Customer Comments

Stella is a fantastic character--tough yet tender--and she and the other characters are well rounded without giving away too much too soon. This page turner is gritty enough to satisfy the genre but has appeal for any reader of mystery or women's fiction.

My son and I love these books! They are gentle, funny, and full of character. I like most of Cynthia Rylant's books, but Mr. Putter and Tabby are some of the best. (Though I think my son prefers the Poppleton books, by the same author) My son was happy to get this book and 2 others in the series at Christmas. It is also refreshing to read about an older main character.

I borrowed this book from a friend and tried making the whole wheat bread. I make my own bread regularly but did not have a big enough bowl for the recipe! The bread was still ok,but I wonder if the author tested the recipes for a home baker. It is a beautiful little book, though, with some good sandwich, breakfast,and soup ideas. Be warned, also, she uses a lot of butter!

I was leery of this book at first (it was a gift) because a lot of the recipes contain specialty flours. After trying several recipes (like overnight whole wheat bread, though it contains a mistake in the note at top), I have been pleased with the results, and I look forward to trying more. If you don't like whole wheat or trying different flours, look elsewhere. Also, some people I know have better success with King Arthur Flour recipes (from their various books-you can usually get them at the library to try), though I have not.

I got this from the library hoping for some insight into the rise of China in the global marketplace from the author, a business journalist. Instead, I found a personal monologue which left me with no information and a sad feeling at how shallow and materialistic the author sometimes seems. She makes no mention of the business side to anything (except as relates to her finaces), nor the environmental impact of all these products. Not even her slams at Wal-Mart are satisfying to this liberal (me), as she does not back them up with any facts. I would not bother reading this if you , like me, are looking for information and personal stories on trade, consumerism, and the global economy. (Also, she discounts the web as a good source of US made products on the say-so of one person. I have found many products, mostly thanks to stillmadeintheusa.com, like Okabashi shoes, Soft Star Shoes, and TC Timber Trains, to name a few.)

Another fun short novel featuring Rumpole, defender of the Magna Carta, etc. If you haven't read any Rumpole, I would go back to Mortimer's earlier work. I am not giving this Rumpole's usual 5 stars as I felt there are slight character inconsistencies in this one, but overall a good social satire, as usual.

The Eco Foods Guide is a good general introduction to many topics surrounding the food we eat. For me, it was not in depth enough and had a few stylistic flaws (no list of other sources, you have to write them down as you go, for example). I did learn a few new things, but mostly will need to turn to other sources for more information. From what I'm reading in Marion Nestle's What to Eat, that might be a better choice if you want something more in depth.

This book is everything the publisher blurb claims it is. I love all the Big Book series, but this is the one I own, as we love breakfast. If you do too, I don't think you will be disappointed by this book. It is great and we really do now eat breakfast anytime thanks to these delicious recipies.

This is a really good book. I like the short blurbs about different topics and the way it is organized by season. It is easy to find recipies for the fruits of various seasons and so far, the results are delicious. I look forward to using it often.

I'm not sure this book deserves 3 stars, except that I did read it and it was ok. However, the back blurb is misleading as the book is not warm or full of simple joys, but is somewhat sensationalistic and simplified (character-wise). I was hoping for something like Herriot, Karon, or Miss Read and didn't get it. I will not be returning to Barleybridge.

Radish's book is somewhat enjoyable, but I would not read any of her other books. "Gathering" is a bit strident at times, as well as faulty stylistically; I don't read novels to be yelled at about feminism, which is how this book often feels. If you are looking for gentle, fun, or better written novels of female friendship, turn to authors Lorna Landvik(fun), Jennifer Chiaverini(gentle), and Joan Medlicott(both).

This is a different kind of parenting book, but I am very glad I read it (carefully and with an open mind).Some will dismiss this book as advocating permissiveness or being idealistic. Kohn addresses the former logically and persuasively (that he is not advocating it, but a different parenting style altogether) and the latter, if he is too idealistic, it is about how parents can change rather than how children should be treated. I have 2 young children and this book voiced much of what I had been feeling and frightened me in that I saw so much I could change. His reccommendations are hard to implement but worth it, not just in light of his well-researched arguements, but from reflection my own thoughts and feelings.

This is (so far) my favorite canning book. I tried the Joy of Cooking and Ball books on the subject (as well as many from the library), but this is the one that is straightforward and has useable recipies for the household canner. I've used it a lot since my first foray into water bath canning 6 years ago.

We traded in the What to Expect books for this and have not been disappointed. I had been resistant to attatchment parenting until my son was about 4 months old (he is now 2). We don't always follow attatchment parenting and you don't need to in order to find helpful advice on everything fom nutrition to how to deal with a cold to baby's developmental stages. Highly reccommended for all those times you wonder about something your baby is doing or what to do with him!

Another essential book on our shelves. This is a beautiful book and we love the illustrations by Kadir Nelson. We have been reading this since my son was one, so even if you don't understand who all the men are, you can appreciate the words and illustrations. Older readers should be inspired to find out more about the men of the poem, or at least listen to some Duke Elliington.

The poem evokes the rhythm of a steamboat while the illustrations do just that: illustrate the words beautifully. My son has enjoyed this book since he was a small baby and it is great fun to read, especially to shout "steeeamboat a'comin!". An unusual children's book which we consider essential on our bookshelf.

I am not a Buddhist or much into meditation, but this book helped me learn to be mindful in daily life, which is something that can benefit anyone. Some of what Nhat Hanh teaches you may not agree with and some may be hard to grasp, but there are valuable lessons in this book that you can use every day, even while washing dishes or taking a walk. Nhat Hanh is a great living teacher of spirituality and mindfulness.

I discovered the Betsy books in middle school and have been collecting and rereading them since. The Betsy-Tacy books are for younger readers, while the high school years will delight readers from middle school on. The high school years (and beyond) starts with Heaven to Betsy and chronicles Betsy Ray and her crowd's parties, studying, dating, and family life in early twentieth century Minnesota. The charming illustrations give added dimension to the books, all of which are charming and entertaining. I loved these books so much that when I went across country many years ago, I visited Mankato, which is the real life Deep Valley, along with Plum Creek, of Laura Ingalls Wilder fame. These are on par with the Little House books.

This series is laugh out loud funny. All the books are entertaining and have a great cast of characters, who you will want to read about, even those who make you (and the other characters) cringe.

I have read this series a few times and find all the books enjoyable, though sometimes a bit ponderous. I am not Christian, but I often read Christian fiction because I like "gentle" fiction. If you are like me, I would read Miss Read (start with Village School or Thrush Green) first, then go to Jan Karon, if you don't mind the occasional bit of preachiness.

This series is fantastic. Precious is someone you want to know, someone to turn to in good or unhappy times. Reading these books helps me keep a grounded perspective about life as well as entertaining and amusing me.

Miss Read is perhaps my favorite author. Her Fairacre and Thrush Green series are books I can read again and again and always find something to amuse and delight. This is the first in the Fairacre series about "Miss Read," a schoolmistress in the small English village of Fairacre. These books are "gentle" reads without being sentimental or maudlin; the author writes with wit and keen insight into character.

I couldn't put down this charming book, which should be enjoyed by ages 9-90! I am hoping for a sequel, as I was almost sad to come to the end.

John Mortimer's Rumpole never fails to amuse and entertain! This latest book continues the tradition as Rumpole uses his wit, wiles, and trademark defense of the principles of English justice to free a man wrongly accused of terrorism. Knowing this is happening today only sharpens the satire always found in Rumpole books. A funny, smart, quick read.

Jewett's book should be considered one of the great works of American literature. I read it every year and it never fails to be entertaining, soothing, and emotionally evocative, all in a very quiet way. Some consider it only as regional fiction, but it is in every way as great a work, perhaps better, than you will find on any American Lit. course list. Please read this book!

This is one of my son's favorites (he is 2). It is a charming, rhythmic book which you won't mind reading over and over...also look for the author's One,Two,Tree!