Fiction Literature Books

I have read several of the books in this series but I was disappointed in this one. It was just a rehash of events and emotions from the earlier ones. It contained many "flashbacks" of events from the previous books.

Having read all of Jennifer Chiaverini's books in this series leading up to "New Year's Quilt," I found this book disappointing - not her best work. I nearly stopped reading 'New Year" because it just didn't hold my interest like the author's previous work. I won't give up on Chiaverini, however.

I usualy enjoy reading The Elm Creek Quilts Series but I was terribly disappointed in this book. Having read most of the other books, I found that this book was really a rehashing of the books in the series I had already read. I know that on New Year's Day, people reflect on the past but this was overdone. There was little to move along the story. The New Year's Quilt (Elm Creek Quilts Series #11) Although the book was about Sylvia and Andrew and his family, I much more enjoy the books that focus around the quilt camp.

What can I say..... Read these books, they are for anyone and everyone who loves a great series! The book is great as a stand alone or if you want to start reading the series. Warning, once you do you will be HOOKED! I never thought I would like to read about families in the late 1800's but I love how the author writes, she keeps your attention throughout the book, it is hard to put down and if you do you will be wanting more! The series ranges from the 1800's to the present and is all about quilters and their lives, along the way you may learn a suggestion or two about quilting! It is GREAT!

The first Elm Creek Quilts Novel I read I found by mistake. I thought Chiaverini was the name of an author of mysteries who had been recommended to me. I was pleased to discover that all of her books, including her most recent one, The New Year's Quilt, were mysterious, adventurous, historical, creative, and involve quilts.
I have purchased and read all of her novels and also have the two pattern books from Elm Creek Quilts. I am looking forward to her next book.
As a Senior Citizen, (I don't like this term), I enjoyed the theme of the The New Year's Quilt and the importance of generational understanding and acceptance in families. There is also a link between all of the books she has written so you can see continuity and remember others' experiences. If you read this one, you might want to read the others.

I remember reading this in High School and I have been looking to pick it up for a re-read.

I read this book in the early 70's, in Junior High School, in Florida. It was so real to me. These people were just like my neighbors. Their fears were the same. Their sense of community, the same. When reading this book, I kept looking to the horizon thinking, "Could this truly happen." A must read for anyone studying the times.

The best thing about this book is the setting. The descriptions of a post apocalyptic United States is excellent. It really made me think about what civilization means: law and order, running water, food supplies, transportation, etc.

The biggest flaw with the book is its characters. The character development is non-existent. Randy, the protagonist, is extremely bland. He has no flaws (well, he's a liberal) and a perfect leader.

The story is also extremely optimistic. Personally, I like a bit more cynicism.

Despite these two gripes, this is a great post apocalyptic book and a short read to boot. I'll never forget the descriptions of nuclear armegeddon as Randy and friends watch from their house.

Some people say the book is outdated, but really, we are under the same dark cloud that was there during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Granted, the strike zones today would be different than those in the 50s, but Nuclear Warfare is a very real possibility. North Korea?! HELLO!
This book was really a can't put down for me. I found myself wanting to start stockpiling food and move out into the mid-west. Not fantastical, and not too sci-fi, this book is a gritty realization of what would happen if the US was devastated by a large scale nuclear attack.

Before I passed Alas Babylon along to my sons I thought I would re-read it. When I was a young boy and read it for the first time I really enjoyed the survivalist theme. I found a lot more to like on my second reading. Mr. Frank weaves several strong moral fables inside the basic survival novel that really "makes" the story.

Mr. Frank uses the nuclear backdrop for his most obvious morality lesson on racial equality. Nuclear war is a great equalizer. Set in racially segregated 1950s central Florida, he ensures all nuclear holocaust survivors work together, regardless of race, gender or age. For if they don't, there are immediate consequences. It is a strong and positive message.

The outcome of excess greed is also highlighted and dealt with harshly. Thieves are left to die of radiation poisoning because they stole radiated property.

The technical aspects, while dated, are still pretty good. The air-to-air missile that starts WW III is a little out there, but since it's just a small vignette, it's easy to forgive.

I look forward to my sons reading the book and the discussions it will conjure. From nuclear war to race relations to the drastic moral outcomes for greed, I think it will all be interesting and informative for them.

I was expecting there to be actual sentences in this book. There is one feeling per page in english and in spanish. It's fine if you just want to learn the words to some feelings, for that it's great. But, I could do that with a spanish dictionary. I wanted to read actual sentences to my daughter. It would better if it had "I feel..." Rather than just the one word. But again, if you just want to teach words of feelings, then it's good for that.

Fun book for your baby if you want her to learn both english and spanish. The pictures are very colorful. My daughter enjoys repeating the different words every time we read it.

I was looking for a spanish book that talked about something other than just objects. I also like the drawings and that the book is very simple. My 1 year old can really enjoy it.

I use this book in my classes for students ages 4 all the way to 18. It's a great, and SIMPLE way to help them express themselves in Spanish! The older teens crack up as they use the phrases, but it's great because they're communicating in their target language, and the younger students all identify with the bright pictures and sturdy pages. They LOVE using the phrases from Como me siento!

If you want something to listen to and write in- a complete curriculum, try Flip Flop Spanish, which comes with a CD!

Sra. Gose
Author of Flip Flop Spanish: Ages 3-5: Level 1 & Flip Flop Spanish: Ages 3-5: Level 2

We're trying to teach our daughter Spanish from an early age (she's 8 months), and reading stories to her each night. This book is pretty simplistic with two - four words per page ("sad, con triste") so it's over pretty fast. Perhaps for an older toddler who can interact a bit more and understand the meaning it would be suitable but it's not helpful right now.

This book is very sexually explicit.
If that bothers you than steer clear of buying it.

I loved it! It was great to read a 'no holds barred'..raunchy and very sexy honest book.
I thought the author created 2 real characters with great dialogue and storyline.
There is no excuse or reason given here for the amazing sex these two women delve into - there shouldn't be.
I'm so glad Bold stroke published this one and didn't hide her in one of their collection books.
Way to go Meghan! Can't wait for your next one.

This book is great if you don't mind books without character development or plots. I was very disappointed.

I read this book in one morning. It is very well written and very steamy. You will not want to put this book down. I have recomended this book to all my friends. I will not let anyone borrow it or sell it because it is definately a book I plan on reading over and over.

Since there is a description of the book and others have written about it also, I'll skip that and just say: This book is so hot it will scorch the eyes right out of your skull! What a pleasant surprise. I have never read anything by this author and ordered it on a whim (desperate for something good to read). The description intrigued me enough and am I ever glad I took a chance. I've since ordered Infinite Loop by the same author, but haven't started it yet.

I loved the characters and was sucked into the story from the opening line (and if you've read it already, you know what I mean *wink wink*). Considering almost the first half of the book takes place in an elevator, with only the two main characters present, I was very impressed by the author's ability to keep my interest. I am one of those readers who tend to skip over things that don't look important, but I read every single word in this one (some parts I read more than once).

This is erotica with a bit of kink thrown in for good measure. Excellent read and I can't wait to read more by Meghan O'Brien! Highly recommended!

There are already many reviews which list the virtues of the book in terms of hot, hotter, and hottest. And they are all true! Hot it is!

I'd just like to add that it's a dynamic, entertaining read, and the one reason I'm not rating it 5 stars is because it's a bit two-dimensional for my tastes. Personally, I don't think the characters are so very well developed per se, what's fantastically well developed is their sexual persona, which happens practically within a bubble (and I'm not talking about the elevator!), there are no friends to contextualize the relationship, their "work" world is referred to but never brought to the forefront, the family angle is barely touched upon but not really explored...

I did have a LOT of fun with it, and I really do recommend this book for hot, fast-paced enjoyment, but in my humble opinion 5 starring a book requires a bit of extra work in terms of "rounding up" the story.

The book arrived in perfect condition. While I've never read either story before, I know that my brother enjoyed these classics about 40 years ago. I home school and we have studied American history. I was sorry to read in some reviews how offended some people were by the terminology used in the book. I am pigmented and have been called "nigger". The funny thing is that I am not of African-American heritage!!! It goes to show how ignorant people can be! I have taught my children that everyone is a human and we treat others the way we would want to be treated. Slavery is a chapter in our history that we should be ashamed of. These are old stories, written at a different time. It's the way it was. Prejudice still exists today. My sixth grade son is learning about "voice" in writing. I bought this so that we could enjoy a classic while learning about voice, that part in writing that makes a story come alive.

This was a trip back for me in two ways. For one, it takes place in a different time when life was a little simpler. Also it takes me back to the first time I read it. I am 50 years old and haven't read this since elementary school. Even though it is set back in time, I could relate to the feelings of these young boys and remember well that time of my life.

It's a must read for your kids (particularly boys) and anyone who has or has not read it. I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a long time.

Tom Sawyer is one of the most entertaining books u will ever read. In this book, Tom Sawyer gets himself into a lot of trouble. He got in trouble at home, at church, and at school. His mischievous antics will keep you entertained throughout the entire book. Although he got into trouble frequently, he also had an uncanny ability to get himself out of trouble with the help of his good friend Huckleberry Finn. The adventures of these two boys have entertained readers for over a century. As soon as you start reading this book, you will not want to put it down. I would recommend this classic novel for readers of all ages.

I LOvED this Book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I loved the adventure, the excitment, and the comedy!!!!!!!!!

In a letter to his friend Franz Overbeck dated 14, November, 1879, Nietzsche says, "If you do not know the latest book by Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, it would be a pleasure for me to make you a little present of it."

Both novels define the picturesque masterpiece and are the twin highpoints in American prose.

I like and have read many books by Susan Wiggs. Although I do not like novels that include cooking recipes before the chapters, I suffer through these to read her storyline. Unlike the previous books in the Lakeshore Chronicles, this one is action-packed. The story even begins and ends in Europe, with international intrigue. But somehow, this takes away from the atmosphere of the setting of the series--upstate New York. The best parts of this book are the characters, and the realistic challenges that face each one of them. I think they were all wonderful. There is plenty of romance and plenty of action, but the mixing of the settings and the pace of the storyline is not to my liking. Perhaps others will enjoy her injection of international espionage. Not for me. Just stick to Lakeshore and I will be happy.

First, I'd strongly suggest that anyone considering this book should first read the others in the series. Knowing the other characters, and understanding their stories, is very helpful to appreciating this one.
Second, I loved the fantasy of this one, with the wounded woman finding just the right man, however unlikely the match may appear on the surface. Wiggs did an excellent job of making both lead characters three-dimensional [loved Noah's interest in STAR WARS!] and I liked the fact that other characters didn't always behave in ways the reader expects.
Third, the business of the U.N., the court at The Hague and the fictional country were all unnecessary to the plot, except insofar as they provided background on Sophie. Frankly, I skipped those parts and still enjoyed the book.
This is a good read, especially for a winter's day - or to cool off on a hot summer's day.

Well, I enjoyed the book. It is VERY light reading. You know what is going to happen from the very beginning of the book but you would be disappointed if the book did not have a happy, planned ending. Not as enjoyable as the first boook in this series. I think it is time to leave AVALON.

An easy enough read, but I didn't really care about Sophie or Noah. Worth reading just to catch up on the lives of the other people in this series.

Fans of the popular Lakeshore Chronicles by Susan Wiggs will be delighted with this addition to the series - especially pleased when it is read by the always splendid Joyce Bean.

A high powered international lawyer, Sophie Bellamy, would seem to have it all. She's seen her share of misery as much of her career has been assisting those in countries ravaged by war. Thus, it comes has no surprise that when she's visiting one of these areas she finds herself in the middle of a terrorist attack. This experience affects her in a number of ways - causing her to reassess her life, her values, and goals.

Suddenly Sophie not only feels compelled but wants to return to Avalon, a small town in the Catskills. She wants to be reunited with her family, her two children, Max and Daisy, and hopefully make up for lost years, time not spent with them.

As a divorced recently career obsessed woman she doesn't seem to be a very good candidate for romance, but this is a Susan Wiggs story! Upon arriving in snowy Avalon she finds not only a heavy blizzard but a skid that takes her into a ditch. As luck and the author would have it Sophie is rescued by Noah, the handsome local veterinarian. Despite freezing temperatures sparks immediately fly and she falls in love.

But wait, there's more to come. As she often does this author tosses in a few surprises leaving listeners to wonder for a while whether or not love can really conquer all.

- Gail Cooke

I bought this as a gift for a family member who is a devotee of "Fast Food Nation."

I read this first when I was a teenager, at the urging of my father.

This book never disappoints, and is as fresh today as it was when it was published.

Always a muckraker, Sinclair delivers.

It is helpful to have the book in its uncensored version.

But the ending is absurd considering that the "capitalist industrialists" are in fact socialists themselves (Carnegie, Morgan, Rothschild, Roosevelt, etc.) and that dehumanizing factories were not built until the era of socialist control over politics, economics, education, etc. (easily the Gilded Age but honestly back to the French Revolution).

Traditional, conservative economies had citizens who provided for themselves from the land or in the towns from an established craft whereas the machine-driven modern economy not only employs fewer individuals in any real meaningful labor but also deprives most people of the means for taking care of their families (landless wage slaves who know nothing of traditional life).

Haven't had a chance to read much of the book, but what I have read indicated the writer (Upton Sinclair) was truly a man with a attitude towards the society in which he lived. Don't think he liked his life. Realistic and hard hitting...yet those were the times in which he lived.

I was very surprised to find myself enjoying this book. I was nervous that the language would be dated to a point of difficulty, or that it would be slower than a snail. But this is far from the truth. The writing is easy to follow and the characters very believable. Given that Sinclair based this novel on events and people he actually witnessed in the meat packing industry of Chicago more than 100 years ago, it only makes sense that the characters seem real. And just when you think this can't possibly get worse....yeah, it just did.

The only reason why I didn't give this novel 5 stars was how the story falls flat towards the end when Sinclair lapses into a Socialist manifesto. I didn't feel that it was being preachy, but rather the Socialist information was meant to be just that: information. Perhaps it could be argued that it is propaganda, given that this was originally written for a Socialist paper, and then put together as a novel to reach "the masses". Regardless, this can be overlooked because overall the story moves along nicely.

I found it very interesting, on the other hand, that Sinclair's writing had some racist leanings. For instance, his description of the southern black men that were recruited to work as scabs and his mention of big black men with daggers in their shoes standing next to young white women during the rowdy prize-fighting made me raise an eyebrow given the author's Socialist leanings. Perhaps I misunderstand what socialism is, but don't they support equality in society?

I do recommend that you read this book. It is a timeless piece of literature, and a reminder that these industries have not changed that much in our country. There are likely families living the modern day version of this.

Living in a right-to-work state, you forget why we have unions. As a teenager, I read this book for school and fell in love with it. My parents and family were all union backers (teachers, firefighters, etc.), but I did not understand why we had unions. Then I read this book and ever since I have paid my union dues. Sinclair is an outstanding writer and I think everyone should read this book to understand where we have been and where we are now in labor. So read this book and cherish the life we have today.

This was a good story. My son found it amusing, but it didnt help
him at all with him witholding his poop. We have read it to him about 5 times now and now he is just aggravated with it. So dont think its a "cure all" for witholding poop issues, but a nice book to have.

I'm sure this book is great for most people. It is well written with beautiful illustrations. Anecdotes kids can relate to. My son is a bit different. When I bring more attention to things it becomes more of an issue for him. Plus the reccomendations in the book to include more fiber in a childs diet should be taken lightly. The GI specialists told me I was feeding my son too much fiber. Without sufficient water intake the extra fiber bulks up in the intestinal track and can actually cause constipation. My son ended up in Children's Hospital getting his bowels flushed out. It was the messiest, most exhausting weekend of my life. Miralax stool softners have been a lifesaver for us.
Every kid is different, and I gave this book 4 stars because I think it can really help a lot of kids. Good luck!

My son withheld his poops for 2 years and we tried everything...laxatives, stool softeners, other books, prizes for "going", encouragement, pleading...oh, man, you name it, we tried it.

I spotted this book purely by chance at a bookstore one day last month and grabbed it. The first time we read it, he said "Wow...Ryan is just like me! I thought I was the only one who is afraid to poop on the potty!"

It totally clicked. He is NOT alone and LOTS of kids have this problem and if Ryan could do it, so could he. The third day we owned this book he started going in the toilet and has never looked back. I don't know what it is about this book that made it so different from all the others that deal with the same subject, but there is SOMETHING...

Our family is eternally grateful to the author of this book. She REALLY nailed it EXACTLY from the child's point of view. GET THIS BOOK if you are having the same issues we did!!!!

I wish I would have had this book a few years ago for our middle child, he too had "poop" issues. My friends could not even begin to understand the torment we went through weekly knowing that our son and now our youngest daughter - needed to poop. It was a week long battle of "bumping" as we called it (holding it in), dirty underwear, screaming fits, suppositories, yelling, bribing, etc...

Our son has somewhat outgrown the problem, although he only poops every two or three days. However, it is not the ordeal it once was. But we still have a four year old daughter going through the same torment. This book was an INSTANT success, I'm talking overnight. I wish I could pinpoint the thing that made the difference, but part of me has to believe seeing it on paper that another child "just like me" has the same problem, that it's okay and there are solutions. She has pooped a total of six times without much problem...we sit her on the toilet every other night and read her the book (of course at her request). My husband and I almost fell off our chair when the other day she was making motions like she needed to poop and he asked her - She said "yes" and proceeded to the toilet like it was the normal thing to do. It almost brings me to tears as I write it. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Don't hesitate to get this book, it WORKS!!!

This is a great book but the story is quite long and hopefully will hold your childs attention to get the message across. Overall a great find.

This was recommended by my nephew and nieces as the most informative book about puberty (when I asked them). It is really good. It is to the point, but keeps it lighthearted. It addresses a lot of good questions and worries kids have but won't ask. I HIGHLY recommend it.

I used this book w/ both my boys and it was fine, but I didn't love it.

The first half of the book is all "We're going to talk about puberty", "puberty is what we're going to talk about", "get ready to talk about puberty" - etc. I grew bored and so did my kids. It's like a novel with 7 prologues.

The second half of the book finally gets into some well-presented and age-appropriate information - about breasts, erections, periods, pimples, wet dreams, masturbation, etc. These topics are covered in what I think is just enough detail - with cute pictures to alleviate tension and about 2 pages on each topic. I give the second half of the book 5 stars.

One thing I didn't like is that the book assumes a level of knowledge. What I mean is, it goes right into talking about how semen want to get out of erect penises to go make babies, without covering how exactly babies are made. This book is for 9 - 12 year olds who should have some basic knowledge but I think a brief refresher (instead of all the filler in the beginning) would be good.

A word about ages: My oldest got a lot out of this book at 10. My second son was far too immature at 10 and giggled until I finally put the book away and waited a year. Obviously, a parent must use their judgment with regard to what ages they should present this book to.

What can I say, this book arrived promptly, in great condition, just what we ordered. Our 10 year old was already going through changes, and it helped out a big lot, THANK YOU

I remember when I was a little girl and my mom reading this book to me. I purchased it for my daughter so we could have "the talk", which she felt was torturous, but I still think that the book is great! Easy to read, relevant information without being overwhelming.

This is a great book for children nearing or into puberty. We bought it for an autistic child and it is truly great. It covers all the facts and expresses a complicated subject in a simple, child-like manner easily understood by any child from about age 7 or 8 and up. This is the only book I have encountered that I would recommend for any school-based sex education curriculum. Any parts that might be considered "explicit" are quite tastefully handled without watering down the subject.

I started reading this book to my 5 year old daughter a few days ago and we are both in love. It is funny, thrilling and joyful. The use of language is arrful and clever. I have never, so enjoyed a children's book. I'm either a big child, or this is more than a mere child's play.

I can't say enough good things about this book. My kids & I just love it. The chapters are short, which makes it a bit easier for the kids to read, and the story is so engaging it has all all on the edge of our seats, waiting to hear what will happen next. Such a fun book!

I bought this for my 5-year old son 3 weeks ago and we haven't stopped listening to it. Roald Dahl has a beautifully warped view of the world, with parents killed tragically, evil aunts and innocent, precocious children. James is a wonderful example. Jeremy Irons brings real range to the interpretation of the characters, so we all - parents and child - find ourselves chuckling as we drive and listen (and will do for a long time to come). A treat for children (and their sainted parents also).

Ever been in a giant flying peach? James and the giant peach by Roald Dahl tells about a boy who's parents get eaten by a giant rhino, goes to live with his evil aunts, then rolls away in a giant peach. To begin, His parents take him to the London Zoo when only to encounter a loose rhinoceros. The rhino eats James' parents to leave him on the streets. Then, he goes to live with his evil aunts, Aunt Spiker and Aunt Sponge. They treat him very badly and don't let him play with other kids. Finally, an old man comes and gives James some magic crystals. Then a giant peach grows, James crawls in the peach to find some unusually large insects. They then roll away in a giant peach in hope of finding a better place.
Read this book to find out what happens to James and the giant peach

James and the Giant Peach is the best book I have ever read! It is about a boy named James whose parents were killed by a rhinoceros who escaped from the London Zoo. Because he no longer had parents, James was forced to live with his two aunts who were very mean to him.

One day when he was working, an old man gave James some magic green beans. If James swallowed the green beans, nothing bad would ever happen to him. James accidently dropped the green beans in the dirt and they disappeared into the earth.

There were eight beans and seven insects suddenly became very large after they ate the beans. James was wondering what happened to the eighth bean. It hit an old peach tree and a giant peach grew on the tree.

James and the insects became friends and they lived in the giant peach together for a day. They all realized that they had to escape from the James' horrible aunts. They cut the peach off the tree and it went rolling away with James and his friends. It rolled off a cliff and landed in the ocean.

After this point, James had many adventures inside the peach with his insect friends. They find a way to escape from sharks, they escape from "cloud men" who throw rocks at them, and finally, they make a way to land safely in busy New York City.

Enjoy all these exciting advenutres yourself by reading this great book!