EH Books

Swindoll has written an excellent study guide with good insights on how to address the everyday problems we face.

The problems covered in the study include:

1. Inferiority
2. Clergy-Laity Gap
3. Temptation
4. Depression
5. Worry
6. Anger
7. Temper
8. Loneliness
9. Doubtful Things
10. Defection
11. Facing Impossibilities
12. Death
13. Resentment
14. Discouragement

Swindoll utilized his vast biblical knowledge to thoughtfully address the various issues in a way the reader can easily understand.

Read, enjoy, and be encouraged in the midst of your problems!

Chamber of Secrets has to be the most humorous of the Harry Potter series. The character of Gilderoy Lockhart had me rolling. His gleaming smile, audacious personality and hidden intentions made for a gripping tension between him and many of the other favorites at Hogwarts. This second book also set the stage for what we would come to expect as the yearly return to the school of wizardry. Each time the journey would change (This time including a flying car), new faces color the crowds and active scenery (An unhappy willow tree) adds depth to this secret world within our own. In this case the book far surpassed the movie.

"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" starts out with Harry Potter, back at the Dursleys' for summer break. The Durseleys have not changed and are still not nice to Harry. Then, a flying ford filled with Weasleys shows up and Harry is off to visit with the Weasleys utill school starts.

The author manages to change the story line quite a bit from the first HP book and we are immersed in another series of Harry Potter adventures. This time, the dangers get a bit more sophisticated. Eventually, all ends well.

While this book is written for children, the characters are beginning to develop and the story is broadened beyond the confines of the first book. Also, there is a start to deepening our knowledge and understanding of the evil that threatens Harry's magical world.

This is an excellent fantasy adventure. I recommend the book.

This is my second favourite in the series after Book 6.Splendid book,still addictive and brilliant!

Did not come with the Dust Cover but was in excellent shape and came on time.

After reading the first book and diving headfirst into this one (like I did) you notice how the story itself is so well put together because it's like there was never a seperation. This starts where book 1 left off. And unlike book 1, where you can tell the main focus of the story was to develop who it is you're reading about and get planted into their lives, this book begins the slow yet ultimately satisfying dark plunge that the series as a whole is going to take.

During and after reading this you will come to understand that the rollercoaster of friendship, magic, prophacies, and ressurecting evil wizards is shaping up to be one hell of a ride.

This book should be a required reading book for all teachers children and parents in that order. Then it should be required for all children welfare workers. Childrens councelors should also read this as most truly dont know how to councel the children they work with. I am making all my family read it. Thank you for printing it.

Carrie

You just feel so much hatred for his mother, but so sorry for him. Glad he lived to tell his story. Recommend all children read it.

I bought the trilogy I simply could not put the books down! I highly recommend them!

"A Child Called `It' is a true story about a young boy named Dave Pelzer who was harshly treated by his emotionally unstable alcoholic mother. He had to go through the worst things because his mother was alone all day at home and would come up with new punishing "games" to entertain herself. He was allowed to eat food only if he finished washing the dishes in 20 minutes. Several times Dave had to swallow ammonia for stealing food. Most of the time, Dave did not even know what he was punished for. He thought he was being good boy and he did whatever he was told but he was still punished for no reason. He had gone through so much for so many years that now his brothers also became against him too. With all of these bad things happening to him at such a young age, one thing that kept Dave alive was the dream that someone would come and rescue him. He kept wishing for the love that he wanted all his life from a mother.

With each punishment and torture, you'll feel the pain that Dave was going through and his strong belief that some day he'll be rescued. This horrifying story brings to attention the terrible child abuse and the unimaginable sufferings that a child endures from people that are supposed to be source of love and affection and not hate.

I got this book delivered to me at work, I left work at 5pm, got home by 6pm and started reading this book. I read it all by 1 am the next morning. I could NOT put it down. It was the unbelelivable acts of a parent(s) that I was tyring to justify. I thought..somewhere in this book I would find the answer or that this abuse would subside or lessen the gruesomeness of it all. But..i didn't find that..it only worsens. I am at awe at the details and courage it took to write this book. I am at awe that a child can comprehend the necessary skills of survival and somehow have faith that things would one day, some day , in dreams get better.I am a graduate student earning my MFT degree. This book was very educational and gave me a look at what to possibly expect in my future career.
I look forward to the next book..which I just ordered..with a RUSH!

If that title had not already been taken it would have fit this book perfectly. I resisted and resisted and resisted this book, but sometimes the masses are absolutely correct. This was a brilliant read and totally absorbing. I read it in two days time. At moments, I was in tears, the scene where the surviving twin searches the house for his brother is burned into my brain forever and at other moments I found myself laughing. This is the single best memoir I have ever read. Pick it up, now.

This was one of those best-sellers that truly lived up to its hype. Frank McCourt's prose and his incredible story of growing up very poor in Ireland, is one for the ages. Over 1,800 reviews of it here on Amazon tells you something.

If you missed this book - and the hype has longed died down over it so there is a chance you may not hear about it these day - take the word of reviewers here and take notice of all the awards the book won: this is good stuff!

Rarely I have read a book with so much sadness, humor, sweetness and tragedy all rolled into one.

The storytelling here was so good that a movie was made (almost word-for-word with the book). a sequel to the book was written and documentaries have been made about the McCourt family. In addition, Frank's ultra-crazy brother Malachy also wrote about his adventures.

I know it sounds like a cliche, but this is a story you will never forget.

I read this story for a book club, and that sense of accountability was the main reason that I finished it.

The McCourt family's life did not have to be so bad, and the children did not have to be malnourished.

I know we have no right to judge others, but how could the parents keep spending what little they had on alcohol and cigarettes and give the babies sugar water to quiet them when they were hungry? Didn't the children deserve some kind of priority? Didn't this constitute child neglect?

Some of the children did make it, but oh, things didn't have to be that bad.

I must say, this book was depressing. Although, more power to the author for ending up alright despite his childhood impoverishment and neglect.

I was loaned this book by a friend. He told me just to "trust him" and read it. I was hesitant and wasn't sure if I would like this book, but now you can "trust me". If you have any interest at all in Ireland, culture, sociology, or that particular time period you will love this insightful memoir. This book will stay with you, and after only a dozen pages you will be hooked and unable to put it down.

The basic problem with it is that while McCourt's life of poverty in Ireland is interesting and there are a couple of dozen well written passages and anecdotes, the work is atrociously edited. All the more galling for the lack of good editing is that this was McCourt's first book- he needed the help. The book is about 450 pages long and the 1st 300 pages deal with his first 6 or so years of growing up. We get the same images of infant death, Irish blarney, drunken dad, suffering mom, stalwart Frankie, and colorful Eriniana. The problem is that early childhood is necessarily the least interesting part of a life because a) the percentage of real memories per year is very low and b) the remembered is rarely cogitated upon enough to produce any coherent thesis of its import or meaning to a life.

At describing these things McCourt is excellent. The scene of him and his brother getting bananas from a vendor in Brooklyn and his mom thinking he stole them is excellent, BUT such only works its charms once. After about 50 pages we get the idea already: McCourt's early life was bleak- it's as if he wants us to really, really know he suffered. The opening page or so at first read seems to poke fun at the Irish habit of bemoaning their woes, but it quickly becomes apparent that McCourt intended no irony in its felicitous prose. He truly wants the reader to know the Irish suffering is on par with that of Jews, blacks, and American Indians. By going on for 300 pages with this the reader starts to turn off about a third of the way though, then skimming between the Godotvian feeling anecdotes of misery.

Things only pick up when Frank reaches his teens- he gets various employment, has a falling out with his mom and her lover, rues his dad's departure, loses his virginity to a consumptive girl who dies, then heads off for America. There are many moving images and wonderfully non-stereotyped characters. The scenes with his tubercular lover are priceless, yet their whole affair is accorded a mere couple of pages vis-à-vis the dozens allotted the repetitious sufferings. A good editor would have told McCourt he had an intriguing 1st draft, but told him to cut the early years down to 100 pages, and double the teen tales to 300 pages. That 400 page edition of AA would have deserved all the acclaim the canonical edition has, while also being over 10% leaner.

This is the main reason why the film version of the book is actually better than the written version. That said, it's far from a great film, but it more judiciously accords the interesting portions of McCourt's life, with about ½ the film on the early years, and the rest on the teen years. As a writer I've often said that the poor practices of editors, publishers, and critics have had a disproportionately deleterious effect on contemporary literature. A bad editor either does not realize a gem that falls in their lap, passes on it, or butchers it, or they get a diamond in the rough, like AA, but have not the sense nor insight to demand the necessary revisions. Toni Morrison has made a career out of having her ill-edited novels published. Yes, she's gotten acclaim, but once dead her trip to the canon will be fruitless because the poor editing of her work will become ok to speak of. But, McCourt was not Morrison- he was a first time author- his editor should have done a better job.

Where the Heart Is
By: Billie Letts

The novel Where the Heart Is seems to reflect the heart warming and positive message the writer Billie Letts is trying to get out from this book about Novalee Nation, a pregnant seventeen year old girl. Novalee finds herself stranded in a Walmart in Oklahoma when her boyfriend drives off without her. Letts is trying to say throughout the story that even in the worst of situations, there is always someone who loves you and that with determination, anyone can succeed.
The celebrated author Billie Letts is a native of Oklahoma who worked as a professor at Southeastern Oklahoma State, so she has a lot of background knowledge about the setting of the book. She has written many other books like Shoot the Moon which is a mystery about a murder also taking place in Oklahoma, The Honk and Holler Opening Soon, and Made in the USA.
Novalee encounters all these different characters that seem to always be lending her a hand with her new baby, but it seems unrealistic at times when they offer to have Novalee live with them and take care of her newborn. At the same time though, it portrays how friendliness and hospitality can fix a broken soul like Novalee's. Billie Letts I think accomplishes sending out a positive message of hope, even though sometimes it can be mixed with negative aspects of her boyfriend and the hardships Novalee has to go through.
Billie Letts speeds past time quickly in the book and sometimes events about all the different characters are blurred past as something new happens so rapidly. Even though it is hard to keep track of everything going on though, there is always some suspense of something going on about Novalee and her new family she makes. The book Where the Heart Is continuously switches from Novalee's life to her old boyfriend who left her in Walmart. This can be confusing since there can be a lot more time spent on one of them, but somehow both their lives connect to each other again when both Novalee and her boyfriend Willy Jack here news about each other and realize how much their lives have changed without one another. The book takes place throughout a time period of about eight years, and so many negative and positive things happen in each character's life, which makes it worthwhile to read this overall moving and emotional story about how one pregnancy can cause a girl's entire life and family change and make her into a woman.

I am a high school student who read this book as an assignment for my reading class. I hope you find it helpful.

This book is well written and gives an interesting perspective on life. The characters are quirky and fun. Each of them has their own personality that gives uniqueness to the story. Some parts of the story though such as Novalee's ex-boyfriend, don't seem to have a particular reason for being in the book. There are other parts too that do not necessarily relate to the story plot.

Novalee Nation is a pregnant seventeen year old who is heading west with her boyfriend. She has everything planned out for their life, the house, the baby's name, and her boyfriend has a job. Then, the unexpected happens and Novalee must live inside a Wal-Mart. She gives birth to her baby inside of Wal-Mart and she must rely on her new friends to take care of her when she has nowhere else to go. Novalee's passion for picture taking and her daughter is a main part of the story.

Billie Letts' story really shows how much friendship counts. Novalee makes friends that stay with her until the end and each has their own special way of helping. This story is also about taking responsibility for what you have done, which is what Novalee's boyfriend must do. Where The Heart Is, is a book for mothers and daughters alike. It's a book about finding exactly where the heart is.

This is the first book I have read from Ms. Letts. I think she has a unique style of writing. Her characters are believable. I enjoyed the book thoroughly and could not put it down. I kept wanting to know what was next. I was only disappointed with the end. I always want to know more. It left me hanging.

The book,Where The Heart Is, is a wondeful and very inspiring book. It has taught me that no matter what, my friends and family will always love and be there for me. This book made me realize that when I have no one else to go to and I'm on my own, I have to think and stay positive. The main character, Novalle Nation, had to survive on her own. Novalle went through many struggles in her life, but no matter what, she always stayed positive and believed that things would get better. With her positive attidude, she was able to change her life. The author wants to get the point across that everone needs to be optimistic and never give up on their goals. When you accomplish a goal, it makes you feel fantastic inside. Everytime Novalle accomplished a goal, she was so proud of herself and she always had a happy smile shining on her face. Overall, I could not stop reading this book because it was very suspensful and taught me many life lessons. I recomend this book for any person, young or old, because it was such an insperations book. The book, Where The Heart Is, teaches many life lessons that everyone can use.

I was pleasantly surprised when this novel drew me in so quickly. It was actually difficult for me to put the book down. Its heartfelt content focused on a real life problem.

The author, Billie Letts, tells the emotionally gripping story of a pregnant teenager named Novalee Nation. Her boyfriend, Willie Jack Pickens, abandoned her in a Wal-Mart in Sequoyah, Oklahoma. This novel introduces a unique combination of characters like Sister Husband, the nun, Moses Whitecotton, the photographer, Forney Hull, the librarian and Americus Nation, Novalee's beautiful daughter. These four interesting characters not only help Novalee through the obstacles of her life, but also help her celebrate the joys of her life. Each character shows Novalee the importance of family and love. Most importantly, they help Novalee find her inner self. As Novalee matures from a teenager to a woman, she learns the purpose of her life.

Billie Letts did a brilliant job writing this sincere novel. The author incorporates past events into the present and intertwines the quotes and messages at different times throughout the book. This is a great novel for high school students to read since teenage pregnancy is an issue that faces many teens in the world today. This book shows the negatives and challenges of teenage pregnancy and could make teens think about the consequences of their actions. Letts takes the reader on an enjoyable journey through events that are cheery, grim and humorous. Both male and female readers would enjoy reading the touching life lessons from Where the Heart Is.

This book is an exciting and compelling account of of the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair. Although it reads like a mystery novel, it is actual history. Two parallel stories run through the book, the account of the planning and success of the fair as well as the activities of a sinister serial killer who preyed upon visitors to the fair. The author is especially adept at bringing out the interesting side stories that intersect with the account of the fair. Highly recommended--especially for fans of history and mysteries.

Awesome.

The White City, a neoclassical court of stunning buildings, lit up with the first spotlights. Think of Washington's Mall, but more cozy.

The Black City, Chicago's nickname for its grime, dirt, and violence.

The chaos in Chicago, at a turning point in American civic art and architecture, provided cover for a madman. Holmes built a Black City castle, processing the bodies of his victims like pigs at the stockyards.

A great follow-up would be a history of Chicago in the 1900s, where you watch Burnham and other characters take their Fair concepts and methodically apply them to the city at large. I'm going the other way, reading Homicide.

In most serial killer stories, there is something to lead you to believe that some redemption would have been possible. That of H.H. Holmes is a exception. And Larson paints a gruesome tale of how well pure evil can thrive in a distracted city with top to bottom incompetence.

Stories of triumph and tragedy are paralleled in this remarkable book by Erik Larson. I initially picked up this book because of an interest in Chicago architect Daniel Burnham. The coverage of Burnham was fascinating and I also found myself quickly absorbed in the suspenseful drama of H.H. Holmes. The long shadows cast by the creation of the Fair provide cover for the sinister activities of a polite professional predator. This book took me on contrasting journeys of wonder and contempt for the people encountered along the way. Larson intricately builds a remarkable portrait of Chicago in the late 19th century. He skillfully includes enough historical anecdotes to open up other avenues for exploration as well. If you have an appreciation for architecture, history, or just a good true crime story, this is a book to savor.

This book is choppy at best. It moves from one subject to the next and does not read through.
I was very dissapointed with this book. If I had known I would of bought the other book on H.H. Holmes!

I ordered the book 1776 over 6 weeks ago and never received it. My child needs this book for a class beginning in January and I fully do not expect her to have it.

I've had a few of McCullough's books on my shelves for a long time. I've always been well-intent on reading most of his books. But this is actually the first of his books I've actually read. And it was quite an incredible book. This covers the events of the Revolutionary War during 1776, which despite the bold Declaration of Independence and its glorification in history was anything but a positive year for the American colonies.

1776 was a hard year, especially for George Washington, who struggled to keep his army from disintegrating from desertions and expiring enlistments, and suffered defeat after defeat at the hands of the British army. McCullough follows the Continental Army from the siege of Boston, through the invasion of New York, the retreat through New Jersey, and finishes with Washington's bold Christmas Eve attack across the Delaware River on the Hessians camped in Trenton.

This book is eye-opening to the reality of just how close Washington and his army came to losing the war. For any not inclined towards history books, keep in mind that McCullough is a storyteller, and one of the best there is.

After enjoying McCullough's exceptional biography of John Adams, I purchased several more books by him including this one. I liked it very much, finding it both informative and entertaining. Essentially, the book describes the early campaigns of George Washington and his army from the time he took command of the Continental Army during the Siege of Boston in July, 1775 to the battles of Trenton and Princeton. The latter of these actually occurred on January 3rd, 1777.

This brings me to my only criticism of the book -- it's title. I sense that it was chosen by the publisher to cash in on the magic associated with that year. As indicated above, McCullough covers significant military events in 1775 and 1777. I also object to the title because McCullough in no way tries to give a comprehensive account of the key events of the American Revolution in 1776 as one might expect; for instance, he only refers tangentially to the Declaration of Independence, focusing on how it's announcement affected Washington and his troops. I think a better title would more clearly indicate McCullough's focus on the early maturation of General Washington and his army in their first year and a half of battle.

But aside from the title, this is an excellent book that is a great supplement to a broader history of the entire American Revolution such as Robert Middlekauff's "The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789". Broad surveys such as Middlekauff's cannot dedicate as much space to individual battles as a more specialized book like "1776" can. Reading at least one such book is valuable since it makes you realize how much more there is to learn after reading a single history of any particular war. Even if you're not obsessed with military history, I recommend this book to gain perspective and some useful insights into the development of George Washington's military skills.

As a non-historian with only grade school memories of Washington pitching a silver dollar over some river, McCullough straightened out my ideas. THe actors in this grade A drama are surprisingly human, make mistakes and are occasionaly inspired and there are new names in the cast. Read this interesting book and then compare past with present history and heroes. No mention of any football player in this book!

In 1776, David McCullough tells the story of the first year of the American Revolution by switching back and forth between the English and American perspectives. It provides brief, but vivid portrayals of the leading figures from both sides of the conflict.

The American troops are rightfully portrayed as a poorly trained, inexperienced lot who are struggling simply to survive the hardships of being away from home for months on end with little to no supplies. Much is made of Washington's constant struggle to keep the "ragtag" soldiers around, while fending off criticisms of his own, most notably his indecisiveness during key moments.

Few people realize how close the American Revolution was to failing, just as it was getting off the ground. The stories of the common men who helped fend off the British, and who bravely fought so that America could be free, are truly inspirational. McCullough tells the story of unsung hero Henry Knox, a 25 year-old New Englander, who, prior to the war was a bookshop owner. However, impressing Washington with his resourcefulness and brilliantly strategic mind, ascended to the role of Brigadier General, and commanded the cannons of the Continental Army, which were absolutely crucial to defeating the British and Hessian troops. The most important lessons one can take from the episodes laid out in this narrative are to never underestimate one's opponent, and that no matter how bleak the situation, Americans will rise to any challenge.

I read this book last month....should have read it while an adolescent.
Setting is pre-Depression era about the struggles of the American 'family', some born in country, others immigrants or first generation. You gain a tremdous appreciation for what we have now, AND on so many levels. Social stigmas related to accepting 'charity', the cruelty of those with money against those 'without' and the sheer STRENGTH of the human spirit when facing adversity. THis book led me to examine my own reality and realize how fortunate I am to have all that I do.

The title of the book that am reading is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Bettie Smith. The main topic of this book as it states in the foreword."The best anyone can say is that it is a story about what it means to be human." Represents that the novel about a little girl named Francie and her little brother named Neeley that wasn't just about how they pulled through in a poor neighborhood. It was about the real life struggles families have to go through.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a novel. The author of this novel was born on December 15, 1896 with the name of Elisabeth Wehner. She married young with a law student from the university of Michigan. She then had 2 daughters named, Nancy and Mary. She wanted to finish her schooling but she didn't finish high school. Although she was able to take classes and she was focusing in journalism, literature, and drama. The foreward states that the novel isn't just a book about "social issues" nor "class struggles". Its a novel when you read it you recognize yourself.

The main topic on this novel is that Nolan family of 4. Living in Willamsburg, Brooklyn. Trying to make ends meet with the father, Johnny Nolan, being the head of the family. Working as a singing waiter, And drinking his tips away. The Nolan family were very poor. they bought penny worth stale food.

This work addresses to many audiences, but i think the problem relates to a particular audience which is the ungrateful audience. The type of audience that have enough and wanting more.

At first the book confused me a little. The reason for this because the way the story was written in which i liked. But it started with Francie and how her life was. Then the next chapter it was about Francie's meeting. i got that part but the part where it was a chin scratcher was when the part where Mary and Sissy came in. Until I read on and understood that Sissy was Katie's sister, and Mary was her mother.

The book in general is great. But the part that I loved. Was the part where Francie went up to the fire escape and started to read on a Saturday. I like this part because it made me understand the difference between kids from then and now.

I completely concur with previous reviews. In which they state "A profoundly moving novel, and an honest and true one. It cuts right to the heart of life..." I recommend this book for all audiences to read.

I really enjoyed this book. I was not sure what to expect from it. I actually found myself really relating to the main character. I really think it displays the thoughts of a girl who is growing up and trying to make decisions and observing all that is around her. I'm looking forward to getting more books by Betty Smith!

I am seventy three. I remember reading this book in my early teens. I gave a copy to my daughter, then to my granddaughters, who enjoyed it as much as I did. Fashions and lifestyles may change, but the human condition does not. 'A Tree grows in Brooklyn'is a perennial delight and as fresh as the day it was written. The bitter-sweet tale of Francie, a young girl of Irish immigrant stock, approaching womanhood in downtown Brooklyn, speaks to the heart. On the face of it, this is a somewhat bleak tale of poverty, disappointment and sorrow, but above all, it tells of great love and youthful hope springing up among the weeds. My only fear is that in today's society, where instant satisfaction has become the norm, this book, with its' 500 pages, might seem too long - I hope not, for it is one of literature's truly great stories and a very good read!

Rita Southgate - Cyprus

I recieved this as a gift. I had heard of this book before, but when I started reading it, I was completely lost into it and could not stop reading it. it is rich and full of detail, and I can easily say that this book is one of the best that I have ever read.

I read this book right before a trip to Australia, finished on the first leg of the flight. The whole time traveling around the country (great place by the way), I found myself seeing and hearing things right off the pages. My wife got so tired of listening to my chuckle and me trying to explain what was so funny that she read it on a train trip we did in our second week of the trip. If you've got a trip to Oz in your future, get the usual travel guides but also get this book.

I've read this book three times and I'm sure I will read it many more. Bill's insightful commentary on his travels through Australia is fascinating. His prose is easy to read, making this a great bathroom or late night reader.

You will learn facts about Australia you never knew all the while laughing out loud at Bill's perspective on his experiences. You will feel like the author brought you along for the journey!

I ran into this audio book on a used mp3 player I bought,,hmm hmm on ebay. Rather than just delete everything, I thought should check things out. I don't get time to read books, though I would like to. I have audio books, but never have time to listen to them either. One title was Bill Bryson. Never heard of him, but I had a few hours to listen to my mp3 payer. So I may as well check out the books that were on there. The author had kind of a British accent. I don't like british accents that much. They annoy me., alot. (crippes, now im writting like him))) After a short listen to this book not even starting from the beginning of the book, I could not put this down. The intelligents and style of writting/speaking was informitive, clear and humorous along with the vivid immagination of views of what he was talking about. Yes, several laughs out loud with the ear-bud mp3 player headphones on. I recommend this to anyone who appriciates some history,humor,life and a chance to get away from it all. If you like travel or just basic human behavior, you should love it. I would love for my family to hear this book.

I'm sure there are tons of reviews like mine. Anyways: I loved that book. It's very funny and loaded with information. Since I'm planning to go to Australia in December, I'm glad for all the tips and hints the book comes with. However, as always coming from Bill Bryson, it's a great read.

I read Bryson's "A short history of nearly everything" and I did enjoy the book. However when reading "In a Sunburned Country" I have to say I was disappointed at the overall tone of the book.

While fans of Bryson may think he is humorous, most of his humor falls flat and somewhat tasteless especially in his cavalier treatment of the beloved game of Cricket. Please, if you don't understand cricket and never grew up with it, you have no clue what you are talking about, and the attempted humor was pathetic.

Another thing I find mildly offputting is that he mentions in the beginning of the book that it feels great to land in Australia where everything seems similar to America and how civilized it is, and that people look like you. Is he saying that the people are white? So if I was not a white person I should feel uncomfortable? There are many other countries not too far from Australia where the people may not look like Bryson, but that does not mean one can't feel comfortable and feel that people of those countries are friendly.

It also appears that all Bill Bryson and his traveling buddy want to do is find bars and drink excessively. He does not really explore the culture of Australia in a deeper sense, it reminds me more of two college kids driving through another country.

Overall the book gave me a decent idea of Australia, but now I am not sure how accurate it is.

Much to my surprise, this was every bit as good as the first one. The interweaving of the girls' mothers as a parallel Sisterhood was very effectively done, and never more so than when the Traveling Pants almost blurred the distinction between the two groups (I won't say more so as to keep from spoiling a very good scene). Bridget's rediscovery of her mother and reconstruction of herself is the best and most emotionally powerful of the story threads, although all are generally well-done.

The only place I think Brashares tends to miss is when she reaches for bold emotions. All of her intended sharp notes - and Tibby gets more than her fair share - tend to come off flat. It's in the small, soft-touch, life-affirming moments that Brashares is at her best, and I think it's interesting to see that Bailey is still her strongest character, even in a book where she doesn't (can't) make an actual appearance.

The real howler of the book, though, is the resolution of Lena's story. To avoid spoilers I won't say much more, but the entire thing descends into a mess by the end. It's both forced and deeply unsatisfactory, which is an unfortunate blemish on an otherwise terrific book.

I was so excited when this came out but a bit disappointed with the ending. I can't wait to read the 3rd book!

I loved this book. It had all the charm of the first book, but really fleshes out the characters further.

I loved this book. I read the Original Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (after I saw the movie, which I loved)and decided I need to read all of them. I highly recommend this book as well as the previous one. You will love reading about these four girls who basically have been together since they were all in their mother's wombs and have grown into very different teenage girls. The relationship they have with one another is so wonderful and special. I can't wait till I read the rest of them, which I just ordered.

After the fantastic first appearance of this book, (The first summer of the sisterhood) this book was a bit of a letdown. The only character really interesting to read about was Bridget, and some of the action between Kostos and Lena is a little too mature for the young teen. I reccomend the first of the books, but the others are not nearly as good.