I am in the middle of Chicken Soup for the Pet-Lover's Soul, and I am loving it. I try not to read too many stories at once, because I want the book to last! I am emotional anyway, but this is a real tear-jerker. If you love hearing stories about people who love their pets, and go out of their way for animals, I highly recommend this book!

Many stories to touch the heart--and the soul. Our pets become part of us; their unconditional love is something we treasure. When we are faced with losing them the pain and sorrow go beyond words to express!

After you read this book and smile-- and cry-- I would like to recommend two other wonderful books: one is FOR EVERY DOG AN ANGEL, an absolutely marvelous little book, that even though written for children, adults will love even more! The angel stays with pup throughout its life; "forever dog" and its "forever person" will eventually reunite; sometimes the dog will cross back over its "angel bridge" to visit in the interim. The author has had several experiences with her "forever dog", "Martha"; I have had a few with my little ones as well.

The next recommendation is for adults: THE SOUL OF YOUR PET. Stunning, solid evidence of animal afterlife; will startle the most hardened of skeptics. In addition, it is biblically-sound regarding pet afterlife.

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul is a fantastic book for anyone who has a special place in his or her heart for animals. The book was made up of many different stories describing the special qualities that make our pets and furry friends unique. I rated this book a 5 because I found myself crying one minute and laughing the next. There are stories that will make you giggle, one in particular describes buffalo playing a game on ice. It made me realize that there are many things about animals that we don't understand- and never will. Who would have guessed that buffalo play games? The book also included stories that sent tears down my cheek. The story that stands out the most in my mind is a story about how far a mother cats goes to save her kittens. The love of the mother cat can relate to human mothers as well, they will do anything to protect their children. I believe that animals are fantastic teachers. One story in the book talks about how a gorilla helped to rescue an injured (human) boy after he fell into her area in the zoo. The author of that story explained that what is truly amazing about the gorilla is that she helped the boy without caring about recognition. She helped the boy because she wanted to, she didn't know that recognition was even a part of the act. That is exactly what us humans can learn from these animals. We need to help somebody because it's the thing to do, not because we want to be remembered as a hero.
I would recommend Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul for anyone who enjoys animals or just wants to read a book that make you warm and fuzzy inside. The stories in the book will show you exactly why pets are teachers, healers, heroes and friends. You will realize how special they really are.
Also check out Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul for stories about teenagers that will inspire you.

While reading this book, Wait Till Helen comes by Mary Downing Hahn, I found myself asking questions that would soon be anwsered later in the book. All in all, I truly enjoyed it. I do think it could have been a bit scarier though. It was the scariest book I ever read considering it was one of the only ones I read. I felt as if I were Molly trying to get through Heather unsuccesfully. One thing I didn't appreciate all that much was how Heather ad Helen sound so much alike. I often had to stop and ask why was Heather lureing kids into the lake, soon realizing that was Helen. I felt a little sorry for Heather and a lot sorry for Molly. My favorite character was probably Helen. Mary Downing Hahn is my favorite author and all in all, this was my favorite one of her books. I have read 3 others, none ghost stories, though.

Name: unknown Age: 12 almost 13

The novel "Wait Till Helen Comes" is a fantastic book. Mary Downing Hahn uses great description of how each of her characters felt in different situations. For example, when Molly moved to Howell she hade no idea that a graveyard was located in back of her house.(a church) She ran home trembling and full of fear.
This book is about a little girl named Heather and how she allies herself with a rather spooky friend. Now her step sister, Molly, can't believe it and follows her everyehere. If you love scary stories to chill your bones then this is the book for you!

The book ''Wait till Hellen Comes'' is a really interesting book. It has different surprises that you will like. A lady named Jean marries a guy named Dave, and they move to a church. Dave has a daughter named Heather. Heather is a spoiled brat, and she always gets her way. Jean also has a daughter named Molly and a son named Michael. Heather finds a graveyard. In the graveyard under a tree there is a tombstone with the initials H.E.H. These are the same initials as Heather's. Heather allied with a ghost named Helen. Heather didn't like Molly or Michael, so Helen trashed Michael, Jean, and Molly's rooms. I would recommend this book to any one who likes ghosts stories.

This third 'Harry Potter' novel from JK Rowling proves that not only does JKR know how to write a good book - she also knows how to write a great series.

The patterns that seemed to be emerging in books one and two (Harry vanquishes Voldemort in some form, and is praised as a hero by the school) don't recur here - we have some alternative 'bad' characters, and some of them are extremely surprising! Also there is less coverage of the Dursleys, which came as a relief to me. The book fleshes out the history of Harry's parents, and we learn a lot more about James Potter and his friends. Sirius Black is a great new character, as are Professors Lupin and Trelawney - and of course Snape is still around, nasty as ever!

Many new magical concepts, artefacts and creatures are introduced, broadening the scope of the Harry Potter world considerably. Also, a special mention has to go to the Dementors, AKA the prison guards of Azkaban - truly the scariest characters in a children's book for quite some time. As you'd expect from JK Rowling, 'The Prisoner of Azkaban' is expertly written, and entirely unpredictable. Definitely worth reading, for children and adults too.

You can identify with Harry Potter, an orphan raised by mean-spirited relatives. In many ways, he is a very ordinary boy, with unruly hair, glasses, and a love of sport (Quiddich, that is). He isn't as good in school (Hogwarts) as is Hermione Granger, one of his best friends, and he likes to wander around having adventures (especially at night) rather than doing his homework. Despite his notariety, he quiet and unassuming. But he's different in a way we all wish we could be: He is a wizard of immense and mysterious power. In the Prisoner of Azkaban, as in the first two books in the series, he confronts awsome forces of evil -- and prevails.

The details of the Wizard world are wonderful. There are candies that magically take many different flavors (not all of them are desirable), owls that deliver letters (including "howlers" that noisily scold the recipient), a magic bus that causes houses and trees to jump out of its way, and portraits that look and talk as though they were alive.

And the characters are wonderful, too. One of Harry's best friends is Ron Weasly, who comes from a big poor family, all of whom have flaming red hair and get lumpy sweaters from their mother for Christmas. The teasing that goes on among the Weasly children -- one of whom takes his position as prefect all too seriously -- is very funny and very true.

All three books are magical, but this one has more depth than the first two. As we learn more about Harry's parents -- their friends and the circumstances of their death -- were learn more about Harry, the evil that stalks him, and the strenght and wisdom of his supporters (especially Dumbledore, the headmaster at Hogwarts).

My wife and I have read all three book out loud to our three boys (ages 8, 11, and 13). The final 100 pages of Prisoner of Azkaban went in one sitting that lasted past midnight; we simply could not put it down. "When is the next Harry Potter book," they now ask. We are all waiting eagerly.

No doubt about it: Harry Potter is the character of the century, and the rapid-paced Sorcerer's Stone, which introduces him, is exactly the right book. While he's no handsome jock, quite the opposite really, Harry becomes the object of the reader's heart almost immediately. He is adorable. Intelligent, a bit shy and awkward at eleven years old, and still far from any sort of worldly wisdom, Harry has lost parents he never knew and has been raised in a tiny, dark, spider-full closet under the steps of his unbelievably mean aunt's and uncle's London house. And then the action begins.

Harry discovers to his amazement (and his family's horror) that he is a wizard! He's magic! As the chapters unfold the reader follows Harry with baited breath. Will nasty, sneaky Professor Snape catch him and throw Harry and his friends out of Hogwarts? Will they escape from the three-headed monster guarding the treasure? Will Harry be able to solve the mysterious and deadly riddles in time to evade Voldemort and save the day? The adventures never stop, and the pages turn themselves.

From anyone's point of view, the story is one in a million. No matter what your age (and I'm in my 50s!), you'll find yourself reading under the covers with a flashlight. From an English teacher's perspective, the book is a wonder. The grammar is near perfect (it's conversational, so the pronouns don't always agree in number); and the images the author employs are marvelous! You could teach word-ology just on the study of "muggle" alone. And where in the world did Rawlings come up with Quiditch? You'll wish you'd written it yourself, for it's the Pied Piper of all books: it will have children of all ages following it anywhere, loving to read, and begging for more...now!

Another great book from the guru of Debt Free Living, Mary Hunt. Again, Mary tells it like it is. She tells you what creditors don't want you to know, what you personally should know, and what you probably don't want to hear. Her previous books have been a help to my family, even though we were not struggling. They have been, and this book/these ideas will most certainly be, a boon to all of the military members I, and the office I work with, are tasked to advise about putting the financial house in order. It seems that for every copy of a book she previously sold there were several people who actually read it, many ideas that got passed on, and possibly dozens of people who eventually benefited. This book will have that power as well. Way to go Mary!

The five most important questions in life? Right? Well, I know the Who is...me...oh God is it me. What? is the financial mess I put myself in. When? is the timeframe I need to climb out of the hole I'm in, and Where? will I be when it's all said and done? and How? Did I get myself into such a financial straightjacket...I keep Mary's book on my night stand and read a section every morning while the coffee is brewing and I'm getting ready for work. My life started unveiling in front of me as if I were Alice in Wonderland...I have fallen into the dark and cavernous hole in the ground with no way out...or at least it seemed that way until I started reading Debt-Proof Living...I intend to stay on track with a plan and start with an end in mind....I would love to talk with you Mary Hunt...thanks Terri

I've read many self-help books in my life, but this is the only one that actually changed my life. Corny? Maybe, but it's the honest truth. I am 2 years into a 3-year debt repayment plan using Mary's techniques, and so far I have repaid over $70,000 in unsecured debt AND I have money in the bank for the first time ever. I have recommended this book to everyone I know -- if you follow Mary's program, you CAN get out of even the scariest debt!

Update: It took us 40 months instead of the 36 we originally forcast, but we paid off the last of our debt on May 1, 2003 using Mary Hunt's system. Total debt paid off: $137,932. THIS PROGRAM WORKS!!

Harry Potter thought he had a fairly normal life (aside from living with his aunt and uncle who hated him), but he was very wrong. On his 11th birthday he learned that he was a wizard and had been invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Suddenly, Harry is plunged into an entirely new world of magic. At Hogwarts Harry has friends for the first time in his life. Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger are his best friends at the school and they are the ones who help Harry through all of his troubles. From the very beginning though, Harry is slightly aware of something strange going on at Hogwarts. Harry pieces together the mystery slowly throughout the school year in while he isn't busy working on schoolwork or Quidditch (a magical game played on broomsticks).
My favorite part about this book was the world that J.K. Rowling created. While it would have been easy for her to just set the story in a school where the kids learn magic, she didn't. Things like Diagon Alley, which is where all of the students go to get school supplies, allow her to add so much more to the magic world just through descriptions of things Harry sees. Quidditch also makes the world seem much more real.
I originally read this book because I needed a young adult book for class, but I ended up enjoying it far more than I thought I would. I can't remember the last time I actually read much outside of school, but after reading this book I read the other three and am now anxiously awaiting the fifth book. I would recommend this book to pretty much anyone. It's obvious that it was aimed at younger readers, but I found I enjoyed it as much at 17 as my sister did at 11.

Although I realize that due to the overwhelming volume of review responses there is little chance my offering will be read, I enjoyed the book too much to be able to resist. It is an absolutely marvelous story, the best new book since who-knows-when and easily topping even the works of "adult" literature with which it shares the best-seller list.

It is a geography of the imagination, which will remain long after the ephemeral chronicles of the time have withered and blown away. Having a classic structure and classic protagonist doesn't do it any harm, either.

Harry Potter is a more-or-less archetypal sort of hero. Parents mysteriously killed, raised in menial domestic situation by aunt and uncle, possesing a strange mark and even stranger powers- that type of the hero can be picked up everywhere from early fairy tales and legends to "Star Wars". And the story's plot- the education of the remarkable young man- is equally precedented.

But the wonders J.K. Rowling works with her classic form! Her story is a perfect blend of theme, plot, and character, action, humor, drama, deeper meaning, and sheer imaginative revelry. She has combined her ingredients, and said the magic words, and has caught the reading world in the resulting enchantment.

Harry Potter has lived a dismal life with his aunt and uncle, the Dursleys. He sleeps in a closet and has never had a birthday party or Christmas presents. Even worse, he has to endure life with his horrible spoiled cousin, Dudley. Then on Harry's eleventh birthday, things change when a letter arrives, (by owl), inviting him to attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Suddenly Harry finds himself among friends, learning about potion-making and magic-wand waving and broomstick riding. There're chocolate frogs and Every Flavor Beans and a three-headed dog and Quidditch-a game better than soccer. Also, Hagrid, a lovable gamekeeper who befriends Harry; Hermione Granger, a witch who's read all the school books and knows all the rules; and there's Ron Weasly, Harry's best friend who has quite a legacy of his own to fill. Hogwarts treats him well, even with the abomidable Malfoy's mean tricks or Professor Snape's obvious hatred of Harry. The soon Harry finds himself in the middle of a mystery at Hogwarts, and together with his two new friends, embarks on adventures he never dreamed possible.

The book is engaging with its imagery, humor, plot twists and real-life child problems. The book doesn't only appeal to children but adults as well. She's a master on fantasy. She really can, with no difficulty at all, think herself back to 11 years old. You will love the whimsical descriptions, humorous quotes and the fun characters. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

"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.

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.

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.

The great strength of Rowling's works is her conscious effort to never let the messages in her stories overshadow their readability and sense of fun. All books should first and foremost tell the story, and Rowling never forgets that. That said, her latest installment, The Goblet of Fire, takes us back to Hogwarts for another year of magic, danger and intrigue. This book is the pivotal part of Harry's seven year tale, and ends on a note that many readers may find unsatisfactory, as the issue of accountability and leadership in the Ministry of Magic comes to light.
Goblet of Fire reads on many levels; younger children will delight in the fast and inventive pace of the plot and storytelling, and older readers will find themselves waiting to see how the issue of Voldemort's true return and the Ministry of Magic's reaction are resolved or expanded in book five.

This is by far the best Harry Potter book. As an adult, I've enjoyed reading these as much as any child. Filled with imagination, insight, and yes, riveting plot twists, the Harry Potter series is destined to be a classic. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry begins to mature into adulthood and learn the true meanings of magic, friendship, and fear. In his fourth year, Harry encounters characters whose actions in the past have affected him, his friends, and his future. In this book, Rowling deepens Harry's story revealing poignant and sometimes tragic aspects of minor characters in a way that humanizes what until now have been relatively flat characters. Without spoiling the read, it is safe to say that Harry is selected to test his mettle as a wizard in a unique and challenging contest. Behind the scenes, however, lurks an all too familiar evil that is out to kill Harry and do much worse. Parents will be pleased that this book treats the horrific and tragic happenings in a way that is sensitive and thought provoking. As Rowling's child audience matures, so Harry has grown and experienced life in such a way as to fulfill one of the goals of all literature--to inform and entertain.

It is quite hard to believe just how good Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is; the first three books, all of which impressed me deeply, seem almost forgettable compared to this intense fourth entry in the series. This is as rich a reading experience as you will find, no matter what your age. The storyline as it exists at the end of this mammoth epic has more of a hold on me now, as an adult, than the Star Wars saga had on me as a kid, which is saying a great deal, I assure you. One barely knows where to start one's praises of this book; yes, it does have both dark overtones and undertones to it, yet it also boasts some of the funniest moments of the series. We learn a great deal more about the major characters and turn our attention to new attractions such as the unique new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Mad-Eye Moody. Events in magical circles outside of Hogwarts increase the landscape of Rowling's magical world many times over as we are given insight into the workings of the Ministry of Magic, are treated to the best seat in the house at the Quidditch World Cup championship, and are introduced to two wholly new magical schools in foreign locations. The pattern one might have come to expect of Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts is thrown immediately out of the window; there are no school Quidditch matches this year, nor is there even an inter-house cup competition. Instead, Professor Dumbledore makes the extraordinary announcement that the Triwizard Tournament has not only been reinstituted after many years, it will take place at Hogwarts. Only sixth- and seventh-year students are eligible to compete, seeming to leave Harry Potter quite out of the mix, which is fine by him. A Goblet of Fire decides which of the volunteers from each school will compete as its Champion, but this quite impartial judge surprises everyone by selecting a certain familiar, fourth year student for the competition. What follows is a roller coaster ride of a year, with Harry enduring more trials and troubles than ever before: his friendship with Ron threatens to end forever, he faces incredibly difficult tasks that may or may not serve as a means by which someone can kill him, a thoroughly sleazy tabloid reporter makes his and his friends' lives all but unbearable on a number of occasions, and he faces perhaps his biggest challenge of all: having to ask a girl to accompany him to the Yule Ball. Oh, a certain arch enemy also rears his ugly head once again.

This is a large book, obviously; it gets off to something of a slow start, taking 171 pages just to get Harry to Hogwarts to start the new year. Have no fear, though, because the novel then sucks you in so deeply that you may be unable to get out of it, should you even want to. The length of the book quickly becomes a comfort to you, as you will not want this book to ever end. End it shall, however, with an incredibly intense final 125 pages that will leave you gasping for breath, roiling in shock, and surging with adrenaline. Anyone unable to understand why untold millions of addicted fans have been climbing the walls for three years waiting for Book 5 have simply not read this book. Events of quite drastic proportions have been set in motion now, and the end of Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts holds little resolution to it. There are dark days ahead and a significant number of plot points appear on the horizon. Harry, Hermione, and Ron are growing up, with normal teenaged issues already beginning to manifest themselves, Hogwarts is in something of a tizzy over the culminating events of the completed school year, and the whole world of magic shows every sign of being in utter disarray. The world of Harry Potter has never been more intense, exciting, and portentous as it is at the end of this unbelievably good book.

I just finished "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", only a day and a half after starting it. In five days, I've read the first two books, and in my opinion, this is by far better than the first.

Starting with the good: The plot is darker, much more of a horror than an adventure, and a lot like something Stephen King might write--my favorite author. Second, the characters are now more interesting due to their increasing knowledge of magic, which makes the plot and the story a little more action-packed. Also, I liked the surprise ending--just like the first--and just as I did in the first book, I didn't figure it out until it actually happened.

The Bad: There aren't too many things wrong with this book. It's about thirty pages longer than the first, which isn't bad, and is actually better for the story. However, the ending is dragged out, and it could've come to a close a little sooner. Another thing would be the beginning, where a lot is reviewed from the first book. You could actually pick this one up and understand it having no prior knowledge as to what happened in Book 1 (although I do recommend it.) If the author would've just started where she left off, assuming that they were to be read in order without a review, I--and probably many others--would've appreciated it.

Other than that, I have no other complaints. This is, in fact, the better of the first two. I just started reading the third, and I hear it's the best of the first four, but I'm not jumping to any conclusions considering I heard the second was boring and dull.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of was an exciting novel to be read by any literate person young and old. Although short in length when comparing it to the final book, The Chamber of Secrets leaves nothing short of pure perfection. The descriptive dialogue between Harry, Hermione, Ron and the deceitfully evil Draco Malfoy entangles the reader with the problems of being a famous wizard at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Twisting and turning through writings on the wall, whispering voices and a fifty year old percieved myth, J.K. Rowling makes each step of the Harry Potter legend better than before, crushing the previous books with ease and precision. Harry Potter is not just a book about a tale of a secret chamber and it's inhabitant, but the unraveling of a mysterious life. Inside of each experience there lies a small chunk of Harry's life and the life he never knew. J.K. Rowling entangles Harry's Quidditch lessons, classes, teachers, and trouble with information about the young wizards past and family. How his parents died, what the man was like who killed him, and everyone that is hiding Harry's life-threatening fears and most potent of hopes. It is he alone who must uncover the mystery to the Chamber of Secrets and save his friends from turning to stone.

Year 2 at Hogwarts begins with Harry's summer holiday with the Dursleys. The Dursleys haven't changed they're still horrible. Harry is visited at the Dursleys by a new character, Dobby the house-elf who is hysterically funny with his self-punishment, made me laugh out loud. Unfortunately, Dobby's visit causes a number of problems for Harry and his life at the Durselys becomes even worse, if that's possible.

Ron Weasley and his two brothers arrive at the Dursleys in a flying car to rescue Harry. When the school year begins there is a new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, who is an outrageous ego-maniac, a ghost named Moaning Myrtle and the ever-present local bad-guy Draco Malfoy.

The theme of this second book is prejudice against "mudbloods", people who are from Muggle parents and "purebloods" people who come from wizards and witches. J.K. Rowling does a superb job of addressing the issue of prejudice while weaving another fascinating mystery for Harry, Hermoine and Ron to solve.

This second in the series was every bit as entertaining as the first and I have already started on book 3 as I write this.

"The Code Book: The Evolution of Secrecy from Mary Queen of Scots to Quantum Cryptography" by Simon Singh is a wonderful book about the history of code-making and code-breaking. What is most impressive about Singh is he is able to take the most complicated mathematical information (in my opinion) and explain it in layman's terms. Another more suitable name for "The Code Book could be Code-Making and Code-Breaking for Dummies: A Historical Perspective". Singh covers the history of encryption, tracing its evolution throughout time and outlining the impact cryptography and cryptanalysis has had on the world. World War II, the Enigma machine and how the fate of the world rested upon whether or not secret knowledge would fall into enemy hands, is discussed in great detail. From Singh's perspective, it would seem that the outcome of all military battles could be pre-determined by who had employed better cryptanalysis, as the most powerful weapon, is secrecy. Personally, what interested me most about "The Code Book" is its discussion about the Navajo Code Talkers, hieroglyphics, Linear B, and quantum cryptography. I also thoroughly enjoyed the author's humor and wit, ability to break things down so that a non-technological mind could grasp some of the most complicated of codes and his affinity for making the personalities who discovered the codes as well as the personalities who broke the codes, come to life. I would highly recommend "The Code Book" to anyone who is interested in cryptography, cryptanalysis, security, telecommunications, math, science, history or simply a good read.

Simon Singh can describe tails of drama, history, and common mathematical sense into a great book. While most people take cryptography for granted, Singh provides historical and simple examples to illustrate it's importance to mathematics and history. He details it's use in wars, especially World War 2, and commerce. He even delves into the political ramifications of strong versus weak encryption when discussing PGP.

Singh also provides easy to understand ways on how encryption works and even more intriguing, how to break it. He shows how all various encryption algorithms are done, and then how code breakers can decipher them, both in practical and historical consequences.

In the end, he even provides a challenge for would be decipherers out there. Granted, it's already been solved, it's still education and exciting that he offered a considerable amount of money for this challenge....

All in all, it's a fascinating book that will capture anyone's imagination, even if they hate history or math.

THE CODE BOOK is a beatuful overview of the history of cryptography. The book takes the reader from the simple ciphers of history (this is where Mary Queen of Scots comes in, but I thought that story was fairly far in the background), through the fairly radical improvements of the rennaisance, and truly shines in the discussion of the WWII Enigma machine and the truly amazing response of the English decoding aparatus. It appears that much material only recently became declassified, allowing Singh to discuss Enigma and the English code-breaking operation. Finally, Singh gets to the efforts to produce computer cryptography and the recent innovations that culminate in the "public key" encryption and the controversy over the PGP (pretty good privacy) program. This book was so exciting that I could not put it down. It is easy to read--no math in the text and plenty of appendicces with the formulas--yet reveals so much. On top of the beautiful exposition on cryptography, Singh also visits the public policy conflicts between national security and privacy. Not that those have any easy answers, but the conflict is very palpable.

The Thorn Birds, written by Colleen McCullough, in my opinion is the greatest romance novel of all time. The character of Meggie Cleary is my favorite character in all of literature. Her strength, beauty, passion and love makes her a timeless heroine. Meggie and Father Ralph share a love story that spans many years and many heartbreaks. Even though they are not together, the book always has a undercurrent where you can feel their longing and endless love for each other, even though they are not together. In their hearts, they will be together forever.Meggie and Ralph are the Romeo and Juliet of the Australian outback- just as tortured and tragic. The miniseries was also fabulous--Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward make me speechless every time I see it. It is spectacular. Read The Thorn Birds and watch the series, if you are lucky enough to have the chance. You will never be the same--it's not just a book or a movie, it's an experience. Thank you Colleen McCullough, for such a wonderful story.

The Thorn Birds, by Colleen McCullough, begins in 1915 and spans three generations long. It is a complex story about the Cleary family that leave their home in New Zealand to live and work on a relative's extensive, Australian sheep ranch. At the ranch, the family experiences many tragedies and hardships including fires, floods, droughts, and devastating deaths of loved ones. The main character, Meggie, falls madly in love with a handsome man named Ralph. Unfortunately, Meggie is not able to marry Ralph because he is a priest. Ralph loves Meggie dearly, but has devoted his entire life to God. Throughout the novel, they experience great love and sorrow together. Meggie has children who become the third generation of the novel. The children bring her much happiness, but she still has a deep passion for Ralph in her heart. This forbidden love for Ralph will stay burning inside her soul throughout her entire life.

I truly enjoyed how the author used a lot of description and detail in the novel. This description enabled me to paint vivid pictures of the beautiful, Australian land in my mind, as well as clear pictures of the many different characters' inner and outer appearances.

This extraordinary love story was like an emotional rollercoaster. It twisted and turned leaving me feeling many different emotions including love, humor, sadness, anger, hate, and malice. I often found myself crying as well as laughing while I eagerly devoured every word on the page. It kept me reading and reading until the very interesting ending. I would recommend this captivating novel to anyone who is looking for a great story about life and love! I'm sure you will enjoy it just as much as I did!

"The Thorn Birds" by Colleen McCullough is my favorite novel. It is in a category by itself and deserves more than five stars. I saw ten minutes of the miniseries on television and knew I had to read the book. I was twelve, and the story of Meggie and Ralph moved me to hysterical tears. I am now 18, and I have read the book so many times I have lost count. Set in the Australian Outback in the years surrounding WWII, it is the story of a girl growing up, learning that "The best is only bought at the cost of great pain...Or so says the legend." The courage and strength of Meggie despite the tremendous hardships of her life inspires me. I must admit I fell in love with Ralph de Bricassart; first with his name, then with the man. (I can only hope to find such a person!) All of the other characters--Fee, Paddy, Frank, Dane, Justine, Rain--are developed clearly throughout the story. McCullough is a genius for combining three generations of the Cleary family into one novel! I still cry when I read the story, for the love, and for the pain. The introductory story of the thornbird is a lesson for life: all sadness will pass, and one day something beautiful will come from that pain. A highly emotional book, "The Thorn Birds" is the best work of this century. It is worth reading to anyone who enjoys drama and romance, as well as suspense, action, and sadness! The movie based on the novel starring Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward is an excellent interpretation.