Fiction Literature Books

Great purchase, came extremely fast. Would buy from seller again. Wonderful condition and transaction.

Dear to Me is another wonderful book by Wanda Brunstetter. This book is the story of Melinda who is trying to decide whether or not to leave the Amish faith to become a vet. She has a hard time deciding because her boyfriend Gabe doesn't want to leave the faith. Their relationship becomes tense as they struggle with the decisions that must be made.

Dear to Me was a very easy book to read. As with all of Ms. Brunstetter's works the characters seem real and easy to believe. There is none of the woman meets man, they despise each other, and then fall madly in love storylines. This book is about two people who care about each other but want different things. How often is this true in real relationships?

I love the fact when I pick up a Wanda Brunstetter book I can leave my fast-paced life behind and enjoy a few hours in the more laid back Amish community. Amish life, while it has it's ups and downs, seems much more peaceful than our English lives. This book is worth the few hours it will take to read. Grab a cool drink and head to a sunny spot to enjoy the wonderful Dear to Me!

Such a good book and excellent reading. Lots or meaning. Enjoy reading about the Amish.

I have really begun to dislike books by this author because they have become trite and predictable. The same conflicts are spoken about over and over and over again until it is very tiresome. Then, of course, in the last chapter everything turns out rosy. I really don't recommend this book or others by this author to anyone.

What beautiful stories from the Amish country. You can put yourself right in the area.

This book was more than what I expected...a very attractive appearance, without breaking the bank. It was purchased as a gift, and he is ecstatic about it!!

As I took a trip to Egypt over the new year, I thought it fitting that I should read books pertaining to the culture there. So I picked up this authoritative copy of Arabian Nights from the library and took it with me for some reading.

This edition is followed by a second edition that includes the better-known stories (including Aladdin and Sinbad). I didn't recognize any of the stories in this edition. Granted, I didn't read every story.

I think the trouble with getting together an "authoritative text" on the Arabian Nights is that the stories were never meant to be compiled into a book and read straight through. The stories were part of a rich oral culture that involved sitting around a fire with fine musical instruments, good food, great company and a storyteller who could draw in extra details and add in any embellishments that he thought the crowd would appreciate. Meaning- you never really heard the same story twice.

All of this is lost in a print copy. The stories begin to seem repetitive (which they wouldn't, if they were told over the course of a few years by a traveling storyteller) and the language becomes onerous- every section begins and ends with the same two phrases over and over, again and again.

However, the stories are a lot of fun :-) If you're interested in the Arabian Nights, I would certainly recommend this edition- Haddawy does well in his translation. But I'd also only read a story or two here and there, so that you don't become tired of the book. That way, the magic will still hit you. Or maybe, you can become the storyteller and read it aloud to someone else- it would probably be excellent in that form as well!

They don't make books like they used to - or, so i thought, until i bought this elegant edition of The Arabian nights. Beautifully bound, printed on high-quality paper, with an erudite introduction, and clear, but stylish font, I thought how appropriate for the publisher to release a classic such as The Arabian nights in such a 'classic' style, hearkening back to a time when great care was put into published books.
Congratulations on a great edition.

Excellent translation, from the oldest known manuscript of the tales. True to the original, it captures not just the letter, but the spirit of the text. Clearly, Haddawy is a talented writer on his own accord.

A very good place to discover Arab culture as well.

I have been reading this to my 8 yr old and changing or leaving out the inappropriate parts. She loves to hear it, and with the cliff hangers she is always asking for another chapter.

I bought this book for my 5 year old son. He is a die hard dinosaur fan. He loves it. The pictures in it are magnificent! The information is in laymens terms. You don't have to be a scientist to understand the content. There are tons of dinosaur pictures. Definately one of my sons favorite dino books!

I bought this book for my son, and he LOVES it. It has so much information and great pictures it keeps him busy for hours!

See all my reviews of dinosaur books.

"National Geographic Dinosaurs" is aimed perfectly at the new student (aged 8-12). It's illustrations are vivid and the information is well-pitched. The only problem is this book was originally published in 1999 so feathers don't appear on dinosaurs like Therizinosaurus or the dromeosaurs. This edition was reprinted in 2006, and unfortunately there are still no feathers.


At almost 200 pages in length, there are thicker books. However, with 120 pages dedicated to dinosaur profiles, there are enough dinosaurs to satisfy the new student.

Typically, there are a series of chapters that provide a context, followed by the dinosaur profiles. "Nat Geo Dinosaurs" contextual chapters include 'What is a Dinosaur?'; 'The Age of the Dinosaurs' - info on the Mesezoic era and other creatures - marine and flying; 'Dinosaur Sites'- key fossil sites; 'Discovering Dinosaurs'; 'Reconstructing Dinosaurs'; 'Dinosaur biology and behaviour'; 'How they Lived' - maternal instincts, hunting and fighting, arms and armor, diet, size and weight, movement; 'Classification' with flowcharts. Overall, these chapters hold-up reasonably well with other similar books, especially the classification pages. After the profiles there are chapters on extinction and dinosaur films.

The book then goes into genus profiles (usually of one page per dinosaur, sometimes two) of the bird-hipped dinosaurs for 50 pages then the lizard-hipped dinosaurs for another 60 pages. Each of these pages contains a Fact File with a grid showing the size of the dinosaur against a 6 foot man. Included in the Fact File is: Genus; Classification; Length; Weight; (When it) Lived; and where it was found (with a world map). Also included is a colour illustration of the dinosaur in a profile pose. The information is generally 3 to 4 paragraphs long and is very basic science. Normally there is information on distinguishing features and some comparison with cousins. Unfortunately, single dinosaurs are not covered in detail; it is only the genus - so if you are looking on the Tyrannosaurus page, you wont find anything on each of the tyrannosaurs (like Albertosaurus or Tarbosaurus). What you get is pretty much T.rex disguised as a generalised tyrannosaur.

Where I really think the book falls down is in it's interpretations of dinosaur behaviour and adaptations. There is quite a lot of information presented as fact when it is pure speculation. Also, there isn't any balance in arguments. For example, the profile on Carnotaurus states when mentioning its short snout 'that it could have got twisted and bent, particularly in struggles with large animals' suggsting that 'Cartnotaurus did not often attack animals of the same size or larger than itself, as its skull could not withstand such forces'. This is only providing one side of the argument (and the weaker side at that). There is currently strong debate about the diet of Carnotaurus due to the argument of how strong its jaws actually were, and whether it hunted in packs. I prefer information that is more balanced like the more accurate "The Kingfisher Illustrated Dinosaur Encyclopedia" by David Burnie. The information in "Nat Geo Dinosaur", however, is way more realistic than Gee and Rays "A Field Guide to Dinosaurs", but not as adequate as Parker's "Dinosaurus" which has individual species profiled.

Overall, I do "The Kingfisher Illustrated Dinosaur Encyclopedia" by David Burnie over this book due to its superior information, and perhaps "A Field Guide to Dinosaurs" by Gee as the illustrations are more up to date.

We bought this for my five year old nephew who LOVES dinosaurs. He can read pretty well on his own and has enjoyed flipping through this book, reading and looking at the pictures. My husband also thought this book was awesome and wished he had had more time before Christmas to read this book before wrapping it up for our nephew!

I bought this for my grandchildren for Christmas and they loved looking through it. Beautiful pic's and fun to read together.

I found this author a year ago and have loved every book I have read by her. I think this may be my favorite yet.

WOW! I never knew what was going to happen next. I couldn't put it down. The characters were real,and full of the struggles we all face. Francine Rivers is a Christian author, so if you know that we cannot live without our blessed Savior, and the truth of His Word, applied effectively in our life, then you'll be glad to have read, The Scarlet Thread. Enjoy!!

I thought this was a fabulous book! I love how the two stories of Sierra and Mary Kathryn are intertwined and how you go from one to the next, they flow so well together. I spent the first 3/4 of the book mad at the husband chracter of course, *laughs* but it worked out and I am glad we did this book for our book club.

The first half of the book was really good, I really liked both of the stories, but the end was pretty cheesey and I didn't love it. Worth reading, but not on my favorites list. (Mark of the Lion and Redeeming Love are much better)

Let me begin by saying that I loved the Mark of the Lion series and enjoyed Redeeming Love. But as I was reading this book and witnessing a realistic picture of a family falling apart I felt as though a black cloud was hovering overhead. I HAD to finish this book in one day or else I would have been scowling at my husband (of no fault of his own, merely the actions of a fictional man!!!) while feeling a darkness in my heart. For, as always, Rivers writes with such emotion that you can literally feel the pain of the character. If you want a feel good story THIS IS NOT IT!!!

I LOVE historical fiction so I thought I might enjoy this contemporary laced with a historical story. Interestingly enough, I found that the historical story bored me. It was sad but, I suppose it's because it was in a diary format, I didn't really get too into the characters... therefore I didn't get into the story. I was half tempted to skip it entirely. Instead I just scanned the journal entries to get back to the main story athand.

Boy, and that story... what a depressing story. First this Jerk of a husband makes life-changing decisions without consulting with his wife and then seems stumped by her bitterness!! He doesn't even make an effort to try and console his wife. They were both exceedingly selfish characters, neither caring a lick for the other's feelings. She continues wallowing in bitterness and resentment instead of trying to make the best of things.

Before long things spiral out of control!!! And her mom!! I don't want to spoil the story but the loss Sierra faced--all alone!!-- broke my heart.

The adultery aspect... wow. I don't want to give away the ending so I will just say this. I wouldn't blame her if she never took him back. I certainly would not be able to. And if she did she is a more gracious person than ANY of the ladies I know.

When Codi Noline has to return to her hometown, to care for her father, it becomes an unexpected time of awakening. A number of subplots are beautiful thread throughout the story, including rekindled love, politics, the rich cultural history of the southwest, and how one might discover oneself in the most unexpected times and places. Kingsolver's ability to capture the essence of a land and its people continues to amaze me. I would rate it right up there with The Poisonwood Bible. Another beautifully written book.

This is, unequivocally, one of the most boring books I've ever read. Makes Hemmingway look exciting...

Read this on vacation in Hawaii. The single most important book that has changed my outlook on life, friendship and sisterhood.

Barbara Kingsolver uses amazing imagery and her voice is authentic, this was an enjoyable read, I highly recommend it.

I am not a fan of poetry, but I enjoy the poetic way Barbara Kinsolver writes about nature, life, relationships and family. This is a thought provoking novel, touching and real.

Sorry, but the glut of coincidences and melodramatic writing was just too much. I'm going back to my nonfiction now.

I just read this book and what can I say except that it was amazing. I actually prefer Neil to David. David was never very consistent in his faith he was good talker but he had no understanding. I recomend this book to anyone who already has faith or is struggling to find theirs. Read this book! You won't be sorry!

I really enjoyed this book. I also enjoyed the fact that many of the events in the book are in the series released on DVD. I would have preferred if certain subjects had not been discussed in this book so that it would be more appropriate for younger ages. Other than that it was a really enjoyable read.

This is one of my very favorite books! I've read it over so many times and never get tired of it. It's just so interesting, captivating and touching.

This is one of those classic novels that you could read again and again. I hadn't read it since high school twenty years ago and just re-read Christy last week. I like it even better now than I did then (and I loved it then, too). I would have loved to have had Catherine Marshall's version of a sequel (hopefully it would have consisted of a continuation of Neil & Christy's romance), but I guess we get to imagine the "happily ever after" instead. It's a great read!

It's hard to fathom why so many of you love this book, to say nothing of the inference that A.S. Byatt would appreciate it. I gave up around page 200, as this was too simple a work, and too tiresome for further perusal. Having just finished a couple of really well written novels, I can also say that there was nothing special about the author's prose whatever...Who is reviewing this work-fans of Harry Potter? Finally, if you want to read an intelligent, throw-back kind of novel with real drama, well drawn characters and a truly epic feel, pick up Palliser's "The Quincunx". Light satire and pale imitations of Jane Austen do not a classic make.

I waiver between liking this book (I'm only a few pages from the end, so I must like it enough to keep reading) and wishing I'd never bought it.

The plot meanders all over the place. There is no one distinct story. There are several places it could have ended.

My wish is that this was a series rather than a single book. With over 300,000 words there's plenty here for three books.

I'm amazed that Clarke managed to find an agent, much less a publisher. But, I see all those different editions and so many reviews, it must be okay.

Being a writer and knowing a lot of writers, we'd like to know what spell Clarke used to get this first "novel" published. It couldn't be the process the rest of us are going through.

Illustrations by Portia Rosenberg

This book I found purely at random as I walked through the fiction section at my local public library in search of reading material (one cannot go home empty-handed from a place where books are being given away!), starting at the front of the alphabet, hence the author's name beginning with C. Surprisingly, this book has many similarities to Pynchon's Mason & Dixon: A Novel, which I had just finished, in its massive size (700+ pages, surely a determining factor in discovering Clarke's book in a random shelf scan), its purported historicity, its seamless and matter-of-fact incorporation of fantastic elements in historical settings, its depiction of the relationship of two men who are both friends and co-workers in fast public projects, and in their gentle ironic humor.

Clarke's writing style is not so raucous as Pynchon's, but the fantastical nature perhaps elevated. Mr. Norrell is famed as the only "practical magician" in England, an honor he has diligently sought and brought upon himself by purchasing all the books on practical magic he can find (except one who will make his appearance later!) and by discouraging all others from practicing (sometimes with the help of lawyers). Norrell is a retiring, gloomy, private man, not given to public spectacles of magic, but desiring to use his magic for the national cause. He becomes his own federal bureaucracy as it were, working with the British government to help defeat the French on the continent.

Jonathan Strange is a young, vivacious man (Norrell's polar opposite) in pursuit of a woman he hopes to marry who has no notion of becoming a magician, practical or theoretical, until he meets with the character I introduced above who reads off a philosophy that Jonathan Strange will become the second great magician of the age. Drawn to Norrell in London, the two become master and pupil as Strange learns his craft, and partners in public works as Strange joins the British Army effort against the French.

Unlike Norrell, Strange hopes to spread the reach of British magic, and to learn more about its ancient past rooted in fairies and the "slave king" John Uskglass. In pursuit of this goal, Strange loses his wife, his sanity, his friendship with Norrell, and unlocks a chain of events that he can't control that ultimately ends up almost all for the good, and therein is the source of a 782-page novel.

Much like Pynchon, I find it hard to rate such a tree-killing effort as a classic, despite the quality and enjoyability of the results. Well worth reading as a potential classic, but that rating weighed against the commitment of time it requires drops it to the second level.

I can understand why many people didn't enjoy the book; it is long and wordy in the British sense. Personally, I enjoy this, however, I concede that there are those who do not. The novel is witty and understated in its grandeur, but it is grand, nonetheless. Also, if you do not have at least a passing grasp of British history, the novel will lose some of its efficacy. I definitely recommend the book, just know your personal tastes before you commit to reading it.

I can't believe I bought this for a dollar! Great book, especially if you only paid a dollar. My copy is not for sale, sorry.

Philadelphia to be exact - in this case, the city of Sisterly love!

Oh My! what an erotic book! and yet it had just the sweetest love story!

From hospital corridors to not so private sex near the softball diamond this book has it all!

Thirty year old Bren is attractive, thoughtful and introspective, she has a fulfilling job directing the rare books department at Temple University but has never been in a long term relationship.

Twenty-seven year old Candace, a model pretty blonde, has a high stakes job as a self-employed commodities trader who lives and loves in the moment.

Thirty-five year old Liz Ramsey is a medical attorney who is lovely inside and out.

The three met during their college days and have been fast friends since. Totally supportive of each other but that doesn't mean that they know all each other's secrets.

And gorgeous thirty-one year old orthopedic surgeon Dr. Reilly Danvers is a joy to read.

As a bonus for her readers the author has nice appearances from characters from her excellent novel 'Love's Tender Warriors'.

If you liked this novel you will also enjoy these tiles by the author -
Fated Love
Tomorrow's Promise
When Dreams Tremble
Passion's Bright Fury
Turn Back Time
Love's Melody Lost
Love's Masquerade
shadowland

Once it ended. Friends thought I had disappeared for a day when I started reading this book and made other plans! Seriously though, great book, intriguing characters, sex-surprisingly not all that much, but enough to really keep you interested. Anyway, Radclyffe proves that whether weilding a pen or a scalpel, she can cut to the heart of a her readers and her characters alike.

This is another one of Radclyffe's that I couldn't put down. Excellent story. Excellent characters. Great portray of true genuine friendship. It was good that there were three different storylines going on all at the same time, yet all linked together.

I really liked Bren. The soft spoken friend (well it appeared that way at first). I hope there is a sequel to this one. I would like to read more about her character in the future.

As usual I am never disappointed when it comes to Radyclyffe.

Radclyffe does her best work when she writes her stand alone novels. Unlike her series, which sell books, but have gotten rather mundane, this book has a fresh concept. It's not often that a lesbian novel features a central figure who is pregnant and alone. While Liz and Reilly are the major focus of the book, the most interesting character might be Bren, who has a couple of secrets she's kept from her best friends. Any of these characters could have carried the book and that makes them stronger than is usually seen in this genre. This is what Radclyffe excels at when she writes her stand alone novels. She should stick with it. The Lonely Hearts Club is a good read.

I have to preface this review by saying I'm a HUGE fan of Radclyffe's books. I think I have only rated two of her books 4, while all the others have been 5. Her last several books have really teetered on the edge for me, but this one is a strong comeback for my favorite author.

Here, much in the style of Saxon Bennett, the author delivers a variety of different women in a single plot. Even with the large cast, all are well-developed and their individual stories are tied together with skill and artistry.

I won't take the time to rehash to story here because the back cover text is pretty descriptive. However, I will tell you just how happy I am to finally see a Radclyffe book that is worthy of her talent and capability. This one is a don't-miss, absolutely.

I first received this book as a gift from my daughters daycare teacher. We read it every night for years. When I came across it again on Amazon, I had to purchase it. Great story and morals - but we love it for the bright colors, catchy phrasing, and of course the memories behind the book. Great price and love the hardback book (as our original was paperback).

This is a great book that my daughter's preschool actually turned into a short play done by the parents. It was too cute. We still read it regularly 2 years later.

A very simple book that demonstrates how we must all get along and accept each other because together we make a better world.

This is a well written book about a very cute idea. My daughter (2 1/2) loves it.

I recieved my book in great condition and within a weeks time. Was great, I have continued to order from Amazon.

Well, this will be the first and last time I ever read anything with the label 'Oprah's Book Club' on it. To think I actually thought this would be a depressingly romantic novel. Well, it only took me about half a year to realise that this was one of the most painful reads I've ever experienced. I don't understand the appeal, now that I have finally completed it. I wanted heartbreaking anguish, torturous characters. But what I got was a mopey stalker type novel, who's main character reaches pedophile levels. And we were supposed to feel sorry for him?

The writing is stuffy and laborous and would not have been so utterly boring if the actual story was a bit more interesting. I connected with none of the characters and I barely felt the passing of 50 years in the novel. It seemed rushed, but at the same time, I felt as if the book would never end.

It all seemed completely unrealistic to me and while I can understand how someone would find this book appealing and romantic, It had the opposite effect for me.

This is one book i can't get past the first chapter... it's just not interesting to me. I'll pass on it. I wasted good money and no more Oprah bookclub for me!

If you are a deep thinker, you might want to try Rumi & Self Psychology (Psychology of Tranquility.

In addition, you might want to try Sara's Therapy: The Way to Purity. A session by session dialogue of a client who went through the self actualization and self growth processes.

I bought Love in the Time of Cholera not only because it was on Oprah's list but also because it won a Nobel prize. I figured it must be super good to have won both the Nobel prize and widespread acclaim by Oprah. Plus, I had heard it was "one of the greatest love stories of all time." Not so. At least not for this reader.

First and foremost, if you are used to reading popular literature, beware! This is a TOUGH read. It was not what I expected at all and I found it difficult to get through. For me, this was like trying to read John Updike--long sentence structures and difficult language...and I consider myself to be an above-average reader (but then, who doesn't!). It was not a page turner by any means, and, as the story progressed I found it more and more difficult to get through, mainly because I didn't like either main character. I really ended up pushing myself through it just to complete the story and see if offered any sense of satisfaction (which it didn't).

The story about 2 love-struck teenagers seems a bit silly in our times, but considering the time it was set, it was entirely believable. What became unbelievable was the way Florentino continues to pine away for Fermina for 50 years after their love affair ended. I found nothing endearing about his devotion. I actually found it weak and disgusting...wondering why any woman would want a man like this and why any man would allow himself to behave in such a way. I mean, "get over it dude!" Granted, Fermina never knows the true level of Florentino's pining and also never knows of the solace he tried to find in 100's of affairs, but as a reader, I was rooting for her to turn him away, not give in to his continued advances. As I was reading I was trying to figure out if the author wanted this reaction from the reader. I'm still not sure. But what I do know is that there are a LOT of people out there who are happy that Fermina and Florentino were reunited. As for me, the thought of being with such a wimpy man makes me sick! :) There just is not a lot to like about Florentino so be prepared to force yourself to follow his story.

I'm sure there is plenty of book club fodder in this story...exploring different themes on love, the reader's reactions to the characters, etc. If you're into identifying and exploring themes and looking for wisdom in modern literature, then this may be the book for you. If you're like me who's just looking for a good book to read to entertain me for a few days, then skip this one.

'Love in the Time of Cholera' is one of the most unique books I've ever read. It's not quite what I expected. When I first started reading, I was expecting a love story and the start was a bit 'off' for me. But then I kept on reading. After about 50 pages, the love story began.

I'm kind of torn in my review here, the love story is good, but the oddities were a bit much. I found I kept on reading just to see how the story ended more out of curiosity than anything else.

One thing I really liked what that Gabriel García Márquez writes the story like poetry at some parts. It was beautiful to read some passages.