Recently, a a copy of These Strange Lives of Poetic Madness fell into my hands. First I checked the jacket front and back, and read the little bio on the author, Sonya Madden. It seemed modest enough, a twenty-year old going to college somewhere in Connecticut. And then I read the book--34 poems, or mini stories you might say, each on its own page. Then I read it again. And again. Wow! The overall feeling coming through for me was one of happiness. That's right, happiness! Sure, the topics include shadows in the desert of death, lockdown at the mental ward, hiding out on solitary beach, smoldering ash of artificial reality, the end of destiny, sound of a cold wind blowing, the aging wolf of nightmares, poems buried in graves, love lost, scarred visions of suicide, and frozen-to-the-ground panic. A long walk on the dark side you say? Well folks, might I ask what awaits at the end of your best intentions? To be honest, the answer would seem to be death, a horrible death at that, and the best you can do might be to salvage some iota of dignity. Sonya's stories of discovery are views of reality. She has written it down, and I'm happy.

Her poem Gone My Own Way was absolutely gorgeous. The dissolution of love that we all have experienced, and its acceptance like falling rain. Worm My Way was hardcore facing the music, taking it head on. And if it's a glance of the poet you want in a rare moment of peace, then read The Fire. I personally liked the stories that didn't rely on any cultural props. The ones that were just raw soul of Sonya. Raped Again is a masterpiece of utter horror, and survival. And it got my attention. Suddenly I was racing to Sonya's rescue. My whole being primed for the moment, to eradicate this predatory monster taking her life. But she survived on her own. And now, in the present, I understand she's into bodybuilding, has some plans, aspirations, serious ones. So, can she make it as a bodybuilder or anything else that captures her fancy? Hah, I can only laugh at such a puny weak question!

its so amazing, this book had me in good spirits throughout (almost throughout). I get a lot of mails about how animals are being abused and this one made me happy. teaches how to communicate with your pet through mental communication, (i still can't do it yet maybe i didn't try, maybe my pet isn't interested) but has many many stories and VERY CREDIBLE stories on her conversations with all kind of animals I say BUY it. ITS So great as a gift for an animal lover! It reminds you why animals are here, with us today, to learn and encourages us to find harder for their right to live!

This book was well written with excellent examples of case histories and stories. I felt as if I was tagging along and heard all of these stories first hand. The co-authors did a great job explaining "how to communicate" with your animals on several pages. I followed the instructions and they have worked for me already. I am now able to receive mental visual pictures from my cat. Now I send my cat in the same format what I need or want from him. It does work and requires patience, faith and belief in this wonderful communication system. Thank you, dear Sonya, for having the courage to have your life story published. God bless you.

After reading this book, I really felt that there was hope for my cat, who had a litter box issue. The book really made me understand that animals feel just as humans do, and that every problem has a cause and a solution. I contacted the author, had her communicate with my animals, found the source of the problem, and the problem is now solved. She has now spoken to them again, just to get an update of their stresses, worries, and happy thoughts. Sonya is definitely a godsend to every animal on earth.

Sonya's book is great! It has helped me understand the animal world much better. Thanks to her book I am now able to communicate with my cats and the animals around me. I help my family and friends communicate with their animals now too. I am very thankful to Sonya for helping me unlock this hidden ability. It takes time and practice to be able to communicate with animals telepathically. Your abilities just aren't going to develop over night as some might want to think. If you are truly open to the idea, want to communicate with your pets, and have a true love for animals then you can develop your ability to communicate with animals. Sonya tells in her book about the many animals she has encountered over the years, by telling people about these stories she has opened the reader up to what animals are like and think of us. This book is truly a must for pet owner's in order to understand their animals. She tells ways to effectively get through problems with your pet and correct these problems. The stories apply to every pet owner. She basically has covered almost every animal you could have. I recommend this book to anyone who has pets or works with animals and give it five stars! Sonya truly is a gift from God. ..

I was very excited to see this book listed. For a day and a half I was struggling trying to create a Frame 5.5 template that would satisfy print and html viewing using Frame 5.5's conversion feature. The book stated that it had an entire section devoted to this process. Alas, the book covered a pre-release version of the utility and provided no more information than the sparse Adobe documentation and online help.
The title didn't give the reader a true understanding of the document. I thought they would go into some detail regarding the process. Instead they provided a 1,000 ft view point of four utilities.
I hope I can return the book. The book spent a lot of space on HTML reference and web design. Hopefully, someday specialty writers will realize that a lot of comprehensive, easy-to-use HTML reference documents already exist and spend there space focused on their speciallty.

Having spent the past three years working in Framemaker, and never having written in HTML, this book served me, at least, as an introduction to HTML for Framemaker-users.

The first 80% of the book was a bit laboured. Largely, it is preaching to the converted (Yes, performing edits on one source file, and producing multiple output forms from that, is preferable to repeating the edits on multiple source files).

The last 20% of the book was far more illuminating, and well worth reading.

I sat down with this book last summer, read it and thought, "That was a somewhat entertaining waste of a few hours." I was inspired to read more Yamada, like others, after reading "Kneel Down and Lick My Feet." After reading Trash, I would hate to think that Yamada, who definitely has talent, peaked with "Kneel Down..." I reread Trash the other day because I thought perhaps I was just under stress the first time I read it; perhaps I did not give it its due. This time, I could see themes that are addressed in the book, like interracial relations, a host of sexual issues and moral issues, and a breakdown of the "nuclear" family and the pervasiveness of the strain that results from families being "glued" together with divergent parts. However, like everything else in the book, these issues are treated superficially, and the characters appear one dimensional with much of the story trying to grasp the reader's interest simply by being explicit. Yamada seems to hide behind "shocking" fronts because there is no depth to be found here. Perhaps she should stick to the short story format.

I agree with the last reader. "Kneel Down And Lick My Feet" is the best of Amy's so far.

I have read this novel in both Japanese and English, Like someone was mentioned, I think that lots of "beauty of Japanese(language)" has lost in English version. Plus, eventhough love and relationships are common thing in all over the world, there is bit of difference of the way think/feel about Love, I think... Not just the importance of being loved, and to love someone seriously, I saw saddness in Koko and Rick - they had different way to being loved and to love seriously. Koko, who was once a easy-going party animal, now she moved on to real love, Rick, who is so afraid of being loved such a deep level. When there is such difference between two, that brings deep saddnes anyone can resolve...you just have to wait the end of relationship, but this time it's not easy, because you now know what is to really love someone, and your thirst to be loved.

Anyway, there is a short novel called "Jessy's backborn"(I don't know if it is translated or not, "Jessy no sebone" in japanese), it is more forcused on Koko and Rick's son Jessy, If you read it, Trash more makes sense and be able to enjoy it more, I think. I have lot to say about Jassy and Koko's relationship, but there is anymore spase to write!!

After reading this book, I came away thinking it was meant totally as a rationalization for women who have had, or are having, affairs. It read to me, the husband of one of these women, as though Dr. Friedman was doing her best to say that since men have been doing this for years, now it's the women's turn. There were all kinds of reasons given for these affairs, but scant little was said about the damage they do, to family, friends, and even co-workers, of ALL the parties involved. The most common excuse given, the "I wasn't looking for it" just doesn't wash. Are affairs common in our society? Of course they are. But this book tries to legitimize something that is harmful from the get-go.

This book was a bit clinical for the first chapter or two, but then it became very personal and on a human level. Books where one can go "oh that is me" are such a surprise, especially when you begin reading it thinking this will not help because nothing can help me. The book comes across loving and non-judgemental. My guess would be that most people reading these sorts of books really did not go looking for an extra-marital affair either physically or emotionally and are taken back when it does occur. Happy reading.

This book seems geared to teachers who know little or no Spanish. I mistakenly bought it as a supplement to my Spanish classes and found that the lyrics were mostly English. The tunes did not fit well with the lyrics.

I found this book to be a nice resource. Even if I only practice and use afew songs from it, I know it has made a big difference with my Spanish speaking preschoolers. For me, the phonetic pronunications were indispensible.

This selection of experiments demands a lot of "building." Admittedly you do build cool things-a machine for measuring insect heart beats, a home electrophoresis set-up, a high altitude chamber, a device for measuring metabolism in small animals, a video microscope system, etc. You spend a lot of time doing device construction. If you like bulding machines, they you will enjoy this book.

Very few of the experiments involve little or no construction--a couple of exceptions being a neat way to extract dna from stuff and a growth inhibitor-plant experimnet. Plus fun slime mold stuff.

I say, where are the fun things to do with bacteria? Or things you can do to your friends or pets without hurting them? There isn't nearly enough variety here.

Great experiments and great machines, but this selection may prove a bit daunting to the beginner or the younger child. Could be useful for some science fair experiments, though.

I have read many book in my short life, but Windswept passion is one of the book one can not put down. It shows the conflict and emotion of not only the woman as do most books but also of the guy. This book has suspense, betrayal, anger, sadness, and many other emotions. It keeps you on your toes until the end. I shed a few tears while reading this book. I especailly like when they first meet. She's in the tub half asleep while he walks in and sees her there. I think the first eye contact is very unique, no matter how short it is. I recommend every one to read it!