This was a timely read for me - the subject being something fitting for my life right now. Better than that, it was written in an organized fashion, balancing anecdotes with research, history, and other observations. I appreciated that she did not discount the power of faith. There was one chapter that I thought could have used more tying together at the end - a more conclusive conclusion if you will - but other than that I loved this book.

I'm not a huge fan of Shakespeare, though after reading Hag-Seed I've developed a new appreciation. I loved the layers of the story - so many different ways to think about The Tempest! This also gave me a new appreciation for Margaret Atwood. My only other experience with her was The Handmaid's Tale, which wasn't my favorite (dystopian tales never are) but I've long wanted to try something else. The writing in this felt quite different - light and humorous. My favorite sentence: "So he keeps his mouth shut while being bombarded with sanctimonious twaddle."

Anyone with half an interest in this should give it a go - prior experience with Atwood or The Tempest not necessary, serious thinking cap optional. I was impressed.

Books about the Dust Bowl often seem to hyper-focus on the hopelessness of the situation to such a degree that the characters no longer seem like real people: they've been reduced to caricatures representing a reality that remains unfathomable. This didn't happen for me with I Will Send Rain. The characters were just as unique as their situation, and just as much a part of the reason to keep reading. Each person coped with their lack of hope in a different way, and the reader is left with a sense of how it might actually have been to live in that situation.

Despite the heavy topic and the well-drawn characters, this book is a quick read (another unusual quality for novels about the Dust Bowl!) and didn't bog down at any point of the story. I appreciated that the storylines were wrapped up, but with just enough left unknown that you can wonder about the characters' future. Whether you already enjoy reading about the Dust Bowl or just want to find out more about it, this book is a great choice.

This is a light, entertaining read, and Anne Tyler's wonderful writing makes it so easy to love. I enjoyed Kate's gruff personality and all the "systems" her father used to run the house. I also appreciated the contrast between Pyotr and Adam. I do wish that Bunny had been showed to be a bit more of a flirt rather than just a ditz, and thought the epilogue wasn't necessary, but those are minor quibbles in a book that I really enjoyed. I must go reread Taming of the Shrew!

Who knew that such a slim book could contain so much? Highly developed, complex characters, vivid plot, poetic language...if you ever find yourself in the mood for a slice of the Old West, look no farther than News of the World. You'll learn some post-Civil War history and get a little Texan cowboys-and-Indians action all while being soaked in some contemplation and introspection. I liked this better than True Grit. 4.5 stars

I had a hard time using the older edition with my younger kiddos, but the new edition with its beautiful illustrations has been a wonderful resource to use with my 6th grader. One really gets a sense of how life was, why things developed as they did, and the sense of speed with which progress was made.

Honestly, I was hoping to read more about flight than the bits in the prologue and epilogue, and the lack of aviation left me disappointed at times. The horse training and competitions kept me interested, though, and I enjoyed getting a better picture of Beryl Markham's personal life than I did through her own book, West With the Night. The writing style struck me as somewhat stilted, (making me wonder if The Paris Wife was written the same manner?) but overall it worked for me. I love the time period - how women struggled and persevered in order to escape from Victorian oppression inspires me, and this book shows it well.

I'm torn. On one hand, I read the book in one sitting and was intrigued by the premise. On the other hand, I wasn't interested until 100 pages in and never really connected with the characters. I confess I skimmed through many of the more descriptive paragraphs in order to keep the pace moving, and then realized at the end that it was supposed to be one of those books with a shocking twist...but it wasn't. It was just a truncated ending to gently crafted story. Perhaps I'd have liked it more if the pace and description had fit the situation and suspense better. Maybe time will give clarity to my thoughts.

I actually enjoyed this quite a bit, despite my initial skepticism. Not only did it bring a fresh perspective to organization (or "tidying") but it was an entertaining peek into the Japanese culture. Sure, the author is a little off the deep end in some ways, (her horror at socks being rolled into a ball was an eyebrow-lifter to say the least,) but even the crazy moments had something to offer. It was refreshing to find someone who goes beyond sorting the mess in the closets and cupboards to address the real mess in the mind and heart. After all, mess and stress go hand in hand. She aims to shift your perspective rather than give you a list of additional chores.

Kondo personifies inanimate objects more than anyone I've ever met, and puts high value on audibly expressing gratitude towards your possessions (she thanks her own possessions in the afterword) which is all a little too spiritualistic for me. However, it got me thinking...fostering an attitude of thanksgiving is vastly beneficial. Rather than thanking my socks at the end of the day for a job well done, I can take a moment while folding them to reflect on my many blessings and pray for those in need: that is time well spent.

I initially read this three years ago to my (then) 7yo daughter, and didn't love it. Perhaps the many Ojibwe words threw me off, or more likely the spiritual aspect and Native beliefs were over my daughter's head at the time, making for many drawn out discussions. Reading it aloud this time around, I really appreciated the skill in which it was crafted, and the way the reader is immersed into the culture. There were sad parts and funny parts, and lots of nature and history. Very well done.

Like the Weather Channel, (which Moore claims is watched obsessively by Americans,) this book might lead one to believe that America consists solely of the thirteen original colonies. However, because of the massive generalizations needed in order to compare the English and American cultures, especially in a small, lighthearted book, I tried my best to forgive those oversights and enjoy what I could about her experiences with the culture clash.

Indeed, much of the book was quite enjoyable (in the American sense of "quite") as a person who loves the language, the cultures, and the history of both. Like most books that compare English usage, all the other English-speaking countries in the world are wholly ignored, though that was not unexpected due to an aptly written subtitle. The strongest and most enjoyable parts of this book were, for me, those that lent towards personal experience rather than history. I don't typically like memoirs, but her tone was enjoyable - until she went into instruction mode where she seemed to be grasping at straws somewhat, referencing blogs and newspapers more than anything else.

Enjoyable, entertaining, informative, but also somewhat disorganized and frustrating.

What a terrific setting and time period to read about. While the South was just emerging from Reconstruction and the Industrial Revolution was in full force, the west/midwest was still recovering from the addition of battles with Native Americans and mass destruction of the bison population. In The High Divide, much of this is backdrop. The Pope family is thrust into turmoil when the father leaves home without warning, and these relationships (internally and externally) pull the reader through the novel. It was a quiet book, with writing similar to Robert Morgan, full of heart and home.

As if having two hundred years of covers collected into one volume wasn't exciting enough already, this book has all the supporting information to go along with it. I loved the covers, especially the campy ones, but the bonus lesson on the fashion and fads of publishing in general was fascinating...an unexpected treat. This is the perfect example of a worthwhile coffee table book - suitable for one minute's perusal or one hour's reading and information and entertainment to be had either way.

Kind of a pain to read aloud (since it was a little heavy on the vernacular) but my 10yo daughter loved it. It offered a unique perspective on English canals, and the universal difficulty of life for many people in the 18th-19th centuries.

The last 100 pages were very good, making me wish that the previous 275 pages had been condensed enough to have been just as enjoyable. It was as if the author took a cue from the team's racing strategy: staying at a slow pace until the final moments and then sprinting to a wonderful finish. Mostly, I just kept thinking it wasn't as good as Unbroken...here, the story was good but the connection to the characters was weak.

Like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn meets Appalachia in many ways. There is a coming of age element, the hardships of life contrasted with what makes it beautiful, and the thoughtful, observant, almost meandering way of telling a story. I'm partial to books set in the mountains, as they speak of home to me, and the tenor of this book is spot on. I remember liking Gap Creek way back when, but don't remember much about it. Thankfully, The Road from Gap Creek stands alone. The anecdotes that are almost too strange to be fiction made me feel like I was spending time with an old friend rather than simply reading a story.

I love a book that isn't black and white, that explores a character's inner life and keeps me thinking after reading. The Lighthouse Road, like Safe From the Sea, is very evocative in setting without being overly poetic. Like Willa Cather, this sense of setting is intricately entwined with the people who live in the area: the characters wouldn't be who they are without the setting, and the setting wouldn't be what it is without the characters. If you long for some historical fiction that goes beyond the plot, The Lighthouse Road fits the bill. It is introspective and deep, while also straightforward and balanced.

There are few poets I love, but Billy Collins is one. He is down to earth, not in the least pretentious, and quite inspiring at the same time.

This collection is largely comprised of poems selected from previously published collections, but there are numerous new poems to enjoy as well. Truly an Everyman's Poet. Thank you, Billy Collins, for giving me some poetry that is as enjoyable as the best prose!

The history of medicine is a topic that I generally find fascinating. Lotions, Potions, and Deadly Elixirs had many interesting parts, though rather disorganized (a big deal in a nonfiction book) and more anecdotal of the 20th century than the 19th. More of a reference book than a proper history...which is fine, and has its place, but if properly organized/edited it could have served as both.

Perfect balance of bible stories, illustrations, and historical facts. Chapter & verse references are included, making it more of a bible than a storybook.

The writing was gorgeous - as expected from Barry - but a dose of plot would have been nice.

I read through this so quickly! Such a good read - great writing (characters, setting, etc) and very heartachey/heartwarmy and full of contrasts & comparisons to keep you thinking.

A few gems in this book, but a lot of filler too...many of the stories didn't do much for me. I loved Winter by Dermot Bolger and Somewhere in Minnesota by Orfhlaith Foyle.

Simply exquisite. I wanted to turn back to page one and begin all over again.

This was an accessible and engaging overview of the history and workings behind the Irish potato famine. While the premise, that England's role was that of premeditated murder on a massive scale, felt like a bit of a stretch, the book was well organized and engaging. I underlined countless bits of information. It got a little repetitive and wandering towards the end, but overall I'm thrilled with the introduction it gave me into modern Irish history and culture. I'm eager to learn more.

Well-researched and easy to read, this book at once satiated my desire to know more about the history of the country house servant and left me wanting more. The author did a very good job showing not only the tasks and lives of the servants, but also how and why that lifestyle evolved, as well as how that, in turn, affected architectural design. Plenty of quotes from both servants and masters were included, providing a fully fleshed-out view of the situation, yet the writing remained light and interesting.

The first step in talking about a "Guide to the Classics" book is to mention its faults, right? So here they are: 1) some authors are excluded--that's a given. Some are quoted in other sections, but their own writing isn't discussed. 2) part of the "irreverent" quality means that she basically bags on almost everything she talks about--if you have a favorite classic, you'll likely get your toes stepped on a bit. 3) Don't expect for great insight and depth--the humor comes from the vast generalizations and stereotypes.

But if you have the right expectations, it sure is a fun read. I actually think it's the perfect way to get an overview of Western Literature in a non-painful way. I own other book-list books, other books about classics, but have I read any of those all the way through? No. This one was fun: it kept me reading and will be one that I'll look at again in the future.

I was excited to receive this book from LibraryThing because I've just found Unbridled Books and have enjoyed their selections quite a bit. I have found that their books are fresh and unique, and this one was no exception.

While this is a story that takes you inside mental imbalance, (not a very fun place to be,) it does so in a very fun, lively manner. The characters were all very vivid, you could feel their motivation and emotion even if you didn't identify with them. At the same time, I was left wanting to know more about all of them.

I thought it was brilliant. This book has only served to solidify my opinion of Unbridled Books. If you appreciate something bright and fresh, something that has layers, where the writing style reflects the story, be sure to pick this up.

I loved how this bible was organized. Every word of the bible placed in chronological order makes putting God's amazing story into historical context a very accessible thing. There seems to be many one-year chronological bibles, but the organization of their timelines seems to be a little looser. For example, a Tyndale version begins with Genesis 1:1-5:32. This version begins with John 1:1-2, Psalm 90:2, Genesis 1:1, Isaiah 14:12-18, and then picks back up at Genesis 1:2. It not only feels very researched and deliberate, but really shows a beautiful picture of what the bible is.

The story of David, switching from Samuel to Psalms as it did, was especially beautiful. Because you are reading the facts and then the song, you really get to see David's heart and what God delighted in. The historical notes included just added to the fullness of the experience. The birth of Socrates, for example, is noted. Overall, reading through this bible was a great experience and left me with a much better impression of the 'big picture'.

Kathryn Magendie not only has a unique, poetic voice, but she also has talent for taking what could be an ordinary story and making it magical. (As with her book Tender Graces: don't let the cover design fool you into thinking that these are trifling, romantic books--what is inside is so much more.) Sweetie is part Southern Fiction, part coming-of-age, and part magical. It brought to mind Lee Miller's Fair and Tender Ladies in the poetic, mournful way she contemplates life, and also Tuck Everlasting for its magical qualities.

Balancing lyrical writing with a captivating plot and real characters, this is a book that will make you want to keep reading and then wish the end would never come. Sweetie is a rare treat.