What an excellent collection of short fiction! There were, of course, a few stories that didn't seem as strong as some of the others, but I don't thinWhat an excellent collection of short fiction! There were, of course, a few stories that didn't seem as strong as some of the others, but I don't think there was a single one that I disliked—an unusual occurrence with anthologies and something that impresses me greatly. These exceedingly well-chosen sea stories have been grouped here into four different thematic sections, each of which explores a different element of the sea. The tales complement each other perfectly, and each section is an adventure unto itself. I cannot praise this book highly enough. Absolutely amazing collection.
Out of an already-strong collection, these seven were my favorites: • The Fog Horn (Bradbury) • A Descent into the Maelström (Poe) • The Cruise of The Jolly Roger (Vonnegut) • One for the Islands (Highsmith) • The Open Boat (Crane) • The House of Mapuhi (London) • Sail Shining in White (Helprin) ...more
I greatly enjoyed this very short story. This tale makes good use of detail to portray complicated subject matter; there is, first of all, a descriptiI greatly enjoyed this very short story. This tale makes good use of detail to portray complicated subject matter; there is, first of all, a description of the atoll where the story takes place, and a description of the valuable pearl that has been found, and of course, the hair-raising details of the powerful storm that hits the island. Just as interesting are the characters. London treats with nuance the delicate economic situation, in which Europeans send people to the atoll to do business with the local Polynesians. One main character is the pearl's finder, and the other is biracial, whose family represents both sides of this cultural divide, and whose approach to his business dealings is at once strong and humble. Will he purchase the pearl? Will he survive the storm? And what will become of the man who found the pearl? A page-turner, for sure, and thought-provoking....more
Moody, atmospheric—a story of the sea so vivid in its descriptions that I could practically taste the salt air. I had a tougher time deciphering the dMoody, atmospheric—a story of the sea so vivid in its descriptions that I could practically taste the salt air. I had a tougher time deciphering the dialogues; one of the characters makes many long-winded speeches (rants?) in what I can only describe as a strong Scottish dialect. This adds flavor to the story but makes the reading a bit more difficult for readers unused to it. The plot is spare (thin?) and ends abruptly. For such a long short story, not much happens, and what story remains is a bit on the odd side. But oh! Those evocative descriptions! Easily the best part of the book....more
What a pleasure to read a book compiled by an expert who so clearly loves his topic! Hugh Lamb, in gathering this collection of macabre Victorian fictWhat a pleasure to read a book compiled by an expert who so clearly loves his topic! Hugh Lamb, in gathering this collection of macabre Victorian fiction, has sought out many authors who, while successful in their day, have not necessarily remained in the public consciousness. These forgotten (or nearly) writers are once again given attention and acknowledgement in this little gem of a book. These stories are dark, powerful, and creepy—and while they certainly have a strong 19th-century flavor (that is their time period, after all) the content is never saccharine, and the writing is such that could hold its own against the tales of the present day.
Here are some good things: • The book is well-organized. • Each author has a mini (1 page) introduction. • Lamb, in his intros, gives salient information without being loquacious. • There are many unknown (or at least not well-known) authors. • The stories show a wide variety of styles. • The stories are interesting and quite well-written. • Lamb clearly knows his craft and has done his research, but he never condescends to his readers or comes off as pretentious.
I suppose perhaps the best compliment I can give is this: these tales tend a bit too much toward the macabre for my taste, and yet I enjoyed reading each and every one of them, partly because Lamb’s introductions helped me understand their value, and mostly because his love for these stories shone through every page....more
I thoroughly enjoyed these brainteasers. This book's warm tone softens the puzzles and makes them seem less intimidating than they otherwise might. ThI thoroughly enjoyed these brainteasers. This book's warm tone softens the puzzles and makes them seem less intimidating than they otherwise might. The answers (for the most part) take the time to explain the reasoning behind the solution, so that children can learn the process and use these methods in the future. Children will find this collection to be a gentle companion into a world of math, logic, and creative thinking. The puzzles themselves each take only a few minutes, so this book can be read a bit at a time, whenever time allows. A few very mild criticisms: 1) The answers are presented in order, so it's easy to see, by accident, the next puzzle's solution before even attempting it; and 2) There is a typo in one of the problems which makes it unsolvable. These are, as I said, very mild concerns. I remember that as a kid, I used a spare piece of paper to block the answers page so that I'd only see a little bit of it at a time—problem solved!—and I think figuring out that a problem is unsolvable is still quite satisfying. I liked this book as a child, and I think I loved it even more as a grownup. Terrific fun for all ages....more
A strong end to the trilogy, and a definite improvement over book #2. Here, the two main friends from the first novel are working side-by-side, so mucA strong end to the trilogy, and a definite improvement over book #2. Here, the two main friends from the first novel are working side-by-side, so much of the joy that was missing from book #2 is present here. The stakes are higher than ever, and there are a great many obstacles to be overcome in this action-packed finale. There is also a lot that is disappointing, mostly in the form of a minor character who, for some reason, is unnecessarily hurtful to others, but everyone somehow loves her for it. She is particularly cruel right at the end, but everyone seems to think she has acted well. But as I said, she is a minor character, and this is a minor point. What works exceptionally well in this tale is the way that the two main characters get pushed to their limits. One shines, and the other, well, doesn’t, and that, too, is well-written and compelling. This book also earns points for making terrific use of ambiguity. There is a major plot point that is unclear in its resolution, and while such approaches often feel cheap and gimmicky, this does not. This feels real, and the uncertainty of the character’s future is extraordinarily well-handled. If it weren’t for a few sour notes in other aspects of the storytelling, I would say that this was one of the most satisfying endings to a fantasy series that I’d ever read. This isn’t the world’s greatest book, by any stretch, and it’s only getting 4 stars from me. But the resolution is quite solid, and the story threads, the ones that are neatly tied up and the ones that are not, are quite well-chosen. ...more
What a disappointing sequel. The main character is so very much out of character that it’s hard to believe he’s the same person from the last story. IWhat a disappointing sequel. The main character is so very much out of character that it’s hard to believe he’s the same person from the last story. It isn’t so much a matter of the character growing or regressing; it’s just that he’s so altogether different. And he’s not even all that likeable here, but to be fair, the other characters aren’t, either. Add to that a confusing and tedious plot—so slow-moving—and it’s easy to see why it took me so long to finish reading this one. The best part of the first novel was the friendship between the two main characters, but one of those friends isn’t even in this story except for a handful of pages. This novel, the middle in the trilogy, is supposed to involve a drastic surprise for the hero that shakes his whole understanding of the world of magic. But as it happens here, it just seemed to me that the author tore down her excellent world-building from the first novel to replace it with something that wasn’t as well-crafted. All in all, I found it hard to care. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3, mostly for the sake of the last 25% of the story. The book ends in a riveting drama that kept me turning pages and—finally—made me care again about these characters. If the whole book were that well-written, this would have been a very different reading experience....more
I was pleasantly surprised by the high quality of the writing. The characters were nuanced and believable, and it was care for the characters that kepI was pleasantly surprised by the high quality of the writing. The characters were nuanced and believable, and it was care for the characters that kept me reading. The plot was certainly interesting, and the world-building—it is a fantasy novel, after all—is expertly achieved. Berg does not waste pages expounding all the details of her magical world, but she nevertheless creates a world that is vibrant and distinctive. She also deserves credit for making her world unique; so many fantasy novels try too hard to imitate writers who have gone before. She doesn’t. That said, the book isn’t perfect. Things are solved a little bit too neatly at times, and the final battle feels way too much like a video game. But on the whole, a well-told and compelling story....more
I wanted to like this more than I did. I liked the narrow focus of time—just those two decades—but I felt the questions were very obscure. I feel likeI wanted to like this more than I did. I liked the narrow focus of time—just those two decades—but I felt the questions were very obscure. I feel like some of the more memorable elements of that time period were neglected in favor of other details that were maybe not as interesting. And a LOT of these questions were about sports and celebrities. It got to be a little tedious after a while. It might have done better to include a broader range of subjects, even within the framework of those two decades. Still, this was great fun.
3.5 stars, rounding up because what it DID do, it did well....more
A charming tale of faith and redemption. This is a quick read, but it has a surprising amount of spiritual depth and several inspiring Bible quotes frA charming tale of faith and redemption. This is a quick read, but it has a surprising amount of spiritual depth and several inspiring Bible quotes from the KJV. This particular edition must have been a gift edition, as it is beautifully illuminated and features many sweet pictures from Currier and Ives. Lovely....more
Wow! How does this book not have any reviews or ratings yet? This is amazing!
First of all, the selection is great. Hymns from different centuries, froWow! How does this book not have any reviews or ratings yet? This is amazing!
First of all, the selection is great. Hymns from different centuries, from different countries, and in different styles all find a home here. There is a nice mix of old and new, and many different cultures are represented. The layout is clear and easy to follow, and someone clearly put a lot of thought into the book's flow. Many hymnals simply follow the church year, which is great, but this one clearly has more of an educational bent, and the result is a lovely compromise. Included with liturgical seasons such as Lent and Advent are more didactic sections such as "People of the Bible." Sections on how to live a Christian life, such as "Walking with God" or "Loving Our Neighbors," are also included.
The music is excellent. Children's books naturally tread a fine line between arrangements that are too difficult to play or too simple to be enjoyable. This looks good. Children who have taken piano lessons should have little to no difficulty here, yet the arrangements are still full enough to make the songs musically interesting. Guitar chords are also given for each song, and many entries contain further joys such as descant arrangements or Orff instrument notation. This has to be the first hymnal I've ever read that includes parts for soprano glockenspiel and bass metallophone. There is a capo chart. Even the spiral binding was designed to be convenient for the musician. Traditional information is also included, of course, such as the composer, lyricist, meter, tune name, and copyright info for the songs.
Someone really put a lot of time and energy into this little volume, and it certainly shows. Fantastic resource....more
This one is pure fun. The inspirational quotes are nice—and some in particular are excellent—but it's the photographs that make this book the joy thatThis one is pure fun. The inspirational quotes are nice—and some in particular are excellent—but it's the photographs that make this book the joy that it is. Most of the pets featured here are dogs and cats, but in all cases (even the pig!), the beautiful pictures shine. Here there is dignity and humor, goofiness and energy and rest. The text and images are well matched on each page. This one is great for a smile....more
Amazing collection of thought-provoking adages and observations. The book showcases a nice range of times and places, and the quotes themselves vary iAmazing collection of thought-provoking adages and observations. The book showcases a nice range of times and places, and the quotes themselves vary in source; they include statements that can be attributed to specific individuals as well as broader proverbs that were common in particular cultures. I have read many books like this one, but this one stands out for the high quality of wisdom it contains; there must have been some excellent editor who made these decisions. Many of these quotes were unknown to me, so I like that it isn't just another rehash of some of the more mainstream adages. I came away from this book feeling as though I had learned something. The delightful illustrations add a great deal of charm. All in all, a wonderful book....more
This exceptionally well-crafted novel did not disappoint. Although the gritty realism of this story is a far cry from the sort of books I usually readThis exceptionally well-crafted novel did not disappoint. Although the gritty realism of this story is a far cry from the sort of books I usually read, I am so glad I took a chance on this one. Nuanced characters and complex storylines made this one of the more interesting novels I've read in a while, while Putnam's attention to detail and stark, vivid descriptions bring the grim settings for this novel to life. I don't want to say too much about the plot here, for fear of spoiling it for anyone. I can say that this is the only one of the series that I've read, and it works fine as a standalone. I had no trouble connecting to the characters or following the action. This is the kind of story that stays with people long after they turn the final page....more
I was most impressed with this. This book explores different views of angels across many years and cultures. It pulls quotes from a huge variety of soI was most impressed with this. This book explores different views of angels across many years and cultures. It pulls quotes from a huge variety of sources, including both the Bible and the Quran. Even the Aztecs are represented in this multicultural celebration of angels. The artwork is also beautiful, and it adds immensely to the overall reading experience. My only criticism here is that I wish more information was given about the images. Even so, this was great!...more
This book has so much going for it: • Clean design, with simple illustrations and good use of white space • Simple rhymes, with nothing too elaborate orThis book has so much going for it: • Clean design, with simple illustrations and good use of white space • Simple rhymes, with nothing too elaborate or over-the-top • Well-chosen content featuring familiar items Short, sweet, and charming! ...more
What can I say about this lovely little Christmas book? Every detail has been crafted to delight. First of all, I am impressed at the selection of hymWhat can I say about this lovely little Christmas book? Every detail has been crafted to delight. First of all, I am impressed at the selection of hymns, which includes many perennial favorites, and which gives multiple verses to several. It's all too common for books like this to list just the first verse, so that was nice. I also like the design of this small book; the ornamental borders on the pages lend a festive air, and the whole style seems delightfully old-fashioned. My only criticism would be that it doesn't give the musical notation, but that's a rare practice anyway, and I'm grateful for the amount of information that is included. A solid five stars....more
Sweet and charming! This little book is packed with quotes, song lyrics, and even recipes, and the bright illustrations lend a cozy feeling to the expSweet and charming! This little book is packed with quotes, song lyrics, and even recipes, and the bright illustrations lend a cozy feeling to the experience. Read it any time of year to feel a little Christmas warmth. An absolute delight from cover to cover....more
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