The first time I read this book I didn't think very much of it. It was a bit saccharine, after all. I'm not sure if I was just too young to fully apprThe first time I read this book I didn't think very much of it. It was a bit saccharine, after all. I'm not sure if I was just too young to fully appreciate it, or if I read it in that half-daze that comes from ingesting too many words too quickly. Whatever the reason, and cynicism could very well have been it, the book didn't take the way it likely should have. I'm glad I gave it a reread now, and that I appreciated it far more than I did the first time. Yes, it is still a bit saccharine. It's the equivalent of It's A Wonderful Life in book form in many ways. That's all okay though, and I unashamedly admit I enjoyed it. It's a touching, sweet story. We should all be so lucky to have this books vision of the afterlife be true.
The book begins with Eddie's death. He has lived what, in his mind, was a wholly unimportant life. He fought in a war, worked at a pier amusement park for the whole of his life as a maintenance worker, and eventually died in an effort to save a little girl. Once dead, he finds himself presented with five people who either affected his life or who's life he affected. Each has a story to tell, a lesson to teach, and in the process of learning thee stories Eddie begins to see the full shape of his life. Everything is connected, and perhaps he affected more people than he could ever know through even the smallest of his actions.
This book is moving, and has an altogether optimistic, positive view of life itself. We're all one big story, everything slowly connecting and making sense only once we pull away from it. I like the philosophy of this book, and it is written in an easy, accessible way that lends itself to quick reading. This is one of those books that inevitably will fall into most people's hands, and I hope they give it its due consideration. While not mind-blowingly fantastic, it doesn't need to be. It's like a sweet film watched on a summer night with a soda and some popcorn, and maybe a few quotes or moments that will stick with you for a long while and elicit a warm smile now and then upon recollection.
I read this book for my Psychology course and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was easy to read, the examples were always interesting, and the vocabulary worI read this book for my Psychology course and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was easy to read, the examples were always interesting, and the vocabulary words helpful. The book was well-put together and never dull. I was surprised at how entertaining the text was an eventually ended up reading more than was even needed to be done for the course. Great textbook....more
A good follow-up to the last installment. The most amusing illustration in the book was definitely River's little fantasy about what she would do withA good follow-up to the last installment. The most amusing illustration in the book was definitely River's little fantasy about what she would do with all of the money made on the last job. Like the book previous, this serves well as another 'episode' within the series. The ending was satisfactory, if not 'fantastic' or mindblowing. All in all it felt rather bittersweet, as to my knowledge there are no further installments within the series.
Amusing side note - the intro by Baldwin was laugh out loud funny....more
This graphic novel was a worthy follow-up of the Firefly series. While not fantastic as far as graphic novels go, it genuinely felt like a continuatioThis graphic novel was a worthy follow-up of the Firefly series. While not fantastic as far as graphic novels go, it genuinely felt like a continuation of the series. It felt as if it were a small, self-contained episode. The writing was clever, the artwork generally good, and the intro to the book by Nathan Fillion made it all feel very much worthwhile....more
The general idea of the book is that there are forces at work to take away your joy - the general way that they work is through bad mindsets. Lessons The general idea of the book is that there are forces at work to take away your joy - the general way that they work is through bad mindsets. Lessons can be learned through the scripture that can set you into a correct mindset.
I found this book incredibly informative and deeply helpful. Just reading the book set me at a greater ease, and I feel that I took a lot out of it. Repeated readings will probably further help me, but in general, I would gladly recommend this book to anyone.
The only annoying part of the book were the annotations to the scripture that Joyce Meyer placed. It made it harder to read at times....more
Post Secret is art, but at its heart it is healing.
Somewhere within the secrets you're forced to face yourself, you're forced to realize different asPost Secret is art, but at its heart it is healing.
Somewhere within the secrets you're forced to face yourself, you're forced to realize different aspects of your own life and psyche and come to terms with them. That's what Post Secret is about, to me, acknowledgment.
I just wish I had the courage to send in my own....more
This is a thoroughly cute book about what is needed to become a dinosaur owner. It's a cautionary tale of sorts, complete with beautiful artwork and aThis is a thoroughly cute book about what is needed to become a dinosaur owner. It's a cautionary tale of sorts, complete with beautiful artwork and a very dry sense of humor. I think children would respond to it fairly well, especially if they are of a paleontological bend.
I just wish there were more feathers on the dinosaurs, and that some of them were rendered a bit more closely to what we now know they looked like......more
Although Watchmen was by far a better novel, this one is nonetheless still entertaining. It was very steampunk, but vWell, Alan Moore's done it again.
Although Watchmen was by far a better novel, this one is nonetheless still entertaining. It was very steampunk, but very good. His take on the various literary characters - and the small cameos ("You know me well enough, call me Ishmael") made me chuckle and made me enjoy it.
I recommend this highly. It was very fun. I look forward to reading the rest. :)...more
This book was fun. It was full of gross-out humor and amusing moments. Like the other Dahl books I have read, this one was something that came across This book was fun. It was full of gross-out humor and amusing moments. Like the other Dahl books I have read, this one was something that came across as good to read aloud. I could imagine the different voices that would be done, the good rhythm it could be read at.
The pictures were great - Quentin Blake is a real talent. I especially liked the Roly Poly Bird and the Muggle-Wumps. The real treat of the book was a brief series of questions for Dahl at the end wherein he shared with the reader his writing tips....more
Poor Mr. Fox and his beautiful tail. At least he is still a FANTASTIC FOX.
This book was read in maybe 15 minutes, but it was a delightful read. Not a Poor Mr. Fox and his beautiful tail. At least he is still a FANTASTIC FOX.
This book was read in maybe 15 minutes, but it was a delightful read. Not a lot happened in it. The illustrations were cute, the story quite classical, and I really did think Mr. Fox to be quite fantastic. That is the most you can ask of such a story. I'd love to read this out loud to someone.
This is a book to prepare you for all of the best-case scenarios in life... such as if an ATM starts randomly dispensing too much money, if you win thThis is a book to prepare you for all of the best-case scenarios in life... such as if an ATM starts randomly dispensing too much money, if you win the lottery, or if your teenaged child is suddenly nice to you. It contains helpful diagrams as well (how to hide large quantities of cash in your sweater if you come across that faulty ATM, or how to pat your nice teenaged child down since the only reason they're kind is probably because they're stoned.)
This book was very entertaining. It's written in a highly accessible, amusing style that leaves you chuckling here and there. It was not laugh out loud funny, but it was ample distraction to cheer me up during the hour or less it took to read it. All in all, I am happy that I picked up this book and would gladly tell someone to go for a quick sit-down in the library. It is a perfect pick-me-up....more
Although the advice this book gives primarily consists of the obvious (don't talk to your ex, take control of your life, keep mWhat a delightful book.
Although the advice this book gives primarily consists of the obvious (don't talk to your ex, take control of your life, keep moving, etc.) it is presented in a fun and amusing way that makes this book an entertaining read.
The book is formatted into two sections (1: The Break Up, 2: The Breakover) and these two sections are split into chapters that tend to consist of advice, testimonials, and then projects (journal, cooking, etc.). This is very helpful and makes for a concise and pleasurable read.
The rules that the book states in order to get your life back in order are also good and easily applicable. The important thing about this book, and one that makes this a very good self-help book, is that the book is based around helping you make better choices in relationships in the future. The people writing the book aren't gloating about their relationship, just offering tidbits. The book doesn't put you down, and just the ridiculousness of being referred to as a Superfox throughout it makes you feel pretty good....more
A very cute, delightful guide on how to make your own beauty products. This book is aimed at children, and as such, it gives very concise, easy to undA very cute, delightful guide on how to make your own beauty products. This book is aimed at children, and as such, it gives very concise, easy to understand descriptions of each of the items it's teaching you to make. It gives a nice overview of different body types and general care as well.
I liked this book, and would gladly experiment with some of the items it gives you to make if I had to money to purchase the ingredients on me. As it is, I'll probably be checking it out again to make some lotion and perfume in the future. :)...more
Nisa is an interesting collection of writings. The bulk of the book is made up of stories told to the anthropologist Marjorie from the !Kung lady NisaNisa is an interesting collection of writings. The bulk of the book is made up of stories told to the anthropologist Marjorie from the !Kung lady Nisa. The rest of the book consists of Marjorie's ethnographic observations of the !Kung's people life and beliefs. The book is paced very well, and oftentimes Marjorie's observations prove to be just as interesting as Nisa's life is. The information is presented in a non-biased way and the points in Nisa's life that are exceptional are dutifully explained as such.
I came away from this book having enjoyed it (in spite of how long it took me to finish it.) I feel that the !Kung people did prove to be a very interesting case study - their way of life has been the way the bulk of human's lived for most of our earthly existence. I left the book a bit sad to see the way of life disappearing, especially when it boasts a decent amount of advantages over modern civilization.
So, all in all I would recommend this book to people interested in the anthropological field or the sociological field. ...more
A good introduction to Anthropology, Anthropology Matters examines several issues from an anthropological viewpoint. Cases are laid out according to tA good introduction to Anthropology, Anthropology Matters examines several issues from an anthropological viewpoint. Cases are laid out according to the following: general societal views of the issue anthropologists case studies a fair view of the issue and finally, what implication it has on everyone's lives.
Such a thorough view of each subject is informative and interesting....more
Hilary "Fox"
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Books:
2009
(85)
