I read this book after realizing how much the summary matches a situation in my own life. I didn't read it because I wanted a health plan or because I...moreI read this book after realizing how much the summary matches a situation in my own life. I didn't read it because I wanted a health plan or because I needed advice. I read this book because it felt like someone who would understand what's it like to try and help a child with weight issues in a world filled with food rewards, treat bags and parties. No one has a meeting, a game or a get-together without a junk food of some sort, and it's usually paired with a nice pouch of fruit-flavored HFCS. For many kids, this doesn't cause noticeable problems...but for those that are already facing overweight/obese labels, it can be a nightmare. This book was hard to read because it hit so close to home but it was also a relief because it gave me hope.
There was a section on a magazine article and quite a few reviews mention it, as well. I had never heard of the book until I found it on my library website so I managed to miss all the drama. I will say that this is probably a book that you won't appreciate unless you have enough empathy to extend it an overweight child or are questioning how to talk diets with a young girl. If you are...read this book.(less)
Not a bad book but better editing would have helped. "Your seventeen" instead of "you're seventeen" and "except" instead of "accept" type problems wer...moreNot a bad book but better editing would have helped. "Your seventeen" instead of "you're seventeen" and "except" instead of "accept" type problems were distracting. There was a decent premise and a few characters I liked but everything was so predictable that I found myself skimming to the pages where the people would finally get to the point.(less)
This reminds me of the old-time radio programs with the quick action, tough guys and stupid crooks. The nostalgic feel was fun but the links to the in...moreThis reminds me of the old-time radio programs with the quick action, tough guys and stupid crooks. The nostalgic feel was fun but the links to the interpretations of 50's carny slang completely made the book.(less)
I have apparently fallen (again!) for the publisher's trick of making you think you are reading a stand-alone book until the end, at which point they...moreI have apparently fallen (again!) for the publisher's trick of making you think you are reading a stand-alone book until the end, at which point they have simply dumped you at a critical point in the story. I see two book after this, similar to Life As We Knew It - one will tell the story from Alex's POV and one will be the reunion. It's also reminiscent of the Gone series, but (thankfully) a lot less wordy.
I won't read book 2. I'm just going to pretend that everyone dies as the earth explodes. So much easier...(less)
The library's book club chose this as the book of the month so I picked up a copy. It's a plot concept I might have picked up on my own and I expected...moreThe library's book club chose this as the book of the month so I picked up a copy. It's a plot concept I might have picked up on my own and I expected to enjoy it. There's a dysfunctional family, a series of problems that bring the kids back to the nest and a cancer fight in a parent. Add in the fact that they are bookish and it was a recipe for success.
I had two major issues with the book, however. First, was the tone. The story would be told from Rose's point of view and then would include "our mother" or "our house" and I would think, "Oh, is Bean talking? It can't be Cordy because it's about Rose's opinions of her." And then, a few moments later I would swear that Cordy was telling the story but the changes from "my" to "our" would pop up again. It turns out that this is considered first-person plural and the narrators are presented as a 'we' instead of a 'me.' I hate it. Hate, hate, hate it. My second issue was the father's dependence on Shakespeare for basic human interaction. He's a human being that cannot write a personal note, answer a basic question or talk to his family without using quotes. This person simply couldn't be a functional adult with a job and family.
It had the potential for 3 stars but I wasn't able to get past the lack of a single storyteller...or a rotation of individual storytellers. (less)
These Instructables booklets are nothing more than web links and featured products but I enjoy most of them. There's typically 10-15 items, all with s...moreThese Instructables booklets are nothing more than web links and featured products but I enjoy most of them. There's typically 10-15 items, all with step by step instructions and plenty of pictures. This one was Valentine's Day focused (which makes it odd that I stumbled across it in September...) but I found two projects for my daughter and I to make together and the season won't matter! My favorites are the solid perfume and the fabric postcard. (less)
Fascinating book that looks into people's reactions to disasters. This was a book that was so filled with intriguing details and surprising stories th...moreFascinating book that looks into people's reactions to disasters. This was a book that was so filled with intriguing details and surprising stories that I found myself repeatedly telling my husband, "Oh, I just read the most interesting thing. Did you know..." Included are stories of big disasters - 9/11, tsunamis and hurricanes - as well as ones about individuals and their personal disasters. It's a long read but well worth it.(less)
I stumbled across this book when I was searching for Kindle diabetes books. When I saw the title, I had an immediate, negative response. Starving diab...moreI stumbled across this book when I was searching for Kindle diabetes books. When I saw the title, I had an immediate, negative response. Starving diabetics?? In this day and age?? How horrific! I'm glad I took a closer look. The reason it sounds so archaic is because it was published in 1916...which, as anyone likely to read this book probably knows, predates the discovery of insulin and the start of insulin therapies. This book represents the cutting edge of pre-insulin diabetic treatment options.
I'd always read that starvation was the treatment of choice and had discovered that it was used to add a few years to the life of a diabetic. I'd seen emaciated figures that were living on this plan and had always wondered how difficult that life was. My daughter was diagnosed at two years old and the thought of starving her to keep her alive has haunted me and made me even more grateful for insulin. I have this fearful place in my brain that worries about what we would do if something catastrophic happened and insulin was no longer an option.
Now I know. We'd go with this plan, no matter the miserableness. It IS doable and, while strict and monotonous, would give us time until insulin production could be restarted. What can I say...I'm a prepper...
What they did was starve a person until no sugar remained in their urine. They subsisted on whiskey and coffee for a day or two (or ten!) until low carb, mid protein and high fat diets could be built. Thrice boiled veggies, plenty of butter and meat, little in the way of bread. Again, this is not something I ever want to do and would never recommend in daily use but as an emergency, it gives me a little hope that I could help her survive in a disaster.
And, seeing the pre-insulin options was eye-opening. Not a book for most people but I am truly glad I read it.(less)
I'm going to sound like a name snob but the character names were so distracting from the story that there was no chance of my getting involved in the...moreI'm going to sound like a name snob but the character names were so distracting from the story that there was no chance of my getting involved in the plot. Monson, Artorius, Cassius, Taris, Indigo, Ignacio, Markin...really?!?
The story was a series of dialogue and a description of a school for the wealthy. There is no explanation of the bridge incident or his scars. The Hero role is mentioned every page but never detailed. The book ends randomly with no closure.
Not only will I not read book 2, I can also say that I am not even interested enough in the series to bother googling it to see what eventually happens. (less)
I've giving this book 3 stars only because, in re-reading the synopsis, I realized that the book did deliver on its promised topics. There were checkl...moreI've giving this book 3 stars only because, in re-reading the synopsis, I realized that the book did deliver on its promised topics. There were checklists and basic information that would help someone who is completely unaware of the basics of starting a business. I had read it because I hoped to find a little more than the basics and was disappointed that it was so limited in scope.(less)
Meh. Neat idea but oddly written book. Everything read as a synopsis instead of a story and it doesn't actually end. It's like reading the back of the...moreMeh. Neat idea but oddly written book. Everything read as a synopsis instead of a story and it doesn't actually end. It's like reading the back of the book except it takes hours of your life and when you're done you feel like you can actually start the story. Except that it's apparently another book. Maybe it's best described as a 300 page prologue.(less)
It's a unique take on dystopia as the people, after being involved in the required catastrophic event, continue to live life as before. Governments do...moreIt's a unique take on dystopia as the people, after being involved in the required catastrophic event, continue to live life as before. Governments don't topple, the food supply continues to work, people go to school and work, lost loved ones are remembered and missed...but life goes on.
I found the transitions difficult but this may have been due to the fact that I listened to the book instead of reading it. As perspectives changed I was often caught unawares and would flounder until the plot became clear enough for me to distinguish the speaker.
I think I would have been nonplussed to discover there was never an explanation, but I read enough reviews early in the book and was prepared.
I like the premise of the book but was never able to attach myself to the characters, except for the mayor. Nora was a puzzle to me. Laurie's decision to abandon her life to join something as bizarre as the Guilty Remnant was too odd for me. Tom's desire to follow Holy Wayne was plausible, as was the idea of a perverted cult leader, but his dedication to remaining away from home seemed unlikely.
The end was as uneventful as the rest of the book, and that isn't a bad thing...just a bit of story-telling without drama. (less)
Cute book for young crafters. With help, little ones could make many of the projects and once they are 8, kids could make most of them independently....moreCute book for young crafters. With help, little ones could make many of the projects and once they are 8, kids could make most of them independently. Some of the projects are a little odd or dated but the average child would probably find a handful to make. (less)
I agree with the reviewers that felt frustrated by the skin-baring designs in the book. My DD and I checked it out for her so the youth issue isn't a...moreI agree with the reviewers that felt frustrated by the skin-baring designs in the book. My DD and I checked it out for her so the youth issue isn't a problem but the ability to translate these ideas into kid-friendly clothes is hard. We've made one design so far and she loves it so it's a 4 star for us...but everything is going to require a tank under the shirt ;)(less)
Poirot's last case? It was inconceivable. Surely Agatha Christie wouldn't kill off one of the greatest detectives of all time! Alas, that is exactly h...morePoirot's last case? It was inconceivable. Surely Agatha Christie wouldn't kill off one of the greatest detectives of all time! Alas, that is exactly her intent.
This is one of my favorite Christie books. It's a return to Styles and includes both Poirot and Hastings and it shares the quaintness that all her books have gained over the decades. It's so difficult to write a review for a mystery so I will say only that I was completely surprised by the end of the book - both the revelation of the murderer and the last thoughts of Poirot. (less)
Have you ever wondered what would happen if a globe-trotting do-gooder decided to write a philosophy book? If so, you might be interested in this book...moreHave you ever wondered what would happen if a globe-trotting do-gooder decided to write a philosophy book? If so, you might be interested in this book. If you want anything with substance, anything about small house living, anything with first-hand knowledge of living off-grid after planting acres of self-sustaining food crops, then you need to find another book.
This is possibly bad enough to make my "Ten Worst Books Ever." It might even knock Twilight down a point. (less)
I needed a feel-good family and forgiveness story to break up the dystopian stuff I've been reading and this was an excellent book to choose. It had d...moreI needed a feel-good family and forgiveness story to break up the dystopian stuff I've been reading and this was an excellent book to choose. It had drama, family breaks in two generations, death and loss, and cute parts. It wasn't a long break but it managed to fit quite a bit of detail into each character and I enjoyed hearing the stories from the various points of view. This was an enjoyable, easy to listen to book and I'll remember Luanne Rice next time I need a book to relax with.(less)
I don't like biographies, generally. And I despise vampires. Most likely, the fault for that is Twilight, which I abhor.
I'm not sure why I read it. I...moreI don't like biographies, generally. And I despise vampires. Most likely, the fault for that is Twilight, which I abhor.
I'm not sure why I read it. I'm not even sure why I downloaded it. Perhaps it was the movie? I remember when it came out (along with the Redbox mockbuster featuring Abe and some zombies) because I laughed at the notion that someone would turn Abraham Lincoln into a vampire slayer. And, even more crazily, that Hollywood would produce it. I figured it would be worth a few laughs.
Instead of mockery, I became so fascinated with it that I actually told other people about it. And, even more shocking, I found myself asking, "I wonder if this part is in the movie?" and "That would make a great scene!" I'm one of those book snobs that swears that the book is always better than the movie (with the notable exception of The Hobbit) yet I'm planning to rent the video on my next movie night. It's that good of a book.
Now I see that he has a book blending Pride and Prejudice with zombies. I'm not a fan of P&P but I'm considering the zombie version just to see if it might be more my style.(less)
I'm not vegan...in fact, I'm not even vegetarian. That said, I didn't check out this book for specific recipes as I would sub in the ingredients that...moreI'm not vegan...in fact, I'm not even vegetarian. That said, I didn't check out this book for specific recipes as I would sub in the ingredients that match my lifestyles. There are a few ideas I'll try but most of the ideas, in my opinion, aren't "easy" and they are a little too much for lunch. This wasn't a book that inspired me toward any new lunch box ideas for my kids or for me.(less)
Excellent resource for the IEP process. I feel that so many parents are unaware of their ability to advocate for their children and don't know that th...moreExcellent resource for the IEP process. I feel that so many parents are unaware of their ability to advocate for their children and don't know that they have the power to push back against schools' decisions. It's intimidating to go against a school, especially when you don't understand the laws completely or are unsure of what to request. This book walks you through the entire process and is filled with advice designed to help you get the support your child needs. I recommend this for any parent that believes their child needs an IEP.(less)
My daughter and I have read the Clue Crew books and a few of the notebooks and we're finally starting on the original Nancy Drew! I love sharing this...moreMy daughter and I have read the Clue Crew books and a few of the notebooks and we're finally starting on the original Nancy Drew! I love sharing this character with my daughter, making her the third generation Nancy Drew fan in our family!
Life is so different - sweater suits for casual wear, no cell phones for emergencies, robbers that are easily caught and quickly confess, dirt roads, etc. Wonderful reminders of days gone by.(less)
I always like finding fun cookbooks for holidays. It's nice to be able to bring something new to an office party or festive get-together. Cake pops ar...moreI always like finding fun cookbooks for holidays. It's nice to be able to bring something new to an office party or festive get-together. Cake pops are so adorable and I was tempted by the free download.
Excellent flavor pairings. Numerous enough that there has to be something in it for everyone. The recipes themselves are written in an unusual way - more paragraphs and a conversational tone that bulleted lists and clear instructions. Also, the format is repetitive. I didn't dock stars for that, however, as it is probably due to the fact that it's a Kindle book. In paperback form, the pages would probably be set up with one recipe on each page and the consistent layout and design would be ideal.(less)
I'm not sure how I missed this during my "Little House" years but I would have enjoyed this diary.
It's a good book, if a bit dull. The 'author' is a...moreI'm not sure how I missed this during my "Little House" years but I would have enjoyed this diary.
It's a good book, if a bit dull. The 'author' is a 14 year old New Hampshire farm girl and it touches briefly on farm life, slavery, school, family life, factory workers and other themes of the day but it fails to go in depth in any. I would have enjoyed the book more had there been a focus on any of these topics.
I was surprised to see a recipe from my collection in the book. I originally found it in a cookbook from the 1850s so it was definitely appropriate to the story - just a surprise to see it in print again!
For a tween that enjoys autobiographical accounts of life in other times, this would be a good book. It's easy to read and brings history more to life. For instance, she might know that children worked in dangerous conditions in factories but to 'know' someone that was being sent to do the job to help support her family helps them see how it would feel.(less)
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