a story( which was why I actually picked it up myself.) If you stick with the story, the idea of Bridget's case being used as a reason for Britain to keep the Irish in subjugation is interesting, but it requires great patience and an ability to translate horrendous grammar to do so.

I thought this book was broken into two disconnected parts that did not work well together-- the trials of Bridget Cleary and the historical happenings during this time period. I found myself skimming through the chapters that detailed the history of Ireland during this time period and looking forward to the chapters related to Bridget Cleary. This novel was too much like a school textbook with boring and wandering descriptions of the historical times of Ireland. The relevancy of these historical descriptions to the trials of Bridget Cleary was exaggerated by the authors.

In 1895 a relatively unimportant incident occurred in a rural part of Ireland that literally was used by the British to overstate the superstitions and backwardness of the the Irish nation thus depriving the Irish of any possibility of Home Rule at that time.

Bridgit Cleary, the wife of a barrel maker was suspected by her friends and relatives of "conversing" with the fairies. Many of the rural people somewhat believed in spirits and thought that the fairies convened in a wood near the Cleary "residence". When Bridgit returns one night and does not look herself, they suspect she has been possessed by the fairies and is a changeling. Various herbs are tried in an attempt to "exorcise" Bridgit. When these fail the last resort is fire and Bridgit is held into the fireplace. She expires and all those present at the "exorcism" are put on trial. Indirectly, the Catholic Church is also "on trial" being held responsible for the superstitious nature of the Irish population. The whole experience becomes somewhat of an international news item propagated by the British for the aforementioned purpose. The group is found guilty and given various sentences. The most severe, ten years in prision, is placed on her husband

This book is a wonderful review of the Irish struggle for independence. Irish patriots and sympathetic British statesman are depicted. The harshness of the British during famines is also underlined. On the lighter site, several fanciful tales regarding the faries are related.

At the back of the book there is a very complete set of notes for anyone wishing to pursue topics in greater detail

This book was purported to be an exploration of lesbian sub/dom sex, of bdsm exploration. In fact, I found problems with the book, and one strong suit.

The strong suit was an interesting story line. The story line was well put together, easy to follow, interesting, and the conclusion was satisfactory.

On the down side, the actual sub/dom and bdsm exploration was shallow and poorly done. This book is not really about lesbian bdsm, even in exploration. It is a vehicle for "vanilla" lesbian sex (with no condemnation of that!), and there is a superabundance of that. If you are looking for bdsm fiction, however, you will find this book very disappointing.

As far as the lesbian sex goes, there is variety in the numbers of players (one, two, three), but the descriptions largely sound like carbon copies.

Another difficulty rests with the shallowness of her characterizations. There is a flatness to them which is disappointing. This work would be greatly improved with more fully drawn characters.

Perhaps I have been spoiled by authors such as Pat Califia, but unless you want the lightest of lightweight lesbian bdsm, this book is not one I would recommend.

No Angel is one of the best written erotic novels I have read in a long time. In addition to the obligatory (and beautifully described) sex, it also offers some excellent, slick and at times comic writing of the highest quality.

Unlike many other books of its type, it is possible to read No Angel and enjoy it, even if you prefer not to read the sex scenes. It is well structured, complex and above all highly readable. Not that I am suggesting that you do leave out the sex! Marian Malone writes some of the best, most exciting, varied sex scenes I have ever read.

Thoroughly entertaining!

I really enjoyed this book. Great story, great sex. I particularly enjoyed the bondage scenes, but perhaps that's just me!

I couldn't put this book down and was disappointed when I had finished it. I am sure I will be dipping into it again, often!

This is a light entertaining story good for reading when you don't want to think a whole lot and just want something to occupy your thoughts. Its nice and short which is good because if the book had been much longer it would have become tiresome. As it is the book is amusing while you're reading it but there's nothing remarkable enough about it to make you remember it once you've put it down.

THE COMPANY OF CATS is just the right length for a very enjoyable quick-reading cozy. Her style reminds me of Lydia Adamson's. So, if you like this one, check out Adamson's "cat" books. This one is all plot -- it has almost no sense of place. In fact, a couple of times I lost track of where everybody was. And the many characters were rather cartoonish and not too deeply drawn. But that's O.K. It was still a lot of fun. Babson's books are NOT a series -- each stands alone, so you can start with any one of them. I'm really enjoying them.

This is a very good book. I couldn't put it down. The writing is fast, the characters interesting, the cats most lovable. I enjoyed the main character, Annabel. She was clever and a push over for a cat (cats) in distress. I will add this writer to my list of favorite mystery writers.