Saturday, July 31, 2010

Bread: A Baker's Book of Techniques and Recipes

Bread: A Baker's Book of Techniques and Recipes Review



I have been baking bread on a weekly basis for many years and own many bread books. Despite my many years of baking bread, there were techniques I had read about but never understood. Likewise, consistency of results was at times spotty, with bread not quite meeting expectation from time to time, for reasons unknown. Having read through this book, I have discovered the hows and the whys of bread baking. Methods, techniques, are clearly explained and illustrated, and the effects of variations in ingredients has become clear.

Bread: A Baker's Book of Techniques and Recipes has taken my baking to a new level, and has given me an arsenal of formulas and techniques that are yielding consistent, top quality results. Mr. Hamelman has proven himself to be not just a master baker, but a master instructor.

My one caveat would be that as others have already stated, this is not a book for someone who just wants to make a quick loaf of bread. With over 400 pages of formulas, and detailed technical discussions this is not for the beginner or faint of heart. If however you are a serious baker who desires to take their bread making to new levels this is one book well worth the price.



Bread: A Baker's Book of Techniques and Recipes Feature


  • ISBN13: 9780471168577
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed



Bread: A Baker's Book of Techniques and Recipes Overview


The warm, complex aroma of a fresh-baked loaf of bread can be utterly tantalizing; the first bite, a revelation. In Bread: A Baker's Book of Techniques and Recipes, award-winning master baker Jeffrey Hamelman presents the definitive, one-stop reference on the art and science of bread baking - a kitchen essential for seasoned home bakers and professionals alike. Hamelman, a professional baker for nearly three decades, was a member of the United States national baking team that won first place in the 1996 Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie, the bread-baking World Cup. Here, he shares this experience, putting world-class artisanal loaves within reach of any serious baker. Opening with a comprehensive overview of the foundations - essential ingredients; hand techniques for kneading, scoring, and shaping; the basic process from mixing through baking - he lucidly guides bakers through all elements of this richly rewarding craft.

Bread contains 118 detailed, step-by-step recipes for an array of breads: versatile sourdough ryes; breads made with pre-ferments; and simple, straight dough loaves. Recipes for brioche, focaccia, pizza dough, flat breads, and other traditional baking staples augment the diverse collection of flavors, tastes, and textures represented within these pages. From the delicate flavor and aroma of classic French baguettes to the mellow smoothness of Roasted Garlic Levain, a bread for every season and every palate is here.

Each recipe clearly outlines the key stages, with easy-to-use charts that list ingredients in both American and metric measures, quantities appropriate for home baking, and baker's percentages. Hundreds of drawings vividly illustrate techniques, and 35 handsome color photographs display finished breads. Sidebars accompany each recipe and section with valuable tips, from the subtle art of tasting and evaluating breads to the perfect fare to complement Vollkornbrot. A complete chapter on decorative breads - with instructions on techniques as well as a wide variety of exquisite patterns - will inspire magnificent display creations.

Laced throughout the book, Hamelman's personal narratives offer a compelling portrait of a lifelong love affair with bread and vividly communicate this passion. For bakers seeking to finesse this time-honored craft or simply to learn the tricks of the trade from a real master, Bread is a resource to be consulted time and time again.





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A Stroke of Midnight (Meredith Gentry, Book 4)

A Stroke of Midnight (Meredith Gentry, Book 4) Review



This novel picks up where Seduced by Moonlight left off. Merry is still in faerie starting off with a press conference in the UnSeelie court. There is a spell to keep the reporters from wandering away from the conference. Somehow a photographer wandered away and got himself murdered along with a pastry chef. This murder brings up a lot of emotion from the past for Merry. Her father's murderer was never caught, but she has a chance to catch this murderer. For the first time ever police are to enter faerie to help with the murder. There are also spells against Merry and Queen Andais that are almost catastrophic. Merry is the heir to the throne, all she has to do is get pregnant. The queen is so one track minded about this, she keeps throwing more of her royal guards to get the job done. During the murder investigation the Queens Head guard Mistral comes to greet Merry. As a vessel for Danu, Merry and Mistral bring back magic that has long been lost to faerie. Other Royal guards also bring back magic and faerie back to life through Merry and Danu. I adore Mistral! Who's your favorite guard??
This book is great, definitely one of my favorites! It is very fast paced, lots of action, steamy erotica, and deep character development. I admire the research done to tell the tales of gods and goddesses, and all the faerie history. Highly recommended series and novel!



A Stroke of Midnight (Meredith Gentry, Book 4) Feature


  • ISBN13: 9780345443601
  • Condition: New
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A Stroke of Midnight (Meredith Gentry, Book 4) Overview


I am Meredith Gentry, P.I., solving cases in Los Angeles, far from the peril and deception of my real home–because I am also Princess Meredith, heir to the darkest throne faerie has to offer. The Unseelie Court infuses me with its power. But at what price does such magic come? How much of my human side will I have to give up, and how much of the sinister side of faerie will I have to embrace? To sit on a throne that has ruled through bloodshed and violence for centuries, I might have to become that which I dread the most.

Enemies watch my every move. My cousin Cel strives to have me killed even now from his prison cell. But not all the assassination attempts are his. Some Unseelie nobles have waited centuries for my aunt Andais, Queen of Air and Darkness, to become weak enough that she might be toppled from her throne. Enemies unforeseen move against us–enemies who would murder the least among us.

The threat will drive us to allow human police into faerie for the first time in our history. I need my allies now more than ever, especially since fate will lead me into the arm of Mistral, Master of Storms, the queen’s new captain of her guard. Our passion will reawaken powers long forgotten among the warriors of the sidhe. Pain and pleasure await me–and danger, as well, for some at that court seek only death.

I will find new joys with the butterfly-winged demi-fey. My guards and I will show all of faerie that violence and sex are as popular among the sidhe as they are among the lesser fey of our court. The Darkness will weep, and Frost will comfort him. The gentlest of my guards will find new strength and break my heart. Passions undreamed of await us–and my enemies gather, for the future of both courts of faerie begins to unravel.


From the Hardcover edition.





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Thursday, July 29, 2010

Sign and Sing Along: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (Sign and Singalong)

Sign and Sing Along: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (Sign and Singalong) Review



My now 14-month-old daughter has loved this book since we first read it to her at 9 months. She absolutely loves the illustrations, as well as the repetitive nature of the song/book. My daughter now signs the entire song, as do I. I love that she finds signing the song a great comfort, and sometimes signs it over and over as she is falling asleep.

This book is a definite keeper to be loved and cherished. I can't wait to buy the rest of the books in this series! I hope they come out with many, many more.



Sign and Sing Along: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (Sign and Singalong) Feature


  • ISBN13: 9781904550426
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed



Sign and Sing Along: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (Sign and Singalong) Overview


Favorite nursery rhymes and songs with simple and clear signing instructions. Even proficient speakers will long enjoy signing to a favorite song or rhyme.





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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

The Mother-Daughter Book Club

The Mother-Daughter Book Club Review



About a year and a half, ago my daughter and I decided to start a Mother-Daughter book club with some of our friends. It has been a wonderful experience for me because I have had the opportunity to read books with my daughter and hear her thoughts. I also think it's been a great experience for my daughter because she is learning to delve a little deeper into books, and she is also getting much better at expressing her ideas. Needless to say, we are very passionate about our Mother-Daughter book club!

Now given that I am pretty involved in our mother-daughter book club and I read a lot of middle grade books because I have a daughter in that age range, I have no idea why I hadn't read THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB by Heather Vogel Frederick. This book is absolutely perfect for my daughter and me (and our book group.) I am so glad that I finally did because I was sure missing out on a wonderful middle grade book. I absolutely loved this book and its characters!

THE MOTHER -DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB tells the story of four young girls whose mothers (and one father) decide to start a mother-daughter book club. Since girls will be girls, there are many misunderstandings and mishaps (some intentional) along the way. I don't think I will ever get used to how catty girls can be to each other! The story is told from each of the girl's perspectives in alternating chapters. I loved that the author wrote the book this way because it allowed me to understand and appreciate each of the four girls. And, I have no doubt that young girls will definitely relate to at least one of the characters.

Another thing I really liked about this story was that it followed a mother-daughter book club. I loved getting some insight into another book group (even if it was fictional) and seeing how their meetings were held. Our group reads a different book each month, but the club in the story decided to read LITTLE WOMEN over the course of an entire school year. (I happen to love this idea, but I'm not sure it would fly in our group.) I really appreciated how the author incorporated the story and characters of LITTLE WOMEN into the book. The book takes place in the town where Louisa May Alcott lived; and the girls not only visit her home, but they also dress as their favorite character. After reading THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB, my daughter and I both are ready to read LITTLE WOMEN!

I enjoyed this book so much that I didn't want it to end -- I still think these girls have a lot more stories in them. I was very happy to learn that THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB is the first book in a series. Two more books are available -- MUCH ADO ABOUT ANNE (the girls read and discuss ANNE OF GREEN GABLES) and the recently released DEAR PEN PAL (the girls read DADDY-LONG-LEGS.) I can't wait to read these two books too!

THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB is ideal for young girls because it deals with many of the same issues that they face everyday -- peer pressure, mother/daughter relationships, jealousy, insecurity, etc. I was so excited to find that there is a reading guide available in the back of the paperback version. There is also a section on recommended future reading and a worksheet to help the girls come up with some of their personal goals. And since book club wouldn't be complete without yummy food, the author has included some recipes of snacks that they girls in the book served at their own meetings. I really do think this book is ideal for mother-daughter book clubs, and I can't recommend it enough!



The Mother-Daughter Book Club Feature


  • ISBN13: 9781416970798
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed



The Mother-Daughter Book Club Overview


The book club

is about to get

a makeover....

Even if Megan would rather be at the mall, Cassidy is late for hockey practice, Emma's already read every book in existence, and Jess is missing her mother too much to care, the new book club is scheduled to meet every month.

But what begins as a mom-imposed ritual of reading Little Women soon helps four unlikely friends navigate the drama of middle school. From stolen journals, to secret crushes, to a fashion-fiasco first dance, the girls are up to their Wellie boots in drama. They can't help but wonder: What would Jo March do?

Acclaimed author Heather Vogel Frederick will delight daughters of all ages in a novel about the fabulousness of fiction, family, and friendship.





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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

The Web Designer's Idea Book Volume 2: The Latest Themes, Trends and Styles in Website Design

The Web Designer's Idea Book Volume 2: The Latest Themes, Trends and Styles in Website Design Review






The Web Designer's Idea Book Volume 2: The Latest Themes, Trends and Styles in Website Design Overview


This update to The Web Designer's Idea Book is a source of visual inspiration to web designers to help them see what others have done and how they can adapt those ideas to their own needs. It includes a chapter on web-design principles and a chapter about trends in HTML email design.





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The Fires of Heaven (The Wheel of Time, Book 5)

The Fires of Heaven (The Wheel of Time, Book 5) Review



This novel goes into much more detail than others in the series to date as far as character growth and storyline. The action culminates at the end like most novels do along with some added twists and unexpected character changes. Other readers describe this novel (along with many others in the series) as slow and boring. If you like a novel to pique your interest every minute, then this series will leave you disappointed. If you want to immerse yourself into the storyline and world completely, then you are in the right place.

That being said, there was one point of the book that always made me want to read right past it. That was the women constantly getting angry with the men for being decent, well, men. Always rolling their eyes or sternly talking to them as if they were complete idiots. If I didn't know any better, this book feels like it was written by a woman who hated men. I certainly hope that the following novels don't have as much of this bashing as it became old very quick.



The Fires of Heaven (The Wheel of Time, Book 5) Feature


  • ISBN13: 9780812550306
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed



The Fires of Heaven (The Wheel of Time, Book 5) Overview


The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and go. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.






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Monday, July 26, 2010

Anno's Counting Book Big Book

Anno's Counting Book Big Book Review



This beautifully illustrated picture book for numbers 0-12 is a delight! Each of the double-page watercolor illustrations depicts a landscape. In the right margin, the featured number appears. In the left margin, there's a column of 10 boxes. The appropriate box for the featured number is colored in.

The book begins with a desolate, snow-covered landscape . The only color is the light blue of a sky and a frozen river. There is not one house, tree, person or farmhouse. Your child will grasp the "nothingness" of zero.

Turn the page for number 1 and 1 appears in the right margin. On the left, box 1 is colored in the ten-box column. Now in the snowy terrain, we see a bridge across the river and one tree, one skier, one snowman, one dog and one farmhouse. Because there's no text on the page, you and your child can make up your own story about the little village, its people, their activities and what they say to each other.

Turn the page to number 2. It's early spring. The snow is melting; fields are turning brown. We now see a church not far from the farmhouse as well as two trucks , two men, two pine trees, two children running. Your child will have fun pointing out all the pairs on the page. For number 3, it's early spring and guess how many canoes are on the river?

The last illustration is number 12. It's Christmastime in the village! Villagers gather in the snow round a Christmas tree as reindeer fly through the sky. Each of the twelve illustrations have chronicled the year. Seasons pass as the little village grows, children play, crops are harvested and the clock on the church steeple marks the hour.

Have your child "read" to you as you turn each page. The little village and its inhabitants provide lots of room for imagination. A gem of a book! Full parent participation is required to make the village come to life. Highly recommended!




Anno's Counting Book Big Book Overview


First there is an empty field. The it is January, the first month of the year. All alone in the snow stands 1 yellow house. In front, 1 child builds a snowman. Behind the house is 1 tree and 1 black cow. Now, five months later, it is June. There are 6 buildings in the field, 6 children playing, and 6 adults working. One adult tends 6 ducks. Another drives a trains with 6 cars. From 1 to 12, through the months of the year, the town grows. More houses and trees and animals and people can be seen until December arrives with all it's magic.


Anno's Counting Book Big Book Specifications


What kind of a counting book is this? On the first page all we see is a barren winter landscape--a hazy, blue sky above a hazy, white hill. Nothing to count here. But wait, this is zero! On the next page the scene brightens: one tree, one bird, one house. Turn the page again and the snow has started to melt--we find two buildings, two trucks, two trees, two children, two dogs, and two adults. Suddenly there is almost more than we can count on each page! The objects in the beautiful watercolor pictures correspond with each consecutive number, and in addition (so to speak), the number of items on the page increases exponentially.

Mitsumasa Anno, author and illustrator of the award-winning Anno's Journey, has crafted a lovely medium to help kids learn to count. His love for numbers is reflected in the symmetry of every page, as well as his respect for the mathematical relationships that occur all around us. What kind of a counting book is this? The graceful, intelligent, engaging kind. (Ages 4 to 8)




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Saturday, July 24, 2010

1001 Ways to Market Your Books, Sixth Edition (1001 Ways to Market Your Books: For Authors and Publishers)

1001 Ways to Market Your Books, Sixth Edition (1001 Ways to Market Your Books: For Authors and Publishers) Review



This classic book is a worthy and comprehensive (weighing in at 700+ pages) resource for authors and publishers. Writer John Kremer provides an overview of the fundamentals of marketing, how to plan an effective campaign, working with customers, acquiring distribution, and breaking into new markets, such as retail outlets and libraries. The core section of the book covers:

Promotion - speaking engagements, sales material, connecting with bookstores, and obtaining awards and honors

Publicity - book reviews, news releases, the media, print interviews, talk show appearances, and author tours

Advertising - direct mail, lists, telemarketing, book fairs and festivals, and magazine, radio and television placement

Internet Sales - blogging, podcasting, Amazon, newsletters, and websites

Additional Income Sources - selling subsidiary rights and foreign rights, offering services, syndication, teaching, consulting, and spin-offs

Whether you are a traditionally published or self-published author, Kremer's book offers valuable tips and insights to marketing your book for long-term sales.



1001 Ways to Market Your Books, Sixth Edition (1001 Ways to Market Your Books: For Authors and Publishers) Feature


  • ISBN13: 9780912411491
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed



1001 Ways to Market Your Books, Sixth Edition (1001 Ways to Market Your Books: For Authors and Publishers) Overview


Today's most complete handbook on book marketing.


1001 Ways to Market Your Books, Sixth Edition (1001 Ways to Market Your Books: For Authors and Publishers) Specifications


John Kremer's home might be nestled in Iowa cornfields, but his advice on book marketing comes straight from publishing's epicenter. 1001 Ways to Market Your Books is a tome of biblical proportion, a 700-page "organized potpourri" of useful ideas, examples, tips, and suggestions. You name it, Kremer covers it: publication scheduling, series and directory writing, attaining bestsellerdom, direct mail, cover design, offbeat advertising, online sales, alternative markets, and much (really!) more. He includes addresses and phone numbers, Web site addresses, and hundreds of marketing stories from authors and publishers. It is these stories that inspire one to think outside the box. One Canadian author changed his last name from Zimmerman to Cimmerman purely for bookstore-placement purposes. And Greg Godek, author of 1001 Ways to Be Romantic, performs a reverse shoplift. He sneaks copies of his books onto stores' shelves, figuring that if a copy sells, the store will order more. --Jane Steinberg




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Friday, July 23, 2010

The Last Book In The Universe

The Last Book In The Universe Review





Have you ever imagined the future and what might change in it? Have you ever thought on what may happen to all the small things such as computers, video games, even books? Well when you read The Last Book in the Universe, then you will understand. This book is all about an epic journey following a young boy, an older boy, and an old man who lived in the past and is now struggling to live in the future. In this book the past in known as the back times.

The young boy who is around six years old, name is unknown but he is referred as little face. The much older boy who is around fifteen years old is known as Spaz. Finally the old man is known as Ryter. In the book the story is being told by Spaz. I recommend this book to readers who love great adventurous, mysterious, shocking, and heart warming books. I rate The Last Book in the Universe a 5 star rating completely.

-KSC




The Last Book In The Universe Overview


In a world where most people are plugged into brain-drain entertainment systems epileptic teenager Spaz is a rare human being who can see life for what it really is. When he meets an old man called Ryter, he begins to learn about earth and its past. With Ryter as his companion, Spaz sets off on an unlikely quest to save his dying sister ­ and in the process, perhaps the world.





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Disaster Status (Mercy Hospital, Book 2)

Disaster Status (Mercy Hospital, Book 2) Review



Candace Calvert has gone and done it to me again ... she has written a novel, a Christian romance, no less, that I enjoyed. A lot. Disaster Status, The second of her Mercy Hospital series, is a medical drama, set in a hospital in California. Her characters struggle with their lives and choices as they struggle to save others, as physicians, nurses, and in this book, a firefighter/paramedic. She focuses on story, and keeps the story both interesting and realistic. What she writes about is played over again and again in emergency services throughout the country. She writes with a deft touch, approaching subjects that are usually quite difficult to express well.

Once again, Ms. Calvert touches on an aspect of my own experience, that of working with persons with severe mental illness ... personalizing that particular character, giving us internal dialog and leading the reader through his psychosis, helping to understand in ways most people don't get to see how what seems bizarre and strange to people on the outside, seems a sane and reasonable response to the patient's interpretation of the world. She doesn't fall into the trap many dramatizations of mental illness do, that is that mentally ill people, particularly schizophrenics, are automatically violent, but rather shows that when a very small percentage of mentally ill people do act out in a dangerous way, it's not the random actions often portrayed in the news and most popular fiction.

The relationships among her characters are anything but simple and straightforward. There's a very real-life feel to the complexities of their interactions. I look forward to the next installment, Code Triage, due in October 2010.



Disaster Status (Mercy Hospital, Book 2) Feature


  • ISBN13: 9781414325446
  • Condition: New
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Disaster Status (Mercy Hospital, Book 2) Overview


Charge nurse Erin Quinn escaped personal turmoil to work on the peaceful California coast. But when a hazardous material spill places Pacific Mercy Hospital on disaster status and stresses staff, she’s put to the test. And thrown into conflict with the fire department’s handsome incident commander, who thinks her strategy is out of line.
Fire Captain Scott McKenna has felt the toxic effects of tragedy; he’s learned to go strictly by the book to advance his career, heal his family, and protect his wounded heart. When he’s forced to team with the passionately determined ER charge nurse, sparks fly. As they work to save lives, can they handle the attraction kindled between them . . . without getting burned?





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Thursday, July 22, 2010

Rainbow Magic: The Fairies' Birthday Surprise (Scholastic Reader Level 2)

Rainbow Magic: The Fairies' Birthday Surprise (Scholastic Reader Level 2) Review






Rainbow Magic: The Fairies' Birthday Surprise (Scholastic Reader Level 2) Overview


It's the Queen's birthday and the Rainbow Fairies want to surprise her with a special gift. Each fairy sister contributes something of her own, but Indigo doesn't know what to give: nothing seems good enough for Queen Titania! With a little help from Fairyland's creatures, Indigo find just the right gift--and just in time!





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Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Vocabulary Power Plus for the New SAT, Book 3

Vocabulary Power Plus for the New SAT, Book 3 Review



As one of the vocabulary workbooks that I used in high school, I pretty much had no choice but to become familiar with this book. However, I enjoyed using this one very much. It contains a nice mix of everyday words, familiar words that one might already know (but might not be too sure of the definition) and words that one may not know but would find useful. It also contains roots, prefixes, and suffixes with explanations and examples. And, as with any vocabulary book, there are exercises to build skills with each of these. Following the vocabulary and roots/prefixes/suffixes exercises are SAT-prep exercises, which include writing prompts, comparing articles, simple analysis of texts, and grammar exercises. These are all pretty helpful and build skills pretty well.

One problem I've found, however, is the sample sentences, paragraphs, and prompts for the vocabulary words. The author of this book must have been either clinically depressed or disturbed, because some of these things are extremely pessimistic, depressing, and (at times) sadistic. Examples include paragraphs about a masochistic, sadistic criminal (as well as the tale of a man's peccadillo); a criticism of an elitist fop who feels that everyone but himself is wrong, a man dying of thirst and starvation in the desert; a single mother who is in a worse situation than Tommy and Gina, about to get evicted from her apartment after losing her job; an essay on how technology is the root of all evil; a woman who isn't at all moved by the death of her husband and immediately turns her affections to his brother; and a man living a bleak, depressing life working in an office (which may be very telling). As you can tell, the characters all live very happy existences. Honestly, I do not believe the author believes life to be anything but pain, sadness, and meaninglessness. I kept waiting for a paragraph glorifying Count Rugen.

However, after each of these paragraphs (fill-ins) is 15 sentence prompts, one for each vocabulary word. I had fun making up witty sentences and trying to match the author's sadism and depression. So that makes up for the star this would've lost.

All-in-all, it's a great book to use for SAT prep or even just learning new words. Now I'm going to find the author and give him a hug. He really seems to need one.




Vocabulary Power Plus for the New SAT, Book 3 Overview


In 2005, the SAT implemented major revisions, including: New reading sections Analogies removed Multiple-Choice Grammar and Usage Questions Modified Reading Questions. Vocabulary Power Plus for the New SAT addresses all of the revisions in the test without vocabulary studies. Students will benefit from: Focused prefix, suffix, and root practice Challenging inference exercises Detailed critical reading exercises New SAT-style writing and grammar exercises Recommended for grade 11 From the Publisher This is a classroom edition for students. Tests and Answer Keys are available from the publisher, but are sold only to schools and teachers.





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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Covet (Fallen Angels, Book 1)

Covet (Fallen Angels, Book 1) Review



Wasn't sure about this book, Was missing the black dagger brotherhood books, but was pleasantly surprised to find that the book took place in the same city and had some of the same caracters as Black dagger brotherhood. made it seem like home somehow. The erotica was very good.



Covet (Fallen Angels, Book 1) Feature


  • ISBN13: 9780451228215
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed



Covet (Fallen Angels, Book 1) Overview


Redemption isn't a word Jim Heron knows much about-his specialty is revenge, and to him, sin is all relative. But everything changes when he becomes a fallen angel and is charge with saving the souls of seven people from the seven deadly sins. And failure is not an option. Vin DiPietro long ago sold his soul to his business, and he's good with that-until fate intervenes in the form of a tough- talking, Harley-riding, self-professed savior. But then he meets a woman who will make him question his destiny, his sanity, and his heart-and he has to work with a fallen angel to win her over and redeem his own soul.







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Monday, July 19, 2010

Dr. Seuss's ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book!

Dr. Seuss's ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book! Review



This little simple book is wonderful for teaching the alphabet. It has colorful and strange characters, sure to keep your child excited and learning, and its rhyming rythem will help them with their phonics.

If you want to teach your child the alphabet this is a good place to start.

Lori Ann Libby
author of
The Adventures of Henry Hamper and the Flying Fish



Dr. Seuss's ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book! Feature


  • ISBN13: 9780679882817
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed



Dr. Seuss's ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book! Overview


With Dr. Seuss as your guide, learning the alphabet is as easy as A, B, C.


Dr. Seuss's ABC: An Amazing Alphabet Book! Specifications


BIG R, little r,
what begins with R?
Rosy's red rhinoceros.
R...r...R

From Aunt Annie's Alligator to Rosy's red rhinoceros to a Zizzer-Zazzer-Zuzz, learning the alphabet is bound to be fun with Dr. Seuss. And with this small, sturdy board-book version of his classic ABC book (Dr. Seuss's ABC), even the tiniest tots can indulge in a little alphabetical education. Each letter is featured with Dr. Seuss's unmistakably nonsensical illustrations and text: "Lion with a lollipop," "Camel on the ceiling," "Uncle Ubb's umbrella and his underwear, too." The youngest readers-to-be will get lots of letter practice with the repetitive use of each letter and the easy-to-memorize rhythmic rhymes. Soon your favorite preschooler will be reading this book aloud to you! (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter




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Sunday, July 18, 2010

Where Is Baby's Birthday Cake?: A Lift-the-Flap Book (Lift-The-Flap Book (Little Simon))

Where Is Baby's Birthday Cake?: A Lift-the-Flap Book (Lift-The-Flap Book (Little Simon)) Review



My son (almost 18 months) makes me read this book to him OVER AND OVER AND OVER again. It's a sickness, really! Thank goodness I've memorized the book because my son has ripped out nearly all the flaps. He's fun like that. Anyway, I've had to hide the book but it mysteriously reappears (thanks to my husband who gets a kick out of hearing me repeat the same book over and over and over again). Sometimes, I yell to my son, "hey, look over there" and then throw the book under the couch...but again, a few days later...there it is...oh well- I've embraced it and have decided to purchase the entire "lift a flap" collection.



Where Is Baby's Birthday Cake?: A Lift-the-Flap Book (Lift-The-Flap Book (Little Simon)) Feature


  • ISBN13: 9781416958178
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed



Where Is Baby's Birthday Cake?: A Lift-the-Flap Book (Lift-The-Flap Book (Little Simon)) Overview


It's Baby's birthday, but where is his cake? Little ones will love lifting the large, sturdy flaps to find Baby's birthday cake in this new Karen Katz board book. Children will discover sparkly foil objects under each flap until they finally find Baby's yummy, shimmery birthday cake on the final page of this adorable new title.





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Baby Animals Coloring Book (Dover Pictorial Archives)

Baby Animals Coloring Book (Dover Pictorial Archives) Review



I purchased a whole bunch of these adult style coloring books. They really kept my father in law busy for the last few months of his life at the nursing home. He enjoyed all the ones I purchased from dogs, to baby animals, fish, cats, victorian houses, birds, and nature scenes.




Baby Animals Coloring Book (Dover Pictorial Archives) Overview


Nature lovers and coloring book fans of all ages will enjoy coloring such adorable creatures as four little piglets and their mom, two white-tailed fawns, a pair of beagle pups resting under their father's watchful eye, and three lion cubs tended to by their parents. Captions. 30 illustrations.






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Saturday, July 17, 2010

The Recovery Book

The Recovery Book Review



A great textbook for one of my rehabilitation classes. This book sets up a recovery road map. It guides you through getting sober whether through inpatient treatment or detox and explains what it will be like. Once past that phase you are on to saving your life. You can learn about AA and what it will do to help and how you can get back on track even helping you thwart temptation. Once past this point you continue to repair and can start enjoying your life, then prolonging your life and hopefully living the rest of your life chemical free. There is good information for family members to guide you if you have a chemical child, and how to live with someone in recover.



The Recovery Book Feature


  • ISBN13: 9781563050848
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed



The Recovery Book Overview


Attempts to explain exactly what a recovering addict and his or her family will face during every stage of living clean and sober, with information on support groups, family relationships, temptations, and hundreds of questions and answers. Original.





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Friday, July 16, 2010

Vanish (Jane Rizzoli, Book 5)

Vanish (Jane Rizzoli, Book 5) Review



I tend to read Tess Gerritsen books when I feel a reading slump coming on. They're just the perfect books to curb them since they're quick books that have you turning pages at an alarming speed. Anyway, that's why I picked up Vanish. I've been in final project hell and needed something that I would get into right away. While Vanish wasn't my favorite in the Rizzoli and Isles series, it definitely didn't disappoint.

Vanish doesn't so much start off with a bang, but rather a creepy and effective beginning. Mila's story was heartbreaking and enthralling that I found myself wanting the Rizzoli and Isles parts to be over faster just so I can get back to her story. However, the middle was where I started having some issues. I felt that it lagged just a bit with the whole "Jane is a hostage" situation. It wasn't as heart-pounding as I thought it would be. Also, I felt that it was veering towards political thriller territory and that just isn't my cup of tea.

Soon afterwards, my fears were quenched and Vanish went right back to the heart-pounding thriller that I expected it to be with a satisfying ending for some and heartbreaking endings/beginings for others. While there were a few bumps in the road, I enjoyed Vanish immensely.

I also found that I'm not getting sick of the leads. Usually after I've read more than a few in a series, I find that there are certain things that are starting to bother me about the main characters. Just little quirks that are starting to become more apparent after so much time together. This hasn't happened with the Rizzoli and Isles series yet. It's quite the opposite actually. An example of this is when I read the plot for the upcoming book (I believe it's the 8th in the series) and my heart hurt just a little at the thought of what's coming up for Maura. Hopefully, it won't end the way I think it will and there will be another worthy plot twist that won't have me in tears.

Anyway, not only did Vanish curb said reading slump, but it got me that much more excited for the upcoming Rizzoli & Isles series on TNT. So much that I'm now counting down the days until July 12th. So even if Book 8 ends up the way I hope it won't, I'll still have the series there. Unless of course, the people at TNT (I'm not calling the idiots...yet) cancel the show before it's time and then I'll go back to the books and realized they sucked and the show was better...I doubt this will happen. It's not like Tess Gerritsen is James Patterson and the Rizzoli & Isles series is the Women's Murder Club...




Vanish (Jane Rizzoli, Book 5) Overview


A blessed event becomes a nightmare for pregnant homicide detective Jane Rizzoli when she finds herself on the wrong side of a hostage crisis in this timely and relentless new thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of Body Double.

A nameless, beautiful woman appears to be just another corpse in the morgue. An apparent suicide, she lies on a gurney, awaiting the dissecting scalpel of medical examiner Maura Isles. But when Maura unzips the body bag and looks down at the body, she gets the fright of her life. The corpse opens its eyes.

Very much alive, the woman is rushed to the hospital, where with shockingly cool precision, she murders a security guard and seizes hostages . . . one of them a pregnant patient, Jane Rizzoli.

Who is this violent, desperate soul, and what does she want? As the tense hours tick by, Maura joins forces with Jane’s husband, FBI agent Gabriel Dean, to track down the mysterious killer’s identity. When federal agents suddenly appear on the scene, Maura and Gabriel realize that they are dealing with a case that goes far deeper than just an ordinary hostage crisis.

Only Jane, trapped with the armed madwoman, holds the key to the mystery. And only she can solve it–if she survives the night.


From the Hardcover edition.





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Thursday, July 15, 2010

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1)

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1) Review



A Game of Thrones is the first installment in George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series. Martin is a talented writer with a knack for descriptive writing and the ability to juggle quite a large cast of characters. Each chapter is entitled with the name of a character whose point of view that chapter will take. Many of these POV characters are members of the honorable Stark family, Lords of the North. Some of the characters who are supposed to be considered "good" fall short of being likeable while one of the members of the antagonistic Lannister family is actually quite likeable in his own strange little way. I feel like that makes the characters more realistic. In real life, not everyone is likeable despite the fact that they are not evil. Likewise, bad people are often the most charming individuals.

Although the book is quite cumbersome at just over 800 pages, it is pretty refreshing as far as fantay novels go. There is magic but it does not take the story over...it just sort of hangs around in the background for most of the book. The story almost reads like a historical novel. While most of the story takes place on a fictional continent where the culture is modeled after midieval England, one very important story line takes place across the sea and is centered around a culture much like that of early Mongolia. This is a culture not often used in fantasy and it brings and interesting perspective to the book. The book is so long that this change of cultural scenery tends to keep things from getting too monotonous.

Although I really like this book and will definitely read the rest of the series, I would not be completely honest if I didn't lodge just a few complaints. First, every passage that included any type of "romance" was a crass excerpt that could easily have been preceded by the words "Dear Penthouse." They sounded like they were written by a 16 year old boy rather than an accomplished writer. And, quite frankly, a few of them made me feel a little dirty. The only other complaint I have(and it is a minor one) is that every couple hundred pages or so a word or phrase popped up that just didn't quite seem to fit. This didn't really detract from the overall story much but it did stick out a little. I mean, the word "fart" really has no place in an epic fantasy among knights and castles.

All in all, this book is definitely worth the read for any fan of fantasy liturature. The series currently stands at four books with plans for at least two more. However, the release for the fifth book has been a long time coming. Apparently, the author has been promising and recanting on the release for the last several years. Many are worried that the series will go unfinished. I fervently hope that this is not the case and that the current rumor of a 2010 release will be realized.




A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1) Overview


Here is the first volume in George R. R. Martin’s magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords. As a whole, this series comprises a genuine masterpiece of modern fantasy, bringing together the best the genre has to offer. Magic, mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill these pages and transport us to a world unlike any we have ever experienced. Already hailed as a classic, George R. R. Martin’s stunning series is destined to stand as one of the great achievements of imaginative fiction.

A GAME OF THRONES

Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.

Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.


A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1) Specifications


Readers of epic fantasy series are: (1) patient--they are left in suspense between each volume, (2) persistent--they reread or at least review the previous book(s) when a new installment comes out, (3) strong--these 700-page doorstoppers are heavy, and (4) mentally agile--they follow a host of characters through a myriad of subplots. In A Game of Thrones, the first book of a projected six, George R.R. Martin rewards readers with a vividly real world, well-drawn characters, complex but coherent plotting, and beautifully constructed prose, which Locus called "well above the norms of the genre."

Martin's Seven Kingdoms resemble England during the Wars of the Roses, with the Stark and Lannister families standing in for the Yorks and Lancasters. The story of these two families and their struggle to control the Iron Throne dominates the foreground; in the background is a huge, ancient wall marking the northern border, beyond which barbarians, ice vampires, and direwolves menace the south as years-long winter advances. Abroad, a dragon princess lives among horse nomads and dreams of fiery reconquest.

There is much bloodshed, cruelty, and death, but A Game of Thrones is nevertheless compelling; it garnered a Nebula nomination and won the 1996 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. So, on to A Clash of Kings! --Nona Vero




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It Happened One Autumn (The Wallflowers, Book 2)

It Happened One Autumn (The Wallflowers, Book 2) Review



This was the second of the Wallflower books I've read, reading Scandal in Spring first, and while I'm reading these out of order I have to say it didn't matter. While you probably should read in order it doesn't matter if you don't and honestly I'm glad I didn't because from other reviews book one is the least strongest of all four. I've promptly devoured three of them and am waiting to get Secrets of a Summer Night.

What can you say about Westcliff and Lillian other than they were wonderful! I loved how they battled eachother in the guise that they hated eachother when in fact they were strongly attracted to eachother. More so Westcliff in the beginning but it didn't take long for Lillian to see he wasn't as much of an oaf as she kept thinking him to be. LOL This is a fantastic series so don't miss it. I only wish it didn't have to end.




It Happened One Autumn (The Wallflowers, Book 2) Overview


It happened at the ball . . .

Where beautiful but bold Lillian Bowman quickly learned that her independent American ways weren't entirely "the thing." And the most disapproving of all was insufferable, snobbish, and impossible Marcus, Lord Westcliff, London's most eligible aristocrat.

It happened in the garden . . .

When Marcus shockingly—and dangerously–swept her into his arms. Lillian was overcome with a consuming passion for a man she didn't even like. Time stood still; it was as if no one else existed . . . thank goodness they weren't caught very nearly in the act!

It happened one autumn . . .

Marcus was a man in charge of his own emotions, a bedrock of stability. But with Lillian, every touch was exquisite torture, every kiss an enticement for more. Yet how could he consider taking a woman so blatantly unsuitable . . . as his bride?







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Wednesday, July 14, 2010

A to Z

A to Z Review



My 3yr old absolutely adores this book!!Its so much fun reading with him and having a book that is teaching him while he's having fun. Its easy and light and does not get him frustrated like other books I've tried to use to get him to learn something. I've learned that Boynton books are a great way to learn and yet still let a child be a child....after all I don't think that at 3 he has to know what college he's going to and what his profession should be....If me reading "U, uglybirds being ugly" makes him giggle, its the best thing in the world!!!




A to Z Overview


Serious silliness for all ages. Artist Sandra Boynton is back and better than ever with completely redrawn versions of her multi-million selling board books. These whimsical and hilarious books, featuring nontraditional texts and her famous animal characters, have been printed on thick board pages, and are sure to educate and entertain children of all ages.





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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

We Belong Together: A Book About Adoption and Families

We Belong Together: A Book About Adoption and Families Review



We just adopted 3 siblings...ages 6, 5, & 4. This book as well as the other Todd Parr books we've purchased are fantastic! They've opened all sorts of discussions with each new page. I find our kids repeating lines from the books. I also highly recommend "It's Okay to be Different" and "The Family Book". Even if you have biological children, they are all great tools for communicating positive ideas and feelings to your children.




We Belong Together: A Book About Adoption and Families Overview


In a kid-friendly, accessible way, this book explores the ways that people can choose to come together to make a family. It's about sharing your home and sharing your heart to make a family that belongs together.






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Monday, July 12, 2010

City of Souls (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 4)

City of Souls (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 4) Review



Let me just first start off by saying, "WOW"!!! I've never read a series before where I felt like screaming, crying, and pissed off all at the same time. One moment, I would be laughing and then the next, I would be screaming and cursing. If you've read any of the previous books, you'll know what I mean. At one point, I felt like throwing the book across the room and stomping on it. Especially the third book towards the end. I mean, if you don't consider that great writing than I don't know what is. The great thing about this book is the roller coaster Vicki Pettersson takes you on. The fact that you never know what the author is going to throw at you next is thrilling. You think you know what's going to happen or where the story will eventually lead to, but Vicki suprises you each time. She definitely knows how to hit the spot. I have to admit, after finishing the first book, I was a little hesitant about continuing with the series. I've never read a book before that left me feeling so distressed... and I mean that literally. But I have to say, I'm so glad I did and her latest installment "City of Souls" was by far the best to date. You see throughout the books how much Joanna/Olivia has really grown as a person which I thought was really important for her character. In the beginning, JOlivia may have seemed a little bit selfish - afterall, who isn't selfish when it comes to their own life right? But by the end of book 4, she really starts to see things in a different light.

The fact that this book actually had me bawling at the end says a lot. I definitely agree that this is a much darker urban fantasy but one that you'll beyond doubt enjoy. I can't wait until the fifth installment comes out!!




City of Souls (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 4) Overview


In Sin City, a little girl suffers from a strange and terrible malady. If she dies, the Light will die along with her.

Warrior, avenger, Joanna Archer has survived countless otherworldly terrors—and has found her rightful place among the agents battling the all-pervasive evil of Shadow . . . even as she struggles against the darkness within herself.

A war is raging for Las Vegas—a city without a heart—one that catapults Joanna into a new world hidden from mortal sight. In this lethally seductive alternate dimension the lines blur between good and evil, love and hate, and here lies the last hope for the Light. But Joanna's price of admission is a piece of her own soul—and the odds of her escaping are slim . . . to none.







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Sunday, July 11, 2010

Rising Storm (Warriors, Book 4)

Rising Storm (Warriors, Book 4) Review



I'm a grandparent who has set up a family "book of the month club" for my eleven-year old granddaughter. Each month she selects a book to read. She became infatuated with the Warriors series by Erin Hunter. The series follows the adventures of four Clans (ThunderClan, ShadowClan, WindClan and RiverClan), large groups of feral or wild cats in their forest homes. So far she's up to date on the series.

Here's an "eleven-year old reader's review of "Book Four: Rising Storm."

This book has a great plot, and a perfect helping of suspense, accompanied by the danger, thrills, and unexpected twists that has made this series one of my favorites. I highly recommend this book!

In Warriors: Book Four: Rising Storm, Fireheart faces fresh challenges as a storm approaches, and his Clan leader continues to be shocked by her former Deputy's treachery. And now that his sister's oldest son, Cloudkit, has become an apprentice by the name of Cloudpaw, Fireheart must take on the responsibility of mentoring the unruly young cat. Much of Thunder Clan makes this an even harder task, as they taunt Cloudpaw and refuse to accept him, as he is a kittypet by nature, not Clan-born. Shadow Clan is blazing through leaders faster than they can handle, and alliances are being formed against Thunder Clan. Fireheart must be stronger and smarter than ever as treachery and traitors lurk in the undergrowth.

I hope this review helps people!

Eleven-Year Old Reader




Rising Storm (Warriors, Book 4) Overview


Fire alone can save our clan...

Fireheart's traitorous enemy Tigerclaw has been vanquished and exiled from ThunderClan—but Fireheart can't shake the feeling that he's lurking out there in the forest, waiting for the chance to strike.

That's not the only problem facing the young ThunderClan deputy in these blazing summer months, as he struggles to handle ominous omens, a disrespectful apprentice with a shocking secret, and a devastated Clan leader who is a shell of her former self.

Meanwhile the forest gets hotter and hotter . . . and everyone braces for the coming storm. . . .







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CLOSE COMBAT [THE CORPS , BOOK VI

CLOSE COMBAT [THE CORPS , BOOK VI Review



Griffin pulls off what so many writers get close to but never quite seem to manage -- an authentic, if slightly romantic, portrait of the US military during the 1930s, 40s and 50s. True, many of the protagonists are wealthy, but many are not. For example, Ken Mccoy is dirt poor until he marries up. There are a lot of promotions to keep things moving, but there's also a number of guys who stay enlisted. What is captured accurately is the look and feel of serving in the pre-Vietnam US military. The Brotherhood of War and The Corps both remind me of Bernard Cornwell's series about Richard Sharpe, tracing his advancement from a Redcoat private and then sergeant in 1799 India to his elevation to Lt. of the 95th Rifles at the Battle of Assaye, and then through the Napoleonic Wars in Portugal, Spain, Denmark and ultimately Waterloo. He retires a Lt. Col., which was almost unheard of for someone raised from the ranks of the British Army, but the chronology is plausible, particularly given the wartime death rate. all in all, I go through the Griffin novels like Doritos and beer -- you can't read just one of them. He is indeed the poet laureate of the American military. Read the Sharpe books too -- you will really enjoy his ability to put you in the action of a 19th century battlefield. They also were made into a first-class series of fourteen 2-hour movies by the BBC, starring Sean Bean as a very convincing Richard Sharpe.




CLOSE COMBAT [THE CORPS , BOOK VI Overview


An epic novel of World War II--and the brave men and women who lived through it.





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Saturday, July 10, 2010

Feast of Fools (Morganville Vampires, Book 4)

Feast of Fools (Morganville Vampires, Book 4) Review



This book picks up right where the previous one left off, right in the middle of the action. I love when books do that. I flew through this book as quickly as the previous three, barely taking time to eat or sleep. I would compare the infamous Mr. Bishop to Dracula - minus the romantic leanings. Nothing about him is remotely appealing, and he has no interest in making himself appealing, unlike the other two power players in town, Oliver and Amelie. Lots of subplots are developed, but this one felt like more time could have been devoted to these other elements and lengthened the novel a bit without sacrificing the quality of the text, such as exploring how Claire could wield the power of Glass House, the effect that Michael had on others when he performed, Claire's problem with her professor, or even Claire's parents reaction to the truth about Morganville. It feels as if there are too many characters in the script and not enough pages to give them all adequate time in the spotlight. I find the character of Myrnin even more fascinating in this book - he seems sort of like the dark town jester. I was also disappointed in Claire's lack of interest in her classes, given that she was so happy about her schedule change in the last book. The funeral of Eve's father seemed forced, like it was inserted in the plot as an afterthought, especially since we did not see her mother at the ball at the end of the book, even though it seems logical that Mrs. Rosser would try to use the occasion to make a specticle of herself, not unlike Monica Morrell. Wow, so I had alot of nit-picky things to say about this book, but I still really enjoyed it and I really like this series, especially the character of Claire, who has more courage and daring than anyone in the book. I look forward to the next one, Lord of Misrule.




Feast of Fools (Morganville Vampires, Book 4) Overview


The wait is over. dig into the feast...

In the town of Morganville, vampires and humans live in relative peace. Student Claire Danvers has never been convinced, though—especially with the arrival of Mr. Bishop, an ancient, old-school vampire who cares nothing about harmony. What he wants from the town’s living and its dead is unthinkably sinister. It’s only at a formal ball, attended by vampires and their human dates, that Claire realizes the elaborately evil trap he’s set for Morganville.





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Friday, July 9, 2010

Jewels of the Sun: The Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy (Irish Trilogy, Book 1)

Jewels of the Sun: The Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy (Irish Trilogy, Book 1) Review



Absolutely stunning work. I have seldom been more engrossed in such a beautiful and real story. I would love to fimd myself a character within this world.



Jewels of the Sun: The Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy (Irish Trilogy, Book 1) Feature





Jewels of the Sun: The Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy (Irish Trilogy, Book 1) Overview


Return to the lush green hills of Ireland, where love is touched by magic--and where the Gallagher siblings explore the depths of their fiery hearts.


Jewels of the Sun: The Gallaghers of Ardmore Trilogy (Irish Trilogy, Book 1) Specifications


In the small village of Ardmore, Ireland, Gallagher's pub is the center of the lively seaside community and the home of three passionate siblings: Aidan, Shawn, and Darcy. As a world traveler and a barkeep, the eldest brother Aidan has just about seen and heard it all, but when a quiet professor from Chicago enters his tavern, he is instantly intrigued--and certain that there is more to Jude Murray than what meets the eye.

Jude has returned to her grandmother's ancestral home to sort out her thoughts, know her heart, and "find Jude F. Murray in six months or less." After a life of deliberate security, Jude finds herself recovering from a failed marriage and a disappointing career. With the pretense of a research expedition, Jude leaves her life in Chicago and moves into the charming house on top of the faerie hill. Surrounded by the awesome scenery and relieved by the simplicity of life, Jude excuses her visions of ghosts and faeries as signs of her mental recovery.

But the inhabitants of Ardmore, and Aidan Gallagher in particular, don't dismiss these apparitions with such convenient logic, and Jude learns to listen more carefully to the messages in the world. As Aidan and Jude draw closer to each other, Jude struggles to discover, balance, and define the complex parts of her soul.

In the character of Jude Murray, Nora Roberts has created a sophisticated woman whose internal development from skittish recluse to confident lover is realistic and convincing. Carefully avoiding the "good man is a solution to all problems" plot, Roberts lets Jude and Aidan interact and develop individually, as well as together as a couple. While this modern tone is refreshing, it feels a bit at odds with the supernatural, faerie themes. As this is the first in a series about the Gallagher siblings and the faerie legend, perhaps these thematic contradictions will sort themselves out in the subsequent novels. --Nancy R.E. O'Brien




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Thursday, July 8, 2010

The Humongous Book of Geometry Problems: Translated for People Who Don't Speak Math

The Humongous Book of Geometry Problems: Translated for People Who Don't Speak Math Review



I used this book in conjunction with the Jurgenson and Brown Geometry textbook this summer to tutor a student who needed to pass an entrance exam in geometry so that he could take Algebra II next semester. He passed with a 95.

I'm a math teacher and tutor, and own the entire Humongous series. I've also been a professional indexer, and I can tell you that I appreciated the care taken with the index (and also the large font used - a nice treat, in comparison with the usual tiny-print indexes!).

There *is* a chapter on logic and proofs, but it's not extensive. However, proofs don't seem to have the emphasis they had back when I studied geometry in the 60's, so it shouldn't be a problem for the modern student.

It's odd that Amazon doesn't provide a view of the table of contents for this book.
I found a website that does provide one - go here:
[...]

I definitely recommend this book for those wishing to learn geometry. It even begins with refresher material on the algebra and rational numbers you'll use in geometry.



The Humongous Book of Geometry Problems: Translated for People Who Don't Speak Math Feature


  • ISBN13: 9781592578641
  • Condition: NEW
  • Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.



The Humongous Book of Geometry Problems: Translated for People Who Don't Speak Math Overview


An ingenious problem-solving solution for befuddled math students.

A bestselling math book author takes what appears to be a typical geometry workbook, full of solved problems, and makes notes in the margins adding missing steps and simplifying concepts so that otherwise baffling solutions are made perfectly clear. By learning how to interpret and solve problems as they are presented in courses, students become fully prepared to solve any obscure problem. No more solving by trial and error!

• Includes 1000 problems and solutions
• Annotations throughout the text clarify each problem and fill in missing steps needed to reach the solution, making this book like no other geometry workbook on the market
• The previous two books in the series on calculus and algebra sell very well





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Wednesday, July 7, 2010

The Little Red Book of Fly Fishing

The Little Red Book of Fly Fishing Review



Great stuff, truly gem stones of wisdom learned on the water from seasoned fly fisherman and years of collected research...it shows in the writing. You can open it up anywhere, read anything, and it will apply to some aspect of your fly fishing experience. Each subject is presented from different angles, and speaks with a kind and helpful tone. This has quickly become my #1 reference book and will be my most treasured resource that I will never "out-grow", no matter how good I get, or how many years I have on the water. And it is small enough to bring everywhere/anywhere.



The Little Red Book of Fly Fishing Feature


  • ISBN13: 9781602399815
  • Condition: NEW
  • Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.



The Little Red Book of Fly Fishing Overview


A pocket guide that offers insightful, plainspoken, expert advice for every fly fisher. Two highly respected outdoor journalists, Kirk Deeter of Field & Stream and Charlie Meyers of the Denver Post, have cracked open their notebooks and shared straight-shot advice on the sport of fly fishing, based on a range of new and old experiences—from interviews with the late Lee Wulff to travels with maverick guides in Tierra del Fuego.

The mission of The Little Red Book of Fly Fishing is to demystify and un-complicate the tricks and tips that make a great trout fisher. There are no complicated physics lessons here. Rather, conceived in the “take dead aim” spirit of Harvey Penick’s classic instructional on golf, The Little Red Book of Fly Fishing offers a simple, digestible primer on the basic elements of fly fishing: the cast, presentation, reading water, and selecting flies. In the end, this collection of 240 tips is one of the most insightful, plainly spoken, and entertaining works on this sport—one that will serve both novices and experts alike in helping them reflect and hone in their approaches to fly fishing.





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Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Defiance (Navy Justice, Book 3)

Defiance (Navy Justice, Book 3) Review



I thought this book was very realistic, and while it is #3 in its series I enjoyed it more than the first two (and I liked the first two). It weaves a tale of today's issues concerning radical Islamic terrorists and its specific threat to America. The book has a believable plot and conclusion, excellent character development, and doesn't leave you thinking the author is trying to weave in a bunch of b.s. I would compare this author with all of the "big name" authors who are recognized for action thrillers such as Vince Flynn and Lee Child. This book is one of those you just don't want to put down. This certainly changes my previous stereotype of Zondervan fiction! Looking forward to starting #4 soon.



Defiance (Navy Justice, Book 3) Feature


  • Defiance Navy Justice, Book 3 Paperback
  • Defiance Navy Justice, Book 3
  • Defiance Navy



Defiance (Navy Justice, Book 3) Overview


The murder of an international attorney, the posturing of a power-hungry politician, the schemes of a psychotic stalker, and the high-stakes drama of a daring rescue mission: Navy JAG Lieutenant Commander Zack Brewer is in the spotlight and the danger zone.





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Monday, July 5, 2010

The Jungle Books

The Jungle Books Review



This is a review I previously wrote for four books in the Whole Story Series (Call of the Wild, The Jungle Book, Treasure Island, and Around the World in Eighty Days). I hope someone finds this helpful in their decision to purchase these books. :)

This is a wonderful series for children (and adults) who value learning through literature--especially classic literature. What makes it even more appealing to parents and educators is the way the publishers have integrated historically relevant facts with the complete, unabridged text. Each classic branches over several areas of learning--history, culture, geography, customs, animal life, architecture, literature, and science.

The Call of the Wild includes sidebars, maps, photographs, line drawings, diagrams, and paintings describing the Gold Rush, Klondike region, transcontinental railroad, sledding, traveling routes, harsh conditions, animal life, tools and procedures used for mining gold, and more.

The Jungle Book provides details about India, animal life, religious landmarks and architecture, culture and customs. It also includes two-page features on wolf children, the seal massacre, and a photo spread of India.

Around the World in Eighty Days takes the reader across a geographical journey using various forms of transportation. Maps, illustrations, and photographs provide rich detail into the culture and landmarks of many different locales and the means of transportation used in each leg of the journey.

Treasure Island provides abundant information on ocean-related topics--sailors, pirates, treasure chests, ocean voyages, living conditions, crimes and punishment, weaponry, traditions, slavery, animal and plant life, medicine and disease, and more. It includes two- or three-page spreads featuring ocean charts, navigational instruments, compasses, types of ships, a cut-out diagram of a ship's compartments, sails, rigging, ropework, points of sail, and famous pirates.

These books inspire an integrated approach to learning and would make a wonderful addition to your home library.




The Jungle Books Overview


"The Jungle Books", which includes Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book" and "The Second Jungle Book" is a classic collection of fables with animal characters used to teach moral lessons. Among the most famous are the stories of Mowgli, a 'man-cub' raised by wolves in the Indian jungle; that of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, a heroic mongoose; and 'Toomai of the Elephants', the story of a young elephant-handler. Interspersed with numerous poems "The Jungle Books" are regarded as some of Kipling's most memorable tales which will enchant and educate readers both young and old.


The Jungle Books Specifications


No child should be allowed to grow up without reading The Jungle Books. Published in 1894 and 1895, the stories crackle with as much life and intensity as ever. Rudyard Kipling pours fuel on childhood fantasies with his tales of Mowgli, lost in the jungles of India as a child and adopted into a family of wolves. Mowgli is brought up on a diet of Jungle Law, loyalty, and fresh meat from the kill. Regular adventures with his friends and enemies among the Jungle-People--cobras, panthers, bears, and tigers--hone this man-cub's strength and cleverness and whet every reader's imagination. Mowgli's story is interspersed with other tales of the jungle, such as "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi," lending depth and diversity to our understanding of Kipling's India. In much the same way Mowgli is carried away by the Bandar-log monkeys, young readers will be caught up by the stories, swinging from page to page, breathless, thrilled, and terrified. (Ages 9 to 12)




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That Hideous Strength (Space Trilogy, Book 3)

That Hideous Strength (Space Trilogy, Book 3) Review



"That hideous strength" is a science fiction/fantasy novel by British writer C.S. Lewis, otherwise mostly known for his children's tales about Narnia. Lewis wrote a "space trilogy" for adults, of which "That hideous strength" is the concluding part. The novels of the trilogy can be read independently of each other.

The plot of the novel revolves around a secret, evil brotherhood. The brotherhood, known as NICE, are a kind of anti-humanist, technology-worshipping Satanists. Their ostensible goal is to give humans eternal life through some kind of cloning. NICE probably symbolize the evils of modern, industrial civilization (and its enchanting allure). Their real goal is, in effect, the abolition of man. The rituals of NICE are based on conspiracy theories about secret Templar and Masonic rituals. Indeed, there is a strong atmosphere of conspiracy thinking in the novel. I'm surprised that it's almost never referenced by conspiracy theorists. Of course, the conspiracism is a literary device. There is nothing in Lewis' non-fiction indicating that he believed in conspiracies. Once again, my guess is that NICE is a symbol of modern science gone mad, and modernity in general being turned against humanity.

Lewis was a fairly conservative Christian, and "That hideous strength" is therefore imbued with a Christian message and various supernatural elements. The scientists of NICE, at least initially, believe that they have cracked the secret of immortality through scientific means. In reality, their bizarre laboratory has been taken over by demons! NICE are challenged by a small group of Christians, led by the mysterious Elwin Ransom, who always reminded me of Jesus. Another supernatural character is the wizard Merlin. More annoying are the patriarchal elements of the story: marriage is for life, women should obey their husbands, and so on. Ransom is a pretty bad marriage counsellor! Another disturbing kind of Christian morality comes across when Merlin exclaims: "I'm not immoral. The only people I ever killed were heathen Saxons". So that makes it alright, then?

Still, my main problem with "That hideous strength" isn't the conservative Christian message. Obviously, a Christian writer will write Christian books. The novel goes somewhat astray on two other points. First, there is a disconnect between the first part of the novel (almost a suspense thriller) and the second part, where Lewis introduces elements of Arthurian romance and a unexpected cross-over with the novels of J.R.R. Tolkien (!). I don't mind supernatural elements in sci fi novels, but these feel like the wrong kinds of supernatural elements. A charismatic revival is thrown in for good measure at the end, presumably as a foretaste of the apocalypse. Once again, the reader is left wondering what on earth is going on...

The other problem I have is that Lewis somehow wanted to write a novel about pretty much everything. The introduction of a bear in the story becomes an opportunity to preach against pantheism. On another page, Lewis discusses various ways of approaching a spiritual conversion experience. And what attitude should true Christians have towards the House of Windsor? Stay tuned for a theologically correct answer. Rather than developing two or three (Christian) themes, Lewis wants to develop them all. It's almost as if he forgot that he was writing a novel, rather than a non-fiction book!

That being said, I nevertheless found "That hideous strength" interesting, even intriguing. The criticism of mad science, phoney progress and secret elites was particularly interesting. As a secular "leftist", I presumably criticize society from almost exactly the opposite vantage point compared to a conservative Anglican.

Still, it can hardly be denied that "science" and "progress" untempered with morality are...evil.



That Hideous Strength (Space Trilogy, Book 3) Feature


  • ISBN13: 9780743234924
  • Condition: NEW
  • Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.



That Hideous Strength (Space Trilogy, Book 3) Overview


The final book in C. S. Lewis's acclaimed Space Trilogy, which includes Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra, That Hideous Strength concludes the adventures of the matchless Dr. Ransom. The dark forces that were repulsed in Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra are massed for an assault on the planet Earth itself. Word is on the wind that the mighty wizard Merlin has come back to the land of the living after many centuries, holding the key to ultimate power for that force which can find him and bend him to its will. A sinister technocratic organization is gaining power throughout Europe with a plan to "recondition" society, and it is up to Ransom and his friends to squelch this threat by applying age-old wisdom to a new universe dominated by science. The two groups struggle to a climactic resolution that brings the Space Trilogy to a magnificent, crashing close.





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