http://www.goodreads.com/review/list_rss/403928 en-US Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:01:30 -0700 60 http://www.goodreads.com/ 200 41 http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_logo.gif 27807591 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:01:30 -0700
author: Diablo Cody
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.53
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/24/08
shelves:
review:
I figured this would be entertaining, but the excellent writing made it particularly enjoyable.
]]> 27807813 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:01:35 -0700
author: Vicki Iovine
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.68
book published: 1999
rating: 3
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/24/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 13563248 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:17:03 -0700
author: Laurie Notaro
name: Terrie
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/22/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 17196826 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:11:45 -0700
author: Sarah Graves
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.57
book published: 2006
rating: 2
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/18/08
shelves:
review:
This one was a little slow, and the plot a little weak. Also there is information about the book discovered in her house in the previous book, but it doesn't resolve yet.
]]> 24545089 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:24:06 -0700
author: Virginia Lanier
name: Terrie
average rating: 4.09
book published: 1996
rating: 4
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/14/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 26355094 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:20:00 -0700
author: Virginia Lanier
name: Terrie
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/14/08
shelves:
review:
A satisfying conclusion to the series.
]]> 26355085 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:39:33 -0700
author: Virginia Lanier
name: Terrie
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2000
rating: 3
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/11/08
shelves:
review:
Again, contrived that JoBeth is investigating a crime, but good overall. We finally get a resolution on Bubba.
]]> 26355090 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:38:01 -0700
author: Virginia Lanier
name: Terrie
average rating: 4.18
book published: 1999
rating: 3
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/11/08
shelves:
review:
Still good, but it's getting a little farfetched that JoBeth is asked to investigate a crime.
]]> 25959346 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:52:45 -0700
author: Virginia Lanier
name: Terrie
average rating: 4.28
book published: 1998
rating: 4
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/06/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 25959320 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:52:11 -0700
author: Virginia Lanier
name: Terrie
average rating: 4.13
book published: 1997
rating: 4
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/06/08
shelves:
review:
The central plot resolves, but the book ends in a cliffhanger. Unfortunately it is not resolved in the next book, either, though it's alluded to.
]]> 24619405 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:33:57 -0700
author: John Grisham
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.55
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/26/08
shelves:
review:
The subject was fascinating - and alarming. The writing suffered from two problems: 1) the same as in the Duke Lacrosse book I read recently, the author cannot refrain from making sarcastic comments throughout. Trust me, the injustice and absurdity is blatantly obvious to the reader and does not need reinforcing, and 2) like many nonfiction books of today, there was a lot of pointless filler. For example, we don't need pages and pages of description of Ron's exploits to understand that he is mentally ill.
]]> 13565793 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:25:59 -0700
author: Janet Evanovich
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/24/08
shelves:
review:
This got slammed pretty bad in Amazon reviews, but I didn't think it was that bad. It's certainly not the best Stephanie Plum, and the recent ones are not as good as the first, but I thought the whole thing with the Zook car was really funny. Ranger and Grandma Mazur do not figure as prominently though, and they're two of the best auxiliary characters.
]]> 23943730 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 05:46:01 -0700
author: Caren Lissner
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.39
book published: 2004
rating: 3
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/19/08
shelves:
review:
Again, far more depth than your average Red Dress Ink imprint book. A little too predictable though.
]]> 13563907 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:37:00 -0700
author: Kathryn R. Wall
name: Terrie
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 16899830 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:51:51 -0700
The last two chapters, about moral and social decision making, were weaker and not as relevant.]]>
author: Gerd Gigerenzer
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.61
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/16/08
shelves:
review:
Research coming from the Max Planck institute is always fascinating. Enjoyed this book overall, especially the part about one-reason decisions and sparse decision trees, and effective ways to make decisions quickly.

The last two chapters, about moral and social decision making, were weaker and not as relevant.
]]> 19365088 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:34:09 -0700
author: Susan Goodwill
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.36
book published: 2007
rating: 2
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/12/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 19365106 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:33:29 -0700
author: Natalie M. Roberts
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.13
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 05/08
date added: 06/12/08
shelves:
review:
Ballet + Mystery + Chick Lit? How can you lose? Actually this was better than I expected based on the reviews. Light, quick read, and funny.
]]> 20926035 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:30:36 -0700
author: Natalie M. Roberts
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.63
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/12/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 23080904 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:25:33 -0700
author: Phillip Margolin
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.70
book published: 2006
rating: 2
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/12/08
shelves:
review:
We started off listening to this on CD, and when we didn't finish on the trip decided to read the rest of it rather than have to sit through another 5 hours. The plot is interesting, but there is so much superfluous exposition that (especially in an audiobook) it will drive you crazy. The plot was also overly dependent on coincidences.
]]> 23301586 Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:54:20 -0700
author: Caren Lissner
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.52
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/07/08
shelves:
review:
I'm perplexed why this was a Red Dress Ink imprint, because the only thing "chick lit" about it is the fact that the protagonist is a 19 yo female who lives in NYC. Really an excellent novel.
]]> 23301621 Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:52:42 -0700
author: Laura Caldwell
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.53
book published: 2003
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 06/07/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 23080733 Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:52:15 -0700
author: Heather Macdowell
name: Terrie
average rating: 2.95
book published: 2008
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 06/07/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 20926042 Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:52:10 -0700
author: Natalie M. Roberts
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 06/07/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 23818868 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:02:25 -0700
author: Alex Frankel
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.10
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 06/05/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 23080602 Thu, 29 May 2008 20:01:45 -0700
author: Jill Conner Browne
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/29/08
shelves:
review:
Some of it was just "meh" but the chapters entitled "Penii" and "Kids' Cussing" had me laughing out loud.
]]> 23062009 Thu, 29 May 2008 16:48:39 -0700
author: Paco Underhill
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2000
rating: 3
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/29/08
shelves:
review:
Showing its age, having been published in 1999 (the numerous Blockbuster references were amusing) but enjoyable nonetheless. The generalization of how women shop was embarrasingly apt.
]]> 23080635 Thu, 29 May 2008 16:46:09 -0700
The book makes numerous dire statements, refers to mysterious "studies" throughout, and does not contain a single footnote or bibliography to provide references. It wouldn't even pass Wikipedia standards.]]>
author: Lynda Fassa
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.32
book published: 2008
rating: 1
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/29/08
shelves:
review:
I usually can get a couple tips from a book like this, but not this time. It's full of gems such as "Some studies estimate that one in 500 children who play on arsenic-treated wood playgrounds may develop fatal cancer later in life due to this exposure". Note she doesn't say which studies, how many, how they estimated, and even this statement says they "may" develop cancer.

The book makes numerous dire statements, refers to mysterious "studies" throughout, and does not contain a single footnote or bibliography to provide references. It wouldn't even pass Wikipedia standards.
]]> 23258813 Thu, 29 May 2008 16:35:17 -0700
author: Jeannette Walls
name: Terrie
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 07/05
date added: 05/29/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 15362565 Tue, 27 May 2008 16:49:16 -0700
author: Thomas Sowell
name: Terrie
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2007
rating: 5
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/27/08
shelves:
review:
Simply outstanding. I always enjoy Sowell's columns, and this book does not disappoint. Very readable for a book that's heavy in statistics. Particularly enjoyed the explanations of why real estate is so expensive in San Francisco, why urban sprawl isn't bad, and what the "real" income disparity is between men and women. (If you have a college age child, skip the chapter on Academia, you're better off not knowing.) Made me realize I've been hoodwinked by some of the statistics.
]]> 20205648 Mon, 19 May 2008 21:39:10 -0700 An Unquiet Mind, but truly amazing that she has managed to lead such a full life while dealing with this debilitating illness.]]>
author: Marya Hornbacher
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/19/08
shelves:
review:
Not as compelling as An Unquiet Mind, but truly amazing that she has managed to lead such a full life while dealing with this debilitating illness.
]]> 13565558 Mon, 19 May 2008 06:44:09 -0700 Something Borrowed. Subsequent books just seem flat.]]>
author: Emily Giffin
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.58
book published: 2008
rating: 2
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/19/08
shelves:
review:
I've really not enjoyed anything as well as Something Borrowed. Subsequent books just seem flat.
]]> 11392913 Fri, 16 May 2008 13:51:18 -0700
author: Tyler Cowen
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.27
book published: 2007
rating: 1
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/16/08
shelves:
review:
What a thorough disappointment. I love books in this genre, so I was really surprised not to enjoy this one. The writing and subject matter was very ADD, jumping all over the place. The only chapter that really tied to economics was the penultimate on charitable giving. No real insights here.
]]> 22259944 Fri, 16 May 2008 13:48:24 -0700
author: Christopher H. Fanta
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.00
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/16/08
shelves:
review:
C. laughed at me for adding this to my list, but I was reading it, so why not? A few years out of date, but a great overview; particularly good was the section on asthma myths.
]]> 22150957 Tue, 13 May 2008 09:17:35 -0700
author: Clay Harvey
name: Terrie
average rating: 2.50
book published: 1997
rating: 2
read at: 05/06
date added: 05/13/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 21785235 Wed, 07 May 2008 09:49:12 -0700
author: Denise Fields
name: Terrie
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 05/07/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 21125396 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:28:59 -0700
author: Sophie Hannah
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.04
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/30/08
shelves:
review:
Great plot, hated the writing style. Which is odd because the author writes a lot of poetry, so you'd think it would be fluid, but it seemed very stilted. The character of Charlie seems entirely superfluous. Also for the US printing, they should have edited some of the more obscure British slang.
]]> 21125348 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:27:55 -0700
author: Lisa Daily
name: Terrie
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/29/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 13564045 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:33:00 -0700
author: Alexander McCall Smith
name: Terrie
average rating: 4.02
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/25/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 19663453 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 05:30:26 -0700
author: Mary Higgins Clark
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/22/08
shelves:
review:
Good page turner. I got overwhelmed by the number of characters introduced in quick succession in the beginning, but otherwise a great plot.
]]> 13563829 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 05:28:55 -0700 Good in Bed. Depressing ending.]]>
author: Jennifer Weiner
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.58
book published: 2008
rating: 2
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/21/08
shelves:
review:
Disappointing. Cannie (and her daughter) just seem whiny in this book as compared to Good in Bed. Depressing ending.
]]> 20205775 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:24:16 -0700
author: Lucy Maud Montgomery
name: Terrie
average rating: 4.26
book published: 1909
rating: 3
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/15/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 20205698 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:23:51 -0700 Madness to my list reminded me of it. Really intersting memoir in that the author both suffered from bipolar disease and also obtained a PhD in psychology.]]>
author: Kay Redfield Jamison
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.96
book published: 1995
rating: 4
read at: 01/03
date added: 04/15/08
shelves:
review:
Read this years ago, but adding Madness to my list reminded me of it. Really intersting memoir in that the author both suffered from bipolar disease and also obtained a PhD in psychology.
]]> 15708538 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:37:20 -0700
author: Budge Wilson
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/14/08
shelves:
review:
Enjoyable, but hard to get over it being a fake Anne book. I think I would have enjoyed the story more as a standalone. Some of it seems too contrived, like her teacher showing her how to use the ipecac. Anne's prattling is more annoying than charming. The author had her own style/voice, and did not mimic LM Montgomery's (whether this was intentional or not, I don't know).
]]> 20114865 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:34:30 -0700 Before Green Gables?]]>
author: Lucy Maud Montgomery
name: Terrie
average rating: 4.40
book published: 1908
rating: 5
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/14/08
shelves:
review:
How could I not reread this after finishing Before Green Gables?
]]> 18670301 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 05:48:07 -0700
author: Gemma Halliday
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2007
rating: 2
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/07/08
shelves:
review:
Liked this one less than the other three for some reason. I think it was too repetetive...she gets in a jam...boyfriend saves her...she escapes him...gets in another jam. I'm glad I read the series out of order, otherwise I might not have continued.
]]> 15614335 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:21:17 -0700 Blink or Freakonomics. There is too much on his political views.
I will say the introduction and his personal story is very compelling.]]>
author: Dan Ariely
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.72
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/03/08
shelves:
review:
Wanted to like this more than I did; I do love the field of "Behavioral Economics". Many of his experiments were interesting, but I didn't feel blown away as I did after reading Blink or Freakonomics. There is too much on his political views.
I will say the introduction and his personal story is very compelling.
]]> 6941290 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 06:12:20 -0700 The Other Boleyn Girl and was anxious to read this one, but it took me over a year to finally get into it. Not nearly as interesting.]]>
author: Philippa Gregory
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.78
book published: 2007
rating: 2
read at: 03/08
date added: 04/01/08
shelves:
review:
I really enjoyed The Other Boleyn Girl and was anxious to read this one, but it took me over a year to finally get into it. Not nearly as interesting.
]]> 11489456 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 06:09:25 -0700 Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac, a YA novel that really doesn't read as such. Very interesting concept of the afterlife.]]>
author: Gabrielle Zevin
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/28/08
shelves:
review:
Like Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac, a YA novel that really doesn't read as such. Very interesting concept of the afterlife.
]]> 18670288 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 07:57:25 -0700
author: Gemma Halliday
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 04/08
date added: 03/26/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 18389398 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:46:39 -0700
author: Gemma Halliday
name: Terrie
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/22/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 18166037 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:46:00 -0700
author: Gemma Halliday
name: Terrie
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/22/08
shelves:
review:
Good enough that I'll read the other ones in the series.
]]> 17196431 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 05:03:54 -0700
author: Gigi Levangie Grazer
name: Terrie
average rating: 2.97
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/20/08
shelves:
review:
I continue to rot my brain by reading novels upon which TV series were based. This was pretty comparable to the show and a good quick read, though I liked Sam's back story in the show much better.
]]> 17196471 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 05:04:19 -0700
author: Candace Bushnell
name: Terrie
average rating: 3.07
book published: 2008
rating: 2
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/18/08
shelves:
review:
I'll admit, I got sucked into the TV series (stupid writers' strike) and then decided to read the book. Typical chick lit. I actually think the plot changes they made for the TV show were a big improvement though.
]]> 10718734 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:28:06 -0700
author: Stuart Taylor
name: Terrie
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/16/08
shelves:
review:
4 stars for the writing, maybe 2-3 for personal enjoyment. This was a very, very detailed and dense book. The constant sarcastic tone can get a little tiresome, but certainly it's understandable. It's impossible to read this without constantly saying to yourself "what were they thinking?" I think it bogged down with the dissection of the attitudes of the Duke faculty and administration. Yes, they hung them out to dry, but I was more interested in the utter failure of the NC criminal justice system here.
]]> 14158605 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:10:30 -0800
author: Jennifer Griffin
name: Terrie
average rating: 4.57
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 02/08
date added: 03/06/08
shelves:
review:
Haven't listened to the CD yet, but the book was fun...keeps me from having to run to Wikipedia when I forget the lyrics, and also has some interesting facts about the various nursery rhymes.
]]> 17197283 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:08:22 -0800
author: Helen F. Neville
name: