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This story is just perfect

question: Who is the story about?, context: This story is just perfect. I am so glad I was sick so I got to lay around and just read this! I think I might just reread right now. Next wait for the next!

Who is the story about?

This story is just perfect .

This story is just perfect. I am so glad I was sick so I got to lay around and just read this! I think I might just reread right now. Next wait for the next!

<hl> This story is just perfect <hl> .

<hl> This story is just perfect <hl>. I am so glad I was sick so I got to lay around and just read this! I think I might just reread right now. Next wait for the next!

<hl> This story is just perfect . <hl> I am so glad I was sick so I got to lay around and just read this! I think I might just reread right now. Next wait for the next!

53ba87c7239535a6f2328e58dadd86b7

books

This book was beautifully written and I recommend it to all. The plot is incredibly unique and unpredictable. I was as when I was over

question: What do you think about the concept of the serie?, context: This book was beautifully written and I recommend it to all. The plot is incredibly unique and unpredictable. I was as when I was over

What do you think about the concept of the serie?

This book was beautifully written and I recommend it to all. The plot is incredibly unique and unpredictable. I was as when I was over

This book was beautifully written and I recommend it to all. The plot is incredibly unique and unpredictable. I was as when I was over

<hl> This book was beautifully written and I recommend it to all. The plot is incredibly unique and unpredictable. I was as when I was over <hl>

<hl> This book was beautifully written and I recommend it to all. The plot is incredibly unique and unpredictable. I was as when I was over <hl>

<hl> This book was beautifully written and I recommend it to all. The plot is incredibly unique and unpredictable. I was as when I was over <hl>

8630729bcc9a55354e1143eadd775c21

books

I did not much care for Holden or his problems

question: Can you solve the whole problem?, context: I read this book in my teens, and just now re-read it 20-plus years later. The only part I remembered from before turns out not to be in the book, to tell you the truth. Hmm... (maybe it was Midnight Cowboy&quot;?). I'm really crazy, the craziest guy.Anyways, this guy Holden Caulfield is a whiney loser prep-school expellee and all, and walks around NYC for a few days complaining about everything and everybody, he really does. Funny that the way the book is written you know, in the sort of phoney realistic manner that some notorious writers use, is pretty good and all, but Holden can't really put together a grammatically correct sentence, although he was supposed to be good at English, at least he didn't fail that at school.Anyway, I did like the book a little - I really did, but I did not much care for Holden or his problems. I suppose this book would have been better in the fifties when it came out. The notorious &quot;cursing&quot; - oh, my! - is tame. Mostly GD this and GD that, and only gets into the F word at the end.I would not recommend it, but I would not keep anyone from reading it. Sort of like Holden, he takes both sides.

Can you solve the whole problem?

Anyway, I did like the book a little - I really did, but I did not much care for Holden or his problems .

I read this book in my teens, and just now re-read it 20-plus years later. The only part I remembered from before turns out not to be in the book, to tell you the truth. Hmm... (maybe it was Midnight Cowboy&quot;?). I'm really crazy, the craziest guy.Anyways, this guy Holden Caulfield is a whiney loser prep-school expellee and all, and walks around NYC for a few days complaining about everything and everybody, he really does. Funny that the way the book is written you know, in the sort of phoney realistic manner that some notorious writers use, is pretty good and all, but Holden can't really put together a grammatically correct sentence, although he was supposed to be good at English, at least he didn't fail that at school.Anyway, I did like the book a little - I really did, but I did not much care for Holden or his problems. I suppose this book would have been better in the fifties when it came out. The notorious &quot;cursing&quot; - oh, my! - is tame. Mostly GD this and GD that, and only gets into the F word at the end.I would not recommend it, but I would not keep anyone from reading it. Sort of like Holden, he takes both sides.

Anyway, I did like the book a little - I really did, but <hl> I did not much care for Holden or his problems <hl> .

I read this book in my teens, and just now re-read it 20-plus years later. The only part I remembered from before turns out not to be in the book, to tell you the truth. Hmm... (maybe it was Midnight Cowboy&quot;?). I'm really crazy, the craziest guy.Anyways, this guy Holden Caulfield is a whiney loser prep-school expellee and all, and walks around NYC for a few days complaining about everything and everybody, he really does. Funny that the way the book is written you know, in the sort of phoney realistic manner that some notorious writers use, is pretty good and all, but Holden can't really put together a grammatically correct sentence, although he was supposed to be good at English, at least he didn't fail that at school.Anyway, I did like the book a little - I really did, but <hl> I did not much care for Holden or his problems <hl>. I suppose this book would have been better in the fifties when it came out. The notorious &quot;cursing&quot; - oh, my! - is tame. Mostly GD this and GD that, and only gets into the F word at the end.I would not recommend it, but I would not keep anyone from reading it. Sort of like Holden, he takes both sides.

I read this book in my teens, and just now re-read it 20-plus years later. The only part I remembered from before turns out not to be in the book, to tell you the truth. Hmm... (maybe it was Midnight Cowboy&quot;?). I'm really crazy, the craziest guy. Anyways, this guy Holden Caulfield is a whiney loser prep-school expellee and all, and walks around NYC for a few days complaining about everything and everybody, he really does. Funny that the way the book is written you know, in the sort of phoney realistic manner that some notorious writers use, is pretty good and all, but Holden can't really put together a grammatically correct sentence, although he was supposed to be good at English, at least he didn't fail that at school. <hl> Anyway, I did like the book a little - I really did, but I did not much care for Holden or his problems . <hl> I suppose this book would have been better in the fifties when it came out. The notorious &quot;cursing&quot; - oh, my! - is tame. Mostly GD this and GD that, and only gets into the F word at the end. I would not recommend it, but I would not keep anyone from reading it. Sort of like Holden, he takes both sides.

e08aa3acb076654cee88c12367867816

books

the novel is tempered

question: How is the great deal?, context: This book took me a whole month to finish, though all things considered, it was a not a complicated or difficult book to read. The story of an aspiring young magician, Kvothe, who seeks entry to the prestigious University to become an arcanist, does seem rather Harry Potterish, though this is by no means a disparaging comparison.What distinguishes this fantasy novel from others of its ilk is the rather believable magic the author conjures. For instance, this first of a trilogy introduces us to "sympathy", a magical force which boasts elements of scientific concepts like thermodynamics, in the way objects can be moved by creating a sympathetic link between them to transfer energy.To Rothfuss's credit, he manages to create a fictional world that runs rather consistently according to a system he imagines. Kvothe's musical background is established by his childhood as part of the Edema Ruh, a troupe of people very much like the travelling minstrels, and music features as much as magic in the story. The inciting incident that throws young Kvothe into action is perhaps the murder of his parents and entire troupe by the Chandrian, a mythical evil force that is the stuff of faerie tales even in Kvothe's world, which complicates his quest to avenge his parents. Do the Chanrians exist or don't they? In the process, he becomes a street urchin for a period of three years, during which he learns a little about the Chandrian, and confirms his resolve to learn as much as he can about them by setting out for the University.However, the reader becomes very aware of the narrative lapsing into that of pre-pubescent boy, who is suitably enamoured with the first mysterious beauty, Denna, whom he meets enroute to the University, and who continues to appear in his life years later. Our young hero is caught gawking at women's bodies like a hormonal teen in parts of his narrative, while at the same time becoming obsessed with Denna despite her cruelty and contrary signals to him. One can't help but be irritated by Kvothe's willingness to explain her irresponsible behaviour away to his two best friends at the Uni in a very unconvincing conversation near the close of the book.The action in the novel is tempered by these distractions, especially in an episode with a draccus (a mythical dragonlike lizard) where he and Denna flirt, while also plotting to slay the creature. Arguably, the narrative structure also serves to distract, rather than add to the telling of the tale. I couldn't help but feel that the narrative frame of the adult Kvothe narrating the story to a Chronicler at an inn, is an unnecessary complication. Perhaps I would be proven wrong after reading the other two books in the trilogy (the third book still pending release at the time of this review). In the meantime, most of the other characters feel flat and undeveloped, largely owing, I feel, to the singular perspective Rothfuss gives to Kvothe throughout his recount of his past.Nonetheless, the story is entertaining, even if the writing is uneven in some parts, with overused phrases like "safe as houses". I look forward to Kvothe learning the name of the wind in the next book.

How is the great deal?

The action in the novel is tempered by these distractions, especially in an episode with a draccus (a mythical dragonlike lizard) where he and Denna flirt, while also plotting to slay the creature.

This book took me a whole month to finish, though all things considered, it was a not a complicated or difficult book to read. The story of an aspiring young magician, Kvothe, who seeks entry to the prestigious University to become an arcanist, does seem rather Harry Potterish, though this is by no means a disparaging comparison.What distinguishes this fantasy novel from others of its ilk is the rather believable magic the author conjures. For instance, this first of a trilogy introduces us to "sympathy", a magical force which boasts elements of scientific concepts like thermodynamics, in the way objects can be moved by creating a sympathetic link between them to transfer energy.To Rothfuss's credit, he manages to create a fictional world that runs rather consistently according to a system he imagines. Kvothe's musical background is established by his childhood as part of the Edema Ruh, a troupe of people very much like the travelling minstrels, and music features as much as magic in the story. The inciting incident that throws young Kvothe into action is perhaps the murder of his parents and entire troupe by the Chandrian, a mythical evil force that is the stuff of faerie tales even in Kvothe's world, which complicates his quest to avenge his parents. Do the Chanrians exist or don't they? In the process, he becomes a street urchin for a period of three years, during which he learns a little about the Chandrian, and confirms his resolve to learn as much as he can about them by setting out for the University.However, the reader becomes very aware of the narrative lapsing into that of pre-pubescent boy, who is suitably enamoured with the first mysterious beauty, Denna, whom he meets enroute to the University, and who continues to appear in his life years later. Our young hero is caught gawking at women's bodies like a hormonal teen in parts of his narrative, while at the same time becoming obsessed with Denna despite her cruelty and contrary signals to him. One can't help but be irritated by Kvothe's willingness to explain her irresponsible behaviour away to his two best friends at the Uni in a very unconvincing conversation near the close of the book.The action in the novel is tempered by these distractions, especially in an episode with a draccus (a mythical dragonlike lizard) where he and Denna flirt, while also plotting to slay the creature. Arguably, the narrative structure also serves to distract, rather than add to the telling of the tale. I couldn't help but feel that the narrative frame of the adult Kvothe narrating the story to a Chronicler at an inn, is an unnecessary complication. Perhaps I would be proven wrong after reading the other two books in the trilogy (the third book still pending release at the time of this review). In the meantime, most of the other characters feel flat and undeveloped, largely owing, I feel, to the singular perspective Rothfuss gives to Kvothe throughout his recount of his past.Nonetheless, the story is entertaining, even if the writing is uneven in some parts, with overused phrases like "safe as houses". I look forward to Kvothe learning the name of the wind in the next book.

The action in <hl> the novel is tempered <hl> by these distractions, especially in an episode with a draccus (a mythical dragonlike lizard) where he and Denna flirt, while also plotting to slay the creature.

This book took me a whole month to finish, though all things considered, it was a not a complicated or difficult book to read. The story of an aspiring young magician, Kvothe, who seeks entry to the prestigious University to become an arcanist, does seem rather Harry Potterish, though this is by no means a disparaging comparison.What distinguishes this fantasy novel from others of its ilk is the rather believable magic the author conjures. For instance, this first of a trilogy introduces us to "sympathy", a magical force which boasts elements of scientific concepts like thermodynamics, in the way objects can be moved by creating a sympathetic link between them to transfer energy.To Rothfuss's credit, he manages to create a fictional world that runs rather consistently according to a system he imagines. Kvothe's musical background is established by his childhood as part of the Edema Ruh, a troupe of people very much like the travelling minstrels, and music features as much as magic in the story. The inciting incident that throws young Kvothe into action is perhaps the murder of his parents and entire troupe by the Chandrian, a mythical evil force that is the stuff of faerie tales even in Kvothe's world, which complicates his quest to avenge his parents. Do the Chanrians exist or don't they? In the process, he becomes a street urchin for a period of three years, during which he learns a little about the Chandrian, and confirms his resolve to learn as much as he can about them by setting out for the University.However, the reader becomes very aware of the narrative lapsing into that of pre-pubescent boy, who is suitably enamoured with the first mysterious beauty, Denna, whom he meets enroute to the University, and who continues to appear in his life years later. Our young hero is caught gawking at women's bodies like a hormonal teen in parts of his narrative, while at the same time becoming obsessed with Denna despite her cruelty and contrary signals to him. One can't help but be irritated by Kvothe's willingness to explain her irresponsible behaviour away to his two best friends at the Uni in a very unconvincing conversation near the close of the book.The action in <hl> the novel is tempered <hl> by these distractions, especially in an episode with a draccus (a mythical dragonlike lizard) where he and Denna flirt, while also plotting to slay the creature. Arguably, the narrative structure also serves to distract, rather than add to the telling of the tale. I couldn't help but feel that the narrative frame of the adult Kvothe narrating the story to a Chronicler at an inn, is an unnecessary complication. Perhaps I would be proven wrong after reading the other two books in the trilogy (the third book still pending release at the time of this review). In the meantime, most of the other characters feel flat and undeveloped, largely owing, I feel, to the singular perspective Rothfuss gives to Kvothe throughout his recount of his past.Nonetheless, the story is entertaining, even if the writing is uneven in some parts, with overused phrases like "safe as houses". I look forward to Kvothe learning the name of the wind in the next book.

This book took me a whole month to finish, though all things considered, it was a not a complicated or difficult book to read. The story of an aspiring young magician, Kvothe, who seeks entry to the prestigious University to become an arcanist, does seem rather Harry Potterish, though this is by no means a disparaging comparison. What distinguishes this fantasy novel from others of its ilk is the rather believable magic the author conjures. For instance, this first of a trilogy introduces us to "sympathy", a magical force which boasts elements of scientific concepts like thermodynamics, in the way objects can be moved by creating a sympathetic link between them to transfer energy. To Rothfuss's credit, he manages to create a fictional world that runs rather consistently according to a system he imagines. Kvothe's musical background is established by his childhood as part of the Edema Ruh, a troupe of people very much like the travelling minstrels, and music features as much as magic in the story. The inciting incident that throws young Kvothe into action is perhaps the murder of his parents and entire troupe by the Chandrian, a mythical evil force that is the stuff of faerie tales even in Kvothe's world, which complicates his quest to avenge his parents. Do the Chanrians exist or don't they? In the process, he becomes a street urchin for a period of three years, during which he learns a little about the Chandrian, and confirms his resolve to learn as much as he can about them by setting out for the University. However, the reader becomes very aware of the narrative lapsing into that of pre-pubescent boy, who is suitably enamoured with the first mysterious beauty, Denna, whom he meets enroute to the University, and who continues to appear in his life years later. Our young hero is caught gawking at women's bodies like a hormonal teen in parts of his narrative, while at the same time becoming obsessed with Denna despite her cruelty and contrary signals to him. One can't help but be irritated by Kvothe's willingness to explain her irresponsible behaviour away to his two best friends at the Uni in a very unconvincing conversation near the close of the book. <hl> The action in the novel is tempered by these distractions, especially in an episode with a draccus (a mythical dragonlike lizard) where he and Denna flirt, while also plotting to slay the creature. <hl> Arguably, the narrative structure also serves to distract, rather than add to the telling of the tale. I couldn't help but feel that the narrative frame of the adult Kvothe narrating the story to a Chronicler at an inn, is an unnecessary complication. Perhaps I would be proven wrong after reading the other two books in the trilogy (the third book still pending release at the time of this review). In the meantime, most of the other characters feel flat and undeveloped, largely owing, I feel, to the singular perspective Rothfuss gives to Kvothe throughout his recount of his past. Nonetheless, the story is entertaining, even if the writing is uneven in some parts, with overused phrases like "safe as houses". I look forward to Kvothe learning the name of the wind in the next book.

a958716fecccd53e3168809f5446792e

books

His position is, unambiguously

question: Does this one bugs registered like a valid point?, context: For reasons of space, I shall pass over the routine recital, now given in hundreds of the reviews, of most of the points in Dawkins' book The God Delusion, and concentrate my review on one point only, which he deals with on pages 339,340. His position is, unambiguously, that there cannot be any such thing as `human' ethics or morality, and he tells us why: there is no real, meaningful distinction between a human being and a brute beast. I am astonished that this passage is not more frequently commented on.Dawkins simply ignores the critical issue of human rationality. Flying in the face of all the evidence, he assumes (I insist, he assumes, he does not prove) that Homo sapiens, absolutely like every other form of life on earth, is simply a bundle of cells. He says (p. 340): "The evolutionary point is very simple. The humanness (italicised) of an embryo's cells cannot confer upon it any absolutely discontinuous moral status." I must underline what Dawkins is saying. He is not saying that man is `like' the brute beast in some ways ('Intelligent Design' authors like Antony Latham, Alister McGrath and Michael Behe who attack Dawkins' atheism have no difficulty in accepting common descent, shared cellular similarities with the rest of creation, in varying degrees). He is saying that man is `no more than' a brute beast in any way, is no more than a collection of cells.Dawkins explicitly rejects the idea that any moral consideration can apply to humans simply as humans. He rejects the idea that there is anything that clearly separates human beings from non-human animals. This follows from his view that limits everything to pure Darwinian evolution of matter from matter. He believes in the evolution of the non-human animal into the human animal, body, mind, 'spirit', 'soul', religion, science, and all. He tells us (p. 339): "Notice now that 'pro-life' doesn't exactly mean pro-life ('life' is italicised) at all. It means pro-human('human' is italicised)-life." Of necessity this must mean that he views all merely brute animal life as equal with human life.Notice the monstrous conclusion that follows from this. It destroys any possibility that Dawkins' version of Darwinism can be right. "The granting of uniquely special rights to cells of the species 'Homo sapiens' is hard to reconcile with the fact of evolution" (p. 339). I repeat this: "The granting of uniquely special rights to cells of the species 'Homo sapiens' is hard to reconcile with the fact of evolution." I conclude: It is not only hard, it is impossible (which is what Dawkins clearly means us to understand). And therefore, for me, on the grounds of the evidence provided to any observer (even a Darwinian observer) that Homo sapiens and the brute beast are not the same, Dawkins' 'fact of evolution' must be abandoned. I see no alternative to this. Dawkins is utterly indefensible here. But his arrogance blinds him to the absurdity of his own position, for he goes on immediately: "Admittedly, this [irreconcilability between the pro-lifers and the Darwinists] will not worry those many anti-abortionists who don't understand that evolution is a fact!" (Dawkins is responsible for the exclamation mark.) Dawkins has just proved, to my satisfaction, that 'the fact of evolution' cannot be a 'fact' because of the manifest monstrousness of the conclusion that he sees as necessarily following from his position. Surely the idea that a human being is fully and exhaustively defined by its having "cells of the species 'Homo sapiens' ", to use Dawkins' own words, in exactly the same way as any other living organism is fully and exhaustively defined by its having cells of its own species, is an intolerable assumption that, I repeat, will not stand one moment's observation of the world about us. This Dawkinsism must be exploded for the absurdity that it is.Dawkins takes as proved (but doesn't prove) the existence of 'intermediate species' (Dawkins' words) between man and any brute beast you care to name. So Dawkins asks the question: "Would these [intermediate] creatures 'count as human' or not?" Dawkins replies (p. 340) that only 'absolutists' "must answer the question, in order to apply the moral principle of granting humans unique and special status because they are human" (Dawkins puts the last four words in italics (p.340). Dawkins scorns this 'absolutist' position. He says: "To a consequentialist like me, the question doesn't deserve an answer, for nothing turns on it." Can Dawkins be really aware of what he is saying? He tells us that it doesn't matter if we are humans or brute beasts, "for nothing turns on it". Once again, this must be exploded for the absurdity that it is.He goes on (p.340): "Even if a clear answer [as to whether a living being is a human or a brute beast] might be attempted for Australopithecus, the gradual continuity that is an inescapable feature of biological evolution [another glib assumption of Dawkins that he doesn't prove] tells us that there must be some intermediate who would lie sufficiently close to the 'borderline' to blur the moral principle and destroy its absoluteness. A better way to say this is that there are no natural borderlines in evolution. The illusion of a borderline is created by the fact that the evolutionary intermediates happen to be extinct. Of course, it could be argued that humans are more capable of, for example, suffering than other species. This could well be true, and we might legitimately give humans special status by virtue of it." (Understand what Dawkins is saying: the only reason that he can find for granting human beings any 'unique and special status' 'because they are human', is that the human may be more conscious of suffering than the brute beast. Dawkins continues: "But evolutionary continuity shows that there is no absolute (in italics) distinction." Yet again, an absurdity to be addressed and condemned.Understand again what Dawkins is saying: There is no absolute distinction between human beings and brute beasts - or any other of the now-lost 'intermediate species'. He goes on: "Absolutist moral discrimination is devastatingly undermined by the fact of evolution. [I riposte: Exactly the opposite statement is true: 'The fact of evolution is devastatingly undermined by absolutist moral discrimination'.] An uneasy awareness of this fact might, indeed, underlie one of the main motives creationists have for opposing evolution: they fear what they believe to be its moral consequences. They are wrong to do so" [Are they really? Am I then free to judge Dawkins the same way that I judge a brute beast? Does Dawkins accept that it is acceptable for a human being to be a carnivore? Where do I draw the line in my choice of meat meals?] "but", Dawkins goes on, "in any case, it is surely very odd to think that a truth about the real world can be reversed by considerations of what would be morally desirable." Really? This is intolerable reasoning. It is not odd, it is essential, that what is 'morally desirable' must rule the world. Law and order would collapse otherwise. Murder and lying and stealing and adultery are 'truths about the real world'. Morality is a truth of the real world. Without 'morally desirable' judgments, which Dawkins' Darwinism considers to be impossible, the quiet world of scholarship (and even scholarship is impossible as a strict Darwinian evolution from matter) that Dawkins inhabits would collapse into sheer barbarism, '(human) nature red in tooth and claw'. Dawkins' philosophical ramblings here are simply derisory.Ruse and Wilson, `respected giants in this field' of moral philosophy and science, find it "easy to conceive of an alien intelligent species evolving rules its members consider highly moral but which are repugnant to human beings, such as cannibalism, incest, the love of darkness and decay, parricide and the eating of faeces ... " (quoted in Latham's The Naked Emperor, pp, 154,155). Dawkins' reasoning above forces him to accept such a scenario as unobjectionable morally for us humans now.

Does this one bugs registered like a valid point?

His position is, unambiguously , that there cannot be any such thing as `human' ethics or morality, and he tells us why: there is no real, meaningful distinction between a human being and a brute beast.

For reasons of space, I shall pass over the routine recital, now given in hundreds of the reviews, of most of the points in Dawkins' book The God Delusion, and concentrate my review on one point only, which he deals with on pages 339,340. His position is, unambiguously, that there cannot be any such thing as `human' ethics or morality, and he tells us why: there is no real, meaningful distinction between a human being and a brute beast. I am astonished that this passage is not more frequently commented on.Dawkins simply ignores the critical issue of human rationality. Flying in the face of all the evidence, he assumes (I insist, he assumes, he does not prove) that Homo sapiens, absolutely like every other form of life on earth, is simply a bundle of cells. He says (p. 340): "The evolutionary point is very simple. The humanness (italicised) of an embryo's cells cannot confer upon it any absolutely discontinuous moral status." I must underline what Dawkins is saying. He is not saying that man is `like' the brute beast in some ways ('Intelligent Design' authors like Antony Latham, Alister McGrath and Michael Behe who attack Dawkins' atheism have no difficulty in accepting common descent, shared cellular similarities with the rest of creation, in varying degrees). He is saying that man is `no more than' a brute beast in any way, is no more than a collection of cells.Dawkins explicitly rejects the idea that any moral consideration can apply to humans simply as humans. He rejects the idea that there is anything that clearly separates human beings from non-human animals. This follows from his view that limits everything to pure Darwinian evolution of matter from matter. He believes in the evolution of the non-human animal into the human animal, body, mind, 'spirit', 'soul', religion, science, and all. He tells us (p. 339): "Notice now that 'pro-life' doesn't exactly mean pro-life ('life' is italicised) at all. It means pro-human('human' is italicised)-life." Of necessity this must mean that he views all merely brute animal life as equal with human life.Notice the monstrous conclusion that follows from this. It destroys any possibility that Dawkins' version of Darwinism can be right. "The granting of uniquely special rights to cells of the species 'Homo sapiens' is hard to reconcile with the fact of evolution" (p. 339). I repeat this: "The granting of uniquely special rights to cells of the species 'Homo sapiens' is hard to reconcile with the fact of evolution." I conclude: It is not only hard, it is impossible (which is what Dawkins clearly means us to understand). And therefore, for me, on the grounds of the evidence provided to any observer (even a Darwinian observer) that Homo sapiens and the brute beast are not the same, Dawkins' 'fact of evolution' must be abandoned. I see no alternative to this. Dawkins is utterly indefensible here. But his arrogance blinds him to the absurdity of his own position, for he goes on immediately: "Admittedly, this [irreconcilability between the pro-lifers and the Darwinists] will not worry those many anti-abortionists who don't understand that evolution is a fact!" (Dawkins is responsible for the exclamation mark.) Dawkins has just proved, to my satisfaction, that 'the fact of evolution' cannot be a 'fact' because of the manifest monstrousness of the conclusion that he sees as necessarily following from his position. Surely the idea that a human being is fully and exhaustively defined by its having "cells of the species 'Homo sapiens' ", to use Dawkins' own words, in exactly the same way as any other living organism is fully and exhaustively defined by its having cells of its own species, is an intolerable assumption that, I repeat, will not stand one moment's observation of the world about us. This Dawkinsism must be exploded for the absurdity that it is.Dawkins takes as proved (but doesn't prove) the existence of 'intermediate species' (Dawkins' words) between man and any brute beast you care to name. So Dawkins asks the question: "Would these [intermediate] creatures 'count as human' or not?" Dawkins replies (p. 340) that only 'absolutists' "must answer the question, in order to apply the moral principle of granting humans unique and special status because they are human" (Dawkins puts the last four words in italics (p.340). Dawkins scorns this 'absolutist' position. He says: "To a consequentialist like me, the question doesn't deserve an answer, for nothing turns on it." Can Dawkins be really aware of what he is saying? He tells us that it doesn't matter if we are humans or brute beasts, "for nothing turns on it". Once again, this must be exploded for the absurdity that it is.He goes on (p.340): "Even if a clear answer [as to whether a living being is a human or a brute beast] might be attempted for Australopithecus, the gradual continuity that is an inescapable feature of biological evolution [another glib assumption of Dawkins that he doesn't prove] tells us that there must be some intermediate who would lie sufficiently close to the 'borderline' to blur the moral principle and destroy its absoluteness. A better way to say this is that there are no natural borderlines in evolution. The illusion of a borderline is created by the fact that the evolutionary intermediates happen to be extinct. Of course, it could be argued that humans are more capable of, for example, suffering than other species. This could well be true, and we might legitimately give humans special status by virtue of it." (Understand what Dawkins is saying: the only reason that he can find for granting human beings any 'unique and special status' 'because they are human', is that the human may be more conscious of suffering than the brute beast. Dawkins continues: "But evolutionary continuity shows that there is no absolute (in italics) distinction." Yet again, an absurdity to be addressed and condemned.Understand again what Dawkins is saying: There is no absolute distinction between human beings and brute beasts - or any other of the now-lost 'intermediate species'. He goes on: "Absolutist moral discrimination is devastatingly undermined by the fact of evolution. [I riposte: Exactly the opposite statement is true: 'The fact of evolution is devastatingly undermined by absolutist moral discrimination'.] An uneasy awareness of this fact might, indeed, underlie one of the main motives creationists have for opposing evolution: they fear what they believe to be its moral consequences. They are wrong to do so" [Are they really? Am I then free to judge Dawkins the same way that I judge a brute beast? Does Dawkins accept that it is acceptable for a human being to be a carnivore? Where do I draw the line in my choice of meat meals?] "but", Dawkins goes on, "in any case, it is surely very odd to think that a truth about the real world can be reversed by considerations of what would be morally desirable." Really? This is intolerable reasoning. It is not odd, it is essential, that what is 'morally desirable' must rule the world. Law and order would collapse otherwise. Murder and lying and stealing and adultery are 'truths about the real world'. Morality is a truth of the real world. Without 'morally desirable' judgments, which Dawkins' Darwinism considers to be impossible, the quiet world of scholarship (and even scholarship is impossible as a strict Darwinian evolution from matter) that Dawkins inhabits would collapse into sheer barbarism, '(human) nature red in tooth and claw'. Dawkins' philosophical ramblings here are simply derisory.Ruse and Wilson, `respected giants in this field' of moral philosophy and science, find it "easy to conceive of an alien intelligent species evolving rules its members consider highly moral but which are repugnant to human beings, such as cannibalism, incest, the love of darkness and decay, parricide and the eating of faeces ... " (quoted in Latham's The Naked Emperor, pp, 154,155). Dawkins' reasoning above forces him to accept such a scenario as unobjectionable morally for us humans now.

<hl> His position is, unambiguously <hl> , that there cannot be any such thing as `human' ethics or morality, and he tells us why: there is no real, meaningful distinction between a human being and a brute beast.

For reasons of space, I shall pass over the routine recital, now given in hundreds of the reviews, of most of the points in Dawkins' book The God Delusion, and concentrate my review on one point only, which he deals with on pages 339,340. <hl> His position is, unambiguously <hl>, that there cannot be any such thing as `human' ethics or morality, and he tells us why: there is no real, meaningful distinction between a human being and a brute beast. I am astonished that this passage is not more frequently commented on.Dawkins simply ignores the critical issue of human rationality. Flying in the face of all the evidence, he assumes (I insist, he assumes, he does not prove) that Homo sapiens, absolutely like every other form of life on earth, is simply a bundle of cells. He says (p. 340): "The evolutionary point is very simple. The humanness (italicised) of an embryo's cells cannot confer upon it any absolutely discontinuous moral status." I must underline what Dawkins is saying. He is not saying that man is `like' the brute beast in some ways ('Intelligent Design' authors like Antony Latham, Alister McGrath and Michael Behe who attack Dawkins' atheism have no difficulty in accepting common descent, shared cellular similarities with the rest of creation, in varying degrees). He is saying that man is `no more than' a brute beast in any way, is no more than a collection of cells.Dawkins explicitly rejects the idea that any moral consideration can apply to humans simply as humans. He rejects the idea that there is anything that clearly separates human beings from non-human animals. This follows from his view that limits everything to pure Darwinian evolution of matter from matter. He believes in the evolution of the non-human animal into the human animal, body, mind, 'spirit', 'soul', religion, science, and all. He tells us (p. 339): "Notice now that 'pro-life' doesn't exactly mean pro-life ('life' is italicised) at all. It means pro-human('human' is italicised)-life." Of necessity this must mean that he views all merely brute animal life as equal with human life.Notice the monstrous conclusion that follows from this. It destroys any possibility that Dawkins' version of Darwinism can be right. "The granting of uniquely special rights to cells of the species 'Homo sapiens' is hard to reconcile with the fact of evolution" (p. 339). I repeat this: "The granting of uniquely special rights to cells of the species 'Homo sapiens' is hard to reconcile with the fact of evolution." I conclude: It is not only hard, it is impossible (which is what Dawkins clearly means us to understand). And therefore, for me, on the grounds of the evidence provided to any observer (even a Darwinian observer) that Homo sapiens and the brute beast are not the same, Dawkins' 'fact of evolution' must be abandoned. I see no alternative to this. Dawkins is utterly indefensible here. But his arrogance blinds him to the absurdity of his own position, for he goes on immediately: "Admittedly, this [irreconcilability between the pro-lifers and the Darwinists] will not worry those many anti-abortionists who don't understand that evolution is a fact!" (Dawkins is responsible for the exclamation mark.) Dawkins has just proved, to my satisfaction, that 'the fact of evolution' cannot be a 'fact' because of the manifest monstrousness of the conclusion that he sees as necessarily following from his position. Surely the idea that a human being is fully and exhaustively defined by its having "cells of the species 'Homo sapiens' ", to use Dawkins' own words, in exactly the same way as any other living organism is fully and exhaustively defined by its having cells of its own species, is an intolerable assumption that, I repeat, will not stand one moment's observation of the world about us. This Dawkinsism must be exploded for the absurdity that it is.Dawkins takes as proved (but doesn't prove) the existence of 'intermediate species' (Dawkins' words) between man and any brute beast you care to name. So Dawkins asks the question: "Would these [intermediate] creatures 'count as human' or not?" Dawkins replies (p. 340) that only 'absolutists' "must answer the question, in order to apply the moral principle of granting humans unique and special status because they are human" (Dawkins puts the last four words in italics (p.340). Dawkins scorns this 'absolutist' position. He says: "To a consequentialist like me, the question doesn't deserve an answer, for nothing turns on it." Can Dawkins be really aware of what he is saying? He tells us that it doesn't matter if we are humans or brute beasts, "for nothing turns on it". Once again, this must be exploded for the absurdity that it is.He goes on (p.340): "Even if a clear answer [as to whether a living being is a human or a brute beast] might be attempted for Australopithecus, the gradual continuity that is an inescapable feature of biological evolution [another glib assumption of Dawkins that he doesn't prove] tells us that there must be some intermediate who would lie sufficiently close to the 'borderline' to blur the moral principle and destroy its absoluteness. A better way to say this is that there are no natural borderlines in evolution. The illusion of a borderline is created by the fact that the evolutionary intermediates happen to be extinct. Of course, it could be argued that humans are more capable of, for example, suffering than other species. This could well be true, and we might legitimately give humans special status by virtue of it." (Understand what Dawkins is saying: the only reason that he can find for granting human beings any 'unique and special status' 'because they are human', is that the human may be more conscious of suffering than the brute beast. Dawkins continues: "But evolutionary continuity shows that there is no absolute (in italics) distinction." Yet again, an absurdity to be addressed and condemned.Understand again what Dawkins is saying: There is no absolute distinction between human beings and brute beasts - or any other of the now-lost 'intermediate species'. He goes on: "Absolutist moral discrimination is devastatingly undermined by the fact of evolution. [I riposte: Exactly the opposite statement is true: 'The fact of evolution is devastatingly undermined by absolutist moral discrimination'.] An uneasy awareness of this fact might, indeed, underlie one of the main motives creationists have for opposing evolution: they fear what they believe to be its moral consequences. They are wrong to do so" [Are they really? Am I then free to judge Dawkins the same way that I judge a brute beast? Does Dawkins accept that it is acceptable for a human being to be a carnivore? Where do I draw the line in my choice of meat meals?] "but", Dawkins goes on, "in any case, it is surely very odd to think that a truth about the real world can be reversed by considerations of what would be morally desirable." Really? This is intolerable reasoning. It is not odd, it is essential, that what is 'morally desirable' must rule the world. Law and order would collapse otherwise. Murder and lying and stealing and adultery are 'truths about the real world'. Morality is a truth of the real world. Without 'morally desirable' judgments, which Dawkins' Darwinism considers to be impossible, the quiet world of scholarship (and even scholarship is impossible as a strict Darwinian evolution from matter) that Dawkins inhabits would collapse into sheer barbarism, '(human) nature red in tooth and claw'. Dawkins' philosophical ramblings here are simply derisory.Ruse and Wilson, `respected giants in this field' of moral philosophy and science, find it "easy to conceive of an alien intelligent species evolving rules its members consider highly moral but which are repugnant to human beings, such as cannibalism, incest, the love of darkness and decay, parricide and the eating of faeces ... " (quoted in Latham's The Naked Emperor, pp, 154,155). Dawkins' reasoning above forces him to accept such a scenario as unobjectionable morally for us humans now.

For reasons of space, I shall pass over the routine recital, now given in hundreds of the reviews, of most of the points in Dawkins' book The God Delusion, and concentrate my review on one point only, which he deals with on pages 339,340. <hl> His position is, unambiguously , that there cannot be any such thing as `human' ethics or morality, and he tells us why: there is no real, meaningful distinction between a human being and a brute beast. <hl> I am astonished that this passage is not more frequently commented on. Dawkins simply ignores the critical issue of human rationality. Flying in the face of all the evidence, he assumes (I insist, he assumes, he does not prove) that Homo sapiens, absolutely like every other form of life on earth, is simply a bundle of cells. He says (p. 340): "The evolutionary point is very simple. The humanness (italicised) of an embryo's cells cannot confer upon it any absolutely discontinuous moral status." I must underline what Dawkins is saying. He is not saying that man is `like' the brute beast in some ways ('Intelligent Design' authors like Antony Latham, Alister McGrath and Michael Behe who attack Dawkins' atheism have no difficulty in accepting common descent, shared cellular similarities with the rest of creation, in varying degrees). He is saying that man is `no more than' a brute beast in any way, is no more than a collection of cells. Dawkins explicitly rejects the idea that any moral consideration can apply to humans simply as humans. He rejects the idea that there is anything that clearly separates human beings from non-human animals. This follows from his view that limits everything to pure Darwinian evolution of matter from matter. He believes in the evolution of the non-human animal into the human animal, body, mind, 'spirit', 'soul', religion, science, and all. He tells us (p. 339): "Notice now that 'pro-life' doesn't exactly mean pro-life ('life' is italicised) at all. It means pro-human('human' is italicised)-life." Of necessity this must mean that he views all merely brute animal life as equal with human life. Notice the monstrous conclusion that follows from this. It destroys any possibility that Dawkins' version of Darwinism can be right. "The granting of uniquely special rights to cells of the species 'Homo sapiens' is hard to reconcile with the fact of evolution" (p. 339). I repeat this: "The granting of uniquely special rights to cells of the species 'Homo sapiens' is hard to reconcile with the fact of evolution." I conclude: It is not only hard, it is impossible (which is what Dawkins clearly means us to understand). And therefore, for me, on the grounds of the evidence provided to any observer (even a Darwinian observer) that Homo sapiens and the brute beast are not the same, Dawkins' 'fact of evolution' must be abandoned. I see no alternative to this. Dawkins is utterly indefensible here. But his arrogance blinds him to the absurdity of his own position, for he goes on immediately: "Admittedly, this [irreconcilability between the pro-lifers and the Darwinists] will not worry those many anti-abortionists who don't understand that evolution is a fact!" (Dawkins is responsible for the exclamation mark.) Dawkins has just proved, to my satisfaction, that 'the fact of evolution' cannot be a 'fact' because of the manifest monstrousness of the conclusion that he sees as necessarily following from his position. Surely the idea that a human being is fully and exhaustively defined by its having "cells of the species 'Homo sapiens' ", to use Dawkins' own words, in exactly the same way as any other living organism is fully and exhaustively defined by its having cells of its own species, is an intolerable assumption that, I repeat, will not stand one moment's observation of the world about us. This Dawkinsism must be exploded for the absurdity that it is. Dawkins takes as proved (but doesn't prove) the existence of 'intermediate species' (Dawkins' words) between man and any brute beast you care to name. So Dawkins asks the question: "Would these [intermediate] creatures 'count as human' or not?" Dawkins replies (p. 340) that only 'absolutists' "must answer the question, in order to apply the moral principle of granting humans unique and special status because they are human" (Dawkins puts the last four words in italics (p.340). Dawkins scorns this 'absolutist' position. He says: "To a consequentialist like me, the question doesn't deserve an answer, for nothing turns on it." Can Dawkins be really aware of what he is saying? He tells us that it doesn't matter if we are humans or brute beasts, "for nothing turns on it". Once again, this must be exploded for the absurdity that it is. He goes on (p.340): "Even if a clear answer [as to whether a living being is a human or a brute beast] might be attempted for Australopithecus, the gradual continuity that is an inescapable feature of biological evolution [another glib assumption of Dawkins that he doesn't prove] tells us that there must be some intermediate who would lie sufficiently close to the 'borderline' to blur the moral principle and destroy its absoluteness. A better way to say this is that there are no natural borderlines in evolution. The illusion of a borderline is created by the fact that the evolutionary intermediates happen to be extinct. Of course, it could be argued that humans are more capable of, for example, suffering than other species. This could well be true, and we might legitimately give humans special status by virtue of it." (Understand what Dawkins is saying: the only reason that he can find for granting human beings any 'unique and special status' 'because they are human', is that the human may be more conscious of suffering than the brute beast. Dawkins continues: "But evolutionary continuity shows that there is no absolute (in italics) distinction." Yet again, an absurdity to be addressed and condemned. Understand again what Dawkins is saying: There is no absolute distinction between human beings and brute beasts - or any other of the now-lost 'intermediate species'. He goes on: "Absolutist moral discrimination is devastatingly undermined by the fact of evolution. [I riposte: Exactly the opposite statement is true: 'The fact of evolution is devastatingly undermined by absolutist moral discrimination'.] An uneasy awareness of this fact might, indeed, underlie one of the main motives creationists have for opposing evolution: they fear what they believe to be its moral consequences. They are wrong to do so" [Are they really? Am I then free to judge Dawkins the same way that I judge a brute beast? Does Dawkins accept that it is acceptable for a human being to be a carnivore? Where do I draw the line in my choice of meat meals?] "but", Dawkins goes on, "in any case, it is surely very odd to think that a truth about the real world can be reversed by considerations of what would be morally desirable." Really? This is intolerable reasoning. It is not odd, it is essential, that what is 'morally desirable' must rule the world. Law and order would collapse otherwise. Murder and lying and stealing and adultery are 'truths about the real world'. Morality is a truth of the real world. Without 'morally desirable' judgments, which Dawkins' Darwinism considers to be impossible, the quiet world of scholarship (and even scholarship is impossible as a strict Darwinian evolution from matter) that Dawkins inhabits would collapse into sheer barbarism, '(human) nature red in tooth and claw'. Dawkins' philosophical ramblings here are simply derisory. Ruse and Wilson, `respected giants in this field' of moral philosophy and science, find it "easy to conceive of an alien intelligent species evolving rules its members consider highly moral but which are repugnant to human beings, such as cannibalism, incest, the love of darkness and decay, parricide and the eating of faeces ... " (quoted in Latham's The Naked Emperor, pp, 154,155). Dawkins' reasoning above forces him to accept such a scenario as unobjectionable morally for us humans now.

6d0dacde46943dad7055f9838e06b954

books

it might have been a better book

question: How did you like the book?, context: I am no snob when it comes to reading material. In my teens I devoured Jackie Collins and Judith Krantz and even plowed gamely through Danielle Steel. I've read my share of bodice-ripper romance novels. I'll admit to a secret enjoyment of Laurell K. Hamilton's Meredith Gentry novels, also known as "elf porn." Hell, I'll even read fan fiction if it holds my interest. So when I heard about the phenomenon of "Fifty Shades of Grey," supposedly birthed as a "Twilight" fan fiction piece but with super-graphic sex, I figured I'd check it out.I will say that it's a page-turner--but not for the reasons EL James hopes for. It's because I was absolutely horrified that something this badly written not only got published, but got popular. If I hadn't known James was forty-something I'd swear on whatever you hold holy that this thing was written by a 16-year-old girl who's never been kissed. The "hero", Christian Grey, is impossibly rich, impossibly handsome, impossibly well-endowed and, of course, falling in love with beautiful innocent virgin Anastasia Steele, who despite her virginity seems to get right into the whole whips and chains thing while uncovering Christian's "damaged" side and therefore immediately falling in love with him because she thinks she can save him. The vaunted BDSM stuff is, in my opinion, fairly tame--the Sleeping Beauty series by Anne Rice was much worse, but then again it was much better written too. The dialogue is ludicrous, as are the constant references to Anastasia's subconscious and inner goddess, who between them do so many gymnastics they should try out for the Olympics.In the end, "Fifty Shades of Grey" is a very typical romance novel disguised as BDSM porn and since the average romance reader is unfamiliar with that it makes the book OMG SO TITILLATING AND ROMANTIC. In the hands of someone who could actually write, it might have been a better book, but EL James shows herself for what she is--a crummy fan fiction writer. And we all know there's WAY too many of them.

How did you like the book?

In the hands of someone who could actually write, it might have been a better book , but EL James shows herself for what she is--a crummy fan fiction writer.

I am no snob when it comes to reading material. In my teens I devoured Jackie Collins and Judith Krantz and even plowed gamely through Danielle Steel. I've read my share of bodice-ripper romance novels. I'll admit to a secret enjoyment of Laurell K. Hamilton's Meredith Gentry novels, also known as "elf porn." Hell, I'll even read fan fiction if it holds my interest. So when I heard about the phenomenon of "Fifty Shades of Grey," supposedly birthed as a "Twilight" fan fiction piece but with super-graphic sex, I figured I'd check it out.I will say that it's a page-turner--but not for the reasons EL James hopes for. It's because I was absolutely horrified that something this badly written not only got published, but got popular. If I hadn't known James was forty-something I'd swear on whatever you hold holy that this thing was written by a 16-year-old girl who's never been kissed. The "hero", Christian Grey, is impossibly rich, impossibly handsome, impossibly well-endowed and, of course, falling in love with beautiful innocent virgin Anastasia Steele, who despite her virginity seems to get right into the whole whips and chains thing while uncovering Christian's "damaged" side and therefore immediately falling in love with him because she thinks she can save him. The vaunted BDSM stuff is, in my opinion, fairly tame--the Sleeping Beauty series by Anne Rice was much worse, but then again it was much better written too. The dialogue is ludicrous, as are the constant references to Anastasia's subconscious and inner goddess, who between them do so many gymnastics they should try out for the Olympics.In the end, "Fifty Shades of Grey" is a very typical romance novel disguised as BDSM porn and since the average romance reader is unfamiliar with that it makes the book OMG SO TITILLATING AND ROMANTIC. In the hands of someone who could actually write, it might have been a better book, but EL James shows herself for what she is--a crummy fan fiction writer. And we all know there's WAY too many of them.

In the hands of someone who could actually write, <hl> it might have been a better book <hl> , but EL James shows herself for what she is--a crummy fan fiction writer.

I am no snob when it comes to reading material. In my teens I devoured Jackie Collins and Judith Krantz and even plowed gamely through Danielle Steel. I've read my share of bodice-ripper romance novels. I'll admit to a secret enjoyment of Laurell K. Hamilton's Meredith Gentry novels, also known as "elf porn." Hell, I'll even read fan fiction if it holds my interest. So when I heard about the phenomenon of "Fifty Shades of Grey," supposedly birthed as a "Twilight" fan fiction piece but with super-graphic sex, I figured I'd check it out.I will say that it's a page-turner--but not for the reasons EL James hopes for. It's because I was absolutely horrified that something this badly written not only got published, but got popular. If I hadn't known James was forty-something I'd swear on whatever you hold holy that this thing was written by a 16-year-old girl who's never been kissed. The "hero", Christian Grey, is impossibly rich, impossibly handsome, impossibly well-endowed and, of course, falling in love with beautiful innocent virgin Anastasia Steele, who despite her virginity seems to get right into the whole whips and chains thing while uncovering Christian's "damaged" side and therefore immediately falling in love with him because she thinks she can save him. The vaunted BDSM stuff is, in my opinion, fairly tame--the Sleeping Beauty series by Anne Rice was much worse, but then again it was much better written too. The dialogue is ludicrous, as are the constant references to Anastasia's subconscious and inner goddess, who between them do so many gymnastics they should try out for the Olympics.In the end, "Fifty Shades of Grey" is a very typical romance novel disguised as BDSM porn and since the average romance reader is unfamiliar with that it makes the book OMG SO TITILLATING AND ROMANTIC. In the hands of someone who could actually write, <hl> it might have been a better book <hl>, but EL James shows herself for what she is--a crummy fan fiction writer. And we all know there's WAY too many of them.

I am no snob when it comes to reading material. In my teens I devoured Jackie Collins and Judith Krantz and even plowed gamely through Danielle Steel. I've read my share of bodice-ripper romance novels. I'll admit to a secret enjoyment of Laurell K. Hamilton's Meredith Gentry novels, also known as "elf porn." Hell, I'll even read fan fiction if it holds my interest. So when I heard about the phenomenon of "Fifty Shades of Grey," supposedly birthed as a "Twilight" fan fiction piece but with super-graphic sex, I figured I'd check it out. I will say that it's a page-turner--but not for the reasons EL James hopes for. It's because I was absolutely horrified that something this badly written not only got published, but got popular. If I hadn't known James was forty-something I'd swear on whatever you hold holy that this thing was written by a 16-year-old girl who's never been kissed. The "hero", Christian Grey, is impossibly rich, impossibly handsome, impossibly well-endowed and, of course, falling in love with beautiful innocent virgin Anastasia Steele, who despite her virginity seems to get right into the whole whips and chains thing while uncovering Christian's "damaged" side and therefore immediately falling in love with him because she thinks she can save him. The vaunted BDSM stuff is, in my opinion, fairly tame--the Sleeping Beauty series by Anne Rice was much worse, but then again it was much better written too. The dialogue is ludicrous, as are the constant references to Anastasia's subconscious and inner goddess, who between them do so many gymnastics they should try out for the Olympics. In the end, "Fifty Shades of Grey" is a very typical romance novel disguised as BDSM porn and since the average romance reader is unfamiliar with that it makes the book OMG SO TITILLATING AND ROMANTIC. <hl> In the hands of someone who could actually write, it might have been a better book , but EL James shows herself for what she is--a crummy fan fiction writer. <hl> And we all know there's WAY too many of them.

b62497f785488f0ceca3f4b6e5106493

books

I found this book to be a helpful resource

question: What is the benefit of that book?, context: Alphabet Kids delves into one of the most confusing aspects of childhood health in an easy to understand manner. It gives parents and general health officials a place to start to understand these types of health concerns in children. ADHD seems to be a catch-all for kids exhibiting behaviors that may very well be something else. I found this book to be a helpful resource when I questioned the diagnosis of one my children when the diagnosis just did not match.Alphabet Kids is not necessarily thorough regarding each alphabet disorder, but gives a good introduction to each, including terms doctors will recognize, a list of symptoms, and a story to help readers understand what kind of behaviors may indicate that disorder. This book is easy to read, easy to understand, and well organized.This book also gives basic information on what the diagnosis would mean for the child and treatments available. Unlike many other books of its kind, Alphabet Kids also lists reputable resources to turn to for further information on each disorder. It is an excellent introduction to these disorders that are often very confusing or relatively unrealized and is a good resource for any family or caregiver library. I serve on my school district's Wellness Committee and will be introducing this book to supplement the resources of our school nurses.

What is the benefit of that book?

I found this book to be a helpful resource when I questioned the diagnosis of one my children when the diagnosis just did not match.

Alphabet Kids delves into one of the most confusing aspects of childhood health in an easy to understand manner. It gives parents and general health officials a place to start to understand these types of health concerns in children. ADHD seems to be a catch-all for kids exhibiting behaviors that may very well be something else. I found this book to be a helpful resource when I questioned the diagnosis of one my children when the diagnosis just did not match.Alphabet Kids is not necessarily thorough regarding each alphabet disorder, but gives a good introduction to each, including terms doctors will recognize, a list of symptoms, and a story to help readers understand what kind of behaviors may indicate that disorder. This book is easy to read, easy to understand, and well organized.This book also gives basic information on what the diagnosis would mean for the child and treatments available. Unlike many other books of its kind, Alphabet Kids also lists reputable resources to turn to for further information on each disorder. It is an excellent introduction to these disorders that are often very confusing or relatively unrealized and is a good resource for any family or caregiver library. I serve on my school district's Wellness Committee and will be introducing this book to supplement the resources of our school nurses.

<hl> I found this book to be a helpful resource <hl> when I questioned the diagnosis of one my children when the diagnosis just did not match.

Alphabet Kids delves into one of the most confusing aspects of childhood health in an easy to understand manner. It gives parents and general health officials a place to start to understand these types of health concerns in children. ADHD seems to be a catch-all for kids exhibiting behaviors that may very well be something else. <hl> I found this book to be a helpful resource <hl> when I questioned the diagnosis of one my children when the diagnosis just did not match.Alphabet Kids is not necessarily thorough regarding each alphabet disorder, but gives a good introduction to each, including terms doctors will recognize, a list of symptoms, and a story to help readers understand what kind of behaviors may indicate that disorder. This book is easy to read, easy to understand, and well organized.This book also gives basic information on what the diagnosis would mean for the child and treatments available. Unlike many other books of its kind, Alphabet Kids also lists reputable resources to turn to for further information on each disorder. It is an excellent introduction to these disorders that are often very confusing or relatively unrealized and is a good resource for any family or caregiver library. I serve on my school district's Wellness Committee and will be introducing this book to supplement the resources of our school nurses.

Alphabet Kids delves into one of the most confusing aspects of childhood health in an easy to understand manner. It gives parents and general health officials a place to start to understand these types of health concerns in children. ADHD seems to be a catch-all for kids exhibiting behaviors that may very well be something else. <hl> I found this book to be a helpful resource when I questioned the diagnosis of one my children when the diagnosis just did not match. <hl> Alphabet Kids is not necessarily thorough regarding each alphabet disorder, but gives a good introduction to each, including terms doctors will recognize, a list of symptoms, and a story to help readers understand what kind of behaviors may indicate that disorder. This book is easy to read, easy to understand, and well organized. This book also gives basic information on what the diagnosis would mean for the child and treatments available. Unlike many other books of its kind, Alphabet Kids also lists reputable resources to turn to for further information on each disorder. It is an excellent introduction to these disorders that are often very confusing or relatively unrealized and is a good resource for any family or caregiver library. I serve on my school district's Wellness Committee and will be introducing this book to supplement the resources of our school nurses.

2487862272003992d9d74d98b8a69ce3

books

The Remaining series was great and very entertaining

question: How is the series?, context: I have read many of Molles novels and enjoy them. The Remaining series was great and very entertaining. I hope for additional books to follow.

How is the series?

The Remaining series was great and very entertaining .

I have read many of Molles novels and enjoy them. The Remaining series was great and very entertaining. I hope for additional books to follow.

<hl> The Remaining series was great and very entertaining <hl> .

I have read many of Molles novels and enjoy them. <hl> The Remaining series was great and very entertaining <hl>. I hope for additional books to follow.

I have read many of Molles novels and enjoy them. <hl> The Remaining series was great and very entertaining . <hl> I hope for additional books to follow.

84e54ad2929267a02146829f06358fd2

books

imagination and you can tell she put so much into writing it

question: What is the sentiment of the story?, context: I tried to read this book once before... and I didn't like it, I wasn't interested in dystopian novels and I didn't like that all the characters had such bizarre names. So I closed the book and let it go. When the movie came out and was a huge success I decided I wanted to read it and see the movie, I read about 6 chapters before going to the movie and the writing was really good, after seeing the movie I went home to finish the book. It did not disappoint. In fact it had me buying book 2 immediately after and now I'm halfway through it.There isn't much to add to other reviews because everything has been said. Reading the book at the same time as watching the movie I think they did an excellent adaptation of the story and Suzanne Collins has a beautiful style of writing even when it's something as sad and serious as The Hunger Games. What a creative idea. This book is just so full of imagination and you can tell she put so much into writing it. Definitely a 5 star and it's no wonder she's the next big thing in book and media headlines!

What is the sentiment of the story?

This book is just so full of imagination and you can tell she put so much into writing it .

I tried to read this book once before... and I didn't like it, I wasn't interested in dystopian novels and I didn't like that all the characters had such bizarre names. So I closed the book and let it go. When the movie came out and was a huge success I decided I wanted to read it and see the movie, I read about 6 chapters before going to the movie and the writing was really good, after seeing the movie I went home to finish the book. It did not disappoint. In fact it had me buying book 2 immediately after and now I'm halfway through it.There isn't much to add to other reviews because everything has been said. Reading the book at the same time as watching the movie I think they did an excellent adaptation of the story and Suzanne Collins has a beautiful style of writing even when it's something as sad and serious as The Hunger Games. What a creative idea. This book is just so full of imagination and you can tell she put so much into writing it. Definitely a 5 star and it's no wonder she's the next big thing in book and media headlines!

This book is just so full of <hl> imagination and you can tell she put so much into writing it <hl> .

I tried to read this book once before... and I didn't like it, I wasn't interested in dystopian novels and I didn't like that all the characters had such bizarre names. So I closed the book and let it go. When the movie came out and was a huge success I decided I wanted to read it and see the movie, I read about 6 chapters before going to the movie and the writing was really good, after seeing the movie I went home to finish the book. It did not disappoint. In fact it had me buying book 2 immediately after and now I'm halfway through it.There isn't much to add to other reviews because everything has been said. Reading the book at the same time as watching the movie I think they did an excellent adaptation of the story and Suzanne Collins has a beautiful style of writing even when it's something as sad and serious as The Hunger Games. What a creative idea. This book is just so full of <hl> imagination and you can tell she put so much into writing it <hl>. Definitely a 5 star and it's no wonder she's the next big thing in book and media headlines!

I tried to read this book once before... and I didn't like it, I wasn't interested in dystopian novels and I didn't like that all the characters had such bizarre names. So I closed the book and let it go. When the movie came out and was a huge success I decided I wanted to read it and see the movie, I read about 6 chapters before going to the movie and the writing was really good, after seeing the movie I went home to finish the book. It did not disappoint. In fact it had me buying book 2 immediately after and now I'm halfway through it. There isn't much to add to other reviews because everything has been said. Reading the book at the same time as watching the movie I think they did an excellent adaptation of the story and Suzanne Collins has a beautiful style of writing even when it's something as sad and serious as The Hunger Games. What a creative idea. <hl> This book is just so full of imagination and you can tell she put so much into writing it . <hl> Definitely a 5 star and it's no wonder she's the next big thing in book and media headlines!

2dcf42271f4395a9bebd52b07c6858ba

books

I absolutely LOVED this booked. I started it around 11pm, and finished at 6am without a single break. The plot, the charaters, the co-dependant relationship are simply amazing and thought provoking

question: How was the book?, context: I absolutely LOVED this booked. I started it around 11pm, and finished at 6am without a single break. The plot, the charaters, the co-dependant relationship are simply amazing and thought provoking. While I feel like I could relate to Abby at times, and America, it was Travis' intense longing and Abby's absolute denial of their attraction, that kept me turning the pages to see when they would finally connect. Its a story line that still sticks in my mind, and I will definately read it again!

How was the book?

I absolutely LOVED this booked. I started it around 11pm, and finished at 6am without a single break. The plot, the charaters, the co-dependant relationship are simply amazing and thought provoking .

I absolutely LOVED this booked. I started it around 11pm, and finished at 6am without a single break. The plot, the charaters, the co-dependant relationship are simply amazing and thought provoking. While I feel like I could relate to Abby at times, and America, it was Travis' intense longing and Abby's absolute denial of their attraction, that kept me turning the pages to see when they would finally connect. Its a story line that still sticks in my mind, and I will definately read it again!

<hl> I absolutely LOVED this booked. I started it around 11pm, and finished at 6am without a single break. The plot, the charaters, the co-dependant relationship are simply amazing and thought provoking <hl> .

<hl> I absolutely LOVED this booked. I started it around 11pm, and finished at 6am without a single break. The plot, the charaters, the co-dependant relationship are simply amazing and thought provoking <hl>. While I feel like I could relate to Abby at times, and America, it was Travis' intense longing and Abby's absolute denial of their attraction, that kept me turning the pages to see when they would finally connect. Its a story line that still sticks in my mind, and I will definately read it again!

<hl> I absolutely LOVED this booked. I started it around 11pm, and finished at 6am without a single break. The plot, the charaters, the co-dependant relationship are simply amazing and thought provoking . <hl> While I feel like I could relate to Abby at times, and America, it was Travis' intense longing and Abby's absolute denial of their attraction, that kept me turning the pages to see when they would finally connect. Its a story line that still sticks in my mind, and I will definately read it again!

3280d38e8ac01bd1e244f8b94b5eb1ff

books

The book itself was very well written and very well researched. I was very impressed about the depth of information that was presented

question: How did you like the story?, context: The Lost City of Z is a non-fiction book by David Grann. It tells the story of British explorer Percy Fawcett.Percy Fawcett disappeared in the 1920's with his son and his son's friend while looking for an ancient city in the Amazon, a city that he had named Z. For decades, explorers then went in search for Fawcett in the hopes of finding either him or what had happened to him, often without much luck (often disappearing themselves). Grann, a journalist who never did ANYTHING in the outdoors (and took the elevator up two flights to his apartment instead of walking it) decided to go in search of Fawcett himself AND he was able to reveal new evidence how Fawcett died and whether he had really found his city or not.I found this book to be alternatively captivating and then quite boring. There were parts that were absolutely fascinating. I found the parts about Fawcett's early life and the author's life and motivations to be really, interesting. Oftentimes, the parts about the various explorations that Fawcett went on before his latest and greatest were boring. They were all the same and they all ran into each other. There was nothing to distinguish them and I found my attention lagging at those parts. I would have to put the book down and then come back to it later on. The book itself was very well written and very well researched. I was very impressed about the depth of information that was presented - Grann went all out.I walked away generally liking the book, in spite of its slow points.

How did you like the story?

The book itself was very well written and very well researched. I was very impressed about the depth of information that was presented - Grann went all out.

The Lost City of Z is a non-fiction book by David Grann. It tells the story of British explorer Percy Fawcett.Percy Fawcett disappeared in the 1920's with his son and his son's friend while looking for an ancient city in the Amazon, a city that he had named Z. For decades, explorers then went in search for Fawcett in the hopes of finding either him or what had happened to him, often without much luck (often disappearing themselves). Grann, a journalist who never did ANYTHING in the outdoors (and took the elevator up two flights to his apartment instead of walking it) decided to go in search of Fawcett himself AND he was able to reveal new evidence how Fawcett died and whether he had really found his city or not.I found this book to be alternatively captivating and then quite boring. There were parts that were absolutely fascinating. I found the parts about Fawcett's early life and the author's life and motivations to be really, interesting. Oftentimes, the parts about the various explorations that Fawcett went on before his latest and greatest were boring. They were all the same and they all ran into each other. There was nothing to distinguish them and I found my attention lagging at those parts. I would have to put the book down and then come back to it later on. The book itself was very well written and very well researched. I was very impressed about the depth of information that was presented - Grann went all out.I walked away generally liking the book, in spite of its slow points.

<hl> The book itself was very well written and very well researched. I was very impressed about the depth of information that was presented <hl> - Grann went all out.

The Lost City of Z is a non-fiction book by David Grann. It tells the story of British explorer Percy Fawcett.Percy Fawcett disappeared in the 1920's with his son and his son's friend while looking for an ancient city in the Amazon, a city that he had named Z. For decades, explorers then went in search for Fawcett in the hopes of finding either him or what had happened to him, often without much luck (often disappearing themselves). Grann, a journalist who never did ANYTHING in the outdoors (and took the elevator up two flights to his apartment instead of walking it) decided to go in search of Fawcett himself AND he was able to reveal new evidence how Fawcett died and whether he had really found his city or not.I found this book to be alternatively captivating and then quite boring. There were parts that were absolutely fascinating. I found the parts about Fawcett's early life and the author's life and motivations to be really, interesting. Oftentimes, the parts about the various explorations that Fawcett went on before his latest and greatest were boring. They were all the same and they all ran into each other. There was nothing to distinguish them and I found my attention lagging at those parts. I would have to put the book down and then come back to it later on. <hl> The book itself was very well written and very well researched. I was very impressed about the depth of information that was presented <hl> - Grann went all out.I walked away generally liking the book, in spite of its slow points.

The Lost City of Z is a non-fiction book by David Grann. It tells the story of British explorer Percy Fawcett. Percy Fawcett disappeared in the 1920's with his son and his son's friend while looking for an ancient city in the Amazon, a city that he had named Z. For decades, explorers then went in search for Fawcett in the hopes of finding either him or what had happened to him, often without much luck (often disappearing themselves). Grann, a journalist who never did ANYTHING in the outdoors (and took the elevator up two flights to his apartment instead of walking it) decided to go in search of Fawcett himself AND he was able to reveal new evidence how Fawcett died and whether he had really found his city or not. I found this book to be alternatively captivating and then quite boring. There were parts that were absolutely fascinating. I found the parts about Fawcett's early life and the author's life and motivations to be really, interesting. Oftentimes, the parts about the various explorations that Fawcett went on before his latest and greatest were boring. They were all the same and they all ran into each other. There was nothing to distinguish them and I found my attention lagging at those parts. I would have to put the book down and then come back to it later on. <hl> The book itself was very well written and very well researched. I was very impressed about the depth of information that was presented - Grann went all out. <hl> I walked away generally liking the book, in spite of its slow points.

b2c755f905d8ff7bbd0eee7097608272

books

message is simple, clear and powerful

question: How is the message to the reader?, context: There is something truly unique about don Miguel Ruiz's "The Four Agreements." While it reads like a cross between a religious text and a science fiction novel, its message is simple, clear and powerful."The Four Agreements" is about simplifying and taking ownership of your life. It's a practical "how to" guide for casting off the social expectations and standards that you've collected and made "fact" over the course of your life. Ruiz coins this web of overlapping societal truths as the dream of the world; suggesting that - just like we have created our own belief system as to what we're capable as individuals - so to have we, as a global entity, created a mass belief that people should act in a certain way and (with rare exception) are only capable of certain things. Ruiz shares that while this belief system is strong (and widely accepted, making it easier to submit to than to challenge) it is invalid and extremely limiting to us as individuals.Ruiz teaches that the way in which we see and interact with the world is entirely created through thousands and thousands of tiny "agreements" - situations we experience, form an opinion on and then solidify in our minds as actual fact. An opinion is not a fact. It is simply an opinion; one way of viewing the world.So, to clarify an important new term here: Ruiz defines an "agreement" as an effective "thought habit"; something you've been told so many times, or repeated to yourself so many times that you believe it to be irrefutable fact.Ruiz hypothesizes that we make and reinforce thousands of these agreements every day and, unfortunately, a lot of them are negative. We have preconceptions and criticisms of individuals, organizations, events or ideas that we allow to color our experiences. As an aside, the film "Traffic" does a great job of exploring this topic Ruiz suggests that while we have been "programmed" by thousands of little agreements we've made with ourselves and society, the active pursuit of mastery of four key agreements can counter balance the lot of them. The purpose of doing so is in creating an "authentically you" lifestyle. Think of the timeless bliss of five year olds in play. Those kids are authentically themselves. They don't know how to be any other way. And they're happy. This is what we're working towards.FAVOURITE TAKEAWAY: Over the course of his smart, quick little book, Ruiz identifies the four key agreements we can make with ourselves that will have the most dramatic impact on the happiness in our lives. Those agreements are as follows: The first agreement is to be impeccable with your word. The second agreement is don't take anything personally. The third agreement is don't make assumptions. The fourth agreement is about the action of the first three: Always do your best.While the agreements themselves are extremely simple in nature, they are also brutally challenging to master. Society teaches us to gossip. To criticize. To cut corners. To exaggerate or outright lie. Mastering these four agreements take time, patience and an incredible strong will. Ruiz's belief, however, is that the effort is worth it. With these four agreements in place, we can learn to "roll back the fog" of our existence and live the life we were truly meant to lead, rather than plod along on the path dictated to us by social programming and peer expectation. While we don't have time to go into all four agreements in detail, here are a couple key thoughts for mastering these agreements."The Four Agreements" is different. While I don't believe this book (and Ruiz's writing style or language) is one that everyone will be comfortable with, I do strongly feel the message is universal and can be lived by everyone. We do submit to societal pressures and expectations. Unconsciously, we conform to what the world tells us we should be and do. We're typically not happy about it, but we end up blaming everyone else for that - our bosses, our parents, our partner - it's always someone else's fault. The message of this book is clear - you need to take ownership for your own life and destiny. You choose the path, and the way you want to live your life. My personal opinion is that the four agreements are collectively a powerful set of tools for setting you down the right path; your path. As I said, not for everyone, but powerful stuff for the spiritually inclined.--Visit ActionableBooks for over 170 summaries, author video interviews and easy ways to implement the concepts for managers and their teams.

How is the message to the reader?

While it reads like a cross between a religious text and a science fiction novel, its message is simple, clear and powerful ."The Four Agreements" is about simplifying and taking ownership of your life.

There is something truly unique about don Miguel Ruiz's "The Four Agreements." While it reads like a cross between a religious text and a science fiction novel, its message is simple, clear and powerful."The Four Agreements" is about simplifying and taking ownership of your life. It's a practical "how to" guide for casting off the social expectations and standards that you've collected and made "fact" over the course of your life. Ruiz coins this web of overlapping societal truths as the dream of the world; suggesting that - just like we have created our own belief system as to what we're capable as individuals - so to have we, as a global entity, created a mass belief that people should act in a certain way and (with rare exception) are only capable of certain things. Ruiz shares that while this belief system is strong (and widely accepted, making it easier to submit to than to challenge) it is invalid and extremely limiting to us as individuals.Ruiz teaches that the way in which we see and interact with the world is entirely created through thousands and thousands of tiny "agreements" - situations we experience, form an opinion on and then solidify in our minds as actual fact. An opinion is not a fact. It is simply an opinion; one way of viewing the world.So, to clarify an important new term here: Ruiz defines an "agreement" as an effective "thought habit"; something you've been told so many times, or repeated to yourself so many times that you believe it to be irrefutable fact.Ruiz hypothesizes that we make and reinforce thousands of these agreements every day and, unfortunately, a lot of them are negative. We have preconceptions and criticisms of individuals, organizations, events or ideas that we allow to color our experiences. As an aside, the film "Traffic" does a great job of exploring this topic Ruiz suggests that while we have been "programmed" by thousands of little agreements we've made with ourselves and society, the active pursuit of mastery of four key agreements can counter balance the lot of them. The purpose of doing so is in creating an "authentically you" lifestyle. Think of the timeless bliss of five year olds in play. Those kids are authentically themselves. They don't know how to be any other way. And they're happy. This is what we're working towards.FAVOURITE TAKEAWAY: Over the course of his smart, quick little book, Ruiz identifies the four key agreements we can make with ourselves that will have the most dramatic impact on the happiness in our lives. Those agreements are as follows: The first agreement is to be impeccable with your word. The second agreement is don't take anything personally. The third agreement is don't make assumptions. The fourth agreement is about the action of the first three: Always do your best.While the agreements themselves are extremely simple in nature, they are also brutally challenging to master. Society teaches us to gossip. To criticize. To cut corners. To exaggerate or outright lie. Mastering these four agreements take time, patience and an incredible strong will. Ruiz's belief, however, is that the effort is worth it. With these four agreements in place, we can learn to "roll back the fog" of our existence and live the life we were truly meant to lead, rather than plod along on the path dictated to us by social programming and peer expectation. While we don't have time to go into all four agreements in detail, here are a couple key thoughts for mastering these agreements."The Four Agreements" is different. While I don't believe this book (and Ruiz's writing style or language) is one that everyone will be comfortable with, I do strongly feel the message is universal and can be lived by everyone. We do submit to societal pressures and expectations. Unconsciously, we conform to what the world tells us we should be and do. We're typically not happy about it, but we end up blaming everyone else for that - our bosses, our parents, our partner - it's always someone else's fault. The message of this book is clear - you need to take ownership for your own life and destiny. You choose the path, and the way you want to live your life. My personal opinion is that the four agreements are collectively a powerful set of tools for setting you down the right path; your path. As I said, not for everyone, but powerful stuff for the spiritually inclined.--Visit ActionableBooks for over 170 summaries, author video interviews and easy ways to implement the concepts for managers and their teams.

While it reads like a cross between a religious text and a science fiction novel, its <hl> message is simple, clear and powerful <hl> ."The Four Agreements" is about simplifying and taking ownership of your life.

There is something truly unique about don Miguel Ruiz's "The Four Agreements." While it reads like a cross between a religious text and a science fiction novel, its <hl> message is simple, clear and powerful <hl>."The Four Agreements" is about simplifying and taking ownership of your life. It's a practical "how to" guide for casting off the social expectations and standards that you've collected and made "fact" over the course of your life. Ruiz coins this web of overlapping societal truths as the dream of the world; suggesting that - just like we have created our own belief system as to what we're capable as individuals - so to have we, as a global entity, created a mass belief that people should act in a certain way and (with rare exception) are only capable of certain things. Ruiz shares that while this belief system is strong (and widely accepted, making it easier to submit to than to challenge) it is invalid and extremely limiting to us as individuals.Ruiz teaches that the way in which we see and interact with the world is entirely created through thousands and thousands of tiny "agreements" - situations we experience, form an opinion on and then solidify in our minds as actual fact. An opinion is not a fact. It is simply an opinion; one way of viewing the world.So, to clarify an important new term here: Ruiz defines an "agreement" as an effective "thought habit"; something you've been told so many times, or repeated to yourself so many times that you believe it to be irrefutable fact.Ruiz hypothesizes that we make and reinforce thousands of these agreements every day and, unfortunately, a lot of them are negative. We have preconceptions and criticisms of individuals, organizations, events or ideas that we allow to color our experiences. As an aside, the film "Traffic" does a great job of exploring this topic Ruiz suggests that while we have been "programmed" by thousands of little agreements we've made with ourselves and society, the active pursuit of mastery of four key agreements can counter balance the lot of them. The purpose of doing so is in creating an "authentically you" lifestyle. Think of the timeless bliss of five year olds in play. Those kids are authentically themselves. They don't know how to be any other way. And they're happy. This is what we're working towards.FAVOURITE TAKEAWAY: Over the course of his smart, quick little book, Ruiz identifies the four key agreements we can make with ourselves that will have the most dramatic impact on the happiness in our lives. Those agreements are as follows: The first agreement is to be impeccable with your word. The second agreement is don't take anything personally. The third agreement is don't make assumptions. The fourth agreement is about the action of the first three: Always do your best.While the agreements themselves are extremely simple in nature, they are also brutally challenging to master. Society teaches us to gossip. To criticize. To cut corners. To exaggerate or outright lie. Mastering these four agreements take time, patience and an incredible strong will. Ruiz's belief, however, is that the effort is worth it. With these four agreements in place, we can learn to "roll back the fog" of our existence and live the life we were truly meant to lead, rather than plod along on the path dictated to us by social programming and peer expectation. While we don't have time to go into all four agreements in detail, here are a couple key thoughts for mastering these agreements."The Four Agreements" is different. While I don't believe this book (and Ruiz's writing style or language) is one that everyone will be comfortable with, I do strongly feel the message is universal and can be lived by everyone. We do submit to societal pressures and expectations. Unconsciously, we conform to what the world tells us we should be and do. We're typically not happy about it, but we end up blaming everyone else for that - our bosses, our parents, our partner - it's always someone else's fault. The message of this book is clear - you need to take ownership for your own life and destiny. You choose the path, and the way you want to live your life. My personal opinion is that the four agreements are collectively a powerful set of tools for setting you down the right path; your path. As I said, not for everyone, but powerful stuff for the spiritually inclined.--Visit ActionableBooks for over 170 summaries, author video interviews and easy ways to implement the concepts for managers and their teams.

There is something truly unique about don Miguel Ruiz's "The Four Agreements." <hl> While it reads like a cross between a religious text and a science fiction novel, its message is simple, clear and powerful ."The Four Agreements" is about simplifying and taking ownership of your life. <hl> It's a practical "how to" guide for casting off the social expectations and standards that you've collected and made "fact" over the course of your life. Ruiz coins this web of overlapping societal truths as the dream of the world; suggesting that - just like we have created our own belief system as to what we're capable as individuals - so to have we, as a global entity, created a mass belief that people should act in a certain way and (with rare exception) are only capable of certain things. Ruiz shares that while this belief system is strong (and widely accepted, making it easier to submit to than to challenge) it is invalid and extremely limiting to us as individuals. Ruiz teaches that the way in which we see and interact with the world is entirely created through thousands and thousands of tiny "agreements" - situations we experience, form an opinion on and then solidify in our minds as actual fact. An opinion is not a fact. It is simply an opinion; one way of viewing the world. So, to clarify an important new term here: Ruiz defines an "agreement" as an effective "thought habit"; something you've been told so many times, or repeated to yourself so many times that you believe it to be irrefutable fact. Ruiz hypothesizes that we make and reinforce thousands of these agreements every day and, unfortunately, a lot of them are negative. We have preconceptions and criticisms of individuals, organizations, events or ideas that we allow to color our experiences. As an aside, the film "Traffic" does a great job of exploring this topic Ruiz suggests that while we have been "programmed" by thousands of little agreements we've made with ourselves and society, the active pursuit of mastery of four key agreements can counter balance the lot of them. The purpose of doing so is in creating an "authentically you" lifestyle. Think of the timeless bliss of five year olds in play. Those kids are authentically themselves. They don't know how to be any other way. And they're happy. This is what we're working towards. FAVOURITE TAKEAWAY: Over the course of his smart, quick little book, Ruiz identifies the four key agreements we can make with ourselves that will have the most dramatic impact on the happiness in our lives. Those agreements are as follows: The first agreement is to be impeccable with your word. The second agreement is don't take anything personally. The third agreement is don't make assumptions. The fourth agreement is about the action of the first three: Always do your best. While the agreements themselves are extremely simple in nature, they are also brutally challenging to master. Society teaches us to gossip. To criticize. To cut corners. To exaggerate or outright lie. Mastering these four agreements take time, patience and an incredible strong will. Ruiz's belief, however, is that the effort is worth it. With these four agreements in place, we can learn to "roll back the fog" of our existence and live the life we were truly meant to lead, rather than plod along on the path dictated to us by social programming and peer expectation. While we don't have time to go into all four agreements in detail, here are a couple key thoughts for mastering these agreements. "The Four Agreements" is different. While I don't believe this book (and Ruiz's writing style or language) is one that everyone will be comfortable with, I do strongly feel the message is universal and can be lived by everyone. We do submit to societal pressures and expectations. Unconsciously, we conform to what the world tells us we should be and do. We're typically not happy about it, but we end up blaming everyone else for that - our bosses, our parents, our partner - it's always someone else's fault. The message of this book is clear - you need to take ownership for your own life and destiny. You choose the path, and the way you want to live your life. My personal opinion is that the four agreements are collectively a powerful set of tools for setting you down the right path; your path. As I said, not for everyone, but powerful stuff for the spiritually inclined.--Visit ActionableBooks for over 170 summaries, author video interviews and easy ways to implement the concepts for managers and their teams.

225c4975f655d13af36b94491ca2d560

books

The story wasn't predictable

question: How is story?, context: It's rare that I find a book that I so look forward to reading. Gillian Flynn has done a masterful job of combining a riveting plot with great writing. It doesn't feel naive and it contains just the right amount of tension to keep things interesting. The story wasn't predictable and the ending was deliberately left open ended.

How is story?

The story wasn't predictable and the ending was deliberately left open ended.

It's rare that I find a book that I so look forward to reading. Gillian Flynn has done a masterful job of combining a riveting plot with great writing. It doesn't feel naive and it contains just the right amount of tension to keep things interesting. The story wasn't predictable and the ending was deliberately left open ended.

<hl> The story wasn't predictable <hl> and the ending was deliberately left open ended.

It's rare that I find a book that I so look forward to reading. Gillian Flynn has done a masterful job of combining a riveting plot with great writing. It doesn't feel naive and it contains just the right amount of tension to keep things interesting. <hl> The story wasn't predictable <hl> and the ending was deliberately left open ended.

It's rare that I find a book that I so look forward to reading. Gillian Flynn has done a masterful job of combining a riveting plot with great writing. It doesn't feel naive and it contains just the right amount of tension to keep things interesting. <hl> The story wasn't predictable and the ending was deliberately left open ended. <hl>

b3cd5537f88bf960f36f978283509f32

books

the books are to short and the ending cliff hangers are driving me crazy

question: Why was the book too short?, context: I have loved both books so far... my only grip is the books are to short and the ending cliff hangers are driving me crazy. I just wished this was one big long novel. Just as you get deep into the book and it gets really interesting it ends and you half to wait on the next book. The characters and story line are great.

Why was the book too short?

my only grip is the books are to short and the ending cliff hangers are driving me crazy .

I have loved both books so far... my only grip is the books are to short and the ending cliff hangers are driving me crazy. I just wished this was one big long novel. Just as you get deep into the book and it gets really interesting it ends and you half to wait on the next book. The characters and story line are great.

my only grip is <hl> the books are to short and the ending cliff hangers are driving me crazy <hl> .

I have loved both books so far... my only grip is <hl> the books are to short and the ending cliff hangers are driving me crazy <hl>. I just wished this was one big long novel. Just as you get deep into the book and it gets really interesting it ends and you half to wait on the next book. The characters and story line are great.

I have loved both books so far... <hl> my only grip is the books are to short and the ending cliff hangers are driving me crazy . <hl> I just wished this was one big long novel. Just as you get deep into the book and it gets really interesting it ends and you half to wait on the next book. The characters and story line are great.

f89c71adc6bf20349084e2cbcb1ac13f

books

There is absolutley nothing in this book that is in any way a breakthrough in the area of baby care

question: Is the book redundant?, context: I asked for this book for my shower because a lot of moms on a discussion forum I read raved about it. Just a few pages into it, I wondered if there was really any need to read the entire book. The other mommies assured me it was worth it.I am not convinced.There is absolutley nothing in this book that is in any way a breakthrough in the area of baby care. Swaddling, swinging, shushing, sucking, and stomach positioning to calm a baby are all as old as the hills. Some of these have fallen in and out of fashion at one point or another, but none of these tips are so unique that they can't be found as helpful suggestions in other parenting guides or by asking older parents... (I can't even begin to count the number of times my mother or father has suggested I calm my extremely fussy baby by "Try putting him on his belly" or "Why don't you give him a binky?")This book suffers from a number of flaws.1. I can't even begin to say how irritated I am that the author claims to have found a "new" way to calm fussy babies.2. This book would be nice as a PAMPHLET handed out at the hospital to new parents... it should NOT be a book. My original impression that this book is extremely repetitive was correct. It's not so much that none of these methods work, it's just that all can be explained very quickly. It does not take a full length book. Luckily, I read this book before my baby got here - any parent already dealing with a fussy or colicky baby would be at their wits end trying to read this entire book. (Therein lies the irony of childcare help books... those who need them the most don't have the time or ability to read them!!!)3. The methods do NOT work for all babies and despite Karp's claim that colic does not even exist in some cultures due to parents using his methods... Colic does NOT always respond to these methods. Living with my baby was agony for the first few months. It didn't matter what I tried - days and evenings were horrible. Anyone who claims to have a cure for colic has clearly never really dealt with colic! What seemed to matter more to my baby was the clock... once 11pm hit, swaddled and nursed, he would sleep well at night. Between 6pm and 11pm, though, it didn't matter WHAT I tried, he was fussy and needed to be held and nursed constantly. I could nolt put him down no matter what I tried. There was no magic "off switch," despite Karp's claims.In short, this book was a waste of my time. Skim it in a bookstore if you wish, but do not spend your money.In response to others claims that babies can become hooked on the methods in this book... I don't think this is a serious issue. We swaddled at night until my baby was big and strong enough to weasle his way out of his wrappings, no matter how many diaper pins I tried to fasten him with. Once he was too big to swaddle, he had no problems sleeping at night. (I mean, at 4 1/2 months he has yet to sleep through the night, but he sleeps no differently unswaddled than swaddled...)Maybe some babies require the calming methods a little longer than others, but sooner or later they should all outgrow them... I hope!

Is the book redundant?

There is absolutley nothing in this book that is in any way a breakthrough in the area of baby care .

I asked for this book for my shower because a lot of moms on a discussion forum I read raved about it. Just a few pages into it, I wondered if there was really any need to read the entire book. The other mommies assured me it was worth it.I am not convinced.There is absolutley nothing in this book that is in any way a breakthrough in the area of baby care. Swaddling, swinging, shushing, sucking, and stomach positioning to calm a baby are all as old as the hills. Some of these have fallen in and out of fashion at one point or another, but none of these tips are so unique that they can't be found as helpful suggestions in other parenting guides or by asking older parents... (I can't even begin to count the number of times my mother or father has suggested I calm my extremely fussy baby by "Try putting him on his belly" or "Why don't you give him a binky?")This book suffers from a number of flaws.1. I can't even begin to say how irritated I am that the author claims to have found a "new" way to calm fussy babies.2. This book would be nice as a PAMPHLET handed out at the hospital to new parents... it should NOT be a book. My original impression that this book is extremely repetitive was correct. It's not so much that none of these methods work, it's just that all can be explained very quickly. It does not take a full length book. Luckily, I read this book before my baby got here - any parent already dealing with a fussy or colicky baby would be at their wits end trying to read this entire book. (Therein lies the irony of childcare help books... those who need them the most don't have the time or ability to read them!!!)3. The methods do NOT work for all babies and despite Karp's claim that colic does not even exist in some cultures due to parents using his methods... Colic does NOT always respond to these methods. Living with my baby was agony for the first few months. It didn't matter what I tried - days and evenings were horrible. Anyone who claims to have a cure for colic has clearly never really dealt with colic! What seemed to matter more to my baby was the clock... once 11pm hit, swaddled and nursed, he would sleep well at night. Between 6pm and 11pm, though, it didn't matter WHAT I tried, he was fussy and needed to be held and nursed constantly. I could nolt put him down no matter what I tried. There was no magic "off switch," despite Karp's claims.In short, this book was a waste of my time. Skim it in a bookstore if you wish, but do not spend your money.In response to others claims that babies can become hooked on the methods in this book... I don't think this is a serious issue. We swaddled at night until my baby was big and strong enough to weasle his way out of his wrappings, no matter how many diaper pins I tried to fasten him with. Once he was too big to swaddle, he had no problems sleeping at night. (I mean, at 4 1/2 months he has yet to sleep through the night, but he sleeps no differently unswaddled than swaddled...)Maybe some babies require the calming methods a little longer than others, but sooner or later they should all outgrow them... I hope!

<hl> There is absolutley nothing in this book that is in any way a breakthrough in the area of baby care <hl> .

I asked for this book for my shower because a lot of moms on a discussion forum I read raved about it. Just a few pages into it, I wondered if there was really any need to read the entire book. The other mommies assured me it was worth it.I am not convinced.<hl> There is absolutley nothing in this book that is in any way a breakthrough in the area of baby care <hl>. Swaddling, swinging, shushing, sucking, and stomach positioning to calm a baby are all as old as the hills. Some of these have fallen in and out of fashion at one point or another, but none of these tips are so unique that they can't be found as helpful suggestions in other parenting guides or by asking older parents... (I can't even begin to count the number of times my mother or father has suggested I calm my extremely fussy baby by "Try putting him on his belly" or "Why don't you give him a binky?")This book suffers from a number of flaws.1. I can't even begin to say how irritated I am that the author claims to have found a "new" way to calm fussy babies.2. This book would be nice as a PAMPHLET handed out at the hospital to new parents... it should NOT be a book. My original impression that this book is extremely repetitive was correct. It's not so much that none of these methods work, it's just that all can be explained very quickly. It does not take a full length book. Luckily, I read this book before my baby got here - any parent already dealing with a fussy or colicky baby would be at their wits end trying to read this entire book. (Therein lies the irony of childcare help books... those who need them the most don't have the time or ability to read them!!!)3. The methods do NOT work for all babies and despite Karp's claim that colic does not even exist in some cultures due to parents using his methods... Colic does NOT always respond to these methods. Living with my baby was agony for the first few months. It didn't matter what I tried - days and evenings were horrible. Anyone who claims to have a cure for colic has clearly never really dealt with colic! What seemed to matter more to my baby was the clock... once 11pm hit, swaddled and nursed, he would sleep well at night. Between 6pm and 11pm, though, it didn't matter WHAT I tried, he was fussy and needed to be held and nursed constantly. I could nolt put him down no matter what I tried. There was no magic "off switch," despite Karp's claims.In short, this book was a waste of my time. Skim it in a bookstore if you wish, but do not spend your money.In response to others claims that babies can become hooked on the methods in this book... I don't think this is a serious issue. We swaddled at night until my baby was big and strong enough to weasle his way out of his wrappings, no matter how many diaper pins I tried to fasten him with. Once he was too big to swaddle, he had no problems sleeping at night. (I mean, at 4 1/2 months he has yet to sleep through the night, but he sleeps no differently unswaddled than swaddled...)Maybe some babies require the calming methods a little longer than others, but sooner or later they should all outgrow them... I hope!

I asked for this book for my shower because a lot of moms on a discussion forum I read raved about it. Just a few pages into it, I wondered if there was really any need to read the entire book. The other mommies assured me it was worth it. I am not convinced. <hl> There is absolutley nothing in this book that is in any way a breakthrough in the area of baby care . <hl> Swaddling, swinging, shushing, sucking, and stomach positioning to calm a baby are all as old as the hills. Some of these have fallen in and out of fashion at one point or another, but none of these tips are so unique that they can't be found as helpful suggestions in other parenting guides or by asking older parents... (I can't even begin to count the number of times my mother or father has suggested I calm my extremely fussy baby by "Try putting him on his belly" or "Why don't you give him a binky?")This book suffers from a number of flaws.1. I can't even begin to say how irritated I am that the author claims to have found a "new" way to calm fussy babies.2. This book would be nice as a PAMPHLET handed out at the hospital to new parents... it should NOT be a book. My original impression that this book is extremely repetitive was correct. It's not so much that none of these methods work, it's just that all can be explained very quickly. It does not take a full length book. Luckily, I read this book before my baby got here - any parent already dealing with a fussy or colicky baby would be at their wits end trying to read this entire book. (Therein lies the irony of childcare help books... those who need them the most don't have the time or ability to read them!!!)3. The methods do NOT work for all babies and despite Karp's claim that colic does not even exist in some cultures due to parents using his methods... Colic does NOT always respond to these methods. Living with my baby was agony for the first few months. It didn't matter what I tried - days and evenings were horrible. Anyone who claims to have a cure for colic has clearly never really dealt with colic! What seemed to matter more to my baby was the clock... once 11pm hit, swaddled and nursed, he would sleep well at night. Between 6pm and 11pm, though, it didn't matter WHAT I tried, he was fussy and needed to be held and nursed constantly. I could nolt put him down no matter what I tried. There was no magic "off switch," despite Karp's claims. In short, this book was a waste of my time. Skim it in a bookstore if you wish, but do not spend your money. In response to others claims that babies can become hooked on the methods in this book... I don't think this is a serious issue. We swaddled at night until my baby was big and strong enough to weasle his way out of his wrappings, no matter how many diaper pins I tried to fasten him with. Once he was too big to swaddle, he had no problems sleeping at night. (I mean, at 4 1/2 months he has yet to sleep through the night, but he sleeps no differently unswaddled than swaddled...)Maybe some babies require the calming methods a little longer than others, but sooner or later they should all outgrow them... I hope!

169bc09abfb8946ed04b44b1c5613794

books

the end was stupid

question: How is the end?, context: I couldn't wait to read this book because everyone was raving about it.The beginning was dull, the middle was wtf?, the end was stupid.It was overly dramatic, extremely contrived and neither character was developedenough for me to be interested in them. They should have both died at the end.Don't waste your time.

How is the end?

The beginning was dull, the middle was wtf?, the end was stupid .It was overly dramatic, extremely contrived and neither character was developedenough for me to be interested in them.

I couldn't wait to read this book because everyone was raving about it.The beginning was dull, the middle was wtf?, the end was stupid.It was overly dramatic, extremely contrived and neither character was developedenough for me to be interested in them. They should have both died at the end.Don't waste your time.

The beginning was dull, the middle was wtf?, <hl> the end was stupid <hl> .It was overly dramatic, extremely contrived and neither character was developedenough for me to be interested in them.

I couldn't wait to read this book because everyone was raving about it.The beginning was dull, the middle was wtf?, <hl> the end was stupid <hl>.It was overly dramatic, extremely contrived and neither character was developedenough for me to be interested in them. They should have both died at the end.Don't waste your time.

I couldn't wait to read this book because everyone was raving about it. <hl> The beginning was dull, the middle was wtf?, the end was stupid .It was overly dramatic, extremely contrived and neither character was developedenough for me to be interested in them. <hl> They should have both died at the end. Don't waste your time.

3d67905b93fe14e3476de3c1031fcb49

books

This novel is really good and takes you on a ride through the museum

question: What novel is great?, context: This novel is really good and takes you on a ride through the museum. I like the characters and the mystery involved. I also love to read Preston and Childs. Thanks for the journey!

What novel is great?

This novel is really good and takes you on a ride through the museum .

This novel is really good and takes you on a ride through the museum. I like the characters and the mystery involved. I also love to read Preston and Childs. Thanks for the journey!

<hl> This novel is really good and takes you on a ride through the museum <hl> .

<hl> This novel is really good and takes you on a ride through the museum <hl>. I like the characters and the mystery involved. I also love to read Preston and Childs. Thanks for the journey!

<hl> This novel is really good and takes you on a ride through the museum . <hl> I like the characters and the mystery involved. I also love to read Preston and Childs. Thanks for the journey!

6a6e419f6516a6e89b85a451f871a5d4

books

Mockingjay did not live up to Hunger

question: How is the habit?, context: To me, Mockingjay did not live up to Hunger Games or Catching Fire.One disturbing factor of this series and, in particular, this specific book is the sheer gore that Collins sheds so freely. When comparing the last book of Harry Potter and the last book of The Hunger Games, it becomes abundantly clear to me that there is no need for the imagery and language which Collins uses to describe the terrible scenes of war. It is overkill. Did we not all mourn and feel the full impact of loss and violence in the last Harry Potter without the need of graphic detail? Part of this is that Harry had wizardry and Katniss has arrows and guns, but it truly seems like Collins is determined to give her readers PTSD in this last book. I have problems when books are labeled as "young adult" novels, yet if they were transcribed exactly into a screenplay the movie would undeniably be given a hefty "R" rating.This book also feels rushed and shallow compared to the rest of the series. Far too many new characters are introduced without any depth added, and the ending is abrupt and anti-climatic.It is uncharacteristic of Gale to have left Katniss, and for Haymitch to fizzle out of their lives as well. Snow's life is snuffed out so quietly it barely makes sense and enough allusions to Cinna are made during the book to make the audience think he is possibly alive, yet Katniss never grieves him intensely enough for us to realize he's truly dead. Above all, the epilogue of Peeta and Katniss having kids is sadly uncharacteristic of Katniss and completely unnecessary to the end of the series, though the closing line is good.I was disappointed by the plot choices in this third novel, but glad I finished the series (and glad she ended up with Peeta).

How is the habit?

To me, Mockingjay did not live up to Hunger Games or Catching Fire.

To me, Mockingjay did not live up to Hunger Games or Catching Fire.One disturbing factor of this series and, in particular, this specific book is the sheer gore that Collins sheds so freely. When comparing the last book of Harry Potter and the last book of The Hunger Games, it becomes abundantly clear to me that there is no need for the imagery and language which Collins uses to describe the terrible scenes of war. It is overkill. Did we not all mourn and feel the full impact of loss and violence in the last Harry Potter without the need of graphic detail? Part of this is that Harry had wizardry and Katniss has arrows and guns, but it truly seems like Collins is determined to give her readers PTSD in this last book. I have problems when books are labeled as "young adult" novels, yet if they were transcribed exactly into a screenplay the movie would undeniably be given a hefty "R" rating.This book also feels rushed and shallow compared to the rest of the series. Far too many new characters are introduced without any depth added, and the ending is abrupt and anti-climatic.It is uncharacteristic of Gale to have left Katniss, and for Haymitch to fizzle out of their lives as well. Snow's life is snuffed out so quietly it barely makes sense and enough allusions to Cinna are made during the book to make the audience think he is possibly alive, yet Katniss never grieves him intensely enough for us to realize he's truly dead. Above all, the epilogue of Peeta and Katniss having kids is sadly uncharacteristic of Katniss and completely unnecessary to the end of the series, though the closing line is good.I was disappointed by the plot choices in this third novel, but glad I finished the series (and glad she ended up with Peeta).

To me, <hl> Mockingjay did not live up to Hunger <hl> Games or Catching Fire.

To me, <hl> Mockingjay did not live up to Hunger <hl> Games or Catching Fire.One disturbing factor of this series and, in particular, this specific book is the sheer gore that Collins sheds so freely. When comparing the last book of Harry Potter and the last book of The Hunger Games, it becomes abundantly clear to me that there is no need for the imagery and language which Collins uses to describe the terrible scenes of war. It is overkill. Did we not all mourn and feel the full impact of loss and violence in the last Harry Potter without the need of graphic detail? Part of this is that Harry had wizardry and Katniss has arrows and guns, but it truly seems like Collins is determined to give her readers PTSD in this last book. I have problems when books are labeled as "young adult" novels, yet if they were transcribed exactly into a screenplay the movie would undeniably be given a hefty "R" rating.This book also feels rushed and shallow compared to the rest of the series. Far too many new characters are introduced without any depth added, and the ending is abrupt and anti-climatic.It is uncharacteristic of Gale to have left Katniss, and for Haymitch to fizzle out of their lives as well. Snow's life is snuffed out so quietly it barely makes sense and enough allusions to Cinna are made during the book to make the audience think he is possibly alive, yet Katniss never grieves him intensely enough for us to realize he's truly dead. Above all, the epilogue of Peeta and Katniss having kids is sadly uncharacteristic of Katniss and completely unnecessary to the end of the series, though the closing line is good.I was disappointed by the plot choices in this third novel, but glad I finished the series (and glad she ended up with Peeta).

<hl> To me, Mockingjay did not live up to Hunger Games or Catching Fire. <hl> One disturbing factor of this series and, in particular, this specific book is the sheer gore that Collins sheds so freely. When comparing the last book of Harry Potter and the last book of The Hunger Games, it becomes abundantly clear to me that there is no need for the imagery and language which Collins uses to describe the terrible scenes of war. It is overkill. Did we not all mourn and feel the full impact of loss and violence in the last Harry Potter without the need of graphic detail? Part of this is that Harry had wizardry and Katniss has arrows and guns, but it truly seems like Collins is determined to give her readers PTSD in this last book. I have problems when books are labeled as "young adult" novels, yet if they were transcribed exactly into a screenplay the movie would undeniably be given a hefty "R" rating. This book also feels rushed and shallow compared to the rest of the series. Far too many new characters are introduced without any depth added, and the ending is abrupt and anti-climatic. It is uncharacteristic of Gale to have left Katniss, and for Haymitch to fizzle out of their lives as well. Snow's life is snuffed out so quietly it barely makes sense and enough allusions to Cinna are made during the book to make the audience think he is possibly alive, yet Katniss never grieves him intensely enough for us to realize he's truly dead. Above all, the epilogue of Peeta and Katniss having kids is sadly uncharacteristic of Katniss and completely unnecessary to the end of the series, though the closing line is good. I was disappointed by the plot choices in this third novel, but glad I finished the series (and glad she ended up with Peeta).

4392695719ff4b1e6c2cebf245827bac

books

I was disappointed with this offering

question: How do you like the author?, context: Although the book moved at a reasonable pace I felt the ending was very weak ... I was disappointed with this offering.I have read 5 other Lee Child books and found this to be his weakest to date.

How do you like the author?

I was disappointed with this offering .I have read 5 other Lee Child books and found this to be his weakest to date.

Although the book moved at a reasonable pace I felt the ending was very weak ... I was disappointed with this offering.I have read 5 other Lee Child books and found this to be his weakest to date.

<hl> I was disappointed with this offering <hl> .I have read 5 other Lee Child books and found this to be his weakest to date.

Although the book moved at a reasonable pace I felt the ending was very weak ... <hl> I was disappointed with this offering <hl>.I have read 5 other Lee Child books and found this to be his weakest to date.

Although the book moved at a reasonable pace I felt the ending was very weak ... <hl> I was disappointed with this offering .I have read 5 other Lee Child books and found this to be his weakest to date. <hl>

2faafddeec38d007c321c57e1e0501bd

books

Love the storyline

question: What is your impression of this interaction?, context: Love the storyline, the main character is very likable. I will definitely buy more of this authors books, especially since this is part of a series. I will for sure purchase the rest of the books in this series.

What is your impression of this interaction?

Love the storyline , the main character is very likable.

Love the storyline, the main character is very likable. I will definitely buy more of this authors books, especially since this is part of a series. I will for sure purchase the rest of the books in this series.

<hl> Love the storyline <hl> , the main character is very likable.

<hl> Love the storyline <hl>, the main character is very likable. I will definitely buy more of this authors books, especially since this is part of a series. I will for sure purchase the rest of the books in this series.

<hl> Love the storyline , the main character is very likable. <hl> I will definitely buy more of this authors books, especially since this is part of a series. I will for sure purchase the rest of the books in this series.

3caf0c20e3feecb0c600efd9a1849a2f

books

a story about love isn't soppy or cheesy

question: Does his life empty?, context: Despite having nearly everything going for it, Delirium rarely engaged me as a reader. And yet, I am going to rate this a strong 4 stars because I can see why this series has appealed to so many. Author Oliver has a unique ability to write about common people, giving them personality and life. For once, a story about love isn't soppy or cheesy. And the reader really does want to root for the characters and see them together in the end.Story: Lena lives in a part of America where emotions, specifically love, have been controlled through a surgical procedure. It was done to keep society peaceful and placid and stop the 'delirium' - the love 'disease'. But when she meets Alex, a boy supposedly 'cured', everything changes. Suddenly, Lena doesn't want to get the procedure done on her 18th birthday. But in this America, choice isn't an option and she will lose all she feels for Alex forever if she goes in on her birthday.Delirium is a slow burn story with most of the action near the end. It's a girl-meets-boy story, a little Romeo and Juliet in a world that doesn't allow romance. But the angst of forbidden love isn't the story so much as Lena awakening from torpidity into emotion. Since the story is all first person POV, we see Lena's change unfold organically through her interactions with Alex.Side characters aren't left bereft and given as much personality as our protagonists. From best friend Hana to Lena's adopted family (her mother committed suicide due to the love 'disease'), each person is distinct and doesn't fall into the cardboard character cliche. All the same, Alex was a bit too good for my taste, lacking in nuance and enough quirks to distinguish him beyond idealized love interest.So why did Delirium fail to engage me personally? I think it has to do with having read the Shatter Me series first. Both series deal with angsty emotion but I preferred the more full on emotion of Shatter Me rather than the slow burn of Delirium. It seems a shame to even compare the two books; honestly, as much as I loved Shatter me, it definitely was not as well written as Delirium. The strength of Delirium is Oliver's writing and characters.As with most YA dystopian, the premise is pretty bonkers and doesn't hold up to close scrutiny (I felt the same way about Oliver's Panic setting). But Delirium is all about the awakening of a normal girl and a sweet love story.I listened to the Audible version of this story and the narrator was one of the best I've heard. She lives and breaths the story, not just reads it.

Does his life empty?

For once, a story about love isn't soppy or cheesy .

Despite having nearly everything going for it, Delirium rarely engaged me as a reader. And yet, I am going to rate this a strong 4 stars because I can see why this series has appealed to so many. Author Oliver has a unique ability to write about common people, giving them personality and life. For once, a story about love isn't soppy or cheesy. And the reader really does want to root for the characters and see them together in the end.Story: Lena lives in a part of America where emotions, specifically love, have been controlled through a surgical procedure. It was done to keep society peaceful and placid and stop the 'delirium' - the love 'disease'. But when she meets Alex, a boy supposedly 'cured', everything changes. Suddenly, Lena doesn't want to get the procedure done on her 18th birthday. But in this America, choice isn't an option and she will lose all she feels for Alex forever if she goes in on her birthday.Delirium is a slow burn story with most of the action near the end. It's a girl-meets-boy story, a little Romeo and Juliet in a world that doesn't allow romance. But the angst of forbidden love isn't the story so much as Lena awakening from torpidity into emotion. Since the story is all first person POV, we see Lena's change unfold organically through her interactions with Alex.Side characters aren't left bereft and given as much personality as our protagonists. From best friend Hana to Lena's adopted family (her mother committed suicide due to the love 'disease'), each person is distinct and doesn't fall into the cardboard character cliche. All the same, Alex was a bit too good for my taste, lacking in nuance and enough quirks to distinguish him beyond idealized love interest.So why did Delirium fail to engage me personally? I think it has to do with having read the Shatter Me series first. Both series deal with angsty emotion but I preferred the more full on emotion of Shatter Me rather than the slow burn of Delirium. It seems a shame to even compare the two books; honestly, as much as I loved Shatter me, it definitely was not as well written as Delirium. The strength of Delirium is Oliver's writing and characters.As with most YA dystopian, the premise is pretty bonkers and doesn't hold up to close scrutiny (I felt the same way about Oliver's Panic setting). But Delirium is all about the awakening of a normal girl and a sweet love story.I listened to the Audible version of this story and the narrator was one of the best I've heard. She lives and breaths the story, not just reads it.

For once, <hl> a story about love isn't soppy or cheesy <hl> .

Despite having nearly everything going for it, Delirium rarely engaged me as a reader. And yet, I am going to rate this a strong 4 stars because I can see why this series has appealed to so many. Author Oliver has a unique ability to write about common people, giving them personality and life. For once, <hl> a story about love isn't soppy or cheesy <hl>. And the reader really does want to root for the characters and see them together in the end.Story: Lena lives in a part of America where emotions, specifically love, have been controlled through a surgical procedure. It was done to keep society peaceful and placid and stop the 'delirium' - the love 'disease'. But when she meets Alex, a boy supposedly 'cured', everything changes. Suddenly, Lena doesn't want to get the procedure done on her 18th birthday. But in this America, choice isn't an option and she will lose all she feels for Alex forever if she goes in on her birthday.Delirium is a slow burn story with most of the action near the end. It's a girl-meets-boy story, a little Romeo and Juliet in a world that doesn't allow romance. But the angst of forbidden love isn't the story so much as Lena awakening from torpidity into emotion. Since the story is all first person POV, we see Lena's change unfold organically through her interactions with Alex.Side characters aren't left bereft and given as much personality as our protagonists. From best friend Hana to Lena's adopted family (her mother committed suicide due to the love 'disease'), each person is distinct and doesn't fall into the cardboard character cliche. All the same, Alex was a bit too good for my taste, lacking in nuance and enough quirks to distinguish him beyond idealized love interest.So why did Delirium fail to engage me personally? I think it has to do with having read the Shatter Me series first. Both series deal with angsty emotion but I preferred the more full on emotion of Shatter Me rather than the slow burn of Delirium. It seems a shame to even compare the two books; honestly, as much as I loved Shatter me, it definitely was not as well written as Delirium. The strength of Delirium is Oliver's writing and characters.As with most YA dystopian, the premise is pretty bonkers and doesn't hold up to close scrutiny (I felt the same way about Oliver's Panic setting). But Delirium is all about the awakening of a normal girl and a sweet love story.I listened to the Audible version of this story and the narrator was one of the best I've heard. She lives and breaths the story, not just reads it.

Despite having nearly everything going for it, Delirium rarely engaged me as a reader. And yet, I am going to rate this a strong 4 stars because I can see why this series has appealed to so many. Author Oliver has a unique ability to write about common people, giving them personality and life. <hl> For once, a story about love isn't soppy or cheesy . <hl> And the reader really does want to root for the characters and see them together in the end. Story: Lena lives in a part of America where emotions, specifically love, have been controlled through a surgical procedure. It was done to keep society peaceful and placid and stop the 'delirium' - the love 'disease'. But when she meets Alex, a boy supposedly 'cured', everything changes. Suddenly, Lena doesn't want to get the procedure done on her 18th birthday. But in this America, choice isn't an option and she will lose all she feels for Alex forever if she goes in on her birthday. Delirium is a slow burn story with most of the action near the end. It's a girl-meets-boy story, a little Romeo and Juliet in a world that doesn't allow romance. But the angst of forbidden love isn't the story so much as Lena awakening from torpidity into emotion. Since the story is all first person POV, we see Lena's change unfold organically through her interactions with Alex. Side characters aren't left bereft and given as much personality as our protagonists. From best friend Hana to Lena's adopted family (her mother committed suicide due to the love 'disease'), each person is distinct and doesn't fall into the cardboard character cliche. All the same, Alex was a bit too good for my taste, lacking in nuance and enough quirks to distinguish him beyond idealized love interest. So why did Delirium fail to engage me personally? I think it has to do with having read the Shatter Me series first. Both series deal with angsty emotion but I preferred the more full on emotion of Shatter Me rather than the slow burn of Delirium. It seems a shame to even compare the two books; honestly, as much as I loved Shatter me, it definitely was not as well written as Delirium. The strength of Delirium is Oliver's writing and characters. As with most YA dystopian, the premise is pretty bonkers and doesn't hold up to close scrutiny (I felt the same way about Oliver's Panic setting). But Delirium is all about the awakening of a normal girl and a sweet love story. I listened to the Audible version of this story and the narrator was one of the best I've heard. She lives and breaths the story, not just reads it.

4e10282ce9ad4d23dd191fd6dbd68e71

books

I suggest you stay away

question: What do you think about book?, context: I read Twilight and New Moon in two days a few years ago when I was home sick for a week in high school. I had read them at a time when few people knew what it was. Twilight is an okay book, to be frank. The first time I read it, I did really like it, but after a few more reads, I began to have more and more problems with the book. It's good for a one time read, however, the character of Bella is way too self-sacrificing to be real, and Edward much too perfect. Also, it's a little disturbing that vampires are doing what? Sparkling. I wasn't aware that immortal beings who were as hard as diamonds had to literally look like one in the sunlight. I admit, an interesting concept, but not to my taste. There are also a ton of grammatical errors. It has nothing amazing in it that wowed me, and I'm also tired of people comparing it to Harry Potter. This book is no where near JK Rowling's genius. This whole fan girl hype about the books and movies is also disturbing, and a complete turn off to the books. I will recommend a read through once if you like vampire novels of all kinds, however, if you're looking for something like Anne Rice's novels, I suggest you stay away.

What do you think about book?

I will recommend a read through once if you like vampire novels of all kinds, however, if you're looking for something like Anne Rice's novels, I suggest you stay away .

I read Twilight and New Moon in two days a few years ago when I was home sick for a week in high school. I had read them at a time when few people knew what it was. Twilight is an okay book, to be frank. The first time I read it, I did really like it, but after a few more reads, I began to have more and more problems with the book. It's good for a one time read, however, the character of Bella is way too self-sacrificing to be real, and Edward much too perfect. Also, it's a little disturbing that vampires are doing what? Sparkling. I wasn't aware that immortal beings who were as hard as diamonds had to literally look like one in the sunlight. I admit, an interesting concept, but not to my taste. There are also a ton of grammatical errors. It has nothing amazing in it that wowed me, and I'm also tired of people comparing it to Harry Potter. This book is no where near JK Rowling's genius. This whole fan girl hype about the books and movies is also disturbing, and a complete turn off to the books. I will recommend a read through once if you like vampire novels of all kinds, however, if you're looking for something like Anne Rice's novels, I suggest you stay away.

I will recommend a read through once if you like vampire novels of all kinds, however, if you're looking for something like Anne Rice's novels, <hl> I suggest you stay away <hl> .

I read Twilight and New Moon in two days a few years ago when I was home sick for a week in high school. I had read them at a time when few people knew what it was. Twilight is an okay book, to be frank. The first time I read it, I did really like it, but after a few more reads, I began to have more and more problems with the book. It's good for a one time read, however, the character of Bella is way too self-sacrificing to be real, and Edward much too perfect. Also, it's a little disturbing that vampires are doing what? Sparkling. I wasn't aware that immortal beings who were as hard as diamonds had to literally look like one in the sunlight. I admit, an interesting concept, but not to my taste. There are also a ton of grammatical errors. It has nothing amazing in it that wowed me, and I'm also tired of people comparing it to Harry Potter. This book is no where near JK Rowling's genius. This whole fan girl hype about the books and movies is also disturbing, and a complete turn off to the books. I will recommend a read through once if you like vampire novels of all kinds, however, if you're looking for something like Anne Rice's novels, <hl> I suggest you stay away <hl>.

I read Twilight and New Moon in two days a few years ago when I was home sick for a week in high school. I had read them at a time when few people knew what it was. Twilight is an okay book, to be frank. The first time I read it, I did really like it, but after a few more reads, I began to have more and more problems with the book. It's good for a one time read, however, the character of Bella is way too self-sacrificing to be real, and Edward much too perfect. Also, it's a little disturbing that vampires are doing what? Sparkling. I wasn't aware that immortal beings who were as hard as diamonds had to literally look like one in the sunlight. I admit, an interesting concept, but not to my taste. There are also a ton of grammatical errors. It has nothing amazing in it that wowed me, and I'm also tired of people comparing it to Harry Potter. This book is no where near JK Rowling's genius. This whole fan girl hype about the books and movies is also disturbing, and a complete turn off to the books. <hl> I will recommend a read through once if you like vampire novels of all kinds, however, if you're looking for something like Anne Rice's novels, I suggest you stay away . <hl>

7641682d151719677e98a26f47e67d33

books

which is surprising because I was extremely critical of the first one

question: How is parent?, context: This book is definitely the worst of the divergent trilogy, which is surprising because I was extremely critical of the first one.What makes this book so bad? For me, a major part is a shift in how the story is presented. In the first two books it is entirely from Tris' perspective. You would think after reading two books that do not deviate AT ALL throughout, the third book would follow suit. Not the case at all. For whatever reason Roth decides to jump back and forth between Tobias and Tris. This made the story incredibly hard to follow because after a few pages I would forget the chapter switched to Tobias' narrative and wonder why Tris would say, think, or do something totally out of character. I'd flip back to the beginning of the chapter only to realize it switched again, which removes you entirely from the story. Think of it as watching a DVD and you see an actor you recognize but you cannot for the life of you remember his/her name. You decide to stop the movie and check the credits. A few minutes go by and you forget the name, so you check again. Yeah, it gets annoying really quickly!The cliffhanger at the end of the second novel was simply amazing as the possibilities were literally endless. Anything could have been outside of the city walls. Sadly, the truth was much less exciting than many of the possibilities I dreamed up while waiting to read the third book. Roth should have spent more time developing the world outside. Instead, she went the greed route and put out a book before it was fully ready and hoped fans of the earlier two would come flocking to read it. Sadly I fell for it, but I do feel better knowing I borrowed the book from a library and can give it back. Having it in my collection would depress me to no end.

How is parent?

This book is definitely the worst of the divergent trilogy, which is surprising because I was extremely critical of the first one .What makes this book so bad?

This book is definitely the worst of the divergent trilogy, which is surprising because I was extremely critical of the first one.What makes this book so bad? For me, a major part is a shift in how the story is presented. In the first two books it is entirely from Tris' perspective. You would think after reading two books that do not deviate AT ALL throughout, the third book would follow suit. Not the case at all. For whatever reason Roth decides to jump back and forth between Tobias and Tris. This made the story incredibly hard to follow because after a few pages I would forget the chapter switched to Tobias' narrative and wonder why Tris would say, think, or do something totally out of character. I'd flip back to the beginning of the chapter only to realize it switched again, which removes you entirely from the story. Think of it as watching a DVD and you see an actor you recognize but you cannot for the life of you remember his/her name. You decide to stop the movie and check the credits. A few minutes go by and you forget the name, so you check again. Yeah, it gets annoying really quickly!The cliffhanger at the end of the second novel was simply amazing as the possibilities were literally endless. Anything could have been outside of the city walls. Sadly, the truth was much less exciting than many of the possibilities I dreamed up while waiting to read the third book. Roth should have spent more time developing the world outside. Instead, she went the greed route and put out a book before it was fully ready and hoped fans of the earlier two would come flocking to read it. Sadly I fell for it, but I do feel better knowing I borrowed the book from a library and can give it back. Having it in my collection would depress me to no end.

This book is definitely the worst of the divergent trilogy, <hl> which is surprising because I was extremely critical of the first one <hl> .What makes this book so bad?

This book is definitely the worst of the divergent trilogy, <hl> which is surprising because I was extremely critical of the first one <hl>.What makes this book so bad? For me, a major part is a shift in how the story is presented. In the first two books it is entirely from Tris' perspective. You would think after reading two books that do not deviate AT ALL throughout, the third book would follow suit. Not the case at all. For whatever reason Roth decides to jump back and forth between Tobias and Tris. This made the story incredibly hard to follow because after a few pages I would forget the chapter switched to Tobias' narrative and wonder why Tris would say, think, or do something totally out of character. I'd flip back to the beginning of the chapter only to realize it switched again, which removes you entirely from the story. Think of it as watching a DVD and you see an actor you recognize but you cannot for the life of you remember his/her name. You decide to stop the movie and check the credits. A few minutes go by and you forget the name, so you check again. Yeah, it gets annoying really quickly!The cliffhanger at the end of the second novel was simply amazing as the possibilities were literally endless. Anything could have been outside of the city walls. Sadly, the truth was much less exciting than many of the possibilities I dreamed up while waiting to read the third book. Roth should have spent more time developing the world outside. Instead, she went the greed route and put out a book before it was fully ready and hoped fans of the earlier two would come flocking to read it. Sadly I fell for it, but I do feel better knowing I borrowed the book from a library and can give it back. Having it in my collection would depress me to no end.

<hl> This book is definitely the worst of the divergent trilogy, which is surprising because I was extremely critical of the first one .What makes this book so bad? <hl> For me, a major part is a shift in how the story is presented. In the first two books it is entirely from Tris' perspective. You would think after reading two books that do not deviate AT ALL throughout, the third book would follow suit. Not the case at all. For whatever reason Roth decides to jump back and forth between Tobias and Tris. This made the story incredibly hard to follow because after a few pages I would forget the chapter switched to Tobias' narrative and wonder why Tris would say, think, or do something totally out of character. I'd flip back to the beginning of the chapter only to realize it switched again, which removes you entirely from the story. Think of it as watching a DVD and you see an actor you recognize but you cannot for the life of you remember his/her name. You decide to stop the movie and check the credits. A few minutes go by and you forget the name, so you check again. Yeah, it gets annoying really quickly!The cliffhanger at the end of the second novel was simply amazing as the possibilities were literally endless. Anything could have been outside of the city walls. Sadly, the truth was much less exciting than many of the possibilities I dreamed up while waiting to read the third book. Roth should have spent more time developing the world outside. Instead, she went the greed route and put out a book before it was fully ready and hoped fans of the earlier two would come flocking to read it. Sadly I fell for it, but I do feel better knowing I borrowed the book from a library and can give it back. Having it in my collection would depress me to no end.

abe6cf175c9f6fae4b1cb1e1b9916910

books

I have read all of Ms Picoult books

question: How was the book?, context: I have read all of Ms Picoult books, and this one isn't great. some of hers are really terrific. As a matter of fact, her more recent ones aren't as good as her other ones.

How was the book?

I have read all of Ms Picoult books , and this one isn't great.

I have read all of Ms Picoult books, and this one isn't great. some of hers are really terrific. As a matter of fact, her more recent ones aren't as good as her other ones.

<hl> I have read all of Ms Picoult books <hl> , and this one isn't great.

<hl> I have read all of Ms Picoult books <hl>, and this one isn't great. some of hers are really terrific. As a matter of fact, her more recent ones aren't as good as her other ones.

<hl> I have read all of Ms Picoult books , and this one isn't great. <hl> some of hers are really terrific. As a matter of fact, her more recent ones aren't as good as her other ones.

34ed40c7326b5878bda6c7e6c5ffaf50

books

The novel also ends with a philisophical bang, which I won't give away, but which did blow me away

question: What is the most exciting part of the story?, context: Yann Martel's Life of Pi is a wondrous novel, a marvelous novel--there is much to wonder and marvel at. The story is simple, yet complex at the same time and can be read on many levels. On the surface, this is the story of a young man who grows up in India and at sixteen, en route to Canada with his family, finds himself the sole human survivor of a shipwreck, afloat on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. The story is divided into two sectins. The first occurs before he gets on the boat and tells of his life as a young zookeeper's son. As a boy, he decides to become a practicing Catholic, Muslim and Hindu, all at once. His ruminations on zookeeping and religion lay the groundwork for how he could possibly survive on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. Beyond the story, however, is an examination of religion and of writing, of how to write about religion and the religious experience. It is an examination on the strengths (and weaknesses) of religious belief. The novel also ends with a philisophical bang, which I won't give away, but which did blow me away. It wasn't until I got to that point that I became truly impressed with what Martel has done here. Before that, I thought it was a very well done novel, but with the ending, it becomes much more. Life of Pi is not a typical novel. The story, its charming main character and his narrative style are all different than most everything else you can get today. That uniqueness makes it that much more special. I highly recommend Life of Pi. Enjoy.

What is the most exciting part of the story?

The novel also ends with a philisophical bang, which I won't give away, but which did blow me away .

Yann Martel's Life of Pi is a wondrous novel, a marvelous novel--there is much to wonder and marvel at. The story is simple, yet complex at the same time and can be read on many levels. On the surface, this is the story of a young man who grows up in India and at sixteen, en route to Canada with his family, finds himself the sole human survivor of a shipwreck, afloat on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. The story is divided into two sectins. The first occurs before he gets on the boat and tells of his life as a young zookeeper's son. As a boy, he decides to become a practicing Catholic, Muslim and Hindu, all at once. His ruminations on zookeeping and religion lay the groundwork for how he could possibly survive on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. Beyond the story, however, is an examination of religion and of writing, of how to write about religion and the religious experience. It is an examination on the strengths (and weaknesses) of religious belief. The novel also ends with a philisophical bang, which I won't give away, but which did blow me away. It wasn't until I got to that point that I became truly impressed with what Martel has done here. Before that, I thought it was a very well done novel, but with the ending, it becomes much more. Life of Pi is not a typical novel. The story, its charming main character and his narrative style are all different than most everything else you can get today. That uniqueness makes it that much more special. I highly recommend Life of Pi. Enjoy.

<hl> The novel also ends with a philisophical bang, which I won't give away, but which did blow me away <hl> .

Yann Martel's Life of Pi is a wondrous novel, a marvelous novel--there is much to wonder and marvel at. The story is simple, yet complex at the same time and can be read on many levels. On the surface, this is the story of a young man who grows up in India and at sixteen, en route to Canada with his family, finds himself the sole human survivor of a shipwreck, afloat on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. The story is divided into two sectins. The first occurs before he gets on the boat and tells of his life as a young zookeeper's son. As a boy, he decides to become a practicing Catholic, Muslim and Hindu, all at once. His ruminations on zookeeping and religion lay the groundwork for how he could possibly survive on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. Beyond the story, however, is an examination of religion and of writing, of how to write about religion and the religious experience. It is an examination on the strengths (and weaknesses) of religious belief. <hl> The novel also ends with a philisophical bang, which I won't give away, but which did blow me away <hl>. It wasn't until I got to that point that I became truly impressed with what Martel has done here. Before that, I thought it was a very well done novel, but with the ending, it becomes much more. Life of Pi is not a typical novel. The story, its charming main character and his narrative style are all different than most everything else you can get today. That uniqueness makes it that much more special. I highly recommend Life of Pi. Enjoy.

Yann Martel's Life of Pi is a wondrous novel, a marvelous novel--there is much to wonder and marvel at. The story is simple, yet complex at the same time and can be read on many levels. On the surface, this is the story of a young man who grows up in India and at sixteen, en route to Canada with his family, finds himself the sole human survivor of a shipwreck, afloat on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. The story is divided into two sectins. The first occurs before he gets on the boat and tells of his life as a young zookeeper's son. As a boy, he decides to become a practicing Catholic, Muslim and Hindu, all at once. His ruminations on zookeeping and religion lay the groundwork for how he could possibly survive on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. Beyond the story, however, is an examination of religion and of writing, of how to write about religion and the religious experience. It is an examination on the strengths (and weaknesses) of religious belief. <hl> The novel also ends with a philisophical bang, which I won't give away, but which did blow me away . <hl> It wasn't until I got to that point that I became truly impressed with what Martel has done here. Before that, I thought it was a very well done novel, but with the ending, it becomes much more. Life of Pi is not a typical novel. The story, its charming main character and his narrative style are all different than most everything else you can get today. That uniqueness makes it that much more special. I highly recommend Life of Pi. Enjoy.

2d736735a205e314608a03756a3e2bfc

books

there was nothing particularly revealing about the art form or the subject matter

question: How can I write something terrifying?, context: I didn't hate the protagonist as much as some other critical reviewers, but I also didn't see what was the fuss. The story did not seem original or particularly interesting. The writing was fine, but nothing close to mind-blowing; there was nothing particularly revealing about the art form or the subject matter.

How can I write something terrifying?

The writing was fine, but nothing close to mind-blowing; there was nothing particularly revealing about the art form or the subject matter .

I didn't hate the protagonist as much as some other critical reviewers, but I also didn't see what was the fuss. The story did not seem original or particularly interesting. The writing was fine, but nothing close to mind-blowing; there was nothing particularly revealing about the art form or the subject matter.

The writing was fine, but nothing close to mind-blowing; <hl> there was nothing particularly revealing about the art form or the subject matter <hl> .

I didn't hate the protagonist as much as some other critical reviewers, but I also didn't see what was the fuss. The story did not seem original or particularly interesting. The writing was fine, but nothing close to mind-blowing; <hl> there was nothing particularly revealing about the art form or the subject matter <hl>.

I didn't hate the protagonist as much as some other critical reviewers, but I also didn't see what was the fuss. The story did not seem original or particularly interesting. <hl> The writing was fine, but nothing close to mind-blowing; there was nothing particularly revealing about the art form or the subject matter . <hl>

8a04f772b879304a5bf5e6342ae60226

books

This series is wonderful

question: How is the series?, context: This series is wonderful but the ending is sooooooo sad it makes you wanna cry someone told me the ending but I still was surprised :(

How is the series?

This series is wonderful but the ending is sooooooo sad it makes you wanna cry someone told me the ending but I still was surprised :(

This series is wonderful but the ending is sooooooo sad it makes you wanna cry someone told me the ending but I still was surprised :(

<hl> This series is wonderful <hl> but the ending is sooooooo sad it makes you wanna cry someone told me the ending but I still was surprised :(

<hl> This series is wonderful <hl> but the ending is sooooooo sad it makes you wanna cry someone told me the ending but I still was surprised :(

<hl> This series is wonderful but the ending is sooooooo sad it makes you wanna cry someone told me the ending but I still was surprised :( <hl>

cf08239a1d23667e1b5db12ffcbf87eb

books

this book we pretty much jump right into Jessica and Gabe&#8217;s

question: What is the feeling toward is brother?, context: What a great debut by Rebecca! I have had this book on my to-read list for a while and just made sure to push it up since book #2 Undone is going to be coming soon.Let me just say I love everything and everyone Garcia in this story! I will get to Gabe in a minute&#8230;. I loved the support from the Garcia&#8217;s to Jessica &#8211; their connection with her alone broke me a bit later in the book.Jessica is the female lead in this book&#8230; she is a high-school senior, independent, responsible and mostly in control of her life. Because her father works a lot, for most of her life she has essentially lived with the Garcia family&#8230;. You have her best friend, Ava, and then her big brother, Gabriel. With this book we pretty much jump right into Jessica and Gabe&#8217;s relationship. Yes, it does happen quickly, I don&#8217;t think that we need to see how they got there with flashbacks from their childhood, etc. Sure, I may have liked to see a little more of their building relationship, BUT It really is not that important as the story is not about them getting together, it in the end is if they are going to stay together. My heart breaks for Jessica (and all the characters) throughout this story.&#8220;I can&#8217;t remember a time when I haven&#8217;t loved you. You have been a part of my life for over fourteen years. When you were younger, it was a different kind of love, but now, it&#8217;s the kind of love that won&#8217;t let me breathe if you&#8217;re not with me. It&#8217;s the kind of love that makes me not want to live if I can&#8217;t be with you&#8221;Ok, back to GABE! He has to be one of the best book-boyfriends out there! I love a caring, sweet, thoughtful, supportive, romantic, faithful and loving man especially one who has a dream and will do whatever he has to put that plan in place. Totally swoon-worthy &#8230; I am sure he will win you over!I want to be very careful not to write any spoilers here, because I want you to have the same journey that I had. With the title and the book blurb, you can assume there is some sort of tragedy was going to come&#8230; you don&#8217;t know what exactly, but you expect it&#8230; you also don&#8217;t know when it is coming (that made me a little anxious LOL &#8211; because things were too good to be true and I began to worry).Rebecca wrote a beautiful story of unconditional love that brought tears to my eyes&#8230; a bunch of them! Can&#8217;t wait to read the companion novel coming up! (This book does not have a cliffhanger)&#8220;Will their love prove to be UNBREAKABLE, or will it shatter and prove fate is just another lie?&#8221;Pick this one up and find out for yourself.

What is the feeling toward is brother?

With this book we pretty much jump right into Jessica and Gabe&#8217;s relationship.

What a great debut by Rebecca! I have had this book on my to-read list for a while and just made sure to push it up since book #2 Undone is going to be coming soon.Let me just say I love everything and everyone Garcia in this story! I will get to Gabe in a minute&#8230;. I loved the support from the Garcia&#8217;s to Jessica &#8211; their connection with her alone broke me a bit later in the book.Jessica is the female lead in this book&#8230; she is a high-school senior, independent, responsible and mostly in control of her life. Because her father works a lot, for most of her life she has essentially lived with the Garcia family&#8230;. You have her best friend, Ava, and then her big brother, Gabriel. With this book we pretty much jump right into Jessica and Gabe&#8217;s relationship. Yes, it does happen quickly, I don&#8217;t think that we need to see how they got there with flashbacks from their childhood, etc. Sure, I may have liked to see a little more of their building relationship, BUT It really is not that important as the story is not about them getting together, it in the end is if they are going to stay together. My heart breaks for Jessica (and all the characters) throughout this story.&#8220;I can&#8217;t remember a time when I haven&#8217;t loved you. You have been a part of my life for over fourteen years. When you were younger, it was a different kind of love, but now, it&#8217;s the kind of love that won&#8217;t let me breathe if you&#8217;re not with me. It&#8217;s the kind of love that makes me not want to live if I can&#8217;t be with you&#8221;Ok, back to GABE! He has to be one of the best book-boyfriends out there! I love a caring, sweet, thoughtful, supportive, romantic, faithful and loving man especially one who has a dream and will do whatever he has to put that plan in place. Totally swoon-worthy &#8230; I am sure he will win you over!I want to be very careful not to write any spoilers here, because I want you to have the same journey that I had. With the title and the book blurb, you can assume there is some sort of tragedy was going to come&#8230; you don&#8217;t know what exactly, but you expect it&#8230; you also don&#8217;t know when it is coming (that made me a little anxious LOL &#8211; because things were too good to be true and I began to worry).Rebecca wrote a beautiful story of unconditional love that brought tears to my eyes&#8230; a bunch of them! Can&#8217;t wait to read the companion novel coming up! (This book does not have a cliffhanger)&#8220;Will their love prove to be UNBREAKABLE, or will it shatter and prove fate is just another lie?&#8221;Pick this one up and find out for yourself.

With <hl> this book we pretty much jump right into Jessica and Gabe&#8217;s <hl> relationship.

What a great debut by Rebecca! I have had this book on my to-read list for a while and just made sure to push it up since book #2 Undone is going to be coming soon.Let me just say I love everything and everyone Garcia in this story! I will get to Gabe in a minute&#8230;. I loved the support from the Garcia&#8217;s to Jessica &#8211; their connection with her alone broke me a bit later in the book.Jessica is the female lead in this book&#8230; she is a high-school senior, independent, responsible and mostly in control of her life. Because her father works a lot, for most of her life she has essentially lived with the Garcia family&#8230;. You have her best friend, Ava, and then her big brother, Gabriel. With <hl> this book we pretty much jump right into Jessica and Gabe&#8217;s <hl> relationship. Yes, it does happen quickly, I don&#8217;t think that we need to see how they got there with flashbacks from their childhood, etc. Sure, I may have liked to see a little more of their building relationship, BUT It really is not that important as the story is not about them getting together, it in the end is if they are going to stay together. My heart breaks for Jessica (and all the characters) throughout this story.&#8220;I can&#8217;t remember a time when I haven&#8217;t loved you. You have been a part of my life for over fourteen years. When you were younger, it was a different kind of love, but now, it&#8217;s the kind of love that won&#8217;t let me breathe if you&#8217;re not with me. It&#8217;s the kind of love that makes me not want to live if I can&#8217;t be with you&#8221;Ok, back to GABE! He has to be one of the best book-boyfriends out there! I love a caring, sweet, thoughtful, supportive, romantic, faithful and loving man especially one who has a dream and will do whatever he has to put that plan in place. Totally swoon-worthy &#8230; I am sure he will win you over!I want to be very careful not to write any spoilers here, because I want you to have the same journey that I had. With the title and the book blurb, you can assume there is some sort of tragedy was going to come&#8230; you don&#8217;t know what exactly, but you expect it&#8230; you also don&#8217;t know when it is coming (that made me a little anxious LOL &#8211; because things were too good to be true and I began to worry).Rebecca wrote a beautiful story of unconditional love that brought tears to my eyes&#8230; a bunch of them! Can&#8217;t wait to read the companion novel coming up! (This book does not have a cliffhanger)&#8220;Will their love prove to be UNBREAKABLE, or will it shatter and prove fate is just another lie?&#8221;Pick this one up and find out for yourself.

What a great debut by Rebecca! I have had this book on my to-read list for a while and just made sure to push it up since book #2 Undone is going to be coming soon. Let me just say I love everything and everyone Garcia in this story! I will get to Gabe in a minute&#8230;. I loved the support from the Garcia&#8217;s to Jessica &#8211; their connection with her alone broke me a bit later in the book. Jessica is the female lead in this book&#8230; she is a high-school senior, independent, responsible and mostly in control of her life. Because her father works a lot, for most of her life she has essentially lived with the Garcia family&#8230;. You have her best friend, Ava, and then her big brother, Gabriel. <hl> With this book we pretty much jump right into Jessica and Gabe&#8217;s relationship. <hl> Yes, it does happen quickly, I don&#8217;t think that we need to see how they got there with flashbacks from their childhood, etc. Sure, I may have liked to see a little more of their building relationship, BUT It really is not that important as the story is not about them getting together, it in the end is if they are going to stay together. My heart breaks for Jessica (and all the characters) throughout this story.&#8220;I can&#8217;t remember a time when I haven&#8217;t loved you. You have been a part of my life for over fourteen years. When you were younger, it was a different kind of love, but now, it&#8217;s the kind of love that won&#8217;t let me breathe if you&#8217;re not with me. It&#8217;s the kind of love that makes me not want to live if I can&#8217;t be with you&#8221;Ok, back to GABE! He has to be one of the best book-boyfriends out there! I love a caring, sweet, thoughtful, supportive, romantic, faithful and loving man especially one who has a dream and will do whatever he has to put that plan in place. Totally swoon-worthy &#8230; I am sure he will win you over!I want to be very careful not to write any spoilers here, because I want you to have the same journey that I had. With the title and the book blurb, you can assume there is some sort of tragedy was going to come&#8230; you don&#8217;t know what exactly, but you expect it&#8230; you also don&#8217;t know when it is coming (that made me a little anxious LOL &#8211; because things were too good to be true and I began to worry).Rebecca wrote a beautiful story of unconditional love that brought tears to my eyes&#8230; a bunch of them! Can&#8217;t wait to read the companion novel coming up! (This book does not have a cliffhanger)&#8220;Will their love prove to be UNBREAKABLE, or will it shatter and prove fate is just another lie?&#8221;Pick this one up and find out for yourself.

6a9d39e2c0a1c999399053e5952ed258

books

the queen of chicklit

question: How is the writing style?, context: After reading a very clever, funny novel in this genreMy Life on Craigslist: Award Winning Finalist of USA Book Awards(great book, I highly recommend it) I realized that this genre is more interesting than I had previously thought from my literary ivory tower. So I decided to go deeper and try the queen of chicklit, Sophie Kinsella, and see what the fuss is all about. This book is lighter, the humor everywhere, in every sentence, light and breeze, and although the characters are a bit unidimensional and the plot slightly predictive, it is nevertheless charming and a page turner. Hard not to love it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to have a fun read. And who doesn't?

How is the writing style?

So I decided to go deeper and try the queen of chicklit , Sophie Kinsella, and see what the fuss is all about.

After reading a very clever, funny novel in this genreMy Life on Craigslist: Award Winning Finalist of USA Book Awards(great book, I highly recommend it) I realized that this genre is more interesting than I had previously thought from my literary ivory tower. So I decided to go deeper and try the queen of chicklit, Sophie Kinsella, and see what the fuss is all about. This book is lighter, the humor everywhere, in every sentence, light and breeze, and although the characters are a bit unidimensional and the plot slightly predictive, it is nevertheless charming and a page turner. Hard not to love it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to have a fun read. And who doesn't?

So I decided to go deeper and try <hl> the queen of chicklit <hl> , Sophie Kinsella, and see what the fuss is all about.

After reading a very clever, funny novel in this genreMy Life on Craigslist: Award Winning Finalist of USA Book Awards(great book, I highly recommend it) I realized that this genre is more interesting than I had previously thought from my literary ivory tower. So I decided to go deeper and try <hl> the queen of chicklit <hl>, Sophie Kinsella, and see what the fuss is all about. This book is lighter, the humor everywhere, in every sentence, light and breeze, and although the characters are a bit unidimensional and the plot slightly predictive, it is nevertheless charming and a page turner. Hard not to love it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to have a fun read. And who doesn't?

After reading a very clever, funny novel in this genreMy Life on Craigslist: Award Winning Finalist of USA Book Awards(great book, I highly recommend it) I realized that this genre is more interesting than I had previously thought from my literary ivory tower. <hl> So I decided to go deeper and try the queen of chicklit , Sophie Kinsella, and see what the fuss is all about. <hl> This book is lighter, the humor everywhere, in every sentence, light and breeze, and although the characters are a bit unidimensional and the plot slightly predictive, it is nevertheless charming and a page turner. Hard not to love it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to have a fun read. And who doesn't?

e90c4dfbb49054fe4c1a135ff796b91d

books

And this one was just terrible

question: How is the one?, context: So, I loved the first book; couldn't get enough of it. The second was good, but nowhere near as good as the first. And this one was just terrible. I felt like I was reading a completely different story. It had poor character development and made you not really like the characters you loved before. Why did she do that. The only possible redeeming quality is the last chapter. I was looking so forward to a great closer and was very disappointed.

How is the one?

And this one was just terrible .

So, I loved the first book; couldn't get enough of it. The second was good, but nowhere near as good as the first. And this one was just terrible. I felt like I was reading a completely different story. It had poor character development and made you not really like the characters you loved before. Why did she do that. The only possible redeeming quality is the last chapter. I was looking so forward to a great closer and was very disappointed.

<hl> And this one was just terrible <hl> .

So, I loved the first book; couldn't get enough of it. The second was good, but nowhere near as good as the first. <hl> And this one was just terrible <hl>. I felt like I was reading a completely different story. It had poor character development and made you not really like the characters you loved before. Why did she do that. The only possible redeeming quality is the last chapter. I was looking so forward to a great closer and was very disappointed.

So, I loved the first book; couldn't get enough of it. The second was good, but nowhere near as good as the first. <hl> And this one was just terrible . <hl> I felt like I was reading a completely different story. It had poor character development and made you not really like the characters you loved before. Why did she do that. The only possible redeeming quality is the last chapter. I was looking so forward to a great closer and was very disappointed.

adffc9c907117f7755d464fe49c99605

books

A strong 4/5 on this one! If you haven't picked it up yet, I highly recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind a little less action

question: How rewarding is the story?, context: Before I give my review of this book, I just want to throw it out there that I think the comparison of The Selection to The Hunger Games that some people around the internet are completely uncalled for. This book is nothing like The Hunger Games, except that there's a game people get randomly chosen to participate in. The games are nothing alike, the selection process is nothing alike, and the characters, the world, and the circumstances are completely different. Does anybody get married by the end of The Hunger Games? No. Does anyone die in the process of The Selection? No. Well, not as a direct result of the game at least, there is a war going on so I'm sure someone somewhere did die. But that's besides the point.Now that that is out of the way...This book definitely met all my expectations. It was a fantastic mix of romance, self-discovery, and even enough action thrown in to keep it interesting. Most of the characters, and all of the main had great character development, and nobody stayed stagnant for very long. The unraveling of Maxon's character and personality was done very well, and I found myself pulling for him from the first time America interacts with him.I absolutely loved America's character, and I was very glad that Cass didn't just throw her at the prince. It made America feel more real, and not just like another conniving girl after the crown. Which made it feel less like The Bachelor, and I definitely appreciated that. I don't think I would have been able to handle a book just about a bunch of girls fighting over a crown instead of trying to legitimately win the prince's heart. I also thought that the way America treats her servants in the castle is wonderful. Being from a lower caste, she understands them more than the other girls and treats them like real people.A couple of spoilers from here on out, so proceed with caution if you haven't read the book yet.I loved how America was so reluctant to enter the Selection, but does anyway to please her family and her secret boyfriend. Except that I didn't really like Aspen, and I thought he treated her terribly after their break-up. I wish she hadn't kept that last penny in a jar, but I can see the significance and the purpose. Aspen really didn't impress me much, but I feel like that was what Cass intended. Although I hope he doesn't shape up and win America's heart, part of me still thinks he'll make an effort to in the next book. And then most of me still hope she chooses Maxon.I could rant for a while about how Maxon is so much better for her than Aspen, and how much he clearly cares for her, but I'll let you read the book and make your own decision on that. It's Team Maxon for me all the way though.The history lesson in one of the middle chapters was very interesting, and I'm glad Cass included it. It's always nice to know a little bit about the world and the time period that the novel takes place in, and I think including that chapter was a great way to incorporate the information without it sounding like an actual history lesson. Or without having one of the characters randomly go off about the history of the country and the world.I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel. The ending of The Selection left me wanting so much more, and I hope the rest of the series answers the questions I have and resolves the plot in the way I hope it will. Although I'm sure I'll be happy with the outcome no matter what happens. Cass' descriptive style of writing is enough to make me enjoy the books even if the plot doesn't go how I think it should.A strong 4/5 on this one! If you haven't picked it up yet, I highly recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind a little less action, great character development, and a strong female protagonist.

How rewarding is the story?

A strong 4/5 on this one! If you haven't picked it up yet, I highly recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind a little less action , great character development, and a strong female protagonist.

Before I give my review of this book, I just want to throw it out there that I think the comparison of The Selection to The Hunger Games that some people around the internet are completely uncalled for. This book is nothing like The Hunger Games, except that there's a game people get randomly chosen to participate in. The games are nothing alike, the selection process is nothing alike, and the characters, the world, and the circumstances are completely different. Does anybody get married by the end of The Hunger Games? No. Does anyone die in the process of The Selection? No. Well, not as a direct result of the game at least, there is a war going on so I'm sure someone somewhere did die. But that's besides the point.Now that that is out of the way...This book definitely met all my expectations. It was a fantastic mix of romance, self-discovery, and even enough action thrown in to keep it interesting. Most of the characters, and all of the main had great character development, and nobody stayed stagnant for very long. The unraveling of Maxon's character and personality was done very well, and I found myself pulling for him from the first time America interacts with him.I absolutely loved America's character, and I was very glad that Cass didn't just throw her at the prince. It made America feel more real, and not just like another conniving girl after the crown. Which made it feel less like The Bachelor, and I definitely appreciated that. I don't think I would have been able to handle a book just about a bunch of girls fighting over a crown instead of trying to legitimately win the prince's heart. I also thought that the way America treats her servants in the castle is wonderful. Being from a lower caste, she understands them more than the other girls and treats them like real people.A couple of spoilers from here on out, so proceed with caution if you haven't read the book yet.I loved how America was so reluctant to enter the Selection, but does anyway to please her family and her secret boyfriend. Except that I didn't really like Aspen, and I thought he treated her terribly after their break-up. I wish she hadn't kept that last penny in a jar, but I can see the significance and the purpose. Aspen really didn't impress me much, but I feel like that was what Cass intended. Although I hope he doesn't shape up and win America's heart, part of me still thinks he'll make an effort to in the next book. And then most of me still hope she chooses Maxon.I could rant for a while about how Maxon is so much better for her than Aspen, and how much he clearly cares for her, but I'll let you read the book and make your own decision on that. It's Team Maxon for me all the way though.The history lesson in one of the middle chapters was very interesting, and I'm glad Cass included it. It's always nice to know a little bit about the world and the time period that the novel takes place in, and I think including that chapter was a great way to incorporate the information without it sounding like an actual history lesson. Or without having one of the characters randomly go off about the history of the country and the world.I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel. The ending of The Selection left me wanting so much more, and I hope the rest of the series answers the questions I have and resolves the plot in the way I hope it will. Although I'm sure I'll be happy with the outcome no matter what happens. Cass' descriptive style of writing is enough to make me enjoy the books even if the plot doesn't go how I think it should.A strong 4/5 on this one! If you haven't picked it up yet, I highly recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind a little less action, great character development, and a strong female protagonist.

<hl> A strong 4/5 on this one! If you haven't picked it up yet, I highly recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind a little less action <hl> , great character development, and a strong female protagonist.

Before I give my review of this book, I just want to throw it out there that I think the comparison of The Selection to The Hunger Games that some people around the internet are completely uncalled for. This book is nothing like The Hunger Games, except that there's a game people get randomly chosen to participate in. The games are nothing alike, the selection process is nothing alike, and the characters, the world, and the circumstances are completely different. Does anybody get married by the end of The Hunger Games? No. Does anyone die in the process of The Selection? No. Well, not as a direct result of the game at least, there is a war going on so I'm sure someone somewhere did die. But that's besides the point.Now that that is out of the way...This book definitely met all my expectations. It was a fantastic mix of romance, self-discovery, and even enough action thrown in to keep it interesting. Most of the characters, and all of the main had great character development, and nobody stayed stagnant for very long. The unraveling of Maxon's character and personality was done very well, and I found myself pulling for him from the first time America interacts with him.I absolutely loved America's character, and I was very glad that Cass didn't just throw her at the prince. It made America feel more real, and not just like another conniving girl after the crown. Which made it feel less like The Bachelor, and I definitely appreciated that. I don't think I would have been able to handle a book just about a bunch of girls fighting over a crown instead of trying to legitimately win the prince's heart. I also thought that the way America treats her servants in the castle is wonderful. Being from a lower caste, she understands them more than the other girls and treats them like real people.A couple of spoilers from here on out, so proceed with caution if you haven't read the book yet.I loved how America was so reluctant to enter the Selection, but does anyway to please her family and her secret boyfriend. Except that I didn't really like Aspen, and I thought he treated her terribly after their break-up. I wish she hadn't kept that last penny in a jar, but I can see the significance and the purpose. Aspen really didn't impress me much, but I feel like that was what Cass intended. Although I hope he doesn't shape up and win America's heart, part of me still thinks he'll make an effort to in the next book. And then most of me still hope she chooses Maxon.I could rant for a while about how Maxon is so much better for her than Aspen, and how much he clearly cares for her, but I'll let you read the book and make your own decision on that. It's Team Maxon for me all the way though.The history lesson in one of the middle chapters was very interesting, and I'm glad Cass included it. It's always nice to know a little bit about the world and the time period that the novel takes place in, and I think including that chapter was a great way to incorporate the information without it sounding like an actual history lesson. Or without having one of the characters randomly go off about the history of the country and the world.I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel. The ending of The Selection left me wanting so much more, and I hope the rest of the series answers the questions I have and resolves the plot in the way I hope it will. Although I'm sure I'll be happy with the outcome no matter what happens. Cass' descriptive style of writing is enough to make me enjoy the books even if the plot doesn't go how I think it should.<hl> A strong 4/5 on this one! If you haven't picked it up yet, I highly recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind a little less action <hl>, great character development, and a strong female protagonist.

Before I give my review of this book, I just want to throw it out there that I think the comparison of The Selection to The Hunger Games that some people around the internet are completely uncalled for. This book is nothing like The Hunger Games, except that there's a game people get randomly chosen to participate in. The games are nothing alike, the selection process is nothing alike, and the characters, the world, and the circumstances are completely different. Does anybody get married by the end of The Hunger Games? No. Does anyone die in the process of The Selection? No. Well, not as a direct result of the game at least, there is a war going on so I'm sure someone somewhere did die. But that's besides the point. Now that that is out of the way... This book definitely met all my expectations. It was a fantastic mix of romance, self-discovery, and even enough action thrown in to keep it interesting. Most of the characters, and all of the main had great character development, and nobody stayed stagnant for very long. The unraveling of Maxon's character and personality was done very well, and I found myself pulling for him from the first time America interacts with him. I absolutely loved America's character, and I was very glad that Cass didn't just throw her at the prince. It made America feel more real, and not just like another conniving girl after the crown. Which made it feel less like The Bachelor, and I definitely appreciated that. I don't think I would have been able to handle a book just about a bunch of girls fighting over a crown instead of trying to legitimately win the prince's heart. I also thought that the way America treats her servants in the castle is wonderful. Being from a lower caste, she understands them more than the other girls and treats them like real people. A couple of spoilers from here on out, so proceed with caution if you haven't read the book yet. I loved how America was so reluctant to enter the Selection, but does anyway to please her family and her secret boyfriend. Except that I didn't really like Aspen, and I thought he treated her terribly after their break-up. I wish she hadn't kept that last penny in a jar, but I can see the significance and the purpose. Aspen really didn't impress me much, but I feel like that was what Cass intended. Although I hope he doesn't shape up and win America's heart, part of me still thinks he'll make an effort to in the next book. And then most of me still hope she chooses Maxon. I could rant for a while about how Maxon is so much better for her than Aspen, and how much he clearly cares for her, but I'll let you read the book and make your own decision on that. It's Team Maxon for me all the way though. The history lesson in one of the middle chapters was very interesting, and I'm glad Cass included it. It's always nice to know a little bit about the world and the time period that the novel takes place in, and I think including that chapter was a great way to incorporate the information without it sounding like an actual history lesson. Or without having one of the characters randomly go off about the history of the country and the world. I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel. The ending of The Selection left me wanting so much more, and I hope the rest of the series answers the questions I have and resolves the plot in the way I hope it will. Although I'm sure I'll be happy with the outcome no matter what happens. Cass' descriptive style of writing is enough to make me enjoy the books even if the plot doesn't go how I think it should. <hl> A strong 4/5 on this one! If you haven't picked it up yet, I highly recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind a little less action , great character development, and a strong female protagonist. <hl>

e1011ae464ad87332c2522085ac4be74

books

could feel anything but positive about this book

question: How is the emotion invoked was?, context: I don't normally write alot of reviews, I read alot, I enjoy reading alot and if its a good book once I start I will lose sleep over finishing the book, I will literally stay up and read until I'm done, this is exactly what happened with this book as I finished it at 4:30 a.m. today. I wasn't sure whether to get this book or not due to some of the more negative reviews, but I'm really not sure how anyone could feel anything but positive about this book. It was wonderful, and its still weighing on my mind. An absolutely beautiful love story between two individuals that have endured so much. Some of the reviews made it sound like this book was full of sex and inappropriateness, I didn't find that at all. I could only hope my child would have the same values and morals that this girl did when it came to her body (although the characters stemmed from something much deeper; of course I wouldn't wish for that) I would be proud if she waited to give herself to someone who she loved with every bit of her soul. The story was deep and meaningful and if you are reading this contemplating whether or not to purchase this book, I say do it, don't go into with preconceived negativities posted by others on here, just read and let this book pull you in as it did me. For those of you who reviewed negatively are you sure you read this book? Really? I do know someone commented and quoted parts of how the writer wrote certain aspects of the book, the way I read this it was to simply pull us into the mind of that moment and what they were feeling and experiencing and I'm probably one of the worst critiquers when it comes to things like this, but I didn't take it the same way others have portrayed it here in the reviews. Overall this was worth every bit of the 5 stars I'm giving it and I thoroughly enjoyed this book

How is the emotion invoked was?

I wasn't sure whether to get this book or not due to some of the more negative reviews, but I'm really not sure how anyone could feel anything but positive about this book .

I don't normally write alot of reviews, I read alot, I enjoy reading alot and if its a good book once I start I will lose sleep over finishing the book, I will literally stay up and read until I'm done, this is exactly what happened with this book as I finished it at 4:30 a.m. today. I wasn't sure whether to get this book or not due to some of the more negative reviews, but I'm really not sure how anyone could feel anything but positive about this book. It was wonderful, and its still weighing on my mind. An absolutely beautiful love story between two individuals that have endured so much. Some of the reviews made it sound like this book was full of sex and inappropriateness, I didn't find that at all. I could only hope my child would have the same values and morals that this girl did when it came to her body (although the characters stemmed from something much deeper; of course I wouldn't wish for that) I would be proud if she waited to give herself to someone who she loved with every bit of her soul. The story was deep and meaningful and if you are reading this contemplating whether or not to purchase this book, I say do it, don't go into with preconceived negativities posted by others on here, just read and let this book pull you in as it did me. For those of you who reviewed negatively are you sure you read this book? Really? I do know someone commented and quoted parts of how the writer wrote certain aspects of the book, the way I read this it was to simply pull us into the mind of that moment and what they were feeling and experiencing and I'm probably one of the worst critiquers when it comes to things like this, but I didn't take it the same way others have portrayed it here in the reviews. Overall this was worth every bit of the 5 stars I'm giving it and I thoroughly enjoyed this book

I wasn't sure whether to get this book or not due to some of the more negative reviews, but I'm really not sure how anyone <hl> could feel anything but positive about this book <hl> .

I don't normally write alot of reviews, I read alot, I enjoy reading alot and if its a good book once I start I will lose sleep over finishing the book, I will literally stay up and read until I'm done, this is exactly what happened with this book as I finished it at 4:30 a.m. today. I wasn't sure whether to get this book or not due to some of the more negative reviews, but I'm really not sure how anyone <hl> could feel anything but positive about this book <hl>. It was wonderful, and its still weighing on my mind. An absolutely beautiful love story between two individuals that have endured so much. Some of the reviews made it sound like this book was full of sex and inappropriateness, I didn't find that at all. I could only hope my child would have the same values and morals that this girl did when it came to her body (although the characters stemmed from something much deeper; of course I wouldn't wish for that) I would be proud if she waited to give herself to someone who she loved with every bit of her soul. The story was deep and meaningful and if you are reading this contemplating whether or not to purchase this book, I say do it, don't go into with preconceived negativities posted by others on here, just read and let this book pull you in as it did me. For those of you who reviewed negatively are you sure you read this book? Really? I do know someone commented and quoted parts of how the writer wrote certain aspects of the book, the way I read this it was to simply pull us into the mind of that moment and what they were feeling and experiencing and I'm probably one of the worst critiquers when it comes to things like this, but I didn't take it the same way others have portrayed it here in the reviews. Overall this was worth every bit of the 5 stars I'm giving it and I thoroughly enjoyed this book

I don't normally write alot of reviews, I read alot, I enjoy reading alot and if its a good book once I start I will lose sleep over finishing the book, I will literally stay up and read until I'm done, this is exactly what happened with this book as I finished it at 4:30 a.m. today. <hl> I wasn't sure whether to get this book or not due to some of the more negative reviews, but I'm really not sure how anyone could feel anything but positive about this book . <hl> It was wonderful, and its still weighing on my mind. An absolutely beautiful love story between two individuals that have endured so much. Some of the reviews made it sound like this book was full of sex and inappropriateness, I didn't find that at all. I could only hope my child would have the same values and morals that this girl did when it came to her body (although the characters stemmed from something much deeper; of course I wouldn't wish for that) I would be proud if she waited to give herself to someone who she loved with every bit of her soul. The story was deep and meaningful and if you are reading this contemplating whether or not to purchase this book, I say do it, don't go into with preconceived negativities posted by others on here, just read and let this book pull you in as it did me. For those of you who reviewed negatively are you sure you read this book? Really? I do know someone commented and quoted parts of how the writer wrote certain aspects of the book, the way I read this it was to simply pull us into the mind of that moment and what they were feeling and experiencing and I'm probably one of the worst critiquers when it comes to things like this, but I didn't take it the same way others have portrayed it here in the reviews. Overall this was worth every bit of the 5 stars I'm giving it and I thoroughly enjoyed this book

3e49484f3ea37fa67269037cbaae8681

books

witty humor comes out on every page

question: How was the write?, context: Words cannot explain my crazy love for Anna and the French Kiss. The story is simple: girl gets shipped off to boarding school in France, makes new friend, meets a hot guy, and falls in lust with him. But there is so much more to it. The characters become real in the course of the 372 pages, as does the incredible Paris setting. I've never been to Paris myself, but after reading this, it's as if I've seen the sights, smelled the city, and tasted the food. Stephanie Perkins brings that much life to Anna's Paris.And to Anna as well. This is one girl I could not only relate to, but who I wholeheartedly loved. I adore Anna. She's funny, insecure, hilarious, flawed, angry, happy, sad, hormonal (obviously, as I list her emotions here...), and a teen girl. She's a character that could easily be any girl I pass on the street. Oh, and I love her. I love &Eacute;tienne St. Clair too, because I couldn't leave him out. He's as realistic as Anna, with is insecurities, his sweet gestures, and stupid actions. And his British accent and all-around gorgeousness. That's the reason that Anna and the French Kiss is so easy to enjoy (not the gorgeousness, but a plus!); it's the characters. The characters, both big and small - no offense to the short &Eacute;tienne - are developed so thoroughly that they all leap off the page.The relationships between Anna and &Eacute;tienne, between &Eacute;tienne and Josh, between Anna and Meredith (I could go on, but I'll stop) all evolve throughout the book. Perkins' witty humor comes out on every page and the dialogue is sharp and quick. The book is cute, I can't lie about that, but it's not 'ooey-gooey, poke-out-your-eyeballs' cute. This is `melt into a puddle, I-want-to-live-in-you-forever,' kind of cute. It's a love story that doesn't just focus on the love. There's tension between Anna and &Eacute;tienne - and it's some yummy tension - but they start as friends and build from there. Not only that, but the two of them have issues outside of their little `I like you, do you like me?' bubble.Anna and the French Kiss is impossible to dislike, unless you are soulless and possibly a kitty murderer. It's sweet and real and fantastically written, with a cast of characters that you'll want to meet, know, and be BFFs with. I smiled a lot while reading it; one of those cheesy grins of pure joy. I read it one sitting because I couldn't put it down, even though I wanted to. Much like a meal in Paris, Anna and the French Kiss is a book to be savored, but is still so easily devoured. As I read the last line, I let out a sigh of pure bliss. A sigh!? That alone should make you pick this book up. Right now. What are you waiting for? GO.

How was the write?

Perkins' witty humor comes out on every page and the dialogue is sharp and quick.

Words cannot explain my crazy love for Anna and the French Kiss. The story is simple: girl gets shipped off to boarding school in France, makes new friend, meets a hot guy, and falls in lust with him. But there is so much more to it. The characters become real in the course of the 372 pages, as does the incredible Paris setting. I've never been to Paris myself, but after reading this, it's as if I've seen the sights, smelled the city, and tasted the food. Stephanie Perkins brings that much life to Anna's Paris.And to Anna as well. This is one girl I could not only relate to, but who I wholeheartedly loved. I adore Anna. She's funny, insecure, hilarious, flawed, angry, happy, sad, hormonal (obviously, as I list her emotions here...), and a teen girl. She's a character that could easily be any girl I pass on the street. Oh, and I love her. I love &Eacute;tienne St. Clair too, because I couldn't leave him out. He's as realistic as Anna, with is insecurities, his sweet gestures, and stupid actions. And his British accent and all-around gorgeousness. That's the reason that Anna and the French Kiss is so easy to enjoy (not the gorgeousness, but a plus!); it's the characters. The characters, both big and small - no offense to the short &Eacute;tienne - are developed so thoroughly that they all leap off the page.The relationships between Anna and &Eacute;tienne, between &Eacute;tienne and Josh, between Anna and Meredith (I could go on, but I'll stop) all evolve throughout the book. Perkins' witty humor comes out on every page and the dialogue is sharp and quick. The book is cute, I can't lie about that, but it's not 'ooey-gooey, poke-out-your-eyeballs' cute. This is `melt into a puddle, I-want-to-live-in-you-forever,' kind of cute. It's a love story that doesn't just focus on the love. There's tension between Anna and &Eacute;tienne - and it's some yummy tension - but they start as friends and build from there. Not only that, but the two of them have issues outside of their little `I like you, do you like me?' bubble.Anna and the French Kiss is impossible to dislike, unless you are soulless and possibly a kitty murderer. It's sweet and real and fantastically written, with a cast of characters that you'll want to meet, know, and be BFFs with. I smiled a lot while reading it; one of those cheesy grins of pure joy. I read it one sitting because I couldn't put it down, even though I wanted to. Much like a meal in Paris, Anna and the French Kiss is a book to be savored, but is still so easily devoured. As I read the last line, I let out a sigh of pure bliss. A sigh!? That alone should make you pick this book up. Right now. What are you waiting for? GO.

Perkins' <hl> witty humor comes out on every page <hl> and the dialogue is sharp and quick.

Words cannot explain my crazy love for Anna and the French Kiss. The story is simple: girl gets shipped off to boarding school in France, makes new friend, meets a hot guy, and falls in lust with him. But there is so much more to it. The characters become real in the course of the 372 pages, as does the incredible Paris setting. I've never been to Paris myself, but after reading this, it's as if I've seen the sights, smelled the city, and tasted the food. Stephanie Perkins brings that much life to Anna's Paris.And to Anna as well. This is one girl I could not only relate to, but who I wholeheartedly loved. I adore Anna. She's funny, insecure, hilarious, flawed, angry, happy, sad, hormonal (obviously, as I list her emotions here...), and a teen girl. She's a character that could easily be any girl I pass on the street. Oh, and I love her. I love &Eacute;tienne St. Clair too, because I couldn't leave him out. He's as realistic as Anna, with is insecurities, his sweet gestures, and stupid actions. And his British accent and all-around gorgeousness. That's the reason that Anna and the French Kiss is so easy to enjoy (not the gorgeousness, but a plus!); it's the characters. The characters, both big and small - no offense to the short &Eacute;tienne - are developed so thoroughly that they all leap off the page.The relationships between Anna and &Eacute;tienne, between &Eacute;tienne and Josh, between Anna and Meredith (I could go on, but I'll stop) all evolve throughout the book. Perkins' <hl> witty humor comes out on every page <hl> and the dialogue is sharp and quick. The book is cute, I can't lie about that, but it's not 'ooey-gooey, poke-out-your-eyeballs' cute. This is `melt into a puddle, I-want-to-live-in-you-forever,' kind of cute. It's a love story that doesn't just focus on the love. There's tension between Anna and &Eacute;tienne - and it's some yummy tension - but they start as friends and build from there. Not only that, but the two of them have issues outside of their little `I like you, do you like me?' bubble.Anna and the French Kiss is impossible to dislike, unless you are soulless and possibly a kitty murderer. It's sweet and real and fantastically written, with a cast of characters that you'll want to meet, know, and be BFFs with. I smiled a lot while reading it; one of those cheesy grins of pure joy. I read it one sitting because I couldn't put it down, even though I wanted to. Much like a meal in Paris, Anna and the French Kiss is a book to be savored, but is still so easily devoured. As I read the last line, I let out a sigh of pure bliss. A sigh!? That alone should make you pick this book up. Right now. What are you waiting for? GO.

Words cannot explain my crazy love for Anna and the French Kiss. The story is simple: girl gets shipped off to boarding school in France, makes new friend, meets a hot guy, and falls in lust with him. But there is so much more to it. The characters become real in the course of the 372 pages, as does the incredible Paris setting. I've never been to Paris myself, but after reading this, it's as if I've seen the sights, smelled the city, and tasted the food. Stephanie Perkins brings that much life to Anna's Paris. And to Anna as well. This is one girl I could not only relate to, but who I wholeheartedly loved. I adore Anna. She's funny, insecure, hilarious, flawed, angry, happy, sad, hormonal (obviously, as I list her emotions here...), and a teen girl. She's a character that could easily be any girl I pass on the street. Oh, and I love her. I love &Eacute;tienne St. Clair too, because I couldn't leave him out. He's as realistic as Anna, with is insecurities, his sweet gestures, and stupid actions. And his British accent and all-around gorgeousness. That's the reason that Anna and the French Kiss is so easy to enjoy (not the gorgeousness, but a plus!); it's the characters. The characters, both big and small - no offense to the short &Eacute;tienne - are developed so thoroughly that they all leap off the page. The relationships between Anna and &Eacute;tienne, between &Eacute;tienne and Josh, between Anna and Meredith (I could go on, but I'll stop) all evolve throughout the book. <hl> Perkins' witty humor comes out on every page and the dialogue is sharp and quick. <hl> The book is cute, I can't lie about that, but it's not 'ooey-gooey, poke-out-your-eyeballs' cute. This is `melt into a puddle, I-want-to-live-in-you-forever,' kind of cute. It's a love story that doesn't just focus on the love. There's tension between Anna and &Eacute;tienne - and it's some yummy tension - but they start as friends and build from there. Not only that, but the two of them have issues outside of their little `I like you, do you like me?' bubble. Anna and the French Kiss is impossible to dislike, unless you are soulless and possibly a kitty murderer. It's sweet and real and fantastically written, with a cast of characters that you'll want to meet, know, and be BFFs with. I smiled a lot while reading it; one of those cheesy grins of pure joy. I read it one sitting because I couldn't put it down, even though I wanted to. Much like a meal in Paris, Anna and the French Kiss is a book to be savored, but is still so easily devoured. As I read the last line, I let out a sigh of pure bliss. A sigh!? That alone should make you pick this book up. Right now. What are you waiting for? GO.

3e564815351ebbb1b53e21a15c057554

books

The story was filled with plot twists

question: How was the twist of the story?, context: I loved this story! The plot was intense, romantic, and violent. The writing was well done, if a bit sappy, and through the violence, there was a great message. The protagonist was brave, and amazing. The story was filled with plot twists, battle scenes, and exciting dramatic moments. Over all, it was amazing and I can't wait for the sequel!

How was the twist of the story?

The story was filled with plot twists , battle scenes, and exciting dramatic moments.

I loved this story! The plot was intense, romantic, and violent. The writing was well done, if a bit sappy, and through the violence, there was a great message. The protagonist was brave, and amazing. The story was filled with plot twists, battle scenes, and exciting dramatic moments. Over all, it was amazing and I can't wait for the sequel!

<hl> The story was filled with plot twists <hl> , battle scenes, and exciting dramatic moments.

I loved this story! The plot was intense, romantic, and violent. The writing was well done, if a bit sappy, and through the violence, there was a great message. The protagonist was brave, and amazing. <hl> The story was filled with plot twists <hl>, battle scenes, and exciting dramatic moments. Over all, it was amazing and I can't wait for the sequel!

I loved this story! The plot was intense, romantic, and violent. The writing was well done, if a bit sappy, and through the violence, there was a great message. The protagonist was brave, and amazing. <hl> The story was filled with plot twists , battle scenes, and exciting dramatic moments. <hl> Over all, it was amazing and I can't wait for the sequel!

fcfa39a7e26d0cab856d277c02528d14

books

this uncompromising storytelling makes the complete trilogy stronger as a result

question: Why were the people angry at the release of the novel by Martin?, context: The third and final book in Suzanne Collins'sThe Hunger Gamestrilogy completes Katniss's story by taking her experiences to the next logical (and inevitable) step. In hindsight, the progression of the three-book storyline is obvious: Katniss goes from a tribute in a gladiatorial death-match, to getting caught up in the revolution that follows, to this: her participation in a full-scale war.Rescued from the arena at the conclusion ofCatching Fire, Katniss now finds herself recovering in District 13, a place long thought to have been destroyed by the Capitol, but in actuality existing as a vast underground complex. Her teammate and would-be love interest Peeta was not so lucky, for he was captured by the Capitol and is now being used as an instrument of propaganda by the sinister President Snow. Due to their home in District 12 being bombed, Katniss and other survivors/refugees from the mining community have joined forces with District 13's resistance fighters, though it would seem that their every act of kindness is hedged with self-interest.Katniss, her mother and sister, and her childhood friend Gale are moderately safe in the extensive underground bunkers of District 13, where schedules are tattooed in impermanent ink on everyone's arm each day and wasting food or other resources is tantamount to a criminal offense. Naturally, Katniss chaffs under the imposition of these strict rules, but luckily for her, she's got some leverage. Having made herself infamous through her actions in the Hunger Games, the resistance wants her to become a symbol of the uprising, using her status as the Mockingjay to unite the remaining eleven districts.She agrees, but not before laying down a few conditions of her own. It's at this point that we see Katniss finally become more aware of her own power as well as (paradoxically) her inherent helplessness. On the one hand, she's a valuable asset and thus has a certain amount of say in District 13's decision-making; on the other, District 13 is just as capable of manipulation, cruelty and exploitation as the Capitol, and Katniss sees firsthand the lengths to which they'll go to in order to destroy the totalitarian regime of President Snow and the Capitol. Can she be a part of it without compromising herself?Once again she finds herself in the Hunger Games - though of a slightly different sort this time. Now the cameras are trained on her as she visits hospitals, rallies the districts, and consoles her wounded compatriots. She's become a part of the propaganda machine, and struggles to maintain her own agency and personality in the progress. Clearly suffering from the first signs of PTSD (complete with concussions, drug-use, on-going injuries and nightmares) Katniss also struggles with the knowledge that everything she does to rile the Capitol may be putting the captive Peeta into danger.It all comes to a head in a nail-biting game of cat and mouse with in the streets of the Capitol itself, and in the climactic final gambit played out by Katniss.It was with interest that I read some of the other reviews for "Mockingjay", particularly the ones that gave it a lower rating. Notably, there seems to be a definite disconnect between what people were expecting, and what Collins delivered. Is this a dark but ultimately uplifting story about a girl who becomes a hero and leads a rebellion to victory at a large but ultimately necessary cost? Or is it a story about the effect that war and death have on young people, how both sides of the conflict can be morally grey, and how people have only so much strength in them before they break? It's the latter, but lot of people wanted the former, and it's clear that they're judging "Mockingjay" not on what it is, but what they wanted it to be. Naturally everyone will have a series of expectations whenever they crack open any book (especially one as anticipated as this one), but I also think that Collins had a specific message to impart, and ignoring it is to miss the very point of the trilogy.For example, Collins makes some very interesting storytelling decisions throughout. For the last two books President Snow has been set up as Katniss's primary antagonist; the ultimate foe that she will one day face (it's even foreshadowed in their names: Snow versus the Girl on Fire). Yet without giving too much away, their confrontation is not what you'd expect. Likewise, there is a rather unconventional resolution to the love triangle that many may not find satisfactory. Personally, I was never in any doubt as to which of the two boys Katniss would chose, but the way in which is occurs is hardly what you'd call a "fairytale ending."However, there are some parts of "Mockingjay" where I can understand why readers were a bit disgruntled. The death toll is extremely high; I wasn't keeping count, but there's a good chance that more named characters (I'm including the minor ones in this) end up dead than the living. In this case, Collins's gift is also her curse: by creating characters that you care about so quickly and so deeply, it is gut-wrenching when several of them not only die, but do so in a swift and anti-climactic manner. Sure, she's trying to make a statement about the randomness of war, but it's hard not to think that some characters deserved more - if not their lives, than at least a meaningful death.Although the writing is still as strong as ever in terms of its pacing and clarity, there are times in which Collins trips up. About halfway through the book, Katniss sings a haunting (and highly symbolic) song called "The Hanging Tree". Instead of Collins simply leaving the reader to interpret its meaning, she has Katniss internally analysis it for the benefit of the reader (taking up two pages!), thus robbing it of all its mystery. There are a couple of times in which she breaks the "show, don't tell" rule, breaking down various situations instead of letting the reader figure it out for themselves. (Though ironically, the most crucial gambit that Katniss plays toward the end of the novel seems to have been *too* subtle, given that many readers have expressed confusion over it. Or maybe most readers are used to being spoon-fed answers, thus justifying Collins's early attempts to spell things out. Who knows). Yet Collins's strength in writing is still apparent: her ability to maintain a riveting pace, in which everything flows smoothly from chapter to chapter, and suspense builds as the story goes on.Having a dig around some of the other reviews, I was disappointed (though hardly surprised) at the criticisms leveled at Katniss's characterization. Generally speaking, it's immensely difficult to write female characters, especially protagonists, as they will always be held to a higher standard than male characters. If she's too competent, too loved, too successful, she'll be deemed a Mary Sue. If she's too flawed, too fallible, or makes too many mistakes, then she's a bad role model and an affront to feminism.It feels as though that's what happened here. Many wanted her to step up as a hero and take control of every situation. Others dismiss her as "fickle" or "selfish" due to her interactions with Peeta and Gale (claims that baffle me considering her devotion to her sister and willingness to die for others). Others think she spent too much time under sedation, or gunning people down, or making the wrong decisions; and of course, with so much attention placed on the love triangle (not so much in the book, but certainly in on-line fan discussions - one can't help but feel that Stephenie Meyer's endorsements drew in the Twilight crowd) there were inevitably going to be disappointed shippers who would accuse Katniss of making "the wrong choice" no matter what boy she chose. So what was she: too good to be true, or a disappointing female character?Actually, she was neither. She was a seventeen year old girl who goes through a devastating ordeal, and the crux of this trilogy is that the reader shares in her terror, her self-loathing, her mental collapse, and her gradual crawl back to some degree of normality. It's a grueling experience, but one that's unflinching in revealing the true cost of war.So thank you Suzanne Collins for giving me Katniss: a three-dimensional, fully developed character who was nothing like me, and yet who I could relate to completely. Sometimes she failed, sometimes she succeeded, but she's embroiled in a story that is complex without being convoluted, and which raises difficult questions about the world without providing any sort of simplistic answer. The character development reflects this, for Collins doesn't make it easy: not for Katniss and not for the reader, and in my opinion, this uncompromising storytelling makes the complete trilogy stronger as a result. Will it be a classic? Only time will tell, but were I to place money on it, my bet would be yes.

Why were the people angry at the release of the novel by Martin?

The character development reflects this, for Collins doesn't make it easy: not for Katniss and not for the reader, and in my opinion, this uncompromising storytelling makes the complete trilogy stronger as a result .

The third and final book in Suzanne Collins'sThe Hunger Gamestrilogy completes Katniss's story by taking her experiences to the next logical (and inevitable) step. In hindsight, the progression of the three-book storyline is obvious: Katniss goes from a tribute in a gladiatorial death-match, to getting caught up in the revolution that follows, to this: her participation in a full-scale war.Rescued from the arena at the conclusion ofCatching Fire, Katniss now finds herself recovering in District 13, a place long thought to have been destroyed by the Capitol, but in actuality existing as a vast underground complex. Her teammate and would-be love interest Peeta was not so lucky, for he was captured by the Capitol and is now being used as an instrument of propaganda by the sinister President Snow. Due to their home in District 12 being bombed, Katniss and other survivors/refugees from the mining community have joined forces with District 13's resistance fighters, though it would seem that their every act of kindness is hedged with self-interest.Katniss, her mother and sister, and her childhood friend Gale are moderately safe in the extensive underground bunkers of District 13, where schedules are tattooed in impermanent ink on everyone's arm each day and wasting food or other resources is tantamount to a criminal offense. Naturally, Katniss chaffs under the imposition of these strict rules, but luckily for her, she's got some leverage. Having made herself infamous through her actions in the Hunger Games, the resistance wants her to become a symbol of the uprising, using her status as the Mockingjay to unite the remaining eleven districts.She agrees, but not before laying down a few conditions of her own. It's at this point that we see Katniss finally become more aware of her own power as well as (paradoxically) her inherent helplessness. On the one hand, she's a valuable asset and thus has a certain amount of say in District 13's decision-making; on the other, District 13 is just as capable of manipulation, cruelty and exploitation as the Capitol, and Katniss sees firsthand the lengths to which they'll go to in order to destroy the totalitarian regime of President Snow and the Capitol. Can she be a part of it without compromising herself?Once again she finds herself in the Hunger Games - though of a slightly different sort this time. Now the cameras are trained on her as she visits hospitals, rallies the districts, and consoles her wounded compatriots. She's become a part of the propaganda machine, and struggles to maintain her own agency and personality in the progress. Clearly suffering from the first signs of PTSD (complete with concussions, drug-use, on-going injuries and nightmares) Katniss also struggles with the knowledge that everything she does to rile the Capitol may be putting the captive Peeta into danger.It all comes to a head in a nail-biting game of cat and mouse with in the streets of the Capitol itself, and in the climactic final gambit played out by Katniss.It was with interest that I read some of the other reviews for "Mockingjay", particularly the ones that gave it a lower rating. Notably, there seems to be a definite disconnect between what people were expecting, and what Collins delivered. Is this a dark but ultimately uplifting story about a girl who becomes a hero and leads a rebellion to victory at a large but ultimately necessary cost? Or is it a story about the effect that war and death have on young people, how both sides of the conflict can be morally grey, and how people have only so much strength in them before they break? It's the latter, but lot of people wanted the former, and it's clear that they're judging "Mockingjay" not on what it is, but what they wanted it to be. Naturally everyone will have a series of expectations whenever they crack open any book (especially one as anticipated as this one), but I also think that Collins had a specific message to impart, and ignoring it is to miss the very point of the trilogy.For example, Collins makes some very interesting storytelling decisions throughout. For the last two books President Snow has been set up as Katniss's primary antagonist; the ultimate foe that she will one day face (it's even foreshadowed in their names: Snow versus the Girl on Fire). Yet without giving too much away, their confrontation is not what you'd expect. Likewise, there is a rather unconventional resolution to the love triangle that many may not find satisfactory. Personally, I was never in any doubt as to which of the two boys Katniss would chose, but the way in which is occurs is hardly what you'd call a "fairytale ending."However, there are some parts of "Mockingjay" where I can understand why readers were a bit disgruntled. The death toll is extremely high; I wasn't keeping count, but there's a good chance that more named characters (I'm including the minor ones in this) end up dead than the living. In this case, Collins's gift is also her curse: by creating characters that you care about so quickly and so deeply, it is gut-wrenching when several of them not only die, but do so in a swift and anti-climactic manner. Sure, she's trying to make a statement about the randomness of war, but it's hard not to think that some characters deserved more - if not their lives, than at least a meaningful death.Although the writing is still as strong as ever in terms of its pacing and clarity, there are times in which Collins trips up. About halfway through the book, Katniss sings a haunting (and highly symbolic) song called "The Hanging Tree". Instead of Collins simply leaving the reader to interpret its meaning, she has Katniss internally analysis it for the benefit of the reader (taking up two pages!), thus robbing it of all its mystery. There are a couple of times in which she breaks the "show, don't tell" rule, breaking down various situations instead of letting the reader figure it out for themselves. (Though ironically, the most crucial gambit that Katniss plays toward the end of the novel seems to have been *too* subtle, given that many readers have expressed confusion over it. Or maybe most readers are used to being spoon-fed answers, thus justifying Collins's early attempts to spell things out. Who knows). Yet Collins's strength in writing is still apparent: her ability to maintain a riveting pace, in which everything flows smoothly from chapter to chapter, and suspense builds as the story goes on.Having a dig around some of the other reviews, I was disappointed (though hardly surprised) at the criticisms leveled at Katniss's characterization. Generally speaking, it's immensely difficult to write female characters, especially protagonists, as they will always be held to a higher standard than male characters. If she's too competent, too loved, too successful, she'll be deemed a Mary Sue. If she's too flawed, too fallible, or makes too many mistakes, then she's a bad role model and an affront to feminism.It feels as though that's what happened here. Many wanted her to step up as a hero and take control of every situation. Others dismiss her as "fickle" or "selfish" due to her interactions with Peeta and Gale (claims that baffle me considering her devotion to her sister and willingness to die for others). Others think she spent too much time under sedation, or gunning people down, or making the wrong decisions; and of course, with so much attention placed on the love triangle (not so much in the book, but certainly in on-line fan discussions - one can't help but feel that Stephenie Meyer's endorsements drew in the Twilight crowd) there were inevitably going to be disappointed shippers who would accuse Katniss of making "the wrong choice" no matter what boy she chose. So what was she: too good to be true, or a disappointing female character?Actually, she was neither. She was a seventeen year old girl who goes through a devastating ordeal, and the crux of this trilogy is that the reader shares in her terror, her self-loathing, her mental collapse, and her gradual crawl back to some degree of normality. It's a grueling experience, but one that's unflinching in revealing the true cost of war.So thank you Suzanne Collins for giving me Katniss: a three-dimensional, fully developed character who was nothing like me, and yet who I could relate to completely. Sometimes she failed, sometimes she succeeded, but she's embroiled in a story that is complex without being convoluted, and which raises difficult questions about the world without providing any sort of simplistic answer. The character development reflects this, for Collins doesn't make it easy: not for Katniss and not for the reader, and in my opinion, this uncompromising storytelling makes the complete trilogy stronger as a result. Will it be a classic? Only time will tell, but were I to place money on it, my bet would be yes.

The character development reflects this, for Collins doesn't make it easy: not for Katniss and not for the reader, and in my opinion, <hl> this uncompromising storytelling makes the complete trilogy stronger as a result <hl> .

The third and final book in Suzanne Collins'sThe Hunger Gamestrilogy completes Katniss's story by taking her experiences to the next logical (and inevitable) step. In hindsight, the progression of the three-book storyline is obvious: Katniss goes from a tribute in a gladiatorial death-match, to getting caught up in the revolution that follows, to this: her participation in a full-scale war.Rescued from the arena at the conclusion ofCatching Fire, Katniss now finds herself recovering in District 13, a place long thought to have been destroyed by the Capitol, but in actuality existing as a vast underground complex. Her teammate and would-be love interest Peeta was not so lucky, for he was captured by the Capitol and is now being used as an instrument of propaganda by the sinister President Snow. Due to their home in District 12 being bombed, Katniss and other survivors/refugees from the mining community have joined forces with District 13's resistance fighters, though it would seem that their every act of kindness is hedged with self-interest.Katniss, her mother and sister, and her childhood friend Gale are moderately safe in the extensive underground bunkers of District 13, where schedules are tattooed in impermanent ink on everyone's arm each day and wasting food or other resources is tantamount to a criminal offense. Naturally, Katniss chaffs under the imposition of these strict rules, but luckily for her, she's got some leverage. Having made herself infamous through her actions in the Hunger Games, the resistance wants her to become a symbol of the uprising, using her status as the Mockingjay to unite the remaining eleven districts.She agrees, but not before laying down a few conditions of her own. It's at this point that we see Katniss finally become more aware of her own power as well as (paradoxically) her inherent helplessness. On the one hand, she's a valuable asset and thus has a certain amount of say in District 13's decision-making; on the other, District 13 is just as capable of manipulation, cruelty and exploitation as the Capitol, and Katniss sees firsthand the lengths to which they'll go to in order to destroy the totalitarian regime of President Snow and the Capitol. Can she be a part of it without compromising herself?Once again she finds herself in the Hunger Games - though of a slightly different sort this time. Now the cameras are trained on her as she visits hospitals, rallies the districts, and consoles her wounded compatriots. She's become a part of the propaganda machine, and struggles to maintain her own agency and personality in the progress. Clearly suffering from the first signs of PTSD (complete with concussions, drug-use, on-going injuries and nightmares) Katniss also struggles with the knowledge that everything she does to rile the Capitol may be putting the captive Peeta into danger.It all comes to a head in a nail-biting game of cat and mouse with in the streets of the Capitol itself, and in the climactic final gambit played out by Katniss.It was with interest that I read some of the other reviews for "Mockingjay", particularly the ones that gave it a lower rating. Notably, there seems to be a definite disconnect between what people were expecting, and what Collins delivered. Is this a dark but ultimately uplifting story about a girl who becomes a hero and leads a rebellion to victory at a large but ultimately necessary cost? Or is it a story about the effect that war and death have on young people, how both sides of the conflict can be morally grey, and how people have only so much strength in them before they break? It's the latter, but lot of people wanted the former, and it's clear that they're judging "Mockingjay" not on what it is, but what they wanted it to be. Naturally everyone will have a series of expectations whenever they crack open any book (especially one as anticipated as this one), but I also think that Collins had a specific message to impart, and ignoring it is to miss the very point of the trilogy.For example, Collins makes some very interesting storytelling decisions throughout. For the last two books President Snow has been set up as Katniss's primary antagonist; the ultimate foe that she will one day face (it's even foreshadowed in their names: Snow versus the Girl on Fire). Yet without giving too much away, their confrontation is not what you'd expect. Likewise, there is a rather unconventional resolution to the love triangle that many may not find satisfactory. Personally, I was never in any doubt as to which of the two boys Katniss would chose, but the way in which is occurs is hardly what you'd call a "fairytale ending."However, there are some parts of "Mockingjay" where I can understand why readers were a bit disgruntled. The death toll is extremely high; I wasn't keeping count, but there's a good chance that more named characters (I'm including the minor ones in this) end up dead than the living. In this case, Collins's gift is also her curse: by creating characters that you care about so quickly and so deeply, it is gut-wrenching when several of them not only die, but do so in a swift and anti-climactic manner. Sure, she's trying to make a statement about the randomness of war, but it's hard not to think that some characters deserved more - if not their lives, than at least a meaningful death.Although the writing is still as strong as ever in terms of its pacing and clarity, there are times in which Collins trips up. About halfway through the book, Katniss sings a haunting (and highly symbolic) song called "The Hanging Tree". Instead of Collins simply leaving the reader to interpret its meaning, she has Katniss internally analysis it for the benefit of the reader (taking up two pages!), thus robbing it of all its mystery. There are a couple of times in which she breaks the "show, don't tell" rule, breaking down various situations instead of letting the reader figure it out for themselves. (Though ironically, the most crucial gambit that Katniss plays toward the end of the novel seems to have been *too* subtle, given that many readers have expressed confusion over it. Or maybe most readers are used to being spoon-fed answers, thus justifying Collins's early attempts to spell things out. Who knows). Yet Collins's strength in writing is still apparent: her ability to maintain a riveting pace, in which everything flows smoothly from chapter to chapter, and suspense builds as the story goes on.Having a dig around some of the other reviews, I was disappointed (though hardly surprised) at the criticisms leveled at Katniss's characterization. Generally speaking, it's immensely difficult to write female characters, especially protagonists, as they will always be held to a higher standard than male characters. If she's too competent, too loved, too successful, she'll be deemed a Mary Sue. If she's too flawed, too fallible, or makes too many mistakes, then she's a bad role model and an affront to feminism.It feels as though that's what happened here. Many wanted her to step up as a hero and take control of every situation. Others dismiss her as "fickle" or "selfish" due to her interactions with Peeta and Gale (claims that baffle me considering her devotion to her sister and willingness to die for others). Others think she spent too much time under sedation, or gunning people down, or making the wrong decisions; and of course, with so much attention placed on the love triangle (not so much in the book, but certainly in on-line fan discussions - one can't help but feel that Stephenie Meyer's endorsements drew in the Twilight crowd) there were inevitably going to be disappointed shippers who would accuse Katniss of making "the wrong choice" no matter what boy she chose. So what was she: too good to be true, or a disappointing female character?Actually, she was neither. She was a seventeen year old girl who goes through a devastating ordeal, and the crux of this trilogy is that the reader shares in her terror, her self-loathing, her mental collapse, and her gradual crawl back to some degree of normality. It's a grueling experience, but one that's unflinching in revealing the true cost of war.So thank you Suzanne Collins for giving me Katniss: a three-dimensional, fully developed character who was nothing like me, and yet who I could relate to completely. Sometimes she failed, sometimes she succeeded, but she's embroiled in a story that is complex without being convoluted, and which raises difficult questions about the world without providing any sort of simplistic answer. The character development reflects this, for Collins doesn't make it easy: not for Katniss and not for the reader, and in my opinion, <hl> this uncompromising storytelling makes the complete trilogy stronger as a result <hl>. Will it be a classic? Only time will tell, but were I to place money on it, my bet would be yes.

The third and final book in Suzanne Collins'sThe Hunger Gamestrilogy completes Katniss's story by taking her experiences to the next logical (and inevitable) step. In hindsight, the progression of the three-book storyline is obvious: Katniss goes from a tribute in a gladiatorial death-match, to getting caught up in the revolution that follows, to this: her participation in a full-scale war. Rescued from the arena at the conclusion ofCatching Fire, Katniss now finds herself recovering in District 13, a place long thought to have been destroyed by the Capitol, but in actuality existing as a vast underground complex. Her teammate and would-be love interest Peeta was not so lucky, for he was captured by the Capitol and is now being used as an instrument of propaganda by the sinister President Snow. Due to their home in District 12 being bombed, Katniss and other survivors/refugees from the mining community have joined forces with District 13's resistance fighters, though it would seem that their every act of kindness is hedged with self-interest. Katniss, her mother and sister, and her childhood friend Gale are moderately safe in the extensive underground bunkers of District 13, where schedules are tattooed in impermanent ink on everyone's arm each day and wasting food or other resources is tantamount to a criminal offense. Naturally, Katniss chaffs under the imposition of these strict rules, but luckily for her, she's got some leverage. Having made herself infamous through her actions in the Hunger Games, the resistance wants her to become a symbol of the uprising, using her status as the Mockingjay to unite the remaining eleven districts. She agrees, but not before laying down a few conditions of her own. It's at this point that we see Katniss finally become more aware of her own power as well as (paradoxically) her inherent helplessness. On the one hand, she's a valuable asset and thus has a certain amount of say in District 13's decision-making; on the other, District 13 is just as capable of manipulation, cruelty and exploitation as the Capitol, and Katniss sees firsthand the lengths to which they'll go to in order to destroy the totalitarian regime of President Snow and the Capitol. Can she be a part of it without compromising herself?Once again she finds herself in the Hunger Games - though of a slightly different sort this time. Now the cameras are trained on her as she visits hospitals, rallies the districts, and consoles her wounded compatriots. She's become a part of the propaganda machine, and struggles to maintain her own agency and personality in the progress. Clearly suffering from the first signs of PTSD (complete with concussions, drug-use, on-going injuries and nightmares) Katniss also struggles with the knowledge that everything she does to rile the Capitol may be putting the captive Peeta into danger. It all comes to a head in a nail-biting game of cat and mouse with in the streets of the Capitol itself, and in the climactic final gambit played out by Katniss. It was with interest that I read some of the other reviews for "Mockingjay", particularly the ones that gave it a lower rating. Notably, there seems to be a definite disconnect between what people were expecting, and what Collins delivered. Is this a dark but ultimately uplifting story about a girl who becomes a hero and leads a rebellion to victory at a large but ultimately necessary cost? Or is it a story about the effect that war and death have on young people, how both sides of the conflict can be morally grey, and how people have only so much strength in them before they break? It's the latter, but lot of people wanted the former, and it's clear that they're judging "Mockingjay" not on what it is, but what they wanted it to be. Naturally everyone will have a series of expectations whenever they crack open any book (especially one as anticipated as this one), but I also think that Collins had a specific message to impart, and ignoring it is to miss the very point of the trilogy. For example, Collins makes some very interesting storytelling decisions throughout. For the last two books President Snow has been set up as Katniss's primary antagonist; the ultimate foe that she will one day face (it's even foreshadowed in their names: Snow versus the Girl on Fire). Yet without giving too much away, their confrontation is not what you'd expect. Likewise, there is a rather unconventional resolution to the love triangle that many may not find satisfactory. Personally, I was never in any doubt as to which of the two boys Katniss would chose, but the way in which is occurs is hardly what you'd call a "fairytale ending. "However, there are some parts of "Mockingjay" where I can understand why readers were a bit disgruntled. The death toll is extremely high; I wasn't keeping count, but there's a good chance that more named characters (I'm including the minor ones in this) end up dead than the living. In this case, Collins's gift is also her curse: by creating characters that you care about so quickly and so deeply, it is gut-wrenching when several of them not only die, but do so in a swift and anti-climactic manner. Sure, she's trying to make a statement about the randomness of war, but it's hard not to think that some characters deserved more - if not their lives, than at least a meaningful death. Although the writing is still as strong as ever in terms of its pacing and clarity, there are times in which Collins trips up. About halfway through the book, Katniss sings a haunting (and highly symbolic) song called "The Hanging Tree". Instead of Collins simply leaving the reader to interpret its meaning, she has Katniss internally analysis it for the benefit of the reader (taking up two pages!), thus robbing it of all its mystery. There are a couple of times in which she breaks the "show, don't tell" rule, breaking down various situations instead of letting the reader figure it out for themselves. (Though ironically, the most crucial gambit that Katniss plays toward the end of the novel seems to have been *too* subtle, given that many readers have expressed confusion over it. Or maybe most readers are used to being spoon-fed answers, thus justifying Collins's early attempts to spell things out. Who knows). Yet Collins's strength in writing is still apparent: her ability to maintain a riveting pace, in which everything flows smoothly from chapter to chapter, and suspense builds as the story goes on. Having a dig around some of the other reviews, I was disappointed (though hardly surprised) at the criticisms leveled at Katniss's characterization. Generally speaking, it's immensely difficult to write female characters, especially protagonists, as they will always be held to a higher standard than male characters. If she's too competent, too loved, too successful, she'll be deemed a Mary Sue. If she's too flawed, too fallible, or makes too many mistakes, then she's a bad role model and an affront to feminism. It feels as though that's what happened here. Many wanted her to step up as a hero and take control of every situation. Others dismiss her as "fickle" or "selfish" due to her interactions with Peeta and Gale (claims that baffle me considering her devotion to her sister and willingness to die for others). Others think she spent too much time under sedation, or gunning people down, or making the wrong decisions; and of course, with so much attention placed on the love triangle (not so much in the book, but certainly in on-line fan discussions - one can't help but feel that Stephenie Meyer's endorsements drew in the Twilight crowd) there were inevitably going to be disappointed shippers who would accuse Katniss of making "the wrong choice" no matter what boy she chose. So what was she: too good to be true, or a disappointing female character?Actually, she was neither. She was a seventeen year old girl who goes through a devastating ordeal, and the crux of this trilogy is that the reader shares in her terror, her self-loathing, her mental collapse, and her gradual crawl back to some degree of normality. It's a grueling experience, but one that's unflinching in revealing the true cost of war. So thank you Suzanne Collins for giving me Katniss: a three-dimensional, fully developed character who was nothing like me, and yet who I could relate to completely. Sometimes she failed, sometimes she succeeded, but she's embroiled in a story that is complex without being convoluted, and which raises difficult questions about the world without providing any sort of simplistic answer. <hl> The character development reflects this, for Collins doesn't make it easy: not for Katniss and not for the reader, and in my opinion, this uncompromising storytelling makes the complete trilogy stronger as a result . <hl> Will it be a classic? Only time will tell, but were I to place money on it, my bet would be yes.

f836f38c4be87b655bfc2170e438b235

books

action filled urban fantasy post

question: What about action?, context: This was a fun, dark, action filled urban fantasy post-apocalyptic thriller. Not for the faint of heart, lots of bloody gore, ripped body parts, cannibalism etc. A plot fueled with high octane, once you start reading it's hard to put down. I would not call this a YA book, because of the violence, older teens yes. The writing is amazing, excellent editing and an extremely engaging plot.Fantastic book!

What about action?

This was a fun, dark, action filled urban fantasy post -apocalyptic thriller.

This was a fun, dark, action filled urban fantasy post-apocalyptic thriller. Not for the faint of heart, lots of bloody gore, ripped body parts, cannibalism etc. A plot fueled with high octane, once you start reading it's hard to put down. I would not call this a YA book, because of the violence, older teens yes. The writing is amazing, excellent editing and an extremely engaging plot.Fantastic book!

This was a fun, dark, <hl> action filled urban fantasy post <hl> -apocalyptic thriller.

This was a fun, dark, <hl> action filled urban fantasy post <hl>-apocalyptic thriller. Not for the faint of heart, lots of bloody gore, ripped body parts, cannibalism etc. A plot fueled with high octane, once you start reading it's hard to put down. I would not call this a YA book, because of the violence, older teens yes. The writing is amazing, excellent editing and an extremely engaging plot.Fantastic book!

<hl> This was a fun, dark, action filled urban fantasy post -apocalyptic thriller. <hl> Not for the faint of heart, lots of bloody gore, ripped body parts, cannibalism etc. A plot fueled with high octane, once you start reading it's hard to put down. I would not call this a YA book, because of the violence, older teens yes. The writing is amazing, excellent editing and an extremely engaging plot. Fantastic book!

9eaaeef607afbac6111745c99ca817f9

books

This novel works on many levels

question: What is the overall quality of the book?, context: A fast-paced, yet intricate and disturbing read, that's almost impossible to put down. (I read it in one setting.) "Dark Places" will resonate, and possibly give you nightmares, long after you're done reading it.This novel works on many levels: as a psychological drama, whodunit (the ending is highly unpredictable and there are a lot of red herrings) and grisly (emphasis on the "gris") crime thriller.The main character, Libby, is at once almost completely unlikable and highly empathetic. The survivor/witness (though she remembers nothing) of a violent rampage that wiped out her family when she was young, adult Libby meets up with a group that thinks the man convicted, based on Libby's (coached) testimony, is innocent. To complicate matters further, the convicted man is Libby's older brother, Ben, a teenager at the time of the crime. And the memories Libby does have of him are confused, at best.The story ricochets from violent, in-depth descriptions (there is a LOT of gore; not a story for the faint of heart) of the almost unthinkable crime and the quiet, tortured thoughts in Libby's own head.This very well written story is scarier than any horror novel. Because, as in reality, there is nothing supernatural that is as creepy, or gruesome, as what people do to one another.

What is the overall quality of the book?

This novel works on many levels : as a psychological drama, whodunit (the ending is highly unpredictable and there are a lot of red herrings) and grisly (emphasis on the "gris") crime thriller.

A fast-paced, yet intricate and disturbing read, that's almost impossible to put down. (I read it in one setting.) "Dark Places" will resonate, and possibly give you nightmares, long after you're done reading it.This novel works on many levels: as a psychological drama, whodunit (the ending is highly unpredictable and there are a lot of red herrings) and grisly (emphasis on the "gris") crime thriller.The main character, Libby, is at once almost completely unlikable and highly empathetic. The survivor/witness (though she remembers nothing) of a violent rampage that wiped out her family when she was young, adult Libby meets up with a group that thinks the man convicted, based on Libby's (coached) testimony, is innocent. To complicate matters further, the convicted man is Libby's older brother, Ben, a teenager at the time of the crime. And the memories Libby does have of him are confused, at best.The story ricochets from violent, in-depth descriptions (there is a LOT of gore; not a story for the faint of heart) of the almost unthinkable crime and the quiet, tortured thoughts in Libby's own head.This very well written story is scarier than any horror novel. Because, as in reality, there is nothing supernatural that is as creepy, or gruesome, as what people do to one another.

<hl> This novel works on many levels <hl> : as a psychological drama, whodunit (the ending is highly unpredictable and there are a lot of red herrings) and grisly (emphasis on the "gris") crime thriller.

A fast-paced, yet intricate and disturbing read, that's almost impossible to put down. (I read it in one setting.) "Dark Places" will resonate, and possibly give you nightmares, long after you're done reading it.<hl> This novel works on many levels <hl>: as a psychological drama, whodunit (the ending is highly unpredictable and there are a lot of red herrings) and grisly (emphasis on the "gris") crime thriller.The main character, Libby, is at once almost completely unlikable and highly empathetic. The survivor/witness (though she remembers nothing) of a violent rampage that wiped out her family when she was young, adult Libby meets up with a group that thinks the man convicted, based on Libby's (coached) testimony, is innocent. To complicate matters further, the convicted man is Libby's older brother, Ben, a teenager at the time of the crime. And the memories Libby does have of him are confused, at best.The story ricochets from violent, in-depth descriptions (there is a LOT of gore; not a story for the faint of heart) of the almost unthinkable crime and the quiet, tortured thoughts in Libby's own head.This very well written story is scarier than any horror novel. Because, as in reality, there is nothing supernatural that is as creepy, or gruesome, as what people do to one another.

A fast-paced, yet intricate and disturbing read, that's almost impossible to put down. (I read it in one setting.) "Dark Places" will resonate, and possibly give you nightmares, long after you're done reading it. <hl> This novel works on many levels : as a psychological drama, whodunit (the ending is highly unpredictable and there are a lot of red herrings) and grisly (emphasis on the "gris") crime thriller. <hl> The main character, Libby, is at once almost completely unlikable and highly empathetic. The survivor/witness (though she remembers nothing) of a violent rampage that wiped out her family when she was young, adult Libby meets up with a group that thinks the man convicted, based on Libby's (coached) testimony, is innocent. To complicate matters further, the convicted man is Libby's older brother, Ben, a teenager at the time of the crime. And the memories Libby does have of him are confused, at best. The story ricochets from violent, in-depth descriptions (there is a LOT of gore; not a story for the faint of heart) of the almost unthinkable crime and the quiet, tortured thoughts in Libby's own head. This very well written story is scarier than any horror novel. Because, as in reality, there is nothing supernatural that is as creepy, or gruesome, as what people do to one another.

064b3f975127ab4bbef8128aa3bc008d

books

I was reading this book

question: How is book?, context: I'm not a laugh out loud kinda person, more of a chuckler. I have a great sense of humor but it's a bit narrow, admittedly. I read in bed a lot. My husband actually kicked me out of the bedroom because I kept waking him up while I was reading this book. The guys dad is insane and insanely funny.

How is book?

My husband actually kicked me out of the bedroom because I kept waking him up while I was reading this book .

I'm not a laugh out loud kinda person, more of a chuckler. I have a great sense of humor but it's a bit narrow, admittedly. I read in bed a lot. My husband actually kicked me out of the bedroom because I kept waking him up while I was reading this book. The guys dad is insane and insanely funny.

My husband actually kicked me out of the bedroom because I kept waking him up while <hl> I was reading this book <hl> .

I'm not a laugh out loud kinda person, more of a chuckler. I have a great sense of humor but it's a bit narrow, admittedly. I read in bed a lot. My husband actually kicked me out of the bedroom because I kept waking him up while <hl> I was reading this book <hl>. The guys dad is insane and insanely funny.

I'm not a laugh out loud kinda person, more of a chuckler. I have a great sense of humor but it's a bit narrow, admittedly. I read in bed a lot. <hl> My husband actually kicked me out of the bedroom because I kept waking him up while I was reading this book . <hl> The guys dad is insane and insanely funny.

729a35f17eb4eb6b37d0b76e48e66360

books

He is a joy to read as his writing is clear, precise and informative - all at same time

question: How is the write on the book?, context: Mr. Ferguson has undertaken to tackle some pretty weighty subjects and yet made them thoroughly interesting and easy to understand. He is a joy to read as his writing is clear, precise and informative - all at same time. I recommend him to one and all!

How is the write on the book?

He is a joy to read as his writing is clear, precise and informative - all at same time .

Mr. Ferguson has undertaken to tackle some pretty weighty subjects and yet made them thoroughly interesting and easy to understand. He is a joy to read as his writing is clear, precise and informative - all at same time. I recommend him to one and all!

<hl> He is a joy to read as his writing is clear, precise and informative - all at same time <hl> .

Mr. Ferguson has undertaken to tackle some pretty weighty subjects and yet made them thoroughly interesting and easy to understand. <hl> He is a joy to read as his writing is clear, precise and informative - all at same time <hl>. I recommend him to one and all!

Mr. Ferguson has undertaken to tackle some pretty weighty subjects and yet made them thoroughly interesting and easy to understand. <hl> He is a joy to read as his writing is clear, precise and informative - all at same time . <hl> I recommend him to one and all!

109e98880b6609f77e0e849279f3de08

books

This book is so well written

question: How good was cathy glass book?, context: This book is so well written. I was hooked from page 1. I highly recommend this for anyone who likes a dark fairy tale type of book. Magickal realism maybe? Hard to describe but the book was lush, descriptive and pulled you right in. If you've read Ms. Peregrine Home For Peculiar Children and liked it, then you will love this book.

How good was cathy glass book?

This book is so well written .

This book is so well written. I was hooked from page 1. I highly recommend this for anyone who likes a dark fairy tale type of book. Magickal realism maybe? Hard to describe but the book was lush, descriptive and pulled you right in. If you've read Ms. Peregrine Home For Peculiar Children and liked it, then you will love this book.

<hl> This book is so well written <hl> .

<hl> This book is so well written <hl>. I was hooked from page 1. I highly recommend this for anyone who likes a dark fairy tale type of book. Magickal realism maybe? Hard to describe but the book was lush, descriptive and pulled you right in. If you've read Ms. Peregrine Home For Peculiar Children and liked it, then you will love this book.

<hl> This book is so well written . <hl> I was hooked from page 1. I highly recommend this for anyone who likes a dark fairy tale type of book. Magickal realism maybe? Hard to describe but the book was lush, descriptive and pulled you right in. If you've read Ms. Peregrine Home For Peculiar Children and liked it, then you will love this book.

9224b7f3e9d1dc8fccb413170d34cd11

books

Habits

question: How is the foundation?, context: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change was first published in 1990. I first read it around 1991 and recently reread it as part of a series of corporate training sessions I'm currently enrolled in. I had some pretty strong impressions about the book when I first read it and this recent reread gave me the opportunity to refresh my mind as to the books specifics (I remember the main points in general), look at the work with a few years more experience and maturity behind me, thus providing me an opportunity to rethink my impressions and opinions.On the whole, my assessment of the book hasn't changed much. I was disappointed with the book back then and remain so today.This disappointment has little to do with the validity of the premise of the book or the relevance of the "7 Habits" it outlines. Covey has some good points to make and the book has some useful insights into what one could reasonably call a "balanced life".My problem is that all too often-well, really, almost continually-the book imposes major impediments to getting at, fully understanding and implementing its major premises.The problems include (1) unbelievable verbosity (Covey seems to think there's no reason to use one word when 7 will do), (2) linguistic pomposity (purportedly this is a book for "your family and business lives" but I ask you, how often do terms like paradigm, intra-this or intra-that, globally, leveraged, matrix and so on, and on, and on get used in your family?), (3) excessive jargonistic gymnastics (see {2} previously) and (4) the hard sell for Covey Enterprise accouterments (order our "helpful" calendar, notebook, pamphlets, and so on, and so on and so on....).In the end, all of the major points could have been made much more clearly and concisely in half the space with much better overall understanding and usability than is available here.The bottom line is this is a book written to be used as a "warm and fuzzy" business-training tool. There's nothing wrong with that as long as it's aimed at the right audience. Unfortunately this is a book aimed at-and written for-executives and all too often imposed on the rank and file. In the end, I doubt either group ever gets what is should out of the excellent ideas and premises that underline the whole effort.In the final analysis, both ten years ago and just recently, I couldn't help but wonder if the book really was written so much as to help the reader or simply a clever device to enrich the author. I'd like to think it's not the latter-there's too much substance here and, in an obscure way, Covey comes across as a good sort-but the simple fact you think about those sort of things virtually automatically renders the book a failure of a sort, which is as sad as it is unfortunate.

How is the foundation?

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change was first published in 1990.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change was first published in 1990. I first read it around 1991 and recently reread it as part of a series of corporate training sessions I'm currently enrolled in. I had some pretty strong impressions about the book when I first read it and this recent reread gave me the opportunity to refresh my mind as to the books specifics (I remember the main points in general), look at the work with a few years more experience and maturity behind me, thus providing me an opportunity to rethink my impressions and opinions.On the whole, my assessment of the book hasn't changed much. I was disappointed with the book back then and remain so today.This disappointment has little to do with the validity of the premise of the book or the relevance of the "7 Habits" it outlines. Covey has some good points to make and the book has some useful insights into what one could reasonably call a "balanced life".My problem is that all too often-well, really, almost continually-the book imposes major impediments to getting at, fully understanding and implementing its major premises.The problems include (1) unbelievable verbosity (Covey seems to think there's no reason to use one word when 7 will do), (2) linguistic pomposity (purportedly this is a book for "your family and business lives" but I ask you, how often do terms like paradigm, intra-this or intra-that, globally, leveraged, matrix and so on, and on, and on get used in your family?), (3) excessive jargonistic gymnastics (see {2} previously) and (4) the hard sell for Covey Enterprise accouterments (order our "helpful" calendar, notebook, pamphlets, and so on, and so on and so on....).In the end, all of the major points could have been made much more clearly and concisely in half the space with much better overall understanding and usability than is available here.The bottom line is this is a book written to be used as a "warm and fuzzy" business-training tool. There's nothing wrong with that as long as it's aimed at the right audience. Unfortunately this is a book aimed at-and written for-executives and all too often imposed on the rank and file. In the end, I doubt either group ever gets what is should out of the excellent ideas and premises that underline the whole effort.In the final analysis, both ten years ago and just recently, I couldn't help but wonder if the book really was written so much as to help the reader or simply a clever device to enrich the author. I'd like to think it's not the latter-there's too much substance here and, in an obscure way, Covey comes across as a good sort-but the simple fact you think about those sort of things virtually automatically renders the book a failure of a sort, which is as sad as it is unfortunate.

The 7 <hl> Habits <hl> of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change was first published in 1990.

The 7 <hl> Habits <hl> of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change was first published in 1990. I first read it around 1991 and recently reread it as part of a series of corporate training sessions I'm currently enrolled in. I had some pretty strong impressions about the book when I first read it and this recent reread gave me the opportunity to refresh my mind as to the books specifics (I remember the main points in general), look at the work with a few years more experience and maturity behind me, thus providing me an opportunity to rethink my impressions and opinions.On the whole, my assessment of the book hasn't changed much. I was disappointed with the book back then and remain so today.This disappointment has little to do with the validity of the premise of the book or the relevance of the "7 Habits" it outlines. Covey has some good points to make and the book has some useful insights into what one could reasonably call a "balanced life".My problem is that all too often-well, really, almost continually-the book imposes major impediments to getting at, fully understanding and implementing its major premises.The problems include (1) unbelievable verbosity (Covey seems to think there's no reason to use one word when 7 will do), (2) linguistic pomposity (purportedly this is a book for "your family and business lives" but I ask you, how often do terms like paradigm, intra-this or intra-that, globally, leveraged, matrix and so on, and on, and on get used in your family?), (3) excessive jargonistic gymnastics (see {2} previously) and (4) the hard sell for Covey Enterprise accouterments (order our "helpful" calendar, notebook, pamphlets, and so on, and so on and so on....).In the end, all of the major points could have been made much more clearly and concisely in half the space with much better overall understanding and usability than is available here.The bottom line is this is a book written to be used as a "warm and fuzzy" business-training tool. There's nothing wrong with that as long as it's aimed at the right audience. Unfortunately this is a book aimed at-and written for-executives and all too often imposed on the rank and file. In the end, I doubt either group ever gets what is should out of the excellent ideas and premises that underline the whole effort.In the final analysis, both ten years ago and just recently, I couldn't help but wonder if the book really was written so much as to help the reader or simply a clever device to enrich the author. I'd like to think it's not the latter-there's too much substance here and, in an obscure way, Covey comes across as a good sort-but the simple fact you think about those sort of things virtually automatically renders the book a failure of a sort, which is as sad as it is unfortunate.

<hl> The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change was first published in 1990. <hl> I first read it around 1991 and recently reread it as part of a series of corporate training sessions I'm currently enrolled in. I had some pretty strong impressions about the book when I first read it and this recent reread gave me the opportunity to refresh my mind as to the books specifics (I remember the main points in general), look at the work with a few years more experience and maturity behind me, thus providing me an opportunity to rethink my impressions and opinions. On the whole, my assessment of the book hasn't changed much. I was disappointed with the book back then and remain so today. This disappointment has little to do with the validity of the premise of the book or the relevance of the "7 Habits" it outlines. Covey has some good points to make and the book has some useful insights into what one could reasonably call a "balanced life". My problem is that all too often-well, really, almost continually-the book imposes major impediments to getting at, fully understanding and implementing its major premises. The problems include (1) unbelievable verbosity (Covey seems to think there's no reason to use one word when 7 will do), (2) linguistic pomposity (purportedly this is a book for "your family and business lives" but I ask you, how often do terms like paradigm, intra-this or intra-that, globally, leveraged, matrix and so on, and on, and on get used in your family?), (3) excessive jargonistic gymnastics (see {2} previously) and (4) the hard sell for Covey Enterprise accouterments (order our "helpful" calendar, notebook, pamphlets, and so on, and so on and so on....).In the end, all of the major points could have been made much more clearly and concisely in half the space with much better overall understanding and usability than is available here. The bottom line is this is a book written to be used as a "warm and fuzzy" business-training tool. There's nothing wrong with that as long as it's aimed at the right audience. Unfortunately this is a book aimed at-and written for-executives and all too often imposed on the rank and file. In the end, I doubt either group ever gets what is should out of the excellent ideas and premises that underline the whole effort. In the final analysis, both ten years ago and just recently, I couldn't help but wonder if the book really was written so much as to help the reader or simply a clever device to enrich the author. I'd like to think it's not the latter-there's too much substance here and, in an obscure way, Covey comes across as a good sort-but the simple fact you think about those sort of things virtually automatically renders the book a failure of a sort, which is as sad as it is unfortunate.

a4dd4b7a9a9ae5173fd64b52bbcaa8b1

books

I honestly do not understand how anyone could rate this book any less than 5 stars

question: How would you rate the book?, context: I have to start out by saying that this book was AWESOME!! I honestly do not understand how anyone could rate this book any less than 5 stars. Real had more than everything that I love in a book and I am EAGERLY awaiting the next book! You rocked it Katy Evans &lt;3 Remy &lt;3

How would you rate the book?

I have to start out by saying that this book was AWESOME!! I honestly do not understand how anyone could rate this book any less than 5 stars .

I have to start out by saying that this book was AWESOME!! I honestly do not understand how anyone could rate this book any less than 5 stars. Real had more than everything that I love in a book and I am EAGERLY awaiting the next book! You rocked it Katy Evans &lt;3 Remy &lt;3

I have to start out by saying that this book was AWESOME!! <hl> I honestly do not understand how anyone could rate this book any less than 5 stars <hl> .

I have to start out by saying that this book was AWESOME!! <hl> I honestly do not understand how anyone could rate this book any less than 5 stars <hl>. Real had more than everything that I love in a book and I am EAGERLY awaiting the next book! You rocked it Katy Evans &lt;3 Remy &lt;3

<hl> I have to start out by saying that this book was AWESOME!! I honestly do not understand how anyone could rate this book any less than 5 stars . <hl> Real had more than everything that I love in a book and I am EAGERLY awaiting the next book! You rocked it Katy Evans &lt;3 Remy &lt;3

88fbc36f92864e8def0e7170cdcb957e

books

Author's Note"at

question: How is read?, context: If you read the "Author's Note"at the end of this book you will see why this book is so lame. The book was fine for the first half and went rapidly downhill afterward.

How is read?

If you read the " Author's Note"at the end of this book you will see why this book is so lame.

If you read the "Author's Note"at the end of this book you will see why this book is so lame. The book was fine for the first half and went rapidly downhill afterward.

If you read the " <hl> Author's Note"at <hl> the end of this book you will see why this book is so lame.

If you read the "<hl> Author's Note"at <hl> the end of this book you will see why this book is so lame. The book was fine for the first half and went rapidly downhill afterward.

<hl> If you read the " Author's Note"at the end of this book you will see why this book is so lame. <hl> The book was fine for the first half and went rapidly downhill afterward.

3c9fa09c8c4d0234f4c18b729d6db9e6

books

I had the pleasure of meeting this book after I saw the movie

question: What is the time they use to read the book?, context: Unlike some readers, I had the pleasure of meeting this book after I saw the movie. And I have not read the 2 other books. Usually before I write a review, I make a point of reading all of the previous reviews of the book on this site. Unfortunately the sheer mass of these makes this impractical. So I might be stating views already given, but here goes.The most interesting aspect of what reviews I did read were those by people negative. Like KMR, who suggested that &#34;the premise ... lacks authenticity&#34; and &#34;the people of Panem are so resigned ... they never question it&#34; and &#34;in 74 years, not even one tribute has questioned the mandate&#34;. But look at our own unlamented North Korea. Under a stifling and near absolute dictatorship that harks back to 1945 when World War 2 ended 67 years ago. Where in the last 20 years a famine killed over a million people. Yet no rebellion. The 67 year Korean rule is not so far from the 74 years of the Hunger Games. Perhaps the reviewer should be more cognisant of actual history.Then there is the reviewer Pseudotriakis, who opined that &#34;the book is boring&#34;. Here the overwhelming mass of readers would absolutely disagree. As you can see by trolling the reviews, most found it gripping. And that is the verdict of the marketplace, based on the book's success. Plus, the movie was a faithful rendition of the book, as stated by the author herself. The movie was a smash for 2012. Which goes to show that the book was not boring.Further, Pseudotriakis ventures that &#34;Even when she is forced to kill, she feels little or no remorse&#34;... &#34;The author never lets her kill pre-emptively, only allowing her to act in self defense&#34;. The reviewer lacks enough introspection to see that he is largely answering his own question. The reason that Katniss feels no remorse is basically because she killed in self defense. Though I suggest that the author did this precisely to avoid the harder issue of how to depict the character if she had indeed killed several opponents, especially if this was done deliberately. If you read the book and think back slowly over the tournament events, you might get an extra appreciation for what Collins did and her skill as a writer. For all of the action and deaths, Katniss manages to segue aside. This lets her emerge at the end not as a hardened stone cold killer, and much easier for the reader to identify with.I suggest that overall the critical comments about the society or societies in the book inadvertently show the author's constraint. She built this out into 2 more books where she fleshed out those facets. Including from what I can gather in the blurbs, where indeed people rebel against Panem. If she had put these into the current book, it would have made for a far longer text. Keep in mind one practical factor. This first book was market speculation by the author, as it really is for any author. She did not know how well it would be received. Investing too much time in a huge tome that was all 3 novels would have been a big risk of her time. Likely too that the publisher would have baulked at backing it.Hey, if you liked this novel, there is another story about a death match that starts with 64 gladiators in a future world. Each paired with an opponent and in every round half the players die, until only 1 is left. Berserker's Planet by Fred Saberhagen. Not as successful in the marketplace. Mostly perhaps because the characters in that book exhibit far less empathy than Hunger Games. The biggest differences with Hunger Games are that those fighters enter the contest willingly and can be of any age. If the combat premise of Collins was interesting and you want more, try that book. It is also a reminder that Collins certainly did not invent the idea of a death match with only one winner. Surely there are other books of death matches, but the Saberhagen text is what I've read.Another book recommendation that will be more germane to some readers is the companion text about the filming of the movie, The Hunger Games: Official Illustrated Movie Companion. Well composed and gives a cool backstory about the travails of filming in the forests of North Carolina.

What is the time they use to read the book?

Unlike some readers, I had the pleasure of meeting this book after I saw the movie .

Unlike some readers, I had the pleasure of meeting this book after I saw the movie. And I have not read the 2 other books. Usually before I write a review, I make a point of reading all of the previous reviews of the book on this site. Unfortunately the sheer mass of these makes this impractical. So I might be stating views already given, but here goes.The most interesting aspect of what reviews I did read were those by people negative. Like KMR, who suggested that &#34;the premise ... lacks authenticity&#34; and &#34;the people of Panem are so resigned ... they never question it&#34; and &#34;in 74 years, not even one tribute has questioned the mandate&#34;. But look at our own unlamented North Korea. Under a stifling and near absolute dictatorship that harks back to 1945 when World War 2 ended 67 years ago. Where in the last 20 years a famine killed over a million people. Yet no rebellion. The 67 year Korean rule is not so far from the 74 years of the Hunger Games. Perhaps the reviewer should be more cognisant of actual history.Then there is the reviewer Pseudotriakis, who opined that &#34;the book is boring&#34;. Here the overwhelming mass of readers would absolutely disagree. As you can see by trolling the reviews, most found it gripping. And that is the verdict of the marketplace, based on the book's success. Plus, the movie was a faithful rendition of the book, as stated by the author herself. The movie was a smash for 2012. Which goes to show that the book was not boring.Further, Pseudotriakis ventures that &#34;Even when she is forced to kill, she feels little or no remorse&#34;... &#34;The author never lets her kill pre-emptively, only allowing her to act in self defense&#34;. The reviewer lacks enough introspection to see that he is largely answering his own question. The reason that Katniss feels no remorse is basically because she killed in self defense. Though I suggest that the author did this precisely to avoid the harder issue of how to depict the character if she had indeed killed several opponents, especially if this was done deliberately. If you read the book and think back slowly over the tournament events, you might get an extra appreciation for what Collins did and her skill as a writer. For all of the action and deaths, Katniss manages to segue aside. This lets her emerge at the end not as a hardened stone cold killer, and much easier for the reader to identify with.I suggest that overall the critical comments about the society or societies in the book inadvertently show the author's constraint. She built this out into 2 more books where she fleshed out those facets. Including from what I can gather in the blurbs, where indeed people rebel against Panem. If she had put these into the current book, it would have made for a far longer text. Keep in mind one practical factor. This first book was market speculation by the author, as it really is for any author. She did not know how well it would be received. Investing too much time in a huge tome that was all 3 novels would have been a big risk of her time. Likely too that the publisher would have baulked at backing it.Hey, if you liked this novel, there is another story about a death match that starts with 64 gladiators in a future world. Each paired with an opponent and in every round half the players die, until only 1 is left. Berserker's Planet by Fred Saberhagen. Not as successful in the marketplace. Mostly perhaps because the characters in that book exhibit far less empathy than Hunger Games. The biggest differences with Hunger Games are that those fighters enter the contest willingly and can be of any age. If the combat premise of Collins was interesting and you want more, try that book. It is also a reminder that Collins certainly did not invent the idea of a death match with only one winner. Surely there are other books of death matches, but the Saberhagen text is what I've read.Another book recommendation that will be more germane to some readers is the companion text about the filming of the movie, The Hunger Games: Official Illustrated Movie Companion. Well composed and gives a cool backstory about the travails of filming in the forests of North Carolina.

Unlike some readers, <hl> I had the pleasure of meeting this book after I saw the movie <hl> .

Unlike some readers, <hl> I had the pleasure of meeting this book after I saw the movie <hl>. And I have not read the 2 other books. Usually before I write a review, I make a point of reading all of the previous reviews of the book on this site. Unfortunately the sheer mass of these makes this impractical. So I might be stating views already given, but here goes.The most interesting aspect of what reviews I did read were those by people negative. Like KMR, who suggested that &#34;the premise ... lacks authenticity&#34; and &#34;the people of Panem are so resigned ... they never question it&#34; and &#34;in 74 years, not even one tribute has questioned the mandate&#34;. But look at our own unlamented North Korea. Under a stifling and near absolute dictatorship that harks back to 1945 when World War 2 ended 67 years ago. Where in the last 20 years a famine killed over a million people. Yet no rebellion. The 67 year Korean rule is not so far from the 74 years of the Hunger Games. Perhaps the reviewer should be more cognisant of actual history.Then there is the reviewer Pseudotriakis, who opined that &#34;the book is boring&#34;. Here the overwhelming mass of readers would absolutely disagree. As you can see by trolling the reviews, most found it gripping. And that is the verdict of the marketplace, based on the book's success. Plus, the movie was a faithful rendition of the book, as stated by the author herself. The movie was a smash for 2012. Which goes to show that the book was not boring.Further, Pseudotriakis ventures that &#34;Even when she is forced to kill, she feels little or no remorse&#34;... &#34;The author never lets her kill pre-emptively, only allowing her to act in self defense&#34;. The reviewer lacks enough introspection to see that he is largely answering his own question. The reason that Katniss feels no remorse is basically because she killed in self defense. Though I suggest that the author did this precisely to avoid the harder issue of how to depict the character if she had indeed killed several opponents, especially if this was done deliberately. If you read the book and think back slowly over the tournament events, you might get an extra appreciation for what Collins did and her skill as a writer. For all of the action and deaths, Katniss manages to segue aside. This lets her emerge at the end not as a hardened stone cold killer, and much easier for the reader to identify with.I suggest that overall the critical comments about the society or societies in the book inadvertently show the author's constraint. She built this out into 2 more books where she fleshed out those facets. Including from what I can gather in the blurbs, where indeed people rebel against Panem. If she had put these into the current book, it would have made for a far longer text. Keep in mind one practical factor. This first book was market speculation by the author, as it really is for any author. She did not know how well it would be received. Investing too much time in a huge tome that was all 3 novels would have been a big risk of her time. Likely too that the publisher would have baulked at backing it.Hey, if you liked this novel, there is another story about a death match that starts with 64 gladiators in a future world. Each paired with an opponent and in every round half the players die, until only 1 is left. Berserker's Planet by Fred Saberhagen. Not as successful in the marketplace. Mostly perhaps because the characters in that book exhibit far less empathy than Hunger Games. The biggest differences with Hunger Games are that those fighters enter the contest willingly and can be of any age. If the combat premise of Collins was interesting and you want more, try that book. It is also a reminder that Collins certainly did not invent the idea of a death match with only one winner. Surely there are other books of death matches, but the Saberhagen text is what I've read.Another book recommendation that will be more germane to some readers is the companion text about the filming of the movie, The Hunger Games: Official Illustrated Movie Companion. Well composed and gives a cool backstory about the travails of filming in the forests of North Carolina.

<hl> Unlike some readers, I had the pleasure of meeting this book after I saw the movie . <hl> And I have not read the 2 other books. Usually before I write a review, I make a point of reading all of the previous reviews of the book on this site. Unfortunately the sheer mass of these makes this impractical. So I might be stating views already given, but here goes. The most interesting aspect of what reviews I did read were those by people negative. Like KMR, who suggested that &#34;the premise ... lacks authenticity&#34; and &#34;the people of Panem are so resigned ... they never question it&#34; and &#34;in 74 years, not even one tribute has questioned the mandate&#34;. But look at our own unlamented North Korea. Under a stifling and near absolute dictatorship that harks back to 1945 when World War 2 ended 67 years ago. Where in the last 20 years a famine killed over a million people. Yet no rebellion. The 67 year Korean rule is not so far from the 74 years of the Hunger Games. Perhaps the reviewer should be more cognisant of actual history. Then there is the reviewer Pseudotriakis, who opined that &#34;the book is boring&#34;. Here the overwhelming mass of readers would absolutely disagree. As you can see by trolling the reviews, most found it gripping. And that is the verdict of the marketplace, based on the book's success. Plus, the movie was a faithful rendition of the book, as stated by the author herself. The movie was a smash for 2012. Which goes to show that the book was not boring. Further, Pseudotriakis ventures that &#34;Even when she is forced to kill, she feels little or no remorse&#34;... &#34;The author never lets her kill pre-emptively, only allowing her to act in self defense&#34;. The reviewer lacks enough introspection to see that he is largely answering his own question. The reason that Katniss feels no remorse is basically because she killed in self defense. Though I suggest that the author did this precisely to avoid the harder issue of how to depict the character if she had indeed killed several opponents, especially if this was done deliberately. If you read the book and think back slowly over the tournament events, you might get an extra appreciation for what Collins did and her skill as a writer. For all of the action and deaths, Katniss manages to segue aside. This lets her emerge at the end not as a hardened stone cold killer, and much easier for the reader to identify with. I suggest that overall the critical comments about the society or societies in the book inadvertently show the author's constraint. She built this out into 2 more books where she fleshed out those facets. Including from what I can gather in the blurbs, where indeed people rebel against Panem. If she had put these into the current book, it would have made for a far longer text. Keep in mind one practical factor. This first book was market speculation by the author, as it really is for any author. She did not know how well it would be received. Investing too much time in a huge tome that was all 3 novels would have been a big risk of her time. Likely too that the publisher would have baulked at backing it. Hey, if you liked this novel, there is another story about a death match that starts with 64 gladiators in a future world. Each paired with an opponent and in every round half the players die, until only 1 is left. Berserker's Planet by Fred Saberhagen. Not as successful in the marketplace. Mostly perhaps because the characters in that book exhibit far less empathy than Hunger Games. The biggest differences with Hunger Games are that those fighters enter the contest willingly and can be of any age. If the combat premise of Collins was interesting and you want more, try that book. It is also a reminder that Collins certainly did not invent the idea of a death match with only one winner. Surely there are other books of death matches, but the Saberhagen text is what I've read. Another book recommendation that will be more germane to some readers is the companion text about the filming of the movie, The Hunger Games: Official Illustrated Movie Companion. Well composed and gives a cool backstory about the travails of filming in the forests of North Carolina.

2221ed787a6689874c9b0fcedff274f1

books

irreverent

question: How is the quality of book?, context: Any of you who have become acquainted with Moore's novels know that he has a quirky sense of life in general, but &#34;Lamb&#34; takes the cake. As the little known &#34;true story&#34; of Jesus' missing years (from 2-30), his best friend Biff tells what actually happened during the missing years--quirky, irreverent, yet tender, this is a terrific novel.

How is the quality of book?

As the little known &#34;true story&#34; of Jesus' missing years (from 2-30), his best friend Biff tells what actually happened during the missing years--quirky, irreverent , yet tender, this is a terrific novel.

Any of you who have become acquainted with Moore's novels know that he has a quirky sense of life in general, but &#34;Lamb&#34; takes the cake. As the little known &#34;true story&#34; of Jesus' missing years (from 2-30), his best friend Biff tells what actually happened during the missing years--quirky, irreverent, yet tender, this is a terrific novel.

As the little known &#34;true story&#34; of Jesus' missing years (from 2-30), his best friend Biff tells what actually happened during the missing years--quirky, <hl> irreverent <hl> , yet tender, this is a terrific novel.

Any of you who have become acquainted with Moore's novels know that he has a quirky sense of life in general, but &#34;Lamb&#34; takes the cake. As the little known &#34;true story&#34; of Jesus' missing years (from 2-30), his best friend Biff tells what actually happened during the missing years--quirky, <hl> irreverent <hl>, yet tender, this is a terrific novel.

Any of you who have become acquainted with Moore's novels know that he has a quirky sense of life in general, but &#34;Lamb&#34; takes the cake. <hl> As the little known &#34;true story&#34; of Jesus' missing years (from 2-30), his best friend Biff tells what actually happened during the missing years--quirky, irreverent , yet tender, this is a terrific novel. <hl>

ed8c242dda0d312a0cc3ac97ece32cdf

books

Not typical mysteries

question: How do you value reality?, context: Blue Shoes and Happiness is the seventh installment of Alexander McCall Smith's successful No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series. Not typical mysteries, the books meander gracefully to their conclusion rather than proceeding with page-turning thrills. As Assistant Detective Grace Makutsi says, "Mma Ramotswe [proprietor of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency] does not solve crimes. She deals with very small things. [...] But [...] these small things are important for people" (53).Set in Botswana, the books are full of full of wisdom and humanity as well as sympathetic and subtly drawn characters. Smith writes in such a way to emphasize the different pace of life in Botswana. Just reading one of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency books forces the reader to slow done and relax, making them the perfect fare for a weekday evening.In Blue Shoes and Happiness, Precious Ramotswe and her detective agency take on a number of new cases; her new assistant-assistant detective gets a chance to prove his detecting skills; and a new character appears in the form of Aunty Emang, the local newspaper's agony aunt. Additionally, Grace Makutsi's relationship with her new fiance is on rocky ground after she admits to being a feminist. The novel's most shocking thread, however, concerns Precious Ramotswe's decision to go on a diet. Yes, there's blackmail, and a home intruder, and a cobra in the office, but none of these things is nearly as significant as Ramotswe, a champion of the rights of the "traditionally-built," deciding that she needs to lose weight.While the books do stand alone--each begins with a little summary of what has happened in the previous books--people new to the series should probably start with a different book. Blue Shoes and Happiness, while continuing in the same vein as the earlier books, may be slightly less accessible to neophytes. Readers familiar with Ramotswe and the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency novels will appreciate the mysterious pumpkin that threads its way through the book and Smith's exploration of gender issues. To others, these things may feel just a bit too foreign.Armchair Interviews says: While Blue Shoes and Happiness may not be the best book way for new readers to be introduced to the series, however, fans of Precious Ramotswe and the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency will find it enchanting.

How do you value reality?

Not typical mysteries , the books meander gracefully to their conclusion rather than proceeding with page-turning thrills.

Blue Shoes and Happiness is the seventh installment of Alexander McCall Smith's successful No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series. Not typical mysteries, the books meander gracefully to their conclusion rather than proceeding with page-turning thrills. As Assistant Detective Grace Makutsi says, "Mma Ramotswe [proprietor of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency] does not solve crimes. She deals with very small things. [...] But [...] these small things are important for people" (53).Set in Botswana, the books are full of full of wisdom and humanity as well as sympathetic and subtly drawn characters. Smith writes in such a way to emphasize the different pace of life in Botswana. Just reading one of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency books forces the reader to slow done and relax, making them the perfect fare for a weekday evening.In Blue Shoes and Happiness, Precious Ramotswe and her detective agency take on a number of new cases; her new assistant-assistant detective gets a chance to prove his detecting skills; and a new character appears in the form of Aunty Emang, the local newspaper's agony aunt. Additionally, Grace Makutsi's relationship with her new fiance is on rocky ground after she admits to being a feminist. The novel's most shocking thread, however, concerns Precious Ramotswe's decision to go on a diet. Yes, there's blackmail, and a home intruder, and a cobra in the office, but none of these things is nearly as significant as Ramotswe, a champion of the rights of the "traditionally-built," deciding that she needs to lose weight.While the books do stand alone--each begins with a little summary of what has happened in the previous books--people new to the series should probably start with a different book. Blue Shoes and Happiness, while continuing in the same vein as the earlier books, may be slightly less accessible to neophytes. Readers familiar with Ramotswe and the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency novels will appreciate the mysterious pumpkin that threads its way through the book and Smith's exploration of gender issues. To others, these things may feel just a bit too foreign.Armchair Interviews says: While Blue Shoes and Happiness may not be the best book way for new readers to be introduced to the series, however, fans of Precious Ramotswe and the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency will find it enchanting.

<hl> Not typical mysteries <hl> , the books meander gracefully to their conclusion rather than proceeding with page-turning thrills.

Blue Shoes and Happiness is the seventh installment of Alexander McCall Smith's successful No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series. <hl> Not typical mysteries <hl>, the books meander gracefully to their conclusion rather than proceeding with page-turning thrills. As Assistant Detective Grace Makutsi says, "Mma Ramotswe [proprietor of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency] does not solve crimes. She deals with very small things. [...] But [...] these small things are important for people" (53).Set in Botswana, the books are full of full of wisdom and humanity as well as sympathetic and subtly drawn characters. Smith writes in such a way to emphasize the different pace of life in Botswana. Just reading one of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency books forces the reader to slow done and relax, making them the perfect fare for a weekday evening.In Blue Shoes and Happiness, Precious Ramotswe and her detective agency take on a number of new cases; her new assistant-assistant detective gets a chance to prove his detecting skills; and a new character appears in the form of Aunty Emang, the local newspaper's agony aunt. Additionally, Grace Makutsi's relationship with her new fiance is on rocky ground after she admits to being a feminist. The novel's most shocking thread, however, concerns Precious Ramotswe's decision to go on a diet. Yes, there's blackmail, and a home intruder, and a cobra in the office, but none of these things is nearly as significant as Ramotswe, a champion of the rights of the "traditionally-built," deciding that she needs to lose weight.While the books do stand alone--each begins with a little summary of what has happened in the previous books--people new to the series should probably start with a different book. Blue Shoes and Happiness, while continuing in the same vein as the earlier books, may be slightly less accessible to neophytes. Readers familiar with Ramotswe and the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency novels will appreciate the mysterious pumpkin that threads its way through the book and Smith's exploration of gender issues. To others, these things may feel just a bit too foreign.Armchair Interviews says: While Blue Shoes and Happiness may not be the best book way for new readers to be introduced to the series, however, fans of Precious Ramotswe and the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency will find it enchanting.

Blue Shoes and Happiness is the seventh installment of Alexander McCall Smith's successful No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series. <hl> Not typical mysteries , the books meander gracefully to their conclusion rather than proceeding with page-turning thrills. <hl> As Assistant Detective Grace Makutsi says, "Mma Ramotswe [proprietor of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency] does not solve crimes. She deals with very small things. [...] But [...] these small things are important for people" (53).Set in Botswana, the books are full of full of wisdom and humanity as well as sympathetic and subtly drawn characters. Smith writes in such a way to emphasize the different pace of life in Botswana. Just reading one of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency books forces the reader to slow done and relax, making them the perfect fare for a weekday evening. In Blue Shoes and Happiness, Precious Ramotswe and her detective agency take on a number of new cases; her new assistant-assistant detective gets a chance to prove his detecting skills; and a new character appears in the form of Aunty Emang, the local newspaper's agony aunt. Additionally, Grace Makutsi's relationship with her new fiance is on rocky ground after she admits to being a feminist. The novel's most shocking thread, however, concerns Precious Ramotswe's decision to go on a diet. Yes, there's blackmail, and a home intruder, and a cobra in the office, but none of these things is nearly as significant as Ramotswe, a champion of the rights of the "traditionally-built," deciding that she needs to lose weight. While the books do stand alone--each begins with a little summary of what has happened in the previous books--people new to the series should probably start with a different book. Blue Shoes and Happiness, while continuing in the same vein as the earlier books, may be slightly less accessible to neophytes. Readers familiar with Ramotswe and the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency novels will appreciate the mysterious pumpkin that threads its way through the book and Smith's exploration of gender issues. To others, these things may feel just a bit too foreign. Armchair Interviews says: While Blue Shoes and Happiness may not be the best book way for new readers to be introduced to the series, however, fans of Precious Ramotswe and the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency will find it enchanting.

ba0369e0cdc61ff9ed60a825705b75bd

books

reluctant readers that for me, at least, it was difficult to get through all of the set up for the society and hosting by human bodies that goes on in this future time. The relationships in the book are well established though, with characters that are complicated and easy to care about. Meyer does a nice job of complicating our expected beliefs that Wanda is the bad guy in the story and should be eliminated. Yes, she has taken over Melanie's body, but could it be that Wanda is as much a victim in this story as her human host?The different ideas about the value of life and relationships were interesting, and although I struggle with my own suspension of belief, I thought it was a good story. It's not always my cup of tea to read survivalist tales or about alien life forms. Who knew I was such a hard sell? While not the top of my list of favorite reads, it was an interesting new one. Oh, and I can also say that after putting it down the first time, that I've read it!

question: Is the novel written by tracey chevalier have any new idea?, context: I will never claim myself to be good with science fiction. Although this novel is said to be an easy sell to those of us who are hesitant with the genre, I will admit to still struggling a bit. In some respects, it could be that the deep sense of morality that the alien "Wanderer" or "Wanda" had just seemed strange to me at first. Yes she was an alien, but her thoughts and ideas seemed so human-like as to make it difficult to see her as such a leech. On the flip side, we knew immediately that Melanie was a feisty soul, since she continued to fight for her presence in her own body. I loved Melanie and wanted her to have her life back, so the complication of having a moral and kind alien taking up space in her body really complicated the entire situation.The first hundred pages or so really are a bit slow. I have to warn reluctant readers that for me, at least, it was difficult to get through all of the set up for the society and hosting by human bodies that goes on in this future time. The relationships in the book are well established though, with characters that are complicated and easy to care about. Meyer does a nice job of complicating our expected beliefs that Wanda is the bad guy in the story and should be eliminated. Yes, she has taken over Melanie's body, but could it be that Wanda is as much a victim in this story as her human host?The different ideas about the value of life and relationships were interesting, and although I struggle with my own suspension of belief, I thought it was a good story. It's not always my cup of tea to read survivalist tales or about alien life forms. Who knew I was such a hard sell? While not the top of my list of favorite reads, it was an interesting new one. Oh, and I can also say that after putting it down the first time, that I've read it!

Is the novel written by tracey chevalier have any new idea?

I have to warn reluctant readers that for me, at least, it was difficult to get through all of the set up for the society and hosting by human bodies that goes on in this future time. The relationships in the book are well established though, with characters that are complicated and easy to care about. Meyer does a nice job of complicating our expected beliefs that Wanda is the bad guy in the story and should be eliminated. Yes, she has taken over Melanie's body, but could it be that Wanda is as much a victim in this story as her human host?The different ideas about the value of life and relationships were interesting, and although I struggle with my own suspension of belief, I thought it was a good story. It's not always my cup of tea to read survivalist tales or about alien life forms. Who knew I was such a hard sell? While not the top of my list of favorite reads, it was an interesting new one. Oh, and I can also say that after putting it down the first time, that I've read it!

I will never claim myself to be good with science fiction. Although this novel is said to be an easy sell to those of us who are hesitant with the genre, I will admit to still struggling a bit. In some respects, it could be that the deep sense of morality that the alien "Wanderer" or "Wanda" had just seemed strange to me at first. Yes she was an alien, but her thoughts and ideas seemed so human-like as to make it difficult to see her as such a leech. On the flip side, we knew immediately that Melanie was a feisty soul, since she continued to fight for her presence in her own body. I loved Melanie and wanted her to have her life back, so the complication of having a moral and kind alien taking up space in her body really complicated the entire situation.The first hundred pages or so really are a bit slow. I have to warn reluctant readers that for me, at least, it was difficult to get through all of the set up for the society and hosting by human bodies that goes on in this future time. The relationships in the book are well established though, with characters that are complicated and easy to care about. Meyer does a nice job of complicating our expected beliefs that Wanda is the bad guy in the story and should be eliminated. Yes, she has taken over Melanie's body, but could it be that Wanda is as much a victim in this story as her human host?The different ideas about the value of life and relationships were interesting, and although I struggle with my own suspension of belief, I thought it was a good story. It's not always my cup of tea to read survivalist tales or about alien life forms. Who knew I was such a hard sell? While not the top of my list of favorite reads, it was an interesting new one. Oh, and I can also say that after putting it down the first time, that I've read it!

I have to warn <hl> reluctant readers that for me, at least, it was difficult to get through all of the set up for the society and hosting by human bodies that goes on in this future time. The relationships in the book are well established though, with characters that are complicated and easy to care about. Meyer does a nice job of complicating our expected beliefs that Wanda is the bad guy in the story and should be eliminated. Yes, she has taken over Melanie's body, but could it be that Wanda is as much a victim in this story as her human host?The different ideas about the value of life and relationships were interesting, and although I struggle with my own suspension of belief, I thought it was a good story. It's not always my cup of tea to read survivalist tales or about alien life forms. Who knew I was such a hard sell? While not the top of my list of favorite reads, it was an interesting new one. Oh, and I can also say that after putting it down the first time, that I've read it! <hl>

I will never claim myself to be good with science fiction. Although this novel is said to be an easy sell to those of us who are hesitant with the genre, I will admit to still struggling a bit. In some respects, it could be that the deep sense of morality that the alien "Wanderer" or "Wanda" had just seemed strange to me at first. Yes she was an alien, but her thoughts and ideas seemed so human-like as to make it difficult to see her as such a leech. On the flip side, we knew immediately that Melanie was a feisty soul, since she continued to fight for her presence in her own body. I loved Melanie and wanted her to have her life back, so the complication of having a moral and kind alien taking up space in her body really complicated the entire situation.The first hundred pages or so really are a bit slow. I have to warn <hl> reluctant readers that for me, at least, it was difficult to get through all of the set up for the society and hosting by human bodies that goes on in this future time. The relationships in the book are well established though, with characters that are complicated and easy to care about. Meyer does a nice job of complicating our expected beliefs that Wanda is the bad guy in the story and should be eliminated. Yes, she has taken over Melanie's body, but could it be that Wanda is as much a victim in this story as her human host?The different ideas about the value of life and relationships were interesting, and although I struggle with my own suspension of belief, I thought it was a good story. It's not always my cup of tea to read survivalist tales or about alien life forms. Who knew I was such a hard sell? While not the top of my list of favorite reads, it was an interesting new one. Oh, and I can also say that after putting it down the first time, that I've read it! <hl>

I will never claim myself to be good with science fiction. Although this novel is said to be an easy sell to those of us who are hesitant with the genre, I will admit to still struggling a bit. In some respects, it could be that the deep sense of morality that the alien "Wanderer" or "Wanda" had just seemed strange to me at first. Yes she was an alien, but her thoughts and ideas seemed so human-like as to make it difficult to see her as such a leech. On the flip side, we knew immediately that Melanie was a feisty soul, since she continued to fight for her presence in her own body. I loved Melanie and wanted her to have her life back, so the complication of having a moral and kind alien taking up space in her body really complicated the entire situation. The first hundred pages or so really are a bit slow. <hl> I have to warn reluctant readers that for me, at least, it was difficult to get through all of the set up for the society and hosting by human bodies that goes on in this future time. The relationships in the book are well established though, with characters that are complicated and easy to care about. Meyer does a nice job of complicating our expected beliefs that Wanda is the bad guy in the story and should be eliminated. Yes, she has taken over Melanie's body, but could it be that Wanda is as much a victim in this story as her human host?The different ideas about the value of life and relationships were interesting, and although I struggle with my own suspension of belief, I thought it was a good story. It's not always my cup of tea to read survivalist tales or about alien life forms. Who knew I was such a hard sell? While not the top of my list of favorite reads, it was an interesting new one. Oh, and I can also say that after putting it down the first time, that I've read it! <hl>

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books

, this book was poorly written, and by the end of the third book I was tired of reading about

question: What do you think about book?, context: Im probably the last one out there who hadn't read this series, so when I was getting ready for a three week vacation, I decided to bring these books along. I agree with many of the negative reviews, this book was poorly written, and by the end of the third book I was tired of reading about Christian and Ana's sex. But the story, the love, the passion, was highly addictive. I needed to read all three. Is this book going to show up on a classics list in 25 years time, I hope not. But it was a good summer beach read.

What do you think about book?

I agree with many of the negative reviews , this book was poorly written, and by the end of the third book I was tired of reading about Christian and Ana's sex.

Im probably the last one out there who hadn't read this series, so when I was getting ready for a three week vacation, I decided to bring these books along. I agree with many of the negative reviews, this book was poorly written, and by the end of the third book I was tired of reading about Christian and Ana's sex. But the story, the love, the passion, was highly addictive. I needed to read all three. Is this book going to show up on a classics list in 25 years time, I hope not. But it was a good summer beach read.

I agree with many of the negative reviews <hl> , this book was poorly written, and by the end of the third book I was tired of reading about <hl> Christian and Ana's sex.

Im probably the last one out there who hadn't read this series, so when I was getting ready for a three week vacation, I decided to bring these books along. I agree with many of the negative reviews<hl> , this book was poorly written, and by the end of the third book I was tired of reading about <hl> Christian and Ana's sex. But the story, the love, the passion, was highly addictive. I needed to read all three. Is this book going to show up on a classics list in 25 years time, I hope not. But it was a good summer beach read.

Im probably the last one out there who hadn't read this series, so when I was getting ready for a three week vacation, I decided to bring these books along. <hl> I agree with many of the negative reviews , this book was poorly written, and by the end of the third book I was tired of reading about Christian and Ana's sex. <hl> But the story, the love, the passion, was highly addictive. I needed to read all three. Is this book going to show up on a classics list in 25 years time, I hope not. But it was a good summer beach read.

a7c5952744ffb3f4ba402cf72849419f

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The dialogue/banter is witty and quick if not also somewhat dark

question: What does your dialogue say?, context: Where do I begin? There are so many wonderful, warm, witty components to this book that it's hard to figure out where to begin, but I'll start with the characters. These characters are well-developed, intelligent, misguided, courageous and humorous. They stand alone just fine but it's the interaction between them that sends sparks through this book. The dialogue/banter is witty and quick if not also somewhat dark, but it all comes together in an enlightening story about life, love and loss that will leave you feeling sympathetic yet joyful.

What does your dialogue say?

The dialogue/banter is witty and quick if not also somewhat dark , but it all comes together in an enlightening story about life, love and loss that will leave you feeling sympathetic yet joyful.

Where do I begin? There are so many wonderful, warm, witty components to this book that it's hard to figure out where to begin, but I'll start with the characters. These characters are well-developed, intelligent, misguided, courageous and humorous. They stand alone just fine but it's the interaction between them that sends sparks through this book. The dialogue/banter is witty and quick if not also somewhat dark, but it all comes together in an enlightening story about life, love and loss that will leave you feeling sympathetic yet joyful.

<hl> The dialogue/banter is witty and quick if not also somewhat dark <hl> , but it all comes together in an enlightening story about life, love and loss that will leave you feeling sympathetic yet joyful.

Where do I begin? There are so many wonderful, warm, witty components to this book that it's hard to figure out where to begin, but I'll start with the characters. These characters are well-developed, intelligent, misguided, courageous and humorous. They stand alone just fine but it's the interaction between them that sends sparks through this book. <hl> The dialogue/banter is witty and quick if not also somewhat dark <hl>, but it all comes together in an enlightening story about life, love and loss that will leave you feeling sympathetic yet joyful.

Where do I begin? There are so many wonderful, warm, witty components to this book that it's hard to figure out where to begin, but I'll start with the characters. These characters are well-developed, intelligent, misguided, courageous and humorous. They stand alone just fine but it's the interaction between them that sends sparks through this book. <hl> The dialogue/banter is witty and quick if not also somewhat dark , but it all comes together in an enlightening story about life, love and loss that will leave you feeling sympathetic yet joyful. <hl>

480ef6a1e38e4e310626222adb6c624d

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rendition of Jesus's life

question: What is the book about?, context: I was fascinated by Bill O'Reilly's book on Jesus's life and death. Part 'straight from the Bible' and part 'straight from the history books', this rendition of Jesus's life and the convoluted and trumped up explanations for that brutal death (and yes, this book pulls no punches about exactly how brutal and horrifying the crucifixion he suffered was) is not for those looking for an easy read. I won't say I &#34;loved&#34; this book, because that would dilute its power and honesty. I will say it's one of the most memorable and visceral renditions of Jesus's life and death that I have ever read. However, the reader must be aware of exactly what kind of old world 'justice' this is about. Do I recommend it? Oh yes! But know what you're getting into.

What is the book about?

Part 'straight from the Bible' and part 'straight from the history books', this rendition of Jesus's life and the convoluted and trumped up explanations for that brutal death (and yes, this book pulls no punches about exactly how brutal and horrifying the crucifixion he suffered was) is not for those looking for an easy read.

I was fascinated by Bill O'Reilly's book on Jesus's life and death. Part 'straight from the Bible' and part 'straight from the history books', this rendition of Jesus's life and the convoluted and trumped up explanations for that brutal death (and yes, this book pulls no punches about exactly how brutal and horrifying the crucifixion he suffered was) is not for those looking for an easy read. I won't say I &#34;loved&#34; this book, because that would dilute its power and honesty. I will say it's one of the most memorable and visceral renditions of Jesus's life and death that I have ever read. However, the reader must be aware of exactly what kind of old world 'justice' this is about. Do I recommend it? Oh yes! But know what you're getting into.

Part 'straight from the Bible' and part 'straight from the history books', this <hl> rendition of Jesus's life <hl> and the convoluted and trumped up explanations for that brutal death (and yes, this book pulls no punches about exactly how brutal and horrifying the crucifixion he suffered was) is not for those looking for an easy read.

I was fascinated by Bill O'Reilly's book on Jesus's life and death. Part 'straight from the Bible' and part 'straight from the history books', this <hl> rendition of Jesus's life <hl> and the convoluted and trumped up explanations for that brutal death (and yes, this book pulls no punches about exactly how brutal and horrifying the crucifixion he suffered was) is not for those looking for an easy read. I won't say I &#34;loved&#34; this book, because that would dilute its power and honesty. I will say it's one of the most memorable and visceral renditions of Jesus's life and death that I have ever read. However, the reader must be aware of exactly what kind of old world 'justice' this is about. Do I recommend it? Oh yes! But know what you're getting into.

I was fascinated by Bill O'Reilly's book on Jesus's life and death. <hl> Part 'straight from the Bible' and part 'straight from the history books', this rendition of Jesus's life and the convoluted and trumped up explanations for that brutal death (and yes, this book pulls no punches about exactly how brutal and horrifying the crucifixion he suffered was) is not for those looking for an easy read. <hl> I won't say I &#34;loved&#34; this book, because that would dilute its power and honesty. I will say it's one of the most memorable and visceral renditions of Jesus's life and death that I have ever read. However, the reader must be aware of exactly what kind of old world 'justice' this is about. Do I recommend it? Oh yes! But know what you're getting into.

a9049f088157c1724bbd1e44e9ca397b

books

Although the books are a LOT alike

question: Do you know anything about sex?, context: After reading the 50 Shades trilogy I started hearing about this book. Finally had a chance to read it this weekend and I have to say, I think I liked it better! Although the books are a LOT alike, at least to me, and the characters are VERY similar, I think I would take Gideon over Christian. I wasn't disappointed with this book and I'm looking forward to the next one!

Do you know anything about sex?

Finally had a chance to read it this weekend and I have to say, I think I liked it better! Although the books are a LOT alike , at least to me, and the characters are VERY similar, I think I would take Gideon over Christian.

After reading the 50 Shades trilogy I started hearing about this book. Finally had a chance to read it this weekend and I have to say, I think I liked it better! Although the books are a LOT alike, at least to me, and the characters are VERY similar, I think I would take Gideon over Christian. I wasn't disappointed with this book and I'm looking forward to the next one!

Finally had a chance to read it this weekend and I have to say, I think I liked it better! <hl> Although the books are a LOT alike <hl> , at least to me, and the characters are VERY similar, I think I would take Gideon over Christian.

After reading the 50 Shades trilogy I started hearing about this book. Finally had a chance to read it this weekend and I have to say, I think I liked it better! <hl> Although the books are a LOT alike <hl>, at least to me, and the characters are VERY similar, I think I would take Gideon over Christian. I wasn't disappointed with this book and I'm looking forward to the next one!

After reading the 50 Shades trilogy I started hearing about this book. <hl> Finally had a chance to read it this weekend and I have to say, I think I liked it better! Although the books are a LOT alike , at least to me, and the characters are VERY similar, I think I would take Gideon over Christian. <hl> I wasn't disappointed with this book and I'm looking forward to the next one!

c68ba0a60cedc36c6dfdca76c21c0250

books

book has changed me

question: How is the book?, context: Night Owl by M. PierceMatthew (Night.Owl) & Hannah (Little.Bird)****Possible Spoilers****HOLY FREAKING HELL!!!! I was bowled over!!! From the very first conversation to the last words uttered in this book, my life will never be the same! I'm making a &#34;list&#34; of ways this book has changed me. LOL! I've never read a book like this before and I'm pretty sure I NEVER will again! M. Pierce whoever you are, whatever you are, you're a freaking genius and should be given a damn Pulitzer!I still honestly can't believe I'm putting this into words because my brain still feels all mushy and scrambled! BUT... here it goes. I was intrigued from the first line of this tale. Hook, line, and sinker! I ate up every word and devoured it with reckless abandonment! I felt like with every word, every sentence, and every turn of the page I was digging my own grave and I didn't care. I wanted to get deeper and more absorbed into the lives of these two completely diverse people! The need, the loneliness, the angst, the sex, the love, the humor, the dread, and most importantly the acceptance.Matthew a.k.a. Night.Owl is so unlike any other leading male character I've read before. He has so much power and knows how to use it, but throughout this tale he seems to lose it and it wounded me to see him suffer even though he was in the wrong. His &#34;ass***ery&#34;&#60;&#60;-- (sorry Amazon won't let me swear) was very refreshing and for some reason my mind wanted, no needed that to make me feel the complete chaos that he was. It's like he wanted to know so many things about Hannah, but he knew wanting those things were wrong on so many levels, but he couldn't stop himself. He made me want so many things for him and he made me make sure my B.O.B. had new batteries!!! From his dirty blonde hair to his beautiful green eyes, he made my heart skip a beat with that dynamite smile of his. How was it you describe his smile M. Pierce? &#34;Matt's smirks came in flavors- two parts kindness, one part wicked amusement, a little lust in the mix. Oh, and one hundred percent smug bastard.&#34;This beautiful, free spirited, hard working, and loveable &#34;Little.Bird&#34; Hannah had me at &#34;hello.&#34; She was so agreeable to just about everything that was asked of her, but seriously, she didn't really have anything else and nothing to lose, so why not! Hannah was that girl that would bend over backwards for her friends and family and be fierce to those who tried to hurt any of her loved ones. I was almost frightened for her at times, but it seemed what I thought might be terrifying or fearful, turned out to be vibrant and alive. Funny how things can come full circle and after pushing through some shadows, you finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. Hannah was my light! She pulled me through this ordeal with her courage and her sturdiness. &#34;Always, Matt, always speaking to me from any mouth but your own. Don't you know that I love you? I see you under all your lies, and I always find you.&#34; That line right there solidified my love for that smart Little.Bird!The build up and tension leading to the climax was exhilarating and rewarding. It doesn't end the way I expected it to and I'm not sure if I could say it's a cliffhanger or not! You'll just have to pick up your own copy and be the judge. I, myself will be a forever &#34;fan-girl&#34; of this remarkable author and will bite my nails till the next installment comes out. Please God, make it come out soon!!! Pretty please with tons of sugar, honey, and whipped cream on top!!! After 233 (Kindle version) pages of this messed up, wonderful story, I'm here to say, GO BUY IT - LIKE RIGHT EFFING NOW!!!!5 MUTHA EFFIN' STARS!!!!!

How is the book?

I'm making a &#34;list&#34; of ways this book has changed me .

Night Owl by M. PierceMatthew (Night.Owl) & Hannah (Little.Bird)****Possible Spoilers****HOLY FREAKING HELL!!!! I was bowled over!!! From the very first conversation to the last words uttered in this book, my life will never be the same! I'm making a &#34;list&#34; of ways this book has changed me. LOL! I've never read a book like this before and I'm pretty sure I NEVER will again! M. Pierce whoever you are, whatever you are, you're a freaking genius and should be given a damn Pulitzer!I still honestly can't believe I'm putting this into words because my brain still feels all mushy and scrambled! BUT... here it goes. I was intrigued from the first line of this tale. Hook, line, and sinker! I ate up every word and devoured it with reckless abandonment! I felt like with every word, every sentence, and every turn of the page I was digging my own grave and I didn't care. I wanted to get deeper and more absorbed into the lives of these two completely diverse people! The need, the loneliness, the angst, the sex, the love, the humor, the dread, and most importantly the acceptance.Matthew a.k.a. Night.Owl is so unlike any other leading male character I've read before. He has so much power and knows how to use it, but throughout this tale he seems to lose it and it wounded me to see him suffer even though he was in the wrong. His &#34;ass***ery&#34;&#60;&#60;-- (sorry Amazon won't let me swear) was very refreshing and for some reason my mind wanted, no needed that to make me feel the complete chaos that he was. It's like he wanted to know so many things about Hannah, but he knew wanting those things were wrong on so many levels, but he couldn't stop himself. He made me want so many things for him and he made me make sure my B.O.B. had new batteries!!! From his dirty blonde hair to his beautiful green eyes, he made my heart skip a beat with that dynamite smile of his. How was it you describe his smile M. Pierce? &#34;Matt's smirks came in flavors- two parts kindness, one part wicked amusement, a little lust in the mix. Oh, and one hundred percent smug bastard.&#34;This beautiful, free spirited, hard working, and loveable &#34;Little.Bird&#34; Hannah had me at &#34;hello.&#34; She was so agreeable to just about everything that was asked of her, but seriously, she didn't really have anything else and nothing to lose, so why not! Hannah was that girl that would bend over backwards for her friends and family and be fierce to those who tried to hurt any of her loved ones. I was almost frightened for her at times, but it seemed what I thought might be terrifying or fearful, turned out to be vibrant and alive. Funny how things can come full circle and after pushing through some shadows, you finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. Hannah was my light! She pulled me through this ordeal with her courage and her sturdiness. &#34;Always, Matt, always speaking to me from any mouth but your own. Don't you know that I love you? I see you under all your lies, and I always find you.&#34; That line right there solidified my love for that smart Little.Bird!The build up and tension leading to the climax was exhilarating and rewarding. It doesn't end the way I expected it to and I'm not sure if I could say it's a cliffhanger or not! You'll just have to pick up your own copy and be the judge. I, myself will be a forever &#34;fan-girl&#34; of this remarkable author and will bite my nails till the next installment comes out. Please God, make it come out soon!!! Pretty please with tons of sugar, honey, and whipped cream on top!!! After 233 (Kindle version) pages of this messed up, wonderful story, I'm here to say, GO BUY IT - LIKE RIGHT EFFING NOW!!!!5 MUTHA EFFIN' STARS!!!!!

I'm making a &#34;list&#34; of ways this <hl> book has changed me <hl> .

Night Owl by M. PierceMatthew (Night.Owl) & Hannah (Little.Bird)****Possible Spoilers****HOLY FREAKING HELL!!!! I was bowled over!!! From the very first conversation to the last words uttered in this book, my life will never be the same! I'm making a &#34;list&#34; of ways this <hl> book has changed me <hl>. LOL! I've never read a book like this before and I'm pretty sure I NEVER will again! M. Pierce whoever you are, whatever you are, you're a freaking genius and should be given a damn Pulitzer!I still honestly can't believe I'm putting this into words because my brain still feels all mushy and scrambled! BUT... here it goes. I was intrigued from the first line of this tale. Hook, line, and sinker! I ate up every word and devoured it with reckless abandonment! I felt like with every word, every sentence, and every turn of the page I was digging my own grave and I didn't care. I wanted to get deeper and more absorbed into the lives of these two completely diverse people! The need, the loneliness, the angst, the sex, the love, the humor, the dread, and most importantly the acceptance.Matthew a.k.a. Night.Owl is so unlike any other leading male character I've read before. He has so much power and knows how to use it, but throughout this tale he seems to lose it and it wounded me to see him suffer even though he was in the wrong. His &#34;ass***ery&#34;&#60;&#60;-- (sorry Amazon won't let me swear) was very refreshing and for some reason my mind wanted, no needed that to make me feel the complete chaos that he was. It's like he wanted to know so many things about Hannah, but he knew wanting those things were wrong on so many levels, but he couldn't stop himself. He made me want so many things for him and he made me make sure my B.O.B. had new batteries!!! From his dirty blonde hair to his beautiful green eyes, he made my heart skip a beat with that dynamite smile of his. How was it you describe his smile M. Pierce? &#34;Matt's smirks came in flavors- two parts kindness, one part wicked amusement, a little lust in the mix. Oh, and one hundred percent smug bastard.&#34;This beautiful, free spirited, hard working, and loveable &#34;Little.Bird&#34; Hannah had me at &#34;hello.&#34; She was so agreeable to just about everything that was asked of her, but seriously, she didn't really have anything else and nothing to lose, so why not! Hannah was that girl that would bend over backwards for her friends and family and be fierce to those who tried to hurt any of her loved ones. I was almost frightened for her at times, but it seemed what I thought might be terrifying or fearful, turned out to be vibrant and alive. Funny how things can come full circle and after pushing through some shadows, you finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. Hannah was my light! She pulled me through this ordeal with her courage and her sturdiness. &#34;Always, Matt, always speaking to me from any mouth but your own. Don't you know that I love you? I see you under all your lies, and I always find you.&#34; That line right there solidified my love for that smart Little.Bird!The build up and tension leading to the climax was exhilarating and rewarding. It doesn't end the way I expected it to and I'm not sure if I could say it's a cliffhanger or not! You'll just have to pick up your own copy and be the judge. I, myself will be a forever &#34;fan-girl&#34; of this remarkable author and will bite my nails till the next installment comes out. Please God, make it come out soon!!! Pretty please with tons of sugar, honey, and whipped cream on top!!! After 233 (Kindle version) pages of this messed up, wonderful story, I'm here to say, GO BUY IT - LIKE RIGHT EFFING NOW!!!!5 MUTHA EFFIN' STARS!!!!!

Night Owl by M. PierceMatthew (Night. Owl) & Hannah (Little. Bird)****Possible Spoilers****HOLY FREAKING HELL!!!! I was bowled over!!! From the very first conversation to the last words uttered in this book, my life will never be the same! <hl> I'm making a &#34;list&#34; of ways this book has changed me . <hl> LOL! I've never read a book like this before and I'm pretty sure I NEVER will again! M. Pierce whoever you are, whatever you are, you're a freaking genius and should be given a damn Pulitzer!I still honestly can't believe I'm putting this into words because my brain still feels all mushy and scrambled! BUT... here it goes. I was intrigued from the first line of this tale. Hook, line, and sinker! I ate up every word and devoured it with reckless abandonment! I felt like with every word, every sentence, and every turn of the page I was digging my own grave and I didn't care. I wanted to get deeper and more absorbed into the lives of these two completely diverse people! The need, the loneliness, the angst, the sex, the love, the humor, the dread, and most importantly the acceptance. Matthew a.k.a. Night. Owl is so unlike any other leading male character I've read before. He has so much power and knows how to use it, but throughout this tale he seems to lose it and it wounded me to see him suffer even though he was in the wrong. His &#34;ass***ery&#34;&#60;&#60;-- (sorry Amazon won't let me swear) was very refreshing and for some reason my mind wanted, no needed that to make me feel the complete chaos that he was. It's like he wanted to know so many things about Hannah, but he knew wanting those things were wrong on so many levels, but he couldn't stop himself. He made me want so many things for him and he made me make sure my B.O.B. had new batteries!!! From his dirty blonde hair to his beautiful green eyes, he made my heart skip a beat with that dynamite smile of his. How was it you describe his smile M. Pierce? &#34;Matt's smirks came in flavors- two parts kindness, one part wicked amusement, a little lust in the mix. Oh, and one hundred percent smug bastard.&#34;This beautiful, free spirited, hard working, and loveable &#34;Little. Bird&#34; Hannah had me at &#34;hello.&#34; She was so agreeable to just about everything that was asked of her, but seriously, she didn't really have anything else and nothing to lose, so why not! Hannah was that girl that would bend over backwards for her friends and family and be fierce to those who tried to hurt any of her loved ones. I was almost frightened for her at times, but it seemed what I thought might be terrifying or fearful, turned out to be vibrant and alive. Funny how things can come full circle and after pushing through some shadows, you finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. Hannah was my light! She pulled me through this ordeal with her courage and her sturdiness. &#34;Always, Matt, always speaking to me from any mouth but your own. Don't you know that I love you? I see you under all your lies, and I always find you.&#34; That line right there solidified my love for that smart Little. Bird!The build up and tension leading to the climax was exhilarating and rewarding. It doesn't end the way I expected it to and I'm not sure if I could say it's a cliffhanger or not! You'll just have to pick up your own copy and be the judge. I, myself will be a forever &#34;fan-girl&#34; of this remarkable author and will bite my nails till the next installment comes out. Please God, make it come out soon!!! Pretty please with tons of sugar, honey, and whipped cream on top!!! After 233 (Kindle version) pages of this messed up, wonderful story, I'm here to say, GO BUY IT - LIKE RIGHT EFFING NOW!!!!5 MUTHA EFFIN' STARS!!!!!

86eaf078a8731216a734e4757abbcbe0

books

I would have liked to have seen what their reaction to Pippa and Cross was

question: Do you like his role?, context: ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER is the second book of Sarah MacLean&#8217;s Rules of Scoundrels series.I will make a confession before I begin the review of ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER. I read this book for the first time four months ago and I&#8217;ve read it at least 6 times since then. It is already one of my favorite romance books of all time. The book makes me laugh and makes me cry. I absolutely love the characters and while I understand the complaints that some have about the plot or the motivations of the characters, I don&#8217;t agree.To me the romance between Lady Philippa (Pippa) Marbury and Jasper Arlesey, Earl Harlow aka Cross is magnificent. I love how Cross is just baffled by Pippa. She is a unique character and he is enthralled and bemused by her. Their first meeting, Pippa arrives at Cross&#8217; office while he is asleep and she proceeds to inspect his books and criticize his calculations is so amusing. Pippa is &#8220;odd&#8221; and Cross is simultaneously fascinated and horrified by her.Cross is a wonderfully tortured hero. He is a man who was a second son who was happy living dissipated life; a young man who did not take anything seriously. He is tortured because his older responsible brother is killed in a carriage accident while traveling to an event that Cross at first promised and then reneged on attending. Cross then gains his brother&#8217;s title. Cross, however, believes that he should have died instead of his brother and thus refuses to take up that life because he does not feel worthy of it.Pippa is amazing. She is clever and strong and quirky. She is a scientist and looks at the world in a curious manner. She is engaged to marry an earl (who is nice enough but no match for Pippa&#8217;s intellect) because she is settling because she believes that no one could really want her because of her odd nature.I love this book. The dialogue is the best part. The conversations are so fascinating that I could just continue to read them again and again. Cross and Pippa are both intellectuals and they discuss things in such an unusual manner. I am both fascinated and amused by their conversations. I especially like the fact that Cross is so bemused in Pippa&#8217;s presence. He is a man who has denied his passions and yet has such incredible passion inside him.MacLean always has such vivid characters, but I find Pippa and Cross to be incredible examples of her expertise. They are unusual people and I understand their motivations because MacLean does such a great job of bringing the reader into their minds. I know that Cross&#8217; actions are the subject of some confusion and criticism by some readers. I feel, however, that Cross has made a life for himself of denying himself. He refuses to be happy because he feels unworthy. Eventually, he concludes that he is not worthy but that he is enough of a scoundrel to take what he wants anyway. Thus, the HEA. It doesn&#8217;t bother me when characters make swift changes in decisions because I find that realistic in that Cross is so used to denying himself happiness that he does so by habit until he is shaken from his routine.I also really enjoy all the secondary characters. Chase and Temple have important roles in the story and I enjoy the interaction between the partners. My only small complaint is that Penelope and Bourne only have a small role here. I would have liked to have seen what their reaction to Pippa and Cross was, and I missed that payoff.While you don&#8217;t have to read A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME first, the story certainly gains from having the background from that story &#8211; plus, any reader of ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER must read the Epilogue of A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME where Pippa and Cross meet. While their meeting is summarized in the first chapter of this book, the Epilogue is so amazing that for me I always read that before I start to read ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER.I recommend this book highly!

Do you like his role?

I would have liked to have seen what their reaction to Pippa and Cross was , and I missed that payoff.

ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER is the second book of Sarah MacLean&#8217;s Rules of Scoundrels series.I will make a confession before I begin the review of ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER. I read this book for the first time four months ago and I&#8217;ve read it at least 6 times since then. It is already one of my favorite romance books of all time. The book makes me laugh and makes me cry. I absolutely love the characters and while I understand the complaints that some have about the plot or the motivations of the characters, I don&#8217;t agree.To me the romance between Lady Philippa (Pippa) Marbury and Jasper Arlesey, Earl Harlow aka Cross is magnificent. I love how Cross is just baffled by Pippa. She is a unique character and he is enthralled and bemused by her. Their first meeting, Pippa arrives at Cross&#8217; office while he is asleep and she proceeds to inspect his books and criticize his calculations is so amusing. Pippa is &#8220;odd&#8221; and Cross is simultaneously fascinated and horrified by her.Cross is a wonderfully tortured hero. He is a man who was a second son who was happy living dissipated life; a young man who did not take anything seriously. He is tortured because his older responsible brother is killed in a carriage accident while traveling to an event that Cross at first promised and then reneged on attending. Cross then gains his brother&#8217;s title. Cross, however, believes that he should have died instead of his brother and thus refuses to take up that life because he does not feel worthy of it.Pippa is amazing. She is clever and strong and quirky. She is a scientist and looks at the world in a curious manner. She is engaged to marry an earl (who is nice enough but no match for Pippa&#8217;s intellect) because she is settling because she believes that no one could really want her because of her odd nature.I love this book. The dialogue is the best part. The conversations are so fascinating that I could just continue to read them again and again. Cross and Pippa are both intellectuals and they discuss things in such an unusual manner. I am both fascinated and amused by their conversations. I especially like the fact that Cross is so bemused in Pippa&#8217;s presence. He is a man who has denied his passions and yet has such incredible passion inside him.MacLean always has such vivid characters, but I find Pippa and Cross to be incredible examples of her expertise. They are unusual people and I understand their motivations because MacLean does such a great job of bringing the reader into their minds. I know that Cross&#8217; actions are the subject of some confusion and criticism by some readers. I feel, however, that Cross has made a life for himself of denying himself. He refuses to be happy because he feels unworthy. Eventually, he concludes that he is not worthy but that he is enough of a scoundrel to take what he wants anyway. Thus, the HEA. It doesn&#8217;t bother me when characters make swift changes in decisions because I find that realistic in that Cross is so used to denying himself happiness that he does so by habit until he is shaken from his routine.I also really enjoy all the secondary characters. Chase and Temple have important roles in the story and I enjoy the interaction between the partners. My only small complaint is that Penelope and Bourne only have a small role here. I would have liked to have seen what their reaction to Pippa and Cross was, and I missed that payoff.While you don&#8217;t have to read A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME first, the story certainly gains from having the background from that story &#8211; plus, any reader of ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER must read the Epilogue of A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME where Pippa and Cross meet. While their meeting is summarized in the first chapter of this book, the Epilogue is so amazing that for me I always read that before I start to read ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER.I recommend this book highly!

<hl> I would have liked to have seen what their reaction to Pippa and Cross was <hl> , and I missed that payoff.

ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER is the second book of Sarah MacLean&#8217;s Rules of Scoundrels series.I will make a confession before I begin the review of ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER. I read this book for the first time four months ago and I&#8217;ve read it at least 6 times since then. It is already one of my favorite romance books of all time. The book makes me laugh and makes me cry. I absolutely love the characters and while I understand the complaints that some have about the plot or the motivations of the characters, I don&#8217;t agree.To me the romance between Lady Philippa (Pippa) Marbury and Jasper Arlesey, Earl Harlow aka Cross is magnificent. I love how Cross is just baffled by Pippa. She is a unique character and he is enthralled and bemused by her. Their first meeting, Pippa arrives at Cross&#8217; office while he is asleep and she proceeds to inspect his books and criticize his calculations is so amusing. Pippa is &#8220;odd&#8221; and Cross is simultaneously fascinated and horrified by her.Cross is a wonderfully tortured hero. He is a man who was a second son who was happy living dissipated life; a young man who did not take anything seriously. He is tortured because his older responsible brother is killed in a carriage accident while traveling to an event that Cross at first promised and then reneged on attending. Cross then gains his brother&#8217;s title. Cross, however, believes that he should have died instead of his brother and thus refuses to take up that life because he does not feel worthy of it.Pippa is amazing. She is clever and strong and quirky. She is a scientist and looks at the world in a curious manner. She is engaged to marry an earl (who is nice enough but no match for Pippa&#8217;s intellect) because she is settling because she believes that no one could really want her because of her odd nature.I love this book. The dialogue is the best part. The conversations are so fascinating that I could just continue to read them again and again. Cross and Pippa are both intellectuals and they discuss things in such an unusual manner. I am both fascinated and amused by their conversations. I especially like the fact that Cross is so bemused in Pippa&#8217;s presence. He is a man who has denied his passions and yet has such incredible passion inside him.MacLean always has such vivid characters, but I find Pippa and Cross to be incredible examples of her expertise. They are unusual people and I understand their motivations because MacLean does such a great job of bringing the reader into their minds. I know that Cross&#8217; actions are the subject of some confusion and criticism by some readers. I feel, however, that Cross has made a life for himself of denying himself. He refuses to be happy because he feels unworthy. Eventually, he concludes that he is not worthy but that he is enough of a scoundrel to take what he wants anyway. Thus, the HEA. It doesn&#8217;t bother me when characters make swift changes in decisions because I find that realistic in that Cross is so used to denying himself happiness that he does so by habit until he is shaken from his routine.I also really enjoy all the secondary characters. Chase and Temple have important roles in the story and I enjoy the interaction between the partners. My only small complaint is that Penelope and Bourne only have a small role here. <hl> I would have liked to have seen what their reaction to Pippa and Cross was <hl>, and I missed that payoff.While you don&#8217;t have to read A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME first, the story certainly gains from having the background from that story &#8211; plus, any reader of ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER must read the Epilogue of A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME where Pippa and Cross meet. While their meeting is summarized in the first chapter of this book, the Epilogue is so amazing that for me I always read that before I start to read ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER.I recommend this book highly!

ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER is the second book of Sarah MacLean&#8217;s Rules of Scoundrels series. I will make a confession before I begin the review of ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER. I read this book for the first time four months ago and I&#8217;ve read it at least 6 times since then. It is already one of my favorite romance books of all time. The book makes me laugh and makes me cry. I absolutely love the characters and while I understand the complaints that some have about the plot or the motivations of the characters, I don&#8217;t agree. To me the romance between Lady Philippa (Pippa) Marbury and Jasper Arlesey, Earl Harlow aka Cross is magnificent. I love how Cross is just baffled by Pippa. She is a unique character and he is enthralled and bemused by her. Their first meeting, Pippa arrives at Cross&#8217; office while he is asleep and she proceeds to inspect his books and criticize his calculations is so amusing. Pippa is &#8220;odd&#8221; and Cross is simultaneously fascinated and horrified by her. Cross is a wonderfully tortured hero. He is a man who was a second son who was happy living dissipated life; a young man who did not take anything seriously. He is tortured because his older responsible brother is killed in a carriage accident while traveling to an event that Cross at first promised and then reneged on attending. Cross then gains his brother&#8217;s title. Cross, however, believes that he should have died instead of his brother and thus refuses to take up that life because he does not feel worthy of it. Pippa is amazing. She is clever and strong and quirky. She is a scientist and looks at the world in a curious manner. She is engaged to marry an earl (who is nice enough but no match for Pippa&#8217;s intellect) because she is settling because she believes that no one could really want her because of her odd nature. I love this book. The dialogue is the best part. The conversations are so fascinating that I could just continue to read them again and again. Cross and Pippa are both intellectuals and they discuss things in such an unusual manner. I am both fascinated and amused by their conversations. I especially like the fact that Cross is so bemused in Pippa&#8217;s presence. He is a man who has denied his passions and yet has such incredible passion inside him. MacLean always has such vivid characters, but I find Pippa and Cross to be incredible examples of her expertise. They are unusual people and I understand their motivations because MacLean does such a great job of bringing the reader into their minds. I know that Cross&#8217; actions are the subject of some confusion and criticism by some readers. I feel, however, that Cross has made a life for himself of denying himself. He refuses to be happy because he feels unworthy. Eventually, he concludes that he is not worthy but that he is enough of a scoundrel to take what he wants anyway. Thus, the HEA. It doesn&#8217;t bother me when characters make swift changes in decisions because I find that realistic in that Cross is so used to denying himself happiness that he does so by habit until he is shaken from his routine. I also really enjoy all the secondary characters. Chase and Temple have important roles in the story and I enjoy the interaction between the partners. My only small complaint is that Penelope and Bourne only have a small role here. <hl> I would have liked to have seen what their reaction to Pippa and Cross was , and I missed that payoff. <hl> While you don&#8217;t have to read A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME first, the story certainly gains from having the background from that story &#8211; plus, any reader of ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER must read the Epilogue of A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME where Pippa and Cross meet. While their meeting is summarized in the first chapter of this book, the Epilogue is so amazing that for me I always read that before I start to read ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER.I recommend this book highly!

ba161b34e189ff11517a175fdf9c6810

books

This book is a good review of what happened in the world in the last 15 years

question: Is there any interesting thing in this book?, context: This book is a good review of what happened in the world in the last 15 years or so. It tells us that the world is flat, and it explains why the world went flat. For the free thinkers, that is nothing new and we don't really need to be told, because we noticed that long time ago. Still, it's interesting to read (free thinkers like to read, don't they?). For the ones who have a harder time getting things, this is a great book that will open their eyes.There are good things and bad things about the book. In general, the sources of information of Friedman are good and first-hand (friends of him who are CEO's at so many hot spots!), and he gives us many examples so we get the point. Bad thing about it is that the book is supposed to be a "brief" history of the 21st Century, and sometimes it takes forever to get to the point, with many examples that are not necessary because we get the point right away. I mean, 496 pages are too much. The book would be enough with 200. And better. Shortes is always better! (It's like that quote that says "I'm sorry I could not write you a shorter letter, I didn't have time!).Another thing that is good is the list of the ten forces that flattenered the wolrd. It is well explained with lots of examples (sometimes too many!). Then what it's bad is the way the book is outlined. It's not balanced, and the conclusion is not a good one. It doesn't summarize the whole book, and adds more material when this is not something that is supposed to do in a conclusion. I liked very much the analisys of the Arab-Muslim world. It's full of true things out of stereotypes.Anyway, in conclusion, I give this book a 4 stars rating, because it is a good book that tells us very interesting stuff about the world we live today, and I recommend it to anyone, free thinker or not.

Is there any interesting thing in this book?

This book is a good review of what happened in the world in the last 15 years or so.

This book is a good review of what happened in the world in the last 15 years or so. It tells us that the world is flat, and it explains why the world went flat. For the free thinkers, that is nothing new and we don't really need to be told, because we noticed that long time ago. Still, it's interesting to read (free thinkers like to read, don't they?). For the ones who have a harder time getting things, this is a great book that will open their eyes.There are good things and bad things about the book. In general, the sources of information of Friedman are good and first-hand (friends of him who are CEO's at so many hot spots!), and he gives us many examples so we get the point. Bad thing about it is that the book is supposed to be a "brief" history of the 21st Century, and sometimes it takes forever to get to the point, with many examples that are not necessary because we get the point right away. I mean, 496 pages are too much. The book would be enough with 200. And better. Shortes is always better! (It's like that quote that says "I'm sorry I could not write you a shorter letter, I didn't have time!).Another thing that is good is the list of the ten forces that flattenered the wolrd. It is well explained with lots of examples (sometimes too many!). Then what it's bad is the way the book is outlined. It's not balanced, and the conclusion is not a good one. It doesn't summarize the whole book, and adds more material when this is not something that is supposed to do in a conclusion. I liked very much the analisys of the Arab-Muslim world. It's full of true things out of stereotypes.Anyway, in conclusion, I give this book a 4 stars rating, because it is a good book that tells us very interesting stuff about the world we live today, and I recommend it to anyone, free thinker or not.

<hl> This book is a good review of what happened in the world in the last 15 years <hl> or so.

<hl> This book is a good review of what happened in the world in the last 15 years <hl> or so. It tells us that the world is flat, and it explains why the world went flat. For the free thinkers, that is nothing new and we don't really need to be told, because we noticed that long time ago. Still, it's interesting to read (free thinkers like to read, don't they?). For the ones who have a harder time getting things, this is a great book that will open their eyes.There are good things and bad things about the book. In general, the sources of information of Friedman are good and first-hand (friends of him who are CEO's at so many hot spots!), and he gives us many examples so we get the point. Bad thing about it is that the book is supposed to be a "brief" history of the 21st Century, and sometimes it takes forever to get to the point, with many examples that are not necessary because we get the point right away. I mean, 496 pages are too much. The book would be enough with 200. And better. Shortes is always better! (It's like that quote that says "I'm sorry I could not write you a shorter letter, I didn't have time!).Another thing that is good is the list of the ten forces that flattenered the wolrd. It is well explained with lots of examples (sometimes too many!). Then what it's bad is the way the book is outlined. It's not balanced, and the conclusion is not a good one. It doesn't summarize the whole book, and adds more material when this is not something that is supposed to do in a conclusion. I liked very much the analisys of the Arab-Muslim world. It's full of true things out of stereotypes.Anyway, in conclusion, I give this book a 4 stars rating, because it is a good book that tells us very interesting stuff about the world we live today, and I recommend it to anyone, free thinker or not.

<hl> This book is a good review of what happened in the world in the last 15 years or so. <hl> It tells us that the world is flat, and it explains why the world went flat. For the free thinkers, that is nothing new and we don't really need to be told, because we noticed that long time ago. Still, it's interesting to read (free thinkers like to read, don't they?). For the ones who have a harder time getting things, this is a great book that will open their eyes. There are good things and bad things about the book. In general, the sources of information of Friedman are good and first-hand (friends of him who are CEO's at so many hot spots!), and he gives us many examples so we get the point. Bad thing about it is that the book is supposed to be a "brief" history of the 21st Century, and sometimes it takes forever to get to the point, with many examples that are not necessary because we get the point right away. I mean, 496 pages are too much. The book would be enough with 200. And better. Shortes is always better! (It's like that quote that says "I'm sorry I could not write you a shorter letter, I didn't have time!).Another thing that is good is the list of the ten forces that flattenered the wolrd. It is well explained with lots of examples (sometimes too many!). Then what it's bad is the way the book is outlined. It's not balanced, and the conclusion is not a good one. It doesn't summarize the whole book, and adds more material when this is not something that is supposed to do in a conclusion. I liked very much the analisys of the Arab-Muslim world. It's full of true things out of stereotypes. Anyway, in conclusion, I give this book a 4 stars rating, because it is a good book that tells us very interesting stuff about the world we live today, and I recommend it to anyone, free thinker or not.

59f3b53f74c53912216ce9edeb3b44dc

books

isn&#8217;t

question: How was the quality?, context: I basically had two separate lives growing up. My main life involved my nurse mother, my pharmacist (legal) father, and two of my three sisters, all living a suburban life just outside of Charlotte, NC. My secondary life involved my biological father and his entire family which was (they&#8217;ve since departed) headquartered in Bon Aqua (pronounced &#8220;ACK-qua&#8221;), TN. Bon Aqua, thusly named for the water that locals lineup in their pickup-trucks to collect, with their empty milk jugs, flowing out of a rusted pipe in the ground. True story.I think that&#8217;s one of the reasons I like Charlaine Harris&#8217; Sookie Stackhouse series so much&#8212;b/c I can relate. I grew up hearing people say things like, &#8220;Sure enough, some sumbitch, scuse me, was sneaking around the house,&#8221; which is what Bubba (and by &#8220;Bubba&#8221; I mean ELVIS) said after he scared away the creeper from Sookie&#8217;s house. And I am intimately acquainted with the small-minded prejudices that seem to thrive in small towns. My family, for the most part, isn&#8217;t like that, but you can&#8217;t grow up in that kind of place without hearing some very politically incorrect terms and phrases tossed around. The kind of place where if you take issue with said politically incorrect terms and phrases, you&#8217;re either &#8220;uppity&#8221; if you&#8217;re a woman, or a &#8220;woman&#8221; if you&#8217;re a man.So it&#8217;s nice to see someone like Sookie&#8212;a college degree-less, &#8220;barmaid&#8221; who has been whispered and gossiped about her entire life b/c of her &#8220;disability&#8221;, come out ahead of her &#8220;betters.&#8221;Better than nice. I bloody LOVE it.No, Sookie didn&#8217;t go to college. Kind of hard to continue her education when she&#8217;s a telepath who can&#8217;t keep everyone else&#8217;s thoughts out of her head without extreme effort. So much effort that she has nothing left to devote to things like paying attention in class. And yes, Sookie is a SERVER (fortheloveofgod). I was too when I was in school. But Sookie is not an idiot, and though she does admittedly have her less-than-stellar moments, Harris ultimately creates a highly capable woman in her.So for the three (or so) of you that haven&#8217;t read the books or watched True Blood yet, Dead Until Dark takes place in a world just like ours. With one exception&#8212;the Japanese have created and patented synthetic blood, ending blood shortages for medical facilities, AND prompting vampires to come out of the coffin, so to speak.*snickers*The vampires took this action b/c they felt they would be well-received now that humans no longer had to fear for their lives (in regards to vampires). Vampires could subsist on the manufactured blood, protecting humans from their thirst.Things are rarely so simple.Incidentally, the vampires&#8217; party-line is that they are the victims of a virus that gives them the appearance of being dead for three(ish) days, after which they rise with allergies to things like garlic and sunlight, silver and . . . holy water . . .*snorts*They are received with equal parts fear and awe.So Sookie is thrilled when a vampire walks into Merlotte&#8217;s, the bar where she works, and sits in her section. And when she realizes that she can&#8217;t hear the vampire&#8217;s thoughts she is shocked and delighted. But just b/c she can&#8217;t hear the vampire&#8217;s thoughts, doesn&#8217;t mean she can&#8217;t hear the thoughts of two bar patrons intent on draining the vampire for his blood. When she follows the three of them out to the parking lot and rescues Bill (the vampire), she begins the series of events that lead to her romantic involvement a vampire.And the timing couldn&#8217;t be worse b/c someone is strangling women in Bon Temps (where Sookie lives) who are known to associate with vampires . . .The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris was one of the first Urban Fantasy series I ever read, and no matter how disappointed I was with how it ended last year, I don&#8217;t think I&#8217;ll ever stop loving Sookie. Dead Until Dark was the beginning of that love, and up until book 10 or 11 that love only grew (and 10 or 11 out of 13 ain&#8217;t bad). This series is one that every lover of Urban Fantasy should have under their belt, so if you haven&#8217;t already, what are you waiting for? You&#8217;ve got nearly a dozen books before you need to be worried about anything, and if you simply can&#8217;t accept the ending, I&#8217;m sure you can find a fanfic somewhere that will do your dreams justice. Don&#8217;t miss out on Sookie altogether just b/c she doesn&#8217;t live HEA with the crowd favorite.

How was the quality?

My family, for the most part, isn&#8217;t like that, but you can&#8217;t grow up in that kind of place without hearing some very politically incorrect terms and phrases tossed around.

I basically had two separate lives growing up. My main life involved my nurse mother, my pharmacist (legal) father, and two of my three sisters, all living a suburban life just outside of Charlotte, NC. My secondary life involved my biological father and his entire family which was (they&#8217;ve since departed) headquartered in Bon Aqua (pronounced &#8220;ACK-qua&#8221;), TN. Bon Aqua, thusly named for the water that locals lineup in their pickup-trucks to collect, with their empty milk jugs, flowing out of a rusted pipe in the ground. True story.I think that&#8217;s one of the reasons I like Charlaine Harris&#8217; Sookie Stackhouse series so much&#8212;b/c I can relate. I grew up hearing people say things like, &#8220;Sure enough, some sumbitch, scuse me, was sneaking around the house,&#8221; which is what Bubba (and by &#8220;Bubba&#8221; I mean ELVIS) said after he scared away the creeper from Sookie&#8217;s house. And I am intimately acquainted with the small-minded prejudices that seem to thrive in small towns. My family, for the most part, isn&#8217;t like that, but you can&#8217;t grow up in that kind of place without hearing some very politically incorrect terms and phrases tossed around. The kind of place where if you take issue with said politically incorrect terms and phrases, you&#8217;re either &#8220;uppity&#8221; if you&#8217;re a woman, or a &#8220;woman&#8221; if you&#8217;re a man.So it&#8217;s nice to see someone like Sookie&#8212;a college degree-less, &#8220;barmaid&#8221; who has been whispered and gossiped about her entire life b/c of her &#8220;disability&#8221;, come out ahead of her &#8220;betters.&#8221;Better than nice. I bloody LOVE it.No, Sookie didn&#8217;t go to college. Kind of hard to continue her education when she&#8217;s a telepath who can&#8217;t keep everyone else&#8217;s thoughts out of her head without extreme effort. So much effort that she has nothing left to devote to things like paying attention in class. And yes, Sookie is a SERVER (fortheloveofgod). I was too when I was in school. But Sookie is not an idiot, and though she does admittedly have her less-than-stellar moments, Harris ultimately creates a highly capable woman in her.So for the three (or so) of you that haven&#8217;t read the books or watched True Blood yet, Dead Until Dark takes place in a world just like ours. With one exception&#8212;the Japanese have created and patented synthetic blood, ending blood shortages for medical facilities, AND prompting vampires to come out of the coffin, so to speak.*snickers*The vampires took this action b/c they felt they would be well-received now that humans no longer had to fear for their lives (in regards to vampires). Vampires could subsist on the manufactured blood, protecting humans from their thirst.Things are rarely so simple.Incidentally, the vampires&#8217; party-line is that they are the victims of a virus that gives them the appearance of being dead for three(ish) days, after which they rise with allergies to things like garlic and sunlight, silver and . . . holy water . . .*snorts*They are received with equal parts fear and awe.So Sookie is thrilled when a vampire walks into Merlotte&#8217;s, the bar where she works, and sits in her section. And when she realizes that she can&#8217;t hear the vampire&#8217;s thoughts she is shocked and delighted. But just b/c she can&#8217;t hear the vampire&#8217;s thoughts, doesn&#8217;t mean she can&#8217;t hear the thoughts of two bar patrons intent on draining the vampire for his blood. When she follows the three of them out to the parking lot and rescues Bill (the vampire), she begins the series of events that lead to her romantic involvement a vampire.And the timing couldn&#8217;t be worse b/c someone is strangling women in Bon Temps (where Sookie lives) who are known to associate with vampires . . .The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris was one of the first Urban Fantasy series I ever read, and no matter how disappointed I was with how it ended last year, I don&#8217;t think I&#8217;ll ever stop loving Sookie. Dead Until Dark was the beginning of that love, and up until book 10 or 11 that love only grew (and 10 or 11 out of 13 ain&#8217;t bad). This series is one that every lover of Urban Fantasy should have under their belt, so if you haven&#8217;t already, what are you waiting for? You&#8217;ve got nearly a dozen books before you need to be worried about anything, and if you simply can&#8217;t accept the ending, I&#8217;m sure you can find a fanfic somewhere that will do your dreams justice. Don&#8217;t miss out on Sookie altogether just b/c she doesn&#8217;t live HEA with the crowd favorite.

My family, for the most part, <hl> isn&#8217;t <hl> like that, but you can&#8217;t grow up in that kind of place without hearing some very politically incorrect terms and phrases tossed around.

I basically had two separate lives growing up. My main life involved my nurse mother, my pharmacist (legal) father, and two of my three sisters, all living a suburban life just outside of Charlotte, NC. My secondary life involved my biological father and his entire family which was (they&#8217;ve since departed) headquartered in Bon Aqua (pronounced &#8220;ACK-qua&#8221;), TN. Bon Aqua, thusly named for the water that locals lineup in their pickup-trucks to collect, with their empty milk jugs, flowing out of a rusted pipe in the ground. True story.I think that&#8217;s one of the reasons I like Charlaine Harris&#8217; Sookie Stackhouse series so much&#8212;b/c I can relate. I grew up hearing people say things like, &#8220;Sure enough, some sumbitch, scuse me, was sneaking around the house,&#8221; which is what Bubba (and by &#8220;Bubba&#8221; I mean ELVIS) said after he scared away the creeper from Sookie&#8217;s house. And I am intimately acquainted with the small-minded prejudices that seem to thrive in small towns. My family, for the most part, <hl> isn&#8217;t <hl> like that, but you can&#8217;t grow up in that kind of place without hearing some very politically incorrect terms and phrases tossed around. The kind of place where if you take issue with said politically incorrect terms and phrases, you&#8217;re either &#8220;uppity&#8221; if you&#8217;re a woman, or a &#8220;woman&#8221; if you&#8217;re a man.So it&#8217;s nice to see someone like Sookie&#8212;a college degree-less, &#8220;barmaid&#8221; who has been whispered and gossiped about her entire life b/c of her &#8220;disability&#8221;, come out ahead of her &#8220;betters.&#8221;Better than nice. I bloody LOVE it.No, Sookie didn&#8217;t go to college. Kind of hard to continue her education when she&#8217;s a telepath who can&#8217;t keep everyone else&#8217;s thoughts out of her head without extreme effort. So much effort that she has nothing left to devote to things like paying attention in class. And yes, Sookie is a SERVER (fortheloveofgod). I was too when I was in school. But Sookie is not an idiot, and though she does admittedly have her less-than-stellar moments, Harris ultimately creates a highly capable woman in her.So for the three (or so) of you that haven&#8217;t read the books or watched True Blood yet, Dead Until Dark takes place in a world just like ours. With one exception&#8212;the Japanese have created and patented synthetic blood, ending blood shortages for medical facilities, AND prompting vampires to come out of the coffin, so to speak.*snickers*The vampires took this action b/c they felt they would be well-received now that humans no longer had to fear for their lives (in regards to vampires). Vampires could subsist on the manufactured blood, protecting humans from their thirst.Things are rarely so simple.Incidentally, the vampires&#8217; party-line is that they are the victims of a virus that gives them the appearance of being dead for three(ish) days, after which they rise with allergies to things like garlic and sunlight, silver and . . . holy water . . .*snorts*They are received with equal parts fear and awe.So Sookie is thrilled when a vampire walks into Merlotte&#8217;s, the bar where she works, and sits in her section. And when she realizes that she can&#8217;t hear the vampire&#8217;s thoughts she is shocked and delighted. But just b/c she can&#8217;t hear the vampire&#8217;s thoughts, doesn&#8217;t mean she can&#8217;t hear the thoughts of two bar patrons intent on draining the vampire for his blood. When she follows the three of them out to the parking lot and rescues Bill (the vampire), she begins the series of events that lead to her romantic involvement a vampire.And the timing couldn&#8217;t be worse b/c someone is strangling women in Bon Temps (where Sookie lives) who are known to associate with vampires . . .The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris was one of the first Urban Fantasy series I ever read, and no matter how disappointed I was with how it ended last year, I don&#8217;t think I&#8217;ll ever stop loving Sookie. Dead Until Dark was the beginning of that love, and up until book 10 or 11 that love only grew (and 10 or 11 out of 13 ain&#8217;t bad). This series is one that every lover of Urban Fantasy should have under their belt, so if you haven&#8217;t already, what are you waiting for? You&#8217;ve got nearly a dozen books before you need to be worried about anything, and if you simply can&#8217;t accept the ending, I&#8217;m sure you can find a fanfic somewhere that will do your dreams justice. Don&#8217;t miss out on Sookie altogether just b/c she doesn&#8217;t live HEA with the crowd favorite.

I basically had two separate lives growing up. My main life involved my nurse mother, my pharmacist (legal) father, and two of my three sisters, all living a suburban life just outside of Charlotte, NC. My secondary life involved my biological father and his entire family which was (they&#8217;ve since departed) headquartered in Bon Aqua (pronounced &#8220;ACK-qua&#8221;), TN. Bon Aqua, thusly named for the water that locals lineup in their pickup-trucks to collect, with their empty milk jugs, flowing out of a rusted pipe in the ground. True story. I think that&#8217;s one of the reasons I like Charlaine Harris&#8217; Sookie Stackhouse series so much&#8212;b/c I can relate. I grew up hearing people say things like, &#8220;Sure enough, some sumbitch, scuse me, was sneaking around the house,&#8221; which is what Bubba (and by &#8220;Bubba&#8221; I mean ELVIS) said after he scared away the creeper from Sookie&#8217;s house. And I am intimately acquainted with the small-minded prejudices that seem to thrive in small towns. <hl> My family, for the most part, isn&#8217;t like that, but you can&#8217;t grow up in that kind of place without hearing some very politically incorrect terms and phrases tossed around. <hl> The kind of place where if you take issue with said politically incorrect terms and phrases, you&#8217;re either &#8220;uppity&#8221; if you&#8217;re a woman, or a &#8220;woman&#8221; if you&#8217;re a man. So it&#8217;s nice to see someone like Sookie&#8212;a college degree-less, &#8220;barmaid&#8221; who has been whispered and gossiped about her entire life b/c of her &#8220;disability&#8221;, come out ahead of her &#8220;betters.&#8221;Better than nice. I bloody LOVE it. No, Sookie didn&#8217;t go to college. Kind of hard to continue her education when she&#8217;s a telepath who can&#8217;t keep everyone else&#8217;s thoughts out of her head without extreme effort. So much effort that she has nothing left to devote to things like paying attention in class. And yes, Sookie is a SERVER (fortheloveofgod). I was too when I was in school. But Sookie is not an idiot, and though she does admittedly have her less-than-stellar moments, Harris ultimately creates a highly capable woman in her. So for the three (or so) of you that haven&#8217;t read the books or watched True Blood yet, Dead Until Dark takes place in a world just like ours. With one exception&#8212;the Japanese have created and patented synthetic blood, ending blood shortages for medical facilities, AND prompting vampires to come out of the coffin, so to speak.*snickers*The vampires took this action b/c they felt they would be well-received now that humans no longer had to fear for their lives (in regards to vampires). Vampires could subsist on the manufactured blood, protecting humans from their thirst. Things are rarely so simple. Incidentally, the vampires&#8217; party-line is that they are the victims of a virus that gives them the appearance of being dead for three(ish) days, after which they rise with allergies to things like garlic and sunlight, silver and . . . holy water . . .*snorts*They are received with equal parts fear and awe. So Sookie is thrilled when a vampire walks into Merlotte&#8217;s, the bar where she works, and sits in her section. And when she realizes that she can&#8217;t hear the vampire&#8217;s thoughts she is shocked and delighted. But just b/c she can&#8217;t hear the vampire&#8217;s thoughts, doesn&#8217;t mean she can&#8217;t hear the thoughts of two bar patrons intent on draining the vampire for his blood. When she follows the three of them out to the parking lot and rescues Bill (the vampire), she begins the series of events that lead to her romantic involvement a vampire. And the timing couldn&#8217;t be worse b/c someone is strangling women in Bon Temps (where Sookie lives) who are known to associate with vampires . . .The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris was one of the first Urban Fantasy series I ever read, and no matter how disappointed I was with how it ended last year, I don&#8217;t think I&#8217;ll ever stop loving Sookie. Dead Until Dark was the beginning of that love, and up until book 10 or 11 that love only grew (and 10 or 11 out of 13 ain&#8217;t bad). This series is one that every lover of Urban Fantasy should have under their belt, so if you haven&#8217;t already, what are you waiting for? You&#8217;ve got nearly a dozen books before you need to be worried about anything, and if you simply can&#8217;t accept the ending, I&#8217;m sure you can find a fanfic somewhere that will do your dreams justice. Don&#8217;t miss out on Sookie altogether just b/c she doesn&#8217;t live HEA with the crowd favorite.

64ec0104578027f8724531faeb6f182c

books

the public acclaim accorded to Wild

question: How do you like reading the pages?, context: There is a vast amount of trail literature, a type of writing that is uniquely American. I am not aware of any other book in this genre, however, that has received the public acclaim accorded to Wild, Cheryl Strayed's recent memoir of her life on and before her hike along the Pacific Crest Trail. Wild is one of the top selling books of the year and will become a classic of trail literature in the future.But why is Wild so successful? It helps, of course, that Strayed is already a critically acclaimed author. A grant from the Oregon Arts commission to write the book certainly improved the text. Unlike many trail memoirs, this is a polished affair and clearly not composed as an afterthought to the day's work. But the main reason this book is so successful is the story of redemption it tells. Strayed's life fell apart when her mother died while she was in her early 20s. Unable to deal with the grief, she first cheated on then divorced her husband (I was unable to stop feeling bad for Paul throughout the book), took heroin, and went through some gut wrenching events while slowly trying to self destruct. But when she began to hike, her life began to change. She forced all her material concerns out of her life, helped in part by two overaged boy scouts who removed many items from her pack, and focused on the immediate activities that allowed her to survive in harsh conditions. And conditions were tough in 1995. My wife and I began hiking the trail together that same year and like Strayed, we made the decision to avoid certain sections. But Strayed perserved and by the end of the trail was a changed, more confident person. She went on to start writing, got married and had children.People like redemption stories, and this book will remain popular for a long time to come because of how well this one is told. But I worry that this book's very popularity will prevent people from seeing the bigger picture. As one prominent long distance hiker noted to me, most hikers are not messed up when they begin a trail, nor fully healed when they end. But hiking itself, especially for long distances, does profoundly shift one's perspective on life. Almost everyone who writes about the experience feels the need to say how they are changed by the trail experience, and yet in almost every case, including this one, words do not seem adequate to describe what has happened. Strayed herself has changed, but after 250 pages of reflection on how miserable her life was before the trail, a few pages on how nice forgiveness (of oneself) and settling down in life after the trail seem almost like magic. Strayed has substituted listing the differences in her pre and post trail life for explaining them.But it is not magic. Trail life is a form of modern mystical discipline. Hikers do not have words to adequately express how their lives are transformed because our society, with its focus on material wealth and abundance, lacks the language necessary to convey the experience. Nevertheless, mysticism is a common, albeit minority experience in the human condition. It changes perspective and leads to balance and peace. Strayed's book details how dramatic the change was to her life, but truly, this sort of experience is available to anyone. You don't need to divorce your husband, shoot heroin, or try to self destruct first. All you need to do is lace up your boots and go.

How do you like reading the pages?

I am not aware of any other book in this genre, however, that has received the public acclaim accorded to Wild , Cheryl Strayed's recent memoir of her life on and before her hike along the Pacific Crest Trail.

There is a vast amount of trail literature, a type of writing that is uniquely American. I am not aware of any other book in this genre, however, that has received the public acclaim accorded to Wild, Cheryl Strayed's recent memoir of her life on and before her hike along the Pacific Crest Trail. Wild is one of the top selling books of the year and will become a classic of trail literature in the future.But why is Wild so successful? It helps, of course, that Strayed is already a critically acclaimed author. A grant from the Oregon Arts commission to write the book certainly improved the text. Unlike many trail memoirs, this is a polished affair and clearly not composed as an afterthought to the day's work. But the main reason this book is so successful is the story of redemption it tells. Strayed's life fell apart when her mother died while she was in her early 20s. Unable to deal with the grief, she first cheated on then divorced her husband (I was unable to stop feeling bad for Paul throughout the book), took heroin, and went through some gut wrenching events while slowly trying to self destruct. But when she began to hike, her life began to change. She forced all her material concerns out of her life, helped in part by two overaged boy scouts who removed many items from her pack, and focused on the immediate activities that allowed her to survive in harsh conditions. And conditions were tough in 1995. My wife and I began hiking the trail together that same year and like Strayed, we made the decision to avoid certain sections. But Strayed perserved and by the end of the trail was a changed, more confident person. She went on to start writing, got married and had children.People like redemption stories, and this book will remain popular for a long time to come because of how well this one is told. But I worry that this book's very popularity will prevent people from seeing the bigger picture. As one prominent long distance hiker noted to me, most hikers are not messed up when they begin a trail, nor fully healed when they end. But hiking itself, especially for long distances, does profoundly shift one's perspective on life. Almost everyone who writes about the experience feels the need to say how they are changed by the trail experience, and yet in almost every case, including this one, words do not seem adequate to describe what has happened. Strayed herself has changed, but after 250 pages of reflection on how miserable her life was before the trail, a few pages on how nice forgiveness (of oneself) and settling down in life after the trail seem almost like magic. Strayed has substituted listing the differences in her pre and post trail life for explaining them.But it is not magic. Trail life is a form of modern mystical discipline. Hikers do not have words to adequately express how their lives are transformed because our society, with its focus on material wealth and abundance, lacks the language necessary to convey the experience. Nevertheless, mysticism is a common, albeit minority experience in the human condition. It changes perspective and leads to balance and peace. Strayed's book details how dramatic the change was to her life, but truly, this sort of experience is available to anyone. You don't need to divorce your husband, shoot heroin, or try to self destruct first. All you need to do is lace up your boots and go.

I am not aware of any other book in this genre, however, that has received <hl> the public acclaim accorded to Wild <hl> , Cheryl Strayed's recent memoir of her life on and before her hike along the Pacific Crest Trail.

There is a vast amount of trail literature, a type of writing that is uniquely American. I am not aware of any other book in this genre, however, that has received <hl> the public acclaim accorded to Wild <hl>, Cheryl Strayed's recent memoir of her life on and before her hike along the Pacific Crest Trail. Wild is one of the top selling books of the year and will become a classic of trail literature in the future.But why is Wild so successful? It helps, of course, that Strayed is already a critically acclaimed author. A grant from the Oregon Arts commission to write the book certainly improved the text. Unlike many trail memoirs, this is a polished affair and clearly not composed as an afterthought to the day's work. But the main reason this book is so successful is the story of redemption it tells. Strayed's life fell apart when her mother died while she was in her early 20s. Unable to deal with the grief, she first cheated on then divorced her husband (I was unable to stop feeling bad for Paul throughout the book), took heroin, and went through some gut wrenching events while slowly trying to self destruct. But when she began to hike, her life began to change. She forced all her material concerns out of her life, helped in part by two overaged boy scouts who removed many items from her pack, and focused on the immediate activities that allowed her to survive in harsh conditions. And conditions were tough in 1995. My wife and I began hiking the trail together that same year and like Strayed, we made the decision to avoid certain sections. But Strayed perserved and by the end of the trail was a changed, more confident person. She went on to start writing, got married and had children.People like redemption stories, and this book will remain popular for a long time to come because of how well this one is told. But I worry that this book's very popularity will prevent people from seeing the bigger picture. As one prominent long distance hiker noted to me, most hikers are not messed up when they begin a trail, nor fully healed when they end. But hiking itself, especially for long distances, does profoundly shift one's perspective on life. Almost everyone who writes about the experience feels the need to say how they are changed by the trail experience, and yet in almost every case, including this one, words do not seem adequate to describe what has happened. Strayed herself has changed, but after 250 pages of reflection on how miserable her life was before the trail, a few pages on how nice forgiveness (of oneself) and settling down in life after the trail seem almost like magic. Strayed has substituted listing the differences in her pre and post trail life for explaining them.But it is not magic. Trail life is a form of modern mystical discipline. Hikers do not have words to adequately express how their lives are transformed because our society, with its focus on material wealth and abundance, lacks the language necessary to convey the experience. Nevertheless, mysticism is a common, albeit minority experience in the human condition. It changes perspective and leads to balance and peace. Strayed's book details how dramatic the change was to her life, but truly, this sort of experience is available to anyone. You don't need to divorce your husband, shoot heroin, or try to self destruct first. All you need to do is lace up your boots and go.

There is a vast amount of trail literature, a type of writing that is uniquely American. <hl> I am not aware of any other book in this genre, however, that has received the public acclaim accorded to Wild , Cheryl Strayed's recent memoir of her life on and before her hike along the Pacific Crest Trail. <hl> Wild is one of the top selling books of the year and will become a classic of trail literature in the future. But why is Wild so successful? It helps, of course, that Strayed is already a critically acclaimed author. A grant from the Oregon Arts commission to write the book certainly improved the text. Unlike many trail memoirs, this is a polished affair and clearly not composed as an afterthought to the day's work. But the main reason this book is so successful is the story of redemption it tells. Strayed's life fell apart when her mother died while she was in her early 20s. Unable to deal with the grief, she first cheated on then divorced her husband (I was unable to stop feeling bad for Paul throughout the book), took heroin, and went through some gut wrenching events while slowly trying to self destruct. But when she began to hike, her life began to change. She forced all her material concerns out of her life, helped in part by two overaged boy scouts who removed many items from her pack, and focused on the immediate activities that allowed her to survive in harsh conditions. And conditions were tough in 1995. My wife and I began hiking the trail together that same year and like Strayed, we made the decision to avoid certain sections. But Strayed perserved and by the end of the trail was a changed, more confident person. She went on to start writing, got married and had children. People like redemption stories, and this book will remain popular for a long time to come because of how well this one is told. But I worry that this book's very popularity will prevent people from seeing the bigger picture. As one prominent long distance hiker noted to me, most hikers are not messed up when they begin a trail, nor fully healed when they end. But hiking itself, especially for long distances, does profoundly shift one's perspective on life. Almost everyone who writes about the experience feels the need to say how they are changed by the trail experience, and yet in almost every case, including this one, words do not seem adequate to describe what has happened. Strayed herself has changed, but after 250 pages of reflection on how miserable her life was before the trail, a few pages on how nice forgiveness (of oneself) and settling down in life after the trail seem almost like magic. Strayed has substituted listing the differences in her pre and post trail life for explaining them. But it is not magic. Trail life is a form of modern mystical discipline. Hikers do not have words to adequately express how their lives are transformed because our society, with its focus on material wealth and abundance, lacks the language necessary to convey the experience. Nevertheless, mysticism is a common, albeit minority experience in the human condition. It changes perspective and leads to balance and peace. Strayed's book details how dramatic the change was to her life, but truly, this sort of experience is available to anyone. You don't need to divorce your husband, shoot heroin, or try to self destruct first. All you need to do is lace up your boots and go.

043a01c191951e83d4853fdf1f3f01ae

books

This book is a classic.Overall RecommendationEverybody needs to read this book

question: How rewarding is the story?, context: SummaryGerman, Liesel Meminger is left with foster parents Rosa and Hans Hubermann in a town called Molching on a cold winter night; her brother is dead, having died on the train, and her mother, unable to feed and care for her children anymore, is gone.Liesel settles in with the Hubermanns, grows accustomed to Rosa's sharp tongue and Hans' gentleness and understanding and discovers a best friend, Rudy Steiner. Life in Hitler's Germany is tough even for non-Jewish Germans...their food is rationed, there are no extras of anything, there are strict rules to follow and family members may be taken away at any time to serve Hitler in whatever way he so chooses.The families do everything possible to keep life as normal as possible.Hans begins to read with Liesel each night when she wakens from her nightmares, first from A Gravediggers Handbook that Liesel, "The Book Thief," recovered after it was lost in the snow by an apprentice gravedigger at her brother's burial and then from books Liesel steals from the mayor's wife's library. She later continues her reading and writing lessons in the basement with a Jew named Max (the son of an old friend of Hans) who shows up one night needing help.Life gets tougher on Himmel Street; the war begins spiraling out of control, Jews are marched down the street of Molching on their way to concentration camps, air raid sirens become part of normal life, Rosa loses many of her washing jobs bc of prejudice, and the family is frightened for their lives 24/7 if Max is found in their basement.Is it even possible for this story to have a happy ending?Should it?What I LikedDeath, the narrator - foreshadowing - I could almost hear music...you know the kind that comes on while you're watching a scary movie...the killer is around the corner...if only the heroine could hear the music, right?? That's when everybody starts screaming, "Don't you go in there, Girl!! Just don't do it!" Even when you've seen the movie before, you still hope that she won't go in there...that's how this story felt to me.I knew how it would end. We all do.Liesel - in the past when someone mentioned the name Liesel, I would think of the older sister in "The Sound of Music"...that won't happen anymore. This Liesel is unforgettable. Her strength, her soul, her ability to adjust to her surroundings, her ability to pick up and keep moving, her ability to love, her ability to see the world around her realistically...all of that and more...nevermind the fact that this child is only 9-13 years old throughout the story.Format - I'm sure there's a word for this type of structure, but I don't know what it is...The narrator, Death, goes back and forth in time as he pleases and interrupts the flow with comments and/or bolded newsflashes of sort. I would think the danger of this kind of format would be a chopped up feel, but there is none of that here. Quite the contrary, the most effective flashes and context seem to be incorporated seamlessly this way.Death complaining about having too much on his plate - Most of us see Death as that hooded creature with the scythe...it's a Hollywood version that's become ingrained in our brains. But, Death as the storyteller in The Book Thief doesn't seem to be a frightening thing at all...the way he gently scoops the victims up in his arms and takes them away, the way Death truly mourns over the lives of worthy humans, the way Death sees all that's happening in the world as a waste, but not something he can stop almost endears him to the reader. I could go on and on about the symbolism here...how mankind hurts itself over and over, etc. but I'll let you experience that for yourself.The humor - both Death's sarcastic remarks and Liesel and Rudy's attempts to carry on conversations with adult words tickled me from time to time. I appreciated the ability to have a rest every now and then from subject matter that weighed so heavily on my chest. The German curse words were my favorites :)The History - once again there are things here that I never even knew about...scores of Jews escaped Germany while they were able and ended up in Australia...hence, Zusak's (an Australian) interest in the Jewish families who survived and the members/branches of those families who were left behind and essentially wiped off the face of the earth.Hans Hubermann - how the heck do you not like a man like Hans?What I Didn't LikeThere is literally nothing about this novel that I didn't like, except of course, the subject matter. How in the world this part of our history exists completely baffles me. And, then sometimes it doesn't; I can look around at the world we live in today and see some of the same mindset that guided the worst genocide in our nation's history, and I get scared. Really.Hitler was one man.One of the statistics Death brings out in this novel is that at one point in history 90% of Germans backed Hitler.90%.Out of every 100 people, 90 of them believed what Hiltler proposed was right and/or believed that his strategies/actions had to happen in order to create a powerful German human race.Even as I type those words, it seems so stupid...like something we'd all snicker at and say the person needs psychiatric help.But, time and time again, things happen that we think never would.How did this happen?90%.It's called blind conformity.It's a disease, and...This book is a classic.Overall RecommendationEverybody needs to read this book.The End.

How rewarding is the story?

This book is a classic.Overall RecommendationEverybody needs to read this book .The End.

SummaryGerman, Liesel Meminger is left with foster parents Rosa and Hans Hubermann in a town called Molching on a cold winter night; her brother is dead, having died on the train, and her mother, unable to feed and care for her children anymore, is gone.Liesel settles in with the Hubermanns, grows accustomed to Rosa's sharp tongue and Hans' gentleness and understanding and discovers a best friend, Rudy Steiner. Life in Hitler's Germany is tough even for non-Jewish Germans...their food is rationed, there are no extras of anything, there are strict rules to follow and family members may be taken away at any time to serve Hitler in whatever way he so chooses.The families do everything possible to keep life as normal as possible.Hans begins to read with Liesel each night when she wakens from her nightmares, first from A Gravediggers Handbook that Liesel, "The Book Thief," recovered after it was lost in the snow by an apprentice gravedigger at her brother's burial and then from books Liesel steals from the mayor's wife's library. She later continues her reading and writing lessons in the basement with a Jew named Max (the son of an old friend of Hans) who shows up one night needing help.Life gets tougher on Himmel Street; the war begins spiraling out of control, Jews are marched down the street of Molching on their way to concentration camps, air raid sirens become part of normal life, Rosa loses many of her washing jobs bc of prejudice, and the family is frightened for their lives 24/7 if Max is found in their basement.Is it even possible for this story to have a happy ending?Should it?What I LikedDeath, the narrator - foreshadowing - I could almost hear music...you know the kind that comes on while you're watching a scary movie...the killer is around the corner...if only the heroine could hear the music, right?? That's when everybody starts screaming, "Don't you go in there, Girl!! Just don't do it!" Even when you've seen the movie before, you still hope that she won't go in there...that's how this story felt to me.I knew how it would end. We all do.Liesel - in the past when someone mentioned the name Liesel, I would think of the older sister in "The Sound of Music"...that won't happen anymore. This Liesel is unforgettable. Her strength, her soul, her ability to adjust to her surroundings, her ability to pick up and keep moving, her ability to love, her ability to see the world around her realistically...all of that and more...nevermind the fact that this child is only 9-13 years old throughout the story.Format - I'm sure there's a word for this type of structure, but I don't know what it is...The narrator, Death, goes back and forth in time as he pleases and interrupts the flow with comments and/or bolded newsflashes of sort. I would think the danger of this kind of format would be a chopped up feel, but there is none of that here. Quite the contrary, the most effective flashes and context seem to be incorporated seamlessly this way.Death complaining about having too much on his plate - Most of us see Death as that hooded creature with the scythe...it's a Hollywood version that's become ingrained in our brains. But, Death as the storyteller in The Book Thief doesn't seem to be a frightening thing at all...the way he gently scoops the victims up in his arms and takes them away, the way Death truly mourns over the lives of worthy humans, the way Death sees all that's happening in the world as a waste, but not something he can stop almost endears him to the reader. I could go on and on about the symbolism here...how mankind hurts itself over and over, etc. but I'll let you experience that for yourself.The humor - both Death's sarcastic remarks and Liesel and Rudy's attempts to carry on conversations with adult words tickled me from time to time. I appreciated the ability to have a rest every now and then from subject matter that weighed so heavily on my chest. The German curse words were my favorites :)The History - once again there are things here that I never even knew about...scores of Jews escaped Germany while they were able and ended up in Australia...hence, Zusak's (an Australian) interest in the Jewish families who survived and the members/branches of those families who were left behind and essentially wiped off the face of the earth.Hans Hubermann - how the heck do you not like a man like Hans?What I Didn't LikeThere is literally nothing about this novel that I didn't like, except of course, the subject matter. How in the world this part of our history exists completely baffles me. And, then sometimes it doesn't; I can look around at the world we live in today and see some of the same mindset that guided the worst genocide in our nation's history, and I get scared. Really.Hitler was one man.One of the statistics Death brings out in this novel is that at one point in history 90% of Germans backed Hitler.90%.Out of every 100 people, 90 of them believed what Hiltler proposed was right and/or believed that his strategies/actions had to happen in order to create a powerful German human race.Even as I type those words, it seems so stupid...like something we'd all snicker at and say the person needs psychiatric help.But, time and time again, things happen that we think never would.How did this happen?90%.It's called blind conformity.It's a disease, and...This book is a classic.Overall RecommendationEverybody needs to read this book.The End.

<hl> This book is a classic.Overall RecommendationEverybody needs to read this book <hl> .The End.

SummaryGerman, Liesel Meminger is left with foster parents Rosa and Hans Hubermann in a town called Molching on a cold winter night; her brother is dead, having died on the train, and her mother, unable to feed and care for her children anymore, is gone.Liesel settles in with the Hubermanns, grows accustomed to Rosa's sharp tongue and Hans' gentleness and understanding and discovers a best friend, Rudy Steiner. Life in Hitler's Germany is tough even for non-Jewish Germans...their food is rationed, there are no extras of anything, there are strict rules to follow and family members may be taken away at any time to serve Hitler in whatever way he so chooses.The families do everything possible to keep life as normal as possible.Hans begins to read with Liesel each night when she wakens from her nightmares, first from A Gravediggers Handbook that Liesel, "The Book Thief," recovered after it was lost in the snow by an apprentice gravedigger at her brother's burial and then from books Liesel steals from the mayor's wife's library. She later continues her reading and writing lessons in the basement with a Jew named Max (the son of an old friend of Hans) who shows up one night needing help.Life gets tougher on Himmel Street; the war begins spiraling out of control, Jews are marched down the street of Molching on their way to concentration camps, air raid sirens become part of normal life, Rosa loses many of her washing jobs bc of prejudice, and the family is frightened for their lives 24/7 if Max is found in their basement.Is it even possible for this story to have a happy ending?Should it?What I LikedDeath, the narrator - foreshadowing - I could almost hear music...you know the kind that comes on while you're watching a scary movie...the killer is around the corner...if only the heroine could hear the music, right?? That's when everybody starts screaming, "Don't you go in there, Girl!! Just don't do it!" Even when you've seen the movie before, you still hope that she won't go in there...that's how this story felt to me.I knew how it would end. We all do.Liesel - in the past when someone mentioned the name Liesel, I would think of the older sister in "The Sound of Music"...that won't happen anymore. This Liesel is unforgettable. Her strength, her soul, her ability to adjust to her surroundings, her ability to pick up and keep moving, her ability to love, her ability to see the world around her realistically...all of that and more...nevermind the fact that this child is only 9-13 years old throughout the story.Format - I'm sure there's a word for this type of structure, but I don't know what it is...The narrator, Death, goes back and forth in time as he pleases and interrupts the flow with comments and/or bolded newsflashes of sort. I would think the danger of this kind of format would be a chopped up feel, but there is none of that here. Quite the contrary, the most effective flashes and context seem to be incorporated seamlessly this way.Death complaining about having too much on his plate - Most of us see Death as that hooded creature with the scythe...it's a Hollywood version that's become ingrained in our brains. But, Death as the storyteller in The Book Thief doesn't seem to be a frightening thing at all...the way he gently scoops the victims up in his arms and takes them away, the way Death truly mourns over the lives of worthy humans, the way Death sees all that's happening in the world as a waste, but not something he can stop almost endears him to the reader. I could go on and on about the symbolism here...how mankind hurts itself over and over, etc. but I'll let you experience that for yourself.The humor - both Death's sarcastic remarks and Liesel and Rudy's attempts to carry on conversations with adult words tickled me from time to time. I appreciated the ability to have a rest every now and then from subject matter that weighed so heavily on my chest. The German curse words were my favorites :)The History - once again there are things here that I never even knew about...scores of Jews escaped Germany while they were able and ended up in Australia...hence, Zusak's (an Australian) interest in the Jewish families who survived and the members/branches of those families who were left behind and essentially wiped off the face of the earth.Hans Hubermann - how the heck do you not like a man like Hans?What I Didn't LikeThere is literally nothing about this novel that I didn't like, except of course, the subject matter. How in the world this part of our history exists completely baffles me. And, then sometimes it doesn't; I can look around at the world we live in today and see some of the same mindset that guided the worst genocide in our nation's history, and I get scared. Really.Hitler was one man.One of the statistics Death brings out in this novel is that at one point in history 90% of Germans backed Hitler.90%.Out of every 100 people, 90 of them believed what Hiltler proposed was right and/or believed that his strategies/actions had to happen in order to create a powerful German human race.Even as I type those words, it seems so stupid...like something we'd all snicker at and say the person needs psychiatric help.But, time and time again, things happen that we think never would.How did this happen?90%.It's called blind conformity.It's a disease, and...<hl> This book is a classic.Overall RecommendationEverybody needs to read this book <hl>.The End.

SummaryGerman, Liesel Meminger is left with foster parents Rosa and Hans Hubermann in a town called Molching on a cold winter night; her brother is dead, having died on the train, and her mother, unable to feed and care for her children anymore, is gone. Liesel settles in with the Hubermanns, grows accustomed to Rosa's sharp tongue and Hans' gentleness and understanding and discovers a best friend, Rudy Steiner. Life in Hitler's Germany is tough even for non-Jewish Germans...their food is rationed, there are no extras of anything, there are strict rules to follow and family members may be taken away at any time to serve Hitler in whatever way he so chooses. The families do everything possible to keep life as normal as possible. Hans begins to read with Liesel each night when she wakens from her nightmares, first from A Gravediggers Handbook that Liesel, "The Book Thief," recovered after it was lost in the snow by an apprentice gravedigger at her brother's burial and then from books Liesel steals from the mayor's wife's library. She later continues her reading and writing lessons in the basement with a Jew named Max (the son of an old friend of Hans) who shows up one night needing help. Life gets tougher on Himmel Street; the war begins spiraling out of control, Jews are marched down the street of Molching on their way to concentration camps, air raid sirens become part of normal life, Rosa loses many of her washing jobs bc of prejudice, and the family is frightened for their lives 24/7 if Max is found in their basement. Is it even possible for this story to have a happy ending?Should it?What I LikedDeath, the narrator - foreshadowing - I could almost hear music...you know the kind that comes on while you're watching a scary movie...the killer is around the corner...if only the heroine could hear the music, right?? That's when everybody starts screaming, "Don't you go in there, Girl!! Just don't do it!" Even when you've seen the movie before, you still hope that she won't go in there...that's how this story felt to me. I knew how it would end. We all do. Liesel - in the past when someone mentioned the name Liesel, I would think of the older sister in "The Sound of Music"...that won't happen anymore. This Liesel is unforgettable. Her strength, her soul, her ability to adjust to her surroundings, her ability to pick up and keep moving, her ability to love, her ability to see the world around her realistically...all of that and more...nevermind the fact that this child is only 9-13 years old throughout the story. Format - I'm sure there's a word for this type of structure, but I don't know what it is...The narrator, Death, goes back and forth in time as he pleases and interrupts the flow with comments and/or bolded newsflashes of sort. I would think the danger of this kind of format would be a chopped up feel, but there is none of that here. Quite the contrary, the most effective flashes and context seem to be incorporated seamlessly this way. Death complaining about having too much on his plate - Most of us see Death as that hooded creature with the scythe...it's a Hollywood version that's become ingrained in our brains. But, Death as the storyteller in The Book Thief doesn't seem to be a frightening thing at all...the way he gently scoops the victims up in his arms and takes them away, the way Death truly mourns over the lives of worthy humans, the way Death sees all that's happening in the world as a waste, but not something he can stop almost endears him to the reader. I could go on and on about the symbolism here... how mankind hurts itself over and over, etc. but I'll let you experience that for yourself. The humor - both Death's sarcastic remarks and Liesel and Rudy's attempts to carry on conversations with adult words tickled me from time to time. I appreciated the ability to have a rest every now and then from subject matter that weighed so heavily on my chest. The German curse words were my favorites :) The History - once again there are things here that I never even knew about...scores of Jews escaped Germany while they were able and ended up in Australia...hence, Zusak's (an Australian) interest in the Jewish families who survived and the members/branches of those families who were left behind and essentially wiped off the face of the earth. Hans Hubermann - how the heck do you not like a man like Hans?What I Didn't LikeThere is literally nothing about this novel that I didn't like, except of course, the subject matter. How in the world this part of our history exists completely baffles me. And, then sometimes it doesn't; I can look around at the world we live in today and see some of the same mindset that guided the worst genocide in our nation's history, and I get scared. Really. Hitler was one man. One of the statistics Death brings out in this novel is that at one point in history 90% of Germans backed Hitler.90%.Out of every 100 people, 90 of them believed what Hiltler proposed was right and/or believed that his strategies/actions had to happen in order to create a powerful German human race. Even as I type those words, it seems so stupid...like something we'd all snicker at and say the person needs psychiatric help. But, time and time again, things happen that we think never would. How did this happen?90%.It's called blind conformity. It's a disease, and... <hl> This book is a classic.Overall RecommendationEverybody needs to read this book .The End. <hl>

30e5ed880b73bce16e8786730bfc564b

books

what happens

question: How is none?, context: "'Nice to meet ya, shank,' the boy said. 'Welcome to the Glade.'"I enjoyed readingThe Maze Runner (Maze Runner Trilogy (Hardback))during a lazy Sunday. It is a very easy read, recommended and fit for kids of all ages. Dystopian novels are hit-or-miss for me, and The Maze Runner is a hit. Not a homerun, but a hit nonetheless. I've seen it compared to "The Hunger Games," but not having read the Suzanne Collins series I cannot validate the comparison for the time being. Because the storyline captivated me enough to read it in one sitting, I gave it four stars instead of three.There were some "Lord of the Flies" undertones, although Dashner was obviously not as disillusioned with human nature as was Golding. An underlying theme is the conflicting impulses between civilization and power struggle, rules and anarchy, peace and discord. There were some hints of the infinite battle between conformity and individuality, between logical and emotional reactions, between morality and immorality, and how different people feel the influences of these.The book maintained a detailed and absorbing storyline that kept me interested. Dashner's writing style is clear and uncomplicated. The ideas and situations are unique and, at times, verge on magical simplicity (well, without the magic).A boy wakes up in the darkness, not knowing anything about himself except for his name, Thomas. He is in some sort of metal lift, ascending slowly with no idea where it is going, except up. When the lift stops and opens, Thomas is pulled up out of the metal box and into the Glade; a large square courtyard surrounded on all sides by extraordinarily high rock walls. Also surrounding him are about fifty boys no more than 19 years of age. Like Thomas, the gladers (as the boys refer to themselves) each came to the Glade in the very same manner. They have no memory of their former lives, and they do not understand their purpose in this current one.What they know is that every 30 days, a new boy arrives in the Glade through the same lift. They also know that every morning at sunrise the walls surrounding the Glade open onto an elaborate series of passages referred to as "the Maze", every night the walls close tight, and it is not a good idea to be stuck in the maze after the doors close. Thomas quickly realizes that the Maze is a dangerous place, a haven for horrifying creatures called the Grievers. Everyone has a role in the Glade hierarchy. Everyone spends their days and nights fulfilling their roles in the confines of the Glade. Everyone, except for an elite group of boys, the Maze Runners, who brave the perils outside the Glade and explore the Maze each day, running back before the walls close at night.Thomas learns that the boys have been living this life in the Glade for two years before his arrival. They believe that "the Creators" have condemned them here, and that solving the Maze will lead to the way out. Although the gladers had expected Thomas' arrival, what happens the very next day is unexpected in many levels: the lift delivers another newbie, a girl, who is unconscious yet delivers an impending message of "change" and "doom". The pace quickens, the Maze Runner is off and running, and we follow Thomas on his flight to figure out his past, his purpose in the Glade, and the way out of this place.

How is none?

Although the gladers had expected Thomas' arrival, what happens the very next day is unexpected in many levels: the lift delivers another newbie, a girl, who is unconscious yet delivers an impending message of "change" and "doom".

"'Nice to meet ya, shank,' the boy said. 'Welcome to the Glade.'"I enjoyed readingThe Maze Runner (Maze Runner Trilogy (Hardback))during a lazy Sunday. It is a very easy read, recommended and fit for kids of all ages. Dystopian novels are hit-or-miss for me, and The Maze Runner is a hit. Not a homerun, but a hit nonetheless. I've seen it compared to "The Hunger Games," but not having read the Suzanne Collins series I cannot validate the comparison for the time being. Because the storyline captivated me enough to read it in one sitting, I gave it four stars instead of three.There were some "Lord of the Flies" undertones, although Dashner was obviously not as disillusioned with human nature as was Golding. An underlying theme is the conflicting impulses between civilization and power struggle, rules and anarchy, peace and discord. There were some hints of the infinite battle between conformity and individuality, between logical and emotional reactions, between morality and immorality, and how different people feel the influences of these.The book maintained a detailed and absorbing storyline that kept me interested. Dashner's writing style is clear and uncomplicated. The ideas and situations are unique and, at times, verge on magical simplicity (well, without the magic).A boy wakes up in the darkness, not knowing anything about himself except for his name, Thomas. He is in some sort of metal lift, ascending slowly with no idea where it is going, except up. When the lift stops and opens, Thomas is pulled up out of the metal box and into the Glade; a large square courtyard surrounded on all sides by extraordinarily high rock walls. Also surrounding him are about fifty boys no more than 19 years of age. Like Thomas, the gladers (as the boys refer to themselves) each came to the Glade in the very same manner. They have no memory of their former lives, and they do not understand their purpose in this current one.What they know is that every 30 days, a new boy arrives in the Glade through the same lift. They also know that every morning at sunrise the walls surrounding the Glade open onto an elaborate series of passages referred to as "the Maze", every night the walls close tight, and it is not a good idea to be stuck in the maze after the doors close. Thomas quickly realizes that the Maze is a dangerous place, a haven for horrifying creatures called the Grievers. Everyone has a role in the Glade hierarchy. Everyone spends their days and nights fulfilling their roles in the confines of the Glade. Everyone, except for an elite group of boys, the Maze Runners, who brave the perils outside the Glade and explore the Maze each day, running back before the walls close at night.Thomas learns that the boys have been living this life in the Glade for two years before his arrival. They believe that "the Creators" have condemned them here, and that solving the Maze will lead to the way out. Although the gladers had expected Thomas' arrival, what happens the very next day is unexpected in many levels: the lift delivers another newbie, a girl, who is unconscious yet delivers an impending message of "change" and "doom". The pace quickens, the Maze Runner is off and running, and we follow Thomas on his flight to figure out his past, his purpose in the Glade, and the way out of this place.

Although the gladers had expected Thomas' arrival, <hl> what happens <hl> the very next day is unexpected in many levels: the lift delivers another newbie, a girl, who is unconscious yet delivers an impending message of "change" and "doom".

"'Nice to meet ya, shank,' the boy said. 'Welcome to the Glade.'"I enjoyed readingThe Maze Runner (Maze Runner Trilogy (Hardback))during a lazy Sunday. It is a very easy read, recommended and fit for kids of all ages. Dystopian novels are hit-or-miss for me, and The Maze Runner is a hit. Not a homerun, but a hit nonetheless. I've seen it compared to "The Hunger Games," but not having read the Suzanne Collins series I cannot validate the comparison for the time being. Because the storyline captivated me enough to read it in one sitting, I gave it four stars instead of three.There were some "Lord of the Flies" undertones, although Dashner was obviously not as disillusioned with human nature as was Golding. An underlying theme is the conflicting impulses between civilization and power struggle, rules and anarchy, peace and discord. There were some hints of the infinite battle between conformity and individuality, between logical and emotional reactions, between morality and immorality, and how different people feel the influences of these.The book maintained a detailed and absorbing storyline that kept me interested. Dashner's writing style is clear and uncomplicated. The ideas and situations are unique and, at times, verge on magical simplicity (well, without the magic).A boy wakes up in the darkness, not knowing anything about himself except for his name, Thomas. He is in some sort of metal lift, ascending slowly with no idea where it is going, except up. When the lift stops and opens, Thomas is pulled up out of the metal box and into the Glade; a large square courtyard surrounded on all sides by extraordinarily high rock walls. Also surrounding him are about fifty boys no more than 19 years of age. Like Thomas, the gladers (as the boys refer to themselves) each came to the Glade in the very same manner. They have no memory of their former lives, and they do not understand their purpose in this current one.What they know is that every 30 days, a new boy arrives in the Glade through the same lift. They also know that every morning at sunrise the walls surrounding the Glade open onto an elaborate series of passages referred to as "the Maze", every night the walls close tight, and it is not a good idea to be stuck in the maze after the doors close. Thomas quickly realizes that the Maze is a dangerous place, a haven for horrifying creatures called the Grievers. Everyone has a role in the Glade hierarchy. Everyone spends their days and nights fulfilling their roles in the confines of the Glade. Everyone, except for an elite group of boys, the Maze Runners, who brave the perils outside the Glade and explore the Maze each day, running back before the walls close at night.Thomas learns that the boys have been living this life in the Glade for two years before his arrival. They believe that "the Creators" have condemned them here, and that solving the Maze will lead to the way out. Although the gladers had expected Thomas' arrival, <hl> what happens <hl> the very next day is unexpected in many levels: the lift delivers another newbie, a girl, who is unconscious yet delivers an impending message of "change" and "doom". The pace quickens, the Maze Runner is off and running, and we follow Thomas on his flight to figure out his past, his purpose in the Glade, and the way out of this place.

"'Nice to meet ya, shank,' the boy said. 'Welcome to the Glade.'"I enjoyed readingThe Maze Runner (Maze Runner Trilogy (Hardback))during a lazy Sunday. It is a very easy read, recommended and fit for kids of all ages. Dystopian novels are hit-or-miss for me, and The Maze Runner is a hit. Not a homerun, but a hit nonetheless. I've seen it compared to "The Hunger Games," but not having read the Suzanne Collins series I cannot validate the comparison for the time being. Because the storyline captivated me enough to read it in one sitting, I gave it four stars instead of three. There were some "Lord of the Flies" undertones, although Dashner was obviously not as disillusioned with human nature as was Golding. An underlying theme is the conflicting impulses between civilization and power struggle, rules and anarchy, peace and discord. There were some hints of the infinite battle between conformity and individuality, between logical and emotional reactions, between morality and immorality, and how different people feel the influences of these. The book maintained a detailed and absorbing storyline that kept me interested. Dashner's writing style is clear and uncomplicated. The ideas and situations are unique and, at times, verge on magical simplicity (well, without the magic).A boy wakes up in the darkness, not knowing anything about himself except for his name, Thomas. He is in some sort of metal lift, ascending slowly with no idea where it is going, except up. When the lift stops and opens, Thomas is pulled up out of the metal box and into the Glade; a large square courtyard surrounded on all sides by extraordinarily high rock walls. Also surrounding him are about fifty boys no more than 19 years of age. Like Thomas, the gladers (as the boys refer to themselves) each came to the Glade in the very same manner. They have no memory of their former lives, and they do not understand their purpose in this current one. What they know is that every 30 days, a new boy arrives in the Glade through the same lift. They also know that every morning at sunrise the walls surrounding the Glade open onto an elaborate series of passages referred to as "the Maze", every night the walls close tight, and it is not a good idea to be stuck in the maze after the doors close. Thomas quickly realizes that the Maze is a dangerous place, a haven for horrifying creatures called the Grievers. Everyone has a role in the Glade hierarchy. Everyone spends their days and nights fulfilling their roles in the confines of the Glade. Everyone, except for an elite group of boys, the Maze Runners, who brave the perils outside the Glade and explore the Maze each day, running back before the walls close at night. Thomas learns that the boys have been living this life in the Glade for two years before his arrival. They believe that "the Creators" have condemned them here, and that solving the Maze will lead to the way out. <hl> Although the gladers had expected Thomas' arrival, what happens the very next day is unexpected in many levels: the lift delivers another newbie, a girl, who is unconscious yet delivers an impending message of "change" and "doom". <hl> The pace quickens, the Maze Runner is off and running, and we follow Thomas on his flight to figure out his past, his purpose in the Glade, and the way out of this place.

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books

A mix between

question: What is the story like?, context: A mix between "Eyes Wide Shut", "National Treasure" and Oliver Stone's "JFK", Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code is an exciting novel wrapped in intrigue, suspense, and controversy.To criticize the book for offering one dimensional characters, silly plot twists, and predictable discoveries about conniving figures who we thought were good-guys would be disingenuous on my part, since I particularly enjoy entertaining stories without much depth. Curator Jacques Sauniere is murdered in the Louvre, and professor Robert Langdon, innocent yet the primary suspect, and cryptologist/granddaughter of the victim Sophie Neveu go on a wild adventure running separately from the cops, the tall limping albino Opus Dei monk who really committed the murder, and the secret "Teacher" orchestrating the crime, while at the same time trying to figure out the mystery behind the hidden secret Sauniere was killed for. We find out that Sauniere was part of a secret society, the Priory of Sion, that has and protects the true identity and nature of the Holy Grail. The Albino monk is Silas, a member of spooky Catholic organization Opus Dei, working for his mentor Archbishop Aringarosa and the unknown Teacher, to seek out the Grail for ad majorem dei gloriam. French police chief Bezu Fache seems too religious, and arouses suspicion about his motives in pursuing Langdon. Luckily, Langdon knows Sir Leigh Teabing, a prominent Grail scholar eager to help in their search, in the hopes of revealing the "truth" of the Grail to a world that has been denied it by the "evil" Church. But, would Sauniere really have wanted the truth revealed?It would be simple if this work of fiction were really just a lighthearted work of fiction. However, Brown offers a disclosure stating that certain parts of the book are true. Yes, he is sure to point out that, while the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei exist, the main characters who are members are fictional, and while pointing out that descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals are true, he never makes any claims about the historical theories put forth by the characters. Yet, it is these claims by the characters that have excited the popular imagination and must be confronted.Both Langdon and Teabing refer anachronistically to "the Vatican" when criticizing past historical actions of the Church. Whether or not the claims made about the Church are true, it is incorrect to refer to the actions of "the Vatican" in the 15th century, much less the 3rd and 4th century. Vatican Hill, the location in Rome where St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican City are located, has only in the last few centuries been the seat of Church governance. Before then, the Pope's home base (and still the official Cathedral Church of the diocese of Rome) was the Cathedral of St. John Lateran in Rome. The 4th century, the era most derided in the book, the Pope was not in practical terms "in charge" of the Church, and East and West were still more than half a millennium from splitting. The Catholic Church as we know today, and Teabing loves to bash, was not around then. There was a Catholic Church, but it included both West and East, Latin and Greek, unlike today, where it is just Latin and few Eastern Rite Churches.Teabing and Langdon's major theses involve the idea that the Holy Grail is not the chalice of the Last Supper, but the blood line of the children of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene, a 2000 year old secret that would shock the world. We learn in the book that the Priory of Sion heroically protects the secret by meeting and having "Eyes Wide Shut" style orgies. But, why keep this fact a secret? Why not tell the whole world that Mary Magdalene and our homeboy JC got...it...on? Then we can all have orgies.Book claim: "Constantine made Jesus divine." But you see, Teabing tells Sophie when Langdon and she seek refuge in his mansion, the Church has suppressed this truth. All the early Christian followers "knew" that Jesus was just a swell guy, descended from the royal blood of David who married Mary Magdalene of the royal line of Benjamin to make a super royal bloodline. But, Emperor Constantine ruined all the fun. He had the JC-MM marriage written out of the Bible, and decided to "make" Jesus divine at the Council of Nicea in 325, in what turned out to be a real close vote. Now, since Jesus is divine, no one can challenge the Christian religion of the Empire. A divine Jesus could not have a wife, so Mary Magdalene gets hush-hushed. From then on out, Christianity phased out the pagan practices of goddess worship, cut out the divine feminine, and the world started stinking.My rebuttal: Whether or not Jesus is divine is matter of faith. However, from a historical perspective, it is incorrect to claim that Constantine is the first to call Jesus divine. Since the time of Jesus, there have been many followers who have considered Jesus to be God, to be one with the Father. Yes, there also were followers, such as Arius, who placed Jesus as less than God, and the merits of the decision at Nicea is a much wider topic than a book review, but it is historically false to claim that there were not early Christians who believed in Christ's divinity. Also, the vote at Nicea was not close. It was an extreme majority that voted in favor of the Creed.Book claim: "Jesus married Mary Magdalene." It is claimed by Teabing and Langdon that Jesus must have married Mary Magdalene because he loved her, references to kisses he gave her in apocrophal (non-canonical) gospels, and the "fact" that all Jewish men married then.My rebuttal: However, in reality there is solid evidence against the view that Jesus married. NOT all Jewish men married. There was always a place for asceticism in Judaism. The Dead Sea Scrolls, just discovered at Nag Hammadi in 1945, were not early Christian texts, as mentioned in the DaVinci Code, but rather Jewish religious texts written by the Essenes, one group among a number of Jewish celibate ascetics, the equivalent of later Christian monks. While most Jewish men married, it was not unheard of for some to remain celibate. And, since marriage was looked highly upon, and all the great Jewish leaders from the Old Testament were married and had their wives mentioned, the only reason not to mention a wife of Jesus was that he probably did not have one. After all, at this time, it would have made Jesus look better to have been married. The only reason not to mention it is it is not true.Book claim: "Sex is sacred." We can see the true colors of the Priory of Sion, the defenders of the "truth" of the Grail, in Sophie's traumatizing experience that drove her from her grandfather. An orgy to show that sex is sacred? Actually, this is not a "new" idea. All of the ancient pagan religions believed that sex was divine, and many practiced ritualized sex. This is supposedly in contrast to the Church, which through the "fictional" story of Original Sin, has made sex dirty and shameful.My rebuttal: It is true that the Church does not consider sex to be divine. Unlike the straw-man that is set up to be torn down in the DaVinci Code, the Church also does not consider sex to be evil or dirty. Sex is a normal human activity. Not demonic or divine. It is good and a gift of God, but thoroughly human. And, frankly, whether one is someone who believes that sex is only for marriage or that sex is for any two (or more) consenting adults, I think we can all agree that it is kind of creepy and weird to call sex divine or sacred or religious. It does not cure cancer or make you fly or anything. It's sex. Even animals do it.Book claim: "No need to reveal the "truth" of the Holy Grail." Let's pretend for a second that there really was a big cover up, and the Church has kept the Priory of Sion, under threat, from revealing the truth, and that is why they have to keep the bloodline of Jesus and Mary Magdalene a secret, only meeting once in awhile to perform some, um, rituals. Teabing is secretly the Teacher orchestrating the murder of Sauniere and seeking out the Grail because he thinks the "truth" that JC and MM married should be shouted from the rooftops. Langdon hedges, because Sauniere, the Grand Master leader of the Sion's, did not want it told, and, as Langdon says, "if you and I could dig up documentation that contradicted holy stories of...belief, should we do that?" After all, "those who truly understand their faiths understand the stories are metaphorical," i.e. religious faith is based on fantasy, and it does not matter what one believes if it makes him feel good and he is nice to others. Plus, as we find out from Sophie's long lost grandmother who is not really dead like we earlier thought, the "truth" about Mary Magdalene and Jesus' marriage is found in art, historical objects, writings, phallic objects, and nature. Riiiiight. No reason to tell people the truth. We are the enlightened ones who have it.My rebuttal: Obviously, this is very patronizing. It conjures up images of the Grand Inquisitor who "knew" there was no God, but burned heretics to spare people the unbearable truth of a life without hope. If something is true, why not reveal it? And, the idea that the "important" truths are meant to be hidden and only known by the enlightened few is not Christianity, but Gnosticism. True Christianity is for everybody. Jesus did not come for just for the enlightened few. His message is for us all.If Jesus is just a man, and not divine, what is the point of worshipping him, or Mary Magdalene, or their "sacred" bloodline? The reason why Christians worship Jesus, and do not just revere him as a prophet like Moses or Muhammad, is because we believe him to be the God whose love is stronger than death, who offers us hope for new life after this one. And, far from disgracing Mary Magdalene's name, the Church honors her. Who but she is revered as the one who is definitively present at the empty tomb to witness the Risen Lord?

What is the story like?

A mix between "Eyes Wide Shut", "National Treasure" and Oliver Stone's "JFK", Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code is an exciting novel wrapped in intrigue, suspense, and controversy.

A mix between "Eyes Wide Shut", "National Treasure" and Oliver Stone's "JFK", Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code is an exciting novel wrapped in intrigue, suspense, and controversy.To criticize the book for offering one dimensional characters, silly plot twists, and predictable discoveries about conniving figures who we thought were good-guys would be disingenuous on my part, since I particularly enjoy entertaining stories without much depth. Curator Jacques Sauniere is murdered in the Louvre, and professor Robert Langdon, innocent yet the primary suspect, and cryptologist/granddaughter of the victim Sophie Neveu go on a wild adventure running separately from the cops, the tall limping albino Opus Dei monk who really committed the murder, and the secret "Teacher" orchestrating the crime, while at the same time trying to figure out the mystery behind the hidden secret Sauniere was killed for. We find out that Sauniere was part of a secret society, the Priory of Sion, that has and protects the true identity and nature of the Holy Grail. The Albino monk is Silas, a member of spooky Catholic organization Opus Dei, working for his mentor Archbishop Aringarosa and the unknown Teacher, to seek out the Grail for ad majorem dei gloriam. French police chief Bezu Fache seems too religious, and arouses suspicion about his motives in pursuing Langdon. Luckily, Langdon knows Sir Leigh Teabing, a prominent Grail scholar eager to help in their search, in the hopes of revealing the "truth" of the Grail to a world that has been denied it by the "evil" Church. But, would Sauniere really have wanted the truth revealed?It would be simple if this work of fiction were really just a lighthearted work of fiction. However, Brown offers a disclosure stating that certain parts of the book are true. Yes, he is sure to point out that, while the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei exist, the main characters who are members are fictional, and while pointing out that descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals are true, he never makes any claims about the historical theories put forth by the characters. Yet, it is these claims by the characters that have excited the popular imagination and must be confronted.Both Langdon and Teabing refer anachronistically to "the Vatican" when criticizing past historical actions of the Church. Whether or not the claims made about the Church are true, it is incorrect to refer to the actions of "the Vatican" in the 15th century, much less the 3rd and 4th century. Vatican Hill, the location in Rome where St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican City are located, has only in the last few centuries been the seat of Church governance. Before then, the Pope's home base (and still the official Cathedral Church of the diocese of Rome) was the Cathedral of St. John Lateran in Rome. The 4th century, the era most derided in the book, the Pope was not in practical terms "in charge" of the Church, and East and West were still more than half a millennium from splitting. The Catholic Church as we know today, and Teabing loves to bash, was not around then. There was a Catholic Church, but it included both West and East, Latin and Greek, unlike today, where it is just Latin and few Eastern Rite Churches.Teabing and Langdon's major theses involve the idea that the Holy Grail is not the chalice of the Last Supper, but the blood line of the children of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene, a 2000 year old secret that would shock the world. We learn in the book that the Priory of Sion heroically protects the secret by meeting and having "Eyes Wide Shut" style orgies. But, why keep this fact a secret? Why not tell the whole world that Mary Magdalene and our homeboy JC got...it...on? Then we can all have orgies.Book claim: "Constantine made Jesus divine." But you see, Teabing tells Sophie when Langdon and she seek refuge in his mansion, the Church has suppressed this truth. All the early Christian followers "knew" that Jesus was just a swell guy, descended from the royal blood of David who married Mary Magdalene of the royal line of Benjamin to make a super royal bloodline. But, Emperor Constantine ruined all the fun. He had the JC-MM marriage written out of the Bible, and decided to "make" Jesus divine at the Council of Nicea in 325, in what turned out to be a real close vote. Now, since Jesus is divine, no one can challenge the Christian religion of the Empire. A divine Jesus could not have a wife, so Mary Magdalene gets hush-hushed. From then on out, Christianity phased out the pagan practices of goddess worship, cut out the divine feminine, and the world started stinking.My rebuttal: Whether or not Jesus is divine is matter of faith. However, from a historical perspective, it is incorrect to claim that Constantine is the first to call Jesus divine. Since the time of Jesus, there have been many followers who have considered Jesus to be God, to be one with the Father. Yes, there also were followers, such as Arius, who placed Jesus as less than God, and the merits of the decision at Nicea is a much wider topic than a book review, but it is historically false to claim that there were not early Christians who believed in Christ's divinity. Also, the vote at Nicea was not close. It was an extreme majority that voted in favor of the Creed.Book claim: "Jesus married Mary Magdalene." It is claimed by Teabing and Langdon that Jesus must have married Mary Magdalene because he loved her, references to kisses he gave her in apocrophal (non-canonical) gospels, and the "fact" that all Jewish men married then.My rebuttal: However, in reality there is solid evidence against the view that Jesus married. NOT all Jewish men married. There was always a place for asceticism in Judaism. The Dead Sea Scrolls, just discovered at Nag Hammadi in 1945, were not early Christian texts, as mentioned in the DaVinci Code, but rather Jewish religious texts written by the Essenes, one group among a number of Jewish celibate ascetics, the equivalent of later Christian monks. While most Jewish men married, it was not unheard of for some to remain celibate. And, since marriage was looked highly upon, and all the great Jewish leaders from the Old Testament were married and had their wives mentioned, the only reason not to mention a wife of Jesus was that he probably did not have one. After all, at this time, it would have made Jesus look better to have been married. The only reason not to mention it is it is not true.Book claim: "Sex is sacred." We can see the true colors of the Priory of Sion, the defenders of the "truth" of the Grail, in Sophie's traumatizing experience that drove her from her grandfather. An orgy to show that sex is sacred? Actually, this is not a "new" idea. All of the ancient pagan religions believed that sex was divine, and many practiced ritualized sex. This is supposedly in contrast to the Church, which through the "fictional" story of Original Sin, has made sex dirty and shameful.My rebuttal: It is true that the Church does not consider sex to be divine. Unlike the straw-man that is set up to be torn down in the DaVinci Code, the Church also does not consider sex to be evil or dirty. Sex is a normal human activity. Not demonic or divine. It is good and a gift of God, but thoroughly human. And, frankly, whether one is someone who believes that sex is only for marriage or that sex is for any two (or more) consenting adults, I think we can all agree that it is kind of creepy and weird to call sex divine or sacred or religious. It does not cure cancer or make you fly or anything. It's sex. Even animals do it.Book claim: "No need to reveal the "truth" of the Holy Grail." Let's pretend for a second that there really was a big cover up, and the Church has kept the Priory of Sion, under threat, from revealing the truth, and that is why they have to keep the bloodline of Jesus and Mary Magdalene a secret, only meeting once in awhile to perform some, um, rituals. Teabing is secretly the Teacher orchestrating the murder of Sauniere and seeking out the Grail because he thinks the "truth" that JC and MM married should be shouted from the rooftops. Langdon hedges, because Sauniere, the Grand Master leader of the Sion's, did not want it told, and, as Langdon says, "if you and I could dig up documentation that contradicted holy stories of...belief, should we do that?" After all, "those who truly understand their faiths understand the stories are metaphorical," i.e. religious faith is based on fantasy, and it does not matter what one believes if it makes him feel good and he is nice to others. Plus, as we find out from Sophie's long lost grandmother who is not really dead like we earlier thought, the "truth" about Mary Magdalene and Jesus' marriage is found in art, historical objects, writings, phallic objects, and nature. Riiiiight. No reason to tell people the truth. We are the enlightened ones who have it.My rebuttal: Obviously, this is very patronizing. It conjures up images of the Grand Inquisitor who "knew" there was no God, but burned heretics to spare people the unbearable truth of a life without hope. If something is true, why not reveal it? And, the idea that the "important" truths are meant to be hidden and only known by the enlightened few is not Christianity, but Gnosticism. True Christianity is for everybody. Jesus did not come for just for the enlightened few. His message is for us all.If Jesus is just a man, and not divine, what is the point of worshipping him, or Mary Magdalene, or their "sacred" bloodline? The reason why Christians worship Jesus, and do not just revere him as a prophet like Moses or Muhammad, is because we believe him to be the God whose love is stronger than death, who offers us hope for new life after this one. And, far from disgracing Mary Magdalene's name, the Church honors her. Who but she is revered as the one who is definitively present at the empty tomb to witness the Risen Lord?

<hl> A mix between <hl> "Eyes Wide Shut", "National Treasure" and Oliver Stone's "JFK", Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code is an exciting novel wrapped in intrigue, suspense, and controversy.

<hl> A mix between <hl> "Eyes Wide Shut", "National Treasure" and Oliver Stone's "JFK", Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code is an exciting novel wrapped in intrigue, suspense, and controversy.To criticize the book for offering one dimensional characters, silly plot twists, and predictable discoveries about conniving figures who we thought were good-guys would be disingenuous on my part, since I particularly enjoy entertaining stories without much depth. Curator Jacques Sauniere is murdered in the Louvre, and professor Robert Langdon, innocent yet the primary suspect, and cryptologist/granddaughter of the victim Sophie Neveu go on a wild adventure running separately from the cops, the tall limping albino Opus Dei monk who really committed the murder, and the secret "Teacher" orchestrating the crime, while at the same time trying to figure out the mystery behind the hidden secret Sauniere was killed for. We find out that Sauniere was part of a secret society, the Priory of Sion, that has and protects the true identity and nature of the Holy Grail. The Albino monk is Silas, a member of spooky Catholic organization Opus Dei, working for his mentor Archbishop Aringarosa and the unknown Teacher, to seek out the Grail for ad majorem dei gloriam. French police chief Bezu Fache seems too religious, and arouses suspicion about his motives in pursuing Langdon. Luckily, Langdon knows Sir Leigh Teabing, a prominent Grail scholar eager to help in their search, in the hopes of revealing the "truth" of the Grail to a world that has been denied it by the "evil" Church. But, would Sauniere really have wanted the truth revealed?It would be simple if this work of fiction were really just a lighthearted work of fiction. However, Brown offers a disclosure stating that certain parts of the book are true. Yes, he is sure to point out that, while the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei exist, the main characters who are members are fictional, and while pointing out that descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals are true, he never makes any claims about the historical theories put forth by the characters. Yet, it is these claims by the characters that have excited the popular imagination and must be confronted.Both Langdon and Teabing refer anachronistically to "the Vatican" when criticizing past historical actions of the Church. Whether or not the claims made about the Church are true, it is incorrect to refer to the actions of "the Vatican" in the 15th century, much less the 3rd and 4th century. Vatican Hill, the location in Rome where St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican City are located, has only in the last few centuries been the seat of Church governance. Before then, the Pope's home base (and still the official Cathedral Church of the diocese of Rome) was the Cathedral of St. John Lateran in Rome. The 4th century, the era most derided in the book, the Pope was not in practical terms "in charge" of the Church, and East and West were still more than half a millennium from splitting. The Catholic Church as we know today, and Teabing loves to bash, was not around then. There was a Catholic Church, but it included both West and East, Latin and Greek, unlike today, where it is just Latin and few Eastern Rite Churches.Teabing and Langdon's major theses involve the idea that the Holy Grail is not the chalice of the Last Supper, but the blood line of the children of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene, a 2000 year old secret that would shock the world. We learn in the book that the Priory of Sion heroically protects the secret by meeting and having "Eyes Wide Shut" style orgies. But, why keep this fact a secret? Why not tell the whole world that Mary Magdalene and our homeboy JC got...it...on? Then we can all have orgies.Book claim: "Constantine made Jesus divine." But you see, Teabing tells Sophie when Langdon and she seek refuge in his mansion, the Church has suppressed this truth. All the early Christian followers "knew" that Jesus was just a swell guy, descended from the royal blood of David who married Mary Magdalene of the royal line of Benjamin to make a super royal bloodline. But, Emperor Constantine ruined all the fun. He had the JC-MM marriage written out of the Bible, and decided to "make" Jesus divine at the Council of Nicea in 325, in what turned out to be a real close vote. Now, since Jesus is divine, no one can challenge the Christian religion of the Empire. A divine Jesus could not have a wife, so Mary Magdalene gets hush-hushed. From then on out, Christianity phased out the pagan practices of goddess worship, cut out the divine feminine, and the world started stinking.My rebuttal: Whether or not Jesus is divine is matter of faith. However, from a historical perspective, it is incorrect to claim that Constantine is the first to call Jesus divine. Since the time of Jesus, there have been many followers who have considered Jesus to be God, to be one with the Father. Yes, there also were followers, such as Arius, who placed Jesus as less than God, and the merits of the decision at Nicea is a much wider topic than a book review, but it is historically false to claim that there were not early Christians who believed in Christ's divinity. Also, the vote at Nicea was not close. It was an extreme majority that voted in favor of the Creed.Book claim: "Jesus married Mary Magdalene." It is claimed by Teabing and Langdon that Jesus must have married Mary Magdalene because he loved her, references to kisses he gave her in apocrophal (non-canonical) gospels, and the "fact" that all Jewish men married then.My rebuttal: However, in reality there is solid evidence against the view that Jesus married. NOT all Jewish men married. There was always a place for asceticism in Judaism. The Dead Sea Scrolls, just discovered at Nag Hammadi in 1945, were not early Christian texts, as mentioned in the DaVinci Code, but rather Jewish religious texts written by the Essenes, one group among a number of Jewish celibate ascetics, the equivalent of later Christian monks. While most Jewish men married, it was not unheard of for some to remain celibate. And, since marriage was looked highly upon, and all the great Jewish leaders from the Old Testament were married and had their wives mentioned, the only reason not to mention a wife of Jesus was that he probably did not have one. After all, at this time, it would have made Jesus look better to have been married. The only reason not to mention it is it is not true.Book claim: "Sex is sacred." We can see the true colors of the Priory of Sion, the defenders of the "truth" of the Grail, in Sophie's traumatizing experience that drove her from her grandfather. An orgy to show that sex is sacred? Actually, this is not a "new" idea. All of the ancient pagan religions believed that sex was divine, and many practiced ritualized sex. This is supposedly in contrast to the Church, which through the "fictional" story of Original Sin, has made sex dirty and shameful.My rebuttal: It is true that the Church does not consider sex to be divine. Unlike the straw-man that is set up to be torn down in the DaVinci Code, the Church also does not consider sex to be evil or dirty. Sex is a normal human activity. Not demonic or divine. It is good and a gift of God, but thoroughly human. And, frankly, whether one is someone who believes that sex is only for marriage or that sex is for any two (or more) consenting adults, I think we can all agree that it is kind of creepy and weird to call sex divine or sacred or religious. It does not cure cancer or make you fly or anything. It's sex. Even animals do it.Book claim: "No need to reveal the "truth" of the Holy Grail." Let's pretend for a second that there really was a big cover up, and the Church has kept the Priory of Sion, under threat, from revealing the truth, and that is why they have to keep the bloodline of Jesus and Mary Magdalene a secret, only meeting once in awhile to perform some, um, rituals. Teabing is secretly the Teacher orchestrating the murder of Sauniere and seeking out the Grail because he thinks the "truth" that JC and MM married should be shouted from the rooftops. Langdon hedges, because Sauniere, the Grand Master leader of the Sion's, did not want it told, and, as Langdon says, "if you and I could dig up documentation that contradicted holy stories of...belief, should we do that?" After all, "those who truly understand their faiths understand the stories are metaphorical," i.e. religious faith is based on fantasy, and it does not matter what one believes if it makes him feel good and he is nice to others. Plus, as we find out from Sophie's long lost grandmother who is not really dead like we earlier thought, the "truth" about Mary Magdalene and Jesus' marriage is found in art, historical objects, writings, phallic objects, and nature. Riiiiight. No reason to tell people the truth. We are the enlightened ones who have it.My rebuttal: Obviously, this is very patronizing. It conjures up images of the Grand Inquisitor who "knew" there was no God, but burned heretics to spare people the unbearable truth of a life without hope. If something is true, why not reveal it? And, the idea that the "important" truths are meant to be hidden and only known by the enlightened few is not Christianity, but Gnosticism. True Christianity is for everybody. Jesus did not come for just for the enlightened few. His message is for us all.If Jesus is just a man, and not divine, what is the point of worshipping him, or Mary Magdalene, or their "sacred" bloodline? The reason why Christians worship Jesus, and do not just revere him as a prophet like Moses or Muhammad, is because we believe him to be the God whose love is stronger than death, who offers us hope for new life after this one. And, far from disgracing Mary Magdalene's name, the Church honors her. Who but she is revered as the one who is definitively present at the empty tomb to witness the Risen Lord?

<hl> A mix between "Eyes Wide Shut", "National Treasure" and Oliver Stone's "JFK", Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code is an exciting novel wrapped in intrigue, suspense, and controversy. <hl> To criticize the book for offering one dimensional characters, silly plot twists, and predictable discoveries about conniving figures who we thought were good-guys would be disingenuous on my part, since I particularly enjoy entertaining stories without much depth. Curator Jacques Sauniere is murdered in the Louvre, and professor Robert Langdon, innocent yet the primary suspect, and cryptologist/granddaughter of the victim Sophie Neveu go on a wild adventure running separately from the cops, the tall limping albino Opus Dei monk who really committed the murder, and the secret "Teacher" orchestrating the crime, while at the same time trying to figure out the mystery behind the hidden secret Sauniere was killed for. We find out that Sauniere was part of a secret society, the Priory of Sion, that has and protects the true identity and nature of the Holy Grail. The Albino monk is Silas, a member of spooky Catholic organization Opus Dei, working for his mentor Archbishop Aringarosa and the unknown Teacher, to seek out the Grail for ad majorem dei gloriam. French police chief Bezu Fache seems too religious, and arouses suspicion about his motives in pursuing Langdon. Luckily, Langdon knows Sir Leigh Teabing, a prominent Grail scholar eager to help in their search, in the hopes of revealing the "truth" of the Grail to a world that has been denied it by the "evil" Church. But, would Sauniere really have wanted the truth revealed?It would be simple if this work of fiction were really just a lighthearted work of fiction. However, Brown offers a disclosure stating that certain parts of the book are true. Yes, he is sure to point out that, while the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei exist, the main characters who are members are fictional, and while pointing out that descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals are true, he never makes any claims about the historical theories put forth by the characters. Yet, it is these claims by the characters that have excited the popular imagination and must be confronted. Both Langdon and Teabing refer anachronistically to "the Vatican" when criticizing past historical actions of the Church. Whether or not the claims made about the Church are true, it is incorrect to refer to the actions of "the Vatican" in the 15th century, much less the 3rd and 4th century. Vatican Hill, the location in Rome where St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican City are located, has only in the last few centuries been the seat of Church governance. Before then, the Pope's home base (and still the official Cathedral Church of the diocese of Rome) was the Cathedral of St. John Lateran in Rome. The 4th century, the era most derided in the book, the Pope was not in practical terms "in charge" of the Church, and East and West were still more than half a millennium from splitting. The Catholic Church as we know today, and Teabing loves to bash, was not around then. There was a Catholic Church, but it included both West and East, Latin and Greek, unlike today, where it is just Latin and few Eastern Rite Churches. Teabing and Langdon's major theses involve the idea that the Holy Grail is not the chalice of the Last Supper, but the blood line of the children of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene, a 2000 year old secret that would shock the world. We learn in the book that the Priory of Sion heroically protects the secret by meeting and having "Eyes Wide Shut" style orgies. But, why keep this fact a secret? Why not tell the whole world that Mary Magdalene and our homeboy JC got...it...on? Then we can all have orgies. Book claim: "Constantine made Jesus divine." But you see, Teabing tells Sophie when Langdon and she seek refuge in his mansion, the Church has suppressed this truth. All the early Christian followers "knew" that Jesus was just a swell guy, descended from the royal blood of David who married Mary Magdalene of the royal line of Benjamin to make a super royal bloodline. But, Emperor Constantine ruined all the fun. He had the JC-MM marriage written out of the Bible, and decided to "make" Jesus divine at the Council of Nicea in 325, in what turned out to be a real close vote. Now, since Jesus is divine, no one can challenge the Christian religion of the Empire. A divine Jesus could not have a wife, so Mary Magdalene gets hush-hushed. From then on out, Christianity phased out the pagan practices of goddess worship, cut out the divine feminine, and the world started stinking. My rebuttal: Whether or not Jesus is divine is matter of faith. However, from a historical perspective, it is incorrect to claim that Constantine is the first to call Jesus divine. Since the time of Jesus, there have been many followers who have considered Jesus to be God, to be one with the Father. Yes, there also were followers, such as Arius, who placed Jesus as less than God, and the merits of the decision at Nicea is a much wider topic than a book review, but it is historically false to claim that there were not early Christians who believed in Christ's divinity. Also, the vote at Nicea was not close. It was an extreme majority that voted in favor of the Creed. Book claim: "Jesus married Mary Magdalene." It is claimed by Teabing and Langdon that Jesus must have married Mary Magdalene because he loved her, references to kisses he gave her in apocrophal (non-canonical) gospels, and the "fact" that all Jewish men married then. My rebuttal: However, in reality there is solid evidence against the view that Jesus married. NOT all Jewish men married. There was always a place for asceticism in Judaism. The Dead Sea Scrolls, just discovered at Nag Hammadi in 1945, were not early Christian texts, as mentioned in the DaVinci Code, but rather Jewish religious texts written by the Essenes, one group among a number of Jewish celibate ascetics, the equivalent of later Christian monks. While most Jewish men married, it was not unheard of for some to remain celibate. And, since marriage was looked highly upon, and all the great Jewish leaders from the Old Testament were married and had their wives mentioned, the only reason not to mention a wife of Jesus was that he probably did not have one. After all, at this time, it would have made Jesus look better to have been married. The only reason not to mention it is it is not true. Book claim: "Sex is sacred." We can see the true colors of the Priory of Sion, the defenders of the "truth" of the Grail, in Sophie's traumatizing experience that drove her from her grandfather. An orgy to show that sex is sacred? Actually, this is not a "new" idea. All of the ancient pagan religions believed that sex was divine, and many practiced ritualized sex. This is supposedly in contrast to the Church, which through the "fictional" story of Original Sin, has made sex dirty and shameful. My rebuttal: It is true that the Church does not consider sex to be divine. Unlike the straw-man that is set up to be torn down in the DaVinci Code, the Church also does not consider sex to be evil or dirty. Sex is a normal human activity. Not demonic or divine. It is good and a gift of God, but thoroughly human. And, frankly, whether one is someone who believes that sex is only for marriage or that sex is for any two (or more) consenting adults, I think we can all agree that it is kind of creepy and weird to call sex divine or sacred or religious. It does not cure cancer or make you fly or anything. It's sex. Even animals do it. Book claim: "No need to reveal the "truth" of the Holy Grail." Let's pretend for a second that there really was a big cover up, and the Church has kept the Priory of Sion, under threat, from revealing the truth, and that is why they have to keep the bloodline of Jesus and Mary Magdalene a secret, only meeting once in awhile to perform some, um, rituals. Teabing is secretly the Teacher orchestrating the murder of Sauniere and seeking out the Grail because he thinks the "truth" that JC and MM married should be shouted from the rooftops. Langdon hedges, because Sauniere, the Grand Master leader of the Sion's, did not want it told, and, as Langdon says, "if you and I could dig up documentation that contradicted holy stories of...belief, should we do that?" After all, "those who truly understand their faiths understand the stories are metaphorical," i.e. religious faith is based on fantasy, and it does not matter what one believes if it makes him feel good and he is nice to others. Plus, as we find out from Sophie's long lost grandmother who is not really dead like we earlier thought, the "truth" about Mary Magdalene and Jesus' marriage is found in art, historical objects, writings, phallic objects, and nature. Riiiiight. No reason to tell people the truth. We are the enlightened ones who have it. My rebuttal: Obviously, this is very patronizing. It conjures up images of the Grand Inquisitor who "knew" there was no God, but burned heretics to spare people the unbearable truth of a life without hope. If something is true, why not reveal it? And, the idea that the "important" truths are meant to be hidden and only known by the enlightened few is not Christianity, but Gnosticism. True Christianity is for everybody. Jesus did not come for just for the enlightened few. His message is for us all. If Jesus is just a man, and not divine, what is the point of worshipping him, or Mary Magdalene, or their "sacred" bloodline? The reason why Christians worship Jesus, and do not just revere him as a prophet like Moses or Muhammad, is because we believe him to be the God whose love is stronger than death, who offers us hope for new life after this one. And, far from disgracing Mary Magdalene's name, the Church honors her. Who but she is revered as the one who is definitively present at the empty tomb to witness the Risen Lord?

a069c4af55695c0f2348a718701f39a6

books

quite lyrical and achingly beautiful

question: What do you think about imagery?, context: I want to recommend a book I just finished reading. The Book Thief is a very wonderfully written & touching story. It's not a new book (2006) but I just recently ran across it. I decided to read it because I've never seen a book that's been on the New York Times Bestseller List for over 230 weeks.From the write up on it you wouldn't think this is a beautifully written book ("Narrated by Death" - yikes!) but Zusak's writing style is quite lyrical and achingly beautiful in some passages... "At those times, in the enormous mileage of sleep, she had never felt so completely alone." ... `the enormous mileage of sleep'... I like that.I highly recommend this book!

What do you think about imagery?

but Zusak's writing style is quite lyrical and achingly beautiful in some passages...

I want to recommend a book I just finished reading. The Book Thief is a very wonderfully written & touching story. It's not a new book (2006) but I just recently ran across it. I decided to read it because I've never seen a book that's been on the New York Times Bestseller List for over 230 weeks.From the write up on it you wouldn't think this is a beautifully written book ("Narrated by Death" - yikes!) but Zusak's writing style is quite lyrical and achingly beautiful in some passages... "At those times, in the enormous mileage of sleep, she had never felt so completely alone." ... `the enormous mileage of sleep'... I like that.I highly recommend this book!

but Zusak's writing style is <hl> quite lyrical and achingly beautiful <hl> in some passages...

I want to recommend a book I just finished reading. The Book Thief is a very wonderfully written & touching story. It's not a new book (2006) but I just recently ran across it. I decided to read it because I've never seen a book that's been on the New York Times Bestseller List for over 230 weeks.From the write up on it you wouldn't think this is a beautifully written book ("Narrated by Death" - yikes!) but Zusak's writing style is <hl> quite lyrical and achingly beautiful <hl> in some passages... "At those times, in the enormous mileage of sleep, she had never felt so completely alone." ... `the enormous mileage of sleep'... I like that.I highly recommend this book!

I want to recommend a book I just finished reading. The Book Thief is a very wonderfully written & touching story. It's not a new book (2006) but I just recently ran across it. I decided to read it because I've never seen a book that's been on the New York Times Bestseller List for over 230 weeks. From the write up on it you wouldn't think this is a beautifully written book ("Narrated by Death" - yikes!) <hl> but Zusak's writing style is quite lyrical and achingly beautiful in some passages... <hl> "At those times, in the enormous mileage of sleep, she had never felt so completely alone." ... `the enormous mileage of sleep'... I like that. I highly recommend this book!

180b9f32c0a20ab60986ebb3f59a3b06

books

the writing itself was a huge problem

question: What is write?, context: While I've been known to exaggerate on occasion, I promise you I'm being completely serious when I say Breaking Dawn is the worst book I have ever read. The writing was atrocious, there was no drama and/or real conflict, and Meyer broke her own rules. Repeatedly.Let's begin, shall we?First, the writing itself was a huge problem. It's nearly impossible for me to believe Meyer was an English major in college. Maybe she was technically a literature major, but either way, she should have been exposed to enough decent writing to know how to produce it herself. And if she couldln't produce it from her own head, she probably had enough references to replicate it. Instead, Breaking Dawn reads like a terrible fanfiction. Meyer tends to overuse adjectives and adverbs, but does so in the least descriptive way possible. How did Bella look on her wedding day? I couldn't tell you, since Meyer never bothered to describe her dress other than to say it was satin-y. And how about the rest of the wedding ceremony? There were flowers "everywhere" and everyone looked "amazing." Thanks. I can totally picture that.Bella is also the ultimate Mary Sue, which doesn't help Meyer's writing skills in my eyes. Bella is SO PERFECT. Everyone LOVES HER. Meyer's lame attempts to make Bella relatable by making her clumsy fall flat (pun intended), because the other characters think injury-prone Bella is adorable. Will Charlie object to Bella Sue getting married at 18? Of course not! Will Bella Sue become the most graceful vampire ever, even though she was the world's clumsiest person? You bet! Bella gets everything she wants in Breaking Dawn and sacrifices nothing.There was also a conspicuous lack of drama and conflict in what should have been an epic conclusion to a series. As I mentioned above, Bella had no problem convincing Charlie that marrying Edward was the right decision. I was expecting more of an objection from the ol' sheriff. Denied. Jacob does make a small attempt to talk Bella out of turning into a vampire, but what could have been another interesting conversation is brushed aside by Bella. Why would she miss anybody she knew as a human? She'll be with her beloved Edward for all eternity; that's all she needs.The sexy-time was also lacking. I'm not much of a smut fan, but I was hoping for more than a cheezy "fade to black" when Edward and Bella finally do the deed. After three books of anticipation and denial, Meyer doesn't have the balls to give us more than Bella walking toward Edward in the water. Seriously, Meyer? You can show Bella vomiting "a fountain of blood" but kissing before sex is too shocking? Nothing interesting here, folks.There is also the issue of Bella's pregnancy. Nowhere in the previous three books, and I mean NOWHERE, did Bella mention a desire to be a mother. But as soon as Edward gets his vampire sperm inside her, she decides that motherhood is the most important thing on Earth. (Inconsistent much, Meyer? Another sign of bad writing!) I was expecting Bella to freak out, get angry at Edward, and blame him for ruining her life when she thought she could never get pregnant! But instead, Bella is inexplicably calm and instantly bonds with her "little nudger." Again, any drama that could have been just melted like an ice cube in Death Valley. The plot floats along...The previously mentioned "fountain of blood" happens when Bella goes into labor. To make a long and rather gruesome story short, the baby almost kills Bella, and would have, had Edward not turned Bella into a vampire. Bella lays on a table for a couple of days until the venom stops her heart. She's dead! Let the crazed baby vampire gather her bearings! She's dangerous right now! Right? Wrong. Bella Sue is the perfect vampire, so graceful and strong. She requires almost no adjustment time, even though Meyer told us in previous books that new vampires are totally out of control. Again, all conflict nipped in the bud.This leads us to Meyer breaking her own rules. Bella is totally in control of herself as a new vampire even though, according to Meyer's own words, it's totally normal and EXPECTED to have a lenghty adjustment period. Jasper struggled for years, but Bella gets the hang of things in a day. Of course. Meyer breaks the rules so Bella Sue can have her perfect life.Meyer also gets into a sticky situation with Bella's pregnancy. According to Meyer, speaking through (I believe) Carlisle, vampires don't have any liquid in their bodies except for their venom. Last time I checked, sperm isn't venomous. Getting Bella pregnant should have been impossible if Meyer followed her own rules! That entire plot device (which only served to give Jacob something to imprint on) was an amateurish cop out that I would expect to find in fanfiction, not a novel written by an adult with a college degree.Oh yeah, they named the baby Renesmee. Vomit.And then Jacob imprints on it. Double vomit.Allow me to backtrack for a second. I forgot to mention another scene that should have been exciting but wasn't: the confrontation with the Volturi. Yep, the leaders are back and they want to kill the Cullens for making an "immortal child." Finally, some action! The Cullens invite some vampire friends to gather at their house and fight the Volturi, which should be the epic conflict we've all been waiting for! Except it most definitely is not. It turns out that Bella has a shield she controls with her mind. All the does is put the sheild around everybody and they're impervious to weapons. The Volturi stand around and talk for a while and then... leave.Breaking Dawn was a letdown in every sense. Meyer's writing didn't improve (it got worse, actually), there wasn't any tension or action, and a lot of the rules established in the first three books got thrown out the window.Avoid this book at all costs.(Note: Don't be fooled by the high number of five-star reviews; a lot of them are two sentences long and say things like, "BELLA AND EDWARD ARE IN LOVE!!!!1!11one" They may very well be, but that doesn't make it a good book.)

What is write?

Let's begin, shall we?First, the writing itself was a huge problem .

While I've been known to exaggerate on occasion, I promise you I'm being completely serious when I say Breaking Dawn is the worst book I have ever read. The writing was atrocious, there was no drama and/or real conflict, and Meyer broke her own rules. Repeatedly.Let's begin, shall we?First, the writing itself was a huge problem. It's nearly impossible for me to believe Meyer was an English major in college. Maybe she was technically a literature major, but either way, she should have been exposed to enough decent writing to know how to produce it herself. And if she couldln't produce it from her own head, she probably had enough references to replicate it. Instead, Breaking Dawn reads like a terrible fanfiction. Meyer tends to overuse adjectives and adverbs, but does so in the least descriptive way possible. How did Bella look on her wedding day? I couldn't tell you, since Meyer never bothered to describe her dress other than to say it was satin-y. And how about the rest of the wedding ceremony? There were flowers "everywhere" and everyone looked "amazing." Thanks. I can totally picture that.Bella is also the ultimate Mary Sue, which doesn't help Meyer's writing skills in my eyes. Bella is SO PERFECT. Everyone LOVES HER. Meyer's lame attempts to make Bella relatable by making her clumsy fall flat (pun intended), because the other characters think injury-prone Bella is adorable. Will Charlie object to Bella Sue getting married at 18? Of course not! Will Bella Sue become the most graceful vampire ever, even though she was the world's clumsiest person? You bet! Bella gets everything she wants in Breaking Dawn and sacrifices nothing.There was also a conspicuous lack of drama and conflict in what should have been an epic conclusion to a series. As I mentioned above, Bella had no problem convincing Charlie that marrying Edward was the right decision. I was expecting more of an objection from the ol' sheriff. Denied. Jacob does make a small attempt to talk Bella out of turning into a vampire, but what could have been another interesting conversation is brushed aside by Bella. Why would she miss anybody she knew as a human? She'll be with her beloved Edward for all eternity; that's all she needs.The sexy-time was also lacking. I'm not much of a smut fan, but I was hoping for more than a cheezy "fade to black" when Edward and Bella finally do the deed. After three books of anticipation and denial, Meyer doesn't have the balls to give us more than Bella walking toward Edward in the water. Seriously, Meyer? You can show Bella vomiting "a fountain of blood" but kissing before sex is too shocking? Nothing interesting here, folks.There is also the issue of Bella's pregnancy. Nowhere in the previous three books, and I mean NOWHERE, did Bella mention a desire to be a mother. But as soon as Edward gets his vampire sperm inside her, she decides that motherhood is the most important thing on Earth. (Inconsistent much, Meyer? Another sign of bad writing!) I was expecting Bella to freak out, get angry at Edward, and blame him for ruining her life when she thought she could never get pregnant! But instead, Bella is inexplicably calm and instantly bonds with her "little nudger." Again, any drama that could have been just melted like an ice cube in Death Valley. The plot floats along...The previously mentioned "fountain of blood" happens when Bella goes into labor. To make a long and rather gruesome story short, the baby almost kills Bella, and would have, had Edward not turned Bella into a vampire. Bella lays on a table for a couple of days until the venom stops her heart. She's dead! Let the crazed baby vampire gather her bearings! She's dangerous right now! Right? Wrong. Bella Sue is the perfect vampire, so graceful and strong. She requires almost no adjustment time, even though Meyer told us in previous books that new vampires are totally out of control. Again, all conflict nipped in the bud.This leads us to Meyer breaking her own rules. Bella is totally in control of herself as a new vampire even though, according to Meyer's own words, it's totally normal and EXPECTED to have a lenghty adjustment period. Jasper struggled for years, but Bella gets the hang of things in a day. Of course. Meyer breaks the rules so Bella Sue can have her perfect life.Meyer also gets into a sticky situation with Bella's pregnancy. According to Meyer, speaking through (I believe) Carlisle, vampires don't have any liquid in their bodies except for their venom. Last time I checked, sperm isn't venomous. Getting Bella pregnant should have been impossible if Meyer followed her own rules! That entire plot device (which only served to give Jacob something to imprint on) was an amateurish cop out that I would expect to find in fanfiction, not a novel written by an adult with a college degree.Oh yeah, they named the baby Renesmee. Vomit.And then Jacob imprints on it. Double vomit.Allow me to backtrack for a second. I forgot to mention another scene that should have been exciting but wasn't: the confrontation with the Volturi. Yep, the leaders are back and they want to kill the Cullens for making an "immortal child." Finally, some action! The Cullens invite some vampire friends to gather at their house and fight the Volturi, which should be the epic conflict we've all been waiting for! Except it most definitely is not. It turns out that Bella has a shield she controls with her mind. All the does is put the sheild around everybody and they're impervious to weapons. The Volturi stand around and talk for a while and then... leave.Breaking Dawn was a letdown in every sense. Meyer's writing didn't improve (it got worse, actually), there wasn't any tension or action, and a lot of the rules established in the first three books got thrown out the window.Avoid this book at all costs.(Note: Don't be fooled by the high number of five-star reviews; a lot of them are two sentences long and say things like, "BELLA AND EDWARD ARE IN LOVE!!!!1!11one" They may very well be, but that doesn't make it a good book.)

Let's begin, shall we?First, <hl> the writing itself was a huge problem <hl> .

While I've been known to exaggerate on occasion, I promise you I'm being completely serious when I say Breaking Dawn is the worst book I have ever read. The writing was atrocious, there was no drama and/or real conflict, and Meyer broke her own rules. Repeatedly.Let's begin, shall we?First, <hl> the writing itself was a huge problem <hl>. It's nearly impossible for me to believe Meyer was an English major in college. Maybe she was technically a literature major, but either way, she should have been exposed to enough decent writing to know how to produce it herself. And if she couldln't produce it from her own head, she probably had enough references to replicate it. Instead, Breaking Dawn reads like a terrible fanfiction. Meyer tends to overuse adjectives and adverbs, but does so in the least descriptive way possible. How did Bella look on her wedding day? I couldn't tell you, since Meyer never bothered to describe her dress other than to say it was satin-y. And how about the rest of the wedding ceremony? There were flowers "everywhere" and everyone looked "amazing." Thanks. I can totally picture that.Bella is also the ultimate Mary Sue, which doesn't help Meyer's writing skills in my eyes. Bella is SO PERFECT. Everyone LOVES HER. Meyer's lame attempts to make Bella relatable by making her clumsy fall flat (pun intended), because the other characters think injury-prone Bella is adorable. Will Charlie object to Bella Sue getting married at 18? Of course not! Will Bella Sue become the most graceful vampire ever, even though she was the world's clumsiest person? You bet! Bella gets everything she wants in Breaking Dawn and sacrifices nothing.There was also a conspicuous lack of drama and conflict in what should have been an epic conclusion to a series. As I mentioned above, Bella had no problem convincing Charlie that marrying Edward was the right decision. I was expecting more of an objection from the ol' sheriff. Denied. Jacob does make a small attempt to talk Bella out of turning into a vampire, but what could have been another interesting conversation is brushed aside by Bella. Why would she miss anybody she knew as a human? She'll be with her beloved Edward for all eternity; that's all she needs.The sexy-time was also lacking. I'm not much of a smut fan, but I was hoping for more than a cheezy "fade to black" when Edward and Bella finally do the deed. After three books of anticipation and denial, Meyer doesn't have the balls to give us more than Bella walking toward Edward in the water. Seriously, Meyer? You can show Bella vomiting "a fountain of blood" but kissing before sex is too shocking? Nothing interesting here, folks.There is also the issue of Bella's pregnancy. Nowhere in the previous three books, and I mean NOWHERE, did Bella mention a desire to be a mother. But as soon as Edward gets his vampire sperm inside her, she decides that motherhood is the most important thing on Earth. (Inconsistent much, Meyer? Another sign of bad writing!) I was expecting Bella to freak out, get angry at Edward, and blame him for ruining her life when she thought she could never get pregnant! But instead, Bella is inexplicably calm and instantly bonds with her "little nudger." Again, any drama that could have been just melted like an ice cube in Death Valley. The plot floats along...The previously mentioned "fountain of blood" happens when Bella goes into labor. To make a long and rather gruesome story short, the baby almost kills Bella, and would have, had Edward not turned Bella into a vampire. Bella lays on a table for a couple of days until the venom stops her heart. She's dead! Let the crazed baby vampire gather her bearings! She's dangerous right now! Right? Wrong. Bella Sue is the perfect vampire, so graceful and strong. She requires almost no adjustment time, even though Meyer told us in previous books that new vampires are totally out of control. Again, all conflict nipped in the bud.This leads us to Meyer breaking her own rules. Bella is totally in control of herself as a new vampire even though, according to Meyer's own words, it's totally normal and EXPECTED to have a lenghty adjustment period. Jasper struggled for years, but Bella gets the hang of things in a day. Of course. Meyer breaks the rules so Bella Sue can have her perfect life.Meyer also gets into a sticky situation with Bella's pregnancy. According to Meyer, speaking through (I believe) Carlisle, vampires don't have any liquid in their bodies except for their venom. Last time I checked, sperm isn't venomous. Getting Bella pregnant should have been impossible if Meyer followed her own rules! That entire plot device (which only served to give Jacob something to imprint on) was an amateurish cop out that I would expect to find in fanfiction, not a novel written by an adult with a college degree.Oh yeah, they named the baby Renesmee. Vomit.And then Jacob imprints on it. Double vomit.Allow me to backtrack for a second. I forgot to mention another scene that should have been exciting but wasn't: the confrontation with the Volturi. Yep, the leaders are back and they want to kill the Cullens for making an "immortal child." Finally, some action! The Cullens invite some vampire friends to gather at their house and fight the Volturi, which should be the epic conflict we've all been waiting for! Except it most definitely is not. It turns out that Bella has a shield she controls with her mind. All the does is put the sheild around everybody and they're impervious to weapons. The Volturi stand around and talk for a while and then... leave.Breaking Dawn was a letdown in every sense. Meyer's writing didn't improve (it got worse, actually), there wasn't any tension or action, and a lot of the rules established in the first three books got thrown out the window.Avoid this book at all costs.(Note: Don't be fooled by the high number of five-star reviews; a lot of them are two sentences long and say things like, "BELLA AND EDWARD ARE IN LOVE!!!!1!11one" They may very well be, but that doesn't make it a good book.)

While I've been known to exaggerate on occasion, I promise you I'm being completely serious when I say Breaking Dawn is the worst book I have ever read. The writing was atrocious, there was no drama and/or real conflict, and Meyer broke her own rules. Repeatedly. <hl> Let's begin, shall we?First, the writing itself was a huge problem . <hl> It's nearly impossible for me to believe Meyer was an English major in college. Maybe she was technically a literature major, but either way, she should have been exposed to enough decent writing to know how to produce it herself. And if she couldln't produce it from her own head, she probably had enough references to replicate it. Instead, Breaking Dawn reads like a terrible fanfiction. Meyer tends to overuse adjectives and adverbs, but does so in the least descriptive way possible. How did Bella look on her wedding day? I couldn't tell you, since Meyer never bothered to describe her dress other than to say it was satin-y. And how about the rest of the wedding ceremony? There were flowers "everywhere" and everyone looked "amazing." Thanks. I can totally picture that. Bella is also the ultimate Mary Sue, which doesn't help Meyer's writing skills in my eyes. Bella is SO PERFECT. Everyone LOVES HER. Meyer's lame attempts to make Bella relatable by making her clumsy fall flat (pun intended), because the other characters think injury-prone Bella is adorable. Will Charlie object to Bella Sue getting married at 18? Of course not! Will Bella Sue become the most graceful vampire ever, even though she was the world's clumsiest person? You bet! Bella gets everything she wants in Breaking Dawn and sacrifices nothing. There was also a conspicuous lack of drama and conflict in what should have been an epic conclusion to a series. As I mentioned above, Bella had no problem convincing Charlie that marrying Edward was the right decision. I was expecting more of an objection from the ol' sheriff. Denied. Jacob does make a small attempt to talk Bella out of turning into a vampire, but what could have been another interesting conversation is brushed aside by Bella. Why would she miss anybody she knew as a human? She'll be with her beloved Edward for all eternity; that's all she needs. The sexy-time was also lacking. I'm not much of a smut fan, but I was hoping for more than a cheezy "fade to black" when Edward and Bella finally do the deed. After three books of anticipation and denial, Meyer doesn't have the balls to give us more than Bella walking toward Edward in the water. Seriously, Meyer? You can show Bella vomiting "a fountain of blood" but kissing before sex is too shocking? Nothing interesting here, folks. There is also the issue of Bella's pregnancy. Nowhere in the previous three books, and I mean NOWHERE, did Bella mention a desire to be a mother. But as soon as Edward gets his vampire sperm inside her, she decides that motherhood is the most important thing on Earth. (Inconsistent much, Meyer? Another sign of bad writing!) I was expecting Bella to freak out, get angry at Edward, and blame him for ruining her life when she thought she could never get pregnant! But instead, Bella is inexplicably calm and instantly bonds with her "little nudger." Again, any drama that could have been just melted like an ice cube in Death Valley. The plot floats along... The previously mentioned "fountain of blood" happens when Bella goes into labor. To make a long and rather gruesome story short, the baby almost kills Bella, and would have, had Edward not turned Bella into a vampire. Bella lays on a table for a couple of days until the venom stops her heart. She's dead! Let the crazed baby vampire gather her bearings! She's dangerous right now! Right? Wrong. Bella Sue is the perfect vampire, so graceful and strong. She requires almost no adjustment time, even though Meyer told us in previous books that new vampires are totally out of control. Again, all conflict nipped in the bud. This leads us to Meyer breaking her own rules. Bella is totally in control of herself as a new vampire even though, according to Meyer's own words, it's totally normal and EXPECTED to have a lenghty adjustment period. Jasper struggled for years, but Bella gets the hang of things in a day. Of course. Meyer breaks the rules so Bella Sue can have her perfect life. Meyer also gets into a sticky situation with Bella's pregnancy. According to Meyer, speaking through (I believe) Carlisle, vampires don't have any liquid in their bodies except for their venom. Last time I checked, sperm isn't venomous. Getting Bella pregnant should have been impossible if Meyer followed her own rules! That entire plot device (which only served to give Jacob something to imprint on) was an amateurish cop out that I would expect to find in fanfiction, not a novel written by an adult with a college degree. Oh yeah, they named the baby Renesmee. Vomit. And then Jacob imprints on it. Double vomit. Allow me to backtrack for a second. I forgot to mention another scene that should have been exciting but wasn't: the confrontation with the Volturi. Yep, the leaders are back and they want to kill the Cullens for making an "immortal child." Finally, some action! The Cullens invite some vampire friends to gather at their house and fight the Volturi, which should be the epic conflict we've all been waiting for! Except it most definitely is not. It turns out that Bella has a shield she controls with her mind. All the does is put the sheild around everybody and they're impervious to weapons. The Volturi stand around and talk for a while and then... leave. Breaking Dawn was a letdown in every sense. Meyer's writing didn't improve (it got worse, actually), there wasn't any tension or action, and a lot of the rules established in the first three books got thrown out the window. Avoid this book at all costs.(Note: Don't be fooled by the high number of five-star reviews; a lot of them are two sentences long and say things like, "BELLA AND EDWARD ARE IN LOVE!!!!1!11one" They may very well be, but that doesn't make it a good book.)

9de999af8e2507f3a4372e5229c68e6e

books

This is probably the best overall look at Lincoln in respect to the 1860 presidential election and his presidency

question: What do you think about his chapter?, context: This is probably the best overall look at Lincoln in respect to the 1860 presidential election and his presidency. It goes into vivid detail about the men he was running against, their beliefs, their backgrounds, and their platforms. It also describes their strengths and weaknesses and delves into how possibly the least likely candidate Abraham Lincoln earned the nomination.This book is very well-written which is amazing considering how far reaching this story is. Aside from just profiling all the candidates, which in itself could be confusing, it goes into exacting detail. It could be a little dicey keeping the issues and the candidates straight, but Kearns manages to create order out of possible chaos.The biggest draw is that this book is very readable. Instead of reading like a history, the treatment here is more like a novel. History comes alive, it is interesting, involving, and gives the reader the sense that they are there.One of the major points I extracted from this book is Lincoln's ability to recognize the strengths of his rivals and learn how to work with them as his closest advisors. I suspect this adds a new dimension to the adage of keeping your friends close, but your enemies closer. Ultimately though, it comes down to pooling resources and working for the common good of the people in trying times.While a long and sometimes complex book, I loved it. It was a wonderful trip back in time.

What do you think about his chapter?

This is probably the best overall look at Lincoln in respect to the 1860 presidential election and his presidency .

This is probably the best overall look at Lincoln in respect to the 1860 presidential election and his presidency. It goes into vivid detail about the men he was running against, their beliefs, their backgrounds, and their platforms. It also describes their strengths and weaknesses and delves into how possibly the least likely candidate Abraham Lincoln earned the nomination.This book is very well-written which is amazing considering how far reaching this story is. Aside from just profiling all the candidates, which in itself could be confusing, it goes into exacting detail. It could be a little dicey keeping the issues and the candidates straight, but Kearns manages to create order out of possible chaos.The biggest draw is that this book is very readable. Instead of reading like a history, the treatment here is more like a novel. History comes alive, it is interesting, involving, and gives the reader the sense that they are there.One of the major points I extracted from this book is Lincoln's ability to recognize the strengths of his rivals and learn how to work with them as his closest advisors. I suspect this adds a new dimension to the adage of keeping your friends close, but your enemies closer. Ultimately though, it comes down to pooling resources and working for the common good of the people in trying times.While a long and sometimes complex book, I loved it. It was a wonderful trip back in time.

<hl> This is probably the best overall look at Lincoln in respect to the 1860 presidential election and his presidency <hl> .

<hl> This is probably the best overall look at Lincoln in respect to the 1860 presidential election and his presidency <hl>. It goes into vivid detail about the men he was running against, their beliefs, their backgrounds, and their platforms. It also describes their strengths and weaknesses and delves into how possibly the least likely candidate Abraham Lincoln earned the nomination.This book is very well-written which is amazing considering how far reaching this story is. Aside from just profiling all the candidates, which in itself could be confusing, it goes into exacting detail. It could be a little dicey keeping the issues and the candidates straight, but Kearns manages to create order out of possible chaos.The biggest draw is that this book is very readable. Instead of reading like a history, the treatment here is more like a novel. History comes alive, it is interesting, involving, and gives the reader the sense that they are there.One of the major points I extracted from this book is Lincoln's ability to recognize the strengths of his rivals and learn how to work with them as his closest advisors. I suspect this adds a new dimension to the adage of keeping your friends close, but your enemies closer. Ultimately though, it comes down to pooling resources and working for the common good of the people in trying times.While a long and sometimes complex book, I loved it. It was a wonderful trip back in time.

<hl> This is probably the best overall look at Lincoln in respect to the 1860 presidential election and his presidency . <hl> It goes into vivid detail about the men he was running against, their beliefs, their backgrounds, and their platforms. It also describes their strengths and weaknesses and delves into how possibly the least likely candidate Abraham Lincoln earned the nomination. This book is very well-written which is amazing considering how far reaching this story is. Aside from just profiling all the candidates, which in itself could be confusing, it goes into exacting detail. It could be a little dicey keeping the issues and the candidates straight, but Kearns manages to create order out of possible chaos. The biggest draw is that this book is very readable. Instead of reading like a history, the treatment here is more like a novel. History comes alive, it is interesting, involving, and gives the reader the sense that they are there. One of the major points I extracted from this book is Lincoln's ability to recognize the strengths of his rivals and learn how to work with them as his closest advisors. I suspect this adds a new dimension to the adage of keeping your friends close, but your enemies closer. Ultimately though, it comes down to pooling resources and working for the common good of the people in trying times. While a long and sometimes complex book, I loved it. It was a wonderful trip back in time.

f62d2eacf619fd2a12e6e8e50f9b2a1b

books

friend Six and reading

question: How is the story?, context: "The things that knock you down in life are tests, forcing you to make a choice between giving in and remaining on the ground or wiping the dirt off and standing up even taller than you did before you were knocked down. "RECAPSky Linden Davis, has always lived a sheltered life with her mother. With not being allowed to have any technology around Sky spends her time with her best friend Six and reading. But she also spends her night making out with boys to just escape the real life and feel "numb". But senior year its different, after coercing her mother to allow her to attend public school Sky realizes what the world really hold outside her home walls. One of those realizations is Dean Holder.Holder has spent the year in a state of despair. He didn't lose one girl he loved, he lost two. So he does what guys do best, he rebels. When Sky shows up on his radar Holders life changes drastically, he knows she looks familiar. He takes it upon himself to get to know her. Even if getting to know her turns out to hurt both of them.When secrets unfold will Sky and Holder be able deal with them? Or will the secrets destroy both their lives?MY TAKEOkay, this book came highly recommended by numerous book lovers so I couldn't wait to get into it. I was ready for the romance, the angst, the tears, and the secrets unveiling. I was ready and prepared to love this. And I did enjoy the story and the premise of it. I saw the twist coming a mile away but I still enjoyed learning all of the facts and all about the characters.Sky is completely sheltered from social media, television and cell phones. She was a teenager starting to learn how to find her way in life. I liked her character at the beginning of the book and loved her inter-dialogue. The turn in that changed when she became consumed with Holder. Don't get me wrong who wouldn't enjoy Holder? But I just thought she had more of a backbone in the beginning when she didn't "need" him for everything. This is not to say that I didn't feel bad about what happened. Even though I saw it coming I was still sad for what she had to go through and for her having to relive it.What I loved is their connection with each other. "It's what happens when two people become one: they no longer only share love. They also share all of the pain, heartache, sorrow, and grief." Holder was the perfect rock and perfect person to help her through the devastation, even if he kept secrets. Both characters feel hopeless during the book but both together bring hope to each other. Holder shows, not only Sky, but himself as well, how to live, how to ask questions even if the answers are scary, and how to always have hope.Then there are the secondary characters that play a part in this book. Six, yes that's her name, is Sky's best friend and although she's gone most of the book she is on of those friends that is a bad influence but honest and faithful to the core. Six's words to Sky set the stage for this story which is why her character made such an impact, "Not everyone gets a happily ever after. Life is real and sometimes it's ugly and you just have to learn how to cope." Breckin, the new best friend in the whole wide world, is awesome and such a sweetheart. He is nonjudgmental and is present when needed. Karen, Sky's mom, I just can't say how much I adored her. She was your typical protective mother but her story in this book is so heartbreaking. Her strength, her courage, her love for Sky is what a mother's love should always be.This book is filled with love, loss, and pain. The only reason this was a 4 star is because Sky's character annoyed me at parts, her reactions were a little selfish and judgmental, and I thought the book was a little too drawn out. But don't miss out on this story.BUY it. READ it. LOVE it.HAPPY READING!!

How is the story?

With not being allowed to have any technology around Sky spends her time with her best friend Six and reading .

"The things that knock you down in life are tests, forcing you to make a choice between giving in and remaining on the ground or wiping the dirt off and standing up even taller than you did before you were knocked down. "RECAPSky Linden Davis, has always lived a sheltered life with her mother. With not being allowed to have any technology around Sky spends her time with her best friend Six and reading. But she also spends her night making out with boys to just escape the real life and feel "numb". But senior year its different, after coercing her mother to allow her to attend public school Sky realizes what the world really hold outside her home walls. One of those realizations is Dean Holder.Holder has spent the year in a state of despair. He didn't lose one girl he loved, he lost two. So he does what guys do best, he rebels. When Sky shows up on his radar Holders life changes drastically, he knows she looks familiar. He takes it upon himself to get to know her. Even if getting to know her turns out to hurt both of them.When secrets unfold will Sky and Holder be able deal with them? Or will the secrets destroy both their lives?MY TAKEOkay, this book came highly recommended by numerous book lovers so I couldn't wait to get into it. I was ready for the romance, the angst, the tears, and the secrets unveiling. I was ready and prepared to love this. And I did enjoy the story and the premise of it. I saw the twist coming a mile away but I still enjoyed learning all of the facts and all about the characters.Sky is completely sheltered from social media, television and cell phones. She was a teenager starting to learn how to find her way in life. I liked her character at the beginning of the book and loved her inter-dialogue. The turn in that changed when she became consumed with Holder. Don't get me wrong who wouldn't enjoy Holder? But I just thought she had more of a backbone in the beginning when she didn't "need" him for everything. This is not to say that I didn't feel bad about what happened. Even though I saw it coming I was still sad for what she had to go through and for her having to relive it.What I loved is their connection with each other. "It's what happens when two people become one: they no longer only share love. They also share all of the pain, heartache, sorrow, and grief." Holder was the perfect rock and perfect person to help her through the devastation, even if he kept secrets. Both characters feel hopeless during the book but both together bring hope to each other. Holder shows, not only Sky, but himself as well, how to live, how to ask questions even if the answers are scary, and how to always have hope.Then there are the secondary characters that play a part in this book. Six, yes that's her name, is Sky's best friend and although she's gone most of the book she is on of those friends that is a bad influence but honest and faithful to the core. Six's words to Sky set the stage for this story which is why her character made such an impact, "Not everyone gets a happily ever after. Life is real and sometimes it's ugly and you just have to learn how to cope." Breckin, the new best friend in the whole wide world, is awesome and such a sweetheart. He is nonjudgmental and is present when needed. Karen, Sky's mom, I just can't say how much I adored her. She was your typical protective mother but her story in this book is so heartbreaking. Her strength, her courage, her love for Sky is what a mother's love should always be.This book is filled with love, loss, and pain. The only reason this was a 4 star is because Sky's character annoyed me at parts, her reactions were a little selfish and judgmental, and I thought the book was a little too drawn out. But don't miss out on this story.BUY it. READ it. LOVE it.HAPPY READING!!

With not being allowed to have any technology around Sky spends her time with her best <hl> friend Six and reading <hl> .

"The things that knock you down in life are tests, forcing you to make a choice between giving in and remaining on the ground or wiping the dirt off and standing up even taller than you did before you were knocked down. "RECAPSky Linden Davis, has always lived a sheltered life with her mother. With not being allowed to have any technology around Sky spends her time with her best <hl> friend Six and reading <hl>. But she also spends her night making out with boys to just escape the real life and feel "numb". But senior year its different, after coercing her mother to allow her to attend public school Sky realizes what the world really hold outside her home walls. One of those realizations is Dean Holder.Holder has spent the year in a state of despair. He didn't lose one girl he loved, he lost two. So he does what guys do best, he rebels. When Sky shows up on his radar Holders life changes drastically, he knows she looks familiar. He takes it upon himself to get to know her. Even if getting to know her turns out to hurt both of them.When secrets unfold will Sky and Holder be able deal with them? Or will the secrets destroy both their lives?MY TAKEOkay, this book came highly recommended by numerous book lovers so I couldn't wait to get into it. I was ready for the romance, the angst, the tears, and the secrets unveiling. I was ready and prepared to love this. And I did enjoy the story and the premise of it. I saw the twist coming a mile away but I still enjoyed learning all of the facts and all about the characters.Sky is completely sheltered from social media, television and cell phones. She was a teenager starting to learn how to find her way in life. I liked her character at the beginning of the book and loved her inter-dialogue. The turn in that changed when she became consumed with Holder. Don't get me wrong who wouldn't enjoy Holder? But I just thought she had more of a backbone in the beginning when she didn't "need" him for everything. This is not to say that I didn't feel bad about what happened. Even though I saw it coming I was still sad for what she had to go through and for her having to relive it.What I loved is their connection with each other. "It's what happens when two people become one: they no longer only share love. They also share all of the pain, heartache, sorrow, and grief." Holder was the perfect rock and perfect person to help her through the devastation, even if he kept secrets. Both characters feel hopeless during the book but both together bring hope to each other. Holder shows, not only Sky, but himself as well, how to live, how to ask questions even if the answers are scary, and how to always have hope.Then there are the secondary characters that play a part in this book. Six, yes that's her name, is Sky's best friend and although she's gone most of the book she is on of those friends that is a bad influence but honest and faithful to the core. Six's words to Sky set the stage for this story which is why her character made such an impact, "Not everyone gets a happily ever after. Life is real and sometimes it's ugly and you just have to learn how to cope." Breckin, the new best friend in the whole wide world, is awesome and such a sweetheart. He is nonjudgmental and is present when needed. Karen, Sky's mom, I just can't say how much I adored her. She was your typical protective mother but her story in this book is so heartbreaking. Her strength, her courage, her love for Sky is what a mother's love should always be.This book is filled with love, loss, and pain. The only reason this was a 4 star is because Sky's character annoyed me at parts, her reactions were a little selfish and judgmental, and I thought the book was a little too drawn out. But don't miss out on this story.BUY it. READ it. LOVE it.HAPPY READING!!

"The things that knock you down in life are tests, forcing you to make a choice between giving in and remaining on the ground or wiping the dirt off and standing up even taller than you did before you were knocked down. "RECAPSky Linden Davis, has always lived a sheltered life with her mother. <hl> With not being allowed to have any technology around Sky spends her time with her best friend Six and reading . <hl> But she also spends her night making out with boys to just escape the real life and feel "numb". But senior year its different, after coercing her mother to allow her to attend public school Sky realizes what the world really hold outside her home walls. One of those realizations is Dean Holder. Holder has spent the year in a state of despair. He didn't lose one girl he loved, he lost two. So he does what guys do best, he rebels. When Sky shows up on his radar Holders life changes drastically, he knows she looks familiar. He takes it upon himself to get to know her. Even if getting to know her turns out to hurt both of them. When secrets unfold will Sky and Holder be able deal with them? Or will the secrets destroy both their lives?MY TAKEOkay, this book came highly recommended by numerous book lovers so I couldn't wait to get into it. I was ready for the romance, the angst, the tears, and the secrets unveiling. I was ready and prepared to love this. And I did enjoy the story and the premise of it. I saw the twist coming a mile away but I still enjoyed learning all of the facts and all about the characters. Sky is completely sheltered from social media, television and cell phones. She was a teenager starting to learn how to find her way in life. I liked her character at the beginning of the book and loved her inter-dialogue. The turn in that changed when she became consumed with Holder. Don't get me wrong who wouldn't enjoy Holder? But I just thought she had more of a backbone in the beginning when she didn't "need" him for everything. This is not to say that I didn't feel bad about what happened. Even though I saw it coming I was still sad for what she had to go through and for her having to relive it. What I loved is their connection with each other. "It's what happens when two people become one: they no longer only share love. They also share all of the pain, heartache, sorrow, and grief." Holder was the perfect rock and perfect person to help her through the devastation, even if he kept secrets. Both characters feel hopeless during the book but both together bring hope to each other. Holder shows, not only Sky, but himself as well, how to live, how to ask questions even if the answers are scary, and how to always have hope. Then there are the secondary characters that play a part in this book. Six, yes that's her name, is Sky's best friend and although she's gone most of the book she is on of those friends that is a bad influence but honest and faithful to the core. Six's words to Sky set the stage for this story which is why her character made such an impact, "Not everyone gets a happily ever after. Life is real and sometimes it's ugly and you just have to learn how to cope." Breckin, the new best friend in the whole wide world, is awesome and such a sweetheart. He is nonjudgmental and is present when needed. Karen, Sky's mom, I just can't say how much I adored her. She was your typical protective mother but her story in this book is so heartbreaking. Her strength, her courage, her love for Sky is what a mother's love should always be. This book is filled with love, loss, and pain. The only reason this was a 4 star is because Sky's character annoyed me at parts, her reactions were a little selfish and judgmental, and I thought the book was a little too drawn out. But don't miss out on this story. BUY it. READ it. LOVE it. HAPPY READING!!

42da8faee4ee45386262fc137a40b6c5

books

They are just wonderful

question: What do you think of that movie?, context: I have read these books countless times. They are just wonderful. I'm glad the movies are still staying true to the books.

What do you think of that movie?

They are just wonderful .

I have read these books countless times. They are just wonderful. I'm glad the movies are still staying true to the books.

<hl> They are just wonderful <hl> .

I have read these books countless times. <hl> They are just wonderful <hl>. I'm glad the movies are still staying true to the books.

I have read these books countless times. <hl> They are just wonderful . <hl> I'm glad the movies are still staying true to the books.

f4fbf7748882f4780b14b5a284e5e11f

books

There might be things I didn't agree with, nor understand; however, in the end, I do have to say that the good outweighed the bad

question: What is your feeling about this book?, context: Warning! This review is written differently then all my other reviews. It does contain spoilers throughout, but you will get a warning once spoilers will begin.The third and final book in the Hunger Games trilogy - Mockingjay has been one of the most anticipated books of fans of this much loved series. The first two books - The Hunger Games and Catching Fire - told a story rich in characters we all fell in love with and rooted for from beginning to end. With the release of Mockingjay readers were more then excited to find out the conclusion to this epic tale.Giving Mockingjay the 4 stars that I did was in fact a hard choice to make. Writing this review is tough. I thought giving myself a few days or longer might clear away the questions I had to make writing this easier, which needless to say didn't work out as planned. I usually don't write a review with spoilers, nor do I write reviews where I talk things out at such length, but it needed to be done and this time there's just no way around it. So, please know that from this point on I will be addressing key points that will give things away - so be warned there will be SOME spoilers laced throughout!****Spoiler Alert****First, I have to say that I read half of this book with my breath held and the other half with a kind of, the only way I can explain it was that I was lost. The characters felt so different from where we left them in Catching Fire that at times it was hard to recognize them from the previous two books.Katniss didn't seem like her normal fighting self. And I often wondered if that was because she questioned Coin and if she even wondered if things would be different with Coin as president. In the beginning of the book when they are trying to talk Katniss into being the Mockingjay there was a conversation with Coin that made me believe she felt she not only didn't have much of a choice in the matter but that she questioned just what Coin's true motives are behind everything. Is this why Katniss wasn't her normal fighting self? Was she just tired of running a race in a never ending up hill battle where she then believed no matter what she did the way of the world would never change? Or did she believe there was nothing she, just one teenage girl could really do to make positive changes in the world of Panem? Or was it the fact that she was pretty much injured throughout the whole book?The lack of Peeta was also hard and what little interaction these two had I enjoyed more so then I did with her and Gale. I found Gale to be more then lost within Mockingjay, and found how easily he went from the hunter, gather and provider to uncaring and cold soldier a bit too easily. I mean everything with the mountain and his answer to how to take it down was more then callous and shocking to say the least. However the flip side is, Panem is a rough place to live and was Gale finally pushed over the edge too? Still, either way you look at this, it just didn't feel like "Gale" to me. Sad but true.The ending was shocking. I felt it was rushed by many pages and left more holes in it then Swiss cheese. I mean, Gale is a HUGE character and to leave his story so open ended was wrong and extremely harsh. There was no closure with Gale - he's there one page and gone the next. I felt that Katniss's mother was selfish on so many levels. I understand all that her mother has gone through from before the beginning of book one, however Katniss has suffered through SO much for her whole family and all the people within Panem and her mother can't take a trip back to their home to make sure if her now only daughter is alright? That just didn't sit well with me and actually made me frustrated. I mean common! Look at all Katniss did and all she survived for the love of her family! And yes, I know Peeta and Haymitch had more of a hand in keeping Katniss alive then I'm giving credit here, however I'm really talking about how her relationship with her mother was within those last few pages of this book.These were the main aspects of the book that I didn't agree with or understand. However, I did give Mockingjay 4 stars and now that I worked through all the negativity and got that out of the way, I believe that in all reviews, the ending should focus on the good and that's just what I plan to do here.Peeta being tortured was a given, this wasn't a good thing, but... let me explain - anyone who reads Mockingjay will know its coming. However the degree to which this is done is not only epic but fit with the one character that I felt never changed - and that was Snow.Everything that was shocking to me in this whole series is what I found as part of the best of the best. Peeta being tortured and just how he was tortured was not only a key part in his story as mentioned above, it was so true to Snow that anything less then this just would have been far off course for this ruthless character. The struggles in Peeta because of just how he was tortured, and then within his relationship with Katniss - it opened up and showed a different side to the two. I might not have liked what I saw, but if you think back to their relationship throughout the whole trilogy this was just another uphill battle they are forced to climb to figure out what their relationship meant to each other.The story did give me many conclusions and endings to main and subplots. Where there might have been some holes, however there were answers and endings - both good and bad. The good surpassed the bad. The wedding between Finnick and Annie gave hope to everyone that was much needed throughout all of Panem. The little bits of strength that Katniss gains from Finnick were nuggets of gold within the pages of Mockingjay. Finnick, while suffering alone was able to rise above everything to be there for Katniss when she needed to be pulled up and out of the haze I often found her in.Collins writing was there shining through again in Mockingjay, and while I didn't agree with many parts of this conclusion, sometimes a clear happy ending just isn't in the cards and that alone is sometimes need and often is refreshing in books. In each of the three titles there had to be bad to get through to the good and it's the same with Mockingjay.I recently read something about how people are upset with the Epilogue and I can see where some would feel it was forced and some might find it a cop out. Yet I've read it a couple of times and I go back and forth on this one. Today I see how wonderful it is. For me, it shows that all Katniss struggled for wasn't lost. That in the end she won. Peeta won and that in the end they both found just want they needed in the world and each other. That nothing is perfect and everything isn't easy and sometimes you have to struggle to get to the good in life.All in all, Collins has written another book that many will be thinking and talking about for a long time to come. With the end of any much beloved trilogy or series there's always a chance people will be upset because of how things ended and without a doubt there might be people not pleased by various things in this book. There might be things I didn't agree with, nor understand; however, in the end, I do have to say that the good outweighed the bad. I'll be suggesting these books for a long time to come to other fellow readers and I'll look forward to rereading each of these books numerous times. I'm more then looking forward to seeing just what Collins writes next. Enjoy.For more info and reviews please visit my Book Review Blog here - [...]

What is your feeling about this book?

There might be things I didn't agree with, nor understand; however, in the end, I do have to say that the good outweighed the bad .

Warning! This review is written differently then all my other reviews. It does contain spoilers throughout, but you will get a warning once spoilers will begin.The third and final book in the Hunger Games trilogy - Mockingjay has been one of the most anticipated books of fans of this much loved series. The first two books - The Hunger Games and Catching Fire - told a story rich in characters we all fell in love with and rooted for from beginning to end. With the release of Mockingjay readers were more then excited to find out the conclusion to this epic tale.Giving Mockingjay the 4 stars that I did was in fact a hard choice to make. Writing this review is tough. I thought giving myself a few days or longer might clear away the questions I had to make writing this easier, which needless to say didn't work out as planned. I usually don't write a review with spoilers, nor do I write reviews where I talk things out at such length, but it needed to be done and this time there's just no way around it. So, please know that from this point on I will be addressing key points that will give things away - so be warned there will be SOME spoilers laced throughout!****Spoiler Alert****First, I have to say that I read half of this book with my breath held and the other half with a kind of, the only way I can explain it was that I was lost. The characters felt so different from where we left them in Catching Fire that at times it was hard to recognize them from the previous two books.Katniss didn't seem like her normal fighting self. And I often wondered if that was because she questioned Coin and if she even wondered if things would be different with Coin as president. In the beginning of the book when they are trying to talk Katniss into being the Mockingjay there was a conversation with Coin that made me believe she felt she not only didn't have much of a choice in the matter but that she questioned just what Coin's true motives are behind everything. Is this why Katniss wasn't her normal fighting self? Was she just tired of running a race in a never ending up hill battle where she then believed no matter what she did the way of the world would never change? Or did she believe there was nothing she, just one teenage girl could really do to make positive changes in the world of Panem? Or was it the fact that she was pretty much injured throughout the whole book?The lack of Peeta was also hard and what little interaction these two had I enjoyed more so then I did with her and Gale. I found Gale to be more then lost within Mockingjay, and found how easily he went from the hunter, gather and provider to uncaring and cold soldier a bit too easily. I mean everything with the mountain and his answer to how to take it down was more then callous and shocking to say the least. However the flip side is, Panem is a rough place to live and was Gale finally pushed over the edge too? Still, either way you look at this, it just didn't feel like "Gale" to me. Sad but true.The ending was shocking. I felt it was rushed by many pages and left more holes in it then Swiss cheese. I mean, Gale is a HUGE character and to leave his story so open ended was wrong and extremely harsh. There was no closure with Gale - he's there one page and gone the next. I felt that Katniss's mother was selfish on so many levels. I understand all that her mother has gone through from before the beginning of book one, however Katniss has suffered through SO much for her whole family and all the people within Panem and her mother can't take a trip back to their home to make sure if her now only daughter is alright? That just didn't sit well with me and actually made me frustrated. I mean common! Look at all Katniss did and all she survived for the love of her family! And yes, I know Peeta and Haymitch had more of a hand in keeping Katniss alive then I'm giving credit here, however I'm really talking about how her relationship with her mother was within those last few pages of this book.These were the main aspects of the book that I didn't agree with or understand. However, I did give Mockingjay 4 stars and now that I worked through all the negativity and got that out of the way, I believe that in all reviews, the ending should focus on the good and that's just what I plan to do here.Peeta being tortured was a given, this wasn't a good thing, but... let me explain - anyone who reads Mockingjay will know its coming. However the degree to which this is done is not only epic but fit with the one character that I felt never changed - and that was Snow.Everything that was shocking to me in this whole series is what I found as part of the best of the best. Peeta being tortured and just how he was tortured was not only a key part in his story as mentioned above, it was so true to Snow that anything less then this just would have been far off course for this ruthless character. The struggles in Peeta because of just how he was tortured, and then within his relationship with Katniss - it opened up and showed a different side to the two. I might not have liked what I saw, but if you think back to their relationship throughout the whole trilogy this was just another uphill battle they are forced to climb to figure out what their relationship meant to each other.The story did give me many conclusions and endings to main and subplots. Where there might have been some holes, however there were answers and endings - both good and bad. The good surpassed the bad. The wedding between Finnick and Annie gave hope to everyone that was much needed throughout all of Panem. The little bits of strength that Katniss gains from Finnick were nuggets of gold within the pages of Mockingjay. Finnick, while suffering alone was able to rise above everything to be there for Katniss when she needed to be pulled up and out of the haze I often found her in.Collins writing was there shining through again in Mockingjay, and while I didn't agree with many parts of this conclusion, sometimes a clear happy ending just isn't in the cards and that alone is sometimes need and often is refreshing in books. In each of the three titles there had to be bad to get through to the good and it's the same with Mockingjay.I recently read something about how people are upset with the Epilogue and I can see where some would feel it was forced and some might find it a cop out. Yet I've read it a couple of times and I go back and forth on this one. Today I see how wonderful it is. For me, it shows that all Katniss struggled for wasn't lost. That in the end she won. Peeta won and that in the end they both found just want they needed in the world and each other. That nothing is perfect and everything isn't easy and sometimes you have to struggle to get to the good in life.All in all, Collins has written another book that many will be thinking and talking about for a long time to come. With the end of any much beloved trilogy or series there's always a chance people will be upset because of how things ended and without a doubt there might be people not pleased by various things in this book. There might be things I didn't agree with, nor understand; however, in the end, I do have to say that the good outweighed the bad. I'll be suggesting these books for a long time to come to other fellow readers and I'll look forward to rereading each of these books numerous times. I'm more then looking forward to seeing just what Collins writes next. Enjoy.For more info and reviews please visit my Book Review Blog here - [...]

<hl> There might be things I didn't agree with, nor understand; however, in the end, I do have to say that the good outweighed the bad <hl> .

Warning! This review is written differently then all my other reviews. It does contain spoilers throughout, but you will get a warning once spoilers will begin.The third and final book in the Hunger Games trilogy - Mockingjay has been one of the most anticipated books of fans of this much loved series. The first two books - The Hunger Games and Catching Fire - told a story rich in characters we all fell in love with and rooted for from beginning to end. With the release of Mockingjay readers were more then excited to find out the conclusion to this epic tale.Giving Mockingjay the 4 stars that I did was in fact a hard choice to make. Writing this review is tough. I thought giving myself a few days or longer might clear away the questions I had to make writing this easier, which needless to say didn't work out as planned. I usually don't write a review with spoilers, nor do I write reviews where I talk things out at such length, but it needed to be done and this time there's just no way around it. So, please know that from this point on I will be addressing key points that will give things away - so be warned there will be SOME spoilers laced throughout!****Spoiler Alert****First, I have to say that I read half of this book with my breath held and the other half with a kind of, the only way I can explain it was that I was lost. The characters felt so different from where we left them in Catching Fire that at times it was hard to recognize them from the previous two books.Katniss didn't seem like her normal fighting self. And I often wondered if that was because she questioned Coin and if she even wondered if things would be different with Coin as president. In the beginning of the book when they are trying to talk Katniss into being the Mockingjay there was a conversation with Coin that made me believe she felt she not only didn't have much of a choice in the matter but that she questioned just what Coin's true motives are behind everything. Is this why Katniss wasn't her normal fighting self? Was she just tired of running a race in a never ending up hill battle where she then believed no matter what she did the way of the world would never change? Or did she believe there was nothing she, just one teenage girl could really do to make positive changes in the world of Panem? Or was it the fact that she was pretty much injured throughout the whole book?The lack of Peeta was also hard and what little interaction these two had I enjoyed more so then I did with her and Gale. I found Gale to be more then lost within Mockingjay, and found how easily he went from the hunter, gather and provider to uncaring and cold soldier a bit too easily. I mean everything with the mountain and his answer to how to take it down was more then callous and shocking to say the least. However the flip side is, Panem is a rough place to live and was Gale finally pushed over the edge too? Still, either way you look at this, it just didn't feel like "Gale" to me. Sad but true.The ending was shocking. I felt it was rushed by many pages and left more holes in it then Swiss cheese. I mean, Gale is a HUGE character and to leave his story so open ended was wrong and extremely harsh. There was no closure with Gale - he's there one page and gone the next. I felt that Katniss's mother was selfish on so many levels. I understand all that her mother has gone through from before the beginning of book one, however Katniss has suffered through SO much for her whole family and all the people within Panem and her mother can't take a trip back to their home to make sure if her now only daughter is alright? That just didn't sit well with me and actually made me frustrated. I mean common! Look at all Katniss did and all she survived for the love of her family! And yes, I know Peeta and Haymitch had more of a hand in keeping Katniss alive then I'm giving credit here, however I'm really talking about how her relationship with her mother was within those last few pages of this book.These were the main aspects of the book that I didn't agree with or understand. However, I did give Mockingjay 4 stars and now that I worked through all the negativity and got that out of the way, I believe that in all reviews, the ending should focus on the good and that's just what I plan to do here.Peeta being tortured was a given, this wasn't a good thing, but... let me explain - anyone who reads Mockingjay will know its coming. However the degree to which this is done is not only epic but fit with the one character that I felt never changed - and that was Snow.Everything that was shocking to me in this whole series is what I found as part of the best of the best. Peeta being tortured and just how he was tortured was not only a key part in his story as mentioned above, it was so true to Snow that anything less then this just would have been far off course for this ruthless character. The struggles in Peeta because of just how he was tortured, and then within his relationship with Katniss - it opened up and showed a different side to the two. I might not have liked what I saw, but if you think back to their relationship throughout the whole trilogy this was just another uphill battle they are forced to climb to figure out what their relationship meant to each other.The story did give me many conclusions and endings to main and subplots. Where there might have been some holes, however there were answers and endings - both good and bad. The good surpassed the bad. The wedding between Finnick and Annie gave hope to everyone that was much needed throughout all of Panem. The little bits of strength that Katniss gains from Finnick were nuggets of gold within the pages of Mockingjay. Finnick, while suffering alone was able to rise above everything to be there for Katniss when she needed to be pulled up and out of the haze I often found her in.Collins writing was there shining through again in Mockingjay, and while I didn't agree with many parts of this conclusion, sometimes a clear happy ending just isn't in the cards and that alone is sometimes need and often is refreshing in books. In each of the three titles there had to be bad to get through to the good and it's the same with Mockingjay.I recently read something about how people are upset with the Epilogue and I can see where some would feel it was forced and some might find it a cop out. Yet I've read it a couple of times and I go back and forth on this one. Today I see how wonderful it is. For me, it shows that all Katniss struggled for wasn't lost. That in the end she won. Peeta won and that in the end they both found just want they needed in the world and each other. That nothing is perfect and everything isn't easy and sometimes you have to struggle to get to the good in life.All in all, Collins has written another book that many will be thinking and talking about for a long time to come. With the end of any much beloved trilogy or series there's always a chance people will be upset because of how things ended and without a doubt there might be people not pleased by various things in this book. <hl> There might be things I didn't agree with, nor understand; however, in the end, I do have to say that the good outweighed the bad <hl>. I'll be suggesting these books for a long time to come to other fellow readers and I'll look forward to rereading each of these books numerous times. I'm more then looking forward to seeing just what Collins writes next. Enjoy.For more info and reviews please visit my Book Review Blog here - [...]

Warning! This review is written differently then all my other reviews. It does contain spoilers throughout, but you will get a warning once spoilers will begin. The third and final book in the Hunger Games trilogy - Mockingjay has been one of the most anticipated books of fans of this much loved series. The first two books - The Hunger Games and Catching Fire - told a story rich in characters we all fell in love with and rooted for from beginning to end. With the release of Mockingjay readers were more then excited to find out the conclusion to this epic tale. Giving Mockingjay the 4 stars that I did was in fact a hard choice to make. Writing this review is tough. I thought giving myself a few days or longer might clear away the questions I had to make writing this easier, which needless to say didn't work out as planned. I usually don't write a review with spoilers, nor do I write reviews where I talk things out at such length, but it needed to be done and this time there's just no way around it. So, please know that from this point on I will be addressing key points that will give things away - so be warned there will be SOME spoilers laced throughout!****Spoiler Alert****First, I have to say that I read half of this book with my breath held and the other half with a kind of, the only way I can explain it was that I was lost. The characters felt so different from where we left them in Catching Fire that at times it was hard to recognize them from the previous two books. Katniss didn't seem like her normal fighting self. And I often wondered if that was because she questioned Coin and if she even wondered if things would be different with Coin as president. In the beginning of the book when they are trying to talk Katniss into being the Mockingjay there was a conversation with Coin that made me believe she felt she not only didn't have much of a choice in the matter but that she questioned just what Coin's true motives are behind everything. Is this why Katniss wasn't her normal fighting self? Was she just tired of running a race in a never ending up hill battle where she then believed no matter what she did the way of the world would never change? Or did she believe there was nothing she, just one teenage girl could really do to make positive changes in the world of Panem? Or was it the fact that she was pretty much injured throughout the whole book?The lack of Peeta was also hard and what little interaction these two had I enjoyed more so then I did with her and Gale. I found Gale to be more then lost within Mockingjay, and found how easily he went from the hunter, gather and provider to uncaring and cold soldier a bit too easily. I mean everything with the mountain and his answer to how to take it down was more then callous and shocking to say the least. However the flip side is, Panem is a rough place to live and was Gale finally pushed over the edge too? Still, either way you look at this, it just didn't feel like "Gale" to me. Sad but true. The ending was shocking. I felt it was rushed by many pages and left more holes in it then Swiss cheese. I mean, Gale is a HUGE character and to leave his story so open ended was wrong and extremely harsh. There was no closure with Gale - he's there one page and gone the next. I felt that Katniss's mother was selfish on so many levels. I understand all that her mother has gone through from before the beginning of book one, however Katniss has suffered through SO much for her whole family and all the people within Panem and her mother can't take a trip back to their home to make sure if her now only daughter is alright? That just didn't sit well with me and actually made me frustrated. I mean common! Look at all Katniss did and all she survived for the love of her family! And yes, I know Peeta and Haymitch had more of a hand in keeping Katniss alive then I'm giving credit here, however I'm really talking about how her relationship with her mother was within those last few pages of this book. These were the main aspects of the book that I didn't agree with or understand. However, I did give Mockingjay 4 stars and now that I worked through all the negativity and got that out of the way, I believe that in all reviews, the ending should focus on the good and that's just what I plan to do here. Peeta being tortured was a given, this wasn't a good thing, but... let me explain - anyone who reads Mockingjay will know its coming. However the degree to which this is done is not only epic but fit with the one character that I felt never changed - and that was Snow. Everything that was shocking to me in this whole series is what I found as part of the best of the best. Peeta being tortured and just how he was tortured was not only a key part in his story as mentioned above, it was so true to Snow that anything less then this just would have been far off course for this ruthless character. The struggles in Peeta because of just how he was tortured, and then within his relationship with Katniss - it opened up and showed a different side to the two. I might not have liked what I saw, but if you think back to their relationship throughout the whole trilogy this was just another uphill battle they are forced to climb to figure out what their relationship meant to each other. The story did give me many conclusions and endings to main and subplots. Where there might have been some holes, however there were answers and endings - both good and bad. The good surpassed the bad. The wedding between Finnick and Annie gave hope to everyone that was much needed throughout all of Panem. The little bits of strength that Katniss gains from Finnick were nuggets of gold within the pages of Mockingjay. Finnick, while suffering alone was able to rise above everything to be there for Katniss when she needed to be pulled up and out of the haze I often found her in. Collins writing was there shining through again in Mockingjay, and while I didn't agree with many parts of this conclusion, sometimes a clear happy ending just isn't in the cards and that alone is sometimes need and often is refreshing in books. In each of the three titles there had to be bad to get through to the good and it's the same with Mockingjay. I recently read something about how people are upset with the Epilogue and I can see where some would feel it was forced and some might find it a cop out. Yet I've read it a couple of times and I go back and forth on this one. Today I see how wonderful it is. For me, it shows that all Katniss struggled for wasn't lost. That in the end she won. Peeta won and that in the end they both found just want they needed in the world and each other. That nothing is perfect and everything isn't easy and sometimes you have to struggle to get to the good in life. All in all, Collins has written another book that many will be thinking and talking about for a long time to come. With the end of any much beloved trilogy or series there's always a chance people will be upset because of how things ended and without a doubt there might be people not pleased by various things in this book. <hl> There might be things I didn't agree with, nor understand; however, in the end, I do have to say that the good outweighed the bad . <hl> I'll be suggesting these books for a long time to come to other fellow readers and I'll look forward to rereading each of these books numerous times. I'm more then looking forward to seeing just what Collins writes next. Enjoy. For more info and reviews please visit my Book Review Blog here - [...]

d0518cf448744b8b9b99178267658f14

books

I found this book to be compelling and well written

question: How fascinating is the book?, context: I hadn't read the series and found I was an anomaly. I found this book to be compelling and well written. I now will be reading the next two series of the trilogy.

How fascinating is the book?

I found this book to be compelling and well written .

I hadn't read the series and found I was an anomaly. I found this book to be compelling and well written. I now will be reading the next two series of the trilogy.

<hl> I found this book to be compelling and well written <hl> .

I hadn't read the series and found I was an anomaly. <hl> I found this book to be compelling and well written <hl>. I now will be reading the next two series of the trilogy.

I hadn't read the series and found I was an anomaly. <hl> I found this book to be compelling and well written . <hl> I now will be reading the next two series of the trilogy.

9e8c15a54fbcbafac92aee15dfd8037c

books

There is a lot of redundancy in the book, where he explains technical details about things like masonry repeatedly

question: How is the detail?, context: This book is very good at the beginning, and I couldn't put it down when I first started reading it. The descriptions of medieval life and mystery at the beginning are very interesting. Here are the problems that caused me to give this book two stars instead of the four it could have easily gotten:This is a very long book, and I get the feeling that the author had to come up with filler to meet some length goal he had. There is a lot of redundancy in the book, where he explains technical details about things like masonry repeatedly. Also, there seem to be random, graphic sex scenes which become more and more frequent in the latter half of the book. Most of them added nothing to the plot, and I'm not sure if they were simply filler, a marketing ploy, or a result of the author just wanting to write about sex. I couldn't finish the book because the last hundred or two pages got too boring and started to resemble a harlequin soft-core porn novel. It's as if he ran out of fresh ideas when the book neared completion and started to substitute real content with sex scenes.There are also some problems with the characters. The main character at the beginning, for instance; the author makes it very clear that this man is deeply in love with his wife, and when she dies, he's crushed-- but then has sex with a woman he just met less than 24 hours after burying his wife. It doesn't make sense when you drastically change a character's values like that, and again, it seems as though the author was overeager to write about sex. It's a trend I've noticed in a lot of books these days. Also (and you'll see what I mean if you read the book), some of the other characters are introduced as truly good people, and then do some truly reprehensible things and have no regrets about it. It doesn't make sense. There's no consistency to most of the characters in this book. In fact, my favorite characters were the villains, because I could at least count on them to be consistently villainous, whereas I never knew what the "good" characters were going to do next.Two out of five. Not worth your money.

How is the detail?

There is a lot of redundancy in the book, where he explains technical details about things like masonry repeatedly .

This book is very good at the beginning, and I couldn't put it down when I first started reading it. The descriptions of medieval life and mystery at the beginning are very interesting. Here are the problems that caused me to give this book two stars instead of the four it could have easily gotten:This is a very long book, and I get the feeling that the author had to come up with filler to meet some length goal he had. There is a lot of redundancy in the book, where he explains technical details about things like masonry repeatedly. Also, there seem to be random, graphic sex scenes which become more and more frequent in the latter half of the book. Most of them added nothing to the plot, and I'm not sure if they were simply filler, a marketing ploy, or a result of the author just wanting to write about sex. I couldn't finish the book because the last hundred or two pages got too boring and started to resemble a harlequin soft-core porn novel. It's as if he ran out of fresh ideas when the book neared completion and started to substitute real content with sex scenes.There are also some problems with the characters. The main character at the beginning, for instance; the author makes it very clear that this man is deeply in love with his wife, and when she dies, he's crushed-- but then has sex with a woman he just met less than 24 hours after burying his wife. It doesn't make sense when you drastically change a character's values like that, and again, it seems as though the author was overeager to write about sex. It's a trend I've noticed in a lot of books these days. Also (and you'll see what I mean if you read the book), some of the other characters are introduced as truly good people, and then do some truly reprehensible things and have no regrets about it. It doesn't make sense. There's no consistency to most of the characters in this book. In fact, my favorite characters were the villains, because I could at least count on them to be consistently villainous, whereas I never knew what the "good" characters were going to do next.Two out of five. Not worth your money.

<hl> There is a lot of redundancy in the book, where he explains technical details about things like masonry repeatedly <hl> .

This book is very good at the beginning, and I couldn't put it down when I first started reading it. The descriptions of medieval life and mystery at the beginning are very interesting. Here are the problems that caused me to give this book two stars instead of the four it could have easily gotten:This is a very long book, and I get the feeling that the author had to come up with filler to meet some length goal he had. <hl> There is a lot of redundancy in the book, where he explains technical details about things like masonry repeatedly <hl>. Also, there seem to be random, graphic sex scenes which become more and more frequent in the latter half of the book. Most of them added nothing to the plot, and I'm not sure if they were simply filler, a marketing ploy, or a result of the author just wanting to write about sex. I couldn't finish the book because the last hundred or two pages got too boring and started to resemble a harlequin soft-core porn novel. It's as if he ran out of fresh ideas when the book neared completion and started to substitute real content with sex scenes.There are also some problems with the characters. The main character at the beginning, for instance; the author makes it very clear that this man is deeply in love with his wife, and when she dies, he's crushed-- but then has sex with a woman he just met less than 24 hours after burying his wife. It doesn't make sense when you drastically change a character's values like that, and again, it seems as though the author was overeager to write about sex. It's a trend I've noticed in a lot of books these days. Also (and you'll see what I mean if you read the book), some of the other characters are introduced as truly good people, and then do some truly reprehensible things and have no regrets about it. It doesn't make sense. There's no consistency to most of the characters in this book. In fact, my favorite characters were the villains, because I could at least count on them to be consistently villainous, whereas I never knew what the "good" characters were going to do next.Two out of five. Not worth your money.

This book is very good at the beginning, and I couldn't put it down when I first started reading it. The descriptions of medieval life and mystery at the beginning are very interesting. Here are the problems that caused me to give this book two stars instead of the four it could have easily gotten:This is a very long book, and I get the feeling that the author had to come up with filler to meet some length goal he had. <hl> There is a lot of redundancy in the book, where he explains technical details about things like masonry repeatedly . <hl> Also, there seem to be random, graphic sex scenes which become more and more frequent in the latter half of the book. Most of them added nothing to the plot, and I'm not sure if they were simply filler, a marketing ploy, or a result of the author just wanting to write about sex. I couldn't finish the book because the last hundred or two pages got too boring and started to resemble a harlequin soft-core porn novel. It's as if he ran out of fresh ideas when the book neared completion and started to substitute real content with sex scenes. There are also some problems with the characters. The main character at the beginning, for instance; the author makes it very clear that this man is deeply in love with his wife, and when she dies, he's crushed-- but then has sex with a woman he just met less than 24 hours after burying his wife. It doesn't make sense when you drastically change a character's values like that, and again, it seems as though the author was overeager to write about sex. It's a trend I've noticed in a lot of books these days. Also (and you'll see what I mean if you read the book), some of the other characters are introduced as truly good people, and then do some truly reprehensible things and have no regrets about it. It doesn't make sense. There's no consistency to most of the characters in this book. In fact, my favorite characters were the villains, because I could at least count on them to be consistently villainous, whereas I never knew what the "good" characters were going to do next. Two out of five. Not worth your money.

572394434465344eca94a179b5e89c30

books

The ending of this book is terrible

question: How is end?, context: With all due respect to the 5 and 4 star reviewers, I am not sure that I read the same book. I will not get in a long drawn out review as to why this book deserves only 1 star I will just keep it short and sweet. The ending of this book is terrible! I actually set there holding my kindle wondering what just happened. Terrible

How is end?

The ending of this book is terrible !

With all due respect to the 5 and 4 star reviewers, I am not sure that I read the same book. I will not get in a long drawn out review as to why this book deserves only 1 star I will just keep it short and sweet. The ending of this book is terrible! I actually set there holding my kindle wondering what just happened. Terrible

<hl> The ending of this book is terrible <hl> !

With all due respect to the 5 and 4 star reviewers, I am not sure that I read the same book. I will not get in a long drawn out review as to why this book deserves only 1 star I will just keep it short and sweet. <hl> The ending of this book is terrible <hl>! I actually set there holding my kindle wondering what just happened. Terrible

With all due respect to the 5 and 4 star reviewers, I am not sure that I read the same book. I will not get in a long drawn out review as to why this book deserves only 1 star I will just keep it short and sweet. <hl> The ending of this book is terrible ! <hl> I actually set there holding my kindle wondering what just happened. Terrible

56ba3da22c40679de667b90fa7f60681

books

like a revisit of her main character from Twilight- Bella

question: What is your premise of the movie?, context: I am a huge fan of Stephanie's and LOVE the twilight books. I am however in my 30's so when I saw this book and the caption "adult novel" I thought great! Something with her style written for a more adult audience.The premise was interesting and there were allot of places it could go. (alien being in a human body, planet taken over etc.) I think my biggest criticism is that the main character seems like a revisit of her main character from Twilight- Bella. The caring, martyr that puts everyone above herself. The love story that develops takes a interesting turn, but makes itself a lot less complicated than the direction it seemed to be going. All in all it was enjoyable, just not as good as her other series. If you haven't read the Twilight series I recommend that more. Also I would not characterize this book as "Adult" there aren't any steamy love scenes or bouts of swearing like a sailor.Steph- if you happen to read this: I hope what I had to say (and others) doesn't discourage you. I really enjoy your books and hope that you write more. :)

What is your premise of the movie?

I think my biggest criticism is that the main character seems like a revisit of her main character from Twilight- Bella .

I am a huge fan of Stephanie's and LOVE the twilight books. I am however in my 30's so when I saw this book and the caption "adult novel" I thought great! Something with her style written for a more adult audience.The premise was interesting and there were allot of places it could go. (alien being in a human body, planet taken over etc.) I think my biggest criticism is that the main character seems like a revisit of her main character from Twilight- Bella. The caring, martyr that puts everyone above herself. The love story that develops takes a interesting turn, but makes itself a lot less complicated than the direction it seemed to be going. All in all it was enjoyable, just not as good as her other series. If you haven't read the Twilight series I recommend that more. Also I would not characterize this book as "Adult" there aren't any steamy love scenes or bouts of swearing like a sailor.Steph- if you happen to read this: I hope what I had to say (and others) doesn't discourage you. I really enjoy your books and hope that you write more. :)

I think my biggest criticism is that the main character seems <hl> like a revisit of her main character from Twilight- Bella <hl> .

I am a huge fan of Stephanie's and LOVE the twilight books. I am however in my 30's so when I saw this book and the caption "adult novel" I thought great! Something with her style written for a more adult audience.The premise was interesting and there were allot of places it could go. (alien being in a human body, planet taken over etc.) I think my biggest criticism is that the main character seems <hl> like a revisit of her main character from Twilight- Bella <hl>. The caring, martyr that puts everyone above herself. The love story that develops takes a interesting turn, but makes itself a lot less complicated than the direction it seemed to be going. All in all it was enjoyable, just not as good as her other series. If you haven't read the Twilight series I recommend that more. Also I would not characterize this book as "Adult" there aren't any steamy love scenes or bouts of swearing like a sailor.Steph- if you happen to read this: I hope what I had to say (and others) doesn't discourage you. I really enjoy your books and hope that you write more. :)

I am a huge fan of Stephanie's and LOVE the twilight books. I am however in my 30's so when I saw this book and the caption "adult novel" I thought great! Something with her style written for a more adult audience. The premise was interesting and there were allot of places it could go. (alien being in a human body, planet taken over etc.) <hl> I think my biggest criticism is that the main character seems like a revisit of her main character from Twilight- Bella . <hl> The caring, martyr that puts everyone above herself. The love story that develops takes a interesting turn, but makes itself a lot less complicated than the direction it seemed to be going. All in all it was enjoyable, just not as good as her other series. If you haven't read the Twilight series I recommend that more. Also I would not characterize this book as "Adult" there aren't any steamy love scenes or bouts of swearing like a sailor. Steph- if you happen to read this: I hope what I had to say (and others) doesn't discourage you. I really enjoy your books and hope that you write more. :)

dcb2b8480fce8f775f3731a9a71d59df

books

Many people loved this

question: How good is the story?, context: I came across Atlas Shrugged here on Amazon while looking for something else entirely. I read some of the reviews. Many people loved this book, and some people absolutely hated it. There was a real conflict going on. The one star reviews sighted an overly lengthy tomb that was preachy and highly opinionated with poorly drawn and poorly developed characters, unrealistic dialogue and confusing descriptions. The 5 star reviews touted amazing characters, poetic descriptions and ground breaking philosophy. But, it was the comments to the 5 star and 1 star reviews that got me interested. I read a comment on a one star review that the commenter thought the one star review was unwarranted and the reviewer needed to read some in-depth analytical books addressing this book and its author's philosophies - then re-read and try the review again (and that the second time around couldn't possibly be a low rating). Well, any book that needs other books to explain it and make it understandable and worthwhile does not sound like a good book at all in my opinion. Other commenter on the 1 star reviews basically said that the reviewers (and anyone who would rate this book low) were a bunch of closed minded sheep that COULD not or WOULD not understand the monumental, brand new philosophy in this book. Well, when anyone says that the reason a book is not liked is because of stupidity, ignorance or willful disregard, it makes me wonder - about both the book and the commenter. On the other side, the comments on some of the 5 star reviews accused those reviewers of being brainwashed cult followers. Overall, I was interested enough to read the sample on my Kindle. I wanted to know what all the controversy was about. I was pretty underwhelmed, and I have to say, I agree more with the 1 star reviewers than the 5 star. It was not well written, it was unrealistic in many ways, not believable at all, and was way too long. I was not fired up in either way. I do not vehemently hate it, nor did I absolutely despise it. I was pretty unimpressed, both with the writing itself and the concepts therein.As I said, the book is not well written. Many of the reviewers did comment on this, and the response from those who loved the book were often that English was author's second language so cut her some slack. I do not agree that that is an acceptable reason nor is it even a good excuse. A good editor or even a proof reader, even a few willing friends, could have cleaned it up. There is no reason why a book should be published like this. A few examples follow. Verb tense. Often the verb tense was inappropriate, especially when switching between past memory to current time. At one point, a character was thinking about an oak tree from his child hood (in past tense) and then this sentence "He stood there for a while, making no sound, then he walked back to the house." Now, of course, after a moment of thought and a quick re-read, I figured out that he was still remembering a memory and not actually looking for a moment and walking back to the house NOW, but when there are multiple instances of verb tense mix ups throughout, it makes for a very confusing, jarring read. There are also many places were the wrong form of a verb or adjective is used, such as singular versus plural. An example: "It was as if normal existence were (should be was rather than were) a photograph." And "-not more than every fourth one of the stores was (should be were) out of business; its (should be their) windows dark." A proof reader or editor would have easily corrected this. Also, there were sudden point of view changes without indication or warning, one moment we are in one character's head, with their thoughts and feelings, and then we are suddenly in the head of another, then back again. Then, there is Rearden's name. He's referred to both as Hank and as Henry. Again, I figured it out, but there were a few pages where people were talking to "Henry" and I was thinking, did someone else walk in? I read back and forth, trying to find where it was explained that Hank was Henry, and couldn't find it. Earlier in the book, people would suddenly speak up that hadn't been initially described as being in the scene, so it wasn't unprecedented to have new characters show up without introduction.In addition, the sentence structure was rather cumbersome and confusing at times. Sentences are very long, repetitive and strung together with commas and semicolons. Example: "The notes flowed up, they spoke of rising and they were rising itself, they were the essence and form of upward motion, they seemed to embody every human act and thought that had ascent as its motive." Or "But from the sunset far at the end of the street, yellow glints caught his eyes, and the eyes looked straight at Eddie . . ." So, were the yellow glints at the end of the street and did the glints catch his attention? Because, if they did, how can he look at Eddie at the same time he's looking at the glints? Were they supposed to be caught IN his eyes? I think so. Or ". . . not an active fire, but a dying one which it is too late to stop." This sentence indicates that it's too late to stop the fire, which doesn't make sense because the fire is dying. But I think what it is actually trying to say is that it is the dying of the fire that is too late to stop. There were instances of this thoughout the book, and it made reading it difficult because I found myself re-reading and re-reading, before I got it. You can't just read through this book non-stop with images and experiences running through your head, because the words keep getting in the way.I don't know about all readers, but I would guess many of them would be thrown off balance and just plain confused by the writing of this book. I was. I had a writing teacher once who gave some of the best advice I've ever gotten, "You want readers to read your story not the words of your story. You want them to read without seeing the words. If they are seeing the words or worse, being confused and tripped up by them, then you have failed." That was certainly true for me reading this book. It was only a string of words without imagery that envoked no feeling.Onto the characters. I too found them to be unrealistic, contradictory, and poorly drawn. There were only a few types of people in this book, those portrayed as stupid, selfish (wanting things only for their own gratification) and charitable beyond any rational reason and those portrayed as cold, emotionless and selfish (wanting things only to feed their vision). I would agree with the other reviewers who said the dialogue was preachy, contrived and unrealistic. Example: "Of what importance is an individual in the titanic collective achievement of our industrial age?" or "little slum children", "it's purely non-commercial", and "selfish greed for profit is a thing of the past.", or this great big long, incongruous statement, "I'm not going to requisition a new typewriter. The new ones are made of tin. When the old ones go, that will be the end of typewriting. There was an accident in the subway this morning, their brakes wouldn't work. You ought to go home, Eddie, turn on the radio and listen to a good dance band. Forget it, boy. Trouble with you is you never had a hobby. Somebody stole the electric light bulbs from off the staircase, down where I live. I've got a pain in my chest. Couldn't get any cough drops this morning, the drugstore on our corner went bankrupt last week. The Texas-Western Railroad went bankrupt last month. They closed the Queensborough Bridge yesterday for temporary repairs. Oh well, what's the use? Who is John Galt?" Who says things like this? Nobody! People don't talk like that. They give speeches with that kind of language, maybe, but not talk to each other like that in everyday conversations.I found no new concepts in this book. The individual versus the whole, society versus industry, ect . . . Rand did not discover something new and reveal it in this book. Nor was her restated concepts portrayed in any realistic setting. The man who runs the train company is whining in response to urging to use a big, established, good quality supplier because the small company (low quality and long lead times that cost them months of time and money) should be given a chance. Or defending a failing venture in an undeveloped country because - shouldn't those countries have help and have modern facilities too? And he's telling his more efficient, hardworking and profit minded hardnosed co-owner sister that she doesn't understand or care about the human element . . . well, as far as business is concerned, of course she doesn't! And to portray any leader of a business as this man is silly. I work in a manufacturing field, and I can tell you, a vendor that provides high cost, low quality parts and is constantly blowing delivery dates is dropped. Same with business ventures, if something isn't making a profit, it goes. And what's this whole resistance to using the new type of metal? "but - but no ones used this new type of metal before . . ." Once again, businesses are always looking for the newest tech, the newest discoveries and inventions to make themselves bigger and better and give them an edge and make them money. This whole business set up in this book just seriously annoyed me. No business runs like that, it couldn't, and rendering one as such, even to make a point, just rang false for me. In the book, sentiment, affection, charity were portrayed as weak, negative emotions that none of the obviously strong, truly successful, hero characters had, even towards their families. The strong heros were condescending, arrogant and bitter.I did read the forward, which had some comments on Rand, as well as some explanations of her characters and the parts they played. Again, if I have to have things spelled out before hand and be TOLD (because it's apparently not clear enough in the book itself) what something ACTUALLY means (because my own ability to drawn my own conclusions must be faulty or my willful ignorance might make me ignore logic and reason) then I suspect there is something lacking in the book itself, either in the nuts and bolts of the writing or in the characters or plot. I found all that to be true in this instance. The actual structure of the writing was confusing and repetitive as well as contradictory, and both the characters and the plot were unrealistic, unrelatable, inhuman and also contradictory. Clarity, concise and realistic dialogue, sympathetic characters, believable plot/people/motivations/actions were all lacking. As a story, it is not something I want to read. As a philosophy, it was nothing new or groundbreaking, that I need to read, and certainly don't want to if its not well written.Quote from Rand: "I seem to be both a theoretical philosopher and a fiction writer. But it is the last that interests me most; the first is only a means to the last . . ." Well, this book is not evidence that supports this statement. It is the exact opposite, in my opinion. This fiction book was not a vehicle for her philosophy. Her philosophy was a vehicle for this book. That was evident to me in the preachy speeches of the characters and the unrealistic mold every scene was shoved into. She did not use her fiction to tell about a philosophy but rather used her philosophy to tell a story. Everything was drawn and built to fit that philosophy.Quote from Rand: ". . . creating a new, original abstraction and translating it through new, original means. This, as far as I know, is only ME - my kind of fiction writing . . . May God forgive me if this is mistaken as conceit. As near as I can now see it, it isn't . . ." Well, I saw nothing new or original in the philosophy and certainly nothing new in this book, and to think it is, to judge one's own work as such, sounds conceited to me. And, in reading Rand's other statements in the forward, she certainly left me with an impression she is an elitist, arrogant, condescending and bitter woman, just like the heroes she created. I will definitely not be paying the high Kindle price to read the rest of this book.This all makes me sad, in a way. There were moments and certain descriptions that were like breathtaking snatches of sunlight and left me thinking - wow, this woman could have been a great novelist. With a little editing, a little less soap box preaching, a grounding in realistic, believable settings and characters, she could have written a tremendous book. There is talent here, but its warped and lost in the extrusion through her narrow and bent mold.

How good is the story?

Many people loved this book, and some people absolutely hated it.

I came across Atlas Shrugged here on Amazon while looking for something else entirely. I read some of the reviews. Many people loved this book, and some people absolutely hated it. There was a real conflict going on. The one star reviews sighted an overly lengthy tomb that was preachy and highly opinionated with poorly drawn and poorly developed characters, unrealistic dialogue and confusing descriptions. The 5 star reviews touted amazing characters, poetic descriptions and ground breaking philosophy. But, it was the comments to the 5 star and 1 star reviews that got me interested. I read a comment on a one star review that the commenter thought the one star review was unwarranted and the reviewer needed to read some in-depth analytical books addressing this book and its author's philosophies - then re-read and try the review again (and that the second time around couldn't possibly be a low rating). Well, any book that needs other books to explain it and make it understandable and worthwhile does not sound like a good book at all in my opinion. Other commenter on the 1 star reviews basically said that the reviewers (and anyone who would rate this book low) were a bunch of closed minded sheep that COULD not or WOULD not understand the monumental, brand new philosophy in this book. Well, when anyone says that the reason a book is not liked is because of stupidity, ignorance or willful disregard, it makes me wonder - about both the book and the commenter. On the other side, the comments on some of the 5 star reviews accused those reviewers of being brainwashed cult followers. Overall, I was interested enough to read the sample on my Kindle. I wanted to know what all the controversy was about. I was pretty underwhelmed, and I have to say, I agree more with the 1 star reviewers than the 5 star. It was not well written, it was unrealistic in many ways, not believable at all, and was way too long. I was not fired up in either way. I do not vehemently hate it, nor did I absolutely despise it. I was pretty unimpressed, both with the writing itself and the concepts therein.As I said, the book is not well written. Many of the reviewers did comment on this, and the response from those who loved the book were often that English was author's second language so cut her some slack. I do not agree that that is an acceptable reason nor is it even a good excuse. A good editor or even a proof reader, even a few willing friends, could have cleaned it up. There is no reason why a book should be published like this. A few examples follow. Verb tense. Often the verb tense was inappropriate, especially when switching between past memory to current time. At one point, a character was thinking about an oak tree from his child hood (in past tense) and then this sentence "He stood there for a while, making no sound, then he walked back to the house." Now, of course, after a moment of thought and a quick re-read, I figured out that he was still remembering a memory and not actually looking for a moment and walking back to the house NOW, but when there are multiple instances of verb tense mix ups throughout, it makes for a very confusing, jarring read. There are also many places were the wrong form of a verb or adjective is used, such as singular versus plural. An example: "It was as if normal existence were (should be was rather than were) a photograph." And "-not more than every fourth one of the stores was (should be were) out of business; its (should be their) windows dark." A proof reader or editor would have easily corrected this. Also, there were sudden point of view changes without indication or warning, one moment we are in one character's head, with their thoughts and feelings, and then we are suddenly in the head of another, then back again. Then, there is Rearden's name. He's referred to both as Hank and as Henry. Again, I figured it out, but there were a few pages where people were talking to "Henry" and I was thinking, did someone else walk in? I read back and forth, trying to find where it was explained that Hank was Henry, and couldn't find it. Earlier in the book, people would suddenly speak up that hadn't been initially described as being in the scene, so it wasn't unprecedented to have new characters show up without introduction.In addition, the sentence structure was rather cumbersome and confusing at times. Sentences are very long, repetitive and strung together with commas and semicolons. Example: "The notes flowed up, they spoke of rising and they were rising itself, they were the essence and form of upward motion, they seemed to embody every human act and thought that had ascent as its motive." Or "But from the sunset far at the end of the street, yellow glints caught his eyes, and the eyes looked straight at Eddie . . ." So, were the yellow glints at the end of the street and did the glints catch his attention? Because, if they did, how can he look at Eddie at the same time he's looking at the glints? Were they supposed to be caught IN his eyes? I think so. Or ". . . not an active fire, but a dying one which it is too late to stop." This sentence indicates that it's too late to stop the fire, which doesn't make sense because the fire is dying. But I think what it is actually trying to say is that it is the dying of the fire that is too late to stop. There were instances of this thoughout the book, and it made reading it difficult because I found myself re-reading and re-reading, before I got it. You can't just read through this book non-stop with images and experiences running through your head, because the words keep getting in the way.I don't know about all readers, but I would guess many of them would be thrown off balance and just plain confused by the writing of this book. I was. I had a writing teacher once who gave some of the best advice I've ever gotten, "You want readers to read your story not the words of your story. You want them to read without seeing the words. If they are seeing the words or worse, being confused and tripped up by them, then you have failed." That was certainly true for me reading this book. It was only a string of words without imagery that envoked no feeling.Onto the characters. I too found them to be unrealistic, contradictory, and poorly drawn. There were only a few types of people in this book, those portrayed as stupid, selfish (wanting things only for their own gratification) and charitable beyond any rational reason and those portrayed as cold, emotionless and selfish (wanting things only to feed their vision). I would agree with the other reviewers who said the dialogue was preachy, contrived and unrealistic. Example: "Of what importance is an individual in the titanic collective achievement of our industrial age?" or "little slum children", "it's purely non-commercial", and "selfish greed for profit is a thing of the past.", or this great big long, incongruous statement, "I'm not going to requisition a new typewriter. The new ones are made of tin. When the old ones go, that will be the end of typewriting. There was an accident in the subway this morning, their brakes wouldn't work. You ought to go home, Eddie, turn on the radio and listen to a good dance band. Forget it, boy. Trouble with you is you never had a hobby. Somebody stole the electric light bulbs from off the staircase, down where I live. I've got a pain in my chest. Couldn't get any cough drops this morning, the drugstore on our corner went bankrupt last week. The Texas-Western Railroad went bankrupt last month. They closed the Queensborough Bridge yesterday for temporary repairs. Oh well, what's the use? Who is John Galt?" Who says things like this? Nobody! People don't talk like that. They give speeches with that kind of language, maybe, but not talk to each other like that in everyday conversations.I found no new concepts in this book. The individual versus the whole, society versus industry, ect . . . Rand did not discover something new and reveal it in this book. Nor was her restated concepts portrayed in any realistic setting. The man who runs the train company is whining in response to urging to use a big, established, good quality supplier because the small company (low quality and long lead times that cost them months of time and money) should be given a chance. Or defending a failing venture in an undeveloped country because - shouldn't those countries have help and have modern facilities too? And he's telling his more efficient, hardworking and profit minded hardnosed co-owner sister that she doesn't understand or care about the human element . . . well, as far as business is concerned, of course she doesn't! And to portray any leader of a business as this man is silly. I work in a manufacturing field, and I can tell you, a vendor that provides high cost, low quality parts and is constantly blowing delivery dates is dropped. Same with business ventures, if something isn't making a profit, it goes. And what's this whole resistance to using the new type of metal? "but - but no ones used this new type of metal before . . ." Once again, businesses are always looking for the newest tech, the newest discoveries and inventions to make themselves bigger and better and give them an edge and make them money. This whole business set up in this book just seriously annoyed me. No business runs like that, it couldn't, and rendering one as such, even to make a point, just rang false for me. In the book, sentiment, affection, charity were portrayed as weak, negative emotions that none of the obviously strong, truly successful, hero characters had, even towards their families. The strong heros were condescending, arrogant and bitter.I did read the forward, which had some comments on Rand, as well as some explanations of her characters and the parts they played. Again, if I have to have things spelled out before hand and be TOLD (because it's apparently not clear enough in the book itself) what something ACTUALLY means (because my own ability to drawn my own conclusions must be faulty or my willful ignorance might make me ignore logic and reason) then I suspect there is something lacking in the book itself, either in the nuts and bolts of the writing or in the characters or plot. I found all that to be true in this instance. The actual structure of the writing was confusing and repetitive as well as contradictory, and both the characters and the plot were unrealistic, unrelatable, inhuman and also contradictory. Clarity, concise and realistic dialogue, sympathetic characters, believable plot/people/motivations/actions were all lacking. As a story, it is not something I want to read. As a philosophy, it was nothing new or groundbreaking, that I need to read, and certainly don't want to if its not well written.Quote from Rand: "I seem to be both a theoretical philosopher and a fiction writer. But it is the last that interests me most; the first is only a means to the last . . ." Well, this book is not evidence that supports this statement. It is the exact opposite, in my opinion. This fiction book was not a vehicle for her philosophy. Her philosophy was a vehicle for this book. That was evident to me in the preachy speeches of the characters and the unrealistic mold every scene was shoved into. She did not use her fiction to tell about a philosophy but rather used her philosophy to tell a story. Everything was drawn and built to fit that philosophy.Quote from Rand: ". . . creating a new, original abstraction and translating it through new, original means. This, as far as I know, is only ME - my kind of fiction writing . . . May God forgive me if this is mistaken as conceit. As near as I can now see it, it isn't . . ." Well, I saw nothing new or original in the philosophy and certainly nothing new in this book, and to think it is, to judge one's own work as such, sounds conceited to me. And, in reading Rand's other statements in the forward, she certainly left me with an impression she is an elitist, arrogant, condescending and bitter woman, just like the heroes she created. I will definitely not be paying the high Kindle price to read the rest of this book.This all makes me sad, in a way. There were moments and certain descriptions that were like breathtaking snatches of sunlight and left me thinking - wow, this woman could have been a great novelist. With a little editing, a little less soap box preaching, a grounding in realistic, believable settings and characters, she could have written a tremendous book. There is talent here, but its warped and lost in the extrusion through her narrow and bent mold.

<hl> Many people loved this <hl> book, and some people absolutely hated it.

I came across Atlas Shrugged here on Amazon while looking for something else entirely. I read some of the reviews. <hl> Many people loved this <hl> book, and some people absolutely hated it. There was a real conflict going on. The one star reviews sighted an overly lengthy tomb that was preachy and highly opinionated with poorly drawn and poorly developed characters, unrealistic dialogue and confusing descriptions. The 5 star reviews touted amazing characters, poetic descriptions and ground breaking philosophy. But, it was the comments to the 5 star and 1 star reviews that got me interested. I read a comment on a one star review that the commenter thought the one star review was unwarranted and the reviewer needed to read some in-depth analytical books addressing this book and its author's philosophies - then re-read and try the review again (and that the second time around couldn't possibly be a low rating). Well, any book that needs other books to explain it and make it understandable and worthwhile does not sound like a good book at all in my opinion. Other commenter on the 1 star reviews basically said that the reviewers (and anyone who would rate this book low) were a bunch of closed minded sheep that COULD not or WOULD not understand the monumental, brand new philosophy in this book. Well, when anyone says that the reason a book is not liked is because of stupidity, ignorance or willful disregard, it makes me wonder - about both the book and the commenter. On the other side, the comments on some of the 5 star reviews accused those reviewers of being brainwashed cult followers. Overall, I was interested enough to read the sample on my Kindle. I wanted to know what all the controversy was about. I was pretty underwhelmed, and I have to say, I agree more with the 1 star reviewers than the 5 star. It was not well written, it was unrealistic in many ways, not believable at all, and was way too long. I was not fired up in either way. I do not vehemently hate it, nor did I absolutely despise it. I was pretty unimpressed, both with the writing itself and the concepts therein.As I said, the book is not well written. Many of the reviewers did comment on this, and the response from those who loved the book were often that English was author's second language so cut her some slack. I do not agree that that is an acceptable reason nor is it even a good excuse. A good editor or even a proof reader, even a few willing friends, could have cleaned it up. There is no reason why a book should be published like this. A few examples follow. Verb tense. Often the verb tense was inappropriate, especially when switching between past memory to current time. At one point, a character was thinking about an oak tree from his child hood (in past tense) and then this sentence "He stood there for a while, making no sound, then he walked back to the house." Now, of course, after a moment of thought and a quick re-read, I figured out that he was still remembering a memory and not actually looking for a moment and walking back to the house NOW, but when there are multiple instances of verb tense mix ups throughout, it makes for a very confusing, jarring read. There are also many places were the wrong form of a verb or adjective is used, such as singular versus plural. An example: "It was as if normal existence were (should be was rather than were) a photograph." And "-not more than every fourth one of the stores was (should be were) out of business; its (should be their) windows dark." A proof reader or editor would have easily corrected this. Also, there were sudden point of view changes without indication or warning, one moment we are in one character's head, with their thoughts and feelings, and then we are suddenly in the head of another, then back again. Then, there is Rearden's name. He's referred to both as Hank and as Henry. Again, I figured it out, but there were a few pages where people were talking to "Henry" and I was thinking, did someone else walk in? I read back and forth, trying to find where it was explained that Hank was Henry, and couldn't find it. Earlier in the book, people would suddenly speak up that hadn't been initially described as being in the scene, so it wasn't unprecedented to have new characters show up without introduction.In addition, the sentence structure was rather cumbersome and confusing at times. Sentences are very long, repetitive and strung together with commas and semicolons. Example: "The notes flowed up, they spoke of rising and they were rising itself, they were the essence and form of upward motion, they seemed to embody every human act and thought that had ascent as its motive." Or "But from the sunset far at the end of the street, yellow glints caught his eyes, and the eyes looked straight at Eddie . . ." So, were the yellow glints at the end of the street and did the glints catch his attention? Because, if they did, how can he look at Eddie at the same time he's looking at the glints? Were they supposed to be caught IN his eyes? I think so. Or ". . . not an active fire, but a dying one which it is too late to stop." This sentence indicates that it's too late to stop the fire, which doesn't make sense because the fire is dying. But I think what it is actually trying to say is that it is the dying of the fire that is too late to stop. There were instances of this thoughout the book, and it made reading it difficult because I found myself re-reading and re-reading, before I got it. You can't just read through this book non-stop with images and experiences running through your head, because the words keep getting in the way.I don't know about all readers, but I would guess many of them would be thrown off balance and just plain confused by the writing of this book. I was. I had a writing teacher once who gave some of the best advice I've ever gotten, "You want readers to read your story not the words of your story. You want them to read without seeing the words. If they are seeing the words or worse, being confused and tripped up by them, then you have failed." That was certainly true for me reading this book. It was only a string of words without imagery that envoked no feeling.Onto the characters. I too found them to be unrealistic, contradictory, and poorly drawn. There were only a few types of people in this book, those portrayed as stupid, selfish (wanting things only for their own gratification) and charitable beyond any rational reason and those portrayed as cold, emotionless and selfish (wanting things only to feed their vision). I would agree with the other reviewers who said the dialogue was preachy, contrived and unrealistic. Example: "Of what importance is an individual in the titanic collective achievement of our industrial age?" or "little slum children", "it's purely non-commercial", and "selfish greed for profit is a thing of the past.", or this great big long, incongruous statement, "I'm not going to requisition a new typewriter. The new ones are made of tin. When the old ones go, that will be the end of typewriting. There was an accident in the subway this morning, their brakes wouldn't work. You ought to go home, Eddie, turn on the radio and listen to a good dance band. Forget it, boy. Trouble with you is you never had a hobby. Somebody stole the electric light bulbs from off the staircase, down where I live. I've got a pain in my chest. Couldn't get any cough drops this morning, the drugstore on our corner went bankrupt last week. The Texas-Western Railroad went bankrupt last month. They closed the Queensborough Bridge yesterday for temporary repairs. Oh well, what's the use? Who is John Galt?" Who says things like this? Nobody! People don't talk like that. They give speeches with that kind of language, maybe, but not talk to each other like that in everyday conversations.I found no new concepts in this book. The individual versus the whole, society versus industry, ect . . . Rand did not discover something new and reveal it in this book. Nor was her restated concepts portrayed in any realistic setting. The man who runs the train company is whining in response to urging to use a big, established, good quality supplier because the small company (low quality and long lead times that cost them months of time and money) should be given a chance. Or defending a failing venture in an undeveloped country because - shouldn't those countries have help and have modern facilities too? And he's telling his more efficient, hardworking and profit minded hardnosed co-owner sister that she doesn't understand or care about the human element . . . well, as far as business is concerned, of course she doesn't! And to portray any leader of a business as this man is silly. I work in a manufacturing field, and I can tell you, a vendor that provides high cost, low quality parts and is constantly blowing delivery dates is dropped. Same with business ventures, if something isn't making a profit, it goes. And what's this whole resistance to using the new type of metal? "but - but no ones used this new type of metal before . . ." Once again, businesses are always looking for the newest tech, the newest discoveries and inventions to make themselves bigger and better and give them an edge and make them money. This whole business set up in this book just seriously annoyed me. No business runs like that, it couldn't, and rendering one as such, even to make a point, just rang false for me. In the book, sentiment, affection, charity were portrayed as weak, negative emotions that none of the obviously strong, truly successful, hero characters had, even towards their families. The strong heros were condescending, arrogant and bitter.I did read the forward, which had some comments on Rand, as well as some explanations of her characters and the parts they played. Again, if I have to have things spelled out before hand and be TOLD (because it's apparently not clear enough in the book itself) what something ACTUALLY means (because my own ability to drawn my own conclusions must be faulty or my willful ignorance might make me ignore logic and reason) then I suspect there is something lacking in the book itself, either in the nuts and bolts of the writing or in the characters or plot. I found all that to be true in this instance. The actual structure of the writing was confusing and repetitive as well as contradictory, and both the characters and the plot were unrealistic, unrelatable, inhuman and also contradictory. Clarity, concise and realistic dialogue, sympathetic characters, believable plot/people/motivations/actions were all lacking. As a story, it is not something I want to read. As a philosophy, it was nothing new or groundbreaking, that I need to read, and certainly don't want to if its not well written.Quote from Rand: "I seem to be both a theoretical philosopher and a fiction writer. But it is the last that interests me most; the first is only a means to the last . . ." Well, this book is not evidence that supports this statement. It is the exact opposite, in my opinion. This fiction book was not a vehicle for her philosophy. Her philosophy was a vehicle for this book. That was evident to me in the preachy speeches of the characters and the unrealistic mold every scene was shoved into. She did not use her fiction to tell about a philosophy but rather used her philosophy to tell a story. Everything was drawn and built to fit that philosophy.Quote from Rand: ". . . creating a new, original abstraction and translating it through new, original means. This, as far as I know, is only ME - my kind of fiction writing . . . May God forgive me if this is mistaken as conceit. As near as I can now see it, it isn't . . ." Well, I saw nothing new or original in the philosophy and certainly nothing new in this book, and to think it is, to judge one's own work as such, sounds conceited to me. And, in reading Rand's other statements in the forward, she certainly left me with an impression she is an elitist, arrogant, condescending and bitter woman, just like the heroes she created. I will definitely not be paying the high Kindle price to read the rest of this book.This all makes me sad, in a way. There were moments and certain descriptions that were like breathtaking snatches of sunlight and left me thinking - wow, this woman could have been a great novelist. With a little editing, a little less soap box preaching, a grounding in realistic, believable settings and characters, she could have written a tremendous book. There is talent here, but its warped and lost in the extrusion through her narrow and bent mold.

I came across Atlas Shrugged here on Amazon while looking for something else entirely. I read some of the reviews. <hl> Many people loved this book, and some people absolutely hated it. <hl> There was a real conflict going on. The one star reviews sighted an overly lengthy tomb that was preachy and highly opinionated with poorly drawn and poorly developed characters, unrealistic dialogue and confusing descriptions. The 5 star reviews touted amazing characters, poetic descriptions and ground breaking philosophy. But, it was the comments to the 5 star and 1 star reviews that got me interested. I read a comment on a one star review that the commenter thought the one star review was unwarranted and the reviewer needed to read some in-depth analytical books addressing this book and its author's philosophies - then re-read and try the review again (and that the second time around couldn't possibly be a low rating). Well, any book that needs other books to explain it and make it understandable and worthwhile does not sound like a good book at all in my opinion. Other commenter on the 1 star reviews basically said that the reviewers (and anyone who would rate this book low) were a bunch of closed minded sheep that COULD not or WOULD not understand the monumental, brand new philosophy in this book. Well, when anyone says that the reason a book is not liked is because of stupidity, ignorance or willful disregard, it makes me wonder - about both the book and the commenter. On the other side, the comments on some of the 5 star reviews accused those reviewers of being brainwashed cult followers. Overall, I was interested enough to read the sample on my Kindle. I wanted to know what all the controversy was about. I was pretty underwhelmed, and I have to say, I agree more with the 1 star reviewers than the 5 star. It was not well written, it was unrealistic in many ways, not believable at all, and was way too long. I was not fired up in either way. I do not vehemently hate it, nor did I absolutely despise it. I was pretty unimpressed, both with the writing itself and the concepts therein. As I said, the book is not well written. Many of the reviewers did comment on this, and the response from those who loved the book were often that English was author's second language so cut her some slack. I do not agree that that is an acceptable reason nor is it even a good excuse. A good editor or even a proof reader, even a few willing friends, could have cleaned it up. There is no reason why a book should be published like this. A few examples follow. Verb tense. Often the verb tense was inappropriate, especially when switching between past memory to current time. At one point, a character was thinking about an oak tree from his child hood (in past tense) and then this sentence "He stood there for a while, making no sound, then he walked back to the house." Now, of course, after a moment of thought and a quick re-read, I figured out that he was still remembering a memory and not actually looking for a moment and walking back to the house NOW, but when there are multiple instances of verb tense mix ups throughout, it makes for a very confusing, jarring read. There are also many places were the wrong form of a verb or adjective is used, such as singular versus plural. An example: "It was as if normal existence were (should be was rather than were) a photograph." And "-not more than every fourth one of the stores was (should be were) out of business; its (should be their) windows dark." A proof reader or editor would have easily corrected this. Also, there were sudden point of view changes without indication or warning, one moment we are in one character's head, with their thoughts and feelings, and then we are suddenly in the head of another, then back again. Then, there is Rearden's name. He's referred to both as Hank and as Henry. Again, I figured it out, but there were a few pages where people were talking to "Henry" and I was thinking, did someone else walk in? I read back and forth, trying to find where it was explained that Hank was Henry, and couldn't find it. Earlier in the book, people would suddenly speak up that hadn't been initially described as being in the scene, so it wasn't unprecedented to have new characters show up without introduction. In addition, the sentence structure was rather cumbersome and confusing at times. Sentences are very long, repetitive and strung together with commas and semicolons. Example: "The notes flowed up, they spoke of rising and they were rising itself, they were the essence and form of upward motion, they seemed to embody every human act and thought that had ascent as its motive." Or "But from the sunset far at the end of the street, yellow glints caught his eyes, and the eyes looked straight at Eddie . . ." So, were the yellow glints at the end of the street and did the glints catch his attention? Because, if they did, how can he look at Eddie at the same time he's looking at the glints? Were they supposed to be caught IN his eyes? I think so. Or ". . . not an active fire, but a dying one which it is too late to stop." This sentence indicates that it's too late to stop the fire, which doesn't make sense because the fire is dying. But I think what it is actually trying to say is that it is the dying of the fire that is too late to stop. There were instances of this thoughout the book, and it made reading it difficult because I found myself re-reading and re-reading, before I got it. You can't just read through this book non-stop with images and experiences running through your head, because the words keep getting in the way. I don't know about all readers, but I would guess many of them would be thrown off balance and just plain confused by the writing of this book. I was. I had a writing teacher once who gave some of the best advice I've ever gotten, "You want readers to read your story not the words of your story. You want them to read without seeing the words. If they are seeing the words or worse, being confused and tripped up by them, then you have failed." That was certainly true for me reading this book. It was only a string of words without imagery that envoked no feeling. Onto the characters. I too found them to be unrealistic, contradictory, and poorly drawn. There were only a few types of people in this book, those portrayed as stupid, selfish (wanting things only for their own gratification) and charitable beyond any rational reason and those portrayed as cold, emotionless and selfish (wanting things only to feed their vision). I would agree with the other reviewers who said the dialogue was preachy, contrived and unrealistic. Example: "Of what importance is an individual in the titanic collective achievement of our industrial age?" or "little slum children", "it's purely non-commercial", and "selfish greed for profit is a thing of the past. ", or this great big long, incongruous statement, "I'm not going to requisition a new typewriter. The new ones are made of tin. When the old ones go, that will be the end of typewriting. There was an accident in the subway this morning, their brakes wouldn't work. You ought to go home, Eddie, turn on the radio and listen to a good dance band. Forget it, boy. Trouble with you is you never had a hobby. Somebody stole the electric light bulbs from off the staircase, down where I live. I've got a pain in my chest. Couldn't get any cough drops this morning, the drugstore on our corner went bankrupt last week. The Texas-Western Railroad went bankrupt last month. They closed the Queensborough Bridge yesterday for temporary repairs. Oh well, what's the use? Who is John Galt?" Who says things like this? Nobody! People don't talk like that. They give speeches with that kind of language, maybe, but not talk to each other like that in everyday conversations. I found no new concepts in this book. The individual versus the whole, society versus industry, ect . . . Rand did not discover something new and reveal it in this book. Nor was her restated concepts portrayed in any realistic setting. The man who runs the train company is whining in response to urging to use a big, established, good quality supplier because the small company (low quality and long lead times that cost them months of time and money) should be given a chance. Or defending a failing venture in an undeveloped country because - shouldn't those countries have help and have modern facilities too? And he's telling his more efficient, hardworking and profit minded hardnosed co-owner sister that she doesn't understand or care about the human element . . . well, as far as business is concerned, of course she doesn't! And to portray any leader of a business as this man is silly. I work in a manufacturing field, and I can tell you, a vendor that provides high cost, low quality parts and is constantly blowing delivery dates is dropped. Same with business ventures, if something isn't making a profit, it goes. And what's this whole resistance to using the new type of metal? "but - but no ones used this new type of metal before . . ." Once again, businesses are always looking for the newest tech, the newest discoveries and inventions to make themselves bigger and better and give them an edge and make them money. This whole business set up in this book just seriously annoyed me. No business runs like that, it couldn't, and rendering one as such, even to make a point, just rang false for me. In the book, sentiment, affection, charity were portrayed as weak, negative emotions that none of the obviously strong, truly successful, hero characters had, even towards their families. The strong heros were condescending, arrogant and bitter. I did read the forward, which had some comments on Rand, as well as some explanations of her characters and the parts they played. Again, if I have to have things spelled out before hand and be TOLD (because it's apparently not clear enough in the book itself) what something ACTUALLY means (because my own ability to drawn my own conclusions must be faulty or my willful ignorance might make me ignore logic and reason) then I suspect there is something lacking in the book itself, either in the nuts and bolts of the writing or in the characters or plot. I found all that to be true in this instance. The actual structure of the writing was confusing and repetitive as well as contradictory, and both the characters and the plot were unrealistic, unrelatable, inhuman and also contradictory. Clarity, concise and realistic dialogue, sympathetic characters, believable plot/people/motivations/actions were all lacking. As a story, it is not something I want to read. As a philosophy, it was nothing new or groundbreaking, that I need to read, and certainly don't want to if its not well written. Quote from Rand: "I seem to be both a theoretical philosopher and a fiction writer. But it is the last that interests me most; the first is only a means to the last . . ." Well, this book is not evidence that supports this statement. It is the exact opposite, in my opinion. This fiction book was not a vehicle for her philosophy. Her philosophy was a vehicle for this book. That was evident to me in the preachy speeches of the characters and the unrealistic mold every scene was shoved into. She did not use her fiction to tell about a philosophy but rather used her philosophy to tell a story. Everything was drawn and built to fit that philosophy. Quote from Rand: ". . . creating a new, original abstraction and translating it through new, original means. This, as far as I know, is only ME - my kind of fiction writing . . . May God forgive me if this is mistaken as conceit. As near as I can now see it, it isn't . . ." Well, I saw nothing new or original in the philosophy and certainly nothing new in this book, and to think it is, to judge one's own work as such, sounds conceited to me. And, in reading Rand's other statements in the forward, she certainly left me with an impression she is an elitist, arrogant, condescending and bitter woman, just like the heroes she created. I will definitely not be paying the high Kindle price to read the rest of this book. This all makes me sad, in a way. There were moments and certain descriptions that were like breathtaking snatches of sunlight and left me thinking - wow, this woman could have been a great novelist. With a little editing, a little less soap box preaching, a grounding in realistic, believable settings and characters, she could have written a tremendous book. There is talent here, but its warped and lost in the extrusion through her narrow and bent mold.

8f89c39038d0447c09aa8166a3b57a0c

books

The writing is excellent

question: Why do I have a positive review?, context: I was worried that I would constantly be missing all the beloved characters that Rowling has created, but I couldn't be more wrong. The writing is excellent, the mystery compelling and the characters complex. I was almost sad to finish and wishing it was the first in a series. How delighted I was to find that another Cormoran Strike novel is on the way.

Why do I have a positive review?

The writing is excellent , the mystery compelling and the characters complex.

I was worried that I would constantly be missing all the beloved characters that Rowling has created, but I couldn't be more wrong. The writing is excellent, the mystery compelling and the characters complex. I was almost sad to finish and wishing it was the first in a series. How delighted I was to find that another Cormoran Strike novel is on the way.

<hl> The writing is excellent <hl> , the mystery compelling and the characters complex.

I was worried that I would constantly be missing all the beloved characters that Rowling has created, but I couldn't be more wrong. <hl> The writing is excellent <hl>, the mystery compelling and the characters complex. I was almost sad to finish and wishing it was the first in a series. How delighted I was to find that another Cormoran Strike novel is on the way.

I was worried that I would constantly be missing all the beloved characters that Rowling has created, but I couldn't be more wrong. <hl> The writing is excellent , the mystery compelling and the characters complex. <hl> I was almost sad to finish and wishing it was the first in a series. How delighted I was to find that another Cormoran Strike novel is on the way.

704cd3e72ec31fa39e3224e5b79b89f5

books

love Charlaine Harris's writing

question: How is the write?, context: OK I LOVE ALL THINGS SOOKIE!!!!!!!!! Yes I know that some people were not happy about the ending of this epic series but I did. I love Charlaine Harris's writing. Her stories are witty, charming, and full of suspense and I love every minute of it.Sookie is one of my all time favorite characters. I love the fact that she expresses everything she feels and holds NOTHING back!! She is always into something and there is always someone after her.....You never know what you are going to get when you begin a Sookie Stackhouse novel but you know this....IT WILL BE GOOD!!! Every new character that pops out is just as fascinating as the one before.Sookie is my favorite character but there is a close running for second between her best friend/boss Sam and her ex-vampire boyfriend Bill. There is just something about Bill that I have always loved. He always fights for Sookie no matter what. Even after their relationship ended he always swore he would watch out for her and he does...Another character that I enjoy immensly is the bitch of all bitches, Pam. Pam is Eric's (Sookie's "current vampire love") child. Pam is just fascinating. She is mean and vindictive but yet you know she will always have your back.When thinking of how I would write my review I ended up with the decision to not give away any spoilers. The shocks and secrets are what make this book good. I will say that yes the ending is not what alot will expect especially with how this series has been going and being shown on tv (True Blood.) But die-hard Sookie fans (such as myself) will love the book no matter what. I am truly sad that this is the last book in the series. I will miss Charlaine's writing and her story-telling....

How is the write?

I love Charlaine Harris's writing .

OK I LOVE ALL THINGS SOOKIE!!!!!!!!! Yes I know that some people were not happy about the ending of this epic series but I did. I love Charlaine Harris's writing. Her stories are witty, charming, and full of suspense and I love every minute of it.Sookie is one of my all time favorite characters. I love the fact that she expresses everything she feels and holds NOTHING back!! She is always into something and there is always someone after her.....You never know what you are going to get when you begin a Sookie Stackhouse novel but you know this....IT WILL BE GOOD!!! Every new character that pops out is just as fascinating as the one before.Sookie is my favorite character but there is a close running for second between her best friend/boss Sam and her ex-vampire boyfriend Bill. There is just something about Bill that I have always loved. He always fights for Sookie no matter what. Even after their relationship ended he always swore he would watch out for her and he does...Another character that I enjoy immensly is the bitch of all bitches, Pam. Pam is Eric's (Sookie's "current vampire love") child. Pam is just fascinating. She is mean and vindictive but yet you know she will always have your back.When thinking of how I would write my review I ended up with the decision to not give away any spoilers. The shocks and secrets are what make this book good. I will say that yes the ending is not what alot will expect especially with how this series has been going and being shown on tv (True Blood.) But die-hard Sookie fans (such as myself) will love the book no matter what. I am truly sad that this is the last book in the series. I will miss Charlaine's writing and her story-telling....

I <hl> love Charlaine Harris's writing <hl> .

OK I LOVE ALL THINGS SOOKIE!!!!!!!!! Yes I know that some people were not happy about the ending of this epic series but I did. I <hl> love Charlaine Harris's writing <hl>. Her stories are witty, charming, and full of suspense and I love every minute of it.Sookie is one of my all time favorite characters. I love the fact that she expresses everything she feels and holds NOTHING back!! She is always into something and there is always someone after her.....You never know what you are going to get when you begin a Sookie Stackhouse novel but you know this....IT WILL BE GOOD!!! Every new character that pops out is just as fascinating as the one before.Sookie is my favorite character but there is a close running for second between her best friend/boss Sam and her ex-vampire boyfriend Bill. There is just something about Bill that I have always loved. He always fights for Sookie no matter what. Even after their relationship ended he always swore he would watch out for her and he does...Another character that I enjoy immensly is the bitch of all bitches, Pam. Pam is Eric's (Sookie's "current vampire love") child. Pam is just fascinating. She is mean and vindictive but yet you know she will always have your back.When thinking of how I would write my review I ended up with the decision to not give away any spoilers. The shocks and secrets are what make this book good. I will say that yes the ending is not what alot will expect especially with how this series has been going and being shown on tv (True Blood.) But die-hard Sookie fans (such as myself) will love the book no matter what. I am truly sad that this is the last book in the series. I will miss Charlaine's writing and her story-telling....

OK I LOVE ALL THINGS SOOKIE!!!!!!!!! Yes I know that some people were not happy about the ending of this epic series but I did. <hl> I love Charlaine Harris's writing . <hl> Her stories are witty, charming, and full of suspense and I love every minute of it. Sookie is one of my all time favorite characters. I love the fact that she expresses everything she feels and holds NOTHING back!! She is always into something and there is always someone after her..... You never know what you are going to get when you begin a Sookie Stackhouse novel but you know this....IT WILL BE GOOD!!! Every new character that pops out is just as fascinating as the one before. Sookie is my favorite character but there is a close running for second between her best friend/boss Sam and her ex-vampire boyfriend Bill. There is just something about Bill that I have always loved. He always fights for Sookie no matter what. Even after their relationship ended he always swore he would watch out for her and he does...Another character that I enjoy immensly is the bitch of all bitches, Pam. Pam is Eric's (Sookie's "current vampire love") child. Pam is just fascinating. She is mean and vindictive but yet you know she will always have your back. When thinking of how I would write my review I ended up with the decision to not give away any spoilers. The shocks and secrets are what make this book good. I will say that yes the ending is not what alot will expect especially with how this series has been going and being shown on tv (True Blood.) But die-hard Sookie fans (such as myself) will love the book no matter what. I am truly sad that this is the last book in the series. I will miss Charlaine's writing and her story-telling....

d9420e46ef908aa2ccb7ac17dbc8db0c

books

The dynamic of the main characters and their relationship is very interesting

question: Does the story get better as the book progresses?, context: Wow what a book. This is one I could not put down no matter how tired I was.The dynamic of the main characters and their relationship is very interesting.

Does the story get better as the book progresses?

The dynamic of the main characters and their relationship is very interesting .

Wow what a book. This is one I could not put down no matter how tired I was.The dynamic of the main characters and their relationship is very interesting.

<hl> The dynamic of the main characters and their relationship is very interesting <hl> .

Wow what a book. This is one I could not put down no matter how tired I was.<hl> The dynamic of the main characters and their relationship is very interesting <hl>.

Wow what a book. This is one I could not put down no matter how tired I was. <hl> The dynamic of the main characters and their relationship is very interesting . <hl>

5021c9c51b91ab2b6c7c1ab1f3f3c2d1

books

great book

question: How is the quality of the book?, context: Article first published as Book Review:The Help by Kathryn Stockett on Blogcritics.Life in the 60's, in Jackson, Mississippi was difficult for most people. Being a black maid, raising children not your own, was made even more difficult by the times.In The Help by Kathryn Stockett, we follow the coming of age of a young white woman, one raised and well loved by her own family's black maid, Constantine. When Miss Skeeter goes away to school to learn a trade in writing, she maintains a long distance relationship via letters. When the letters suddenly stop, she is hurt by the silence, but knows she will get an explanation from Constantine when she gets home. Little does she know at that time, she will never see her loving maid again.Elizabeth Leefolt and Hilly Holbrook are Skeeter's best friends. Having grown up together, they maintain that relationship. They belong to the same groups and attend the same parties. When Elizabeth has a daughter, her maid Aibileen takes on the task of caring for her. For Aibileen it is a labor of love, Mae Mobley is a sweet child, and Aibileen dotes on her. But Skeeter begins to see a different world than the one she remembers.Fresh out of school, Skeeter decides to apply for a job as editor, for the publishers Harper and Roe. When she receives a letter back from Elaine Stein, the senior editor, she is in heaven. However the letter is to inform her she is not being hired. Miss Stein is willing to look at her writing though, but informs her that is must be both interesting and dear to her heart. Skeeter offer up her thoughts but is turned down.When she continues to interact within her circle, she begins to pay attention to the interaction of the maids and the families they work for. Remembering her own upbringing, she decides to get the maids to tell their stories; this is what she will submit. Little does she know just how dangerous and difficult of a task this is. This is a turbulent time, a time of race riots, murders and hate. How will she move forward, and who will tell their story?As Skeeter works on her plan she finds a job with the Jackson Journal. She will write the Miss Myrna column, a column that supplies answers to domestic questions. She decides to get help with the answers from an expert. Her friend Elizabeth allows her to ask, Abilieen, her own maid for answers. This bond than forges a trust, and an uneasy alliance that will shake up the very foundations of the Jackson, Mississippi lives and interactions, giving a voice to a group of people long oppressed.Stockett has written a story set in the turbulent era heralding the death of a beloved president, John F Kennedy, the murder of Medgar Evers, and the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. Hate and distrust were high, and life for many of these maids was unimaginable. Stocketts characters are strong, sometimes bold, yet sometimes silent. She ads humor and fun, as well as danger and intrigue into her dialogue. Writing from the point of view of numerous characters, she has done an amazing job of pulling together a story that gets to the heart of the times.Using fact and fiction she weaves a strong telling of how life was lived in these households. Using her own background, she uses her knowledge to get into the heart of what living during this time may have really looked like.I would recommend this book for a book club or reading group. The style is interesting and while a bit difficult to begin, once you understand the technique the story evolves and takes you to that time and place in history. As is often quoted, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times", and Miss Stockett puts you right in the middle, making you think. The humor is real, but the pain and angst also weave their way into the fray. The characters are gutsy and bold, pulling you in, and earning your respect. A great book for your library.

How is the quality of the book?

A great book for your library.

Article first published as Book Review:The Help by Kathryn Stockett on Blogcritics.Life in the 60's, in Jackson, Mississippi was difficult for most people. Being a black maid, raising children not your own, was made even more difficult by the times.In The Help by Kathryn Stockett, we follow the coming of age of a young white woman, one raised and well loved by her own family's black maid, Constantine. When Miss Skeeter goes away to school to learn a trade in writing, she maintains a long distance relationship via letters. When the letters suddenly stop, she is hurt by the silence, but knows she will get an explanation from Constantine when she gets home. Little does she know at that time, she will never see her loving maid again.Elizabeth Leefolt and Hilly Holbrook are Skeeter's best friends. Having grown up together, they maintain that relationship. They belong to the same groups and attend the same parties. When Elizabeth has a daughter, her maid Aibileen takes on the task of caring for her. For Aibileen it is a labor of love, Mae Mobley is a sweet child, and Aibileen dotes on her. But Skeeter begins to see a different world than the one she remembers.Fresh out of school, Skeeter decides to apply for a job as editor, for the publishers Harper and Roe. When she receives a letter back from Elaine Stein, the senior editor, she is in heaven. However the letter is to inform her she is not being hired. Miss Stein is willing to look at her writing though, but informs her that is must be both interesting and dear to her heart. Skeeter offer up her thoughts but is turned down.When she continues to interact within her circle, she begins to pay attention to the interaction of the maids and the families they work for. Remembering her own upbringing, she decides to get the maids to tell their stories; this is what she will submit. Little does she know just how dangerous and difficult of a task this is. This is a turbulent time, a time of race riots, murders and hate. How will she move forward, and who will tell their story?As Skeeter works on her plan she finds a job with the Jackson Journal. She will write the Miss Myrna column, a column that supplies answers to domestic questions. She decides to get help with the answers from an expert. Her friend Elizabeth allows her to ask, Abilieen, her own maid for answers. This bond than forges a trust, and an uneasy alliance that will shake up the very foundations of the Jackson, Mississippi lives and interactions, giving a voice to a group of people long oppressed.Stockett has written a story set in the turbulent era heralding the death of a beloved president, John F Kennedy, the murder of Medgar Evers, and the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. Hate and distrust were high, and life for many of these maids was unimaginable. Stocketts characters are strong, sometimes bold, yet sometimes silent. She ads humor and fun, as well as danger and intrigue into her dialogue. Writing from the point of view of numerous characters, she has done an amazing job of pulling together a story that gets to the heart of the times.Using fact and fiction she weaves a strong telling of how life was lived in these households. Using her own background, she uses her knowledge to get into the heart of what living during this time may have really looked like.I would recommend this book for a book club or reading group. The style is interesting and while a bit difficult to begin, once you understand the technique the story evolves and takes you to that time and place in history. As is often quoted, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times", and Miss Stockett puts you right in the middle, making you think. The humor is real, but the pain and angst also weave their way into the fray. The characters are gutsy and bold, pulling you in, and earning your respect. A great book for your library.

A <hl> great book <hl> for your library.

Article first published as Book Review:The Help by Kathryn Stockett on Blogcritics.Life in the 60's, in Jackson, Mississippi was difficult for most people. Being a black maid, raising children not your own, was made even more difficult by the times.In The Help by Kathryn Stockett, we follow the coming of age of a young white woman, one raised and well loved by her own family's black maid, Constantine. When Miss Skeeter goes away to school to learn a trade in writing, she maintains a long distance relationship via letters. When the letters suddenly stop, she is hurt by the silence, but knows she will get an explanation from Constantine when she gets home. Little does she know at that time, she will never see her loving maid again.Elizabeth Leefolt and Hilly Holbrook are Skeeter's best friends. Having grown up together, they maintain that relationship. They belong to the same groups and attend the same parties. When Elizabeth has a daughter, her maid Aibileen takes on the task of caring for her. For Aibileen it is a labor of love, Mae Mobley is a sweet child, and Aibileen dotes on her. But Skeeter begins to see a different world than the one she remembers.Fresh out of school, Skeeter decides to apply for a job as editor, for the publishers Harper and Roe. When she receives a letter back from Elaine Stein, the senior editor, she is in heaven. However the letter is to inform her she is not being hired. Miss Stein is willing to look at her writing though, but informs her that is must be both interesting and dear to her heart. Skeeter offer up her thoughts but is turned down.When she continues to interact within her circle, she begins to pay attention to the interaction of the maids and the families they work for. Remembering her own upbringing, she decides to get the maids to tell their stories; this is what she will submit. Little does she know just how dangerous and difficult of a task this is. This is a turbulent time, a time of race riots, murders and hate. How will she move forward, and who will tell their story?As Skeeter works on her plan she finds a job with the Jackson Journal. She will write the Miss Myrna column, a column that supplies answers to domestic questions. She decides to get help with the answers from an expert. Her friend Elizabeth allows her to ask, Abilieen, her own maid for answers. This bond than forges a trust, and an uneasy alliance that will shake up the very foundations of the Jackson, Mississippi lives and interactions, giving a voice to a group of people long oppressed.Stockett has written a story set in the turbulent era heralding the death of a beloved president, John F Kennedy, the murder of Medgar Evers, and the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. Hate and distrust were high, and life for many of these maids was unimaginable. Stocketts characters are strong, sometimes bold, yet sometimes silent. She ads humor and fun, as well as danger and intrigue into her dialogue. Writing from the point of view of numerous characters, she has done an amazing job of pulling together a story that gets to the heart of the times.Using fact and fiction she weaves a strong telling of how life was lived in these households. Using her own background, she uses her knowledge to get into the heart of what living during this time may have really looked like.I would recommend this book for a book club or reading group. The style is interesting and while a bit difficult to begin, once you understand the technique the story evolves and takes you to that time and place in history. As is often quoted, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times", and Miss Stockett puts you right in the middle, making you think. The humor is real, but the pain and angst also weave their way into the fray. The characters are gutsy and bold, pulling you in, and earning your respect. A <hl> great book <hl> for your library.

Article first published as Book Review:The Help by Kathryn Stockett on Blogcritics. Life in the 60's, in Jackson, Mississippi was difficult for most people. Being a black maid, raising children not your own, was made even more difficult by the times. In The Help by Kathryn Stockett, we follow the coming of age of a young white woman, one raised and well loved by her own family's black maid, Constantine. When Miss Skeeter goes away to school to learn a trade in writing, she maintains a long distance relationship via letters. When the letters suddenly stop, she is hurt by the silence, but knows she will get an explanation from Constantine when she gets home. Little does she know at that time, she will never see her loving maid again. Elizabeth Leefolt and Hilly Holbrook are Skeeter's best friends. Having grown up together, they maintain that relationship. They belong to the same groups and attend the same parties. When Elizabeth has a daughter, her maid Aibileen takes on the task of caring for her. For Aibileen it is a labor of love, Mae Mobley is a sweet child, and Aibileen dotes on her. But Skeeter begins to see a different world than the one she remembers. Fresh out of school, Skeeter decides to apply for a job as editor, for the publishers Harper and Roe. When she receives a letter back from Elaine Stein, the senior editor, she is in heaven. However the letter is to inform her she is not being hired. Miss Stein is willing to look at her writing though, but informs her that is must be both interesting and dear to her heart. Skeeter offer up her thoughts but is turned down. When she continues to interact within her circle, she begins to pay attention to the interaction of the maids and the families they work for. Remembering her own upbringing, she decides to get the maids to tell their stories; this is what she will submit. Little does she know just how dangerous and difficult of a task this is. This is a turbulent time, a time of race riots, murders and hate. How will she move forward, and who will tell their story?As Skeeter works on her plan she finds a job with the Jackson Journal. She will write the Miss Myrna column, a column that supplies answers to domestic questions. She decides to get help with the answers from an expert. Her friend Elizabeth allows her to ask, Abilieen, her own maid for answers. This bond than forges a trust, and an uneasy alliance that will shake up the very foundations of the Jackson, Mississippi lives and interactions, giving a voice to a group of people long oppressed. Stockett has written a story set in the turbulent era heralding the death of a beloved president, John F Kennedy, the murder of Medgar Evers, and the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. Hate and distrust were high, and life for many of these maids was unimaginable. Stocketts characters are strong, sometimes bold, yet sometimes silent. She ads humor and fun, as well as danger and intrigue into her dialogue. Writing from the point of view of numerous characters, she has done an amazing job of pulling together a story that gets to the heart of the times. Using fact and fiction she weaves a strong telling of how life was lived in these households. Using her own background, she uses her knowledge to get into the heart of what living during this time may have really looked like. I would recommend this book for a book club or reading group. The style is interesting and while a bit difficult to begin, once you understand the technique the story evolves and takes you to that time and place in history. As is often quoted, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times", and Miss Stockett puts you right in the middle, making you think. The humor is real, but the pain and angst also weave their way into the fray. The characters are gutsy and bold, pulling you in, and earning your respect. <hl> A great book for your library. <hl>

6fb6397553f49d4d25ef66b9baebda01

books

was strong enough to change how she interacted with the world

question: How strength was it?, context: After just one book, I'm already a fan of Amy Tintera and her writing! I found her debut, Reboot, to be an absolutely stunning dystopian offering with a strong romantic plot line and well-placed humor to balance the novel's darkness and violence.The main character, Wren, is known the most deadly and dangerous of the Reboots by her peers and the HARC, the corporation which effectively rules the Republic of Texas. Reboots, which at first might sound suspiciously like zombies, are actually quite different. In the novel, it's briefly theorized that Reboots may be more advanced humans whose bodies had the capabilities to manipulate the virus that swept through the population. Their deaths were actually more akin to a resting period - or incubation period, perhaps - for the virus and that, instead of killing them, it made them stronger, both physically and mentally (if you count less emotion as a strength). Reboots, however, are no longer considered humans but Other (by both the HARC and the remaining human population) and have become slaves tasked with hunting down and capturing or killing human criminals.Perhaps because they are labelled Other, the Reboots themselves, especially those labelled with higher numbers indicating that they were "dead" longer than lower numbered Reboots, no longer consider themselves human. They consider themselves a race unto themselves. For me, this stood out as an important detail: I knew Reboot featured a romance, but I couldn't imagine how the inhuman Wren would suddenly be able to fall in love, especially a love that was strong enough to change how she interacted with the world.Wren and Callum's romance was believable for me because Callum, a 22 (and, therefore, a Reboot who is, except for a few physical changes, still pretty much human) sees Wren as more than Other - allowing her to see herself as more than the narrow label of Reboot as determined by the HARC. Some may have found the romance odd in a world filled with so much violence and so little emotion, but, for me, the love between Callum and Wren, the understanding and connection between them, is the only force that could effectively combat the kind of brainwashing the Reboots endured at the hands of HRAC. It reminded me strongly of the aftereffects of colonization, where, after time, the colonized may view themselves negatively when the viewpoint of the conquerors is repeatedly forced upon them.The relationship between Callum and Wren was one of my favorite aspects of the novel. I loved Callum, he was a typical human guy, which I think was necessary distinction. I could see how some might think the relationship (and the laughter between the characters) a bit odd in the midst of such darkness, but I think Wren and Callum acting less serious and enjoying life was a sign of hope... that there was still something left to fight for when everything else had become so unrecognizable. Others might wonder how Wren could be both a killing machine for the HRAC and, simultaneously a giggling teenager, but I think it just shows how desensitized Wren had become at the hands of the HRAC and her parents, before she became a Reboot, and that how she lives her life & values are a direct result of those influences, not who she truly is. Plus, in a world where you really can't be sure you'll live to see the next day, making out with the person you're head over heels for, potentially for the first and last time, seems like a fantastic idea.I felt the pacing of this novel was absolutely perfect. I never once felt bored or rushed while reading. The novel ends on a cliffhanger, but not before wrapping up the bulk of the action in book one. Instead of leaving tons of unanswered questions throughout the entire book and into the next installment, Tintera presents new questions and a new setting for book two as well as leaving some of the overarching, deeper questions. I cannot wait for book two, where I hope we'll find out more about what exactly Reboots are and how things will change after the game-changing events in Reboot.Don't waste any time, grab a copy of Tintera's debut as soon as possible!

How strength was it?

For me, this stood out as an important detail: I knew Reboot featured a romance, but I couldn't imagine how the inhuman Wren would suddenly be able to fall in love, especially a love that was strong enough to change how she interacted with the world .Wren

After just one book, I'm already a fan of Amy Tintera and her writing! I found her debut, Reboot, to be an absolutely stunning dystopian offering with a strong romantic plot line and well-placed humor to balance the novel's darkness and violence.The main character, Wren, is known the most deadly and dangerous of the Reboots by her peers and the HARC, the corporation which effectively rules the Republic of Texas. Reboots, which at first might sound suspiciously like zombies, are actually quite different. In the novel, it's briefly theorized that Reboots may be more advanced humans whose bodies had the capabilities to manipulate the virus that swept through the population. Their deaths were actually more akin to a resting period - or incubation period, perhaps - for the virus and that, instead of killing them, it made them stronger, both physically and mentally (if you count less emotion as a strength). Reboots, however, are no longer considered humans but Other (by both the HARC and the remaining human population) and have become slaves tasked with hunting down and capturing or killing human criminals.Perhaps because they are labelled Other, the Reboots themselves, especially those labelled with higher numbers indicating that they were "dead" longer than lower numbered Reboots, no longer consider themselves human. They consider themselves a race unto themselves. For me, this stood out as an important detail: I knew Reboot featured a romance, but I couldn't imagine how the inhuman Wren would suddenly be able to fall in love, especially a love that was strong enough to change how she interacted with the world.Wren and Callum's romance was believable for me because Callum, a 22 (and, therefore, a Reboot who is, except for a few physical changes, still pretty much human) sees Wren as more than Other - allowing her to see herself as more than the narrow label of Reboot as determined by the HARC. Some may have found the romance odd in a world filled with so much violence and so little emotion, but, for me, the love between Callum and Wren, the understanding and connection between them, is the only force that could effectively combat the kind of brainwashing the Reboots endured at the hands of HRAC. It reminded me strongly of the aftereffects of colonization, where, after time, the colonized may view themselves negatively when the viewpoint of the conquerors is repeatedly forced upon them.The relationship between Callum and Wren was one of my favorite aspects of the novel. I loved Callum, he was a typical human guy, which I think was necessary distinction. I could see how some might think the relationship (and the laughter between the characters) a bit odd in the midst of such darkness, but I think Wren and Callum acting less serious and enjoying life was a sign of hope... that there was still something left to fight for when everything else had become so unrecognizable. Others might wonder how Wren could be both a killing machine for the HRAC and, simultaneously a giggling teenager, but I think it just shows how desensitized Wren had become at the hands of the HRAC and her parents, before she became a Reboot, and that how she lives her life & values are a direct result of those influences, not who she truly is. Plus, in a world where you really can't be sure you'll live to see the next day, making out with the person you're head over heels for, potentially for the first and last time, seems like a fantastic idea.I felt the pacing of this novel was absolutely perfect. I never once felt bored or rushed while reading. The novel ends on a cliffhanger, but not before wrapping up the bulk of the action in book one. Instead of leaving tons of unanswered questions throughout the entire book and into the next installment, Tintera presents new questions and a new setting for book two as well as leaving some of the overarching, deeper questions. I cannot wait for book two, where I hope we'll find out more about what exactly Reboots are and how things will change after the game-changing events in Reboot.Don't waste any time, grab a copy of Tintera's debut as soon as possible!

For me, this stood out as an important detail: I knew Reboot featured a romance, but I couldn't imagine how the inhuman Wren would suddenly be able to fall in love, especially a love that <hl> was strong enough to change how she interacted with the world <hl> .Wren

After just one book, I'm already a fan of Amy Tintera and her writing! I found her debut, Reboot, to be an absolutely stunning dystopian offering with a strong romantic plot line and well-placed humor to balance the novel's darkness and violence.The main character, Wren, is known the most deadly and dangerous of the Reboots by her peers and the HARC, the corporation which effectively rules the Republic of Texas. Reboots, which at first might sound suspiciously like zombies, are actually quite different. In the novel, it's briefly theorized that Reboots may be more advanced humans whose bodies had the capabilities to manipulate the virus that swept through the population. Their deaths were actually more akin to a resting period - or incubation period, perhaps - for the virus and that, instead of killing them, it made them stronger, both physically and mentally (if you count less emotion as a strength). Reboots, however, are no longer considered humans but Other (by both the HARC and the remaining human population) and have become slaves tasked with hunting down and capturing or killing human criminals.Perhaps because they are labelled Other, the Reboots themselves, especially those labelled with higher numbers indicating that they were "dead" longer than lower numbered Reboots, no longer consider themselves human. They consider themselves a race unto themselves. For me, this stood out as an important detail: I knew Reboot featured a romance, but I couldn't imagine how the inhuman Wren would suddenly be able to fall in love, especially a love that <hl> was strong enough to change how she interacted with the world <hl>.Wren and Callum's romance was believable for me because Callum, a 22 (and, therefore, a Reboot who is, except for a few physical changes, still pretty much human) sees Wren as more than Other - allowing her to see herself as more than the narrow label of Reboot as determined by the HARC. Some may have found the romance odd in a world filled with so much violence and so little emotion, but, for me, the love between Callum and Wren, the understanding and connection between them, is the only force that could effectively combat the kind of brainwashing the Reboots endured at the hands of HRAC. It reminded me strongly of the aftereffects of colonization, where, after time, the colonized may view themselves negatively when the viewpoint of the conquerors is repeatedly forced upon them.The relationship between Callum and Wren was one of my favorite aspects of the novel. I loved Callum, he was a typical human guy, which I think was necessary distinction. I could see how some might think the relationship (and the laughter between the characters) a bit odd in the midst of such darkness, but I think Wren and Callum acting less serious and enjoying life was a sign of hope... that there was still something left to fight for when everything else had become so unrecognizable. Others might wonder how Wren could be both a killing machine for the HRAC and, simultaneously a giggling teenager, but I think it just shows how desensitized Wren had become at the hands of the HRAC and her parents, before she became a Reboot, and that how she lives her life & values are a direct result of those influences, not who she truly is. Plus, in a world where you really can't be sure you'll live to see the next day, making out with the person you're head over heels for, potentially for the first and last time, seems like a fantastic idea.I felt the pacing of this novel was absolutely perfect. I never once felt bored or rushed while reading. The novel ends on a cliffhanger, but not before wrapping up the bulk of the action in book one. Instead of leaving tons of unanswered questions throughout the entire book and into the next installment, Tintera presents new questions and a new setting for book two as well as leaving some of the overarching, deeper questions. I cannot wait for book two, where I hope we'll find out more about what exactly Reboots are and how things will change after the game-changing events in Reboot.Don't waste any time, grab a copy of Tintera's debut as soon as possible!

After just one book, I'm already a fan of Amy Tintera and her writing! I found her debut, Reboot, to be an absolutely stunning dystopian offering with a strong romantic plot line and well-placed humor to balance the novel's darkness and violence. The main character, Wren, is known the most deadly and dangerous of the Reboots by her peers and the HARC, the corporation which effectively rules the Republic of Texas. Reboots, which at first might sound suspiciously like zombies, are actually quite different. In the novel, it's briefly theorized that Reboots may be more advanced humans whose bodies had the capabilities to manipulate the virus that swept through the population. Their deaths were actually more akin to a resting period - or incubation period, perhaps - for the virus and that, instead of killing them, it made them stronger, both physically and mentally (if you count less emotion as a strength). Reboots, however, are no longer considered humans but Other (by both the HARC and the remaining human population) and have become slaves tasked with hunting down and capturing or killing human criminals. Perhaps because they are labelled Other, the Reboots themselves, especially those labelled with higher numbers indicating that they were "dead" longer than lower numbered Reboots, no longer consider themselves human. They consider themselves a race unto themselves. <hl> For me, this stood out as an important detail: I knew Reboot featured a romance, but I couldn't imagine how the inhuman Wren would suddenly be able to fall in love, especially a love that was strong enough to change how she interacted with the world .Wren <hl> and Callum's romance was believable for me because Callum, a 22 (and, therefore, a Reboot who is, except for a few physical changes, still pretty much human) sees Wren as more than Other - allowing her to see herself as more than the narrow label of Reboot as determined by the HARC. Some may have found the romance odd in a world filled with so much violence and so little emotion, but, for me, the love between Callum and Wren, the understanding and connection between them, is the only force that could effectively combat the kind of brainwashing the Reboots endured at the hands of HRAC. It reminded me strongly of the aftereffects of colonization, where, after time, the colonized may view themselves negatively when the viewpoint of the conquerors is repeatedly forced upon them. The relationship between Callum and Wren was one of my favorite aspects of the novel. I loved Callum, he was a typical human guy, which I think was necessary distinction. I could see how some might think the relationship (and the laughter between the characters) a bit odd in the midst of such darkness, but I think Wren and Callum acting less serious and enjoying life was a sign of hope... that there was still something left to fight for when everything else had become so unrecognizable. Others might wonder how Wren could be both a killing machine for the HRAC and, simultaneously a giggling teenager, but I think it just shows how desensitized Wren had become at the hands of the HRAC and her parents, before she became a Reboot, and that how she lives her life & values are a direct result of those influences, not who she truly is. Plus, in a world where you really can't be sure you'll live to see the next day, making out with the person you're head over heels for, potentially for the first and last time, seems like a fantastic idea. I felt the pacing of this novel was absolutely perfect. I never once felt bored or rushed while reading. The novel ends on a cliffhanger, but not before wrapping up the bulk of the action in book one. Instead of leaving tons of unanswered questions throughout the entire book and into the next installment, Tintera presents new questions and a new setting for book two as well as leaving some of the overarching, deeper questions. I cannot wait for book two, where I hope we'll find out more about what exactly Reboots are and how things will change after the game-changing events in Reboot. Don't waste any time, grab a copy of Tintera's debut as soon as possible!

bbff996b78473ed2a94429ce61e29dc8

books

I loved that.These two had some hard times and found each other at the perfect time

question: Who do you love?, context: Let me start off by saying I don't normally write a lot of reviews, I just felt compelled to do so with this book. I mean, wow! One of the best books I've ever read. I went through so many emotions while reading this book. I laughed, smiled, gasped, got nervous, and was on the verge of tears, It was a roller coaster!I loved Camryn and Andrew. I loved how he brought out the best in her, made her feel alive, showed her what it was like to live to the fullest, no regrets, no worries, not to be scared to say what you want when you want to. He might have even taught me a few things ;) Andrew is pretty much perfect, sexy, sweet, caring, protective, funny...etc. I loved Cam too, I loved when she started opening up and growing into herself. She was relatable and I loved that.These two had some hard times and found each other at the perfect time, their friendship was amazing. I didn't really find the beginning slow, I felt like I was sucked in, living in the moment with them. We had to understand what it was that made Cam feel like getting away. I felt like I knew Andrew had a secret but wasn't sure what it was and when we'd find out. Then I was hoping I was wrong about the secret.This book teaches you to live, be you, don't worry about what people think, do what makes you happy, live your life the way you want to live it. Never have any regrets. Don't be afraid to love and to grow.This book also just stunned me speechless! But I also had my outbursts, gasps, my oh no's, my oh my gosh's, my aww's, you get the point. My poor heart was heavy and racing and it took me a while to calm it down. These characters and this story will definitely stay with you. I can't say how much I love it. Read the whole thing within a day.Just gotta say Bravo to you Ms Redmerski! What an amazing job on this book, the writing, the story, the characters, everything!

Who do you love?

She was relatable and I loved that.These two had some hard times and found each other at the perfect time , their friendship was amazing.

Let me start off by saying I don't normally write a lot of reviews, I just felt compelled to do so with this book. I mean, wow! One of the best books I've ever read. I went through so many emotions while reading this book. I laughed, smiled, gasped, got nervous, and was on the verge of tears, It was a roller coaster!I loved Camryn and Andrew. I loved how he brought out the best in her, made her feel alive, showed her what it was like to live to the fullest, no regrets, no worries, not to be scared to say what you want when you want to. He might have even taught me a few things ;) Andrew is pretty much perfect, sexy, sweet, caring, protective, funny...etc. I loved Cam too, I loved when she started opening up and growing into herself. She was relatable and I loved that.These two had some hard times and found each other at the perfect time, their friendship was amazing. I didn't really find the beginning slow, I felt like I was sucked in, living in the moment with them. We had to understand what it was that made Cam feel like getting away. I felt like I knew Andrew had a secret but wasn't sure what it was and when we'd find out. Then I was hoping I was wrong about the secret.This book teaches you to live, be you, don't worry about what people think, do what makes you happy, live your life the way you want to live it. Never have any regrets. Don't be afraid to love and to grow.This book also just stunned me speechless! But I also had my outbursts, gasps, my oh no's, my oh my gosh's, my aww's, you get the point. My poor heart was heavy and racing and it took me a while to calm it down. These characters and this story will definitely stay with you. I can't say how much I love it. Read the whole thing within a day.Just gotta say Bravo to you Ms Redmerski! What an amazing job on this book, the writing, the story, the characters, everything!

She was relatable and <hl> I loved that.These two had some hard times and found each other at the perfect time <hl> , their friendship was amazing.

Let me start off by saying I don't normally write a lot of reviews, I just felt compelled to do so with this book. I mean, wow! One of the best books I've ever read. I went through so many emotions while reading this book. I laughed, smiled, gasped, got nervous, and was on the verge of tears, It was a roller coaster!I loved Camryn and Andrew. I loved how he brought out the best in her, made her feel alive, showed her what it was like to live to the fullest, no regrets, no worries, not to be scared to say what you want when you want to. He might have even taught me a few things ;) Andrew is pretty much perfect, sexy, sweet, caring, protective, funny...etc. I loved Cam too, I loved when she started opening up and growing into herself. She was relatable and <hl> I loved that.These two had some hard times and found each other at the perfect time <hl>, their friendship was amazing. I didn't really find the beginning slow, I felt like I was sucked in, living in the moment with them. We had to understand what it was that made Cam feel like getting away. I felt like I knew Andrew had a secret but wasn't sure what it was and when we'd find out. Then I was hoping I was wrong about the secret.This book teaches you to live, be you, don't worry about what people think, do what makes you happy, live your life the way you want to live it. Never have any regrets. Don't be afraid to love and to grow.This book also just stunned me speechless! But I also had my outbursts, gasps, my oh no's, my oh my gosh's, my aww's, you get the point. My poor heart was heavy and racing and it took me a while to calm it down. These characters and this story will definitely stay with you. I can't say how much I love it. Read the whole thing within a day.Just gotta say Bravo to you Ms Redmerski! What an amazing job on this book, the writing, the story, the characters, everything!

Let me start off by saying I don't normally write a lot of reviews, I just felt compelled to do so with this book. I mean, wow! One of the best books I've ever read. I went through so many emotions while reading this book. I laughed, smiled, gasped, got nervous, and was on the verge of tears, It was a roller coaster!I loved Camryn and Andrew. I loved how he brought out the best in her, made her feel alive, showed her what it was like to live to the fullest, no regrets, no worries, not to be scared to say what you want when you want to. He might have even taught me a few things ;) Andrew is pretty much perfect, sexy, sweet, caring, protective, funny...etc. I loved Cam too, I loved when she started opening up and growing into herself. <hl> She was relatable and I loved that.These two had some hard times and found each other at the perfect time , their friendship was amazing. <hl> I didn't really find the beginning slow, I felt like I was sucked in, living in the moment with them. We had to understand what it was that made Cam feel like getting away. I felt like I knew Andrew had a secret but wasn't sure what it was and when we'd find out. Then I was hoping I was wrong about the secret. This book teaches you to live, be you, don't worry about what people think, do what makes you happy, live your life the way you want to live it. Never have any regrets. Don't be afraid to love and to grow. This book also just stunned me speechless! But I also had my outbursts, gasps, my oh no's, my oh my gosh's, my aww's, you get the point. My poor heart was heavy and racing and it took me a while to calm it down. These characters and this story will definitely stay with you. I can't say how much I love it. Read the whole thing within a day. Just gotta say Bravo to you Ms Redmerski! What an amazing job on this book, the writing, the story, the characters, everything!

b6aa5f44682a15a6afca55debdff698f

books

This fourth book in the Harry Potter series blows the first three books away! Harry finally comes face to face with his enemy and is forced to use everything he has learned to survive. This book is slightly "darker" and more frightening than the other three, but even more engaging. Though this book is over 700 pages, I found myself wishing it were even longer. Incredible!

question: What is your opinion of the book?, context: This fourth book in the Harry Potter series blows the first three books away! Harry finally comes face to face with his enemy and is forced to use everything he has learned to survive. This book is slightly "darker" and more frightening than the other three, but even more engaging. Though this book is over 700 pages, I found myself wishing it were even longer. Incredible!

What is your opinion of the book?

This fourth book in the Harry Potter series blows the first three books away! Harry finally comes face to face with his enemy and is forced to use everything he has learned to survive. This book is slightly "darker" and more frightening than the other three, but even more engaging. Though this book is over 700 pages, I found myself wishing it were even longer. Incredible!

This fourth book in the Harry Potter series blows the first three books away! Harry finally comes face to face with his enemy and is forced to use everything he has learned to survive. This book is slightly "darker" and more frightening than the other three, but even more engaging. Though this book is over 700 pages, I found myself wishing it were even longer. Incredible!

<hl> This fourth book in the Harry Potter series blows the first three books away! Harry finally comes face to face with his enemy and is forced to use everything he has learned to survive. This book is slightly "darker" and more frightening than the other three, but even more engaging. Though this book is over 700 pages, I found myself wishing it were even longer. Incredible! <hl>

<hl> This fourth book in the Harry Potter series blows the first three books away! Harry finally comes face to face with his enemy and is forced to use everything he has learned to survive. This book is slightly "darker" and more frightening than the other three, but even more engaging. Though this book is over 700 pages, I found myself wishing it were even longer. Incredible! <hl>

<hl> This fourth book in the Harry Potter series blows the first three books away! Harry finally comes face to face with his enemy and is forced to use everything he has learned to survive. This book is slightly "darker" and more frightening than the other three, but even more engaging. Though this book is over 700 pages, I found myself wishing it were even longer. Incredible! <hl>

ef9c16b026bcaeda9596ba4cb9cc4da7

books

Christina McColl

question: Who is author?, context: I wanted to try this series out after hearing it and the author likened to J.K. Rowling-- in that with her 4 books, Stephenie Meyer had cultivated a media storm of sales very quickly, comparable (but not nearly on the same level) to the Harry Potter series. That got my attention, so I went out and bought the first book in the series, Twilight.The book starts and already we know a few things: The main character, Bella Swan, is seemingly apathetic about everything in her life. She is leaving Phoenix, where she was living with her mother, to go stay in rainy little Forks, Washington where her father Charlie works and resides. Bella refers to her parents, Charlie and Renee, by their first names rather than Mom and Dad. This isn't particularly significant, but just annoys me for some reason. It's also a glimpse into the family dynamics of the characters. You get the impression off the bat that they are this modern, laid back family...but it doesn't take long for the author to reverse that and put Bella back into her place as far as women's "roles" and "duties". She is 16, 17, but doing the cooking and grocery shopping for her police chief father and herself. Ok, whatever. She breezes indifferently through school, brushing off kids her own age because she has to "cook dinner for Charlie", making it sound like she's an old married maid rather than a highschool teenager.Fast forward- things start to change for Bella one day when she sees a pale and mysterious boy that she can only describe as "gorgeous and perfect." He is Edward, of the elusive Cullen clan of Forks. Her first day seeing him, she thinks he hates and despises her because he clenches his fists and leans away at the sight of her. Later, accident prone Bella gets in a near death accident but Edward swiftly and mysteriously swoops in and saves her. Turns out he doesn't hate her, its just that he's a vampire and no one has ever smelled that good to him before. And then its all history from there. They know very little about eachother, just that *he* is 'gorgeous' and immaculately put together, and *she* has an irresistable scent and is clumsy so he's inclined to protect her. The book is melodramatic in the way that only naive teenagers can be, as the two profess their undying and eternal love for eachother.Overall there is just little character development, a general lack of imagination, and it's just unrealistic. Yes we are all well-aware its a fan-fic, but in terms of Bella and Edward's relationship-- they are two strangers who are madly (key word mad) in love with eachother. What kind of love is that? She's the first human who's mind he can't read, and she smells "mouthwatering", so automatically she's the love of his immortal life? And he is pale and marble-like and has icy skin and is gorgeous. Bella shuns all her friends and admiring boys from her school because she's so enamored with Icy Edward. Because he is 'gorgeous'. That's about all you get as far as the character depth goes. I think it kind of speaks volumes when a book of this subject matter is actually boring. Meyer's writing is flat and boring and has all the creativity of a fire ant.I can see how these books became popular- it kind of reminds me of how R.L. Stine's "Goosebumps" series was really popular when I was younger. These are similar in that they have an alluring and interesting subject matter, but ultimately (if you know better) you lose interest because Meyer's just kind of misses the mark. It is unlike the Harry Potter series, in that J.K. Rowling does an amazing job at completely capturing your attention and taking you to this whole other imaginary realm of wizards and witchcraft, etc. Her details are exquisite, very clever, and Harry Potter really can be enjoyed by adults as well as younger readers. Whereas the twilight series really stands out as young-adult and not much else. The premise of this whole series, while not original by any stretch of the imagination, wasn't a bad idea... it just would have been better by leaps and bounds had the author fleshed out the details a little better, and gave us more substance to work with. I also kept waiting for the "mystery and suspense" as described on the back cover, but that never came either. This author's idea of suspense and intrigue really just made me yawn. I read the book as if someone had already told me everything that was going to happen- that's how predictable the plot turns were. I like a good love story as much as anybody else. And a love story mingled with the occult? I'm all for it. But this story is just full of so many holes and breadth in general that I found it hard to stay interested. Twilight is shallow and dull and for the life of me I can't comprehend why people are ranting and raving about it. It just seems like one of those 'latest fads' type thing. Right now this is all the rage, but when the novelty wears off...Twilight is very forgettable.Christina McColl, 2008-29-09

Who is author?

Christina McColl , 2008-29-09

I wanted to try this series out after hearing it and the author likened to J.K. Rowling-- in that with her 4 books, Stephenie Meyer had cultivated a media storm of sales very quickly, comparable (but not nearly on the same level) to the Harry Potter series. That got my attention, so I went out and bought the first book in the series, Twilight.The book starts and already we know a few things: The main character, Bella Swan, is seemingly apathetic about everything in her life. She is leaving Phoenix, where she was living with her mother, to go stay in rainy little Forks, Washington where her father Charlie works and resides. Bella refers to her parents, Charlie and Renee, by their first names rather than Mom and Dad. This isn't particularly significant, but just annoys me for some reason. It's also a glimpse into the family dynamics of the characters. You get the impression off the bat that they are this modern, laid back family...but it doesn't take long for the author to reverse that and put Bella back into her place as far as women's "roles" and "duties". She is 16, 17, but doing the cooking and grocery shopping for her police chief father and herself. Ok, whatever. She breezes indifferently through school, brushing off kids her own age because she has to "cook dinner for Charlie", making it sound like she's an old married maid rather than a highschool teenager.Fast forward- things start to change for Bella one day when she sees a pale and mysterious boy that she can only describe as "gorgeous and perfect." He is Edward, of the elusive Cullen clan of Forks. Her first day seeing him, she thinks he hates and despises her because he clenches his fists and leans away at the sight of her. Later, accident prone Bella gets in a near death accident but Edward swiftly and mysteriously swoops in and saves her. Turns out he doesn't hate her, its just that he's a vampire and no one has ever smelled that good to him before. And then its all history from there. They know very little about eachother, just that *he* is 'gorgeous' and immaculately put together, and *she* has an irresistable scent and is clumsy so he's inclined to protect her. The book is melodramatic in the way that only naive teenagers can be, as the two profess their undying and eternal love for eachother.Overall there is just little character development, a general lack of imagination, and it's just unrealistic. Yes we are all well-aware its a fan-fic, but in terms of Bella and Edward's relationship-- they are two strangers who are madly (key word mad) in love with eachother. What kind of love is that? She's the first human who's mind he can't read, and she smells "mouthwatering", so automatically she's the love of his immortal life? And he is pale and marble-like and has icy skin and is gorgeous. Bella shuns all her friends and admiring boys from her school because she's so enamored with Icy Edward. Because he is 'gorgeous'. That's about all you get as far as the character depth goes. I think it kind of speaks volumes when a book of this subject matter is actually boring. Meyer's writing is flat and boring and has all the creativity of a fire ant.I can see how these books became popular- it kind of reminds me of how R.L. Stine's "Goosebumps" series was really popular when I was younger. These are similar in that they have an alluring and interesting subject matter, but ultimately (if you know better) you lose interest because Meyer's just kind of misses the mark. It is unlike the Harry Potter series, in that J.K. Rowling does an amazing job at completely capturing your attention and taking you to this whole other imaginary realm of wizards and witchcraft, etc. Her details are exquisite, very clever, and Harry Potter really can be enjoyed by adults as well as younger readers. Whereas the twilight series really stands out as young-adult and not much else. The premise of this whole series, while not original by any stretch of the imagination, wasn't a bad idea... it just would have been better by leaps and bounds had the author fleshed out the details a little better, and gave us more substance to work with. I also kept waiting for the "mystery and suspense" as described on the back cover, but that never came either. This author's idea of suspense and intrigue really just made me yawn. I read the book as if someone had already told me everything that was going to happen- that's how predictable the plot turns were. I like a good love story as much as anybody else. And a love story mingled with the occult? I'm all for it. But this story is just full of so many holes and breadth in general that I found it hard to stay interested. Twilight is shallow and dull and for the life of me I can't comprehend why people are ranting and raving about it. It just seems like one of those 'latest fads' type thing. Right now this is all the rage, but when the novelty wears off...Twilight is very forgettable.Christina McColl, 2008-29-09

<hl> Christina McColl <hl> , 2008-29-09

I wanted to try this series out after hearing it and the author likened to J.K. Rowling-- in that with her 4 books, Stephenie Meyer had cultivated a media storm of sales very quickly, comparable (but not nearly on the same level) to the Harry Potter series. That got my attention, so I went out and bought the first book in the series, Twilight.The book starts and already we know a few things: The main character, Bella Swan, is seemingly apathetic about everything in her life. She is leaving Phoenix, where she was living with her mother, to go stay in rainy little Forks, Washington where her father Charlie works and resides. Bella refers to her parents, Charlie and Renee, by their first names rather than Mom and Dad. This isn't particularly significant, but just annoys me for some reason. It's also a glimpse into the family dynamics of the characters. You get the impression off the bat that they are this modern, laid back family...but it doesn't take long for the author to reverse that and put Bella back into her place as far as women's "roles" and "duties". She is 16, 17, but doing the cooking and grocery shopping for her police chief father and herself. Ok, whatever. She breezes indifferently through school, brushing off kids her own age because she has to "cook dinner for Charlie", making it sound like she's an old married maid rather than a highschool teenager.Fast forward- things start to change for Bella one day when she sees a pale and mysterious boy that she can only describe as "gorgeous and perfect." He is Edward, of the elusive Cullen clan of Forks. Her first day seeing him, she thinks he hates and despises her because he clenches his fists and leans away at the sight of her. Later, accident prone Bella gets in a near death accident but Edward swiftly and mysteriously swoops in and saves her. Turns out he doesn't hate her, its just that he's a vampire and no one has ever smelled that good to him before. And then its all history from there. They know very little about eachother, just that *he* is 'gorgeous' and immaculately put together, and *she* has an irresistable scent and is clumsy so he's inclined to protect her. The book is melodramatic in the way that only naive teenagers can be, as the two profess their undying and eternal love for eachother.Overall there is just little character development, a general lack of imagination, and it's just unrealistic. Yes we are all well-aware its a fan-fic, but in terms of Bella and Edward's relationship-- they are two strangers who are madly (key word mad) in love with eachother. What kind of love is that? She's the first human who's mind he can't read, and she smells "mouthwatering", so automatically she's the love of his immortal life? And he is pale and marble-like and has icy skin and is gorgeous. Bella shuns all her friends and admiring boys from her school because she's so enamored with Icy Edward. Because he is 'gorgeous'. That's about all you get as far as the character depth goes. I think it kind of speaks volumes when a book of this subject matter is actually boring. Meyer's writing is flat and boring and has all the creativity of a fire ant.I can see how these books became popular- it kind of reminds me of how R.L. Stine's "Goosebumps" series was really popular when I was younger. These are similar in that they have an alluring and interesting subject matter, but ultimately (if you know better) you lose interest because Meyer's just kind of misses the mark. It is unlike the Harry Potter series, in that J.K. Rowling does an amazing job at completely capturing your attention and taking you to this whole other imaginary realm of wizards and witchcraft, etc. Her details are exquisite, very clever, and Harry Potter really can be enjoyed by adults as well as younger readers. Whereas the twilight series really stands out as young-adult and not much else. The premise of this whole series, while not original by any stretch of the imagination, wasn't a bad idea... it just would have been better by leaps and bounds had the author fleshed out the details a little better, and gave us more substance to work with. I also kept waiting for the "mystery and suspense" as described on the back cover, but that never came either. This author's idea of suspense and intrigue really just made me yawn. I read the book as if someone had already told me everything that was going to happen- that's how predictable the plot turns were. I like a good love story as much as anybody else. And a love story mingled with the occult? I'm all for it. But this story is just full of so many holes and breadth in general that I found it hard to stay interested. Twilight is shallow and dull and for the life of me I can't comprehend why people are ranting and raving about it. It just seems like one of those 'latest fads' type thing. Right now this is all the rage, but when the novelty wears off...Twilight is very forgettable.<hl> Christina McColl <hl>, 2008-29-09

I wanted to try this series out after hearing it and the author likened to J.K. Rowling-- in that with her 4 books, Stephenie Meyer had cultivated a media storm of sales very quickly, comparable (but not nearly on the same level) to the Harry Potter series. That got my attention, so I went out and bought the first book in the series, Twilight. The book starts and already we know a few things: The main character, Bella Swan, is seemingly apathetic about everything in her life. She is leaving Phoenix, where she was living with her mother, to go stay in rainy little Forks, Washington where her father Charlie works and resides. Bella refers to her parents, Charlie and Renee, by their first names rather than Mom and Dad. This isn't particularly significant, but just annoys me for some reason. It's also a glimpse into the family dynamics of the characters. You get the impression off the bat that they are this modern, laid back family...but it doesn't take long for the author to reverse that and put Bella back into her place as far as women's "roles" and "duties". She is 16, 17, but doing the cooking and grocery shopping for her police chief father and herself. Ok, whatever. She breezes indifferently through school, brushing off kids her own age because she has to "cook dinner for Charlie", making it sound like she's an old married maid rather than a highschool teenager. Fast forward- things start to change for Bella one day when she sees a pale and mysterious boy that she can only describe as "gorgeous and perfect." He is Edward, of the elusive Cullen clan of Forks. Her first day seeing him, she thinks he hates and despises her because he clenches his fists and leans away at the sight of her. Later, accident prone Bella gets in a near death accident but Edward swiftly and mysteriously swoops in and saves her. Turns out he doesn't hate her, its just that he's a vampire and no one has ever smelled that good to him before. And then its all history from there. They know very little about eachother, just that *he* is 'gorgeous' and immaculately put together, and *she* has an irresistable scent and is clumsy so he's inclined to protect her. The book is melodramatic in the way that only naive teenagers can be, as the two profess their undying and eternal love for eachother. Overall there is just little character development, a general lack of imagination, and it's just unrealistic. Yes we are all well-aware its a fan-fic, but in terms of Bella and Edward's relationship-- they are two strangers who are madly (key word mad) in love with eachother. What kind of love is that? She's the first human who's mind he can't read, and she smells "mouthwatering", so automatically she's the love of his immortal life? And he is pale and marble-like and has icy skin and is gorgeous. Bella shuns all her friends and admiring boys from her school because she's so enamored with Icy Edward. Because he is 'gorgeous'. That's about all you get as far as the character depth goes. I think it kind of speaks volumes when a book of this subject matter is actually boring. Meyer's writing is flat and boring and has all the creativity of a fire ant. I can see how these books became popular- it kind of reminds me of how R.L. Stine's "Goosebumps" series was really popular when I was younger. These are similar in that they have an alluring and interesting subject matter, but ultimately (if you know better) you lose interest because Meyer's just kind of misses the mark. It is unlike the Harry Potter series, in that J.K. Rowling does an amazing job at completely capturing your attention and taking you to this whole other imaginary realm of wizards and witchcraft, etc. Her details are exquisite, very clever, and Harry Potter really can be enjoyed by adults as well as younger readers. Whereas the twilight series really stands out as young-adult and not much else. The premise of this whole series, while not original by any stretch of the imagination, wasn't a bad idea... it just would have been better by leaps and bounds had the author fleshed out the details a little better, and gave us more substance to work with. I also kept waiting for the "mystery and suspense" as described on the back cover, but that never came either. This author's idea of suspense and intrigue really just made me yawn. I read the book as if someone had already told me everything that was going to happen- that's how predictable the plot turns were. I like a good love story as much as anybody else. And a love story mingled with the occult? I'm all for it. But this story is just full of so many holes and breadth in general that I found it hard to stay interested. Twilight is shallow and dull and for the life of me I can't comprehend why people are ranting and raving about it. It just seems like one of those 'latest fads' type thing. Right now this is all the rage, but when the novelty wears off... Twilight is very forgettable. <hl> Christina McColl , 2008-29-09 <hl>

c0bd40580171e460a9ae5e73ccfa14fa

books

appreciation of history will enjoy this work of non-fiction and look forward to reading more by this author

question: How author passion is reflected in the book?, context: This is an exceptionally well written, well-researched book about two events that were intertwined, the Chicago World's Fair and the crimes of a serial killer in late nineteenth century Chicago. The book is rife with period detail and highly descriptive passages that give the reader a taste of what living in Chicago was like at that time.The book provides a fascinating look at the enormous work and planning that went into creating the Chicago World's Fair, making it into one that was truly remarkable for its time, given some of the problems that the architects had to overcome. It also provides a fascinating look into the lives of some of the key players involved in its creation.Meanwhile, an enterprising and charismatic killer was also at work, his story being tied into that of the creation of the Chicago World's Fair itself. His story, however, is the weaker part of the book, as it lacks the detail that is evident in the other segment of the book. Still, it provides an interesting look into the life of a serial killer who seemed to go about his grisly business with impunity, as well as a look at crime, law enforcement, and the state of criminal justice in late nineteenth century Chicago.The photographs that were included in the book are excellent and illustrative. The only problem is that there are not enough of them, as the few that are included simply make the reader desire more of them. Still, those with an appreciation of history will enjoy this work of non-fiction and look forward to reading more by this author.

How author passion is reflected in the book?

Still, those with an appreciation of history will enjoy this work of non-fiction and look forward to reading more by this author .

This is an exceptionally well written, well-researched book about two events that were intertwined, the Chicago World's Fair and the crimes of a serial killer in late nineteenth century Chicago. The book is rife with period detail and highly descriptive passages that give the reader a taste of what living in Chicago was like at that time.The book provides a fascinating look at the enormous work and planning that went into creating the Chicago World's Fair, making it into one that was truly remarkable for its time, given some of the problems that the architects had to overcome. It also provides a fascinating look into the lives of some of the key players involved in its creation.Meanwhile, an enterprising and charismatic killer was also at work, his story being tied into that of the creation of the Chicago World's Fair itself. His story, however, is the weaker part of the book, as it lacks the detail that is evident in the other segment of the book. Still, it provides an interesting look into the life of a serial killer who seemed to go about his grisly business with impunity, as well as a look at crime, law enforcement, and the state of criminal justice in late nineteenth century Chicago.The photographs that were included in the book are excellent and illustrative. The only problem is that there are not enough of them, as the few that are included simply make the reader desire more of them. Still, those with an appreciation of history will enjoy this work of non-fiction and look forward to reading more by this author.

Still, those with an <hl> appreciation of history will enjoy this work of non-fiction and look forward to reading more by this author <hl> .

This is an exceptionally well written, well-researched book about two events that were intertwined, the Chicago World's Fair and the crimes of a serial killer in late nineteenth century Chicago. The book is rife with period detail and highly descriptive passages that give the reader a taste of what living in Chicago was like at that time.The book provides a fascinating look at the enormous work and planning that went into creating the Chicago World's Fair, making it into one that was truly remarkable for its time, given some of the problems that the architects had to overcome. It also provides a fascinating look into the lives of some of the key players involved in its creation.Meanwhile, an enterprising and charismatic killer was also at work, his story being tied into that of the creation of the Chicago World's Fair itself. His story, however, is the weaker part of the book, as it lacks the detail that is evident in the other segment of the book. Still, it provides an interesting look into the life of a serial killer who seemed to go about his grisly business with impunity, as well as a look at crime, law enforcement, and the state of criminal justice in late nineteenth century Chicago.The photographs that were included in the book are excellent and illustrative. The only problem is that there are not enough of them, as the few that are included simply make the reader desire more of them. Still, those with an <hl> appreciation of history will enjoy this work of non-fiction and look forward to reading more by this author <hl>.

This is an exceptionally well written, well-researched book about two events that were intertwined, the Chicago World's Fair and the crimes of a serial killer in late nineteenth century Chicago. The book is rife with period detail and highly descriptive passages that give the reader a taste of what living in Chicago was like at that time. The book provides a fascinating look at the enormous work and planning that went into creating the Chicago World's Fair, making it into one that was truly remarkable for its time, given some of the problems that the architects had to overcome. It also provides a fascinating look into the lives of some of the key players involved in its creation. Meanwhile, an enterprising and charismatic killer was also at work, his story being tied into that of the creation of the Chicago World's Fair itself. His story, however, is the weaker part of the book, as it lacks the detail that is evident in the other segment of the book. Still, it provides an interesting look into the life of a serial killer who seemed to go about his grisly business with impunity, as well as a look at crime, law enforcement, and the state of criminal justice in late nineteenth century Chicago. The photographs that were included in the book are excellent and illustrative. The only problem is that there are not enough of them, as the few that are included simply make the reader desire more of them. <hl> Still, those with an appreciation of history will enjoy this work of non-fiction and look forward to reading more by this author . <hl>

2c276c1d33ace7a32f0c9938e1f0e517

books

One orphan's story was far more interesting than the other's

question: How is story?, context: One orphan's story was far more interesting than the other's. The end of this book felt rushed. But I enjoyed it enough.

How is story?

One orphan's story was far more interesting than the other's .

One orphan's story was far more interesting than the other's. The end of this book felt rushed. But I enjoyed it enough.

<hl> One orphan's story was far more interesting than the other's <hl> .

<hl> One orphan's story was far more interesting than the other's <hl>. The end of this book felt rushed. But I enjoyed it enough.

<hl> One orphan's story was far more interesting than the other's . <hl> The end of this book felt rushed. But I enjoyed it enough.

8e8ba6f6a27d9658ecda4e1a2ad69a92

books

good

question: How is it dialogue?, context: I've ready many YA or Young Adult novels, and they always leave me less than satisfied.The characters in those other books seem immature and the story way too dramatic. This book is unbelievably good. The dialogue between the characters is very real and the story was well written and fully developed.The subject matter is a little heavy, but dealt with beautifully and realistically. This book stayed with me long after I finished it. It has to be one of my favorite books of all time (and I'm old). I would recommend this to anyone who wants a good read.

How is it dialogue?

This book is unbelievably good .

I've ready many YA or Young Adult novels, and they always leave me less than satisfied.The characters in those other books seem immature and the story way too dramatic. This book is unbelievably good. The dialogue between the characters is very real and the story was well written and fully developed.The subject matter is a little heavy, but dealt with beautifully and realistically. This book stayed with me long after I finished it. It has to be one of my favorite books of all time (and I'm old). I would recommend this to anyone who wants a good read.

This book is unbelievably <hl> good <hl> .

I've ready many YA or Young Adult novels, and they always leave me less than satisfied.The characters in those other books seem immature and the story way too dramatic. This book is unbelievably <hl> good <hl>. The dialogue between the characters is very real and the story was well written and fully developed.The subject matter is a little heavy, but dealt with beautifully and realistically. This book stayed with me long after I finished it. It has to be one of my favorite books of all time (and I'm old). I would recommend this to anyone who wants a good read.

I've ready many YA or Young Adult novels, and they always leave me less than satisfied. The characters in those other books seem immature and the story way too dramatic. <hl> This book is unbelievably good . <hl> The dialogue between the characters is very real and the story was well written and fully developed. The subject matter is a little heavy, but dealt with beautifully and realistically. This book stayed with me long after I finished it. It has to be one of my favorite books of all time (and I'm old). I would recommend this to anyone who wants a good read.

5cca189a944ffb5abeec936301daae81

books

the book was a little shorter

question: How is book?, context: Fell in love with the characters and can't wait to see what happens next. Only flaw was that the book was a little shorter than I would have liked but was an enjoyable read.

How is book?

Only flaw was that the book was a little shorter than I would have liked but was an enjoyable read.

Fell in love with the characters and can't wait to see what happens next. Only flaw was that the book was a little shorter than I would have liked but was an enjoyable read.

Only flaw was that <hl> the book was a little shorter <hl> than I would have liked but was an enjoyable read.

Fell in love with the characters and can't wait to see what happens next. Only flaw was that <hl> the book was a little shorter <hl> than I would have liked but was an enjoyable read.

Fell in love with the characters and can't wait to see what happens next. <hl> Only flaw was that the book was a little shorter than I would have liked but was an enjoyable read. <hl>

441586016fe76c5831cea046f7d2ead8

books

I can't even begin to explain how much I loved this book

question: Is this love book beautiful?, context: I can't even begin to explain how much I loved this book! I mean really LOVED this book! The characters were so real. The emotion was so real. The love was so real! Just when I thought I figured this story out, I was amazingly surprised with another twist. Just when you think it's over, the author reels you back in. I both laughed and cried while I read this. I love the female lead character, which I often times find that I don't in romance novels. I find that a lot of times, the lead female character is whiny and spoiled. But &#34;Sky&#34; is raw, funny, and lovable all at the same time. And &#34;Holder,&#34; OH GOD Holder! I think I'm in love with him! He just has a way with words that are so completely perfect!If you are debating whether to purchase this book, don't debate any longer! BUY IT! You won't regret it! I'm going to have a hard time getting myself to read another story, as I just don't think any other will compare!

Is this love book beautiful?

I can't even begin to explain how much I loved this book !

I can't even begin to explain how much I loved this book! I mean really LOVED this book! The characters were so real. The emotion was so real. The love was so real! Just when I thought I figured this story out, I was amazingly surprised with another twist. Just when you think it's over, the author reels you back in. I both laughed and cried while I read this. I love the female lead character, which I often times find that I don't in romance novels. I find that a lot of times, the lead female character is whiny and spoiled. But &#34;Sky&#34; is raw, funny, and lovable all at the same time. And &#34;Holder,&#34; OH GOD Holder! I think I'm in love with him! He just has a way with words that are so completely perfect!If you are debating whether to purchase this book, don't debate any longer! BUY IT! You won't regret it! I'm going to have a hard time getting myself to read another story, as I just don't think any other will compare!

<hl> I can't even begin to explain how much I loved this book <hl> !

<hl> I can't even begin to explain how much I loved this book <hl>! I mean really LOVED this book! The characters were so real. The emotion was so real. The love was so real! Just when I thought I figured this story out, I was amazingly surprised with another twist. Just when you think it's over, the author reels you back in. I both laughed and cried while I read this. I love the female lead character, which I often times find that I don't in romance novels. I find that a lot of times, the lead female character is whiny and spoiled. But &#34;Sky&#34; is raw, funny, and lovable all at the same time. And &#34;Holder,&#34; OH GOD Holder! I think I'm in love with him! He just has a way with words that are so completely perfect!If you are debating whether to purchase this book, don't debate any longer! BUY IT! You won't regret it! I'm going to have a hard time getting myself to read another story, as I just don't think any other will compare!

<hl> I can't even begin to explain how much I loved this book ! <hl> I mean really LOVED this book! The characters were so real. The emotion was so real. The love was so real! Just when I thought I figured this story out, I was amazingly surprised with another twist. Just when you think it's over, the author reels you back in. I both laughed and cried while I read this. I love the female lead character, which I often times find that I don't in romance novels. I find that a lot of times, the lead female character is whiny and spoiled. But &#34;Sky&#34; is raw, funny, and lovable all at the same time. And &#34;Holder,&#34; OH GOD Holder! I think I'm in love with him! He just has a way with words that are so completely perfect!If you are debating whether to purchase this book, don't debate any longer! BUY IT! You won't regret it! I'm going to have a hard time getting myself to read another story, as I just don't think any other will compare!

058ba10bfdafdaa74ac238f8d2139b86

books

I know everybody at this point has read SHATTER ME

question: How long did it take to write that movie?, context: I know everybody at this point has read SHATTER ME. I'm probably the 1% of the book blogging community who hasn't yet. I know, I know. I'm SO behind! I've been meaning to read this book for almost a year now. One thing or another happened and this kept getting pushed back on my TBR list. But fear not, my fellow book loving friends. I've come to my senses and have finally fallen into Juliette's world.After being kept in a prison cell for almost an entire year, Juliette is thrown into the hands of the one group of people she despises the most: the new government called The Reestablishment. Warner plans to use Juliette and her ability to kill people with a single touch for his own selfish desires and to make sure that people know their place in his domain. Juliette has no desire to kill anyone and is desperate to get out of her new confinement. Adam, the boy she sort of grew up with, is her only hope. The two of them go on a heart pounding mission to get out and stay safe.What I first noticed about this book was the writing. It was a bit weird and extremely repetitive. Sentences were crossed out and phrases, or just a single word, were repeated a couple of times in a row. I know this was to show we were truly in Juliette's mind and to allow the reader to see how much solitary confinement has affected her, but this stream of consciousness was kind of annoying. I thought it was unnecessary and happened far too often. I know she's been traumatized. Mafi's writing is so poetic, I think the novel would have still made as big an impact without the repetitiveness. Mafi has a way with words that makes you sit back and really just envision what she is writing. The way she describes the weather for example is beautiful and unique.One thing that made me start to really enjoy this book is Juliette. She goes from this fragile--even though she can literally kill someone in an instant--girl to being able to stick up for herself and not be so afraid to show everyone who she is inside. It's amazing what some sunshine and decent clothes does for her. She was so timid in her cell. Now that she is under Warner's control, she lets her feisty attitude start to peek through. She's let people run over her her entire life, she's not going to be someone's pet anymore. She's inspiring.I loved Adam and Juliette's budding romance. From the moment he stepped into the scene, Adam is this gentle and kind person who you can tell just wants to know Juliette. Yes, he may be working for Warner, but you can tell he's completely different from all of the Reestablishment crazies. Mafi did a great job with letting the reader slowly discover their history together. We get the details piece by piece which made me root for them even more. What I loved most was how Juliette reacted to him. You know she is scared because of her abilities but it's heart warming to see her open up to somebody and to learn to trust them. Adam makes her realize she isn't someone to constantly be feared.SHATTER ME, while not the most climactic, is a great start to a series I know will get better with each book. As Juliette starts to come into her own, I can only hope she learns to appreciate who she is and discover she isn't the monster everyone thinks she is.

How long did it take to write that movie?

I know everybody at this point has read SHATTER ME .

I know everybody at this point has read SHATTER ME. I'm probably the 1% of the book blogging community who hasn't yet. I know, I know. I'm SO behind! I've been meaning to read this book for almost a year now. One thing or another happened and this kept getting pushed back on my TBR list. But fear not, my fellow book loving friends. I've come to my senses and have finally fallen into Juliette's world.After being kept in a prison cell for almost an entire year, Juliette is thrown into the hands of the one group of people she despises the most: the new government called The Reestablishment. Warner plans to use Juliette and her ability to kill people with a single touch for his own selfish desires and to make sure that people know their place in his domain. Juliette has no desire to kill anyone and is desperate to get out of her new confinement. Adam, the boy she sort of grew up with, is her only hope. The two of them go on a heart pounding mission to get out and stay safe.What I first noticed about this book was the writing. It was a bit weird and extremely repetitive. Sentences were crossed out and phrases, or just a single word, were repeated a couple of times in a row. I know this was to show we were truly in Juliette's mind and to allow the reader to see how much solitary confinement has affected her, but this stream of consciousness was kind of annoying. I thought it was unnecessary and happened far too often. I know she's been traumatized. Mafi's writing is so poetic, I think the novel would have still made as big an impact without the repetitiveness. Mafi has a way with words that makes you sit back and really just envision what she is writing. The way she describes the weather for example is beautiful and unique.One thing that made me start to really enjoy this book is Juliette. She goes from this fragile--even though she can literally kill someone in an instant--girl to being able to stick up for herself and not be so afraid to show everyone who she is inside. It's amazing what some sunshine and decent clothes does for her. She was so timid in her cell. Now that she is under Warner's control, she lets her feisty attitude start to peek through. She's let people run over her her entire life, she's not going to be someone's pet anymore. She's inspiring.I loved Adam and Juliette's budding romance. From the moment he stepped into the scene, Adam is this gentle and kind person who you can tell just wants to know Juliette. Yes, he may be working for Warner, but you can tell he's completely different from all of the Reestablishment crazies. Mafi did a great job with letting the reader slowly discover their history together. We get the details piece by piece which made me root for them even more. What I loved most was how Juliette reacted to him. You know she is scared because of her abilities but it's heart warming to see her open up to somebody and to learn to trust them. Adam makes her realize she isn't someone to constantly be feared.SHATTER ME, while not the most climactic, is a great start to a series I know will get better with each book. As Juliette starts to come into her own, I can only hope she learns to appreciate who she is and discover she isn't the monster everyone thinks she is.

<hl> I know everybody at this point has read SHATTER ME <hl> .

<hl> I know everybody at this point has read SHATTER ME <hl>. I'm probably the 1% of the book blogging community who hasn't yet. I know, I know. I'm SO behind! I've been meaning to read this book for almost a year now. One thing or another happened and this kept getting pushed back on my TBR list. But fear not, my fellow book loving friends. I've come to my senses and have finally fallen into Juliette's world.After being kept in a prison cell for almost an entire year, Juliette is thrown into the hands of the one group of people she despises the most: the new government called The Reestablishment. Warner plans to use Juliette and her ability to kill people with a single touch for his own selfish desires and to make sure that people know their place in his domain. Juliette has no desire to kill anyone and is desperate to get out of her new confinement. Adam, the boy she sort of grew up with, is her only hope. The two of them go on a heart pounding mission to get out and stay safe.What I first noticed about this book was the writing. It was a bit weird and extremely repetitive. Sentences were crossed out and phrases, or just a single word, were repeated a couple of times in a row. I know this was to show we were truly in Juliette's mind and to allow the reader to see how much solitary confinement has affected her, but this stream of consciousness was kind of annoying. I thought it was unnecessary and happened far too often. I know she's been traumatized. Mafi's writing is so poetic, I think the novel would have still made as big an impact without the repetitiveness. Mafi has a way with words that makes you sit back and really just envision what she is writing. The way she describes the weather for example is beautiful and unique.One thing that made me start to really enjoy this book is Juliette. She goes from this fragile--even though she can literally kill someone in an instant--girl to being able to stick up for herself and not be so afraid to show everyone who she is inside. It's amazing what some sunshine and decent clothes does for her. She was so timid in her cell. Now that she is under Warner's control, she lets her feisty attitude start to peek through. She's let people run over her her entire life, she's not going to be someone's pet anymore. She's inspiring.I loved Adam and Juliette's budding romance. From the moment he stepped into the scene, Adam is this gentle and kind person who you can tell just wants to know Juliette. Yes, he may be working for Warner, but you can tell he's completely different from all of the Reestablishment crazies. Mafi did a great job with letting the reader slowly discover their history together. We get the details piece by piece which made me root for them even more. What I loved most was how Juliette reacted to him. You know she is scared because of her abilities but it's heart warming to see her open up to somebody and to learn to trust them. Adam makes her realize she isn't someone to constantly be feared.SHATTER ME, while not the most climactic, is a great start to a series I know will get better with each book. As Juliette starts to come into her own, I can only hope she learns to appreciate who she is and discover she isn't the monster everyone thinks she is.

<hl> I know everybody at this point has read SHATTER ME . <hl> I'm probably the 1% of the book blogging community who hasn't yet. I know, I know. I'm SO behind! I've been meaning to read this book for almost a year now. One thing or another happened and this kept getting pushed back on my TBR list. But fear not, my fellow book loving friends. I've come to my senses and have finally fallen into Juliette's world. After being kept in a prison cell for almost an entire year, Juliette is thrown into the hands of the one group of people she despises the most: the new government called The Reestablishment. Warner plans to use Juliette and her ability to kill people with a single touch for his own selfish desires and to make sure that people know their place in his domain. Juliette has no desire to kill anyone and is desperate to get out of her new confinement. Adam, the boy she sort of grew up with, is her only hope. The two of them go on a heart pounding mission to get out and stay safe. What I first noticed about this book was the writing. It was a bit weird and extremely repetitive. Sentences were crossed out and phrases, or just a single word, were repeated a couple of times in a row. I know this was to show we were truly in Juliette's mind and to allow the reader to see how much solitary confinement has affected her, but this stream of consciousness was kind of annoying. I thought it was unnecessary and happened far too often. I know she's been traumatized. Mafi's writing is so poetic, I think the novel would have still made as big an impact without the repetitiveness. Mafi has a way with words that makes you sit back and really just envision what she is writing. The way she describes the weather for example is beautiful and unique. One thing that made me start to really enjoy this book is Juliette. She goes from this fragile--even though she can literally kill someone in an instant--girl to being able to stick up for herself and not be so afraid to show everyone who she is inside. It's amazing what some sunshine and decent clothes does for her. She was so timid in her cell. Now that she is under Warner's control, she lets her feisty attitude start to peek through. She's let people run over her her entire life, she's not going to be someone's pet anymore. She's inspiring. I loved Adam and Juliette's budding romance. From the moment he stepped into the scene, Adam is this gentle and kind person who you can tell just wants to know Juliette. Yes, he may be working for Warner, but you can tell he's completely different from all of the Reestablishment crazies. Mafi did a great job with letting the reader slowly discover their history together. We get the details piece by piece which made me root for them even more. What I loved most was how Juliette reacted to him. You know she is scared because of her abilities but it's heart warming to see her open up to somebody and to learn to trust them. Adam makes her realize she isn't someone to constantly be feared. SHATTER ME, while not the most climactic, is a great start to a series I know will get better with each book. As Juliette starts to come into her own, I can only hope she learns to appreciate who she is and discover she isn't the monster everyone thinks she is.

e19ca442525e561e643b073c662af5c1

books

I found the book very compulsive shocking reading in the first half

question: How is the write?, context: I found the book very compulsive shocking reading in the first half . Twelve year old Theo and his mother are in a bomb blas in an art gallery and he gradually realizes over a period of hours and days that his mother is dead and not coming back.This trauma led to his dysfunctional growing up in various situations where he was basically left to his own devices living with adults who were preoccupied with their own lives.I found the book quite upsetting and wondered where Donna Tartt got the psychological understanding from.I did learn some new things about art which was interesting.I

How is the write?

I found the book very compulsive shocking reading in the first half .

I found the book very compulsive shocking reading in the first half . Twelve year old Theo and his mother are in a bomb blas in an art gallery and he gradually realizes over a period of hours and days that his mother is dead and not coming back.This trauma led to his dysfunctional growing up in various situations where he was basically left to his own devices living with adults who were preoccupied with their own lives.I found the book quite upsetting and wondered where Donna Tartt got the psychological understanding from.I did learn some new things about art which was interesting.I

<hl> I found the book very compulsive shocking reading in the first half <hl> .

<hl> I found the book very compulsive shocking reading in the first half <hl> . Twelve year old Theo and his mother are in a bomb blas in an art gallery and he gradually realizes over a period of hours and days that his mother is dead and not coming back.This trauma led to his dysfunctional growing up in various situations where he was basically left to his own devices living with adults who were preoccupied with their own lives.I found the book quite upsetting and wondered where Donna Tartt got the psychological understanding from.I did learn some new things about art which was interesting.I

<hl> I found the book very compulsive shocking reading in the first half . <hl> Twelve year old Theo and his mother are in a bomb blas in an art gallery and he gradually realizes over a period of hours and days that his mother is dead and not coming back. This trauma led to his dysfunctional growing up in various situations where he was basically left to his own devices living with adults who were preoccupied with their own lives. I found the book quite upsetting and wondered where Donna Tartt got the psychological understanding from. I did learn some new things about art which was interesting. I

b8ca0e28233f37ff4266bd180e2f0fa9

books

characters from all corners of life learning to live together during the war. This book was well worth my time! One of those stories that you really do not want to end. Enjoy reading!

question: Is this story about military?, context: Cast during WW2, a great mix of characters from all corners of life learning to live together during the war. This book was well worth my time! One of those stories that you really do not want to end. Enjoy reading!

Is this story about military?

Cast during WW2, a great mix of characters from all corners of life learning to live together during the war. This book was well worth my time! One of those stories that you really do not want to end. Enjoy reading!

Cast during WW2, a great mix of characters from all corners of life learning to live together during the war. This book was well worth my time! One of those stories that you really do not want to end. Enjoy reading!

Cast during WW2, a great mix of <hl> characters from all corners of life learning to live together during the war. This book was well worth my time! One of those stories that you really do not want to end. Enjoy reading! <hl>

Cast during WW2, a great mix of <hl> characters from all corners of life learning to live together during the war. This book was well worth my time! One of those stories that you really do not want to end. Enjoy reading! <hl>

<hl> Cast during WW2, a great mix of characters from all corners of life learning to live together during the war. This book was well worth my time! One of those stories that you really do not want to end. Enjoy reading! <hl>

a4e0c241bdcb450e6917c6b0478a6cef

books

Territory in the 1870s

question: What is the quality of the voice?, context: The frontier and the Old West have long been staples in American literature, and one of the best novels of the genre is Larry McMurtry's Pulitzer Prize-winning "Lonesome Dove." The story follows a crew of former Texas Rangers and cowboys who drive a herd of cattle from South Texas to the sparsely settled Montana Territory in the 1870s.Augustus McCrae, Woodrow Call, and the other characters that the author introduces and develops are not stereotypes, but are complex and realistic. The crew faces constant danger on their drive north. The cowboys sometimes have to deal with sudden and unexpected tragedy, as well as regrets and mistakes from their pasts--and they have to get on with life the best they can after their adversities. McMurtry explores some of the challenges that adolescent boys, young men, and middle-aged men face--some limited to the frontier, some universal.Part of what makes the novel great is that is by no means predictable--in spots you think you know who will get killed and what will happen later, but are surprised. Knowing life, people, and human nature is a must for a novelist, but one gets the sense when reading "Lonesome Dove" that Larry McMurtry has a keener sense of them than most other novelists, which is a prime reason that the novel has attained classic status in the quarter-century since its release.

What is the quality of the voice?

The story follows a crew of former Texas Rangers and cowboys who drive a herd of cattle from South Texas to the sparsely settled Montana Territory in the 1870s .Augustus

The frontier and the Old West have long been staples in American literature, and one of the best novels of the genre is Larry McMurtry's Pulitzer Prize-winning "Lonesome Dove." The story follows a crew of former Texas Rangers and cowboys who drive a herd of cattle from South Texas to the sparsely settled Montana Territory in the 1870s.Augustus McCrae, Woodrow Call, and the other characters that the author introduces and develops are not stereotypes, but are complex and realistic. The crew faces constant danger on their drive north. The cowboys sometimes have to deal with sudden and unexpected tragedy, as well as regrets and mistakes from their pasts--and they have to get on with life the best they can after their adversities. McMurtry explores some of the challenges that adolescent boys, young men, and middle-aged men face--some limited to the frontier, some universal.Part of what makes the novel great is that is by no means predictable--in spots you think you know who will get killed and what will happen later, but are surprised. Knowing life, people, and human nature is a must for a novelist, but one gets the sense when reading "Lonesome Dove" that Larry McMurtry has a keener sense of them than most other novelists, which is a prime reason that the novel has attained classic status in the quarter-century since its release.

The story follows a crew of former Texas Rangers and cowboys who drive a herd of cattle from South Texas to the sparsely settled Montana <hl> Territory in the 1870s <hl> .Augustus

The frontier and the Old West have long been staples in American literature, and one of the best novels of the genre is Larry McMurtry's Pulitzer Prize-winning "Lonesome Dove." The story follows a crew of former Texas Rangers and cowboys who drive a herd of cattle from South Texas to the sparsely settled Montana <hl> Territory in the 1870s <hl>.Augustus McCrae, Woodrow Call, and the other characters that the author introduces and develops are not stereotypes, but are complex and realistic. The crew faces constant danger on their drive north. The cowboys sometimes have to deal with sudden and unexpected tragedy, as well as regrets and mistakes from their pasts--and they have to get on with life the best they can after their adversities. McMurtry explores some of the challenges that adolescent boys, young men, and middle-aged men face--some limited to the frontier, some universal.Part of what makes the novel great is that is by no means predictable--in spots you think you know who will get killed and what will happen later, but are surprised. Knowing life, people, and human nature is a must for a novelist, but one gets the sense when reading "Lonesome Dove" that Larry McMurtry has a keener sense of them than most other novelists, which is a prime reason that the novel has attained classic status in the quarter-century since its release.

The frontier and the Old West have long been staples in American literature, and one of the best novels of the genre is Larry McMurtry's Pulitzer Prize-winning "Lonesome Dove." <hl> The story follows a crew of former Texas Rangers and cowboys who drive a herd of cattle from South Texas to the sparsely settled Montana Territory in the 1870s .Augustus <hl> McCrae, Woodrow Call, and the other characters that the author introduces and develops are not stereotypes, but are complex and realistic. The crew faces constant danger on their drive north. The cowboys sometimes have to deal with sudden and unexpected tragedy, as well as regrets and mistakes from their pasts--and they have to get on with life the best they can after their adversities. McMurtry explores some of the challenges that adolescent boys, young men, and middle-aged men face--some limited to the frontier, some universal. Part of what makes the novel great is that is by no means predictable--in spots you think you know who will get killed and what will happen later, but are surprised. Knowing life, people, and human nature is a must for a novelist, but one gets the sense when reading "Lonesome Dove" that Larry McMurtry has a keener sense of them than most other novelists, which is a prime reason that the novel has attained classic status in the quarter-century since its release.

7b308a3b980173ea66c77b3575ae46fa

books

the kids that took the risks like smoking, drinking, having sex

question: Are the books dirty?, context: My 19 year old daughter recently asked what her hobbies were. I said, &#34;Your friends are your hobbies&#34;. She looked at me like only 19 year olds can look at their mums. But it is true - her reason for being is her interactions with other people, preferably not old(er) ones like me. Based on an informal 20 question questionnaire on page 10 of this book she is almost 100% the perfect extrovert. Me, on the other hand, I am 70% introvert, and now that I know this, it explains all sorts of things about me. Unlike my lively daughter who needs to get her batteries charged from the energy of others, I need to get my batteries charged from not being with others, from being by myself. Finally I understand now why I don't like crowds, why I don't like going to parties or gatherings where I don't know people, why I am not the world's most natural and spontaneous entertainer, why I let the phone go to voice mail, why I enjoy writing so much, why sitting at home on New Year's Eve with mushrooms on toast, a bottle of bubbles and TV makes me feel so good! And it has been done more than once.Even though this book is about whether you are one or the other, the author makes very clear at both the beginning and the end, that introversion/extroversion personality analysis is one of many tools and theories out there, and often it seems in conjunction with other theories too. So, as with all this stuff, it is all very interesting and useful and probably helpful to self understanding but not necessarily the gospel truth.The author is a self proclaimed introvert, hence her interest in the subject. Her main argument in this book is that the world we live in, ie the current Western orientation to the Cult of Personality rather than the Cult of Character of perhaps 150 years ago does not suit the more introverted personality, which could be anywhere from a third to half the population. Think back to when you were at high school - who were the popular kids? Was it the science nerds? Was it those who spent their lunch hours in the library? Was it those who played solitary or individual sports like chess or fencing or even badminton? No of course it wasn't! It was the rugby boys, the girls who swanned around after them in packs, the kids that took the risks like smoking, drinking, having sex. The ones whose style of dress the rest of us tried to follow. The cool kids. Perhaps this is seen no more clearly than in her chapter on the differences between Asian students and non Asian students at American high school and universities.The book is full of explaining all these sorts of differences and whether we are actually born with tendencies towards introvesion/extroversion; how our upbringing and early life shapes us; how survival of the fittest is not necessarily survival of the loudest or the strongest; cultural differences; the effect the Cult of Personality had on the Global Financial Crisis; how as parents we can help our children who may not be so out there as us or their siblings, and even in our relationships where we can see and be understanding of our differences. And much more.I have got so much out of this book, and it really does make me feel much more comfortable in my skin. Now I know why I used to howl my lungs out at the top of the sand dunes faced with all that ocean and noise. Why I was one of only two kids on 11 year old camp that wouldn't do the abseiling. And why I love books, reading and doing these book reviews!

Are the books dirty?

It was the rugby boys, the girls who swanned around after them in packs, the kids that took the risks like smoking, drinking, having sex .

My 19 year old daughter recently asked what her hobbies were. I said, &#34;Your friends are your hobbies&#34;. She looked at me like only 19 year olds can look at their mums. But it is true - her reason for being is her interactions with other people, preferably not old(er) ones like me. Based on an informal 20 question questionnaire on page 10 of this book she is almost 100% the perfect extrovert. Me, on the other hand, I am 70% introvert, and now that I know this, it explains all sorts of things about me. Unlike my lively daughter who needs to get her batteries charged from the energy of others, I need to get my batteries charged from not being with others, from being by myself. Finally I understand now why I don't like crowds, why I don't like going to parties or gatherings where I don't know people, why I am not the world's most natural and spontaneous entertainer, why I let the phone go to voice mail, why I enjoy writing so much, why sitting at home on New Year's Eve with mushrooms on toast, a bottle of bubbles and TV makes me feel so good! And it has been done more than once.Even though this book is about whether you are one or the other, the author makes very clear at both the beginning and the end, that introversion/extroversion personality analysis is one of many tools and theories out there, and often it seems in conjunction with other theories too. So, as with all this stuff, it is all very interesting and useful and probably helpful to self understanding but not necessarily the gospel truth.The author is a self proclaimed introvert, hence her interest in the subject. Her main argument in this book is that the world we live in, ie the current Western orientation to the Cult of Personality rather than the Cult of Character of perhaps 150 years ago does not suit the more introverted personality, which could be anywhere from a third to half the population. Think back to when you were at high school - who were the popular kids? Was it the science nerds? Was it those who spent their lunch hours in the library? Was it those who played solitary or individual sports like chess or fencing or even badminton? No of course it wasn't! It was the rugby boys, the girls who swanned around after them in packs, the kids that took the risks like smoking, drinking, having sex. The ones whose style of dress the rest of us tried to follow. The cool kids. Perhaps this is seen no more clearly than in her chapter on the differences between Asian students and non Asian students at American high school and universities.The book is full of explaining all these sorts of differences and whether we are actually born with tendencies towards introvesion/extroversion; how our upbringing and early life shapes us; how survival of the fittest is not necessarily survival of the loudest or the strongest; cultural differences; the effect the Cult of Personality had on the Global Financial Crisis; how as parents we can help our children who may not be so out there as us or their siblings, and even in our relationships where we can see and be understanding of our differences. And much more.I have got so much out of this book, and it really does make me feel much more comfortable in my skin. Now I know why I used to howl my lungs out at the top of the sand dunes faced with all that ocean and noise. Why I was one of only two kids on 11 year old camp that wouldn't do the abseiling. And why I love books, reading and doing these book reviews!

It was the rugby boys, the girls who swanned around after them in packs, <hl> the kids that took the risks like smoking, drinking, having sex <hl> .

My 19 year old daughter recently asked what her hobbies were. I said, &#34;Your friends are your hobbies&#34;. She looked at me like only 19 year olds can look at their mums. But it is true - her reason for being is her interactions with other people, preferably not old(er) ones like me. Based on an informal 20 question questionnaire on page 10 of this book she is almost 100% the perfect extrovert. Me, on the other hand, I am 70% introvert, and now that I know this, it explains all sorts of things about me. Unlike my lively daughter who needs to get her batteries charged from the energy of others, I need to get my batteries charged from not being with others, from being by myself. Finally I understand now why I don't like crowds, why I don't like going to parties or gatherings where I don't know people, why I am not the world's most natural and spontaneous entertainer, why I let the phone go to voice mail, why I enjoy writing so much, why sitting at home on New Year's Eve with mushrooms on toast, a bottle of bubbles and TV makes me feel so good! And it has been done more than once.Even though this book is about whether you are one or the other, the author makes very clear at both the beginning and the end, that introversion/extroversion personality analysis is one of many tools and theories out there, and often it seems in conjunction with other theories too. So, as with all this stuff, it is all very interesting and useful and probably helpful to self understanding but not necessarily the gospel truth.The author is a self proclaimed introvert, hence her interest in the subject. Her main argument in this book is that the world we live in, ie the current Western orientation to the Cult of Personality rather than the Cult of Character of perhaps 150 years ago does not suit the more introverted personality, which could be anywhere from a third to half the population. Think back to when you were at high school - who were the popular kids? Was it the science nerds? Was it those who spent their lunch hours in the library? Was it those who played solitary or individual sports like chess or fencing or even badminton? No of course it wasn't! It was the rugby boys, the girls who swanned around after them in packs, <hl> the kids that took the risks like smoking, drinking, having sex <hl>. The ones whose style of dress the rest of us tried to follow. The cool kids. Perhaps this is seen no more clearly than in her chapter on the differences between Asian students and non Asian students at American high school and universities.The book is full of explaining all these sorts of differences and whether we are actually born with tendencies towards introvesion/extroversion; how our upbringing and early life shapes us; how survival of the fittest is not necessarily survival of the loudest or the strongest; cultural differences; the effect the Cult of Personality had on the Global Financial Crisis; how as parents we can help our children who may not be so out there as us or their siblings, and even in our relationships where we can see and be understanding of our differences. And much more.I have got so much out of this book, and it really does make me feel much more comfortable in my skin. Now I know why I used to howl my lungs out at the top of the sand dunes faced with all that ocean and noise. Why I was one of only two kids on 11 year old camp that wouldn't do the abseiling. And why I love books, reading and doing these book reviews!

My 19 year old daughter recently asked what her hobbies were. I said, &#34;Your friends are your hobbies&#34;. She looked at me like only 19 year olds can look at their mums. But it is true - her reason for being is her interactions with other people, preferably not old(er) ones like me. Based on an informal 20 question questionnaire on page 10 of this book she is almost 100% the perfect extrovert. Me, on the other hand, I am 70% introvert, and now that I know this, it explains all sorts of things about me. Unlike my lively daughter who needs to get her batteries charged from the energy of others, I need to get my batteries charged from not being with others, from being by myself. Finally I understand now why I don't like crowds, why I don't like going to parties or gatherings where I don't know people, why I am not the world's most natural and spontaneous entertainer, why I let the phone go to voice mail, why I enjoy writing so much, why sitting at home on New Year's Eve with mushrooms on toast, a bottle of bubbles and TV makes me feel so good! And it has been done more than once. Even though this book is about whether you are one or the other, the author makes very clear at both the beginning and the end, that introversion/extroversion personality analysis is one of many tools and theories out there, and often it seems in conjunction with other theories too. So, as with all this stuff, it is all very interesting and useful and probably helpful to self understanding but not necessarily the gospel truth. The author is a self proclaimed introvert, hence her interest in the subject. Her main argument in this book is that the world we live in, ie the current Western orientation to the Cult of Personality rather than the Cult of Character of perhaps 150 years ago does not suit the more introverted personality, which could be anywhere from a third to half the population. Think back to when you were at high school - who were the popular kids? Was it the science nerds? Was it those who spent their lunch hours in the library? Was it those who played solitary or individual sports like chess or fencing or even badminton? No of course it wasn't! <hl> It was the rugby boys, the girls who swanned around after them in packs, the kids that took the risks like smoking, drinking, having sex . <hl> The ones whose style of dress the rest of us tried to follow. The cool kids. Perhaps this is seen no more clearly than in her chapter on the differences between Asian students and non Asian students at American high school and universities. The book is full of explaining all these sorts of differences and whether we are actually born with tendencies towards introvesion/extroversion; how our upbringing and early life shapes us; how survival of the fittest is not necessarily survival of the loudest or the strongest; cultural differences; the effect the Cult of Personality had on the Global Financial Crisis; how as parents we can help our children who may not be so out there as us or their siblings, and even in our relationships where we can see and be understanding of our differences. And much more. I have got so much out of this book, and it really does make me feel much more comfortable in my skin. Now I know why I used to howl my lungs out at the top of the sand dunes faced with all that ocean and noise. Why I was one of only two kids on 11 year old camp that wouldn't do the abseiling. And why I love books, reading and doing these book reviews!

390cb43f02990eb6b3ea4c39969f3c69

books

This is a rare accomplishment

question: How is the meaning compared original verb?, context: This book is profound and offers the reader much to ponder. Viktor Frankl's intellect is evident as well as his compassion. The spritual nature of the work is quite moving. This book offers an insightful view into a place and subject impossible to comprehend. I thank Dr. Frankl for his wisdom and sharing. Through this book, he has been able to bring deep meaning out of incredible suffering and tragedy. This is a rare accomplishment.

How is the meaning compared original verb?

This is a rare accomplishment .

This book is profound and offers the reader much to ponder. Viktor Frankl's intellect is evident as well as his compassion. The spritual nature of the work is quite moving. This book offers an insightful view into a place and subject impossible to comprehend. I thank Dr. Frankl for his wisdom and sharing. Through this book, he has been able to bring deep meaning out of incredible suffering and tragedy. This is a rare accomplishment.

<hl> This is a rare accomplishment <hl> .

This book is profound and offers the reader much to ponder. Viktor Frankl's intellect is evident as well as his compassion. The spritual nature of the work is quite moving. This book offers an insightful view into a place and subject impossible to comprehend. I thank Dr. Frankl for his wisdom and sharing. Through this book, he has been able to bring deep meaning out of incredible suffering and tragedy. <hl> This is a rare accomplishment <hl>.

This book is profound and offers the reader much to ponder. Viktor Frankl's intellect is evident as well as his compassion. The spritual nature of the work is quite moving. This book offers an insightful view into a place and subject impossible to comprehend. I thank Dr. Frankl for his wisdom and sharing. Through this book, he has been able to bring deep meaning out of incredible suffering and tragedy. <hl> This is a rare accomplishment . <hl>

bdc1c11c44d42aa219dcbc6e631d5b37

books

read the first book you definitely should

question: Was the second book more exciting?, context: This book was just so crazy! I couldn't stop reading if you thought the first book was intriguing the you just have to read this one. It has more action and it has a total different affect on me like things I didn't expect to happen! I couldn't put this book down I highly recommend it to all and if you haven't read the first book you definitely should.

Was the second book more exciting?

and if you haven't read the first book you definitely should .

This book was just so crazy! I couldn't stop reading if you thought the first book was intriguing the you just have to read this one. It has more action and it has a total different affect on me like things I didn't expect to happen! I couldn't put this book down I highly recommend it to all and if you haven't read the first book you definitely should.

and if you haven't <hl> read the first book you definitely should <hl> .

This book was just so crazy! I couldn't stop reading if you thought the first book was intriguing the you just have to read this one. It has more action and it has a total different affect on me like things I didn't expect to happen! I couldn't put this book down I highly recommend it to all and if you haven't <hl> read the first book you definitely should <hl>.

This book was just so crazy! I couldn't stop reading if you thought the first book was intriguing the you just have to read this one. It has more action and it has a total different affect on me like things I didn't expect to happen! I couldn't put this book down I highly recommend it to all <hl> and if you haven't read the first book you definitely should . <hl>

c9a5ed55d045bef525716bd8201d3c9b

books

the critics

question: Why is write was readable?, context: Unlike most of the "history" we were force-fed in school, "Guns, Germs and Steel" is at once thought-provoking, well-written, fascinating, and highly entertaining. Jared Diamond richly deserves all the accolades (and money), which he has earned! Hey, anyone who can make history interesting to millions of Americans raised on a thin gruel of rote memorization, boring textbooks, and self-serving propaganda (see James Loewen's "Lies My Teacher Told Me") has got to be doing something right!As far as the critics of "Guns, Germs and Steel," at least as indicated by reviews here at Amazon.com, they basically seem to be arguing that the book is flawed because it is (choose one or more): "politically correct," "left-wing," not "original," "lacking in concrete evidence," overly deterministic in its focus on natural forces/factors, and -- a related criticism - neglectful of important "human variables," particularly "culture" and "religion."OK, then, what about it, is the book "politically correct" or "left-wing"? Well, if by "politically correct" the critics are referring to a hypersensitivity to any criticism of the "in" group(s) of the day, and/or holding the majority (or an "out" group, like white males, in some people's view) to a far tougher standard than others are held to, I don't really see how that criticism applies to "Guns, Germs, and Steel". Reason? Diamond is not saying that Europeans are BAD because they conquered the Indians or Africans or whoever, he's just explaining WHY Europeans conquered the Indians or Africans or whoever. Huge difference there! Really, it's surprising that this book is criticized as "PC", because as far as I can tell it's basically arguing "survival of the fittest" on a racial level (although not for any "inherent" or "God-given" reason, but basically for totally natural/arbitrary/accidental factors), and I thought that "survival of the fittest" was an old favorite of many conservatives, even fascists. So, in sum, I just don't understand why this criticism is being made at all.As far as "lacking in concrete evidence," I think that's kind of a silly criticism for a book which is written specifically for a mass audience, plus it's wrong anyway. Diamond presents PLENTY of fascinating, thought-provoking, entertaining evidence for his thesis, and if you want more you can read lots more about it all over the place!As far as "ignoring human variables" (especially "culture" and "religion"), that gets to the heart of Diamond's whole argument, and people who make this criticism either don't get Diamond's argument or just don't LIKE it (probably because it implies that THEIR "culture" and/or "religion" are not inherently any more wonderful or superior to any others, although they certainly may be more adaptive in a Darwinian "survival of the fittest" sense).The thing is, this whole question is a "chicken and egg" paradox. In other words, is northern European Protestantism (for instance) more powerful than, let's say, Native American religions, because it is inherently "better" in some sense, or is it more that northern European Protestantism HAPPENED to win out (for all kinds of reasons not under their control, like germs, which they didn't even know about), and as the victors they got to write history (and, not surprisingly, portray themselves in the most positive light). Just to take one powerfully intriguing example, what if Europeans had come over to America and been decimated by native American diseases instead of the other way around? That ALONE probably would have stopped the Europeans from defeating the Indians. Imagine if a few survivors had sailed back to Europe carrying these diseases and Europe had largely been wiped out as well. Among many other things, I don't think too many people would be making the argument today that European civilization was superior to any other, that's for sure!Anyway, the bottom line here is that this is a great book. So, pay no heed to the ideologues and nitpickers, read the book for yourself, and enjoy a fantastic story!

Why is write was readable?

Hey, anyone who can make history interesting to millions of Americans raised on a thin gruel of rote memorization, boring textbooks, and self-serving propaganda (see James Loewen's "Lies My Teacher Told Me") has got to be doing something right!As far as the critics of "Guns, Germs and Steel," at least as indicated by reviews here at Amazon.com, they basically seem to be arguing that the book is flawed because it is (choose one or more): "politically correct," "left-wing," not "original," "lacking in concrete evidence," overly deterministic in its focus on natural forces/factors, and -- a related criticism - neglectful of important "human variables," particularly "culture" and "religion.

Unlike most of the "history" we were force-fed in school, "Guns, Germs and Steel" is at once thought-provoking, well-written, fascinating, and highly entertaining. Jared Diamond richly deserves all the accolades (and money), which he has earned! Hey, anyone who can make history interesting to millions of Americans raised on a thin gruel of rote memorization, boring textbooks, and self-serving propaganda (see James Loewen's "Lies My Teacher Told Me") has got to be doing something right!As far as the critics of "Guns, Germs and Steel," at least as indicated by reviews here at Amazon.com, they basically seem to be arguing that the book is flawed because it is (choose one or more): "politically correct," "left-wing," not "original," "lacking in concrete evidence," overly deterministic in its focus on natural forces/factors, and -- a related criticism - neglectful of important "human variables," particularly "culture" and "religion."OK, then, what about it, is the book "politically correct" or "left-wing"? Well, if by "politically correct" the critics are referring to a hypersensitivity to any criticism of the "in" group(s) of the day, and/or holding the majority (or an "out" group, like white males, in some people's view) to a far tougher standard than others are held to, I don't really see how that criticism applies to "Guns, Germs, and Steel". Reason? Diamond is not saying that Europeans are BAD because they conquered the Indians or Africans or whoever, he's just explaining WHY Europeans conquered the Indians or Africans or whoever. Huge difference there! Really, it's surprising that this book is criticized as "PC", because as far as I can tell it's basically arguing "survival of the fittest" on a racial level (although not for any "inherent" or "God-given" reason, but basically for totally natural/arbitrary/accidental factors), and I thought that "survival of the fittest" was an old favorite of many conservatives, even fascists. So, in sum, I just don't understand why this criticism is being made at all.As far as "lacking in concrete evidence," I think that's kind of a silly criticism for a book which is written specifically for a mass audience, plus it's wrong anyway. Diamond presents PLENTY of fascinating, thought-provoking, entertaining evidence for his thesis, and if you want more you can read lots more about it all over the place!As far as "ignoring human variables" (especially "culture" and "religion"), that gets to the heart of Diamond's whole argument, and people who make this criticism either don't get Diamond's argument or just don't LIKE it (probably because it implies that THEIR "culture" and/or "religion" are not inherently any more wonderful or superior to any others, although they certainly may be more adaptive in a Darwinian "survival of the fittest" sense).The thing is, this whole question is a "chicken and egg" paradox. In other words, is northern European Protestantism (for instance) more powerful than, let's say, Native American religions, because it is inherently "better" in some sense, or is it more that northern European Protestantism HAPPENED to win out (for all kinds of reasons not under their control, like germs, which they didn't even know about), and as the victors they got to write history (and, not surprisingly, portray themselves in the most positive light). Just to take one powerfully intriguing example, what if Europeans had come over to America and been decimated by native American diseases instead of the other way around? That ALONE probably would have stopped the Europeans from defeating the Indians. Imagine if a few survivors had sailed back to Europe carrying these diseases and Europe had largely been wiped out as well. Among many other things, I don't think too many people would be making the argument today that European civilization was superior to any other, that's for sure!Anyway, the bottom line here is that this is a great book. So, pay no heed to the ideologues and nitpickers, read the book for yourself, and enjoy a fantastic story!

Hey, anyone who can make history interesting to millions of Americans raised on a thin gruel of rote memorization, boring textbooks, and self-serving propaganda (see James Loewen's "Lies My Teacher Told Me") has got to be doing something right!As far as <hl> the critics <hl> of "Guns, Germs and Steel," at least as indicated by reviews here at Amazon.com, they basically seem to be arguing that the book is flawed because it is (choose one or more): "politically correct," "left-wing," not "original," "lacking in concrete evidence," overly deterministic in its focus on natural forces/factors, and -- a related criticism - neglectful of important "human variables," particularly "culture" and "religion.

Unlike most of the "history" we were force-fed in school, "Guns, Germs and Steel" is at once thought-provoking, well-written, fascinating, and highly entertaining. Jared Diamond richly deserves all the accolades (and money), which he has earned! Hey, anyone who can make history interesting to millions of Americans raised on a thin gruel of rote memorization, boring textbooks, and self-serving propaganda (see James Loewen's "Lies My Teacher Told Me") has got to be doing something right!As far as <hl> the critics <hl> of "Guns, Germs and Steel," at least as indicated by reviews here at Amazon.com, they basically seem to be arguing that the book is flawed because it is (choose one or more): "politically correct," "left-wing," not "original," "lacking in concrete evidence," overly deterministic in its focus on natural forces/factors, and -- a related criticism - neglectful of important "human variables," particularly "culture" and "religion."OK, then, what about it, is the book "politically correct" or "left-wing"? Well, if by "politically correct" the critics are referring to a hypersensitivity to any criticism of the "in" group(s) of the day, and/or holding the majority (or an "out" group, like white males, in some people's view) to a far tougher standard than others are held to, I don't really see how that criticism applies to "Guns, Germs, and Steel". Reason? Diamond is not saying that Europeans are BAD because they conquered the Indians or Africans or whoever, he's just explaining WHY Europeans conquered the Indians or Africans or whoever. Huge difference there! Really, it's surprising that this book is criticized as "PC", because as far as I can tell it's basically arguing "survival of the fittest" on a racial level (although not for any "inherent" or "God-given" reason, but basically for totally natural/arbitrary/accidental factors), and I thought that "survival of the fittest" was an old favorite of many conservatives, even fascists. So, in sum, I just don't understand why this criticism is being made at all.As far as "lacking in concrete evidence," I think that's kind of a silly criticism for a book which is written specifically for a mass audience, plus it's wrong anyway. Diamond presents PLENTY of fascinating, thought-provoking, entertaining evidence for his thesis, and if you want more you can read lots more about it all over the place!As far as "ignoring human variables" (especially "culture" and "religion"), that gets to the heart of Diamond's whole argument, and people who make this criticism either don't get Diamond's argument or just don't LIKE it (probably because it implies that THEIR "culture" and/or "religion" are not inherently any more wonderful or superior to any others, although they certainly may be more adaptive in a Darwinian "survival of the fittest" sense).The thing is, this whole question is a "chicken and egg" paradox. In other words, is northern European Protestantism (for instance) more powerful than, let's say, Native American religions, because it is inherently "better" in some sense, or is it more that northern European Protestantism HAPPENED to win out (for all kinds of reasons not under their control, like germs, which they didn't even know about), and as the victors they got to write history (and, not surprisingly, portray themselves in the most positive light). Just to take one powerfully intriguing example, what if Europeans had come over to America and been decimated by native American diseases instead of the other way around? That ALONE probably would have stopped the Europeans from defeating the Indians. Imagine if a few survivors had sailed back to Europe carrying these diseases and Europe had largely been wiped out as well. Among many other things, I don't think too many people would be making the argument today that European civilization was superior to any other, that's for sure!Anyway, the bottom line here is that this is a great book. So, pay no heed to the ideologues and nitpickers, read the book for yourself, and enjoy a fantastic story!

Unlike most of the "history" we were force-fed in school, "Guns, Germs and Steel" is at once thought-provoking, well-written, fascinating, and highly entertaining. Jared Diamond richly deserves all the accolades (and money), which he has earned! <hl> Hey, anyone who can make history interesting to millions of Americans raised on a thin gruel of rote memorization, boring textbooks, and self-serving propaganda (see James Loewen's "Lies My Teacher Told Me") has got to be doing something right!As far as the critics of "Guns, Germs and Steel," at least as indicated by reviews here at Amazon.com, they basically seem to be arguing that the book is flawed because it is (choose one or more): "politically correct," "left-wing," not "original," "lacking in concrete evidence," overly deterministic in its focus on natural forces/factors, and -- a related criticism - neglectful of important "human variables," particularly "culture" and "religion. <hl> "OK, then, what about it, is the book "politically correct" or "left-wing"? Well, if by "politically correct" the critics are referring to a hypersensitivity to any criticism of the "in" group(s) of the day, and/or holding the majority (or an "out" group, like white males, in some people's view) to a far tougher standard than others are held to, I don't really see how that criticism applies to "Guns, Germs, and Steel". Reason? Diamond is not saying that Europeans are BAD because they conquered the Indians or Africans or whoever, he's just explaining WHY Europeans conquered the Indians or Africans or whoever. Huge difference there! Really, it's surprising that this book is criticized as "PC", because as far as I can tell it's basically arguing "survival of the fittest" on a racial level (although not for any "inherent" or "God-given" reason, but basically for totally natural/arbitrary/accidental factors), and I thought that "survival of the fittest" was an old favorite of many conservatives, even fascists. So, in sum, I just don't understand why this criticism is being made at all. As far as "lacking in concrete evidence," I think that's kind of a silly criticism for a book which is written specifically for a mass audience, plus it's wrong anyway. Diamond presents PLENTY of fascinating, thought-provoking, entertaining evidence for his thesis, and if you want more you can read lots more about it all over the place!As far as "ignoring human variables" (especially "culture" and "religion"), that gets to the heart of Diamond's whole argument, and people who make this criticism either don't get Diamond's argument or just don't LIKE it (probably because it implies that THEIR "culture" and/or "religion" are not inherently any more wonderful or superior to any others, although they certainly may be more adaptive in a Darwinian "survival of the fittest" sense).The thing is, this whole question is a "chicken and egg" paradox. In other words, is northern European Protestantism (for instance) more powerful than, let's say, Native American religions, because it is inherently "better" in some sense, or is it more that northern European Protestantism HAPPENED to win out (for all kinds of reasons not under their control, like germs, which they didn't even know about), and as the victors they got to write history (and, not surprisingly, portray themselves in the most positive light). Just to take one powerfully intriguing example, what if Europeans had come over to America and been decimated by native American diseases instead of the other way around? That ALONE probably would have stopped the Europeans from defeating the Indians. Imagine if a few survivors had sailed back to Europe carrying these diseases and Europe had largely been wiped out as well. Among many other things, I don't think too many people would be making the argument today that European civilization was superior to any other, that's for sure!Anyway, the bottom line here is that this is a great book. So, pay no heed to the ideologues and nitpickers, read the book for yourself, and enjoy a fantastic story!

50dfd1635eb720c557000ea7ac20236e

books

I loved how the author interweaves the mystery in the plot

question: Does this stories has ulterior motives?, context: This book is incredible! I read it in 12 hours straight. While it is an incredible thriller and keeps you hooked, the book is also a great commentary on relationships and marriage. I loved how the author interweaves the mystery in the plot with a very intimate look at the relationship between the two characters. The plot line unfolds in a way that makes you want to know more, and the nuanced writing about the characters and their lives gets you invested in their story. I won't say anymore to prevent spoilers.The book also highlights the media circus surrounding events of high-interest and has a pretty satirical and interesting take on that.I highly recommend this book! Read it before it is made into a movie and ruined!

Does this stories has ulterior motives?

I loved how the author interweaves the mystery in the plot with a very intimate look at the relationship between the two characters.

This book is incredible! I read it in 12 hours straight. While it is an incredible thriller and keeps you hooked, the book is also a great commentary on relationships and marriage. I loved how the author interweaves the mystery in the plot with a very intimate look at the relationship between the two characters. The plot line unfolds in a way that makes you want to know more, and the nuanced writing about the characters and their lives gets you invested in their story. I won't say anymore to prevent spoilers.The book also highlights the media circus surrounding events of high-interest and has a pretty satirical and interesting take on that.I highly recommend this book! Read it before it is made into a movie and ruined!

<hl> I loved how the author interweaves the mystery in the plot <hl> with a very intimate look at the relationship between the two characters.

This book is incredible! I read it in 12 hours straight. While it is an incredible thriller and keeps you hooked, the book is also a great commentary on relationships and marriage. <hl> I loved how the author interweaves the mystery in the plot <hl> with a very intimate look at the relationship between the two characters. The plot line unfolds in a way that makes you want to know more, and the nuanced writing about the characters and their lives gets you invested in their story. I won't say anymore to prevent spoilers.The book also highlights the media circus surrounding events of high-interest and has a pretty satirical and interesting take on that.I highly recommend this book! Read it before it is made into a movie and ruined!

This book is incredible! I read it in 12 hours straight. While it is an incredible thriller and keeps you hooked, the book is also a great commentary on relationships and marriage. <hl> I loved how the author interweaves the mystery in the plot with a very intimate look at the relationship between the two characters. <hl> The plot line unfolds in a way that makes you want to know more, and the nuanced writing about the characters and their lives gets you invested in their story. I won't say anymore to prevent spoilers. The book also highlights the media circus surrounding events of high-interest and has a pretty satirical and interesting take on that. I highly recommend this book! Read it before it is made into a movie and ruined!

fb490404675e877a3fa3b08680367bc1

books

revolves around Jakob a retired circus vet which

question: How is story?, context: This book is very enjoyable from beginning to end. It starts with a narration in the present and weaves in events from the narrators past. The style is fluid and non pretentious, engaging for its simplicity and character development. This book feels real when it presents its characters and you can't help but get entwined with the sentiments they live. I haven't seen the movie but I'm glad I read the book first. The story revolves around Jakob a retired circus vet which relates how he came to be involved in the circus world of the 30's and all he lived through while the show went on. The story depicts life through the depression, prohibition and society as a fitting background for the storyline.

How is story?

The story revolves around Jakob a retired circus vet which relates how he came to be involved in the circus world of the 30's and all he lived through while the show went on.

This book is very enjoyable from beginning to end. It starts with a narration in the present and weaves in events from the narrators past. The style is fluid and non pretentious, engaging for its simplicity and character development. This book feels real when it presents its characters and you can't help but get entwined with the sentiments they live. I haven't seen the movie but I'm glad I read the book first. The story revolves around Jakob a retired circus vet which relates how he came to be involved in the circus world of the 30's and all he lived through while the show went on. The story depicts life through the depression, prohibition and society as a fitting background for the storyline.

The story <hl> revolves around Jakob a retired circus vet which <hl> relates how he came to be involved in the circus world of the 30's and all he lived through while the show went on.

This book is very enjoyable from beginning to end. It starts with a narration in the present and weaves in events from the narrators past. The style is fluid and non pretentious, engaging for its simplicity and character development. This book feels real when it presents its characters and you can't help but get entwined with the sentiments they live. I haven't seen the movie but I'm glad I read the book first. The story <hl> revolves around Jakob a retired circus vet which <hl> relates how he came to be involved in the circus world of the 30's and all he lived through while the show went on. The story depicts life through the depression, prohibition and society as a fitting background for the storyline.

This book is very enjoyable from beginning to end. It starts with a narration in the present and weaves in events from the narrators past. The style is fluid and non pretentious, engaging for its simplicity and character development. This book feels real when it presents its characters and you can't help but get entwined with the sentiments they live. I haven't seen the movie but I'm glad I read the book first. <hl> The story revolves around Jakob a retired circus vet which relates how he came to be involved in the circus world of the 30's and all he lived through while the show went on. <hl> The story depicts life through the depression, prohibition and society as a fitting background for the storyline.

745c2253b631a2cd326128b12c5f91a7

books

book's message is especially important

question: How is book?, context: An eye-opener of a message. The problem is this book will not be read by the people who need it the most. The audio CD version needs to be re-recorded with Mr. Friedman's energetic, knowing style rather than an actor who is just speaking the lines. The book's message is especially important for Americans who think past glories will float them and their children effortlessly into a wonderland of the future.

How is book?

The book's message is especially important for Americans who think past glories will float them and their children effortlessly into a wonderland of the future.

An eye-opener of a message. The problem is this book will not be read by the people who need it the most. The audio CD version needs to be re-recorded with Mr. Friedman's energetic, knowing style rather than an actor who is just speaking the lines. The book's message is especially important for Americans who think past glories will float them and their children effortlessly into a wonderland of the future.

The <hl> book's message is especially important <hl> for Americans who think past glories will float them and their children effortlessly into a wonderland of the future.

An eye-opener of a message. The problem is this book will not be read by the people who need it the most. The audio CD version needs to be re-recorded with Mr. Friedman's energetic, knowing style rather than an actor who is just speaking the lines. The <hl> book's message is especially important <hl> for Americans who think past glories will float them and their children effortlessly into a wonderland of the future.

An eye-opener of a message. The problem is this book will not be read by the people who need it the most. The audio CD version needs to be re-recorded with Mr. Friedman's energetic, knowing style rather than an actor who is just speaking the lines. <hl> The book's message is especially important for Americans who think past glories will float them and their children effortlessly into a wonderland of the future. <hl>

8085c60a2663f23150b2afdd31328186

books

Closest things to it I read were some of Stephen King's horror

question: Where was there violence?, context: Don't want to make this seem a self serving review but I need to say it. I was not a fantasy reader before I came across A Game of Thrones. Closest things to it I read were some of Stephen King's horror-fantasy stuff, Harry Potter and Terry Pratchett's half-fantasy, half-satire Discworld series. I remember finishing the latter, and looking for something a little more...serious. Saw reviews for George R.R. Martin praising him, decided it couldn't hurt to give fantasy a shot, and picked up Game of Thrones.I read it in one sitting. Seriously. Since then I've read it again and again. I recommend it to anyone who will listen to me. Several have, and are now just as big of fans of Martin's series as I am.It's because of this book I love fantasy. Because I tore through the first four books and wanted a fantasy fix while waiting for A Dance with Dragons, I got to discover Robert Jordan, Tad Williams, Scott Lynch, Joe Abercrombie, and Steven Erikson.But still, none of them top Martin and his Song of Ice and Fire series. And A Game of Thrones is arguably one of the best books in the series.Why? So many reasons. Martin is simply a gifted writer, who grabs your attention and is great at both description and characterization. He somehow makes EVERY character, no matter how big or small, captivating. I was sucked into the lives of the citizens of Westeros and its environs and never looked back.The plot is unpredictable and features huge twists. What makes them great is they don't seem to be twists for the sake of shock value, but are deliberate and calculated on Martin's part. When something big happens, you see the impact it has on the characters and the world.The story is told in point of view format, mostly from the perspective of members of the Stark family but also of Tyrion, an enigmatic member of the Lannisters, the Starks' rivals, and Dany, an exiled member of the former Westeros ruling dynasty both the Starks and Lannisters helped overthrow who is now with her brother in a distant desert region. Won't say more than that. While every reader will have their favorites and those who they may just groan at when they see their name, every character is well realized and even the 'boring' ones have their moments of awesomeness.The writing. The story and the sheer scope of the story. The characters. Hell, everything. That's why this book is a great recommendation to anyone. Add the fact that as far as fantasy goes, there aren't even that many fantastical aspects to it, and you'll be able to lure even the most leery skeptic in.

Where was there violence?

Closest things to it I read were some of Stephen King's horror -fantasy stuff, Harry Potter and Terry Pratchett's half-fantasy, half-satire Discworld series.

Don't want to make this seem a self serving review but I need to say it. I was not a fantasy reader before I came across A Game of Thrones. Closest things to it I read were some of Stephen King's horror-fantasy stuff, Harry Potter and Terry Pratchett's half-fantasy, half-satire Discworld series. I remember finishing the latter, and looking for something a little more...serious. Saw reviews for George R.R. Martin praising him, decided it couldn't hurt to give fantasy a shot, and picked up Game of Thrones.I read it in one sitting. Seriously. Since then I've read it again and again. I recommend it to anyone who will listen to me. Several have, and are now just as big of fans of Martin's series as I am.It's because of this book I love fantasy. Because I tore through the first four books and wanted a fantasy fix while waiting for A Dance with Dragons, I got to discover Robert Jordan, Tad Williams, Scott Lynch, Joe Abercrombie, and Steven Erikson.But still, none of them top Martin and his Song of Ice and Fire series. And A Game of Thrones is arguably one of the best books in the series.Why? So many reasons. Martin is simply a gifted writer, who grabs your attention and is great at both description and characterization. He somehow makes EVERY character, no matter how big or small, captivating. I was sucked into the lives of the citizens of Westeros and its environs and never looked back.The plot is unpredictable and features huge twists. What makes them great is they don't seem to be twists for the sake of shock value, but are deliberate and calculated on Martin's part. When something big happens, you see the impact it has on the characters and the world.The story is told in point of view format, mostly from the perspective of members of the Stark family but also of Tyrion, an enigmatic member of the Lannisters, the Starks' rivals, and Dany, an exiled member of the former Westeros ruling dynasty both the Starks and Lannisters helped overthrow who is now with her brother in a distant desert region. Won't say more than that. While every reader will have their favorites and those who they may just groan at when they see their name, every character is well realized and even the 'boring' ones have their moments of awesomeness.The writing. The story and the sheer scope of the story. The characters. Hell, everything. That's why this book is a great recommendation to anyone. Add the fact that as far as fantasy goes, there aren't even that many fantastical aspects to it, and you'll be able to lure even the most leery skeptic in.

<hl> Closest things to it I read were some of Stephen King's horror <hl> -fantasy stuff, Harry Potter and Terry Pratchett's half-fantasy, half-satire Discworld series.

Don't want to make this seem a self serving review but I need to say it. I was not a fantasy reader before I came across A Game of Thrones. <hl> Closest things to it I read were some of Stephen King's horror <hl>-fantasy stuff, Harry Potter and Terry Pratchett's half-fantasy, half-satire Discworld series. I remember finishing the latter, and looking for something a little more...serious. Saw reviews for George R.R. Martin praising him, decided it couldn't hurt to give fantasy a shot, and picked up Game of Thrones.I read it in one sitting. Seriously. Since then I've read it again and again. I recommend it to anyone who will listen to me. Several have, and are now just as big of fans of Martin's series as I am.It's because of this book I love fantasy. Because I tore through the first four books and wanted a fantasy fix while waiting for A Dance with Dragons, I got to discover Robert Jordan, Tad Williams, Scott Lynch, Joe Abercrombie, and Steven Erikson.But still, none of them top Martin and his Song of Ice and Fire series. And A Game of Thrones is arguably one of the best books in the series.Why? So many reasons. Martin is simply a gifted writer, who grabs your attention and is great at both description and characterization. He somehow makes EVERY character, no matter how big or small, captivating. I was sucked into the lives of the citizens of Westeros and its environs and never looked back.The plot is unpredictable and features huge twists. What makes them great is they don't seem to be twists for the sake of shock value, but are deliberate and calculated on Martin's part. When something big happens, you see the impact it has on the characters and the world.The story is told in point of view format, mostly from the perspective of members of the Stark family but also of Tyrion, an enigmatic member of the Lannisters, the Starks' rivals, and Dany, an exiled member of the former Westeros ruling dynasty both the Starks and Lannisters helped overthrow who is now with her brother in a distant desert region. Won't say more than that. While every reader will have their favorites and those who they may just groan at when they see their name, every character is well realized and even the 'boring' ones have their moments of awesomeness.The writing. The story and the sheer scope of the story. The characters. Hell, everything. That's why this book is a great recommendation to anyone. Add the fact that as far as fantasy goes, there aren't even that many fantastical aspects to it, and you'll be able to lure even the most leery skeptic in.

Don't want to make this seem a self serving review but I need to say it. I was not a fantasy reader before I came across A Game of Thrones. <hl> Closest things to it I read were some of Stephen King's horror -fantasy stuff, Harry Potter and Terry Pratchett's half-fantasy, half-satire Discworld series. <hl> I remember finishing the latter, and looking for something a little more...serious. Saw reviews for George R.R. Martin praising him, decided it couldn't hurt to give fantasy a shot, and picked up Game of Thrones. I read it in one sitting. Seriously. Since then I've read it again and again. I recommend it to anyone who will listen to me. Several have, and are now just as big of fans of Martin's series as I am. It's because of this book I love fantasy. Because I tore through the first four books and wanted a fantasy fix while waiting for A Dance with Dragons, I got to discover Robert Jordan, Tad Williams, Scott Lynch, Joe Abercrombie, and Steven Erikson. But still, none of them top Martin and his Song of Ice and Fire series. And A Game of Thrones is arguably one of the best books in the series. Why? So many reasons. Martin is simply a gifted writer, who grabs your attention and is great at both description and characterization. He somehow makes EVERY character, no matter how big or small, captivating. I was sucked into the lives of the citizens of Westeros and its environs and never looked back. The plot is unpredictable and features huge twists. What makes them great is they don't seem to be twists for the sake of shock value, but are deliberate and calculated on Martin's part. When something big happens, you see the impact it has on the characters and the world. The story is told in point of view format, mostly from the perspective of members of the Stark family but also of Tyrion, an enigmatic member of the Lannisters, the Starks' rivals, and Dany, an exiled member of the former Westeros ruling dynasty both the Starks and Lannisters helped overthrow who is now with her brother in a distant desert region. Won't say more than that. While every reader will have their favorites and those who they may just groan at when they see their name, every character is well realized and even the 'boring' ones have their moments of awesomeness. The writing. The story and the sheer scope of the story. The characters. Hell, everything. That's why this book is a great recommendation to anyone. Add the fact that as far as fantasy goes, there aren't even that many fantastical aspects to it, and you'll be able to lure even the most leery skeptic in.

8a011f55433ab3321856e241e786abc8

books

the weather gets colder

question: How is the time?, context: Years ago, Grace was attacked by a starving wolf pack, and only survived because one wolf, the one with brilliant yellow eyes, protected her. Ever since then she's watched for "her" wolf each winter, caught in a longing she can't quite explain. Then one fall a boy appears on her porch, injured, with those same yellow eyes. Grace knows he is her wolf.Grace feels more connected to Sam than anyone else in her life, and Sam would do anything for her. But right from the beginning, a shadow looms over their time together. As the weather gets colder, it's harder and harder for Sam to stay human. And he's sure that this time, when he turns into a wolf, it will be for good.SHIVER is a melancholy, romantic novel with equal parts tenderness and passion. Readers will find themselves swept up in Grace and Sam's unfolding relationship as they are finally able to talk and touch, and struggle to hold on to what little time they have together. The book is filled with gorgeous imagery that comes alive in your mind, and adds to the sense of fleeting beauty.Some may find the story a little slow-moving: many of the scenes are simply Grace and Sam being together, and of the few subplots that increase the suspense, all but one are dropped with little or no resolution. But the book is well worth picking up just for the character study of a boy growing up torn between human and animal worlds, and the main characters' chemistry and frantic attempts to hold off Sam's change will keep appreciative readers glued to the page.Recommended for paranormal fans who prefer thoughtfulness and simmering emotion to action and violence.Reviewed by: Lynn Crow

How is the time?

As the weather gets colder , it's harder and harder for Sam to stay human.

Years ago, Grace was attacked by a starving wolf pack, and only survived because one wolf, the one with brilliant yellow eyes, protected her. Ever since then she's watched for "her" wolf each winter, caught in a longing she can't quite explain. Then one fall a boy appears on her porch, injured, with those same yellow eyes. Grace knows he is her wolf.Grace feels more connected to Sam than anyone else in her life, and Sam would do anything for her. But right from the beginning, a shadow looms over their time together. As the weather gets colder, it's harder and harder for Sam to stay human. And he's sure that this time, when he turns into a wolf, it will be for good.SHIVER is a melancholy, romantic novel with equal parts tenderness and passion. Readers will find themselves swept up in Grace and Sam's unfolding relationship as they are finally able to talk and touch, and struggle to hold on to what little time they have together. The book is filled with gorgeous imagery that comes alive in your mind, and adds to the sense of fleeting beauty.Some may find the story a little slow-moving: many of the scenes are simply Grace and Sam being together, and of the few subplots that increase the suspense, all but one are dropped with little or no resolution. But the book is well worth picking up just for the character study of a boy growing up torn between human and animal worlds, and the main characters' chemistry and frantic attempts to hold off Sam's change will keep appreciative readers glued to the page.Recommended for paranormal fans who prefer thoughtfulness and simmering emotion to action and violence.Reviewed by: Lynn Crow

As <hl> the weather gets colder <hl> , it's harder and harder for Sam to stay human.

Years ago, Grace was attacked by a starving wolf pack, and only survived because one wolf, the one with brilliant yellow eyes, protected her. Ever since then she's watched for "her" wolf each winter, caught in a longing she can't quite explain. Then one fall a boy appears on her porch, injured, with those same yellow eyes. Grace knows he is her wolf.Grace feels more connected to Sam than anyone else in her life, and Sam would do anything for her. But right from the beginning, a shadow looms over their time together. As <hl> the weather gets colder <hl>, it's harder and harder for Sam to stay human. And he's sure that this time, when he turns into a wolf, it will be for good.SHIVER is a melancholy, romantic novel with equal parts tenderness and passion. Readers will find themselves swept up in Grace and Sam's unfolding relationship as they are finally able to talk and touch, and struggle to hold on to what little time they have together. The book is filled with gorgeous imagery that comes alive in your mind, and adds to the sense of fleeting beauty.Some may find the story a little slow-moving: many of the scenes are simply Grace and Sam being together, and of the few subplots that increase the suspense, all but one are dropped with little or no resolution. But the book is well worth picking up just for the character study of a boy growing up torn between human and animal worlds, and the main characters' chemistry and frantic attempts to hold off Sam's change will keep appreciative readers glued to the page.Recommended for paranormal fans who prefer thoughtfulness and simmering emotion to action and violence.Reviewed by: Lynn Crow

Years ago, Grace was attacked by a starving wolf pack, and only survived because one wolf, the one with brilliant yellow eyes, protected her. Ever since then she's watched for "her" wolf each winter, caught in a longing she can't quite explain. Then one fall a boy appears on her porch, injured, with those same yellow eyes. Grace knows he is her wolf. Grace feels more connected to Sam than anyone else in her life, and Sam would do anything for her. But right from the beginning, a shadow looms over their time together. <hl> As the weather gets colder , it's harder and harder for Sam to stay human. <hl> And he's sure that this time, when he turns into a wolf, it will be for good. SHIVER is a melancholy, romantic novel with equal parts tenderness and passion. Readers will find themselves swept up in Grace and Sam's unfolding relationship as they are finally able to talk and touch, and struggle to hold on to what little time they have together. The book is filled with gorgeous imagery that comes alive in your mind, and adds to the sense of fleeting beauty. Some may find the story a little slow-moving: many of the scenes are simply Grace and Sam being together, and of the few subplots that increase the suspense, all but one are dropped with little or no resolution. But the book is well worth picking up just for the character study of a boy growing up torn between human and animal worlds, and the main characters' chemistry and frantic attempts to hold off Sam's change will keep appreciative readers glued to the page. Recommended for paranormal fans who prefer thoughtfulness and simmering emotion to action and violence. Reviewed by: Lynn Crow

0848861f03a5b1bf628cb395b1a489c8

books

I doubt I would recommend to a friend

question: How did you like the book?, context: It was just very predictable and the characters weren't very realistic or believable. They seemed immature. I doubt I would recommend to a friend.

How did you like the book?

I doubt I would recommend to a friend .

It was just very predictable and the characters weren't very realistic or believable. They seemed immature. I doubt I would recommend to a friend.

<hl> I doubt I would recommend to a friend <hl> .

It was just very predictable and the characters weren't very realistic or believable. They seemed immature. <hl> I doubt I would recommend to a friend <hl>.

It was just very predictable and the characters weren't very realistic or believable. They seemed immature. <hl> I doubt I would recommend to a friend . <hl>

64b84eca9063f1bb6d9991f542f947db

books

The story was excellent

question: Does this story mucho better?, context: The story was excellent. The foster parents, particularly Rosa, turned out to be more and better than my first impression in the beginning. Death's comments were confusing at first until I realized his part in the story. Great book!

Does this story mucho better?

The story was excellent .

The story was excellent. The foster parents, particularly Rosa, turned out to be more and better than my first impression in the beginning. Death's comments were confusing at first until I realized his part in the story. Great book!

<hl> The story was excellent <hl> .

<hl> The story was excellent <hl>. The foster parents, particularly Rosa, turned out to be more and better than my first impression in the beginning. Death's comments were confusing at first until I realized his part in the story. Great book!

<hl> The story was excellent . <hl> The foster parents, particularly Rosa, turned out to be more and better than my first impression in the beginning. Death's comments were confusing at first until I realized his part in the story. Great book!

5c83ce91f3246c19fac6e6863b76bee1

books

Allegiant gave us an explosive ending to a thrilling series!

question: How are things at the end of this story?, context: 4.5/5 StarsWow!! I had to wait a day or so to write this review because my head was just spinning when I put the book down (not to mention the fact that I was sobbing and needed time to catch my breath!). I think it really helped that I read all three of these books in a row because I really got to see the full arc of the story and the characters that way (without having to try to remember what it was I loved about the first two books). Plus, this way the series had momentum for me that would have been lost otherwise.The negatives:Failure to communicate.Once again, there were periods in this book where Tris and Tobias had problems based mostly on their failure to communicate. Just when I thought that they were going to really work together and face the world as a team, they would disagree over something and then pretty much not talk to each other - it made me crazy! Tris' lack of compassion also got to me sometimes (for instance, she doesn't seem to understand why Tobias might have strong feelings about his father's sentencing and then, when she does realize it's bothering him, still doesn't bother to talk to him about it). Now, to give Roth some credit, there were parts of the story where Roth did have Tris and Tobias hash out their issues (and where they made good relationship choices) - I just wish I hadn't had to suffer through their lack of communication to get to it. (Although, honestly, the relationship might not have been all that unrealistic - lack of communication is a real issue in lots of relationships!)Some people will HATE the ending.I honestly feel sorry for any author who is ending a hugely popular series like this one because it seems that there is no way to truly satisfy everyone - all these people who are waiting for their story to come to an end and might not agree with how the author does it. This is one of those cases where I can tell you right now that many people are going to hate this ending. Roth doesn't let all of our beloved characters live happily ever after in a world where all their problems have been solved - nowhere even close to that. I list this as a negative because I know many people will see this as a big negative. Most people will either love it or hate it. But I'm actually kind of on Roth's side on this one - see my note below.What I LOVED:I didn't hate the ending.Okay, that's not exactly true. In some ways I hated what happened at the end of the book. But I also felt that it made sense based on who Roth made these characters to be and the type of world they lived in. Was it painful, horrifying and gut-wrenching when certain characters we've come to know and love didn't get their happy ending? Definitely. Was it still amazing? I certainly thought so! I will not be forgetting this book any time soon - I can't stop mulling it over in my mind, and that is a sign of a fantastic story in my opinion!So many questions answered.I LOVED that this book answered all of my questions and made sense of a lot of the holes in logic from the first two books. I mean, I really didn't get why the Divergent were supposed to go out into the outside world and how they were expected to save humanity. And why was it that people in the factions had such strong tendencies toward specific behaviors? (It was explained - there was an actual reason based on genetic experimentation that was done!!) I was honestly desperately worried that the answers I would be given in Allegiant would make no sense, so I sighed a huge sigh of relief when so many things were explained in ways that made sense to me! Yay!!Tobias' struggles.I loved that we got to see half (or so) of this book from Tobias' viewpoint!! I was thrilled to see the world through his eyes and to really be able to see and sympathize with his struggles. Whereas, in the first book (and somewhat in the second), we got to see Tris' vulnerabilities and her struggles with who she was - selfless or brave - in Allegiant we got to see that Tobias, with only four fears, could still be haunted by those fears. In this book, it is Tobias who doubts who he truly is - what makes him who he is. Is it his genes, his upbringing, his choices? He struggles to come to terms with all of that and there are no easy answers. I grew to love Tobias even more in his weaknesses and was that much more behind him when he overcame them!The action.The first half of this book didn't have nearly as much action as Divergent andInsurgent, but I found myself so intrigued by learning about Tris and Tobias' world, that I actually didn't mind much. The second half of the book picked up the action quite a bit and there were enough twists and turns to keep me constantly wondering what would happen next.Allegiant gave us an explosive ending to a thrilling series! While it had a few negatives, this is not a series that I will soon forget and I'm not disappointed. I only hope that the upcoming movie does it justice!(I debated back and forth between 4 and 4.5 stars for this book, but when I compare it to other books that I rated 4 stars, I came to the conclusion that, even with its flaws, I enjoyed this book more than most.) 4.5/5 stars.

How are things at the end of this story?

Allegiant gave us an explosive ending to a thrilling series! While it had a few negatives, this is not a series that I will soon forget and I'm not disappointed.

4.5/5 StarsWow!! I had to wait a day or so to write this review because my head was just spinning when I put the book down (not to mention the fact that I was sobbing and needed time to catch my breath!). I think it really helped that I read all three of these books in a row because I really got to see the full arc of the story and the characters that way (without having to try to remember what it was I loved about the first two books). Plus, this way the series had momentum for me that would have been lost otherwise.The negatives:Failure to communicate.Once again, there were periods in this book where Tris and Tobias had problems based mostly on their failure to communicate. Just when I thought that they were going to really work together and face the world as a team, they would disagree over something and then pretty much not talk to each other - it made me crazy! Tris' lack of compassion also got to me sometimes (for instance, she doesn't seem to understand why Tobias might have strong feelings about his father's sentencing and then, when she does realize it's bothering him, still doesn't bother to talk to him about it). Now, to give Roth some credit, there were parts of the story where Roth did have Tris and Tobias hash out their issues (and where they made good relationship choices) - I just wish I hadn't had to suffer through their lack of communication to get to it. (Although, honestly, the relationship might not have been all that unrealistic - lack of communication is a real issue in lots of relationships!)Some people will HATE the ending.I honestly feel sorry for any author who is ending a hugely popular series like this one because it seems that there is no way to truly satisfy everyone - all these people who are waiting for their story to come to an end and might not agree with how the author does it. This is one of those cases where I can tell you right now that many people are going to hate this ending. Roth doesn't let all of our beloved characters live happily ever after in a world where all their problems have been solved - nowhere even close to that. I list this as a negative because I know many people will see this as a big negative. Most people will either love it or hate it. But I'm actually kind of on Roth's side on this one - see my note below.What I LOVED:I didn't hate the ending.Okay, that's not exactly true. In some ways I hated what happened at the end of the book. But I also felt that it made sense based on who Roth made these characters to be and the type of world they lived in. Was it painful, horrifying and gut-wrenching when certain characters we've come to know and love didn't get their happy ending? Definitely. Was it still amazing? I certainly thought so! I will not be forgetting this book any time soon - I can't stop mulling it over in my mind, and that is a sign of a fantastic story in my opinion!So many questions answered.I LOVED that this book answered all of my questions and made sense of a lot of the holes in logic from the first two books. I mean, I really didn't get why the Divergent were supposed to go out into the outside world and how they were expected to save humanity. And why was it that people in the factions had such strong tendencies toward specific behaviors? (It was explained - there was an actual reason based on genetic experimentation that was done!!) I was honestly desperately worried that the answers I would be given in Allegiant would make no sense, so I sighed a huge sigh of relief when so many things were explained in ways that made sense to me! Yay!!Tobias' struggles.I loved that we got to see half (or so) of this book from Tobias' viewpoint!! I was thrilled to see the world through his eyes and to really be able to see and sympathize with his struggles. Whereas, in the first book (and somewhat in the second), we got to see Tris' vulnerabilities and her struggles with who she was - selfless or brave - in Allegiant we got to see that Tobias, with only four fears, could still be haunted by those fears. In this book, it is Tobias who doubts who he truly is - what makes him who he is. Is it his genes, his upbringing, his choices? He struggles to come to terms with all of that and there are no easy answers. I grew to love Tobias even more in his weaknesses and was that much more behind him when he overcame them!The action.The first half of this book didn't have nearly as much action as Divergent andInsurgent, but I found myself so intrigued by learning about Tris and Tobias' world, that I actually didn't mind much. The second half of the book picked up the action quite a bit and there were enough twists and turns to keep me constantly wondering what would happen next.Allegiant gave us an explosive ending to a thrilling series! While it had a few negatives, this is not a series that I will soon forget and I'm not disappointed. I only hope that the upcoming movie does it justice!(I debated back and forth between 4 and 4.5 stars for this book, but when I compare it to other books that I rated 4 stars, I came to the conclusion that, even with its flaws, I enjoyed this book more than most.) 4.5/5 stars.

<hl> Allegiant gave us an explosive ending to a thrilling series! <hl> While it had a few negatives, this is not a series that I will soon forget and I'm not disappointed.

4.5/5 StarsWow!! I had to wait a day or so to write this review because my head was just spinning when I put the book down (not to mention the fact that I was sobbing and needed time to catch my breath!). I think it really helped that I read all three of these books in a row because I really got to see the full arc of the story and the characters that way (without having to try to remember what it was I loved about the first two books). Plus, this way the series had momentum for me that would have been lost otherwise.The negatives:Failure to communicate.Once again, there were periods in this book where Tris and Tobias had problems based mostly on their failure to communicate. Just when I thought that they were going to really work together and face the world as a team, they would disagree over something and then pretty much not talk to each other - it made me crazy! Tris' lack of compassion also got to me sometimes (for instance, she doesn't seem to understand why Tobias might have strong feelings about his father's sentencing and then, when she does realize it's bothering him, still doesn't bother to talk to him about it). Now, to give Roth some credit, there were parts of the story where Roth did have Tris and Tobias hash out their issues (and where they made good relationship choices) - I just wish I hadn't had to suffer through their lack of communication to get to it. (Although, honestly, the relationship might not have been all that unrealistic - lack of communication is a real issue in lots of relationships!)Some people will HATE the ending.I honestly feel sorry for any author who is ending a hugely popular series like this one because it seems that there is no way to truly satisfy everyone - all these people who are waiting for their story to come to an end and might not agree with how the author does it. This is one of those cases where I can tell you right now that many people are going to hate this ending. Roth doesn't let all of our beloved characters live happily ever after in a world where all their problems have been solved - nowhere even close to that. I list this as a negative because I know many people will see this as a big negative. Most people will either love it or hate it. But I'm actually kind of on Roth's side on this one - see my note below.What I LOVED:I didn't hate the ending.Okay, that's not exactly true. In some ways I hated what happened at the end of the book. But I also felt that it made sense based on who Roth made these characters to be and the type of world they lived in. Was it painful, horrifying and gut-wrenching when certain characters we've come to know and love didn't get their happy ending? Definitely. Was it still amazing? I certainly thought so! I will not be forgetting this book any time soon - I can't stop mulling it over in my mind, and that is a sign of a fantastic story in my opinion!So many questions answered.I LOVED that this book answered all of my questions and made sense of a lot of the holes in logic from the first two books. I mean, I really didn't get why the Divergent were supposed to go out into the outside world and how they were expected to save humanity. And why was it that people in the factions had such strong tendencies toward specific behaviors? (It was explained - there was an actual reason based on genetic experimentation that was done!!) I was honestly desperately worried that the answers I would be given in Allegiant would make no sense, so I sighed a huge sigh of relief when so many things were explained in ways that made sense to me! Yay!!Tobias' struggles.I loved that we got to see half (or so) of this book from Tobias' viewpoint!! I was thrilled to see the world through his eyes and to really be able to see and sympathize with his struggles. Whereas, in the first book (and somewhat in the second), we got to see Tris' vulnerabilities and her struggles with who she was - selfless or brave - in Allegiant we got to see that Tobias, with only four fears, could still be haunted by those fears. In this book, it is Tobias who doubts who he truly is - what makes him who he is. Is it his genes, his upbringing, his choices? He struggles to come to terms with all of that and there are no easy answers. I grew to love Tobias even more in his weaknesses and was that much more behind him when he overcame them!The action.The first half of this book didn't have nearly as much action as Divergent andInsurgent, but I found myself so intrigued by learning about Tris and Tobias' world, that I actually didn't mind much. The second half of the book picked up the action quite a bit and there were enough twists and turns to keep me constantly wondering what would happen next.<hl> Allegiant gave us an explosive ending to a thrilling series! <hl> While it had a few negatives, this is not a series that I will soon forget and I'm not disappointed. I only hope that the upcoming movie does it justice!(I debated back and forth between 4 and 4.5 stars for this book, but when I compare it to other books that I rated 4 stars, I came to the conclusion that, even with its flaws, I enjoyed this book more than most.) 4.5/5 stars.

4.5/5 StarsWow!! I had to wait a day or so to write this review because my head was just spinning when I put the book down (not to mention the fact that I was sobbing and needed time to catch my breath!). I think it really helped that I read all three of these books in a row because I really got to see the full arc of the story and the characters that way (without having to try to remember what it was I loved about the first two books). Plus, this way the series had momentum for me that would have been lost otherwise. The negatives:Failure to communicate. Once again, there were periods in this book where Tris and Tobias had problems based mostly on their failure to communicate. Just when I thought that they were going to really work together and face the world as a team, they would disagree over something and then pretty much not talk to each other - it made me crazy! Tris' lack of compassion also got to me sometimes (for instance, she doesn't seem to understand why Tobias might have strong feelings about his father's sentencing and then, when she does realize it's bothering him, still doesn't bother to talk to him about it). Now, to give Roth some credit, there were parts of the story where Roth did have Tris and Tobias hash out their issues (and where they made good relationship choices) - I just wish I hadn't had to suffer through their lack of communication to get to it. (Although, honestly, the relationship might not have been all that unrealistic - lack of communication is a real issue in lots of relationships!)Some people will HATE the ending. I honestly feel sorry for any author who is ending a hugely popular series like this one because it seems that there is no way to truly satisfy everyone - all these people who are waiting for their story to come to an end and might not agree with how the author does it. This is one of those cases where I can tell you right now that many people are going to hate this ending. Roth doesn't let all of our beloved characters live happily ever after in a world where all their problems have been solved - nowhere even close to that. I list this as a negative because I know many people will see this as a big negative. Most people will either love it or hate it. But I'm actually kind of on Roth's side on this one - see my note below. What I LOVED:I didn't hate the ending. Okay, that's not exactly true. In some ways I hated what happened at the end of the book. But I also felt that it made sense based on who Roth made these characters to be and the type of world they lived in. Was it painful, horrifying and gut-wrenching when certain characters we've come to know and love didn't get their happy ending? Definitely. Was it still amazing? I certainly thought so! I will not be forgetting this book any time soon - I can't stop mulling it over in my mind, and that is a sign of a fantastic story in my opinion!So many questions answered. I LOVED that this book answered all of my questions and made sense of a lot of the holes in logic from the first two books. I mean, I really didn't get why the Divergent were supposed to go out into the outside world and how they were expected to save humanity. And why was it that people in the factions had such strong tendencies toward specific behaviors? (It was explained - there was an actual reason based on genetic experimentation that was done!!) I was honestly desperately worried that the answers I would be given in Allegiant would make no sense, so I sighed a huge sigh of relief when so many things were explained in ways that made sense to me! Yay!!Tobias' struggles. I loved that we got to see half (or so) of this book from Tobias' viewpoint!! I was thrilled to see the world through his eyes and to really be able to see and sympathize with his struggles. Whereas, in the first book (and somewhat in the second), we got to see Tris' vulnerabilities and her struggles with who she was - selfless or brave - in Allegiant we got to see that Tobias, with only four fears, could still be haunted by those fears. In this book, it is Tobias who doubts who he truly is - what makes him who he is. Is it his genes, his upbringing, his choices? He struggles to come to terms with all of that and there are no easy answers. I grew to love Tobias even more in his weaknesses and was that much more behind him when he overcame them!The action. The first half of this book didn't have nearly as much action as Divergent andInsurgent, but I found myself so intrigued by learning about Tris and Tobias' world, that I actually didn't mind much. The second half of the book picked up the action quite a bit and there were enough twists and turns to keep me constantly wondering what would happen next. <hl> Allegiant gave us an explosive ending to a thrilling series! While it had a few negatives, this is not a series that I will soon forget and I'm not disappointed. <hl> I only hope that the upcoming movie does it justice!(I debated back and forth between 4 and 4.5 stars for this book, but when I compare it to other books that I rated 4 stars, I came to the conclusion that, even with its flaws, I enjoyed this book more than most.) 4.5/5 stars.

d99156c0a2a1294133d185529f6011dd

books

I KNOW the writing is horrible

question: How does that youth write?, context: Well I've read all three books now. I KNOW the writing is horrible. In fact there are many things wrong with the writing.. which I think other reviewers did a good job explaining. The thing the bothered me the most is it is blatantly obvious that the author is not American and has the lead character drinking English breakfast tea reading English books and the geography is off. However, if you can get past the writing the story is good and keeps you on your toes. The sex in this book is hot but gets to be unbelievable after awhile but it is still fun to read. If you want a fun decent easy read this is for you. I really wanted to hate these books because of all the hype. BUT it sucks you in and spits you out wanting more Ana and Christian.

How does that youth write?

I KNOW the writing is horrible .

Well I've read all three books now. I KNOW the writing is horrible. In fact there are many things wrong with the writing.. which I think other reviewers did a good job explaining. The thing the bothered me the most is it is blatantly obvious that the author is not American and has the lead character drinking English breakfast tea reading English books and the geography is off. However, if you can get past the writing the story is good and keeps you on your toes. The sex in this book is hot but gets to be unbelievable after awhile but it is still fun to read. If you want a fun decent easy read this is for you. I really wanted to hate these books because of all the hype. BUT it sucks you in and spits you out wanting more Ana and Christian.

<hl> I KNOW the writing is horrible <hl> .

Well I've read all three books now. <hl> I KNOW the writing is horrible <hl>. In fact there are many things wrong with the writing.. which I think other reviewers did a good job explaining. The thing the bothered me the most is it is blatantly obvious that the author is not American and has the lead character drinking English breakfast tea reading English books and the geography is off. However, if you can get past the writing the story is good and keeps you on your toes. The sex in this book is hot but gets to be unbelievable after awhile but it is still fun to read. If you want a fun decent easy read this is for you. I really wanted to hate these books because of all the hype. BUT it sucks you in and spits you out wanting more Ana and Christian.

Well I've read all three books now. <hl> I KNOW the writing is horrible . <hl> In fact there are many things wrong with the writing.. which I think other reviewers did a good job explaining. The thing the bothered me the most is it is blatantly obvious that the author is not American and has the lead character drinking English breakfast tea reading English books and the geography is off. However, if you can get past the writing the story is good and keeps you on your toes. The sex in this book is hot but gets to be unbelievable after awhile but it is still fun to read. If you want a fun decent easy read this is for you. I really wanted to hate these books because of all the hype. BUT it sucks you in and spits you out wanting more Ana and Christian.

907371d51c32e8c1e99b2668b91b77c0

books