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Book reviews for "Lautenbach,_Renee" sorted by average review score:

Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora
Published in Hardcover by Aspect (1900)
Authors: Sheree R. Thomas and Sheree Renee Thomas
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Brilliant collection by veterans and new comers
This book will no doubt be required reading for generations to come. Finally a three dimensional globe of fiction that surpasses genre and cliche. Regardless of what it is categorized as; science fiction, future, fantasy, or horror, Dark Matter enlightens, entertains and leaves you wanting more, hence GOOD FICTION by Tananarive Due, Steve Barns, Ocativa E.Butler, Walter Mosely, Jewelle Gomez and more.

The first story by W. E. B. Dubois is the perfect example... this story of a black man and a white woman discovering that they are the only ones living among a massive meteor disaster in the streets of New York begin re-evaluating their roles as black or white, lower class or upper class and begin to see that none of that matters. As the last two humans living on earth, the record is wiped clean of labels and salvaging humanity is the only real issue.

It's a must read, can't put down, tell all your friends about book that will hopefully get the recognition and reward it deserves.

Attn: All S.F. fans
This white guy Iowa boy gets skeptical when confrounted with ethno-centric titles, not to mention ponderous ones. I won't go out of my way to give special attention to anyone based on ethnic heritage. But, it was an SF book in the new section of the library, and I am ALWAYS on the lookout for good, new SF since almost all of the Golden Age boys are dead and most of the new stuff is recycled bug-eyed monsters or Tolkein wannabees.

Some of the authors - Butler, Delany - I knew. Any friend of Dahlgren's is likely to be a friend of mine. Checked it out.

Start to finish, this anthology introduced me to people I would likely never have read - only because I had no idea who they were. Now I have a whole new reading list from authors I met in this collection. I have yet to be disappointed in a novel from any of the authors I met here, and I continue to seek out their work at the library.

Thank you Sheree R. Thomas for putting these works together for me to sample many new-to-me authors of speculative/science fiction.

The party crasher has arrived!
Will the future include people of color? Do Non-Europeans have fantastic myths from their cultures? If you are a reader of speculative fiction, you will probably answer no to both of the preceding questions. Speculative fiction has mostly ignored everything except the western way of perceiving the world. Many people do not read SF because they see nothing in it that speaks to them. SF seems like a big happy party where only whites are invited.

Now the party crasher has arrived. "Dark Matter" not only bum rushes the party yelling, "We are here and things will never be the same!" It also informs the partygoers that we have always been here.

"Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora" is an important anthology that sends an important message. Sheree R. Thomas has compiled a wonderful collection of SF from all over the African Diaspora. Every aspect of SF is covered in the wonderful tales that are included in this book.

Steven Barnes' "The Woman in the Wall" is the best fiction I read from him. This story is definitely one of the emotional highlights of the anthology. Nalo Hopkinson has two stories and both are excellent. "The Space Traders" by Derrick Bell brings up many important issues concerning the role African Americans play in our society. This book is full on many more examples of thought provoking and emotional fiction.

The essays included in this book will give you a better understanding of racism within the science fiction community and hope for a more inclusive future.

I hope that every SF fan embraces this book.


How High Can You Fly?
Published in Hardcover by River Road Pr (2002)
Authors: Janie Devos, Renee Rejent, and Janie de Vos
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Variety of Ages Will Love This Book
The artwork and heartwarming tale will appeal to the preschool youngsters, but the message of self-acceptance and tolerance towards others is one that older children who can read will be able to grasp even more. This is the type of story that parents and teachers can use as a springboard for discussion of acceptance of differences and it's a reminder of how sophisticated children's literature can be. A story with a moral we all can appreciate!

educational
"How High Can You Fly?" is a book that all my elementary students love. As a substitute teacher, often times I find myself needing to fill the gap between coursework. Students remain attentive and interested until the end. I have actually read the story more than once to the same class. The pictures are bright and entertaining. Thank you Janie and Renee for helping make my school days so much easier

A charming picture book artfully written
How High Can You Fly? is a charming picture book artfully written by Janie DeVos brought to life with simple and abstract yet vibrant full-color illustrations by Renee Rejent. A young bird meets a variety of creatures on God's precious earth, each of which has its own unique talent or gift, but the bird likes its own gift of flight best of all in this simple yet delightful easy reader book.


Far Side of the Loch
Published in Library Binding by Bt Bound (2000)
Authors: Melissa Wiley and Renee Graef
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A Delightful Story
Martha Morse is a lively lass, too lively to be laird's daughter. Her Mother, Grisie, and herself wait for Father to come, with a enchanting secret they can't wait to find out! Her relatives are moving to Fairlie, and Martha is bursting with excitement. Cousin Mary and Rachel, the youngest of the cousins, comes to stay with Martha and Nannie and Mollie and Cook and Father, while their home in Fairlie is remodeled. If you are a Martha fan or you liked Little House in the Highlands, you will most definitely like the second book in the Martha Years, The Far Side of the loch.

This is a realy great book
Martha can't wait for her Father to come home. When her Father comes home, he has a big surprise for her. This is a great book. Martha lives in Scotland. It is the second Martha book in the Little House series.

Great book!
This is a great story of a young Scottish lass in the hills of Scotland who has many adventures while growing up. Some the Scottish brogue is hard to understand at times but if you work with it you get the hang of it. I love this book, along with all the other books about Laura Ingalls Wilder, her ancestors, and descendents. I never want the books to end! Great job Ms. Wiley!


Shadow Mountain: A Memoir of Wolves, a Woman, and the Wild
Published in Hardcover by Doubleday (09 July, 2002)
Author: Renee Askins
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A life altering book
I originally got this book out of the library, in part of planning a trip to Yellowstone and a desire to see its wolves. After only a few pages, I realized I was reading a book that was about so much more than wolves -- Ms. Askins writes brilliantly about conservation ethics, wildness, the politics of animal reintroductions, and living a commitment. The book was so good that I rushed out to buy my own copy, in part so I could underline all of the 'nuggets' of wisdom she serves up. This is a woman that I hope someday my daughter can meet - for she is a living example of what someone with vision, chutzpah, a good education, and perserverance can accomplish.

great enough to buy it for a friend
Renee Askins has written something (somewhat tangentially), about wolves--that truly translates into every other aspect of life--she's a brilliant and beautiful genius, and it will probably be ages before we realize her wisdom. For the time being, I am content to wander through her metaphors and images, just hoping that I discover their worth.

A Truly Great Book
Renee Askins is a lyrical writer who tells her story beautifully. It's not about the wolves and it's not about Yellowstone; it's about passion and heartbreak and staying on course. It made me laugh, shake my head, and cry. And long after the last page of the book, her bright images peer from behind trees and peek around corners.


Lucy Lawless & Renee O'Connor: Warrior Stars Of Xena
Published in Paperback by ECW Press ()
Author: Nikki Stafford
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An incredible insight into Xena fandom
I was one of the people Nikki Stafford interviewed for this book. Sadly, the fan survey she conducted had to be cut from the final version, but a great deal of information was still included. Nikki's research into the show, its stars, and the fans who built an international community around Xena: Warrior Princess in the early years is unsurpassed.

Some other books have since come out which seemed to me to be nothing more than blatant attempts to capitalize on the success of one of the most popular syndicated television shows in history. This book always struck me as something different. But maybe that's just because the author took the time to see what the fans thought and cared about.

Fantastic critical guide to all episodes...
One thing in this book that stands out from the others is that Nikki bothered to comment on the different episodes. This is better than the official book!! I like the way that there is a personal voice in the comments, and the way that the author dared to criticse it, and add some suggestions as well. Brilliant work!!

i loved it.
this book is great.it has every thing you need to know about xena.it has a chapter on the broodway production of grease that lucy was in.what lucy and renee were like as kids.it also has two or three pages of comics.if you love xena you'll live this book.


Your Name Is Renee: Ruth Kapp Hartz's Story As a Hidden Child in Nazi-Occupied France
Published in Paperback by Oxford University Press (2002)
Authors: Stacy Cretzmeyer and Beate Klarsfeld
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A CHILD'S VIEW OF THE 1940 WORLD
This is the story written from the view of a 5 yr. old girl who is literally torn away from her parents where she is not old enough to understand what is happening. The story is heart rendering and a good one to start reading about the holocaust. Other books are far more compelling than this as regards what happens to people, but in the eyes of a youngster it is almost life ending for her and her friends. It seems there is another book or two awaiting to tell Ruth's parents' side of the story as well as possibly the Resistance Movement in and around the geographical area mentioned in this book.

Your Name Is Renee-Astonishing and Satisfying
Your Name Is Renee is an extraordinary book that captures the mind and spirit of the reader. It keeps you interested and has so much great detail that you just fall in love with the characters. I was truely amazed at how wonderful this book was. There were several reasons I found it so astonishing. There was great detail and information about the characters, events of WWII, and of the Holocaust. While you read this book you discover how hard the Jews had to work to stay unharmed and how scary it was for them for fear of being caught. You learn that everywhere they went they had to be cautious not to give themslves away as Jews. I love how you felt as if you were there. The events seemed so real. You especially felt sorry for the young children,such as Ruth (Renee was her fake French name), who had no idea what was going on, why families everywhere were being pulled away from eachother, and why her family was on a constant run. It was very emotional to learn about the Jew's struggles and ways of life during the Holocaust. Even children like Ruth had to adapt to this lifestyle and learn exactly what they should say around strangers to keep themselves safe. I got really into Your Name Is Renee, even catching myself yelling at characters for treating Ruth or another Jew cruely or taking something away from them. I mostly loved this book because I learned a lot about the Holocaust and who was involved during it. I also learned that the Jews always had to be alert no matter where they were and careful about who they trusted. Your Name Is Renee is a remarkable book full of suspicion, suspense, suffering, and support. I recommend to each and every person who likes or dislikes reading. Your Name Is Renee will astound everyone.

Compelling...A Story That Captivates
"Your Name is Renee" is the unforgettable story of Ruth Kapp Hartz, told from her viewpoint as a child in Nazi-occupied France in the early 1940's. It is too compelling to read in little increments...you'll want to consume it from cover to cover in one sitting. The writing style is simple and tremendously effective, never distracting from the story itself. Mrs. Hartz's story should be required reading from middle grades on up. Hats off to Stacy Cretzmeyer for giving us such a gem.


The Kiss of Judas
Published in Hardcover by 1stBooks Library (2002)
Author: Renee Allen
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"The Kiss of Judas," a suspense-filled thriller!
"Intriguing," "fierce," and "provocative" best describes the suspense-filled thriller, "The Kiss of Judas." The book focuses on two characters: Justine Dasant and Isaiah Johnson.
Justine is a "devious" woman who is determined to do anything it takes to keep her boyfriend, who is Isaiah, at any cost! Consequently, Justine is the type of person who will not let anything or anyone stand in the way of what she wants and desires in her life.
Isaiah is an "intelligent" and "honest" young Black CEO who falls in love with Justine. But Isaiah does not have an "idea" or a "clue" to what he is getting involved in, once he starts a relationship with Justine. Once Isaiah decides that Justine is not the woman he wants to share his life with, a "fatal attraction" is ensued by Justine -- which leads to a "chillin" and "suspense-filled" thriller!
Lastly, "The Kiss of Judas" will have readers wondering and asking themselves: "What will happen next?"

"KIss" a Must Read!
Renee Allen enters the industry with a bang in her first novel "The Kiss of Judas". It has the love story, drama, suspense, and mystery that every interesting novel should contain. You begin by categorizing the characters, and just when you think you have it all figured out.......Ms. Allen also adds just the right spiritual twist to make you re-evaluate your own existence. I had a very hard time putting this novel down once I began, and I'm sure it will have the same effect on others! Definitely a must read!!

Review of The Kiss of Judas
Newcomer Renee Allen has blasted into the writing scene with the Kiss of Judas. A combination of romance, mystery, and humor, this faith-based novel makes an excellent read. Justine Dasant is a woman of the new millennium. She's independent, sassy, beautiful, and not afraid to go after what she wants....no matter the costs. Isaiah is the ever so elusive good guy. He's handsome, successful, and ready for a commitment. Told from their opposing viewpoints, the story paints a vivid picture of what can happen when relationships go bad. With its twists and turns and an ending that will shock you, the Kiss of Judas will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat.


Anne of Green Gables (Troll Illustrated Classics)
Published in Paperback by Troll Assoc (2003)
Authors: L.M. Montgomery and Renee Graef
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Anne of Green Gables
"I'll try and do anything and be anything you want if only you'll keep me." This is how "Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery begins.
Anne Shirley is a twelve-year-old girl who is brought to Green Gables only to find they were expecting a boy. The Cuthberts however, are one over by this queer, imaginative girl with bright, red hair and decide to allow her to stay.
Green Gables is a lovely, little farm just outside of a small town on Prince Edward Island called Avonlea. It is surrounded by fields and forests, which hold many surprises for adventurous Anne.
Throughout this book Anne's fierce temper and wild imagination often get the better of her, but she usually manages to squeeze out of these scrapes.
Anne's melodramatic nature and fiery temper keeps you interested as you read this marvelous book.
Montgomery's humorous writing style gives life to the characters so that you feel like you are meeting them in person.
I think that this was a wonderful book filled with humor, drama and tears. I would recommend this book to anyone that has ever had a dream and loves a good book.

The best book in literary history
first of all, let me begin with I LOVE THIS BOOK! I have read this book more times than I can remember...easily more than a dozen...thus, I am going to set my mind to write a glowing review of it.

This book portrays a stunning sketch of Canadian History and Culture in the late 1800s to early 1900s. The character personalities are so real and so amazingly "human" that one cannot help but fall in love with them. You really get a taste of PEI in its glory.

This story is set in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island (Canada), a fictional settlement which is really Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, the place where Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author grew up.

The main character is Anne Shirley...and eleven year old, enigmatic, imaginative, sparkling, highly intelligent orphan who is sent to Green Gables, a farmhouse in Avonlea, under the impression that she was to be adopted by a pair of elderly siblings, Matthew and Marilla Cuthburt. But, apon arrival to Green Gables, Anne discovers that there had been a horrible mistake...the Cuthburts never wanted a girl...they wanted a boy who could do the chores and help Matthew with the farm. Anne was was in the "depths of dispair". Matthew, on the drive home from the train station had taken a great shine to Anne and had his heart set on keeping her, regardless of any mistake. Marilla, however, was not so easily enchanted. She agreed to let Anne stay at Green Gables on trial, to see if she would behave herself and lend a helpful hand to Marilla. After the trial, Anne is welcomed to Green Gables and flourishes under the love of the Cuthburts and all Avonlea folk. Anne, however, has one big problem. Her Hair. It is a hopeless shade of carrotty red and Anne felt that it was the ugliest hair anyone could imagine. She was extremely sensitive about it and she was horribly embarrassed about it. On her first day of school, Anne's hair was made fun of by Gilbert Blythe, the smartest and handsomest boy in school. "Carrots! Carrots!" he said. Anne's temper got the better of her and she was so angry she broke a slate over his head. After that, for many years, she snubbed Gilbert every time he spoke to her and he developed a boyhood crush on her.

Ah, but to keep this review interesting and the book mysterious, I will stop telling you the story and begin reviewing. The characters in the book are so well-defined that it seems to you that you know every character personally, like an old friend or neighbour.

And by all means, don't let the age recommendation fool you either...this book can be read by all ages alike...and I have no doubt that this book will still be my avid favorite at the age of 85.

The book is not boring, contrary to many opinions of those who read the first chapter of small print and historical settings. The discriptions will place you right into the heart of the story and you find you will laugh and cry while reading this story. Every time I read it I cry at a certain part which I'm not sure if I should reveal to you for fear of spoiling the good parts in the story, but it is dreadfully sad. If you read the book, then you will know what part I am talking about. The one saddest part in the whole story.

Although this book has some old ideas and ways of expressing them, you will learn a great deal of Canadian history through them and there's no doubt in my mind that this book will still be popular decades and most likely even centuries to come.

A must read for every girl, young or young at heart
Anne of Green Gables is one of my all-time favorite books. Anne is a person almost everyone can relate to in some way or another. Anne is launched into the "depths of despair" as soon as she finds out the horrible truth that the Mathew and Marilla really sent for a boy from the orphanage. Her fiery temper gets the better of her at some of the worst possible times. Such as when she vows that she will never forgive Gilbert Blythe for calling her carrots, as if smashing a slate over his head is not enough. This is a wonderful book that L. M. Montgomery has really shown her skill as a writer and novelist in. I have read the entire Anne of Green Gables Series and am also, like another reader, saving them all for my daughter some day. If you want a book that you can thoroughly enjoy, this is the one, although I have one warning that you may have a hard time putting it down.


Bountiful Women: Large Women's Secrets for Living the Life They Desire
Published in Paperback by Wildcat Canyon Press (31 October, 2000)
Authors: Bonnie Bernell and Carmen Renee Berry
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An uplifting read for large Women
Dr Bernells's book is a must read for any large woman. Dr. Bernell handles all of those difficult issues that large women have, in a very ubeat and uplifting way. This is the first book that I have ever read about large women where their stories were told in a way that wasnt angry and bitter. I walked away from reading this book that I couldnt put down, feeling happy andempowered. What is truly remarkable about this book is that it is positive without having a polyannaish tone. As a bountiful woman and as a psychotherapist with over twentythree years of experience, I will be assigning this book to all of my large sized women clients.

Nourishment for the Heart
Bonnie Bernell's Bountiful Women is a delicious and nourishing volume. Organized into bite-sized chapters, the book presents stories and illustrations on a myriad of topics - from core issues, such as health care and personal relationships, to life enhancement arenas, such as travel and personal pampering. As the bountiful women tell their stories, they reveal their wisdom, courage, humor, compassion, and tenacity. Celebrating each women's individuality, Bernell does not advocate "one size fits all" in her commentary and advice. Rather she writes about choices, the choices that should be available to all women, as she advocates against self-imposed limitations that narrow our lives, demean us, or wither our spirits. Fundamentally this book is about the quality of our lives, about "deservingness." While the focus is on bountiful women, Bountiful Women speaks to all women. It provides food for thought; more importantly, it offers a deep well of sustenance for the heart.

Every Woman Deserves To Read This Book!
There are two cautions as you approach this book...you will not want to put it down, and you will finish it dreaming of a sequel! Bountiful Women is an extremely well written, entertaining, smile producing and practical read. I thoroughly enjoyed the many engaging stories, and found the tips on relationships particularly helpful. This book is empowering, encouraging and real. I am truly looking forward to giving Bountiful Women as a Christmas present to many of the women in my life -family and friends- of all sizes!


REPRESSED MEMORIES : A JOURNEY TO RECOVERY FROM SEXUAL ABUSE
Published in Paperback by Fireside (1992)
Author: Renee Fredrickson
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Straightforward but not a lot of information
Presenting the belief that repression is something a person does when trauma is too great to bear, the author goes into detail about this phenomenon. Although others would disagree that repression even occurs, the author presents an easily comprehensible reason for it. I found it to be an excellent source of information on repressed memories and in an easy to read format to boot. A quick read, but worth re-reading over time.

Recovered Memories
This is a good book and adds to the growing literature on surviving childhood incest.

... The whole notion of recovered memories is intensely threatening to the societal status quo. Recovered memories are most threatening to those accused of abuse, and it is of course a very natural response for those abusers to accuse their abusers of being coerced into making accusations or, alternatively, or imagining things. In coming to terms with recovered memories, incest survivors must be very, very sure of their painful memories before they will take the incredibly difficult and painful step of challenging the status quo and making an accusation

Let us be very clear, whilst there is a long, scientifically documented history of childhood sexual abuse and of the repression of those memories, there is no such scientfically documented record of,so-called, "false memory syndrome". Due to its abhorrent nature, the legal system, society at large, and the mainstream media finds it more convenient to side with those accused of sexual abuse, than it does to support victims. Although this is not the place for a discussion of how and why this is so, for a well-reasoned, scientific critique of the history of such trauma, and its societal repression, a good parallel read is "Trauma and Recovery: The aftermath of violence, from domestic abuse to political terror" by Judith Herman, MD. She is Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Harvard Medical School and could not be more authoritative. It is also worth reading "The Assault on Truth" by Jeffrey Masson. He is a Freud biographer who investigates how and why Sigmund Freud came to disown his discovery that female mental and emotional problems in late 18th Century Vienna were largely caused by childhood sexual abuse.

This book is a godsend!
If I had had this book when it was first written (1992), I could probably have saved myself many years of pain. I first had memories come up in 1990 and spent the next full year feeling like I had to throw up and knowing I had more memories coming (I could feel them, but couldn't get to them). I didn't know how to understand and work with myself to let them come. This is THE book I longed for and didn't know existed, and after several years of trying to remember what had happened, I gave up and went on with my life, which only got more and more difficult.

I have read only the first 64 pages since last night (It's going slow because there's so much I want to make notes on) and I have made so much progress with this book in such a short period of time (less than 24 hours) it's sort of shocking. Actually, I'd like to give this book SIX stars!!


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