By reading the jacket cover I thought I knew what this book would be about. However, I was not prepared for the emotions I felt when I read the first chapter. The author's husband of twenty-nine years walked out on her the day after Christmas. Without an explaination, no less! How dare he? It's no wonder she was in disbelief, angry, frustrated and fearful. Those same emotions shared by others who are suddenly widowed, seperated, or divorced. Turning to her church, praying to her deceased brother, and talking to friends helped. Redecorating their bedroom to her bedroom helped. Learning to relax, eliminating caffeine, reading, and watching television helped. Like the seasons change, everything changes--slowly life goes on and confidence returns. The author's explaination of touch deprevation was so true. Her comments regarding her emotional pain showed how it lasted nearly two years. She shared her experience at church the first time she attended alone and how she felt ashamed even though she was the one left behind. Her emotions impacted on her grown children. She showed how her pastors, friends, and family helped her to regain her confidence and sense of belonging. When I was First Alone: A Journey from Hurt to Healing is a book for anyone who has suffered a loss due to death, separation, or divorce. It is inspiring and moving. I highly recommend this book and wish it was available when my own family suffered losses.

Renée Curry's White Women Writing White is an admirably well researched, independent, brave, and often brilliant and startling book. It will undoubtedly prove germinal (and controversial) in critical whiteness studies. It provides an absolutely new perspective on the poets Hilda Doolittle (H. D.), Elizabeth Bishop, and Sylvia Plath. It draws attention, truly for the first time, to the racial signifiers in the texts of these three great poets. It treats whiteness as a marked characteristic in the same way as blackness and Asianness have traditionally functioned in mainstream American literature and culture. It repeatedly and convincingly locates racial meanings in passages that have never been read in that light before. This book transforms the landscape. It is the most significant new work on these poets in years.

My almost-four-year old insisted I read it three times in a row the first time we read it! It is a well-written abridged version that manages to retain a feel of the original.

WHat can be said about this magnificant piece of work, except it should be a crime the way people have forgotten it. Words combined like lyrics that grasp not just your mind but your body and life as well. Wheither it be her metaphors or her simple sentances it makes for an image and a life that will stay with the reader. I would definately recommend this book to the world, I hope someday, someone notices her again and puts beautiful Vivien back into print where she should always be.

You Have A Visitor: Observations On Pet Visitation And Therapy is a photographic excursion of the use of animals in brining compassion, unconditional love, and emotional comfort to patients of medical facilities and residents of sheltered care environments. The chapters feature animal-assisted therapy (AAT) organizations across the country with articles and interviews describing their procedures and mission followed by photographs of volunteer teams that visit people who could use a little company. A resources section is provided which lists the featured organizations and also national organizations offering information and education on AAT programs and procedures. You Have A Visitor is a unique documentary and useful reference for anyone interested in helping others by volunteering with their family or personal pet. Highly recommended.

This is without a doubt the most useful book a teacher, both new and experienced, can have! It is filled with wisdom from a woman who clearly has a passion for teaching and boy is it contagious!Every tip is told in a style I can relate to, with humor and years of experience behind it. I may not have survived my first year of teaching without my "bible" by my side. And now, after several years in the "force" I still re-read it for inspiration and a quick pick-me-up. Thank you Renee Rosenblum-Lowden for creating such a user-friendly, practical, supportive and direct guide/book to help so many teachers like me! And thank you for making a difference in my life!

from Blue Jean Online (www.bluejeanonline.com)

by Truc Doan, 14, Teen Editor

The media loves portraying how difficult and angst-ridden the teenage years are for girls. Very few times, however, do they mention what helps these girls survive: their friends. In Teen Girlfriends, Julia DeVillers puts together a compilation of different situations among friends. The book goes through all topics, from popularity to road trips. The stories are cute, if slightly off the reality slide. Friendship is a unique thing, different in every situation, and the major flaw of the book is that it tries to generalize and explain too much. The purpose of the book is slightly confusing. It is very similar to one long essay, and though it services those needing illumination of the term 'friendship,' it hardly captures the interests of real teenagers who know what true friendship is about.

Reading this book made me feel as if I were getting a lecture about how I should feel in certain situations. DeVillers brings up an event that could have happened and justifies it with a quote from a girl the reader most likely does not know. I never felt that I was truly introduced to the girls who contributed to the book. DeVillers often uses the term 'we' to include the reader, which I found disconcerting because it reminded me of a parent clarifying the world for me. The whole book just gave me an awkward feel.

The book does have some redeeming qualities, though. It acts similarly to a self-help book in that it tells readers that they are not the only ones to experience a certain situation. Though not a big fan of self-help books myself, I can understand DeVillers' purpose and admire her for it. Very few books pay close attention to teenage girls. This one at least makes an effort.

Copyright 2003 Blue Jean Online

Stars out of 5: 5

Superb!

More than 150 teenage girls were called upon to contribute what, in their opinion, makes a great girlfriend and why.
A girlfriend, "gets it," they don't get "jealous," and they are like a "sister." Girlfriends are described in this book as "best, most crucial friendships." I have to agree. We all know that friends come in different shapes, sizes, colors, and some with strange bonds, but they are still our friends, and that's what is important. Nowadays, teenagers have it hard enough with the everyday threats of violence, drugs, peer pressure, school anxiety, home stress, not to mention self-worth issues and world problems.
In her book TEEN GIRLFRIENDS, Ms. DeVillers covers girlfriend matters such as: girl friends verses boy friends, best friends, new friends, old friends, just being crazy, having family relationships, and becoming a woman.
As I read the book, I was delighted to read actual girl teenagers speak of their friendships, and I believe it sets a very powerful feel to the whole book. In addition to the real-life accounts, Ms. DeVillers has included several "top five" lists given by teenage girls, including: Ways to Communicate with our Girlfriends, Reasons to Celebrate, How to Meet a New Friend, and Reasons to Share a Laugh with a Girlfriend. I enjoyed them tremendously!
If you know of a teenage girl, then I highly recommend you getting them TEEN GIRLFRIENDS by Julia DeVillers today! They will love it and you won't regret it.

...

"Teen girlfriends" is simply a wonderful book. The quotes and stories that the young women share will make you laugh, cry, and sometimes shudder with embarrassment (but usually you giggle again right after)! Ms. DeVillers does a wonderful job of getting to the issues at heart -- she really knows teens! A perfect gift for your own girlfriends, a daughter or niece, or just to yourself. Should be required reading for all young women who have ever had a girlfriend! Thanks Julia!

I own at least ten books on the enneagram and this is my hands down favorite (followed closely by Baron & Wagele's Are You My Type?). I recommend it highly, and have made a pest of myself sharing it with friends, relatives, everyone. Although many of my friends have initially dismissed the enneagram as new age psychobabble hocus pocus, and refuse to think that they could fit into a type, once they see themselves in the wonderful cartoons, they change their minds and want to know more. Baron & Wagele treat the enneagram with great insight and humor -- The cartoon drawings depicting the nine types of people are so accurate and will have most people saying, "Yep, that's me" (or "Yep, that's so&so"). For each of the nine types, the authors list traits when a type is at its best and worst, a personality inventory checklist, comments on how to get along with the type, what each type likes and dislikes about being that type, how the type drives itself crazy, how the type acts as children, as parents, and at work, things that type would never dream of doing, and so on. The information is presented primarily in bulleted lists, so it's easy and quick to read -- and the cartoons are so witty. In addition, there are several cartoons throughout the book that depict each of the nine types "before the dinner party," at "the dinner party", "during coffee break", and "after the dinner party" that make the enneagram come to life.

If you're looking for a heavy, scholarly treatise, this is not your book. If you're looking for something fun, entertaining, yet surprisingly full of information, this is for you.

Baron & Wagele's "The Enneagram Made Easy" is-- for my money-- one of the best introductory level books available for someone who's just beginning to study the Enneagram, or who just wants some "bare bones" coverage to satisfy their curiosity about this ancient personality typing system. Although I have studied the Enneagram for many years, I often refer to this book when trying to illustrate basic concepts to someone who has expressed an interest.

The authors have put together a light hearted and highly readable book about the basics of the Enneagram. Each of the nine "types" has its own standardized chapter, which includes a "personality inventory" checklist to help readers determine their type; then coverage of the ups and downs of that type; relationships, relating, typical thoughts, childhood, parenting, careers and free time. The chapters also include brief coverage of "wings," as well as a section of "practical suggestions and exercises" (for making life easier) for each type.

The final 20 or so pages of the book covers the interaction and overlaps between the Enneagram types and Jungian psychological types, specifically making comparisons with the popular Myers-Briggs typology system.

The book is illustrated throughout with Elizabeth Wagele's generally funny-- often poignant, sometimes silly cartoon drawings.

Do keep in mind, however, that this book presents a VERY superficial and simplistic outline of a profoundly complex and thorough psychological "personality mapping" and philosophical system. If you are seriously interested in studying and understanding the complexities of the Enneagram, I highly recommend that you also invest in one of Riso/Hudson's or Helen Palmer's more thorough books.

Final thoughts: Excellent (9.5 bookmarks out of a possible 10); keeping in mind that this is an introductory text and by no means a "thorough" work on the Enneagram. A quick and easy read, and well worth it!

I am extremely impressed by the accuracy with which this book describes the nine enneagram types. I have been a student of the enneagram for 15 years, and of all the books I have read, this is by far the best in summarizing the essence of each type. It is also very easy to read, and the material is presented with a gentle humor. Through the authors' eyes, we can see our gifts and foibles clearly, with compassion, and with an appreciation of the cosmic humor inherent in the human condition.

This book is definitely a great resource to have when you're buying a diamond. I picked this up near the end of my search, so I had come to know most of the basic diamond information like acceptable table ranges, clarity and color ranges. The photos were extremely helpful because no other source I have come across provides you with full color close ups and defections of inclusions. What's a knot, feather, facet? What do they look like? Are they bad?

*Princess Cut*
I was looking for a princess cut diamond (the square one) and unfortunately this book mostly focuses on rounds. That's important insofar as the acceptable table and depth proportions are slightly different for princess cuts (FYI-get below 80%, around 70% is even better). Don't disregard the dimensions! At first I only judged size by carat weight, but a lot of that weight can sit below the diamond-hence you want a lower depth percentage. For example, a 2.0 carat princess cut that's 7.11 x 7.14 will look bigger than a 2.30 carat that's 6.69 x 7.30. With princess cuts, you also want to be as square as possible-anything with a length to width ratio bigger than 1.04 starts looking rectangular.

Another thing to keep in mind is the difference in Gemological Certificates. I found out early that an EGL G SI1 is just not the same as a GIA G SI1. Make sure you're comparing apples to apples here. There should never be a $1000 difference in price for the same cut, color and clarity. I found GIA much more consistent and rigid than EGL and eventually just ruled out the EGL certified diamonds. Try it yourself: ask to see the same size, color and clarity in GIA and EGL, 9 times out of 10 the GIA is more colorless and has fewer inclusions.

...

My fiance and I had searched out jewelery stores and were looking for an engagement ring that was unique. We finally found one, purchased it and started having problems with the jewelery store (the store had ruined my ring 3 times before I demanded a brand new one). I should have read this book before we bought my ring.
The book is written in an outline style, a very easy read. Pictures of actual diamonds and flawed diamonds are pictured in full color, so you know exactly what to look for and what to look out for. Photos of diamond inclusions are described, I always knew that a VS2 diamond had 'inclusions' but 'what' exactly IS an inclusion? Newman has large close-up photos of the inclusions and describes them, and how the inclusions are graded.
Metal selection and comparison is also included as well as short 'chapter quizzes' so you can see if you are up to par with the jewelers that you will soon be dealing with.
All photos of jewelery designs are credited to the designer, so if you see a piece you like, you will be able to locate them easily.
I would reccomend this book to any couple or individual that is thinking of making a diamond purchase, because it is an investment that will last a lifetime.

Unlike diamond websites, this book isn't trying to sell you diamonds. It just lays down the facts about what to look for when buying diamonds and rings.

Newman's book is loaded with color pictures and info that you won't find on the Internet. For example:
1. Lots of close-up photos of diamonds with different clarity grades to help you learn to judge clarity yourself
2. Microscope photos of diamond inclusions.
3. Close-up photos of diamonds with a variety of cutting defects as well as examples of well-cut round and non-round diamonds. These pictures are far more helpful than diagrams I've seen on the Internet.
4. Diamonds of different colors and color-grades
5. Pictures showing how to detect diamond imitations along with tests for spotting fakes
6. Close-up photos of fracture-filled and laser-drilled diamonds and good info about diamond treatments
7. A wide variety of settings and ring styles from basic solitaire rings to unusual designer styles
Thanks to Newman's book, I was able to understand what I was looking at when jewelers showed me diamonds through their microscopes. And contrary to what one reader wrote, Newman doesn't make it sound like every jeweler is out to cheat you. She just helps you know when you've found a good jeweler and a good diamond. This book is worth far more than it costs. Don't go diamond shopping without it.

With this book,Janina Renee brings us a first. A spellbook on the tarot that one can use without knowing anything about the cards. The book combines many ingredients of modern spellworking, including candles, incense, and stones. However, she brings a totally new element to spell working. Instead of using the cards to merely tell you if conditions are right for the spell, you can now use the cards to cast the spell itself. However, the thing that I really like about this book is it's simplicity. Instead of reading like one of Ray Buckland's incredibly boring "Practical magick" works or Aliester Crowley's "confusing-until-you-can-understand-magick" books, this book is very clear and concise in its writing style. It's a book that you can understand-even if you have never picked up a magickal text. All you need are the cards and the book, and you can cast any spell you wish.

This book works great if you know the basic opening pagan rituals i can honestly say i have used the spells and had tremendous results, performed the LBRP, BRH, MIDDLE PILLAR, and then work the spells with more power for better results, or however you do your magick, works best when combined with other rituals, but this book should definetly be on the mage's shelf. What other books out there have TAROT SPELLS?

Simply, this book is great. The book is not steeped in any particular religion - it is a spell book as the title states. The tarot is the perfect tool for spells and you can, of course add any extra ritual enhancements as you like. The spells are easy to perform, relate to and the visualizations are wonderful!