GoSale.com :: Reviews by A1M1Y5UGONAW06

Reviews Written By: A1M1Y5UGONAW06

provided by Amazon.com


	State of Play [Blu-ray]
	"Riveting and timely"	2009-11-10
Perhaps I could have rated State of Play five stars if I hadn't seen the BBC miniseries. As good as the movie is, it is limited by the medium and could only provide broad hints of the subplots that made the BBC series so rich and suspenseful. However, this movie is a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours. The cast is outstanding. Russell Crowe is superb as the driven reporter who is personally involved in a story that threatens to destroy his Congressman friend, played by Ben Affleck. Affleck is underrated as an actor; his portrayal of Stephen Collins is finely nuanced and convincing. Rachel McAdams is brave and naive as the ambitious cub reporter who longs to be taken seriously and Robin Wright Penn is nicely sympathtic as Collins' wronged and wronging wife. Helen Mirren is forceful and profane as Cal's editor, though sometimes it seemed she didn't quite understand what an editor actually does. Still, though it's possible to nit-pick--why would the writers have Collins openly weep at a Congressional hearing, for example--all these things are necessary to the plot, which is necessarily limited by time. See above. State of Play is great entertainment, and addresses the issue of what we have a right to expect from elected officials. How sad it is that thirty years after All The President's Men, this continues to be an issue worth investing millions into a movie?
	My Life in France
	"A spendid read--fascinating and inspirational!"	2009-11-07
I finished My Life in France a couple of days ago and have carried it everywhere since, insisting I be allowed to read snippets aloud to a long-suffering audience (my husband) at frequent intervals. It's that good. Alex Prud'homme had the sense to get out of the way and let Julia tell her own story. Meandering around Europe and the United States, and peppered with personalities from the chefs of the Cordon Bleu, cameo appearances by Alice B. Toklas and John Kenneth Galbraith and the fear caused by the long arm of HUAC, it contains one of the world's great love stories, that of Paul and Julia Child. There's something for everyone here; fascinating travelogue, wonderful descriptions of food, vivid personalities and intrigue. I was inspired to dig out my very dusty copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking and plan an "Homage to Julia" dinner. I'd forgotten what a great cookbook it is; clear, thorough, concise and encouraging. The story of how it came to be is an adventure of the best sort, seen through the eyes of one of the most generous, hardworking and courageous personalities of the 20th century who used her time in Europe to immortalize and make accessible the world's greatest cuisine. How lucky are we that Julia Child existed and that we may get to know her through this book!
	For Every Cat an Angel
	"Charming and comforting"	2009-10-07
Anyone who has ever had a special relationship with a cat will love this little book. The basis is that cats are guided by guardian angels throughout their lives and after, and it gently deals with and beautifully illustrates what it means to find a 'forever cat', live with it and then say good-bye. The idea that one's 'forever cat' wants us to share our love with other cats goes a long way toward addressing the feelings of disloyalty caused by acquiring a new pet. The artwork is charming--the 'forever cat' has a star at the tip of its tail, and a halo after its crossed the angel bridge. The idea that one day we will be reunited with all of our beloved animals is a valuable part of this book, and it would be a very compassionate and caring gift to someone who has lost a cat friend.
	Silence of the Hams (Jane Jeffry Mysteries (Paperback))
	"Cozy in suburbia"	2009-09-28
If you're looking for a comfort read that will hold your interest and won't make you think too much, you can't do better than a Jane Jeffry. The grin-worthy titles, and the combination of suburban angst and snappy dialogue make them worth reading and overlooking the obvious clues to the killer. In Silence of the Hams, a dead man is found under an overturned rack of hams in the storage room of a brand-new deli in which Jane's son is working. Jane wants to solve the crime to keep her son from being murdered too. Naturally, a well-liked teen-aged boy would be in as much danger as a man everybody in town has a reason to kill, and there's a huge, glaring plot hole that makes the killer obvious, but as I said, overlook, overlook... Whether Jane is chaperoning her son's graduation festivities, fending off her MIL's advice or grocery shopping, she and Shelley are good company, and that's all I require of them. Ms. Churchill's strengths are in the delightful friendship between Jane and Shelley, her ability to describe the ordinariness of suburban life in a way that has every woman reader of a certain age nodding in recognition and turning pages to see what Jane and Shelley will do. The characters are somewhat stereotypical, but comfortingly so, and they make the Jane Jeffry mysteries some of my favorite comfort reading. This book isn't deep, nor challenging, nor especially literate (though Jane is fond of Dorothy L.) but it is an enjoyable few hours spent among friends.
	Resurrection Men: An Inspector Rebus Novel
	"Rich characters, complex plot"	2009-08-23
Inspector Rebus endeared himself to me when he flung a cup of tea at his superior officer. Later on, one of the characters says, 'Heard you invited the DIS for a cuppa.' The dry wit continues throughout this complicated story. Prostitutes are knifed, suspects menaced and there is a romance or two along the way and all the while Rebus plays old tunes on his stereo. Rankin has a gift for dialogue and characterization, and mercifully, though the setting is mostly in Edinburgh, there's not a 'wee dram' to be found anywhere except in the pub. Meandering between Edingurgh and Tulliallan, the last resort of policemen who've gone off the rails, Rebus is investigating several cases at once, some official, some not. The murder of a gallery owner, a cold case from the past, and good cops gone bad; somehow Rankin twists all the stories together and decorates them with vivid scenes and multi-minensional characters. This is my first Rebus, and I found it a little dense, especially at first. There are many references to past events though there's plenty of contemporary action to keep things moving. The vast array of characters have much history with each other, though Rankin never leaves those relationships in question and the humor is delicious. I'm looking forward to spending more time with Rebus, though I doubt he'll invite me for a cuppa.
	Resurrection Men : An Inspector Rebus Novel (Inspector Rebus Novels)
	"Rich characters, complex plot"	2009-08-23
Inspector Rebus endeared himself to me when he flung a cup of tea at his superior officer. Later on, one of the characters says, 'Heard you invited the DIS for a cuppa.' The dry wit continues throughout this complicated story. Prostitutes are knifed, suspects menaced and there is a romance or two along the way and all the while Rebus plays old tunes on his stereo. Rankin has a gift for dialogue and characterization, and mercifully, though the setting is mostly in Edinburgh, there's not a 'wee dram' to be found anywhere except in the pub. Meandering between Edingurgh and Tulliallan, the last resort of policemen who've gone off the rails, Rebus is investigating several cases at once, some official, some not. The murder of a gallery owner, a cold case from the past, and good cops gone bad; somehow Rankin twists all the stories together and decorates them with vivid scenes and multi-minensional characters. This is my first Rebus, and I found it a little dense, especially at first. There are many references to past events though there's plenty of contemporary action to keep things moving. The vast array of characters have much history with each other, though Rankin never leaves those relationships in question and the humor is delicious. I'm looking forward to spending more time with Rebus, though I doubt he'll invite me for a cuppa.
	Shooter [Blu-ray]
	"Surprisingly good"	2009-08-10
What promised to be a fairly predictable action flick took some interesting twists, and some stock characters proved to be deeper than expected. Ned Beatty has fun being fiendishly evil, and Danny Glover is pleasantly sinister. Mark Wahlberg is the perfect blend of cynic and Rambo, and sidekicks Mara and Pena have some nice quirks. Wahlberg displays some great McGuyver inventiveness as he attempts to elude the bad guys, and there's a shoot-em up scene at a farmhouse in Virginia that is very cool. Though this is not Great Cinema, it's a nice way to spend an entertaining couple of hours.
	Shooter [HD DVD]
	"Surprisingly good"	2009-08-10
What promised to be a fairly predictable action flick took some interesting twists, and some stock characters proved to be deeper than expected. Ned Beatty has fun being fiendishly evil, and Danny Glover is pleasantly sinister. Mark Wahlberg is the perfect blend of cynic and Rambo, and sidekicks Mara and Pena have some nice quirks. Wahlberg displays some great McGuyver inventiveness as he attempts to elude the bad guys, and there's a shoot-em up scene at a farmhouse in Virginia that is very cool. Though this is not Great Cinema, it's an entertaining couple of hours.
	The Grey King (Dark is Rising Sequence (Paperback))
	"Keeps getting better! No spoilers"	2009-08-03
In this entry, Will is sent to stay with relatives in Wales to recover from a bout of hepatitis. In Cooperworld, there are no coincidences, and Will soon finds himself fulfilling more of the prophesy he began in The Dark is Rising. In this book, he is destined to meet enigmatic Bran, vicious Caradog Prichard, some nasty shapeshifters, along with some nice sheep, dogs and adults, and locate the golden harp. Merriman makes a small cameo appearance in this story, but Will must defeat the Grey King on his own. It turns out that Bran is actually... and when Will uses the harp to save the life of a beloved dog, something amazing happens. Never mind. I wouldn't, for anything, ruin anyone's pleasure in the final pages of this book. Suffice it to say this is the strongest entry in the series yet, and the story is gathering momentum for a spectacular finale. Ms. Cooper skillfully evokes the wild beauty of Wales, and the reader has no trouble imagining the events of the book. As always, appealing characters, imaginative plotting, and skillful writing rich in imagery make these books classics.
	The Grey King
	"Keeps getting better! No spoilers"	2009-08-03
In this entry, Will is sent to stay with relatives in Wales to recover from a bout of hepatitis. In Cooperworld, there are no coincidences, and Will soon finds himself fulfilling more of the prophesy he began in The Dark is Rising. In this book, he is destined to meet enigmatic Bran, vicious Caradog Prichard, some nasty shapeshifters, along with some nice sheep, dogs and adults, and locate the golden harp. Merriman makes a small cameo appearance in this story, but Will must defeat the Grey King on his own. It turns out that Bran is actually... and when Will uses the harp to save the life of a beloved dog, something amazing happens. Never mind. I wouldn't, for anything, ruin anyone's pleasure in the final pages of this book. Suffice it to say this is the strongest entry in the series yet, and the story is gathering momentum for a spectacular finale. Ms. Cooper skillfully evokes the wild beauty of Wales, and the reader has no trouble imagining the events of the book. As always, appealing characters, imaginative plotting, and skillful writing rich in imagery make these books classics.
	The Grey King
	"Keeps getting better! No spoilers"	2009-08-03
In this entry, Will is sent to stay with relatives in Wales to recover from a bout of hepatitis. In Cooperworld, there are no coincidences, and Will soon finds himself fulfilling more of the prophesy he began in The Dark is Rising. In this book, he is destined to meet enigmatic Bran, vicious Caradog Prichard, some nasty shapeshifters, along with some nice sheep, dogs and adults, and locate the golden harp. Merriman makes a small cameo appearance in this story, but Will must defeat the Grey King on his own. It turns out that Bran is actually... and when Will uses the harp to save the life of a beloved dog, something amazing happens. Never mind. I wouldn't, for anything, ruin anyone's pleasure in the final pages of this book. Suffice it to say this is the strongest entry in the series yet, and the story is gathering momentum for a spectacular finale. Ms. Cooper skillfully evokes the wild beauty of Wales, and the reader has no trouble imagining the events of the book. As always, appealing characters, imaginative plotting, and skillful writing rich in imagery make these books classics.
	Greenwitch
	"The adventure continues..."	2009-08-03
The Drew children join forces with Will Stanton in a return to the Cornish seaside village that was the setting of the first book. The grail the Drews discovered in the first book has been stolen from the British Museum, and the forces of the Dark are responsible. Arriving just in time for the Greenwitch ceremony, Jane is invited to participate in the manufacture and sacrifice of the Greenwitch and to make a wish. She makes a surprising one that has significant consequences. Merriman is back, and the owner of The Grey House, as well as assorted other characters both good and not. There are some marvellous scenes in this book--notably when Merriman and Will plead their case to the sea. The Greenwitch herself is a force to be reckoned with, and the revelations in the final chapter pave the way for the continuation of the series. I can't wait to read the next book!
	The Grey King by Susan Cooper, ISBN 0689710895
	"Keeps getting better! No spoilers"	2009-08-03
In this entry, Will is sent to stay with relatives in Wales to recover from a bout of hepatitis. In Cooperworld, there are no coincidences, and Will soon finds himself fulfilling more of the prophesy he began in The Dark is Rising. In this book, he is destined to meet enigmatic Bran, vicious Caradog Prichard, some nasty shapeshifters, along with some nice sheep, dogs and adults, and locate the golden harp. Merriman makes a small cameo appearance in this story, but Will must defeat the Grey King on his own. It turns out that Bran is actually... and when Will uses the harp to save the life of a beloved dog, something amazing happens. Never mind. I wouldn't, for anything, ruin anyone's pleasure in the final pages of this book. Suffice it to say this is the strongest entry in the series yet, and the story is gathering momentum for a spectacular finale. Ms. Cooper skillfully evokes the wild beauty of Wales, and the reader has no trouble imagining the events of the book. As always, appealing characters, imaginative plotting, and skillful writing rich in imagery make these books classics.
	The Dark Is Rising
	"Series comes into its own--wow!"	2009-08-03
The seventh son of a seventh son, Will Stanton's eleventh birthday is the day before Christmas Eve. As his family prepares for the birthday celebration and Christmas at the same time, Will's world transforms into an arena where the forces of good and evil are battling it out. Will himself is the last of the 'Old Ones'--the Sign Seeker--and under the tutelage of Merriman Lyon, he must quickly learn about and develop his powers in order to save his family and the town as he collects the tangible signs of protection against the Rising Dark. This book is very different from the first book in the series. Unlike the Drew children from the first book, Will has magical powers as do many of the denizens of the village in which he lives. The sinister forces really come into their own in this book, and present a real threat to the world. The images are powerful, and the characters vivid. This is a magical read indeed!
	The Grey King
	"Keeps getting better! No spoilers"	2009-08-03
In this entry, Will is sent to stay with relatives in Wales to recover from a bout of hepatitis. In Cooperworld, there are no coincidences, and Will soon finds himself fulfilling more of the prophesy he began in The Dark is Rising. In this book, he is destined to meet enigmatic Bran, vicious Caradog Prichard, some nasty shapeshifters, along with some nice sheep, dogs and adults, and locate the golden harp. Merriman makes a small cameo appearance in this story, but Will must defeat the Grey King on his own. It turns out that Bran is actually... and when Will uses the harp to save the life of a beloved dog, something amazing happens. Never mind. I wouldn't, for anything, ruin anyone's pleasure in the final pages of this book. Suffice it to say this is the strongest entry in the series yet, and the story is gathering momentum for a spectacular finale. Ms. Cooper skillfully evokes the wild beauty of Wales, and the reader has no trouble imagining the events of the book. As always, appealing characters, imaginative plotting, and skillful writing rich in imagery make these books classics.
	Over Sea, Under Stone
	"Wonderfully promising beginning"	2009-08-03
Over Sea Under Stone is a great adventure tale of three children on a quest for a grail. Whether or not it is THE Grail remains to be seen. Threatened at every turn by the sinister Dark personified by the evil Mr. Hastings and his nasty cohorts and aided by their mysterious Uncle Merry, Rufus the dog, and an ancient chart found in a hidden room in their Cornish holiday house, they combat kidnappings, tides and burglars to track down the hiding place of the Grail. This book is a good solid read and though the magic is low-key, there are hints of big magical doings to come--the number and degree of evil characters is out of proportion to the actual conflict in this book, and Uncle Merry direly predicts that they will reappear in different guises as the story continues. Although this book could be read alone, it would be a pity to waste the wonderful foundation Ms. Cooper has laid, and I'm greatly looking forward to reading the rest of the series. For young (and not so young) readers who enjoy this book, I'd heartily recommend the E. Nesbit Bastable stories, Alan Garner's The Weirdstone of Brisingamen and its sequel, and, of course, the Narnia books. For more tongue in cheek magical fare in an American setting, the wonderful books of Edward Eager are not to be missed.
	Dark is Rising (Dark is Rising Sequence (Paperback))
	"Series comes into its own--wow!"	2009-08-03
The seventh son of a seventh son, Will Stanton's eleventh birthday is the day before Christmas Eve. As his family prepares for the birthday celebration and Christmas at the same time, Will's world transforms into an arena where the forces of good and evil are battling it out. Will himself is the last of the 'Old Ones'--the Sign Seeker--and under the tutelage of Merriman Lyon, he must quickly learn about and develop his powers in order to save his family and the town as he collects the tangible signs of protection against the Rising Dark. This book is very different from the first book in the series. Unlike the Drew children from the first book, Will has magical powers as do many of the denizens of the village in which he lives. The sinister forces really come into their own in this book, and present a real threat to the world. The images are powerful, and the characters vivid. This is a magical read indeed!
	Greenwitch
	"The adventure continues..."	2009-08-03
The Drew children join forces with Will Stanton in a return to the Cornish seaside village that was the setting of the first book. The grail the Drews discovered in the first book has been stolen from the British Museum, and the forces of the Dark are responsible. Arriving just in time for the Greenwitch ceremony, Jane is invited to participate in the manufacture and sacrifice of the Greenwitch and to make a wish. She makes a surprising one that has significant consequences. Merriman is back, and the owner of The Grey House, as well as assorted other characters both good and not. There are some marvellous scenes in this book--notably when Merriman and Will plead their case to the sea. The Greenwitch herself is a force to be reckoned with, and the revelations in the final chapter pave the way for the continuation of the series. I can't wait to read the next book!
	Liar's Market (Mira)
	"OK read"	2009-07-20
While Liar's Market is not the best thriller I've ever read, it's certainly not the worst (I'll save that award for a Brad Thor title). It's a little in the Dorothy Eden/Mary Stewart tradition, with a heroine who doesn't quite fit in with her wealthy and influential in-laws, but there's a 21st century twist when the heroine sets out to become independent. Mia's borderline abusive husband has disappeared and she's stuck in her Mrs. Danvers-like mother in law's household with her young son. As her husband's reputation deteriorates and Mia comes under suspicion when the FBI becomes involved, Mia begins to stand up for herself and make her own choices. There's a thrilling denoument at Halloween, and a bittersweet ending with hope for better things to come for Mia. If the plot seems rather far-fetched, it's because it is, but I've never demanded realism in my thrillers. Mia's struggle to disassociate herself from her inlaws and strike out on her own does have the ring of truth--there are a lot of obstacles in her way--but for a smart, high achieving young woman, Mia's annoyingly willing to let everyone else make decisions for her. That's a small quibble, however. Liar's Market is a pleasant couple of hours reading and I always enjoy a book with a DC setting.
	Orchestra Baobab - Pirates Choice
	"Ultimate Party Music"	2009-06-29
Pirate's Choice is the best music EVER to get a party going, indoors or out. Even the most uptight guests relax and begin unconsciously moving to the music. It's the happiest and most upbeat collection imaginable, and even the slower tracks are full of energy and joy. In the dead of winter, it's an antidote to ice and snow, and a celebration of sun and heat in the summer. No one doesn't respond to this music--even a rap-head relative--and it's impossible to be glum and depressed while listening to it. I purchased this after hearing a review on NPR and it's one of the best music purchases I've ever made. Even if the term 'world music' doesn't mean anything to you, Pirate's Choice incorporates so many elements of different music genres, it will appeal to everyone. Love it!
	The Pallisers - The Complete Collection
	"Never disappoints!"	2009-06-19
I love Victorian novels. There's nothing like immersing oneself in a long-gone way of life and experiencing the subtleties of character and language that the likes of Dickens, Collins and Trollope did so well, and for 400 plus pages at a time. The Pallisers is an excellent translation of Trollope's novels to the small screen. Because of the series format, none of the characters gets short shrift and all of the intricacies of the various plots are given their due. Unforgettable characters such as Phineas Finn, Lady Eustace and the enchanting Lady Glencora play out their dramas against the rigid societal structure of the 19th century, and the BBC's production is flawless down to the wallpaper and china patterns. I consider The Pallisers and Upstairs Downstairs to be the two must-haves of any collection, and neither EVER disappoints. Both worlds are as wonderful to visit for the fiftieth time as they are for the first.
	The Moonstone
	"Classic"	2009-06-02
The Moonstone is the perfect introduction to the Victorian novel. Written in the day of serialized fiction, when reading was still a primary form of entertainment, The Moonstone is a gem. Full of cliffhangers, written from multiple points of view, it's the tale of a stolen jewel whose original owners will stop at nothing to get it back. In the hands of a lesser author, The Moonstone would be confusing and rambling, but Wilkie Collins so adeptly drew his characters and gave his narrators such distinctive voices that the reader is drawn deeper and deeper into the story, anxious to read on to see what is going to happen. The tale is liberally strewn with clues, but it's the description and the characters who make it so readable. Who could ever forget the ominous and deadly Shivering Sands or Miss Clack's cheerful and relentless distribution of improving 'little tracts'? Unrequited love, greed, jealousy, hypocrisy; valiant heroes, romantic heroines, exotic villains, comic relief and a mystery to tie them all together-everything we love to read about is present in lavish measures. The Moonstone is a book to curl up with on a winter weekend and get lost in. One of the best of Victorian novels, when a precise turn of phrase was appreciated and families eagerly gathered by the fireside each week to hear the latest installment read aloud, The Moonstone has been in print since 1868 for good reason. It's a great story told by a master storyteller and puts most romantic suspense novels to shame. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is tired of what's currently available in the fiction marketplace. Read this and see what an excellent book really is!
	Any Place I Hang My Hat : A Novel
	"Another winner from Susan Isaacs"	2009-05-22
Susan Isaacs' novels make me feel much more hip than I really am. For a little while after reading them, I feel like one of her heroines--smart, loyal and courageous--or at least like the heroine's best friend. I'm privy to the secrets of good taste, urban chic and the cool places to go. The feeling doesn't last very long, but it's great while it lasts and I'd keep reading Ms. Isaacs for that reason alone. Amy Lincoln is a typically sassy Susan Isaacs heroine, the youngest-ever associate editor of a prestigious if boring political weekly. She got there by tenacity, intelligence and ability. She has a great Manhattan sublet, a great boyfriend, and great friends. What isn't great is that she suspects that it's all a fraud. About the time Amy and her boyfriend John agree to split up, she witnesses an incident in which a candidate for President is confronted by a young man claiming to be the candidate's illegitimate son. She befriends the young man, and is inspired to search for her own mother who vanished when Amy was very young. The search triggers some unexpected events, and Amy must face her fear and defensiveness when it comes to personal relationships. The story is not nearly as pop psychology as I've made it sound, and it's a great read. Any Place I Hang My Hat is peopled with colorful characters; Amy's car-stealing gigolo father; her shop-lifting grandmother who waxed legs for a living, her Aunt Linda (the secret's a pinch of cumin, honey) and her best friend, the cake decorating Tatty. Amy does find her mother, and their confrontation is one of the great scenes in the book. Amy is fun, and it was a pleasure hanging out with her for a few hours. APIHMH doesn't have the happy ending you think it's going to, but it's much more satisfactory than the predictable one.
	Any Place I Hang My Hat
	"Another winner from Susan Isaacs"	2009-05-22
Susan Isaacs' novels make me feel much more hip than I really am. For a little while after reading them, I feel like one of her heroines--smart, loyal and courageous--or at least like the heroine's best friend. I'm privy to the secrets of good taste, urban chic and the cool places to go. The feeling doesn't last very long, but it's great while it lasts and I'd keep reading Ms. Isaacs for that reason alone. Amy Lincoln is a typically sassy Susan Isaacs heroine, the youngest-ever associate editor of a prestigious if boring political weekly. She got there by tenacity, intelligence and ability. She has a great Manhattan sublet, a great boyfriend, and great friends. What isn't great is that she suspects that it's all a fraud. About the time Amy and her boyfriend John agree to split up, she witnesses an incident in which a candidate for President is confronted by a young man claiming to be the candidate's illegitimate son. She befriends the young man, and is inspired to search for her own mother who vanished when Amy was very young. The search triggers some unexpected events, and Amy must face her fear and defensiveness when it comes to personal relationships. The story is not nearly as pop psychology as I've made it sound, and it's a great read. Any Place I Hang My Hat is peopled with colorful characters; Amy's car-stealing gigolo father; her shop-lifting grandmother who waxed legs for a living, her Aunt Linda (the secret's a pinch of cumin, honey) and her best friend, the cake decorating Tatty. Amy does find her mother, and their confrontation is one of the great scenes in the book. Amy is fun, and it was a pleasure hanging out with her for a few hours. APIHMH doesn't have the happy ending you think it's going to, but it's much more satisfactory than the predictable one.
	Any Place I Hang My Hat
	"Another winner from Susan Isaacs"	2009-05-22
Susan Isaacs' novels make me feel much more hip than I really am. For a little while after reading them, I feel like one of her heroines--smart, loyal and courageous--or at least like the heroine's best friend. I'm privy to the secrets of good taste, urban chic and the cool places to go. The feeling doesn't last very long, but it's great while it lasts and I'd keep reading Ms. Isaacs for that reason alone. Amy Lincoln is a typically sassy Susan Isaacs heroine, the youngest-ever associate editor of a prestigious if boring political weekly. She got there by tenacity, intelligence and ability. She has a great Manhattan sublet, a great boyfriend, and great friends. What isn't great is that she suspects that it's all a fraud. About the time Amy and her boyfriend John agree to split up, she witnesses an incident in which a candidate for President is confronted by a young man claiming to be the candidate's illegitimate son. She befriends the young man, and is inspired to search for her own mother who vanished when Amy was very young. The search triggers some unexpected events, and Amy must face her fear and defensiveness when it comes to personal relationships. The story is not nearly as pop psychology as I've made it sound, and it's a great read. Any Place I Hang My Hat is peopled with colorful characters; Amy's car-stealing gigolo father; her shop-lifting grandmother who waxed legs for a living, her Aunt Linda (the secret's a pinch of cumin, honey) and her best friend, the cake decorating Tatty. Amy does find her mother, and their confrontation is one of the great scenes in the book. Amy is fun, and it was a pleasure hanging out with her for a few hours. APIHMH doesn't have the happy ending you think it's going to, but it's much more satisfactory than the predictable one.
	Sony External USB Floppy Drive
	"Does what it's supposed to"	2009-04-25
This was easy to install and does what it's supposed to. Performance is satisfactory and we have no complaints either with the product or the vendor. We did find the interchangeable color panels amusing. What? No animal prints?
	Rod Stewart - The Great American Songbook
	"Who'd a thunk?"	2009-04-15
Never in a million years would I have thought of the gravel-voiced Rod Stewart to record classics like 'Stardust' or 'As Time Goes By'. That's why I'm not a record producer. These interpretations are gorgeous, contributed to heavily by the impeccable back ups; just enough to enhance, not over-orchestrate. If you love these, seek out Michael Feinstein's Gershwin and Berlin CDs--not the ones with the orchestras. These ARE the great American songs.
	The Given Day: A Novel
	"More Sinclair than Doctorow"	2009-04-12
The Given Day does for the Boston Police Department what Upton Sinclair's The Jungle did for meat packers. It's unfortunate for the BPD that The Given Day was published almost 100 years after the real life Danny Coughlins endured their execrable working conditions. This book is riveting, one I resented having to leave and couldn't wait to get back to. The penultimate chapters, when the police department answers betrayal by striking, are the most compelling I've read in a long time. No, it's not perfect. Some of the real characters enter and exit adding little to the story, and maybe Mr. Lehane did sprinkle in some head-scratching research trivia, but who cares? Nora, Luther, Tommy, Con', and especially Danny are characters to root for, cry over and wonder what happened to, and Mr. Lehane hits (please excuse this) a home run with his perfectly drawn Babe Ruth who lumbers in and out of the story making Everyman observations on its events. This is an ambitious book, weaving together WWI, the influenza epidemic of 1918, race relations, causes of the rise of labor unions, nihilists and anarchists, a humorless young Justice Department attorney named John Hoover, immigration--legal and not--and it's not reaching too much to see certain parallels with some of today's social conditions. This is a book in a genre I thought wasn't being published any more. It's very encouraging that The Given Day is both new and wonderful.
	Juicy Couture By Juicy Couture For Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 OZ
	"Delightful fragrance!"	2009-03-23
This is a great warm weather scent. Light, flowery, fruity but without being too sweet; it's just great! This is the perfect go-to spritz for a lovely aura of flowers. Highly recommended even for the most jaded of noses. It IS strong, though--a little goes a very long way--so spray in the air, walk through and it'll be just enough for people to say, "What's that wonderful fragrance? Is it your perfume?"
	Rough Weather
	"Another fine Spenser!"	2009-02-28
I read Rough Weather in one sitting and it did not disappoint. It began the way lots of the Spenser books do--Spenser is hired to do a job that doesn't go exactly as planned. In this case, he's hired to escort an extremely wealthy woman to her daughter's wedding on a private island. The Gray Man from previous Spenser novels shows up and kidnaps the daughter amidst much mayhem and murder. Spenser, being Spenser, considers the outcome a failure on his part and sets out to get the daughter back, finding out that nothing and no one is as they seem. Discovery follows discovery until the surprising ending, in which Spenser makes a very Spenserlike decision to satisfy justice, if not the law. Whenever a new Robert Parker hits the bookstore/library, I save it until I can sit down and read it all the way through. I love the way characters from previous books show up, the vignettes of Spenser's Boston, and admire Spenser's principals. I especially appreciate Mr. Parker's exquisite use of language, which gets more precise with each book. I know of no other contemporary author who can convey so much information with so few words. Rough Weather contained all the elements I look forward to in a Parker book, the mystery was just as fun to unravel as it always is, and the ending was superb. In the everchanging and often disappointing world of detective fiction, Mr. Parker's Spenser is consistently wonderful.