Reviews Written By: A2C27IQUH9N1Zprovided by Amazon.com |
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 | Pride and Prescience: Or, A Truth Universally Acknowledged | |
 | "pleasant pastiche, mystery lacking" | 2009-07-25 |
| As I began this first in a series of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy mysteries I was hopeful but I've read a lot of Austen homages and many are dreadful, so I tried to stay grounded :-) I was soon pleasantly back in the world of Austen with some of my favorite characters, and a fan of Bebris's writing. Though not as elegant as Austen (who is?!) this was well-written and captured the characters well. She even had dashes of humor, as JA did, and she knew her Austen .... Charles and Jane did indeed have a number of eager but inexperienced servants who'd been hired for their neediness rather than their experience, for example. By halfway through the book I was a fan, very impressed that Bebris had maintained this verisimilitude consistently throughout, but I was not prepared, dear reader, for the lame ending. Ouch. All of a sudden the villain confronts Elizabeth with a confession though this seemed highly unmotivated. And then there's a lot of scurrying about and threatened violence (though nothing more than a genteel scuffling is to be found). Finally, to top this implausibility sundae off, the key to the mysterious happenings is supernatural, and Darcy is made to realize that Elizabeth, who believes in phantasmagoria, is correct and he should have trusted her!! Huh? Truly a strange ending, and I think neither JA nor the *real* Lizzie would be pleased. I'll read the ratings for the second book carefully and if that's goofy too I won't be reading anymore; if readers find an improvement, I'll keep going. | ||
 | Hamilton Beach Snowman Ice Shaver | |
 | "excellent -- with one caveat" | 2009-05-20 |
| Yumm!! This inexpensive, compact ice shaver works a treat and effortlessly offers up delicious fluffy shaved ice in a matter of seconds! You can either use the two included forms and fill them with whatever liquid you prefer, or you can just put ice cubes in the hopper (though ice shavings from the round forms are more fluffy). You can freeze liquids such as orange juice, root beer or kool-aid, or you can shave plain ice and add syrups later. This is a fine product and works like a dream. The only problem is that the sharp blade inside the hopper is exposed and you need to be VERY careful when cleaning. | ||
 | The Land of Laughs : A Novel | |
| "carroll's first novel" | 2009-04-17 |
| This is Jonathan Carroll's first novel, originally published in 1980 and now, thankfully, being reprinted. I "discovered" Carroll a few months ago and have been trying to track down all of his books, so I was curious to see how it all started, and I was not disappointed in the least. It seems that, from the beginning, Carroll has been a skilled writer with an ear for dialogue and a talent for creating amazing characters in intense settings. This is the story of Thomas Abbey, the slightly embittered son of a famous actor who now teaches literature at a private school. Thomas is bored and withering when he hits upon an idea that gets his juices flowing again -- he will write a biography of the author who helped him through his childhood -- an eccentric recluse who created wondrous worlds populated by extraordinary characters (much like Carroll himself). Shortly before he embarks on a working pilgrimage to the small Missouri hometown of the late author, Thomas meets an interesting, if vexing, woman who also loves the author, and she insinuates herself into the trip but also proves to be an invaluable assistant and sounding board as things in the small town get weird and weirder still. This novel has been likened to the Twilight Zone and Carroll's works in general have been called American magical realism. Both characterizations seem apt, but incomplete. Carroll is a wonderful writer for any genre, and you''ll be doing yourself a favor by getting to know this gifted author. It all started here! Also, check out the author's web site, complete with plays and short stories, at: jonathancarroll.com | ||
 | Justice Hall by Laurie R. King, ISBN 0553111132 | |
| "6th in a deservedly popular series" | 2009-04-13 |
| Laurie King is the writer behind a wonderful series based on an alternate ending to the Holmes saga. In these novels Holmes meets and weds a young woman who is as dazzling as he, and this sixth is no different -- a fun read with many of the classic elements (heirs in danger! secret marriages! characters who are not what they appear!) with flawless dialogue and plotting. It was a delight to be reacquainted with two charismatic characters from O Jerusalem, Mahmoud and Ali. I wish Holmes would have appeared more, but I always wish that. If you are familiar with the series, you will enjoy this; if you are not, you should read The Beekeeper's Apprentice first -- magical! | ||
 | Justice Hall (Mary Russell Novels (Paperback)) | |
| "6th in a deservedly popular series" | 2009-04-13 |
| Laurie King is the writer behind a wonderful series based on an alternate ending to the Holmes saga. In these novels Holmes meets and weds a young woman who is as dazzling as he, and this sixth is no different -- a fun read with many of the classic elements (heirs in danger! secret marriages! characters who are not what they appear!) with flawless dialogue and plotting. It was a delight to be reacquainted with two charismatic characters from O Jerusalem, Mahmoud and Ali. I wish Holmes would have appeared more, but I always wish that. If you are familiar with the series, you will enjoy this; if you are not, you should read The Beekeeper's Apprentice first -- magical! | ||
 | Justice Hall: A Mary Russell Novel (Thorndike Large Print Mystery Series) | |
| "6th in a deservedly popular series" | 2009-04-13 |
| Laurie King is the writer behind a wonderful series based on an alternate ending to the Holmes saga. In these novels Holmes meets and weds a young woman who is as dazzling as he, and this sixth is no different -- a fun read with many of the classic elements (heirs in danger! secret marriages! characters who are not what they appear!) with flawless dialogue and plotting. It was a delight to be reacquainted with two charismatic characters from O Jerusalem, Mahmoud and Ali. I wish Holmes would have appeared more, but I always wish that. If you are familiar with the series, you will enjoy this; if you are not, you should read The Beekeeper's Apprentice first -- magical! | ||
 | Leonardo Da Vinci and the Renaissance Treasure Chest (Treasure Chests(tm)) | |
| "interesting multimedia kit to augment Renaissance studies for middle grades" | 2009-02-27 |
| This kit has a number of interesting activities to supplement texts about the Renaissance, in general, and da Vinci, in particular. Activities and supplies include: a nifty metallic treasure chest with a secret drawer; a model flying machine with pilot -- this was moderately difficult to build and worked only slightly, but it has a stand and is impressive looking; a model of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with its famous Brunelleschi dome -- this is difficult to build with glue as instructed (but much easier and quicker with a stapler!) but it looks good when it's done; punched drawing to illustrate the punched cartoon technique used by artists of the time; a 12-page pretend notebook of Leonardo's with examples of his sketches; a timeline of the events in the Maestro's life as well as concurrent events in Renaissance Europe; a sliding image to contrast the look of The Last Supper, before and after restoration; a built-in Alberti grid, squares imprinted on a transparent sheet to help an artist maintain perspective; a nice little book with sections on Leonardo's life, exploration, painting, sculpture and Gutenberg. We enjoyed this set of activities, finding them interesting if not inspired. The quality of the materials is good, but we all thought the instructions were abysmal. | ||
 | A Catch of Consequence | |
| "flawed but fascinating look at Revolutionary America and Britain" | 2009-01-14 |
| Diana Norman is a gifted writer. She draws characters quickly and beautifully, and puts them in fascinating situations. This is the story of Makepeace Burke, a tough entrepreneurial single spinster (aged 26!) in colonial Boston. One day, as she is returning from clearing the lobster traps, she sees something in the water; when she realizes it is a man, and alive at that, she decides to reel him in, despite the fact that it could be the Sons of Liberty who have put him in the drink. Indeed, this one action changes her life forever, and affects every aspect of her life from then on. The action takes place primarily in Boston and England, with a cast full of interesting characters. There are some improbable situations, and our protagonist is not always likable or easily understood, but I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone interested in historical fiction, character-driven stories or women's lit. I will definitely buy others in the series. | ||
 | Fun With Hieroglyphs | |
| "entertaining and educational set" | 2009-01-13 |
| Issued by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one would expect an excellent educational toy, and that's what this is. In a nice book format, you get a plastic case that holds 24 rubber stamps of hieroglyphs and an ink pad, and a 48-page color book, Fun with Hieroglyphs; it has lots of pictures and charts, and middle-school level text about the alphabet, counting, spelling, sounds, scribes and those who deciphered these intriguing symbols. There are also 9 small puzzles, such as word match, deciphering and word seek. This is a decent, fairly thorough and entertaining addition to classical curriculum or a great toy for a kid who is interested in Egypt or codes. For advanced primary students, but most useful for middle school ages. | ||
 | The Wooden Sea : A Novel | |
| "another brilliant gem from a writer who has talent, skill and imagination" | 2009-01-13 |
| I love to read, always have. I cast a wide net, and though I find pleasure in reading beloved authors, I am also on a constant hunt -- looking for a worthwhile mind to follow. A few months ago I "found" Jonathan Carroll, an American who has lived in Vienna for many years. Over the years I have "found" Richard Russo, Jane Smiley, Larry Beinhart et al, and it's such a joy -- to be able to read so many of their works in short order, and then follow their career, their artistry. I feel thrilled to be in the midst of reading Jonathan Carroll's books right now. Carroll's style is accessible and seamless. His descriptions read naturally and yet convey a wealth of information. His characters are quickly captured yet still intriguing, hinting at fascinating complexities you must think about at your leisure because there is something even MORE interesting happening over there, in the next sentence. Carroll's mind is full of interesting turns and nooks, his novels based in realistic people facing surrealistic events, and learning from them. Carroll's novels entertain AND provoke thought, and The Wooden Sea is no exception. Frannie McCabe is the police chief of a small town. His life is filled with remarkable people, but he has time to reflect on his relationships and his misspent youth as he attends to duty. On this day, McCabe takes in a three-legged dog, and from that point on, the story veers into a collision between the "normal" and whats-happening-now, with grounded, flawed Frannie McCabe as our guide. If you enjoy fine writing, meaty description, interesting characters and life's big questions, I think you should give this novel (and others by Jonathan Carroll) a try. If you already know Carroll's work, then yes, it is as good as his others. Also, check out his web site for some wonderful short stories and screenplays. www.jonathancarroll.com | ||
 | The Marriage of Sticks | |
| "wonderful novel that will make you think" | 2009-01-13 |
| Nobody disputes Jonathan Carroll's writing ability. He has a wonderful style and paints word portraits deftly. Some might not appreciate that surrealist elements appear in an otherwise straightforward novel. My mother, for example, hates anything that is animated or allegorical. She likes reality. I, on the other hand, enjoy the odd whimsy, the burning questions, the what-the-heck-was-that element of surprise that inhabits Carroll's narrative. He is a pleasure to read, at all times, period. This story is told in the first person by Miranda, a dealer in antiquities and oddities for eccentric Manhattanites. A high school reunion starts us off, as we join our angsty but mainly sympathetic narrator in media res, just before she meets the love of her life -- a married man. Miranda knows lots of interesting people who do interesting things, and she is about to have some amazing things happen to her. Whether or not you think you might not enjoy magical elements with your fiction, Carroll is a gifted writer with a fascinating story to tell -- what's not to enjoy? I am going to give my mother a copy and see if I can win her over to the surreal side. You should take a chance too! | ||
 | Bones of the Moon | |
| "not his best" | 2009-01-05 |
| This is the fourth book I've read by this author, and my least favorite. It's the story of Cullen, a young woman living in NYC who eventually falls in love and marries, and then begins to dream about a magical land where she enters into a quest with her aborted son and their animal companions. What I have loved about Carroll in his other books is his effortless narration, which makes the appearance of magical elements quite interesting; in this book however, his style is clunky and off-putting (perhaps purposefully, but still not appreciated), making the dream world as well as the "real" world places full of awkward dialogue and groping action. There's a reason we don't want to hear oher people's dreams in lengthy detail, and this protagonist's dreams are no exception. I agree completely with the reviewer who said that Cullen's dream world is just a boring place with silly names. I plodded through to the end, hoping that a writer as talented as Carroll would somehow pull it out of the trash heap toward the end, but no such luck. IMHO, if you really like this author and want to read everything he's written, go ahead; but if you are new to this author, don't let this be your first of his novels. There are others, much better than this. | ||
 | The Face of Deception | |
 | "fine thriller with interesting characters" | 2009-01-05 |
| I have read and enjoyed other novels by Iris Johansen, and this was no exception. Johansen is a very good writer and her characters are lively and interesting, the situations less so. Eve Duncan is a forensic sculptor. She reconstructs faces from skulls and she's considered one of the best in the world. Enter John Logan, a billionaire who will give Eve anything she wants in exchange for her expertise on a secret project. When Eve finally relents, she is whisked away both literally and figuratively as assassins and political figures become involved in covering up what Logan and Duncan find. I found the plot intriguing and the characters very interesting, though Eve was a bit maudlin in her grief and the situations were not always realistic. Still, I don't resent the time I spent reading this book and would recommend it to others, though I think there are better works by this author. | ||
 | This Pen for Hire: A Jaine Austen Mystery (Jaine Austen Mysteries) | |
| "fun fast read" | 2008-10-11 |
| The big draw here is the very funny narrative voice, a smart-alecky freelance writer, Jaine, who becomes involved in murder after her note prompts the victim to go on a date with nebbish Howard, Jaine's client and the police's prime suspect. Jaine impersonates a reporter and a detective, among others, to catch the real killer, and along the way she makes a few friends and even gets a date or two! This is a fun read. Though the mystery itself is not demanding, I enjoyed the heroine and her comments about the world around her. | ||
 | Gone for Good | |
| "excellent thriller" | 2008-09-03 |
| This is my first book by this author, and I enjoyed it very much. It's the story of Will Klein, a social worker in Manhattan whose life changed 11 years ago when his brother was accused of killing Will's ex-girlfriend. The story begins when Will's mother, dying of cancer, tells him that his brother (who's been missing and presumed dead for those 11 years), is alive. Shortly afterward, Will's soulmate disappears and is implicated in a double homicide in another state. The story is interesting and filled with lots of plot twists and fascinating characters. If there was any fault it was in the too goody-goody narrative voice, but that naivete was important to the story, and I would happily read another book by this author. | ||
 | A Grave Talent | |
| "decent mystery" | 2008-06-19 |
| I really enjoyed Laurie King's "The Beekeeper's Apprentice", so I looked forward to reading this introduction to a new female detective in San Francisco, Kate Martinelli. Unfortunately I thought the book, though well-written, was not a very interesting mystery. There was a highly contrived device to place all suspicion in one small cmmunity, a way too obvious suspect and not enough believable development of some of the main characters. I agree with previous criticism that Martinelli's partner is supposed to be tough and demanding, but he turns into a pussycat in a couple of pages and for the rest of the book. Also, the main suspect is constantly described as more remarkable and special than just about anyone else on the planet, but we're always just TOLD that, rarely SHOWN it. This is NOT a horrible book. Just not great. I don't resent the time I spent on it, but I won't read another in the series either. | ||
 | Frommer's Chicago with Kids | |
| "excellent family guide to Chicago" | 2008-05-07 |
| During a recent trip to Chicago, I used several guide books to plan and use during the holiday, and I found this particular reference the one I used most frequently and the one I threw in the backpack as we headed out the door. This guide was indispensable, containing suggested itineraries, an overview of the city, great ideas for excursions -- tours, strolls, attractions, shopping and entertainment -- as well as a history of the city and superb chapters on hotels and restaurants. We stayed at a hotel that is surprisingly inexpensive and in a great location, with which our native friends were impressed! The guide is written in a friendly style, is well-organized, has lots of maps, and is jam-packed with useful information. A superb guide to Chicago for families. Highy recommended. | ||
 | Frommer's | |
| "informative and readable guide to a great city" | 2008-05-07 |
| We made good use of this walking guide to Chicago, and found the information acurate, informative and fun. There are ten tours: Architecture Tour of the Loop, Sculpture Tour of the Loop, South Michigan Avenue and Grant Park, Magnificent Mile, Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Oak Park and Hyde Park. each tour starts with information about the starting and end points, public transportation, time of the walk, best time to walk and worst time. The walks feature building and places of interest, with stories and eateries along the way. Lots of fun and very useful! | ||
 | Baedeker's Netherlands by Baedeker's Guides, ISBN 0749525363 | |
| "lovely guide and useful planner" | 2008-04-09 |
| Having just returned from a visit to the Netherlands, we found Baedeker's to be very useful for planning our trips around the country. Unlike many guides, this one includes almost every city in the country. With small print, it is packed with great historical information and nice full color pictures. Maps and layouts are often included too, but the book is not especially useful for transportation information. Hotel, restaurant and shopping sections are short and we did not use them much. Highly recommended. | ||
 | Frommer's | |
| "terrific guide to Manhattan" | 2007-05-19 |
| We recently returned from a trip to Manhattan and used this book (among others) to take a few self-guided walking tours. This book was easy to carry and filled with useful and fun information. The walks cover the following areas of Manhattan (but not the other burroughs): Lower Manhattan/Financial District, Chinatown, Jewish Lower East Side, SoHo, Greenwich Village Literary Tour, East Village, Midtown, Central Park, Upper West Side, Upper East Side -- nothing above the park. With those deficiencies in mind, we still found this guide useful and informative. It's well organized and includes info on nearby restaurants and transportation. Emphasis on the cultural, literary and political history of each area. | ||
 | Frommer's | |
| "most useful book for us in NY" | 2007-05-19 |
| Our family recently spent time in Manhattan. We took several books with us, and this was the one we found most useful. It's not perfect -- I found myself flipping pages a lot to connect restaurants and attractions etc, but it was still so loaded with good info that I always took it with me when we went out. We found several good restaurants that were just as depicted (though one was closed), and we chose several places to visit and were not disappointed. There's a good introductory chapter as well as excellent information about parks, playgrounds, restaurants, hotels, shopping, walks, entertainment and side trips. No pictures. Excellent resource. | ||
 | Storied City: A Children's Book Guide to New York City | |
| "enjoyable tour guide for seeing NYC with kids" | 2007-05-18 |
| We recently returned from a visit to Manhattan, having used this guide (along with several others); we found it enjoyable and useful. There are eleven tours: Lower Manhattan, Greenwich Village/East Village/SoHo, Flatiron District/Gramercy Park/Chelsea, Midtown Manhattan, Central Park/Upper East Side, Central Park/Upper West Side, Harlem/Northern Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island; each tour includes a map of the tour, an introduction, readable text concerning authors, book settings and the history of New York City, small pictures and line drawings, and lists of additional authors connected to each area. There is no information about amenities along the way (restaurants, bathrooms, playgrounds). We found a wealth of information and many literary references -- it would be smart to read this ahead of time so you can select and read some of the referenced books before your trip. | ||
 | Art Fraud Detective : Spot the Difference, Solve the Crime! | |
| "fun problem solving puzzle to introduce art to kids" | 2007-04-09 |
| This book was a lot of fun for my son and I. Readers are told that four gangs of forgers have replaced most of an art museum's paintings, and only we can help figure out which are real and which are forged. Using a magnifying glass, you compare 8" by 5" four color paintings to 4" by 4" originals, looking for changes (such as missing items or objects with different coloration). This allows you to fill in a chart which allows you to deduce the forgers, the snitch and the unchanged paintings, thereby saving the museum. 34 painintgs are here, by Van Eyck, Piero, Uccello, Botticelli, Raphael, Leonardo, Gossaert, Massys, Holbein, Marinus, Brueghel, Avercamp, Brugghen, Rembrandt, Steenwyck, Velde, Hooch, Vermeer, Chardin, Perronneau, Gainsborough, Turner, Constable, Watteau, Os, Delaroche, Ingres, Morisot, Degas, Monet, Rousseau, Seurat, Van Gogh and Picasso. Each painting is accompanied by a couple of paragraphs about the artist and the painting. We both enjoyed finding the mistakes, filling out the chart and solving the puzzle; the game also stimulated a discussion of painting and artists. It took us a few sessions to solve everything, but it was enjoyable time. I would buy other books by this author. | ||
 | Cody Unplugged | |
| "excellent chapter book" | 2007-02-28 |
| This installment of Betsy Duffey's series about Cody Michaels is just as fun as the others! Cody's mom, worried that her son is too enamored of television and video games, signs him up for a one-week summer camp experience. Cody is horrified and thinks of lots of reasons not to go, but after a couple of days he finds he is having a good time -- even without electricity! Funny and well written, this should be a hit with beginning readers or those ready for chapter books. Terrific. | ||
 | Spotlight on Cody | |
| "excellent chapter book" | 2007-02-28 |
| Betsy Duffey writes many great books, and this installment of her series about Cody Michaels is no exception. Cody is a third grader who panics when his teacher announces a talent show. Everyone else seems to have a skill -- but not him! He asks his friends and his family for help, and has a few comicly disastrous failures, until Cody realizes that he can do something very well! There is a parallel story concerning a class project, which details a caterpillar emerging from its cocoon just as Cody discovers his talent. Well written and a hit with beginning readers or those ready for chapter books, the story also features nice friendships between male and female characters. Terrific on many levels. | ||
 | Cody Unplugged (Cody, 5) | |
| "excellent chapter book" | 2007-02-28 |
| This installment of Betsy Duffey's series about Cody Michaels is just as fun as the others! Cody's mom, worried that her son is too enamored of television and video games, signs him up for a one-week summer camp experience. Cody is horrified and thinks of lots of reasons not to go, but after a couple of days he finds he is having a good time -- even without electricity!
Funny and well written, this should be a hit with beginning readers or those ready for chapter books. Terrific. | ||
 | Wonders of the World (Dover Coloring Book) | |
| "a homeschooling treasure" | 2007-02-12 |
| One of the problems with many history texts is their focus on warfare and military history -- fine as far as it goes, but not the only human story worth telling. This coloring book, featuring 27 architectural and engineering feats from 3500 BC - 1325 AD, is a great way to approach history in a non-militaristic way, looking at constructive accomplishments as a lens through which to discuss civilizations. Each entry has a couple of paragraphs of informative text. A very nice book.
The 27 wonders are: the Parthenon, Temple of Artemis, the Olympian Zeus, Mausoleum, Colossus of Rhodes, Lighthouse of Alexandria, Pyramids at Giza, Great Sphinx, Abu Simbel, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Petra, Persepolis, Stonehenge, Colosseum, Taj Mahal, Shwedagon Pagoda, Borobudur Temple, Angkor Wat, Great Wall of China, Stone Heads of Easter Island, Banaue Rice Terraces, Machu Picchu, Tikal, Palenque, Tenochtitlan, Mont-Saint-Michel and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. | ||
 | Star Wars Darth Vader Ultimate Villain Kit | |
| "excellent gift for Star Wars fans" | 2006-07-21 |
| This boxed set is a great gift for kids (or small adults) who want to play Darth Vader. Included is the Darth Vader Voice Changer, with three modes of operation -- Vader's breathing, different quotes from the movie, or a changer that alters the wearer's voice. This is the same voice changer that is available separately and has been heavily advertised since 2005. Also included are a cape with a velcro closure and a red light saber that expands to several feet and requires 2 "C" batteries in order to light up and make sounds. The items have so far been quite durable, and our little SW fan is having a blast. The helmet/voice changer is not really big enough for an adult as stated. (Yes, I've tried it!) But it should fit kids and teens. The cape, however, will be too small for anyone who's already gone through their pre-teen growth! Very nice set, but save some money and just get the voice changer if that's the only item you want. | ||
 | Geography from A to Z : A Picture Glossary (Trophy Picture Book) | |
| "good introduction to geography and reference books" | 2005-10-22 |
| Being a glossary, this book is a dictionary of geography terms beginning with "archipelago" and ending with "zone". Definitions are short and incomplete, but enough for the target audience of 7-10 year olds. The illustrations are bold and colorful. See also "Maps and Globes" by the same team for the same age group. | ||
 | 2024: A Graphic Novel | |
| "entertaining satire" | 2005-08-24 |
| If you've seen Ted Rall's gloopy-nosed box figures, you'll know it. He has a distinctive style and a distinctive wit, which is informed here by Orwellian nightmares as our "hero", Winston, not only copes with fickle neopostmodernism but embraces it. It is a thoroughly depressing vision of the future, but somehow it is funny too. So perhaps Ted Rall is part of the problem -- getting us to laugh instead of fight as we enter the slaughterhouse gates? Yes. No. Whatever. | ||
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