Lovely patterns, and easily adapted to cross-stitch embroidery. I am working on one project at the moment, and will have to refer to this book again a...moreLovely patterns, and easily adapted to cross-stitch embroidery. I am working on one project at the moment, and will have to refer to this book again and again as I begin others.(less)
A nice, fitting end to the series. I particularly enjoyed the appearance of so many past book characters, and the rampant Sookie humor. Not what I'd c...moreA nice, fitting end to the series. I particularly enjoyed the appearance of so many past book characters, and the rampant Sookie humor. Not what I'd consider my favorite book of the series, but a tidy end.(less)
A thought-provoking and eye-opening read. Had some good suggestions on healing, and also how to deal with someone who has a narcissistic personality....moreA thought-provoking and eye-opening read. Had some good suggestions on healing, and also how to deal with someone who has a narcissistic personality. Even though this book is geared toward the mother-daughter relationship, I'd recommend this to sons as well, or even people just looking for some insight into how a narcissistic personality type works and functions.(less)
I'm still not quite done with this book, but it is such an excellent resource and covers so many different topics, I imagine it will be on my shelf as...moreI'm still not quite done with this book, but it is such an excellent resource and covers so many different topics, I imagine it will be on my shelf as a well-used reference tool for the next couple years. Mrs. Tamaro's writing style is friendly and comforting, and you can tell she speaks from several years of experience. This book contains a wealth of information. I'd definitely recommend it for a new mom or soon-to-be new mom like myself who wants to learn more about the topic of breastfeeding your child and all the potential challenges therein.(less)
A very interesting book! The author takes you through the development of early Christianity in Ireland, showing how it evolved and was influenced by e...moreA very interesting book! The author takes you through the development of early Christianity in Ireland, showing how it evolved and was influenced by early Celtic spirituality. While a slim book, "Listening" doesn't skimp on food for thought.(less)
Took me forever to get going on this one, but it's yet another excellent book from Mr. Butcher. He really ups the ante in this one; everything is at s...moreTook me forever to get going on this one, but it's yet another excellent book from Mr. Butcher. He really ups the ante in this one; everything is at stake, nothing is safe... A fitting addition to the Dresden series! Butcher's writing just keeps getting better and better... I always wonder just how on earth he'll top the book I just read, and then I pick up the next one and he does it! Amazing!(less)
I can't help but feel this book is a bit bittersweet. Everything works out for the best, but both Peeta and Katniss are left so scarred and damaged by...moreI can't help but feel this book is a bit bittersweet. Everything works out for the best, but both Peeta and Katniss are left so scarred and damaged by the events of the Hunger Games and the Rebellion, it makes me feel sad that they may never be completely whole again. It makes me feel sad that they were both used like tools for the different factions to achieve their own ends. They were forced to sacrifice so much for things to work out.
It's really not fair that their lives were destroyed. But then again, life is NOT fair and never has been, and that's part of the beauty of this book series. It's real.
Collins is a talented writer. She has a knack for drawing you in, and I look forward to reading more by her.(less)
I am not a fan of dystopian fiction. I'm also a cheater, because I saw the movie first. That said, this book was EXCELLENT! Collins does a very nice j...moreI am not a fan of dystopian fiction. I'm also a cheater, because I saw the movie first. That said, this book was EXCELLENT! Collins does a very nice job bringing the reader into Katniss's mind with immediacy. Better than Twilight, and even more so because the heroine is a very can-do sort of girl. Awesome. :)(less)
Another very good book from Mr. Butcher! There were things I liked (there being warriors from God, the concept of the Sight revealing the truth of peo...moreAnother very good book from Mr. Butcher! There were things I liked (there being warriors from God, the concept of the Sight revealing the truth of people) and things I wasn't so hot about (Evil vampire plot? All-out war between supernatural factions? Haven't those been done before?), but all in all, Mr. Butcher *knows* how to craft a story. :)(less)
Much better! I had a love/hate relationship with book one, but book two grabbed me and hung on for dear life. So much so, that when I finished it, I w...moreMuch better! I had a love/hate relationship with book one, but book two grabbed me and hung on for dear life. So much so, that when I finished it, I went down to the library and checked out books three and four....(less)
My only beef with this book is the fact that the uber-scientific, left-brain explanations of brain function were a tad hard to follow for this really...moreMy only beef with this book is the fact that the uber-scientific, left-brain explanations of brain function were a tad hard to follow for this really right-brained individual. I ended up glossing over much of the heavy science because it was hard to make heads or tails of.
That said, I LOVED the stories, anecdotes, and the speculation on Corvid reasoning processes. Utterly fascinating! I am impressed more and more by this family of birds. Truly remarkable. :)(less)
**spoiler alert** In two words: Terribly disappointing.
I picked up this book because I've been following the series and it's the last one. I was hopin...more**spoiler alert** In two words: Terribly disappointing.
I picked up this book because I've been following the series and it's the last one. I was hoping for a nice resolution to Raven's wish to become a vampire, a nice happy-ever-after with her vampire boyfriend, Alexander, and a final showdown with her arch nemesis, Trevor. Oh, I had so many hopes, especially when the novel started out pretty good.
It went downhill very, very fast.
[SPOILER ALERT!]
Schreiber could have done SO MUCH with the plot. By introducing Alexander's little sister, Schreiber had the perfect opportunity to introduce Raven to the cons of being a vampire. She had the perfect opportunity to make Raven wrestle a little with hard reality. But no: it's all rainbows and sun-(moon?)-shine. Every potential problem is nothing more than a very minor speedbump that's magically overcome in the next page. Trevor? Nothing more than a cardboard device to hint at the love triangle that never happens. Luna and Jagger? They could have been so devious and malicious. Instead they are more cardboard stereotypes of a vampire Barbie and Ken. Most of the book is just a fluffy little running social commentary on who is up to what.
When Raven ultimately decides she DOES want to be turned (not that there ever was a true decision, just I WANT I WANT), Schreiber also had the perfect opportunity to address the issue of Raven's life change; how it would affect her friendship with Becky, how it would affect her relationship with her family, how it would affect her school career... but nothing of the like was ever really and truly touched on. Raven and Alexander pretty much elope without telling any of the important people -- his parents, her parents, etc. They make absolutely no game plan for the future other than "I love you and you love me so lets just do it." I know this is a teen novel, and we're dealing with teenage characters, but given that Alexander held out for so long and his reasons for such (seeing the difficulties in it), I had hoped he would be a mature voice of reason: "hey, your parents at least need to know, so they can deal with the school administration."
Nothing of the like. It's as if finding your 'one true love' magically destroys all barriers and life is just sunshine and butterflies. Certainly finding your true love makes life a ton easier, but there are still challenges and difficult things you have to face -- together. Love is not a 'proceed to GO and collect $200' card. It's beautiful and raw and makes men and women walk through Hell to get it and keep it. It comes with its own set of challenges. Loving someone is easy -- it's creating a life with that person that is the trick.
"Twilight" at least got that.
I was truly disappointed in this final installment to the Vampire Kisses series, and I doubt I'll recommend it to anyone other than die-hard fans. If that...(less)
Pretty decent! When I got this book from the library, there was quite a bit of ambiguity as to whether it was truly a Christian read because it IS abo...morePretty decent! When I got this book from the library, there was quite a bit of ambiguity as to whether it was truly a Christian read because it IS about a vampire. Even though this is the first book I've read in the "CF" genre, there was no doubt that's what this was. Lots of religious symbolism, but very well done. The biggest reason I haven't read any Christian books before is because I have little interest in "Hallmark" style western love stories or Amish fiction, and then secondly because i dislike feeling lectured or "preached" at. I would definitely read more by this author: she does very well at walking the line -- being fresh and edgy in her topic matter, and yet staying true to the morals and teachings of the Christian faith -- and doing so in a manner that doesn't alienate readers like me who are spiritual and non-denominational.
As far as the writing went, I did feel at times that Viguie was hedging us out of some really cool descriptions, but at the same time, it did move the plot along and succeeded at making this book hard to put down. Nice!
Yes, I'm definitely on board for book two. :)(less)
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