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I stumbled on this book completely by accident, and feel all the better for doing so. Large parts of the text were written a century or more ago, yet Muir's writing resonates with a modernity and freshness that made this book a joy and a pleasure.

A really enjoyable time travel story, 11/22/63 skips through parts of King's mythos before settling on the titular task of dealing with one man's mission to stop the Kennedy assassination. In a lot of ways this book resonated with me in a way similar to Bag of Bones - it's the love story you walk away with, the other events (horrific or world changing) are just decoration.

I fist watched the movie then i read the book. I loved both. Reading this was so like my own life it was uncanny. There are so many women out there that can relate to this story and it kinda gives you a little hope. Thinking that if she did it and made it through ok so can you! The story was down to earth and real that's what i liked about it. I recommend this book to any young lady and the older ladies that just want to curl up with a good book that can take you back to yesturday.

It fasinated me about the life and time of Cleopatra. What this woman went through to gain the respect of her people. She fought to be treated as an equal to men and succeeded. I admire her.

I SO enjoyed the fact that I needed to keep flipping back to the family tree at the front of the book, despite the fact that it broke the momentum of my reading! It was a welcome return to a visual representation of the many (& in some cases, complicated) connections that were revealed by each character's telling of their own perspectives, experiences, and place in time. Truly enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it.

ttHdth lrwy@ `n rhb mSry 'smh "hyb" hyb lrhb whyb lTbyb whyb lGryb, ldhy `sh fy lqrn lkhms myldy wkn shhdan `l~ lmnqsht wlkhlft l`qy'dy@ ld~ lknys@ wlmsyHyyn fy tlk lftr@. hyb lrhb lmSry wld fy "'khmym" wkhrj mnh l~ l'skndry@ b`d 'n st`nt 'mh lmsyHy@ bb`D mtTrfy lknys@ lqtl 'bh lwthny, hn ylqy lktb mzydan mn lDw `l~ lftr@ lty bd' fyh shyw` ldyn@ lmsyHy@ fy mSr wnHsr ldyn@ lwthny@ lty knt tu`tbr ldyn@ lrsmy@ llmbrTwry@ lrwmny@ Ht~ `m 380 Hyth 'SbHt lmsyHy@ hy ldyn@ lrsmy@ b`d dhlk ltrykh. fb`d m knt t`nyh lmsyHy@ mn DThd dyny tmrs@ lmbrTwry@ lrwmny@ `l~ kl 'tb` lmsyH, nqlbt lay@ w'SbH lDThd yumrs bsm lknys@ wmwjhan lldyn@ lwthny@ wkl mn ytHdth fy `lwm lflsf@ lryDyt wlflk bm`zl `n ldyn, Hyth dhkr lrhyb hyb wkhll lmd@ lty qDh fy lskndry@ Hdth@ mqtl lfylswf@ "hybty" b`d 'n qmt knys@ lskndry@ bthmh blsHr wllHd wlhrTq@ w'd~ tHryD lknys@ `lyh l~ qym b`D lGwG mn 'tb` lknys@ blhjwm `lyh why khrj@ b`rbth mn Hd~ ndwth Hyth qmw bjrh mn sh`rh thm nz` mlbsh wjrh `ry@ tmm bHbl mlfwf `l~ ydh fy shwr` lskndry@ Ht~ tslWkh jldh, w'lqwh fwq kwm@ mn l'khshb w'sh`lw fyh lnyrn. knt ltlk lHdth@ 'thr kbyr fy nfs lrhb hyb, 'd~ bh l~ trk lskndry@ fwran wlsfr l~ lqds ly`ysh krhb bjnb knys@ lqym@, `sh fy Swm`th `ddan mn lsnyn lhdy'@ wlrtyb@ kn khllh qd `urf bmzwlth llTb wfn lm`lj@ w'SbH lrhbn wlkhn@ wlns ytrddwn `lyh lTlb l`lj ldhy lm ykn ytqD~ 'jran `lyh. khll lmd@ lty qDh hyb fy lqds wlty kn yqSdh lHjj mn kl 'nH lbld, ltq~ blqsW nsTwr wldhy 'SbH fy m b`d 'sqf wbTryrk lqsTnTyn@ Hyth tw'dy khlfth l`qy'dy@ m` 'sqf lskndry@ l~ `zlh wkhl`h mn mnSbh wltshhyr bh mn qibl lmjm` lmsyHy. wtjdr lshr@ l~ 'n l'sqf nsTwr kn yrfD kf@ 'nw` lDThd ldhy ymrs Dd ldyn@ lwthny@, wkn SHb fkr yHwl SlH l`qyd@ lmsyHy@ lty knt tthw~ km kn yr~. yHdthn hyb 'yDan `n lftr@ l'khyr@ mn `mrh wlty qDh fy dyr tb` lknys@ 'nTky@ Hyth d`h lyh lqsW nsTwr, yq` hdh ldyr l~ lshml mn mdyn@ Hlb.. fy hdh ldyr yq` lrhb hyb fy Grm w`shq "mrt" ljmyl@ lft@ l`dhb@. lrwy@ ry'`@ bkl m tHmlh lklm@ mn m`n~, wl'rw` mn kl dhlk hw m ymkn 'n tqdmh lrwy@ mn lmH@ trykhy@ lftr@ lqrn lkhms myldy mn trykh lmbrTwry@ lrwmny@ wllhwt lmsyHy.

lktb ysrd bshkl sry` wmkhtSr l`dyd mn lHqy'q ltrykhy@ lldwl@ lslmy@ fy ftr@ lkhlf lrshdyn wldwl@ l'mwy@ wldwl@ l`bsy@, tkhtlf lHqy'q lty ydhkrh lktb `n m kn yrddh lshywkh `l~ msm`n mn `dl wmsw@ knt tswd lmjtm` lslmy andhk.. lktb ydhkr b`D mn lmSdr lty stnd `lyh fy dhkr tlk lwqy'` ltrykhy@ mthl trykh lTbry wlsywTy wbn kthyr, w'`tqd 'nh lymkn l'Hd 'n yshkk wynsf bshkl kly m j fy ktb ltrykh hdhh khSwSan w'nh t`tbr mrj` ry'ysy@ `nd 'hl lsn@, m` qn`ty ltm@ b'nh l ymkn ljzm bHdwth kl m j fy hdhh lktb 'yDan.. wlkn tkrr lwqy'` wl'Hdth lmtshbh wlty tshyr l~ ntshr lfsd wlqtl bshkl mmnhj fy Zl lkthyr mn lkhlf l'mwyyn wl`bsyyn yj`ln nmyl l~ lqtn` bHdwth lkthyr mm dhkrh hdh lktb.. lq`d@ tqwl 'n lbshr hm lbshr wl 'Hd m`Swm `n lkhT' l rswl llh, wkhlft lSHb@ jmy`h b`d wf@ lrswl knt khlft sysy@ `l~ lTryq@ lty yjb 'n ytm fyh Hkm lr`y@. ldhlk f`ndm yntqd 'Hdhm 'f`l b`D lSHb@ stndan l~ mSdr ry'ysy@ fy ltrykh `nd lmslmyn fnh bdhlk lntqd l yntqS mn ldyn shyy'an bl hw bdhlk ybr' lslm mmn 'tkhdh nfsh wkylan llh fy l'rD w'SbH yHkm wyqtl bsm ldyn whw fy lHqyq@ yf`l kl dhlk lymrr systh lqdhr@ `l~ lsh`wb lmZlwm@ l 'kthr. bmknk 'n l tSdq kl m dhkr fy lktb wlkn kn `l~ yqyn 'n trykh ldwl@ lslmy@ lm ykn dwman nS`an blbyD, bl Ht~ ymknk 'n tkwn `l~ yqyn 'kbr b'n `dd mn lkhlf l'mwyyn wl`bsyyn kn 'kthr m ytmyzwn bh hw Hrwb lkhrjyn `n lT`@ wlby`@ wljwry wl`byd wlm ykn hnk 'y `lq@ trbT khlfthm bjwhr ldyn.

Hsyn lbrGwthy bn jm`@ byrzyt Tlban w'stdhan, nfsh ljm`@ lty nhyt fyh drsty, wkm sykwn jmylan lw 'nny ltqyt bh 'thn ldrs@, lkn ll'sf `nd dkhwly ljm`@ kn qd Gdr. mn wjh@ nZry wHt~ tlms rwH lrwy@ `lyk 'n tqr'h bfkr mjnwn, lshkhSyt lry'ysy@ mjnwn@ wlktb whw ytHdth `n nfsh yHwl lwSwl l~ l`mq ldhy yqb` bh lmjnwn, wldhlk Ht~ tsh`r bsHr lrwy@ `lyk 'n tkwn Gyr mryDan bd l`ql, fkm yqwl lktb lmjnwn Sf@ nTlqh `l~ mn l nfhmhm, y`ny dhlk 'nh Ht~ tfhm lmjnwn `lyk 'n tkwn mjnwn mthlh. wldhlk fmn y`ysh `l~ lnmT lm'lwf wlsy'd kmn y`ysh `l~ sTH lmkn w sTH lHy@, wHt~ tsh`r b`mq lHy@ wlmkn `lyk 'n t`ysh bnmT tfkyr mkhtlf l~ Hd ljnwn.

'jml m j fy hdh lktb l'kthr mn ry'` d` nytshh l~ sh`r yqwl (kn nfsk, wl tkn Gyrk). whw y`ny bhdh 'n yrfD lnsn kl l'shy lty wrthh, wlty trbTh blakhryn, w'n yHTm lqym wl`dt wl'`rf wltqlyd bl yjb `lyh 'n yHTm 'khTr tlk lqywd lty tmn`h `n lkhlq wlbtkr wtHqyq dhth, whdhh lqywd l'khTr hy fy nZrh: ldyn wlwTn wl'm@. fhdhh lthlth@ ymthl kl mnh qydan ymn` lnsn mn lnTlq nHw lkhlq wlbtkr. flns yw'mnwn bhdhh lshy, wlymn y`wq lnsn `n tHqyq dhth l'n ldyn m'khwdh `n lsbqyn, f'nt l tkhlqh wl tnshy'h, bl tqld lsbqyn, wkdhlk l'm@ wlwTn, wmthl dhlk kl lqym. nm hy mwrwtht `n ldhyn sbqwk. f'yn 'nt? 'yn m qmt 'nt bkhlqh wkhtr`h? l shy, wldhlk f'nt Swr@ mkrr@ mmn sbqwk..... wlky tbd` wlky tkwn nfsk, wtHqyq dhtk, l bd 'n trmy bkl shy mwrwth `n lsbqyn, wtkhtr` nt lqym lkhS@ bk, wltqlyd wl'`rf wlslwk lkhS bk 'nt, wldhy ynqD kl m kn `lyh lakhrwn lsbqwn. l twjd Hqyq@ mTlq@ fy mjl l`lwm lnsny@ wnm Hqy'q qbl@ lltSHyH wlt`dyl wltdqyq. lys lshk wnm lyqyn hw ldhy yqtl. nk l tkfy' 'stdhk dh bqyt Hytk klh tlmydhan. ntm lm tbHthw `n 'nfskm b`d wlhdh lsbb wjdtmwny whdh m yf`lh kl ltb` wlhdh fn ltb`y@ fy lfkr l qym@ lh. hm fy nZry nfyt lbshry@ wntj llmrD wGry'z lntqm nhm ky'nt fZy`@ wmDr@ wGyr qbl@ fy jwhrh ll`lj Gyth lntqm mn lHy@. lnsn lHq `nd nytshh hw dhk lnsn ldhy l yd`w l~ l`f@ fl`f@ Hsb wSfh tHryD `mwmy m`ks llTby`@. lnsn lkthr Hqr@ hw dhk ldhy lm y`d qdr `l~ Htqr nfsh wl'Hmq hw ldhy l yzl yt`thr fy Hjr w bshr wlnsn lqdr `l~ l`T hw lnsn ldhy m zl yHml shyy' mn lfwD~ ky yld njm rqS. lnsn hw lmHrb ldhy yjnd kl qwh wTqth lthbty@ fy lSr` mn jl ltTwr wltjwz wn SGr lfjwt lkthrh t`dhr `l~ ltjwz. flsf@ nytshyh hy flsf@ l`ql lHr lmn`tq flsf@ qlb kl lqym w tHryrh mn kl qywd lm`yyr l'khlqy@ wldyny@ wlm`rfy@ lmtdwl@ why flsf@ tnDwy `l~ d`w~ SryH@ wSrkh@ m` ky nkhlWS lmDy. n nHwl kl dhlk m kn l~ dhlk m rdt. kl lGry'z lty lm tnTlq lty tmn`h qw@ qm`y@ mn lnfjr btjh lkhrj tnqlb l~ ldkhl hdh m smyh stnbT lnsn hdh hw Sl lHss blkhT'. kl rjl yHml Swr@ `n lmr'@ t`wd l~ mh: nh hy lty tHthh `l~ Htrm lns bSf@ `m@ w `l~ Htqrhn w `l~ l yHs zhn l b`dm lktrth. n lsh`r fy Hyth klh l yktb Gyr qSyd@ wHd@ wm tbq~ m hw l tnwy`t `l~ lnGm nfsh. (fkun jyd wma`id@un jyd@ hdh m 'rjwh lk. wHyn tkwn hDmt ktby Hynh tkwn `l~ tfq m`y). ktb bdmk wlqry' lHdhq wHdh hw ldhy sydrk lm`n~. lHrb wlshj`@ Hqq mn lkhyr kthr mm Hqqth lshfq@; lyst lshfq@, nm lshj`@ hy lty tnqdh lDHy@. qym@ lshy lyst fy dhth, wnm lnsn hw ldhy ySn` lqym ll'shy, fkhlq lqym dhn hw lnsn. lt`ysh wHyd yjb n tkwn Hywn w lh. 'HtT mn kl l'shkhS dhwy 'nZm@ w'tHshhm. n rd@ lnZm hy Gyb lnzh@. ldwd@ tltf Hwl nfsh `ndm ndwsh, Hrk@ mmlw@ blHkm@. nh bdhlk tqll mn HZ dwsnh mn jdyd, wysm~ hdh fy lG@ l'khlq: lkhnw`. `l~ `lm lnfs 'l ynZr l~ dhth ky ykwn qdran `l~ lbSr. ''nt mn ldhyn ytfrjwn, 'm mn ldhyn yD`wn 'ydyhm fy l`jyn? 'm mn ldhyn yHwWlwn 'nZrhm wynzwwn jnban? 'tryd mSHb@ lmshyn? 'm sabqahum? 'm tryd ldhhb fy Tryqk?.... yjb m`rf@ m nryd dh kn nrydh. lqd knw blnsb@ ly mdrj wqd st`mlthm llS`wd. lhdh kn lzm `l~ 'n 'mr fwqhm, wkn ythy' lhm 'nny 'st`mlthm ky 'stryH fwqhm. lzhd hw 'kthr lZwhr tnqDan m` lHy@, wlw 'n mkhlwqt nZrt l~ kwkbn mn b`yd lt`jbt mn hw'l l'shkhS ldhyn yHrmwn 'nfshm dhtyan mn ls`d@. lmr'@ dht nzw` ntqmy whw 'mr mrtbT bD`fh, tmman mthl Hssyth tjh bw's lakhryn. kln yHml fy dkhlh 'Grsan wHdy'q sry@, wlkhtyr tshbyh akhr fnHn jmy`n brkyn nmy@ tntZr thwrnh. mn yryd 'n ytHml `b lmt`@ lbd `lyh mn 'n ykwn mst`dan fy lan nfsh ltHml lmqdr nfsh mn `b lnz`j, wmn yryd n yt`lm lbthj Ht~ lsm, yjb n ythy' lky ykwn Hzynan Ht~ lmwt. Hyn nktb l nHrS fqT `l~ 'n nfhm, lkn 'yDan `l~ l nfhm, lw 'n shkhS ky'n mn kn Hkm `l~ ktb m b'nh Gyr mfhwm flys dhlk `trDan kfyan `lyh Tlqan, flrbm kn hdh dkhl byn nwy lmw'lf, fhw lm yrd n yufhm mn Trf ('yWan kn) kl `ql, kl dhwq rfy` ykhtr mstm`yh Hyn yryd 'n ytwSl, wbdhlk nfsh yrsm Hdan ll(akhryn) mn hn tnsh' kl qwnyn l'slwb lmhdhb.

I read A State of Blood shortly after returning from Uganda, maybe to gain a sense of perspective on the history of this country. It was a compelling read, if a gruesome one. Henry Kyemba gives us his own insights into Idi Amin's regime: what it meant to be living in Uganda at that time but also what led to the regime and how he thought it would evolve (at the time of writing). Although it shouldn't be taken as a stand-alone document on Uganda under Idi Amin, it is an important testimony that deserves to be read.

The characters were so real to me that I felt like I was constantly swerving between Biafra and my reality.

I really liked the way the story was told, it was light and funny, loved Atticus with his morals and how he was dealing and talking with his kids

the thing i liked the most was that death was narrating the book, Markus had me captured by death's way of telling the story and how he became close to lisle by watching her through the deaths of the people around her....

So, I read this book so long ago that I don't have a real recollection of reading it, but I remember having it and I remember the story. It's a classic, and when I was little I loved reading about tomboys.

A murder mystery set in a hypothetical prehistorical time in which Neanderthals lived in what is now North America, Death in the Time of Ice presents the reader with an interesting backdrop for a classic murder mystery and proves that crime is as old as time itself. The main character is Enga Dancing Flower, who believes that she and her sister are valued and accepted members of their adopted tribe, until the tribe's beloved leader is found murdered. Suspicion, and superstition, cause accusations to be thrown at most tribe members, but especially on Enga because of her outspoken belief that the leader was murdered by one of them instead of an outsider, as the tribe would like to believe. In addition to the murder, Enga's tribe must deal with electing a new leader, the scary prospect of moving their village to better hunting grounds, personal injuries and natural disasters. The book offers a gloriously detailed and innovative imagining of prehistory and prehistoric customs (the tribe do not communicate verbally; they mind-read), along with a satisfying murder plot, several conspiracies, and a few romances. It was an engrossing read, and I would follow the characters on through other books if the author decides to make a prehistoric series. I would recommend Death in the Time of Ice to anyone who, as I did, enjoyed the Jean M. Auel Earth's Children series, or who would like to savor a good whodunnit set in a completely new surrounding. I received a copy of Death in the Time of Ice in exchange for a review.

I enjoyed this, and liked the idea of Death as a narrator. But I had a hard time believing the Grim Reaper would be so compassionate.

I enjoyed reading Camp Follower. I don't often read about this time period, and it was an interesting journey back to the American Revolution. I especially liked the strong female main character, Helen, and the descriptions of the hardships of war.

I gave it only one star because of the end--I felt like she just quit writing and I didn't feel like the major issues in the story were resolved or even hinted at. I also got confused a lot in the book. About characters, logistics and some things. However, I enjoyed reading it and I felt that the characters, storyline and writing style were compelling.

Really interesting background about the history of Haiti but the writing was a little sloppy. It was a bodice-ripper trying to be a historical romance but, hey, both aspects are fun to read!

This was a vastly disappointing read. The characters seemed promising, but they never became 'real' for me. Indeed, I was a bit confused. The 'wisp' of a man who was friend and tutor to the heroine was apparently an older man, but he read like an impertinent, ill bred wannabe dandy. The ducks (or every reference thereto) were extremely irritating, and as willing and flexible as my imagination is, I could not persuade it to stretch so far as to give credence to the hero's 'curse'.

In my humble opinion, this story was the best of the three.

Brilliant read. Really loved it.

eh.

Fantastic

http://www.intokustannus.fi/kirja/pie...#

War and Peace has a bad reputation and it is considered a boring book, but I disagree. It is full of romantic relationships and reminds a TV soap opera in this sense. I read it especially because I wanted to know how Tolstoy writes about war. I'm interested in the stories about the first World War, and I wanted to compare Tolstoy to them. There is a sense of chaos already in War and Peace discrptions of war, but there is still a possiblity of heroism that the WW1 stories are lacking. And roots of war are in the peace time society, always.

Olisipa hienoa lukea tama uudelleen. Nuorena se teki minuun suuren vaikutuksen ja muistan edelleen hyvin Sinuhen elamantarinan. Sotakirjahan tama on. Kokonainen aikakausi on siina tehty elavaksi ja ihmiset samastuttavaksi.

My edition is by Livre de Poche and the writers are Philipponnat & Lienhardt. Easy-to-read, stories about her life in cronological order. The book tells about her life but in a way that it is relevant for understanding her books. It's amazing how much she achieved in the years 1929 - 1943. She needed to write a lot in order to survive, since she was the main breadwinner in the family. From the Russian revolution to the horrors of Auschwitz her life is tangled in with the big events of the 20th century. The biography is very well written and full of important background information about Nemirovsky's position in the 1930s literary France.

Wonderful book about childhood in Kenya in the 20s and life as a pilot in the 30s!

Her best book, even if it is not complete.

Absolutely worth all the praice in the media. Best Finnish book of the early 21st century.

Dear Anais is like a friend to me, because of the diary and because of the essays of "A Woman Speaks".

Best book of the trilogy. Touching, bare, open, beutiful.

This was interesting to read since I live in Cape Town now, and the book is situated in Cape Town and Franschhoek. The slave girl Philida tries to get her freedom at the same time when slavery is banned in South Africa. Kirjoitin tasta Cafe Voltaire -blogiin 19.1.2013: http://avaincafevoltaire.blogspot.com...

Easy-read history, well told stories and well explained connections between events. I'm interested in books about the end of our civilization. This book was more about the reasons The West ruled the Rest, and it makes the West look almost too good. But interesting and entertaining read, anyway. I saw the BBC TV-programme Civilization as well and the book deepened my understanding of the topic.

Lovely little book with interesting people. When they were young they did not know what they would become. Robert did not want to take photos and Patti was not into singing...

Quite entertaining cultural history... but why did they make everyone seem so ridiculous? From De Gaulle to Sartre etc. They all seemed like idiots. And the biggest sin seemed to be the French ungratefullness towards the US and UK.

Olipas tama mahtavan hyva! Tosi kiinnostava kertoja tama katilo ja hurjat jutut.

Titre original: Paris 1919-1939, Art, Vie, Culture

Early feminism in England and America. Important work. Well written.

Women were given three narrow roles in the 1920s France: mother, lonely woman or modern woman. Well written and interesting research on gender roles after the WW1 in France.

This is one of the most touching war-books I have read. Written from the perspective of a first world war nurse and an ambulance driver, a young woman. Women were not saved in the first war, even if that is the common view.

Eilispaivan maailma: Eraan eurooppalaisen muistelmia. (Die Welt von gestern: Erinnerungen eines Europaers, 1942.) Suomentanut Alf Krohn. Jyvaskyla: Gummerus, 1945.

Amazing story really and it's the first English novel that I love so much . I always thought that English literature isn't my thing and that Arabic literature way better , but now after this book I realized that my choice of books is bad and I shouldn't judge like that , because every language has it's bad and good literary books . I love Julia and I'm looking forward to read all of her books .

rwy@ ry'`@ jdan . lm 'tkhyl bd n hnk shkhS y`zlwn `n l`lm lkhrjy 20 `m wldhnb lys dhnbhm . 'kthr m 'lmny hw kh skyn@ lSGyr dkhl lsjn fy lthlth@ wkhrj bl`shryn lm yr~ lHy@ qT . rwy@ tstHq lqr@ .qr'th qbl thlth snwt tqryb `ndm knt blthnwy . hdhh lrwy@ dkhltny l~ `lm lqr@ lnh knt wl rwy@ qr'h fy Hyty wlsbb hw knt m`lm@ llG@ l`rby@ tftkhr bqr'th llktb w t`tbrn "jhlt" wknt tkrr sm lrwy@ kthyr fqrrt n shtryh wqr'h wblf`l qr'th w ftHt ly bban lm '`lm `n rw`th .

blrGm n qry'ty llktb knt sbw`y@ wlys ywmy@ bsbb Zrwf ldrs@ l ny stmt`t fyh llGy@ . nZr@ l`lm lklywbtr `l~ nh lmlk@ lftn@ wlyst mlk@ Hkmt sy wfryqy w `sh sh`bh lkbyr fy rkh wrfhy@ . hdh lktb yslT lDw `l~ jwhr wHqyq@ klywbtr lmlk@ l`Zym@ . `jbtny shkhSyth lqwy@ lfryd@ mn nw`h

'slwbh ry'` kl`dh , ySf lmwqf wysh`rk k'nk t`yshh mmk , w yjdhbk llqr@ w lt'ml fy jml lHrwf w jml lqS@ , nSH mHbyn ltrykh w qSSh bqr@ hdh lktb .

ktb mmtz jdan nSH ljmy` bqr'th t`lmt mnh lkthyr `n l`nSry@ w `n trykh lhwyt wnshw lqby'l w lHsb w lnsb .... tmn~ n yTl` lns `l~ hdh lktb w yt`lmw mnh n lbshr swsy@ w yrj`wn lm wHdh w b wHd w tjm`hm lnsnyh w l ykhtlfwn fy shy' bd !

it is one of the best novels i have ever read . joanna and sarbast were great fighter for Kurdstan freedom ! this novel full of different emotions its happy story though the hard and sad moments they had . i recommend it and i'm sure it will make you more human to Kurds .

Beautiful Book Tragic Subject Matter. Another WWII book was not on my list of things to read. It's difficult to read the atrocities of war. This story telling in this book is wonderful although the story itself is hard. Having parents who lived through WWII in Occupied Poland and were the same ages of the characters in this book it was an eye opening and personal read. Each page turn was effortless each tear shed at the end well deserved.

Actually I listened to this book on Audible while flying cross country. The irony did not escape me as I was listening to the dawn of flight while actually flying. The story of the Wright family and the determination of the brothers was fascinating.

Reading about Anne Morrow Lindbergh was a joy. A Gift From the Sea is one of my go to reads every year. Anne Morrow was quite a modern woman in non modern times. She was strong and steadfast able traverse a complicated life during complicated times.

Very interesting and fun read (especially if you are in Poland while reading the book)

I loved this book. It has everything in it. Passion. Intrigue. Suspense. Heartbreak. Australia.

I love the way this book is written. Zusak use of langauge is superb. Chips of rain fall, cherries of blood bloom into plums. The book told from the perspective of Death was hard to understand at first. I had to reread the first couple of chapters but after that it was quite good. It is good to have another persepective about WWII from the side of the German people. Death tells the story of a young girl who steals books from a grave digger, a book burning, and the town's mayor's house. Along the way she is taught to read by her foster father. The book tells of her adventures with a local boy and of how her parents take the risk hiding a Jew in thier basement. The book was a fast read but was drawnout in the end even though it was a page turner.

Could only skim it - just couldn't get into it.

A little slow at first, starting thousands of years ago but the pace picked up and got very interesting once we got to Pasteur! Also pretty interesting to think about the connection Rabies may have to our tales of vampires and zombies.

Interesting story, fascinating to learn about the WBC, but a bit disappointing in the somewhat mediocre writing and in the majority of the book focused on the "before" and only a smidge on the "after". It felt like there was more to explore in terms of reconciling her old beliefs with her new ones. Still definitely worth a read - and I do think she is very brave to have endured all she did and now to have the courage to write about it.

Best book I've read in a while! Took a bit to get into but then I couldn't put it down. Well worth the almost 500 pages.

It was absolutely amazing, I love the titanic, spirit stuff and Tesla! Thanks for such a great book Weyn!!

dont you ever read such novels :\

fy twqyt sy jdan wskhyf jdan .. Hsnan 'fhm b'n lzmyl brhym `ys~ ykrh lnZm lsbq wykrh `br@ (lslm hw lHl) l'nh tstGl ldyn lmSlH sysy@ wlkn 'lm tqm nt nfsk bhdh l`ml `nd ktb@ wSdr hdh lktb .. lqd stkhdmt qS@ (dyny@) wsqTth `l~ wq` sysy .. 'yh l'khw@ tlk ftn@ `Sm llh sywfn mnh wns'lh 'n y`Sm 'lsntn w'qlmn mnh .. 'y Hmq@ ld~ qwmy blHdyth `n m's@ HSlt qbl 'kthr mn lf `m wtkrrh wtkrr l'lm fy nfwsn l~ l'bd !!!! rbm kn lshy ljmyl lwHyd fy tlk lqS@ lmw'lm@ hw nny `rft llmr@ l'wl~ b'n qtl@ lHsyn rDy llh `nh qd qtlw jmy`S wtm lqSS mnhm .. whdh l'mr ythyr tsw'lan akhr .. Tlm 'nhm qtlw flmdh ySr lb`D `l~ ltGny blm's@ l~ lan ?!!

njHt lqS@ / lrwy@ bshkl kbyr btHwyl syr@ dhty@ klsyky@ l~ qS@ msly@ tjbrk `l~ mtb`th .. km njHt fy nz` h@ lqds@ wl`bqry@ `n mw'ss 'bl brwy@ lqS@ bHydy@ fhw rjl lh mn l`ywb mthl m lh mn lmzy n lm ykn 'kthr qS@ jdyr@ blqr@ lkl mHbT fy `lm l'`ml wkl mlHd 'yDan fkthyran m yskhr llh lqdr bshkl Gryb lykhdm 'shkhS ktb lhm lrzq fy mkn m 'w bTryq@ m .. blnsb@ ly kn jml m fy lktb tlk lDy't wlqSS ljnby@ fy nhy@ kl fSl knt twq lnh lfSl lqry'@ lqSS ljnby@ mthl zyr@ styf jwbz lmSn` (Hlw~ shff@) lkhtyr llwn lmnsb ljhz lay mk .. wnZr l~ lHrfy@ hn .. rbm kn m fy dkhl ljhz hm .. wlkn lhtmm bltfSyl hw m yj`l lb`D ynjHwn .. wyjnwn thmr njHhm .. wfy lHltyn llh krym

fy mdkhlty m` lmw'lf ywsf zydn fy qn@ ljzyr@ b`d qry'ty llrwy@ qlt lh md`ban b'n m`lwmth `n ldyn@ lmsyHy@ 'D`f m`lwmth `n lslm .. l '`lm lmdh GDb whw yqwl ly b'n mw'lf wHd (bftH llm) wHd lh fy lmsyHy@ yqblh `shrt lmw'lft Hwl lslm wlkn lns l tr~ l m tryd .. ybdw 'n lmlHZ@ 'GDbth :) 'jml m fy rwyth hw ltSwyr ldqyq lnmT ltfkyr lmtGyr ld~ lmfkryn ytGyr l`mr .. w'sw' m fyh `br@ syy'@ qlh bTl lrwy@ `nd qtl lwthnyyn fy lskndry@ fyh `dm Htrm lldht llhy@ ..

knt `tqd fy lbdy@ b'nh yshbh ktb lwlyd bn Tll ldhy ktbh ryz khn .. tmjyd kbyr wmjmlt wsyr@ dhty@ .. wlkn l'mr lm ykn kdhlk : f`brt bndr knt SryH@ wSdm@ : stkhdmn mrtzq@ Dd lqdhfy fy tshd , lw t`lm 'mryk km khdmnh l`Ttn qnbl nwwyh bdl mn lwks, n`m ! stkhdmn ldyn Dd lswfyyt ltjyysh sh`bn .. SryH wmbshr shtryt lktb l'`rf `n bndr lshkhS wlknh `rfny wzdny `jb bsys@ lmmlk@ f`l y shy lmSlHtk lsysy@ whdh lys `yb hnk 'dwr kbyr@ lbndr fy Gzw lbnn wfy tfqt ls`wdy@ lmkhtlf@ tdl `l~ dhy'h wlkn kl m yf`lh kn fy Tr sys@ ls`wdy@ rbm b'slwbh lkhS mn y`trf fy bdy@ ktbh bnh bn Gyr shr`y ljryh symtlk shj`@ n yrwy qSSan qbl@ lltSdyq lsw'l hw ? hl nth~ dwr bndr ldh qrr n ytklm .. l'ym stkhbrn !

lw knt mkn lHj mrsy lqmt b`tql hdhh lmjmw`@ : `l l'swny, Hmd twfyq, khld lkhmysy, brhym `ys~ wGyrhm wwD`thm fy Hjz wfrGthm lktb@ lrwyt blkml .. stGrb mmn ldyh hdhh lmwhb llry'`h wlty yHtjh lmjtm` wyw'lf brkkh fy lsysh .. lw n l'swny 'lf khms rwyt bdl ktbh lsysy@ lkn wlkn s`d .. kkl qSSh rwy'` mn rwH mSr .. wbyn thnyh `qd@ khwj@ wDHh fy kl qSSh 'yDan .. rwy@ stjd nfsh qryb kmslsl wfylm wllh `lm

jmyl jd 'n nfhm m`n@ l`ml@ l`rby@ fy lmrt l`ln n`Tyhm Hqhm mn b`D lHtrm ldhy ystHqwnh .. wl`ln n`y b'n hnk mn knw m`zzyn mkrmyn ld~ 'hlyhm w`lyn 'n n`y hdh `nd lt`ml m`hm why rsl@ l~ jmy` ljhl@ mn (lfwqyyn|) .. mdhkrt shkhthy@ lTyf@ llqr@ wn knt l 'jd 'y mswG khlqy ybrr qDy@ tsjyl lmklmt lshkhS m .. 'bd .. 'bd .. 'bd

lm 'fhm tmman m ldhy 'rd lrwy'y mHmd shkry ySlh `n Tryq ktbh lhm ldhy Tb` wwz` bl`dyd mn llGt .. qsw@ lnshy'@ wlfqr mtlzmtn ld~ shry'H kthyr@ wlknh l t`ny blDrwr@ lGwS l~ '`mq '`mq lqdhrt lmjtm`y@ fy 'y mkn ... lw knt l'Hdth fy lmshrq l`rby lqlt 'n shkry `sh byn Tbqt lGjr wlnwr Hyth l 'nsb wl 'khlq wl dyn wl dny ... wybdw 'n llmGrb l`rby nSybh mn wjwd hdhh lTbqt lty bTryq@ m 'khrjt ktban mthl shkry lktb blTb` kwnh mtrjm ykhlw mn llmst llGwy@ l'dbyh w`nwnh lsrd lsry`

l nstTy` 'n nnkr 'n l`y'l@ lmlk@ bh mthl m fy lkthyr mn bywtn mn tnqDt tSyb lmjmtm` l`rby lmkhmly khS@ , wlkn mn lwDH@ bshhd@ lmw'lf@ lm`rwfh bHqdh lmt'Sl llmjtm` lmslm .. 'n rwy@ lqS@ (l'myr@) hy fy l'ss mkhtlh nw`an m whdh l'mr wDH mn lbdy@ sw knt lqS@ Hqyqy@ 'w mlfqh ... l y`nyny m yHdth kthyr dkhl lqSwr lmlky@ wlkn t`nyny lmw'lf@ lty ttnql mr@ mn ls`wdy@ l~ fGnstn l~ l`rq mntqd@ wbHth@ `n kl mthlb fy mjtm`tn wlw 'nh skhrt jz mn hdhh lTq@ lslby@ lky tmn` jry'm jysh bldh wsTwth wmsndth llZlm@ fy bldn lkn l'mr 'fDl lh wln kthyran lktb mn lnHy@ ltshwyqy@ wlsrdy@ mmtz wmsly

dh lm tkn ldyk qdr@ `l~ lmTwl@ flrwy@ Twyl@ jdan stmy'@ SfH@ mn lqT` lkbyr wlkhT SGyr jdan mGrq@ fy ltfSyl wlknh mlHm@ nsny@ kml@ .. `mr mn ltjrb lbyy'y@ wlnsny@ ldhy'b l`dw ldhy stjbrk lrwy@ `l~ Hbh .. wlnsn lHlyf ldhy tjbrk `l~ krhh fy'dtn ry'ysytn : lSyn Hwlt jbr kl mwTnyh `l~ n tkwn lhm hwy@ wHd@ (lhn) fknt lntyj@ n tshwht jmy` lhwyt fyh lthny@ : ltwzn lTby`y .. lqD `l~ ldhy'b qd yw'dy l~ ltSHr !! .. kyf ?

kyf `n~ hw'l lrjl lky tqwm hdhh ldwl@ lslmy@ lwlyd@ `m 96 fy qlb 'wrwb !! rwyt stqr'h wlkn tdhkr bnh ktbt bldm .. `ly `zt byGwfytsh ldhy thmh lkthyr mn mfkryn blkhynh fy tlk l'ym ykshf lm Smt fy b`D lHwdth wtfSyl 'khr~ hm@ l'jyl lmslmyn fy lbwsnh , dhkrt lmrt fy lmdhkrt kthr mn mr@ w'thn~ lry'ys `l~ mr@ lshrq@ tHdydan :) bqy 'n ndhkr b'n jnwb lbwsn@ l yb`d sw~ `shrt lkylwmtrt `n rwm `Sm@ yTly .. hl ydhkrkm hdh l'mr bHdyth nbwy shryf ??!

'wl m 'qrw'h lktb bwsny `l~ lTlq b`d mdhkrt lry'ys `ly `zt byGwftsh 'hdny yhy lzmyl (smyr Hsn) mrsl ljzyr@ fy sryyfw .. trkyb@ mw'lf lrwy@ (yfw ndrytsh) nfsh Gryb@ fhw Srby mn lbwsn@ w`sh byn lmslmyn wlkn kdydn bny qwmh mn lwDH 'nh l yHml wd kfyan lhm .. fqr' lrwy@ k'db b`ydan `n r'y lmw'lf fy l'trk jmyl@ jdanan wshkhSy@ lbTl (jmshyd) thry@ ... wblmnsb@ fqd Hz lmw'lf `l~ jy'z@ nwbl kkl mn yhjm HDrtn sw mnhm ... 'w mn

'krh ldr@ ! l 'qSd drty l`zyz@ bl `lm ldr@ kkl .. ldh fl thtm bkyk@ lqSyby wnZryth ldryh kthyran fqd kn rHmh llh mn lfshlyn lshhyryn dry (`mlyan l nZryan) wlkn ljmyl fy lktb hy qSS Gzy lty tthry ktbh wqfshth wtshbyhth hdh hw m ystHq f`lan ... rHmk llh 'yh lGy'b lkbyr

mn 'jml w'Sdq mn ktb `n lqdhfy hw wzyr l`ml ls`wdy lsbq, lsh`r wl'dyb wlmw'rkh Gzy lqSyby, rHmh llh, wt'ty Sdqy@ hdhh lshhd@ lty nshrh lqSyby fy ktbh <<lwzyr lmrfq>>, 'n lktb kutb wnshr wTb` Ht~ qbl 'n yfkr mHmd lbw`zyzy fy shr <<Glwn lGz>> yh, ldhy mzl msht`lan Ht~ lywm, ldh l ymkn wD` tlk lshhd@ Dmn syq shhdt <<lshj`@ lmfj'@>>, lty 'SbHn nqr' l`shrt mnh 'khyran, 'm jmlyth fhy fy nZr lktb l~ zwy 'khr~ b`yd@ `n Slb lsys@, fy mHwl@ lfhm Tryq@ tfkyr hdh lrjl, fmthlan ydhkr lqSyby 'nh kn mwjwdan `nd qym lmlk khld bn `bdl`zyz, rb` mlwk ls`wdy@, rHmh llh, bzyr@ l~ ljmhyry@ llyby@ fy lsb`ynt, w`nd wSwlh b`d 'n jr~ stqbl sh`by lwfd lmmlk@, `tdhr lqdhfy llmlk khld `n Hrr@ lstqbl, mw'kdan 'nh l y`rf shyy'an `n lmwDw`, w'nh byd lljn lsh`by@ fy bnGzy, fs'lh lmlk khld: y fkhm@ lry'ys, hl lHkwm@ lan fy bnGzy? rd lqdhfy: lHkwm@? lys ldyn Hkwm@, lqd 'lGyn lHkwm@, wlHkm lan lljmhyr `n Tryq lmw'tmrt wlljn, f`d lmlk khld lys'lh: wlwzr, hl hm hn? frd l`qyd: lwzr? lys ldyn wzr. lqd 'lGyn lwzrt. l twjd lan sw~ 'mnt mnbthq@ mn lmw'tmrt lsh`by@. lmlk khld: w'nt, 'yn tkwn hdhh l'ym. 'nt w<<khwyk>>? l`qyd: fy bnGzy. fql lmlk khld: dhan, flHkwm@ fy bnGzy! lmdh lm tql ly dhlk mn lbdy@. km 'n `br@ (lkl rkb mrkwb) lty qlh lqdhfy hy `brty lmfDl@

"No one who has been accused has ever been found innocent. No one who has been accused has ever lived to see their family and homes again. No one who has been accused has ever seen anything besides the bars of the prison chamber until they hung on the hill." When the Black Roses Grow by Angela Archer is a romantic historical fiction novel with a hint of the paranormal set during the time of the Salem witch trials. From the start, the reader is aware of the injustices plaguing Salem, particularly with the regards to the trials persecuting so-called witches. I liked how the author kept me wondering if the book has actual paranormal events till the end. "Suddenly, another stem sprouted before my eyes. In contrast, my limbs grew numb... My mind whirled, lost in a sea of unexplainable reasons and sheer terror, while the green vine curled through the air, and the leaves bounced and waved. Shadows closed in, hunting as they preyed on the pain pulsing through the deepest fears of my mind." Emmalynn Hawthorne, the protagonist, is a rebellious character, for a woman during at the time. She often speaks before she thinks, although there are many other times in which she does her best not to retort. As a character, Emmalynn is quite relatable. Her struggle with sin versus love and desire is real, strong and down to earth. "I care not for the judgements of anyone in Salem." The sheriff later discovers that Emmalynn is both smart and has this rebellious side. There is also the mysterious character of Mr. Dekane, whom Emmalynn secretly admires, and whom we meet bit by bit but cannot understand his true intentions. "Contrary to what other men think, Emmalynn, I do not believe that women are the Devil's instruments. I believe they are wonderful creatures that should not be provided for but cared for." I appreciate Archer's attempted use of archaic language such 'thee', 'thou', 'thine', to accentuate the historical feel of her fiction. However, there were a lot of inconsistencies throughout the novel, which irritated me. There were also many times that I felt the language is modern but with an archaic word or two wedged in here and there that just did not work out for me. One of the lines that I just couldn't imagine being said at that period - around 1692 - is "Hath a seat." It's modern with an old use for "have". There were many beautiful lines, quotes and images throughout the novel. Here's a reflection by Emmalynn: "One can only be strong before strife consumes, breaking the ties that bind them and keep them tucked away from all around. My strength wavered every day, but today felt different. Today, the pain overwhelmed me more with the ever-present conflict of casting the facade that nothing perturbed me. That I lived a happy life in a town I loathed. That I did not wake every morning with the gut-wrenching feeling of loneliness." At the beginning of the novel we are introduced to two strangers whose skin is very white. The warning: "Beware of the white colourless people for they are the devil and will devour thy soul" is reminiscent of an old wives' tales. Emmalynn is fairly well-developed character; still, there was some character development towards the end. Despite the significant amount of sobbing, she becomes aware that to look weak, makes the sheriff and the deacons even more vile. "I would not allow them to drag me to my death. I would walk to it." Another thing I liked in the book is the author's ability to show through speech. Overall, When the Black Roses Grow would have received a 4.75-to-5-star review from me if it weren't for the attempted use or rather misuse of archaic language. Still, it is highly recommended. So the overall rating is: 3.5 stars. Note: I received a free copy of When the Black Roses Grow from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Note: I received a free copy of Initiated to Kill from author Sharlene Almond in exchange for an honest review. Initiated to Kill by Sharlene Almond is a historical thriller and mystery alternating between modern day Spain and late 19th century Britain, the time of the notorious Jack the Ripper. The book is good but not a light read; the reader has to be one that doesn't mind being confused at times. There are two types of narration in the novel, third person for recounting events and sometimes the thoughts of certain characters, as well as the first person for who we later discover is Annabella, a student at Seville University. There are also letters written by Jack the Ripper. Annabella has a scar on the back of her neck, while she doesn't have complete memory of how she got the scar; she knows that on that day she lost her ability to hear. There are several mysteries in Initiated to Kill, some are major and some minor. Sharlene Almond constantly gives the reader bread crumbs of information, keeping the novel interesting at all times. One of the things I enjoyed about the novel was Annabella's insights. Being deaf, she has to rely on her other instincts and observations of facial expressions, enabling her to decipher more than what people actually hear. She is able to decipher tiny gestures that can easily be invisible to the average person but not to her. I also liked the short chapters in Initiated to Kill, which, along with pace, help the novel progress quickly especially since it's a long novel. "But now, something was approaching. Some that felt like a train hurtling along the tracks, unable to stop or slow down. A train that would end in a wreck, lives ruined and lives lost." The novel opens with a scene from the past related to masonic events and rituals. Shortly after, we are introduced to the mystery of a missing girl and the detectives Valero and Rivero, who despite trying hard to find the culprit(s), are always a step or two behind. Until chapter 87, the perpetrator is a mystery, only referred to as "he" and "him". From one side, the investigators don't know who he is, and from the other, we as readers see him luring the girls, who see him as someone they trust but we don't get his name. The novel has a lot of characters, but each of them has a role to play. At first, I thought there was no need to mention the names of the prostitutes from the Jack the Ripper scenes, but later I realised that these names were the actual names of the victims from that period, highlighting the historical aspect of the novel. "A glass smashed, a door banged closed. Silence filled her ears. An unwanted tear ran down her cheek. She peered at the sun, wishing the magic that would turn the moon to the sun would take her away. But nothing would rescue her, and she could not leave." Usually when the reader feels that an answer to one of the many questions has been revealed, several more arise. One of the things that didn't go well with me in Initiated to Kill was the going to and back in the timeline. There is the time of Jack the Ripper, which is clear, but there are references to Annabella's childhood, other events in the past and events in the present. There is a lot of jumping between the present and the past, which in turn is divided into several periods, some are from the late 1800s and some are from the 20th and 21st centuries. I would have preferred that the going in back in time parts were clearer, especially for Annabella and in order: 1999, 2000, 2001 and so on. I also did not enjoy not knowing who was speaking or who the character in front of me was in several chapters. There was a lot of he/she that caused more confusion than suspense - for me at least. Once the reader feels they've got a grip on things, the author catapults us backwards or forwards in time and things become confusing once more. "Another night of dreams left a nauseous feeling in my gut. That something was going to happen. I never believed in psychics, never believed I had any ability. But the overwhelming sense that something bad was going to happen intensified every night." An interesting and new element in Initiated to Kill was the introduction of a new character towards the end of the novel, which added to the mystery and overgrowing list of suspicious characters. The overall pace of the novel is quick, but it picks up significantly towards the end with a lot of action and chasing of the culprits or more victims. However, this rise in pace brings in additional confusion, especially when the police discover that there seems to be several perps. My copy has several typos and spelling mistakes - that bothered me, a lot. There was also a lot of repetition in certain places like: "Stepping back, he allowed them into his spacious office. Mahogany furniture dominated the spacious office." Furthermore, two other mysteries arise at the end of the novel, namely: the identity of Annabella's father and the reason why the perpetrator wants her dead. I both liked and disliked Almond's way of leading - or misleading - the reader in thinking who the perpetrator is and guessing at other events and character in the novel. "Celestina's absence was like a hot coal refusing to extinguish." A reader of Initiated to Kill would also need to be strong enough to handle some gritty and grotesque scenes, particularly those related to Jack the Ripper. The novel also requires a lot of patience and thinking. It's not a book you can read before you go to sleep (it's gritty in some parts) and it needs someone who is alert and ready to think. Sharlene Almond is applauded for the massive amounts of research carried out for Initiated to Kill, as well as the beautiful descriptions used with a variety of places, especially the University of Seville. The confusion aspect in the novel was tiresome for me; hence, my overall rating is 3 stars. Note: Although I finished this novel a couple of months ago, it's taken me a while to write my review due to the complexity of the novel and the massive amount of bookmarks and notes I've put in and written. (My apologies for the delay).

Hand of Fire by Judith Starkston is a historical fiction set before and during the Trojan War. The story focuses on Breisis, a priestess of the healing goddess Kamrusepa, and the woman who came between Achilles and Agamemnon. Breisis, who earned only a few lines in Homer's Illiad, is brought to light in Hand of Fire. Starkston both expands and expounds the history and character of Breisis, giving her a whole new form, dimension and depth. Hand of Fire opens with Breisis's mother on her death bed, and the priestess praying to their goddess to extend her life. However, her prayers are not answered. Breisis follows in her mother's footsteps but cannot seem to grasp all of her mother's faith, devotion and abilities. Breisis is devoted but not like her mother, making her feel incompetent at times. Despite prolonged delays, the inevitable happens: Breisis weds Mynes, to whom she has been betrothed since birth; a dreadful marriage to a soon-to-be dreadful ruler. Mynes is rash, brutal and blood-thirsty, which is his doom, and to which the reader and Breisis are equally thankful. Breisis is a healer and the bards tell of the great warrior Achilles as being an unchallenged fighter and healer. Breisis and Achilles collide in their first meeting. Things progress slowly but interestingly. There is a constant ebb and flow between these two characters. Breisis is truly a strong woman and character. However, her selflessness goes beyond the limits of human behaviour, in my opinion at least, making her both caring and annoying at times. Hand of Fire is about Breisis; it focuses on her and her alone. The novel does not stray from the priestess to any other character throughout, which is quite interesting actually. Her character development is slow but nicely weaved. The novel is full of ups and downs that are all well-thought of to bring Breisis to the finale, to one last decision. There are many other likeable characters in Hand of Fire. Achilles' best friend Patroklos is wise, calming, kind and above all loyal beyond measure. He is also one of few who can calm Achilles' fire. Also, one of the most beautiful speeches in the novel is said by Patroklos. "Each of you holds the comfort the other most needs. You are meant for each other. Even the men see that: your height, your hair colour and the divine poise you share. I see more than that. I see inside you: the same gifts, the same fire. Only you can heal each other... You have a fire whose strength can quiet his fire. Imagine. Fire dampened by fire..." (p. 163) Eurome, Breisis's maid, is an intelligent and caring companion and friend and essential character in the novel. She is a source of rumours and comedy in the novel. After Eurome's first ride in the ship, and after a bout of seasickness, she says "Oh my stars and fishes, if we was meant for seagoing, the gods would gave us fins and scales." (p. 155) The elemental imagery, particularly the fire imagery, that accompanies Breisis and Achilles is exemplary. "He was made of fire and water. When they joined together, she was filled with feelings far beyond the capacity of her spirit and body to contain - pleasure and delight, pain and despair also, fiercest bonding, radiating out from her in dancing flames." (p. 217). There is plenty more but I cannot quote it all. The daughter of a historian, Starkston weaves a tale that would linger and leave a mark with every reader. Hand of Fire is by far the best historical-fiction novel, and novel in general, that I have read in a while. It is a must-read and I certainly plan on rereading it again in the near future for I could not get enough of it. A ten-star book!

SHIRI by D.S. Taylor begins unlike any other novel, especially the way it opens; "She was born a woman, and her father had yet to forgive her for that." (p. 6). The protagonist Shiri is a 15 year-old girl who lives with her parents in the small town of Yaham, in Palestine. The Shepherd King sends his soldiers to recruit men from towns and villages to fight the Pharoah Tuthmosis. We see Shiri's character develop and age through the troublesome experiences she undergoes. She is wise beyond her years and gains more wisdom as the novel unfolds and as she moves from orphaned shepherd girl to slave to mother. She progresses, handling every stage in her life and every hurdle thrown at her all the while bearing a specific cause in mind. She is strongly contrasted to Joseph, the Shepherd Prince. The novel contains a lot of abuse both verbal and physical, while some of it bothered me a bit, and only because I wasn't expecting it, I would still recommend that the novel be read by adults over 18 or better over 21. The novel moves at a quick and enjoyable pace. When I finished it, I couldn't imagine waking up the following morning and not seeing what Shiri will do next!

A short and beautiful romance bound by the power of an amethyst ring. "Amethyst Heat" is an enjoyable short story taking its readers on a journey from modern-day Oklahoma to Highlander Scotland.

This book was my first ever Naguib Mahfouz book to read. It is very short, almost a hundred pages of pure historic pleasure. It handles the Kings and Queens of ancient Egypt up until the present day (of when the book was written); I think it stopped at President Anwar El-Sadat. Each King, Queen, Prince or President has died and it is time to weigh their good and their bad deeds to see if they are destined to enter heaven or hell. Though I have read this book several years ago, it is still by far the most enjoyable Arabic book I have read. It encouraged me to read more for Mahfouz and for others; though my second choice for a Naguib Mahfouz novel was a poor one in my opinion, I still cherish Amam Al-Arsh (Before the Throne) and plan on reading it again. I don't know if it is available in English or not, but it still is a must-read.

Check out the full review on my blog: http://nadanessinmotion.blogspot.com/... When I first picked up Giles Morgan's The Holy Grail, it was on sale at a local bookstore otherwise it would have been too expensive. I'm glad it was on sale because it's a real treasure. Overall the book is divided into eight chapters. Each chapter is subdivided into shorter parts. It is easy and interesting to read, especially since it intertwines history and literature. Although it does not have any complete stories, The Holy Grail encompasses many smaller and shorter stories within the folds of its pages. The reader is often reluctant to turn the page for fear of forgetting the beauty of the page before it. The first three chapters are titled: "The Magic Vessel", "The Cup of Christ" and "Glatsonbury and the Grail". The first chapter handles the Grail as an idea or a magic vessel; it discusses how various cultures have objects similar to the Grail. For instance, in Celtic mythology, they had, instead of the chalice cup, a magic cauldron. The book also traces the Holy Grail in literature across time, particularly with regards to King Arthur and his knights, who were often, if not always, associated with a quest to seek out or retrieve the Holy Grail. Morgan explores the Grail in relation to Christ and Joseph of Arimathea, who as Morgan explains "plays a key role in the medieval Grail stories, and other than Christ, he is a biblical character mostly associated with [the Grail]". Following that is an entire chapter, excluding other references throughout the book, dedicated to "Arthur and the Holy Grail". This fourth chapter is followed by another called "The Grail Mysteries", which explores the Templars, the Cathars and The Turin Shroud, and other religious groups and ideas often associated with the Grail. The three remaining chapters in the book are titled: "The Grail Revival", "A Modern Obsession" and "The Cinema of the Grail". The following chapter "A Modern Obsession" handles the Grail through the works of T. S. Eliot, Carl Jung, T. H. White and J. R. R. Tolkien.

Emily Bronte's famous novel Wuthering Heights does contain bits - tiny bits - of the gothic and the creepy, but it is not what the reader doesn't expect. May be because these dark instances recur in modern movies often, we see them as cliche; perhaps they were not so during Bronte's time. Nonetheless, I had heard so much about the novel, that I was so eager to read it. When I was done, I wasn't that pleased. The novel is terribly popular for its earthly and spell-binding imagery. Most of the good imagery is seen when Catherine talks about Heathcliff or when she compares him to her suitor, and later husband, Linton. Another popular quote and image is: "...but because he's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of his and mine are the same and Linton's is as different as a moonbeam from lightning or frost from fire." The imagery is indeed poetic and I do applaud Bronte for her creativity and choice of images and words (within those images). There are, however, instances of pure stupidity, childish behavior, and a fair bit of ruthlessness. Catherine Earnshaw constantly claims that she and Healthcliff love each other , not a physical form of love but rather an unearthly, soul-connected love (yes, I am avoiding the word 'spiritual' here). I cannot elaborate further for this means that I will have to reread the novel. However, I must honestly note that while writing this review, the novel appealed to me more than it had done when I read it a few years ago. Hence, I've raised my rating to three stars instead of only two. For more quotes from Wuthering Heights, please go here: http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/... For the full review (slightly longer): http://nadanessinmotion.blogspot.com/...

Best book I've read so far this year and probably one of the best memoirs I've read.Period. In his own way, Noah gets you to understand the post-apartheid era in South Africa. A country, that like a modern day Picasso is full of complex emotions and social paradoxes and one that only a master story-teller can hope to describe. Noah does that brilliantly, keeping you swinging from laughter to tears and back, one sentence at a time. Can't recommend it highly enough.

Details the evolution of IBM , the original tech darling of Wall Street, through the eyes of it's inspirational founder Thomas Watson. Armed with a number of idiosyncrasies (not least a healthy dose of arrogance and narcissism), Watson made two huge gambles that in hindsight led to IBM's rise as the world's foremost engineering company. First, he invested heavily in capacity at the peak of the Depression gobbling up talent when no one else was hiring. Second, he massively added capacity during WWII, defying economists that predicted a post-war recession would lead to a drop in industrial demand. In both cases, the anti-consensus gamble worked out with IBM turning uncertainty into a market opportunity. A key lesson for any budding entrepreneurs - Always take calculated gambles and bet the house on it when you do.

Elon Musk is a visionary and a bully. He's an egoistical maniac that burns out his own staff and refuses to listen to anyone that questions his 'vision'. While great companies are usually built by demanding iconoclasts, Musk seems to be a combination of Houdini(for investors putting money into his companies) and a despot. Yes, Tesla is the sexiest car alive and SpaceX the most efficient way to get into space but the real question is can they scale before they lose everything? The jury is still out on Elon Musk.

When asked about Newton's comment that he stood on the shoulders of giants,Einstein replied,"I don't agree with that.I stood on the shoulders of Maxwell."Perfectly summarising the outstanding contributions of Michael Faraday and James Clerk Maxwell in shaping the world today.Everything from lighting and power generation to space travel owes a debt to these two geniuses.The author spins a powerful tale of the importance of experimentation and a scientific temper as they set about revolutionising Newtonian science and usher in a new era of particle physics culminating in Einstein's formulation of the space time continuum.A delight to any science enthusiast and a source of inspiration to all those that aspire to work in theoretical Physics.

KKR's pursuit of RJR Nabisco has become part of Wall Street folklore, the culmination of a decade of extravagance and financial malfeasance.This classic book detailing the bidding process is a thriller, putting you in the shoes of the different players in the game and elaborates on the sheer madness that seemed to engulf Wall Street during the largest takeover in the era of megadeals.The biggest winners as Ross Johnson says,were the shareholders who enjoyed an early christmas present as the share price quadrupled during the bidding.For KKR , it was a pyrrhic victory as eventually the debt fueled decade came crashing down on them resulting in RJR declaring bankruptcy.A fast-paced read and one dominated by investment bankers , it offers a unique insight into the workings and incentives of Wall Street.

Louis Gerstner masterminded the greatest strategic turnaround at a company long considered as a national treasure.The fact that he did this inspite of a lack of background makes his achievement even more noteworthy.In this book he explains how an integrated system can work if it streamlines it's operations and looks after it's core competencies.He leaves technology companies with a very important lesson-Always put the customer first

Scary to the core,the book describes how Columbia continues to grapple with civil war as the guerrillas kidnap and ransom a Presidential candidate and her fight for her identity and survival

A book with a sense of dark humour that reveals the true reasons for the era of greed that culminated in the greatest depression since the 30s.A first hand account of the fact that human greed and fear remain the only things that drive the financial world.

Beautiful stream of consciousness prose in the early chapters had me very excited, but it degenerates into a very linear and melodramatic plot somewhere around the middle. Ultimately disappointing.

I have just finished reading When Empires Fall by Katie Jennings and I must say I loved this book! It was a complex and well told story about the Vasser family who has owned a chain of high-end luxury hotels for over 100 years. The family legacy, almost regal in status, begins to crumble after a web of power, deception and murder is unearthed. It is a grand novel in design and there is a lot packed into the 350 plus pages. It is very well written and carefully planned. The thing that pulls you in most of all is the characters that Jennings creates. As she has done in the past she continues to display her knack at character development. In the case of When Empires Fall this makes the story all the more effective yet never confusing. This is a feat that is even more impressive considering there are a lot of characters in this book. From the Scarlett-type Madison and playboy Linc, to the quiet, haunted Grant and charming, bubbly Quinn every character is laid out in a fashion that is believable and real. By novel's end you feel as though you have taken part in the story and have become a family acquaintance. This is a novel that is a must-read and I feel that Katie Jennings is fast-becoming a force to be reckoned with.

This was so much fun! What I thought was really wonderful was how the author truly made the events in the book tie-in with true events and made the entire history seem plausible. Also loved the journal concept. Very well done. Have not yet seen the movie but I must admit I can't wait!

Never thought I'd dislike this book but... Jane starts as an independent woman and, by the end of the book becomes annoyingly submissive. Don't even get me started on Mr. Rochester. Wow, they do belong together. Two truly awful characters. If you ask me, Bertha Mason was the best one!

My favourite thing about this book was the use of a child's view to deal with the story of the extermination of the Jewish people by the Nazi regime. The dissassociation used to refer to parts of the story I found astonishing as it helped to get into the story before revealing the centre of the novel. For instance, using 'Out-With' to refer to Auschwitz. On realising the plan of the two little boys I began to predict the ending but I think this made the whole thing more powerful I was willing myself to be wrong. I also adored the way the author joined Bruno and Shmuel together. The two share the same birthday, move somewhere they don't like and look very similar. This really worked to relate the idea that everyone is the same, only the labels people give them are different.

The nature / nurture question was presented too simplistically making the novel feel a little bit outdated. I enjoyed the suspense even though the ending got too far fetched. I liked the ending.

I loved this book. I thought it was compelling and original. I was sad to see the story end. This was also the first book I read on my new Kindle, even though I had a nice hardback copy.

A delightful escapte into another time. Also a great adventure.

Great historical detail. Compeling characters. Fun plot twists but too much death

Hyva jatko-osa Paimentytolle. Ihan yhta hyva tama ei mielestani ollut, eika Sibeliusten elama ollut aivan yhta kiinnostavaa kuin Topeliusten. Mielenkiintoinen kirja kuitenkin ja entisaikojen elamasta on aina mukava lukea, varsinkin kun kirjailijalla on selvasti faktat hallussa.