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In Cold Blood8.5/10 - 2 reviews
 In Cold Blood
Author: Truman Capote
Genre: True Crime
I was a bit disappointed by this book, as I felt it didn't live up to it's wonderful review.

It is an interesting story (sad really), but I was bothered by the fact that so many people were praising one of the killers. Yes, he had a difficult childhood, and did show some aspects of humanity, but he murdered innocent people.

I feel that this fact turned me off the book. It was well written and told the story well, delving into the psyche of the two killers.... If you are interesting in true crime, or psychology this would be interesting.
Reader: AllisonSuperb Reader
Rated: 7/10     Review submitted on: July 01 2006

As someone with a more than passing interest in psychology, I found this book fascinating. It is very well-written (reads like fiction, even though it's not), and emotionally gripping. My advice is to read the book before you see the movie Capote.

The book outlines the 'major' crime committed by two men, including the outcome, and psychological profile and history of what led these two to act as they did. By the end of the book, I so thoroughly empathized with one of them, that I cried in the movie when I saw it play out. Capote is one interesting, and self-interested dude.
Reader: LauraAverage Reader
Rated: 10/10     Review submitted on: June 21 2006


Drums of Autumn6/10 - 1 review
 Drums of Autumn
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Genre: Historical Fiction
This is the 4th book in the Outlander series. At times I found this was the most enjoyable of the books so far. However there were still pages and chapters that I skimmed through as the story drags on for nearly 900 pages.

Her writing is quite flowery and descriptive, and the narrative style switches from 1st person to 3rd person even within the same chapter. I find it hard to stay within the story with the narrative changes.
Reader: AllisonSuperb Reader
Rated: 6/10     Review submitted on: June 24 2006


The Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence7/10 - 1 review
 The Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence
Author: Carl Sagan
Genre: Science and Nature
This book looks at how humans became 'so smart' (or perhaps more accurately 'why' - this book has a strong focus on evolutionary theory).
The only real drawback is the book was written some time ago so it reads a bit out of date (although some of the author's predictions came out pretty well).
Reader: FaithProfessional Reader
Rated: 7/10     Review submitted on: June 25 2006


Saturday8/10 - 1 review
 Saturday
Author: Ian McEwan
Genre: General Fiction
I think I really like this author. Although not quite as good as Atonement, it was another enjoyable and very intelligent read. You have to get used to the pacing of this author. This one was pretty slow paced, and had a steep climax in the middle during which I couldn't put it down and had to finish it.

The story takes place over a single day off from work for a neurosurgeon in London. All I can say is that a lot happened in that one day! I really like the narrator's take on things (observations about mundane details of life), and have often wondered about the same things, so I found it really interesting. Also a good debate about the war in Iraq (especially now that it's happened!).
Reader: LauraAverage Reader
Rated: 8/10     Review submitted on: June 28 2006


Hardy Boys #67 The Outlaw's Silver3/10 - 1 review
 Hardy Boys #67 The Outlaw's Silver
Author: Franklin W. Dixon
Genre: Children's Literature
I read this series as a kid and thought they were pretty good.
I was really disappointed in this one reading it as an adult.
The storyline was silly and completely unreasonable and I felt like a 5 year old could write a better story. I can't imagine many or any kids liking this one.
I can't believe I read the whole thing.
Disappointing.
Reader: FaithProfessional Reader
Rated: 3/10     Review submitted on: July 01 2006


Countdown8/10 - 1 review
 Countdown
Author: Iris Johansen
Genre: Mystery and Suspense
An interesting, fast paced read. The characters have flaws but that makes them more believable. It is a psychological suspense story. If you enjoy Iris Johansen, you will like this book.
Reader: ElaineAvid Reader
Rated: 8/10     Review submitted on: July 01 2006


Holiday of Darkness9/10 - 1 review
 Holiday of Darkness
Author: Norman Endler
Genre: Biography and Memoirs
I was impressed by this book.
Dr. Endler does a nice job of combining his own personal story with research on depressive illnesses. He also includes a discussion of issues such as medication and stigma about mental illness to round things out.
He wrote very openly about his own experience and while he seemed particularly emphatic about his own depression being biologically based rather than psychologically based, when he writes of depressive illnesses generally he stressed the biological, psychological, and other components that interact to cause depression.
I think there would be better books to learn more detail about particular areas, but as a fairly short book this one does a pretty good job of covering several areas.
Reader: FaithProfessional Reader
Rated: 9/10     Review submitted on: July 01 2006


The Runner's Handbook9/10 - 1 review
 The Runner's Handbook
Author: Bob Glover
Genre: How-To / Instruction
An AMAZINGLY COMPREHENSIVE guide to running with sections on injury, shoes, women's running, mental aspects of running, and of course training programs.

This book is for beginning and intermediate runners although it certainly covers the gamut, including marathon running. I believe there is also versions for the competitive / experienced runner.

I've heard lots of praise for this book from those who've never run before as well as those who had slacked off and got back into it after reading it. Bob Glover and his two co-writers are very experienced runners & coaches but they also make jokes throughout the book and emphasize fun as well as fitness.

My only real criticism would be that, although this book is a 2nd edition reprint, it is still fairly old (1996 I think) so some of the info may be a bit dated. But if you know a runner or someone who would like to try it, buy them this book.
Reader: FaithProfessional Reader
Rated: 9/10     Review submitted on: July 04 2006


Never Look Back9/10 - 1 review
 Never Look Back
Author: Linda Lael Miller
Genre: Mystery and Suspense
A suspenseful novel that was a quick read. I found the characters believable and was interested in what happens to them. I would read other books by this prolific author.
Reader: ElaineAvid Reader
Rated: 9/10     Review submitted on: July 05 2006


It's Not About The Bike9.6/10 - 3 reviews
 It's Not About The Bike
Author: Lance Armstrong
Genre: Biography and Memoirs
Lance Armstrong is not only one of the most inspirational athletes of his generation but also one of the most inspirational human beings. For anybody to go through the horrors that he has had to put up with and then come back and win the most gruelling race in the world, an astonishing 7 times is testamount to this guys character.

The book is well written and flows nicely.

Highly recommended
Reader: MortsLight Reader
Rated: 10/10     Review submitted on: December 20 2009

After a few months of opting to spend my free time NOT reading, I picked up this book last night and could barely put it down.

Lance takes us through his journey of his childhood, his cancer, his recovery and his biking. He is honest, open and sincere. Despite knowing the outcome of his story, I was still rooting for him and got caught up in the drama of his life.

This is an uplifting book that displays how much your attitude affects your life.

Faith has already raved about this book in her review, and I agree with everything she said. It is a powerful read, and makes me admire Lance Armstrong for more than just his Tour-de-France wins.
Reader: AllisonSuperb Reader
Rated: 9/10     Review submitted on: September 02 2006


Race Against Time9/10 - 1 review
 Race Against Time
Author: Stephen Lewis
Genre: Social and Cultural Studies
'Race Against Time' is a Massey Lecture series, a compilation of 5 lectures of Stephen Lewis as he discusses the plight of Africa in the face of HIV/AIDS, poverty, the status of women and the lack of education for children.

Stephen Lewis having spent the past 20 years working for different factions of the UN including his current post as the UN Secretary-General for HIV/AIDS in Africa has seen the devastation the disease has inflicted on the African people.

This book opened my eyes to the disappointing reaction from the international community to the problems affecting the African nations. Stephen Lewis succinctly describes his personal experiences visiting many African countries, and details the few positive steps being made as well as the social atrocities the countries face due to poor government response both locally and internationally. I feel disappointed that the international community doesn?t seem to pay full attention to a very real problem. Whole generations of Africans are growing up orphans due to AIDS and sub-Saharan Africa is slipping further into poverty, yet the world does almost nothing to help.

This is an eye-opening book which will expand your view of the world and the international community. Each lecture is best read in one reading, as they are quite dense with information.
Reader: AllisonSuperb Reader
Rated: 9/10     Review submitted on: July 10 2006


The Flood5/10 - 2 reviews
 The Flood
Author: Ian Rankin
Genre: General Fiction
At times I thought this book was a 10. At other times I wasn't nearly as pleased with it.
I would recommend it, but with just a wee bit of hesitation, especially considering the review by Allison.
I found the story & characters interesting but was disappointed in how things wrapped up.
At times I found it well-written but at other times I thought the symbolism too blatant, as though it was written by someone in 'writing school' who was trying just a bit too hard. It kept my attention though.
Reader: FaithProfessional Reader
Rated: 8/10     Review submitted on: August 02 2006

I found this to be quite poorly written. In the author?s forward he tells of this story starting out as a short story, but then he expanded it to become a novel. I found this to be evident. The first ?section? was well written, fairly interesting and followed a linear story telling.

The subsequent sections had many narrators, some for only a chapter, and poorly wove the story through the lives of the main characters. I wouldn?t recommend this book.
Reader: AllisonSuperb Reader
Rated: 2/10     Review submitted on: July 10 2006


Daniel Isn't Talking8.5/10 - 2 reviews
 Daniel Isn't Talking
Author: Marti Leimbach
Genre: General Fiction
I really like the first three-quarters of this book. At times I felt like I was reading an autobiography rather than a novel, as the narrators emotions were so raw and powerful.

I did enjoy the last quarter of the book, but I felt it lacked some of the strength of the start of the book.

Overall, it was still an enjoyable read.
Reader: AllisonSuperb Reader
Rated: 8/10     Review submitted on: September 05 2006

This book is a fictional account of a family dealing with a diagnosis of autism. The author shows how the family dynamics are affected by this difficult situation. The story is told with humour and compassion. A satisfying read.
Reader: ElaineAvid Reader
Rated: 9/10     Review submitted on: July 13 2006


End The Struggle And Dance With Life7/10 - 1 review
 End The Struggle And Dance With Life
Author: Susan Jeffers
Genre: Health and Well-Being
I was embarrased to be seen with a book with such a cheesy title. However, aside from moments of pure cheesiness (where I would roll my eyes and groan), the book does have some interesting suggestions for people wanting to have a more enjoyable life. I'm not sure I would recommend this book, but if these kind of books are your thing this is probably a good one.
Reader: FaithProfessional Reader
Rated: 7/10     Review submitted on: July 14 2006


Legacy of the Heart: The Spiritual Advantages of a Painful Childhood6/10 - 1 review
 Legacy of the Heart: The Spiritual Advantages of a Painful Childhood
Author: Wayne Muller
Genre: Health and Well-Being
I thought this book had moments where it offered really good information but it was too 'new age-y' for my liking. A lot of the exercises were ones involving mindfullness meditations which I thought was perhaps jumping the gun considering the background (alcoholic parent, sexual abuse, etc) Muller's clients come from. I also found that while he obviously has a lot of experience and was able to hit the nail on the head about a lot of the issues people have as adults because of their childhood experiences, he didn't go in depth enough in my opinion.
I find it difficult to numerically rate this book due to the flashes of brilliance versus the parts I didn't think were nearly as good. I would recommend the book to someone who had a painful childhood and would find the spiritual aspects of the books more palatable. Again though, I did feel that many of the exercises would be suitable for people who have already done a lot of work and are feeling quite healthy emotionally/mentally, rather than people just beginning to explore the legacy of a painful childhood.
Reader: FaithProfessional Reader
Rated: 6/10     Review submitted on: July 17 2006


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