5 comments about Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson.

1. I read this book for my high school summer reading because I thought it was going to be a quick and easy read, but it turned out to be me much more than that. "Tuesdays with Morrie" is a book about Mitch Albom and his favorite college professor, Morrie Schwartz. Over the years Mitch and Morrie lose touch until Mitch see's Morrie on TV and discovers that his favorite professor has Lou Gehrig's disease. Mitch decides to visit Morrie, not knowing that his weekly visits will soon change his life forever.
   
   At each lesson, Mitch watches Morrie's illness progress. Soon Mitch discovers that his weekly meetings with Morrie are more than just a visit with an old friend, it's a discussion on how to live your life.
   
   "Tuesdays with Morrie" turned out to be a truly inspirational story. Mitch Albom's writing style not only kept the book interesting, but he also taught me a valuable lesson. Enjoy each day as if it were your last.



2. I had heard so much about this book and it continued to be on that "must read" someday when I have available time. So I finally got around to it. I am glad I read it. I find that I like Mitch Albom's style of writing (I also just finished The Five People You Meet in Heaven. I find him to be clear, concise and not overly descriptive -- I can not tolerate authors who need many pages to describe the color of the autumn leaves!
   
   Yet, maybe because of the hype, I expected more. For some reason, although I appreciate the soundness of Morrie's philosophies, I felt they weren't presented in an inspirational, life changing style. Overall, it left me somewhat flat. (And for me, that is quite unusual.)
   
   However I am thrilled that it's another off of my to be read list.
   
   Barbara Kent, author Success in the Words of the Masters



3. The author of this book does a nice job of realying what the dying professor wants people in our country to hear before he passes on. For me the best message Professor Schwartz delivers is in these words that are so applicable to the problems our country is facing and our leaders just don't get it: He said, "We don't see what we could be." The prof goes on to relay the message that we are lacking compassion for one another and he got that right, didn't he? Norman Jones, Ed. D. author of Main St. vs. Wall St.:Wake-up Calls for America's Leaders



4. I read this book after reading five people you meet in heaven for school going into the book I had a positive attitude. Since I read five people it was very meaningful and had a clear message that it was trying to send and I knew tuesday's with morrie would be the same as well. I have not been a very avid reader in recent years, but with this book it put me on track to start another book as well as another Albom book. This is a great author, he needs to write more because I would read and very quickly. The text is very easy to go through if determined two or three of his books could be read within a day or two.



5. Facing certain death in a predetermined amount of time likely produces some of the most meaningful reflections of one's life. I suspect anyone at facing this would have a far more grounded viewpoint on the significance of material and philosophical aspects. In Tuesdays with Morrie, we are privy to conversations with Morrie Schwartz, a Brandeis University professor who died of Lou Gehrig's disease, and one of his affected students named Mitch Albom.
   
   Each chapter represents a conversation Morrie had with Mitch trying to provide some lasting guidance and perspective about life. What makes this book especially profound is that Morrie is not just an ordinary person forced to reflect on his life, he in fact had spent a lifetime studying human expression. The bulk of the book will give any reader pause, a point of relativity that enables one to consider for a moment what is truly is important.
   
   This book is short, sad, weighty, and most importantly profoundly valuable; one I'd recommend to anyone with an interest in examining life's philosophical questions.

5 comments about A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive.

1. THis is the most moving book I"ve read in a long time.. Be prepared to cry.. It will open your mind to what really goes on in our world and with foster children.. GOD BLESS ALL of them.



2. Purchased book for my daughter and she was very pleased. Book arrived promptly in excellent condition. Thanks



3. A Child Called "It" is the story of young David Pelzer's struggle to survive his mother's abuse. David's life used to be perfect. He had everything- a nice cozy house, a loving family, and good food. That all chaged one day when his drunk mother turned evil. From making David eat a durty diaper, to making him eat his own vomit. I highly reconmend his book!



4. I read this book in record time because I could not put it down. I was very dissapointed in the adults in young Daves life. In this book you will read his graphic memories of incidents that go beyond discipline and turn into the worst case of child abuse in California. Dave Pelzer discribes his painful childhood with such clarity that you have to remind yourself that this is a real story. I have alot of respect for this young boy who turned into a man who would one day put some of his life into a book. Though I wanted to know more I got the point and also began to wonder how I can get involved and help. This book truly changed my outlook on life and how I carry resentment. Dave Pelzer is a hero in many ways.
   
   I hope all the people who saw Dave as a troubled child read this book and understand his behavior. There was nothing wrong with him. He was just in survival mode and may god bless the adults who finally helped in saving young Dave.



5. The story chronicles one of the most abusive child abuse situations in our nation. There are definitely many untold stories, but it's so good that something so raw, honest, and emotional could be written as such from Dave Pelzer. He is a person who was probably picked on for his seemingly slowness in picking up things, maybe the way he looked or talked. Mainly by his own mother, but by his other nuclear relatives too, which is disgusting because they are all a part of each other. The fact that Dave was starved and almost nearly killed many time is such a disgrace. Not only is it amazing that he is alive today, but how he can be so forgiving despite everything that happened to him. He is an amazing person that I would be honored to meet and a tightly bonded friendship that would never be worth letting go of.

5 comments about Drinking: A Love Story.

1. I became aware of Knapp after reading "Appetites" and then read everything else she'd written. This was a powerful story of her relationship with alcohol, and a useful insight into the world of addiction.



2. This is a great book and will really open anyone's eyes who has a drinking problem, it is so true to life.



3. This book was all over the map None of her stories made any type of timeline. She jumped back and forth and gave looooong descriptions of too many incidents . The book made no sense. Just some half asses self analysis with a few stories thrown in for variety. I would like my money back for this one!



4. A sad story that offers and heart-wrenching, truthful account on the life of an alcoholic. This book will dispell many stereotypes and give you an new persepective on the disease of alcoholism. A good read!



5. There are certainly better books to inspire or encourage a person with the disease, (A Drinking Man's Life, etc). This book was laborious. With due respect to the author, this seemed to be therapy for her vs education or help for others. As a recovering drunk, I feel there are SO MANY ways to explain the problem and the solutions w/AA. Very little offered in this book.

5 comments about Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's.

1. First of all, I love the cover of this book. Second, I loved the inside as well. It's clear, concise, and very, very funny in places. There were moments when I laughed myself sick, and at other times I found myself saying, "awww," especially when the author wrote about his cute newborn son and his current wife (Unit Two). I also appreciated that his love for his first wife, Little Bear, came through loud and clear. Obviously, she made it easier for him to deal with his youthful burdens by being someone who loved him unconditionally as well and made him feel more "mornal." It must be hard to be socially impaired. I know that I have a hard time with people who can't "look me in the eye," or seem humorless. I've been aware of Asperger's for a long time now. As a counselor I have, on occasion, told clients who don't make friends readily, have little affect and feel like outsiders, that that Asperger's might be at the root of their problems. I have tried to do this as sensitively and tactfully as John's friend did with him, but I notice that there is still a lot of shame about it, and most don't seem to want to know. Now I have a truly enlightening and entertaining book to offer them. I wish him all the luck in the world, but I would like to offer John Elder one piece of advice: funny as it seems, I wouldn't take the repartee about Units One, Two and Three any further than this book, especially if you intend to continue having your ears scratched with complete abandon for many years to come. Just a suggestion, because, as your grandmother taught you, women can "turn."



2. I LOVED this book! John gives insight to how an Aspergian (as he calls himself) processes thoughts. VERY, very different from how you or I may process. At times I laughed, at times I had "aha" moments when I recognized my own daughters reactions to things. Very helpful for parent of an Aspie and also a wonderfully, good read.



3. I did not like the writing or the subject matter. We have a handicapped grandson, and I was hoping that this book would be uplifting. It was not. For me, it was depressing.



4. Funny, honest, and splendidly written- an enlightening read, and I would recommend it to anyone who seeks to understand Asberger's or autism spectrum disorders...



5. This is a great book. I actually have trouble putting it down once I start reading. You must read this book even if you do not know of anyone with the disease.

5 comments about Girl, Interrupted.

1. I enjoyed the book even if I'm not all that sure about the message.
   
   This book was the true story of Susanna Kaysen who was committed to a mental hospital when she was 18. The chapters were short and crisp, and could most likely be read as short stories in themselves. The book was also interspersed with official forms documenting Kaysen's two year stay at McLean, which Kaysen only got the rights to many years after with the help of a lawyer. Kaysen kept her writing humorous and curt as she talked about the various patients, doctors, and incidents at the hospital. I liked these chapters, but got bored later on in the book after she left the hospital and began to describe the bounds of her illness. I'm a teenager myself, and my attention span is short.
   
   I enjoyed the book for its quirkiness and memorable characters, where others might like it for its comments on mental illness and the treatment of the mentally ill in the 60's.



2. This is a very short book, which is actually great, because if you're on the fence about getting involved with it, by the time you've made up your mind you'll have already finished it.
   
   I read the book because I watched the movie and I was curious. The book fulfilled my curiosity but not much else. It adds snip-its of details to the characters and definitely has a more viable believability than the movie did but if you've watched the movie you already know all the dialogue. Nothing in the book was spared when they made the movie it seemed.
   
   I enjoyed the book. It was short and I wish it was longer and more detailed. I def recommend to borrow it from the library though instead of buying it. My two cents.



3. This is a memoir written by Susanna Kaysen; a woman in the late 1960s who was sent to a mental institution and diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.
   
   First of all, let me say that I have never read a memoir as honest, raw, and straight to the point as this one. It started out well. The writing was well written, but even after this book, I have to say that I don't really know anything about the author at all. She left a lot (too many) stuff out.
   
   The good thing is that it's an interesting story overall, and the fact that it's non fiction makes it even better. It was readable and at times, even thought-provoking. The bad thing is, personally, I found it just to be too flat for my taste.
   
   However, I just watched the movie the other day, and loved it! I was never really a huge fan of Angelina Jolie (except in 2008 film Changeling), but this one definitely changed my mind about her. In fact, everybody's performance in this film was great. This made me laugh, get scared, be bothered, and even cry in one particular scene in the end. Awesome movie, okay book, great story.



4. Another book that poses as non-fiction, but seems questionable in the author's ability to remember the events given. It reminds me far too much of the anti-drug propaganda "Go Ask Alice," but with only a few interesting moments. I have to admit, I was pretty indifferent when reading it-- never a good sign.



5. I saw the movie a bunch of times so I thought I should read the book. While it's different, it's definitely worth getting. Both the movie and book have their merits. Good stuff.

5 comments about It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life.

1. I love autobiographies and this was a great one. I'm not a cyclist or athlete either.



2. Good book. I enjoyed it and it is a page turner.
   
   When I was done, I was not sure if I would hand this to some one with Cancer though.
   On one hand he does a good job showing to fight cancer with every fiber but on the other hand he reports on his temper out breaks and lack of faith.
   
   For a book about Lance Armstrong pre Cheryl Crow and more then one child, this is a good one.



3. The book was in great shape and there was No damage. It shipped in a timely manner and you could not beat the cost.
   Thanks



4. I BOUGHT THE BOOK FOR MY NEPHEW ,WHO IN RIDING IN THE MARIN CENTURY 100 MILES BIKE RACE AS I TYPE. HE LOVES THE BOOK.



5. The Lance Armstrong story is well known. His triumphs in cycling as well as his fight with terminal cancer are the stuff that newspapers are made of. Trying to elaborate about those triumphs had better be compelling, or the whole account in book form becomes a dead letter.
   
   And, Lance Armstrong is definitely not a dead letter. His autobiography, 'It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life,' keeps his legacy, just like his life, fresh and alive.
   
   As I accidentally fell upon this book at the library, I discovered early and often that Armstrong gives plenty of evidence his story is worth retelling. From the first chapter, the narrative is accessible enough for readers to take his journey vicariously: Riding the Tour de France and recovering from cancer was grueling for Lance Armstrong, but while the details take one vividly and perceptively through his life, one never feels that reading about it ever is. Never is there a wasted word, scene, or explanation.
   
   Deciding how this can be so is the crux. My first impression is that Lance has great expression. Even though he's down-to-earth, his color, flair, and personality are conveyed throughout. He's able to elaborate well about his life. He's good with words, and he's closely in touch with his feelings. He's able to describe life events in a fluid fashion, and his choice of what he tells is a constant exercise in good judgment.
   
   Speaking of details, without giving away the store, Lance is great at recounting when he was first diagnosed with cancer, remembering his feelings, the reactions of significant others, and what they said at key moments of his life. He's also an able writer, recalling the challenges of racing in general as well as for each individual race. His memories of dangers, competitors' strengths and weakness, and the fabric of all his personal and career ups and downs are varied and complete.
   
   It is an intimate account (enough to fascinate) without being merely a long, drawn-out addendum or answer to gossip tabloids. Furthermore, he integrates the fossilized charges of "doping" skillfully (including an honest account of what went through his mind before, during, and after his press conferences) and without overdoing it.
   
   Without diminishing his writing accomplishments, one can imagine that whenever Lance faltered in his writing, co-author, Sally Jenkins, reinforced his efforts with excellent feedback and editing. Just like his fellow team members for the Tour de France, Lance has singular achievement, but nothing he has done has been without group support..
   
   
   As a whole, 'It's Not About the Bike...' is a terrific read, a lucid account by an articulate man who's generous and resourceful with information. This is the best jockography I've ever read (although I`ve only read about six.). The mere fact that he had me in suspense nearly every step of the way for an autobiographical story I've already known is a fact that speaks volumes.
   
   (*My title is a quote from Armstrong himself who is speaking about bike racing during his recollection of his first Tour de France triumph. It's a bit of a misnomer, for, as anyone who has completed the book can attest, all the suffering he recalls is very significant to him.)

5 comments about Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction.

1. The book struck me very hard in the beginning and I was under attack with emotions while reading. I have not experienced anything like this nor know anybody to close to me that has felt this type of experience or pain. But I was able to take in the dedication, love and HOPE that David Sheff displayed to his son Nicholas. I read this book within 6 days, i was so involved in it. The disclosure of thoughts, emotions, stories and actions is what makes this story real and attractive. My 2 year old son is named Nicholas and at times I would finish a chapter and just for some reason picture these actions in my life and I would tell myself, this is how I would handle the situation... just like David - by any means necessary I would never give up. He didn't and from what I understand still hasn't.



2. I received the book in a fair amount of time and in good condition. I have received other books by this company and I don't hesitate to order from them.



3. The book was a great read, even difficult to put down at times. The story was sad at times, but also a wonderful story of a family. Many people have known others with a drug addiction, I think the book gives us all some hope. A great read.



4. I must have cried a million tears when I read this book. My eyes were opened and finally, I felt that I was no longer alone in the journey with my own son's addiction. David Sheff gave me a reason to live and to hold my head up from shame to continue the fight to save my child from death. This book was given to me by a dear friend and I have since passed it on to others who need the same help. Thank you David, my son is two years clean and our family is whole again.



5. This is a fantastic listen. I thought the reader was actually Nic's father. It is warm caring and very informative without being boring going over facts and figures. I found it to be extremely helpful explaining a subject that is unexplainable. There is hope.

5 comments about A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness.

1. The language is very simplistic for the most part, and this is probably due to his abuse holding him back from a quality education and social life to learn to be around others more easily. That is the only thing that makes this 4 instead of 5 stars.
   
   The story shows how Dave has started to mature with his new circumstances and how his new wife Marsha opens his eyes to the kind of person he really is. Reading this book just makes me want to befriend Dave that much more. He has such great character is makes me cry to see people take advantage of him. I hope he has learned from his mistakes and does not let other people abuse and stomp all over him. I hope he can improve his vocabulary too because I feel like it will take him a long way.



2. If you've read the first one, A Child called It, you need to read this one. The second book, the Lost Boy, tells about his time in foster care is interesting but doesn't add that much to his story. If you know someone who has gone through the foster care system it does give a snapshot of how it can be confusing and scary to a young child. In this book he tells of his adult life and how he is haunted by the life he had with The Mother. It gives insight into the mind of a person who has gone through abuse and survived. Also illustrates how, when the abuser is a parent, the abused still tries to gain the love of that parent and the mental and emotional damage that is done. It is a very good book.



3. What a wonderful book that highlights Dave's compassion even after his tortuous childhood. There's a strong lesson to be learned and Dave does it in his quiet and caring way. This book made me smile but it also made me cry. It gives a person a lot of perspective and I think back to parts of it even though it's been a month since I read his story.



4. David Pelzer makes you feel a part of his story. This 3rd in the series is just as good as "A child Called it". Couldn't put it down once I started.



5. ...badly written, so bad that the writing renders the complex story completely opaque. Made me wonder if any actual editors read the manuscript. I kept imagining this story told by an actual writer. He desperately needed a ghostwriter. Truly awful.

5 comments about Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia (P.S.).

1. This book has the feel of someone boasting about just how bad and pathological she was. In reality, she was not recovered and was still in the grips of her eating disordered thoughts and mindset. (Significant personality pathology as well). Warning to those who are easily triggered--this book is not right for you. This book could be useful for professionals wanting to get an "insider" perspective of someone with severe symptoms. However, would not recommend this book for eating disordered sufferers who need to recover. This book would likely set you backwards.



2. This book was so very honest that I made my twin sister read it to have some understanding about my ED. My own husband did not even know I had an ED for years until I left him a letter on the dinner table one night. I wish I had Marya's Strength. This book can be a trigger and I found myself reading certain parts over and over again just not to feel alone when I was re-living the same habbits of this horrible disease that she was. I like to think That I have recovered and I still pull "Wasted" off the book shelf once on a while and re-read it. I am thankful for Marya's complete honesty no matter how ugly it gets because I was able to just hand this book to my family and give them a sense of understanding.



3. As a college student recovering from anorexia I always felt alone and that no one in the world understood what I was going through. That is, until I bought this book. Hornbacher writes with such genuine, thought-provoking and touching words...that I now feel like this is a disease that I can keep overcoming. That there are people out there that have overcome the odds and beat this horrible thing. Hornbacher's easy to read narrative provides deep insight into the disease and hope for recovery.



4. Marya's story draws you in, in the same way driving by a recent car crash simultaneously captivates, horrifies and fascinates. However, you drive on feeling sympathy for the victims. No such corollary feeling is derived from reading this pathologically self-absorbed recounting of a young woman's eating disorder. The reader is not allowed to come up for air. Yes, you get to see in excruciating detail the behaviors and consequences of her disorder. If that's entertainment, read on. But step back for a moment and you realize that not once does this woman ever look outside herself for help, remedy, even a different perspective or something greater than herself and you understand that that is the real disease and food or lack thereof is just the delivery system. True, this can be said of any addiction, which then begs the question: Why bother? Unless you want to get down in it and wallow in self-pity and the glories of uncontrolled self-loathing (and who needs more of that?) this book is best avoided. If you already are the self-loathing type this won't inspire you to do it any "better".



5. By far one of the bst books I've ever read! It was written perfectly to make you feel like you were going through the sickness with Marya. Loved it.

5 comments about The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary (P.S.).

1. CD in excellent condition. Story is awesome. Time of delivery A+. Thank you.



2. This book is excellent for any word lover, but is a bit stilted and detailed.
   
   It was very clever how the author put a page from the dictionary as the beginning of each chapter and the subject of that chapter dealt with the word.
   
   From page 220..."The total length of type--all hand-set, for the books were done by letterpress, still discernible in the delicately impressed feel of the inked-on paper--is 178 miles, the distance between London and the outskirts of Manchester."
   
   Dr. Minor, the madman, was an interesting character and the perfect person to "write" the English Oxford Dictionary...the professor, (Professor Murray) was perfect as well. You feel sorry for Dr. Minor in his circumstances, but rejoice at what he did.
   
   His death and burial are described as this: From Page 219..."Dr. William Minor, who was among the greatest of contributors to the finest dictionary in all the English language, died forgotten in obscurity, and is buried beside a slum."
   
   It isn't of high interest, but keeps you reading because of the history.
   
   I was wavering between a 2 and a 3 but am going with a 3/5 rating.



3. This book was given to me to read by someone else and just sat on my shelf for ages because it didn't feel that appealing. What a surprise when I actually read it. It is a fascinating tale of how the Oxford English Dictionary came into being. Historical, educational, based on fact, and thoroughly entertaining.



4. Winchester definitely knows how to tell a story. His account of the unusual relationship between James Murray, chief editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, and William Chester Minor, the American-born "madman" of the title, is unforgettable. He understands the incredible hubris of Victorian England -- its belief that Englishmen, their empire, and their language were superior and were destined to control the world -- and also the irony that men acting under these chauvinist beliefs made remarkable contributions to civilization. The OED was one of those works, and Minor, the former Civil War surgeon who was confined to an insane asylum, was the gifted amateur who contributed thousands of entries to the pioneering dictionary.
   
   I highly recommend this book. My only hesitation relates to Winchester's rather cavalier speculation about the origins of Minor's mental illness. Although he appropriately cites contemporary psychiatric theory in the later part of his book, some of the connections that he makes between Minor's experiences and his debilitating illness are hard to accept.



5. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys some history stitched together with a little story telling. It is a page turner that is very intriguing, interesting and at times shocking. I have read a lot of books and wondered how they ever got published, this one however is a solid piece of story telling. Read it, you will be glad you did.