This sequel to "Holes" was beyond my expectations. A slightly more mature story line, "Small Steps" follows Armpit as he attempts to adjust to civilian life after the juvenile correction system. His probation officer advises him to take small steps, but he falls for a pop star, befriends a handicapped girl, scalps tickets, and may be accused of murder! This book is action packed and poignant. Can Armpit stay out of trouble and ever win his parents' trust?
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(12 of 21 readers found this comment helpful)
This book has some interesting ideas and may spur further creative redesign, but it is for the more serious crafter or sewer. Not that professional skill is required, but there is a certain level of dedication necessary.
The instructions are clear, the illustrations seem adequate. Most of the items are pretty fashion-forward. You have to be adventurous to wear some of these styles, but, with clever tweaking, they could probably be toned down a bit.
It is certainly worth adding to the library if you like to play around with textiles.
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(9 of 16 readers found this comment helpful)
Laurie Notaro says right out loud what you're thinking but are too polite to say. Notaro has an amusing, snide writing style which slides down easily.
And just when you think you're getting a little tired of the snippy comments and clever phrasings, she makes you laugh right out loud. Then laugh again.
This is a really fun book and it just whizzes by, but don't read it in public unless you don't mind people looking at you like you're crazy.
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(9 of 16 readers found this comment helpful)
An enjoyable read, Boyd ties together the complicated plot well. Ultimately, I was disappointed that I was unable to care very deeply about the characters, but the plot was intriguing enough to carry me to the end.
Boyd has clearly done his research into the pre-War II spy game and he made a good choice to intertwine life in 1970s Britain with the notion that history is not easily escaped. A straightforward telling of his tale wouldn't have been as effective.
Restless is smoothly written and well-played.
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(8 of 14 readers found this comment helpful)
"The Book of Air and Shadows" is certainly in the Top 5 of books I've read in the last few years.
Gruber does a masterful job of tying together an intriguing plot which certainly took a fair amount of research. He is good with contemporary idiom, lacking the self-consciousness so many authors have about using cultural references.
The book moves along briskly and ties up pretty nicely without undue rush.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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(11 of 20 readers found this comment helpful)
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Marie has commented on (20) products.
Small Steps by Louis Sachar
Marie, July 2, 2007
This sequel to "Holes" was beyond my expectations. A slightly more mature story line, "Small Steps" follows Armpit as he attempts to adjust to civilian life after the juvenile correction system. His probation officer advises him to take small steps, but he falls for a pop star, befriends a handicapped girl, scalps tickets, and may be accused of murder! This book is action packed and poignant. Can Armpit stay out of trouble and ever win his parents' trust?(12 of 21 readers found this comment helpful)
Rip It How To Deconstruct & Reconstruct by Elissa Meyrich
Marie, June 28, 2007
This book has some interesting ideas and may spur further creative redesign, but it is for the more serious crafter or sewer. Not that professional skill is required, but there is a certain level of dedication necessary.The instructions are clear, the illustrations seem adequate. Most of the items are pretty fashion-forward. You have to be adventurous to wear some of these styles, but, with clever tweaking, they could probably be toned down a bit.
It is certainly worth adding to the library if you like to play around with textiles.
(9 of 16 readers found this comment helpful)
Autobiography of a Fat Bride: True Tales of a Pretend Adulthood by Laurie Notaro
Marie, June 27, 2007
Laurie Notaro says right out loud what you're thinking but are too polite to say. Notaro has an amusing, snide writing style which slides down easily.And just when you think you're getting a little tired of the snippy comments and clever phrasings, she makes you laugh right out loud. Then laugh again.
This is a really fun book and it just whizzes by, but don't read it in public unless you don't mind people looking at you like you're crazy.
(9 of 16 readers found this comment helpful)
Restless: A Novel by William Boyd
Marie, June 27, 2007
An enjoyable read, Boyd ties together the complicated plot well. Ultimately, I was disappointed that I was unable to care very deeply about the characters, but the plot was intriguing enough to carry me to the end.Boyd has clearly done his research into the pre-War II spy game and he made a good choice to intertwine life in 1970s Britain with the notion that history is not easily escaped. A straightforward telling of his tale wouldn't have been as effective.
Restless is smoothly written and well-played.
(8 of 14 readers found this comment helpful)
The Book of Air and Shadows: A Novel by Michael Gruber
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1-5 of 20 nextMarie, June 20, 2007
"The Book of Air and Shadows" is certainly in the Top 5 of books I've read in the last few years.Gruber does a masterful job of tying together an intriguing plot which certainly took a fair amount of research. He is good with contemporary idiom, lacking the self-consciousness so many authors have about using cultural references.
The book moves along briskly and ties up pretty nicely without undue rush.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
(11 of 20 readers found this comment helpful)