I recently met Johnathon Rand, and he's really nice. I especially like his horror books, and "Aliens Attack Alpena," is a good book to read if you like horror.

Aliens Attack Alpena
By Jonathan Rand

The story is about aliens attacking Alpena, and there are hundreds of them. Do you think Meghan and the boy and the friendly alien will destroy the bad aliens? Or will the bad aliens take over the world?
I like the story because it is exciting to read. The author makes the story so that you can see the pictures in your mind. I really want to read all the rest of the books.
This book is written so that the reader will be entertained and hooked into the series.

Michigan Chillers (Aliens Attack Alpena)
By:Jonothan Rands

Have you ever seen an alien in Michigan? Well,
I have in one of Jonothon Rands Michigan Chiller
books. This book will make you jump right out of
your skin! I like this book because it is a scary
book. Read this book because when you do you will
like to read his other 10 Michigan Chillers. This is
a mystery book where the character solve the
mystery for you.

Dakotan banality in a tragic but hopeful light, "Grasslands," the playwright Jonathan Gillman's first book of prose, is a lovely, gentle read. It's an unpretentious book, and seemingly untouched by the more academic concerns of most contemporary literary fiction. Gillman sets out to tell the story of a lonely middle-aged woman, and though his form is unique -- the book jumps around chronologically, obeying the rules of memory -- the content is simple and straightforward. No leaping insights here -- just a tender and lovely book of stories one would do well to find in the dusty corner of a library or bookstore some sad and quiet day.

I'd like to talk a bit about Jonathan Gillman for a second. For if there is a star and a moon moving over the earth's axis Jonathan will be there, everpresent in the moonlight. Mr. Gillman is the earthly equivalent of Jesus Christ. He's the yin to society's yang, he's the Jew to society's Hitler, he's to Billy Crystal to society's Gheorge Muresan. No kidding, the man is a genius. He weaves prose so effectively that you find yourself wearing nicer clothing, eating better, exercising and giving more love to your wife. Let me give you an example. A couple of weeks ago I was in the dumps. I had lost my job, my girlfriend has dumped me, the lousy whore, and I didn't know what to do with my life. Then I read Jonathan's new book, The Magic Ring, and the world turned around. I stopped rebelling against my parents, I used condoms when I had sex, and suddenly it didn't hurt when I urinated anymore. Who could I credit but the incomparable Jonathan Gillman. The writer Charles Bukowski once said that "the home is where the heart is." Either that or I read it on my doormat. In any case, Jonathan's home (the book Grasslands) is where his heart is. Despite this elitist reference, the point remains clear: Jonathan Gillman is the essential writer of the 20th century. According to early reports his book was left off the 100 books list because he told James Joyce to f--- off. That's not just talk, that's action. And to compound matters further, Mr. Gillman is a family man. Say you're walking down the street and you see a bird so fat it can't fly. That was Jonathan, fattening him up for dinner. It maeks me sad and makes me feel beautiful at the same time.

A quiet book that gets better with repeated readings. Simple, elegant and honest.

Froggy wakes up full of enthusiasm for a day's bike ride and picnic with his dad, but his disorganization keeps them at home until the end of the day. In between, Froggy looks around for assorted biking/picnic items (e.g., a ball, a helmet), slamming and bonking around, and finding them in the most unusual places (what ARE those peaches doing in his bed?!). Each time the two are ready to leave another forgotten item must be found:

"Frrrooggyy!" called his father. "I'm re-e-a-d-y!" yelled Froggy... "But Froggy...you need your bicycle helmet!" "I don't know where it is!..." "It's wherever you left it!" "I forget!" "You have to LOOK for it!" This little routine will sound familiar both to children and those who raise them! There's a happy denouement as both Froggy and his dad finally set out (after deciding they're both so hungry they'd better eat the picnic first-at home!).

Bright, uncluttered pictures, 27 pages, lots of word repetition and cool sound effects make this a treat to listen to and read. A toddler who loved the listening to this book will enjoy returning to it as an older reader (perhaps around grade 2-3).

My children love this book, the sound effects part of the book keep them laughing from beginning to end. A great introduction to the Froggy series. I would recommend this book for children aged about 4-7.

This book has become my 2 and 4 year olds favorite story. They love to see froggy looking for his misplaced items and it has taught them to look for their own items when they are lost.

Having recently read and reviewed Aycliffe's "A Shadow on the Wall," I was interested in investigating more of Aycliffe's horror work. A friend of mine came to the rescue and produced a very nicely bound and presented version of the text. For the record, the text is the same in the 'unlimited' edition, which, unfortunately for those of us on smaller budgets, is just about has hard to find.

Thomas and Nicola Alston, recently moved to London with their son Adam, have set up living in a fine old house previously owned by Peter Lazenby. Lazenby had an excellent reputation as an archeologist, but was also noted for a fondness for female undergraduates and wierd rituals. Tom Alston has taken a position at the British Museum where he runs into and old friend, Edward Monelli. Monelli's wife recently died at a dig in Babylon, and he has returned home grieving, with her last, very unusual find. It is a very ancient statue of Shabbatil, who was the prototype for legends of Satan and other equally unpleasant netherworld characters.

In no time at all, Alston discovers that there is some tie between Shabbatil and the spirit of Lazenby, and that something strange is happening to Adam. When Monelli shows up dead, Alston moves the statue to the Museum, but it is far too late. Atmospheric tension builds as children fall victim to demonic possession, and a plague of blindness begins to afflict the populace. Specters of evil and the dead haunt Tom's family, and this is just the beginning. Alston and his wife seem caught up in a whirlwind as they struggle to find some way to overcome Shabbatil's baleful influence.

It is impossible to resist the tale of pre-Babylonian evil, full of eerie chants, amulets and ghosts. Even though the demonic possession plot has been a bit overused in the last decade or so (blame it on Buffy), Aycliffe does a good job of weaving traditional and original elements together to make a strong tale. "The Talisman" is not as tightly written as "A Shadow on the Wall" though, and some errors are introduced because Tom, the usual narrator, sometimes steps out of his role to comment on another part of the tale. Otherwise, this is as good a ghost story as you might want to read.

The author of "The Talisman" studied English, Persian, Arabic and Islamic Studies at the universities of Dublin, Edinburgh, and Cambridge, and lectured at the universities of Fez in Morocco and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In his introduction to this book, Aycliffe assures us that, "The Babylonian bits(for the most part) are accurate, as are the Arabic and Persian references. I share with (M.R.) James the tendency to give in to temptation and provide my readers with authentic incantations and and historic personages."

For this reader, at least, the author's authenticity is what made "The Talisman" so fascinating and frightening. The ancient Babylonian demon Shabbatil is made to come alive (or was it ever dead?) through a combination of archeology and evil intent. The resulting plagues of blindness and demonic children form a mystery that is slowly unravelled by Tom, a museum curator and his wife Nicola, a doctoral student. Their son, Adam is one of first children to fall under the influence of Shabbatil. "The Talisman" builds to a horrifying crescendo of evil, and its end is not a tidy gathering-in of loose ends. As the protagonist comments in the final pages, "The past is not dead, it merely sleeps."

Incidentally, Jason C. Eckhardt is the illustrator of "The Talisman", not its co-author.

An ancient and evil statue unearthed during an archaeological dig travels to London and awakens ancient evil in a house and throughout the city in this spell-binding ghost story written by a top author of supernatural fiction. A family man struggles against terrible influences on his unborn child while his blind wife probes beyond her senses in a series of slow-building, unpredictably satisfying chapters.

True Blue: A Policeman's Story, was an exciting book which provided me with a real exciting look into the life of being a police officer. All the way from the officers academy training till the time he retired. I enjoyed this book from start to finish and would suggest it to anybody who wants to know what it is like being a police officer.

This is by far one of the better books I have read. The author takes you through the life of John Nolan, a young police officer. From his first day of deciding on a career in law enforcement until the day he retires. It also touches on his personal life too. His marriage and his family which made the book even more interesting. It really gives you a good look into what a tough and challenging career being a police officer really is and how much things have changed over the years.

This book was the most honest and straight forward look at law enforcement I have seen in years. The author has captured the life of a young police officer both on and off the job. The reader follows young John Nolan through twenty years of service and gets a real feeling for the life of a street cop. This book is a must read for anyone thinking of joining the force.

This book is very interesting and you will not be able to put it down. It is a satire, but may take some time to see the humor in it after you start to read it. This book was written about 200 years ago in Ireland and is a view by the author on what should be done about homelessness. Swift's views are shocking and gruesome, yet gripping. The premise of his view appears to be very cruel, yet after thinking about what he says, you realize it is a mockery and is meant to be humorous, while still proving a point. His point is important and opens your eyes to the world and homelessness. I recommend this book to anyone interested in satirical works as it is probably the best one that I have ever read.

I Personally think that the modest porposal is feasible. I think that If you read the story you will be able to understand all of it. There is no way out of what he has sugessted. HE is a very smart man and if you had no thoughts and or emotions you would be able to say the same if you were just given the poposal rather than read the book. Although he is feasible, or should I say his thoughts, what he has said will and never will work to solve the problem. in order to do so there needs to be some kind of agreement that states " I put all of my feelings aside and contmeplate with what the eral problem is. Nothing will ever be accomplished unless this is done.

Joseph Froehle

Economic advisors to governments ought to be tied down and made to read Swift's A Modest Proposal, along with Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations. The irascible Dean of Dublin's St Pat's had enough spleen in him for ten generations. His blackly intelligent satire is as sharp today as the day it was first published.

My 4-year-old boy, who is admittedly fascinated by sharks right now, eagerly devoured this book and took it to bed with him. A winner.

Without a doubt, children in the third grade and below love this book. I am a substitute teaher, and I have been asked to read this book again and again in some classes. I highly recommend this book for children under 10 years old. Children over 10 may also like it. The little ones, however, absolutely love it.

By looking into Grey Wolf's entrancing yellow eyes, we are able to grasp the radiance and spirit of these magnificent animals. Grey Wolf has lost his mate to a steel trap that man had set in the forest. We hear his howling, his "untamed music." It echoes from the mountains. Through illustrations of moonlit valleys hugged by the still night air, we become part of Gray Wolf's quest. He finds a pack in night's stillness and his eyes dance with the eyes of the pack leader. A white wolf separates herself from the pack and she and Gray Wolf circle each other. "Even the trees seem to hold their breath." Then the wolves trot off across the snow and soon curl up together to wait for spring. They will make a new pack of their own. The poetic prose written for a lower elementary audience and magnificent drawings vividly depict the great beauty of the wolf. At the end of the book, the author lists many preservation groups and shows a map of the wolf's range in North America in the 1700's versus its range today. This book is a wonderful starting point to educate children about the wolf's endangered status in the lower 48 states (except Minnesota where they are threatened). There are many wolf recovery programs in the United States including the Wolf Reintroduction Program at Yellowstone.

This is one of those children's picture books that doesn't quite fit a given, standardized genre. In many ways, it bucks the trends, refuses to be pigeonholed, and is a departure from the norm.

While "The Eyes of Grey Wolf" is indeed supposed to be a children's book, it defies description and genre in such unique ways as to make it fit for any age group. Best of all, the story is guaranteed to stay with you, despite taking up only thirty pages.

Written in a short, to-the-point, and almost poetic prose style that conjures up Native American folk tales, the book is equal parts kids book and adult literature. And the paintings? Absolutely glorious in their realistic depiction of Gray Wolf's adventure on a snowy, moonlit night. The effect of combining both the stylized writing and luminous art is an almost magical tale that could have come from Native legends.

Included at the end is a page or two with factual information on wolves, and contact information for some wolf conservation groups. Overall, an excellent book for any youngster's report on wolves, endangered species, or the environment.

The book is relatively short, but do not let that dissuade you from purchasing it. Once you've read it, you'll be glad to have "The Eyes of Grey Wolf" in your collection.

To author London and illustrator Van Zyle, I say thank you for putting this project together.

I can't tell you much, because I read this book a long time ago, but I do remember that I loved it. I only give it four stars, however, because (and maybe it's just me...I'm not the brightest person in the world) I had no idea what happened at the end. He totally lost me. If someone can enlighten me, would you please e-mail me. I would appreciate it. Aside from that, I feel Carroll is one of the best four or five authors working today. All of his books are amazing. He writes with such grace and force, that I am often amazed. Read him!

It's not Carroll's best book, but saying that is like saying the 9th wasn't Beethoven's best symphony. A wonderful book with such effective characterization (Carroll's forte) that the characters haunt you long after you finish. Perhaps my best recommendation is that I read the whole thing in one day. I began at 10pm one night, and finished at 4:30 the next morning. I tried to stop reading about 3am, and got as far as turning the light off, but in the end I got back up and read the rest of it

After Silence is one of Carroll's most addictive novels. I got sucked into the story and had a hard time putting it down. Like all of his novels, the sudden ending may put some readers off but I felt it summed up the novel perfectly. Definately a good place to start for those new to Carroll.

An intelligent, readable introduction to the Dead Sea Scrolls, covering the discovery of the documents, their analysis by teams of experts, their probable origins, and their implications for our understanding of Judaism and Christianity. Dr. Campbell avoids (and debunks) the sensationalist claims of some other writers in this field, while presenting the facts in a sober, no-nonsense tone. My only complaint is that his writing style is dry and somewhat droning. (Example: "In the following section, the merits of two alternative theories regarding the function of the Qumran will be evaluated. The remainder of the chapter will then proceed to examine ...") A livelier style would have improved the book; even so, it's a quick, factual, and serious presentation that will interest anyone looking for information on the Qumran Scrolls and the community behind them.

The Dead sea scrolls by Jonathan Campbell is truly very informative, but at the same time as the title says, really misleads the content, cause one would really buy the book under the impression of having more script from the scrolls and more comparison, rather than history lessons (not that it is bad) but we all want to be more enlightened in the true subject at hand.

Having read over the years several books about the Dead Sea Scrolls ranging from the partisan through the sensationalist to the outright looney it was great to come across an up to date(i.e. including the final release of documents in 1991) and accessible account of these extraordinary documents written by someone totally in command of the relevant material and most importantly with no sectarian axe to grind. Campbell is particularly good on the Scrolls' historical setting and builds up a convincing picture of the development of different strands of religious thought, belief and practice within second temple period Judaism. If you approach this book without prejudice, as Campbell does the available facts,you will come to understand the origins of modern Judaism and Christianity. I picked this short book out of piles of tomes on display at the Qumran tourist centre (mostly of the type referred to above) and for the rest of my holiday in Israel I couldn't put it down. Probably this book will annoy fundamentalists of all stripes, but that is the fate of all sane tolerant thinkers through the ages.