Leni Zumas's writing crackles. Her books are sharp, bleak, funny, and possibly dangerous. When her collection of short stories, Farewell Navigator,...
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I picked up this book based on a Powells.com recommendation and anxiously awaited it's arrival. I loved the idea of it and the writing is top notch. I quit reading it with about 50 pages left because it just moved too slowly. I almost always finish a book because I feel this need to know how it ends. With this novel, I really didn't care.
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(23 of 46 readers found this comment helpful)
I happen to read this book immediately after the birth of my daughter. I was soooo caught up in this book, the plot, the history and the eloquent writing that I couldn't wait for my newborn baby girl to go to sleep. I am embarrassed to admit that, but there it is.
This book had the ability to envelope me in another world. I went from being an exhausted new mom, to a person witnessing one of the greatest theatrical events of the century.
Another bonus with this book is that I live in Chicago and the book is very specific with the locations of events and building. So I could really imagine what is was like.
Bottom line-Hat's off to them for attempting the impossible and actually achieving it.
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(17 of 27 readers found this comment helpful)
I love this book because it's story is mesmerizing. I was drawn, almost compulsively to sneak away and read this book.
This book offers a rare glimpse into a life filled with challenges many people cannot fathom. My life hasn't been touched by autism, but I bought this book based on a Powells.com review and the fact the I love the author Temple Grandin (who is herself autistic). I find the whole subject fascinating.
After reading this book, I heard about another book of the same ilk called The Pleasure of My Company by Steve Martin. First, yes it is Steve Martin the well-known comedian who wrote the book. He has published several books and novellas. His book was similar to this in that the main character is autistic. His book however, pales in comparison on every literary level. The plot is not compelling and I didn't care for it at all. It seemed like Steve Martin read this book and tried to copy it and failed miserably.
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(15 of 30 readers found this comment helpful)
This is a great book for kids. My mom bought it for my son when he was about two years old. He loved this book. It was a big favorite. Since he loved it so much it was necessary to buy another copy after ours got tattered from much reading and interaction. We are currently on copy number two and I am going to buy copy number three because my 2 1/2 year old daughter is in love with the story and the moving parts. She plays with the book by herself and requires it be read to her before bed every night. Hers is in bad shape due, again, to lots of interaction.
This book is well made, but my kids repeatedly play and 'read' it to one another. My favorite thing about the book is the under stories. I am sure there is a literary tern for it, but I don't know it. Every person riding the bus has a story. There are stories that take place on every page in which the characters aren't even on the bus. Rather you can observe their movements from the windows. Even after reading this book many times It's still fun because some times I'll read the story to my son ( 5 years old) and only tell a made up story of one of the additional characters.
This is the only children's book that has been purchased more than once in my house and all three times, it has been worth the money. It't fun because some times I'll read the story to my son ( 5 years old) and only tell a made up story of one of the additional characters.
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(9 of 14 readers found this comment helpful)
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Sheri Blyskal has commented on (4) products.
Arthur and George: A Novel by Julian Barnes
Sheri Blyskal, October 25, 2006
I picked up this book based on a Powells.com recommendation and anxiously awaited it's arrival. I loved the idea of it and the writing is top notch. I quit reading it with about 50 pages left because it just moved too slowly. I almost always finish a book because I feel this need to know how it ends. With this novel, I really didn't care.(23 of 46 readers found this comment helpful)
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson
Sheri Blyskal, October 25, 2006
I happen to read this book immediately after the birth of my daughter. I was soooo caught up in this book, the plot, the history and the eloquent writing that I couldn't wait for my newborn baby girl to go to sleep. I am embarrassed to admit that, but there it is.This book had the ability to envelope me in another world. I went from being an exhausted new mom, to a person witnessing one of the greatest theatrical events of the century.
Another bonus with this book is that I live in Chicago and the book is very specific with the locations of events and building. So I could really imagine what is was like.
Bottom line-Hat's off to them for attempting the impossible and actually achieving it.
(17 of 27 readers found this comment helpful)
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Sheri Blyskal, September 27, 2006
I love this book because it's story is mesmerizing. I was drawn, almost compulsively to sneak away and read this book.This book offers a rare glimpse into a life filled with challenges many people cannot fathom. My life hasn't been touched by autism, but I bought this book based on a Powells.com review and the fact the I love the author Temple Grandin (who is herself autistic). I find the whole subject fascinating.
After reading this book, I heard about another book of the same ilk called The Pleasure of My Company by Steve Martin. First, yes it is Steve Martin the well-known comedian who wrote the book. He has published several books and novellas. His book was similar to this in that the main character is autistic. His book however, pales in comparison on every literary level. The plot is not compelling and I didn't care for it at all. It seemed like Steve Martin read this book and tried to copy it and failed miserably.
(15 of 30 readers found this comment helpful)
The Wheels on the Bus by Paul O. Zelinsky
Sheri Blyskal, September 26, 2006
This is a great book for kids. My mom bought it for my son when he was about two years old. He loved this book. It was a big favorite. Since he loved it so much it was necessary to buy another copy after ours got tattered from much reading and interaction. We are currently on copy number two and I am going to buy copy number three because my 2 1/2 year old daughter is in love with the story and the moving parts. She plays with the book by herself and requires it be read to her before bed every night. Hers is in bad shape due, again, to lots of interaction.This book is well made, but my kids repeatedly play and 'read' it to one another. My favorite thing about the book is the under stories. I am sure there is a literary tern for it, but I don't know it. Every person riding the bus has a story. There are stories that take place on every page in which the characters aren't even on the bus. Rather you can observe their movements from the windows. Even after reading this book many times It's still fun because some times I'll read the story to my son ( 5 years old) and only tell a made up story of one of the additional characters.
This is the only children's book that has been purchased more than once in my house and all three times, it has been worth the money. It't fun because some times I'll read the story to my son ( 5 years old) and only tell a made up story of one of the additional characters.
(9 of 14 readers found this comment helpful)