recent reviews

my rating:

read in January, 2000

Addy said: "I've read this one a number of times--in high school I had a friend whose mother gave him one requirement for leaving home. . . he had to read this book. Personally, I think it's a great read, but approach it with the understanding that we're getting a white perspective on racial prejudice. Still, I'd highly recommend it. ...less...more "

my rating:

read in March, 2008

Annabel said: "Short, strange, beautiful, and sad. Lifelong writers and artists will definitely sympathize with H.H.'s struggle, but the allegory is relevant to anyone with an idealistic past. I think there are more layers than I was able to absorb on the first reading and so I'll be reading it again sometime. ...less...more "

my rating:

read in January, 2007

Katie said: "i really hated this book! i know 19th century literature is often slow-paced and i'm ok with that, but i absolutely hated the characters. Hester--- what kind of a name is that??? i also hated how the guy that got her pregnant let her take sole responsibility for all of those years & suffer alone. i know she didn't want him to tell, but he still should have. her puritan community really upset me as well, i know it's probably very much like what real puritan communities did in those situations, but i still didn't like it. the ending was ok, but it was a book that was more of a chore to read than a pleasure...less...more "

my rating:

recommended for: anyone who remembers "The French Chef", aspiring cooks

Alicia said: "THIS BOOK CHANGED MY LIFE. I am dead serious. My husband says that after I read this book I would not stop talking about it for weeks afterwards. Did you know Julia Child learned to cook in her late 30s? So inspiring!

I loved learning about her life before and after cooking - she was such an adventuress. Her relationship with her husband was so fascinating - they were so in love. And I was inspired to make some things from scratch.

Julia says to never apologize for your cooking, no matter what. It's a hard lesson to learn, and it can be applied in so many other areas.

Julia, the world misses you and your boundless enthusiasm!!!...less...more "

my rating:

Ki said: "Older, but just the right amount of spooky for children. "

my rating:

read in January, 2007

Sheldon said: "Great writer "

my rating:

recommended to Ritawegner by: my cousin
recommended for: Danyi Ma
read in July, 2006

Ritawegner said: "This book is really good! It's about wild cats! Read to find out more!!!!!1

-Rita Wegner "

my rating:

read in October, 2007

Katie said: "i really like imaginative stuff, and vampires have always facianted me, so i was thrilled when my english teacher began a class project on this book. i absolutely loved it, it was so interesting! i couldn't put it down! "

my rating:

read in March, 2007

Kathy said: "This book was WAY long. I know Tolstoy is a brilliant writer, but Anna was an annoying liar that I didn't like from the very beginning. The more interesting story was about Levin and his life in the country. Ok.. there, I said it and I'm glad. Tolstoy missed the mark. ...less...more "

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Molly said: "the poem which is the subject of the story was too beautiful and i sort of wish that he had stopped there. "

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Katie said: "I loved this book! "

my rating:

read in March, 2008

Angie said: "Being the first Jane Austen I've read, it took a bit to adapt to the style. The story itself was decent, and there were glimpses of real power behind Austen's restrained verse, but I'm left with the feeling that our heroine (as so often referred) is clearly an idiot....less...more "

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Ki said: "Very, very wholesome.

Many others would probably have loved it, but it wasn't quite my style. "

my rating:

read in January, 2006

Katie said: "every year, our school assigns books that you have to read over the summer, and this one was assigned for the summer of my 11th grade year & i hated it... i really could care less about cow-roping and settling the early marshes that became florida. i'm more of a romance person myself, so the whole adventure theme never applealed to me. the romance was very flat and not sentimental in the slightest bit. the only interesting aspect of this book was the historical background. other than that, it was just a lame school assignment....less...more "

my rating:

read in February, 2008

Karen said: "Can't believe I have gone this long without reading Brat Farrar. "

my rating:

read in January, 2007, has a copy to sell/swap

Nora said: "Vivid, lavicious tale. Felt indulgent just to read it! "

my rating:

read in February, 2008, has a copy to sell/swap

James said: "There is a lot that scientists and humanities folk can learn from each other. The compartmentalization of academic disciplines has stifled creativity and discovery. "

my rating:

read in January, 2007

Kristine said: "Phenomenal Book !!!a little gory at parts but amazing writing !!! "

my rating:

read in January, 2008

Allison said: "Wholly original and still hyper current. I loved its bitingly funny portrait of hack media egos and junketeer culture.

Personal note: The author's wife is a long lost friend, the ever great Natasha Stovall. Miss her a lot. But at least she married into talent. ...less...more "

my rating:

read in January, 2008

Desaray said: "This book was an easy read. It was a good reminder on the simple things we can do to give and earn respect. Had good stories and examples. "

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Ki said: "This is a good book to introduce children to a wider world and more serious stories (without subjecting them to seriously depressing junk). Very well written. "

my rating:

read in March, 2008

Lindsey said: "I got frustrated through this book because Bella was not smart at the beginning on figuring out Jacob was something other than human. I did enjoy the comparison of Jacob being warm and Edward being cold. I am excited to read Eclipse, hopefully it's better than this one....less...more "

my rating:

Erin said: "Not like his regular mysteries; definately a tear jerker! "

my rating:

recommended for: almost any one
read in January, 2008

Ivy said: "this book has to be the best book I've ever read it's funny and intense but at the same time clam but it's just over all so amazing and i would recommend this book to any one "

my rating:

recommended for: EVERYONE AND ANYONE
read in January, 2008

Jaclyn1957 said: "FANTASTIC BOOK. WELL WRITTEN AND WELL RESEARCHED. COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN.

JACLYN "

my rating:

read in March, 2008

Kaye said: "I loved it. I had a hard time putting it down. "

my rating:

read in January, 2007

Katie said: "a little better than the first, but i still hate A Land Remembered. "

my rating:

read in February, 2008, has a copy to sell/swap

Lori said: "I picked up this book while vacationing in Charleston, SC. Unfortunately, I didn't encounter any ghosts while visiting so I had to settle for a book on ghosts. A good book to read if you are interested in learning about the history and supernatural events of Charleston, SC....less...more "

my rating:

read in January, 2000

Barbara said: "As I plan a trip to Japan later this month, am thinking of this book again. I really enjoyed it, but wonder how much of it was taken from the published account of the woman (was it a thesis, now I don't recall) who actually experienced it. A good read, esp if going to Kyoto....less...more "

my rating:

Ki said: "Good history, although it tends heavy toward the hero worship.

Not that I blame them, the man is incredable. "

my rating:

read in January, 2007

Katie said: "i'm an extremely sentimental person, so i loved how Gatsby would do whatever he had to to wind up with Daisy. she's such an idiot, though! the overall tone of this book was a bit dark, but it wasn't anything depressing for me. i actually liked it (well, besides Daisy)...less...more "

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Molly said: "nabokovis one of those rare writers who can write about incest and leave you feeling like it's the most exquisite love story ever written. "

my rating:

Regina said: "This is a long one, almost done... "

my rating:

read in March, 2008, has a copy to sell/swap

clarissa said: "So far, so good as far as spinning a tale that keeps you reading. I wouldn't take it to the desert island, but I like it. "

my rating:

read in March, 2008, has a copy to sell/swap

Cheer said: "This book was cute, but some of the dialogue was word-for-word directly taken from Pride & Prejudice. I also do NOT think the author's take on Mr. Darcy was accurate. I do not think he would have acted the way she portrayed him.....besides, how could any of this story happened if he was in love or at least infatuated with Elizabeth Bennett already? The best part of the story was hearing about the Jane Austen historical tour....it made me long for a trip to the English countryside. I think very few people can write a story based on Jane Austen's books and have it be a success. Jane Austen's fan are super protective of her work! ...less...more "

my rating:

read in January, 2007, has a copy to sell/swap

Nora said: "Recounts the Dust-Bowl. Being from the Midwest, found it compelling. Added greater clarity to the situation as experienced and described to me by my grandfather. Author creates psuedo-biographical accounts of different individuals. Didn't appreciate liberties he took, would've been better had he stuck to non-fiction. ...less...more "

my rating:

read in February, 2008

Clinxwiler said: "Very Interesting, Quick Read "

my rating:

Mary said: "This is the last of the 4 books in the Galway Chronicles. If you want to learn something of Ireland during the time of the Potato Famine then read these. Easy reads and interesting. "

my rating:

read in February, 2008

Lindsey said: "I totally loved Twilight. I fell in love with Edward and I want to be a vampire. Not literally. But I do love how Bella loves him sooo much! I would get sick of someone being with me 24/7, but she adores him and I love that soo much! "

my rating:

read in November, 2007

Corinne said: "Very thorough exploration of the entire food industry from small organic to mass factory farm. Can't wait to read the next one! "

my rating:

read in July, 2007

erin said: "i LOVED this novel. i was totally enthralled by the history that was woven throughout the story. this book left me wanting to read anything that jeffrey eugenides writes. "

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Larissa said: "Happy to say I don't yet fit into that "Midlife" category, but we can all use a little inspiration (aka - a kick in the ass), can't we? "

my rating:

read in March, 2008

Teresa said: "E.B. Lewis is always a hit with me. I didn't care for the book because the main character's reluctance to give the dog credit when he obviously saved him time and time again just seemed off to me. "

my rating:

read in January, 2007, has a copy to sell/swap

Nora said: "HILARIOUS! McSweeney's compliation of ridiculous lists. "

my rating:

Paula said: "This was a fun book to read. I read it about 11 years ago and just re-read it and I really enjoyed it. "

my rating:

read in January, 2007

Sarah said: "Very easy to read, light book. Predictable, happy endings, but I was drawn into the characters. Very quaint.If you want a feel good book that is not super cheesy this series is good. I like to read them when I don't want to think too hard. "

my rating:

Ki said: "PG-- some reference to sex, but not offensive at all.

Her poetry knocks you over, and her prose is just her poetry with longer lines. "

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Molly said: "it's really hard to get better than... "and human speech is like a cracked pot on which we make rhythms for bears to dance to when what we are trying to do is make music that will wring tears from the stars" (and that's the best i can remem "

my rating:

read in January, 2008

Clinxwiler said: "Great story, but it tends to get too detailed at times. "

my rating:

has a copy to sell/swap

Karen said: "This is the funniest book ever. "