I was feeling overwhelmed and not really present in my life so I thought I'd try this book. I took a mindfulness workshop ages ago, and I've read seve...moreI was feeling overwhelmed and not really present in my life so I thought I'd try this book. I took a mindfulness workshop ages ago, and I've read several other books since, but I've never incorporated the practice into my life for more than a few weeks at a time. I always let it slide, return to old habits, then run back to mindfulness in desperation when I'm overwhelmed. This book might change that pattern for me. I borrowed it from the library a couple of months ago. It's a very good introduction to the practice (and the author didn't gloss over the fact that my search for a quick fix is fruitless). I can't actually remember much of what the book says - perhaps I didn't read it mindfully enough - but I remember really liking it. So I took it back to the library and ordered a copy from my local bookstore. It's sitting on my desk right now. I haven't cracked it open yet. It will require careful rereading. But if I start practicing today, I should be feeling better in ten years or so. Wish me luck. (less)
Loved it. I recommended it to my sister, who also loved it. Then a year later we were chatting about how interesting it was when we realized that neit...moreLoved it. I recommended it to my sister, who also loved it. Then a year later we were chatting about how interesting it was when we realized that neither of us could remember anything about it. So I reread it and loved it all over again - the ending took me by surprise the second time (sad what that says about my brain). I'd been so caught up in the fascinating ant-facts the first time around that I forgot about the intriguing story. If the second and third books of the trilogy are ever translated into English, I'll pick them up. (But my french isn't up to them. Sigh.)(less)
A beautiful, sad novel for young readers (or any age). Lovely writing, memorable characters, vivid setting (the place and its people come alive). I lo...moreA beautiful, sad novel for young readers (or any age). Lovely writing, memorable characters, vivid setting (the place and its people come alive). I loved the young narrator and felt all that he felt. But it is a sad one. (less)
I like all the Dragon books but this one is my fave. It's beautiful--funny and sweet and poignant. Children find it hilarious while adults are deeply...moreI like all the Dragon books but this one is my fave. It's beautiful--funny and sweet and poignant. Children find it hilarious while adults are deeply moved by it. Dragon is right up there with Frog and Toad among the great easy-readers. The illustrations and words are simple, yet say so much. (less)
Loved it. Gripping mystery, lively history, likeable complicated young hero. Set in dreary old London, with lots of poverty and crime, and every word...moreLoved it. Gripping mystery, lively history, likeable complicated young hero. Set in dreary old London, with lots of poverty and crime, and every word builds the scene and captures the mood. It's fun to read aloud - the words feel good on the tongue - but young readers might huddle over it quietly, whipping through the pages, eager to know what happens next. A modern classic. (less)
I liked this collection of poetry (with some prose) by teen girls and women, compiled in sections that correspond to the Greek myth of Persephone. The...moreI liked this collection of poetry (with some prose) by teen girls and women, compiled in sections that correspond to the Greek myth of Persephone. There is a LOT here: some pieces are great (my faves are "Life Before School" by Marla Merkley and "The Flower Child" by Jill Viccars) and some are very raw in style; as a collection it's a powerful look at the writing of young women and themes running through their work. Reminds me how dark youthful writing often is, and how similar our experiences and feelings are. Love it. (less)
I read this with my 8-year-old son and right away ordered all the other Hiccup books from the library. The characters are likeable, the situations are...moreI read this with my 8-year-old son and right away ordered all the other Hiccup books from the library. The characters are likeable, the situations are funny, the stories are exciting, and the illustrations are fun. Maybe this one is my fave of the series because we read it first, or maybe it's genuinely the best. Either way, the Hiccup books are great fun for adventure-loving kids. They're geared to 8-10-year-olds, who can read them alone, but they're fun to read aloud, too. The language is very chatty ("really quite"s unfortunately abound) and it's easy to grow attached to the characters.
The movie, How to Train Your Dragon, was very sweet but had little to do with the book, other than the character of Hiccup, the hero. I'm glad that its success has brought more readers to the series. (less)
Excellent book - such a sad story and, sadly, not unusual. Evil always seems to start out small and, when there`s no negative consequences, it grows a...moreExcellent book - such a sad story and, sadly, not unusual. Evil always seems to start out small and, when there`s no negative consequences, it grows and grows. The story is very well told (although the book ends oddly). It`s about the slaughter of the village and, less known, the American reaction at home when the news broke. Harrowing. Hard to believe, as such things always are. (less)
Loved it from the first line. I liked the setting - parties on the moon, adults who speak like internet comment boxes, a crumbling world just out of v...moreLoved it from the first line. I liked the setting - parties on the moon, adults who speak like internet comment boxes, a crumbling world just out of view - but it's the voice of the narrator and his reactions to the girl's situation that won me. I don't generally like sci-fi - it can be clunky in the demands it puts on the reader to pay attention to details that I just don't care about - but this was smooth as can be in building its world, which I found entirely (unfortunately) believable. (less)
I loved this book until the last 15 or 20 pages. I mean I loved, loved, loved it – while I was reading it, I was already savouring the idea of rereadi...moreI loved this book until the last 15 or 20 pages. I mean I loved, loved, loved it – while I was reading it, I was already savouring the idea of rereading it. It’s a rare YA book that has such strong rural characters. I just loved this protagonist, and the way his story is told, and the fact that his story is a microcosm of a hugely important story of a whole society. I would definitely recommend this book.
But I think I got too attached to the hero, maybe projecting too much onto him, and somehow I fell out of perspective near the end. Instead of going along with his story fully as I had been, suddenly I could see the same story written from another point of view, in which I wouldn't like this protagonist much at all. I don’t know how that happened since I agreed with his choices and with making him choose. Maybe the last scene was just too easy-going so it made him seem more shallow than he had throughout. Maybe I’d have been more satisfied if it had ended with the hero alone. Or maybe I just looked too long at the cover. I don’t know. Teens would probably like the very ending (and the cover) as it was. I will read it again sometime and see how I feel - it is beautifully written and an exceptional novel. (less)
If you think of this as an essay and NOT a history, it`s a very likeable book. It is beautifully written and full of interesting stuff that gets you t...moreIf you think of this as an essay and NOT a history, it`s a very likeable book. It is beautifully written and full of interesting stuff that gets you thinking. I`d recommend it to anyone intererested in myth and the "nature of man" and such stuff.
But not so much to people interested in historical facts, as it makes huge sweeping statements based on a very narrow range of evidence. (What is the deal with social scientists? Are they overcompensating for the difficulty of testing their theories? Physical scientists often stress that a theory is just the best interpretation of the available evidence; social scientists look at one cave painting and tell us the "facts" about what prehistoric humans thought and felt. Sheesh.)
Perhaps the questionable factual nature of the book is intentional? She talks about how people used to look at history in terms of what events meant, whereas now we care about what actually happened. This book works as old-school history in that sense, and it gets you thinking about ways we making meaning of the way others made myths. But throughout the book, I felt that her interpretations were imposed on the past and that life was probably nothing like what this book claims. (And I found the idea of novels serving as mthys in the modern world, well, lame.)
But it was still a very good book and I liked it very much. My favourite part was a quote from Pascal that made me think I should read more works from the 17th century. I figure any book that makes me want to go read Pascal is an exceptionally good book. (less)
I don't understand how you couldn't like Nick Hornby's books. He’s so bright and funny and there’s so much to relate to in all his characters. Admitte...moreI don't understand how you couldn't like Nick Hornby's books. He’s so bright and funny and there’s so much to relate to in all his characters. Admittedly, I wouldn't want to hang out with his characters in real life, but they are great company for fiction. I’ve read a long list of titles about depression and suicide lately, and this is my fave. It made me laugh throughout and left me feeling connected to people, yet somehow it captured the feeling of being depressed more realistically for me than more depressing books do. Genius. I loved it. (less)
I got a real kick out of this one. My 9-year-old enjoyed it, too, when we read it together, but it was hard for him to catch all the allusions. It’s b...moreI got a real kick out of this one. My 9-year-old enjoyed it, too, when we read it together, but it was hard for him to catch all the allusions. It’s best suited to older readers. As a fan of Edgar Allan Poe, I especially loved Rex’s spoofs of the Raven. The Headless Horseman’s blog was great. But the Kaiju Haiku page really stole my heart. This is strange collection of poems and art, not a typical storybook. Throughout, the artwork is gorgeous and varied – photographs, cartoons, paintings, line drawings – and the stories/skits are funny. Any reader is bound to like a few of them. Definitely worth looking for and rereading.(less)
Cute read-aloud for young kids on the traditional scary-noise theme. Fun sounds to make in the repetitive text bits, mounting suspense and nice resolu...moreCute read-aloud for young kids on the traditional scary-noise theme. Fun sounds to make in the repetitive text bits, mounting suspense and nice resolution. (less)
Very nice hibernation picture book. Simple facts are passed on through a gentle story about animals getting ready to hibernate, and helping each other...moreVery nice hibernation picture book. Simple facts are passed on through a gentle story about animals getting ready to hibernate, and helping each other along. The easy repetitive text has a nice flow and the handmade paper artwork is gorgeous; together they convey a lovely sleepy sort of feel. (less)
Really well-written, incredible in capturing a time and place. (The only thing that keeps me from giving five stars is that I didn't like the narrator...moreReally well-written, incredible in capturing a time and place. (The only thing that keeps me from giving five stars is that I didn't like the narrator. I liked his friend and I liked his story but not him.) (less)
Awesome adventure of a shoe and a poo and how the two meet. Silly and fun, my son and I were in hysterics reading this one aloud. You can pick up this...moreAwesome adventure of a shoe and a poo and how the two meet. Silly and fun, my son and I were in hysterics reading this one aloud. You can pick up this one on its own or as part of the 3-story Rover Adventures.
Roddy Doyle amazes me – he writes for kids just as well as he writes for adults, and that`s saying something. (less)
I love all the Little Rabbit books, as did my kids. He`s just so cute in that little suit, and he`s a full character whose small adventures really con...moreI love all the Little Rabbit books, as did my kids. He`s just so cute in that little suit, and he`s a full character whose small adventures really connect with kids. (less)
This is the auto-biography of Jack Gantos's young adult life (before he became a children's book writer). It begins with a riveting introduction in pr...moreThis is the auto-biography of Jack Gantos's young adult life (before he became a children's book writer). It begins with a riveting introduction in prison, and goes on to describe how he got there. The juxtaposition of a casual drug smuggling adventure, and the terror of prison it leads to, is very well done. (Most of the story takes place outside of prison - it's fun and funny. There is not much description of prison life, though I don't blame the author for that - who'd want to revisit that hell?) Autobiographies are always interesting just to see how people position themselves in their own stories. Gantos writes his story so well, it's definitely one worth reading. (less)
He is an awesome writer. I liked this book very much; it's intelligent and intriguing and some amazing passages have stuck with me for a long time. I'...moreHe is an awesome writer. I liked this book very much; it's intelligent and intriguing and some amazing passages have stuck with me for a long time. I'm not good with ratings systems - this book is better than others I've given more stars to. It's like I rate different books on different scales; so this is a 3 stars on the very top literary scale (would be 3.5 but they don't offer that). (less)
I LOVE this picture book. It’s about a squirrel, a hedgehog, and a bear waiting for winter. A common picture book storyline, perhaps, but not at all t...moreI LOVE this picture book. It’s about a squirrel, a hedgehog, and a bear waiting for winter. A common picture book storyline, perhaps, but not at all tired in this book. The text is cute and clever but the drawings steal the show. The scruffy little faces on his characters brim with emotion. Meschenmoser’s funny text and lively sketches are unique and captivating and definitely worth searching for.(less)
This was a great read. The main character is so likeable, the voice is amazing and truly unique, the world is well-conceived and horrifying. I would d...moreThis was a great read. The main character is so likeable, the voice is amazing and truly unique, the world is well-conceived and horrifying. I would definitely recommend this book and the rest of the Chaos Walking series. I won't be reading book 2 myself because (a) the world is too grim for my liking; (b) my fave character died; (c) each book is really long (and so good, it's not skimmable - you want to read every word); and (d) books that are not self-contained just bug the hell out of me. But I would recommend it highly to anyone who likes series.(less)
One of those books I had to renew from the library several times to digest completely. Dense but very well-written, about violence in humans and other...moreOne of those books I had to renew from the library several times to digest completely. Dense but very well-written, about violence in humans and other primates. Extra points for the great title. (less)
This was a nice read, fun to read aloud, with beautiful phrasing and interesting gentle illustrations. Not as much kid-appeal as some others I've read...moreThis was a nice read, fun to read aloud, with beautiful phrasing and interesting gentle illustrations. Not as much kid-appeal as some others I've read aloud, but I really liked it.(less)
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