House

I have read this book several times over the years and each time I do, it never fails to bring upon me a sense of peace. This group of women is among the most interesting that I have ever had the pleasure to read about. The fact that they are English cloistered nuns, a group of people so far removed from my everyday realm of reality, is a tribute to the talent of the author. These woman are portrayed with all of their strengths, weaknesses and faults and thus are real people that any reader can relate to. Spirtuality is a thread that runs throughout this novel, and indeed is the basis of this book. These women strive to know, love and serve God through their everyday existence. Earthly concerns and human weaknesses are recognized and addressed as is necessary, but their ultimate reason for being "in this house of Brede" is to strive for holiness and to pray for humankind. Philippa is the conecting charactor -- one of us wordly people with all of the earthly ties who chooses a path to redemption that few of us even know exists much less view as a choice.

It is an interesting and joyous read, and I highly recommend it.

My mother gave this book to me many years ago with the inscription " I have read this book many times, I hope it brings you the same comfort it brings me." It was the last book I read to her as she lay dying of cancer. I know that her soul like Dame Emilys flew free, back to the Creator from whence it came. This book is like the loving hug of my mama. I remember the first time I read it, wondering what was Dame Philippas' secret and the tears I cried when I found out. Over the years these characters and the Abbey itself have become a place I need to go to regularly to feel that comfort of soul. What a gifted writer Ms.Godden was! Now I scour booksales and fleamarkets looking for more Rumer Godden. I have given away two copies of Brede to dear friends,it is a reading experience meant to be shared and savoured over and over.

Sorry that I forgot to mention this: I once read a short story by Rumer Godden called "Fireworks for Elspeth." Apparently the story is an early version of "In this House of Brede". The title character of the story became Sister Cecily in the novel. The story is a moving portrait of Elspeth's farewell lunch for friends and family before she leaves to join the abbey, and the mixed emotions and conflicts of the characters are movingly portrayed. Highly recommended for anyone who loves "In this House of Brede" as I do. I discovered the story in a volume called "Great Short Stories of the World" published by the Reader's Digest.

I'm a 13 year old who loves the Betsy-Tacy series. I got Emily of Deep Valley from a library, but I'm frusterated the Carney's house party isn't available anywhere. I've read a summary of it, and I must read this book. Please bring Carney's House Party back into print!

I have 5 sisters and each and every one of us read all the Betsy Tacy books when we were girls. I read the ones of their childhood when I was little and then "graduated" to the High School and past, series as I grew older. Oh, so many fun hours reading them, trying to copy the wonderful Vera Neville illustrations, wishing I could live in Deep Valley just for awhile. Several years ago I startled the customers near me when I whooped with pleasure at finding these books in a bookstore -- just like I did a few minutes ago when I saw here on Amazon recommendations "Carney's House Party"! THANK'S Amazon!! I didn't know that that one, and "Emily of Deep Valley", had been re-published. I've just ordered both, (for me!) as well as two complete sets of the younger-age books for my two eldest granddaughters. This tradition is one I am happy to pass on -- I can't wait to give them this treat. By the way -- I don't agree with the 9-12 age rating for the books that are set in high school and beyond: they are really for a bit older, although there is certainly nothing harmful in them for little girls: on the contrary. But they are intended for a bit older -- say 12 and up.

I vaguely remembered reading Carney's House Party over 35 years ago in my public library but the details certainly faded with the years. Now that I replenished my Betsy-Tacy library, thanks to Amazon, I decided to get Carney's House Party as well. What an interesting view it is of Deep Valley and the Crowd, as it is from Carney's perspective. As Carney's personality is markedly different from Betsy's, her opinions of events differ from those we'd expect from our beloved, but admittedly more dramatic, Betsy. I also found the description of college life at Vassar to be interesting and so different from my own at a women's college in the early 70's. Finally, Carney's romance is both surprising to those of us who followed the series and ultimately right for her.

Silas House can tell a story better than just about anybody writing today. He paints pictures with his words. His characters are real and heartbreaking and full of joy. I said all that when I read his first book, CLAY'S QUILT. But now that I've read his new one, A PARCHMENT OF LEAVES, I am absolutely stunned. It's the best book I've read in FOREVER and I've recommended it to everyone I know (and also bought copies for all my closest friends for Christmas) and everyone just absolutely loves it. So I think I'm safe in recommending it to you, Amazon customer, too. Silas House will be famous someday, but he should be already. I don't understand why this book hasn't been a blockbuster...it should be chosen by one of the talk shows (not because they choose the best books but because it gets some good books some well-deserved attention). READ THIS BOOK. It's beautiful

I've been hearing about Silas House ever since the debut of his first novel, CLAY'S QUILT and finally decided to see what all the fuss was about when everyone started telling me PARCHMENT was even better than CLAY. If CLAY is half as good as this book, I don't know if I'll be able to stand it. PARCHMENT is one of the best-written books I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Not only that, but I was immediately immersed in this world. I came to care for these characters and felt as everytime I opened the book I was being transported back in time. This book has it all: beautiful prose, a surprising and twisting plot, vivid characters, and a perfect ending. Best of all, I also learned about an important lost history: that of the Cherokee people who escaped the Trail of Tears and hid out in the mountains to avoid being removed from the place they loved so much. I recommend this book to everyone now. In fact, I've bought four copies for friends of mine in the last month.

I really liked this author's first book, Clay's Quilt. This book does not disappoint either. I have recommended it to several fellow book club members, all have enjoyed it as much as I have. You have to admire the courage of this woman. So many of the characters are just pleasant. You don't have to be seeking a read about a particular culture to enjoy this one.

I must say that I have looked at lots of books on Quilting. But, this book is the best. I love how the two authors take their time to describe each detail carefully and accurately. The pictures are wonderful. The small block projects are easy and quick. I feel that in one hour I learned something by making just one block. If you know a friend that is interested in quilting this one is a good one to start looking at.

I bought this book when I knew next to nothing about quilting.(I could piece, and that was it!) I have learned so much from it, everything from how to choose fabrics that look well together to binding and finishing. The book has a complete list of tools you will need, and step by step instructions on piecing several differnt quilt blocks.It is complete from start to finish. I have a lot more confidence and I have actually finished a quilt. I refer to this book so often it is getting a bit dog eared. My only regret is that my copy is not a hardcover.

This is a a wonderful reference book for both the experienced and novice quilter. Clearly written and illustrated.

This is a great home repair book. Note that I said home REPAIR, not home IMPROVEMENT. B&D apparently also has another book on home improvement, which I have not read.

Anyway, this is a great book. We have proceeded to replace some faucets, upgrade some 2-pronged outlets to 3-pronged outlets, paint some rooms, fix some plumbing, troubleshoot a drain problem, and 4 or 5 other problems using this book. The pictures, as noted by other reviewers, are invaluable and very well done. Product placement is, of course, present but not obtrusive.

In short, as many repair projects turn into improvement projects, this is probably not the only book you'll need if you're a homeowner, but you'll definately find yourself referring to it time and again.

Very useful for a person who does not know much about home maintenance and repair but wants to be able to do it him/herself. At the back of this book is a monthly and yearly maintenance checklist - a big plus. Photos, details, and instructions are excellent. I also bought the B&D Home Improvement book (blue cover) and it's just as fabulous. Highly recommend these books.

Being a first-time homebuyer, I knew i would have many projects to accomplished. After purchasing my home, I quickly realized my lack of both skills and knowledge of basic home improvements and or repairs. I decided to shop around for a home improvement book. After a couple of hours, I came upon a pot of gold(The complete photo guide to home repair). This book is filled with useful information. If you are looking for the perfect home improvement book, do purchase this book.

-- Thorough research. Through her articles about Sears mail-order homes for "Old House Journal" and now with this book the author shares her findings as well as her personal insights.

-- Reprints of rare catalog pages. As well as pictures of six homes which were not mentioned in other books, the author also reprints pages from original catalogs about construction details and varying floorplans.

-- Sincere human interest. The book retells the personal stories of how people saved money in order to finance their Dream mail-order homes. And how the contemporary planners surveyed builders and researched the way owners used their homes in order to improve the architectural plans.

-- Dispels myths. There have been several myths circulating on how to identify a Sears mail-order house. The author dispels these myths and replaces them with useful and practical advise on how to Positively identify a home ordered from a Sears catalog.

-- Shows you how to Positively Identify a Sears home. Whether you are a 'Sears Spotter' or just want to discover whether a specific house was built from a Sears pre-cut kit, the author offers definative ways to discover and document that infomation.

This book is amazing. If you love Sears Catalog Homes, you will love this one. I have found more information in the authors books about Sears Catalog Homes than from any other sources. It covers everything from what a Sears Catalog Home is to the missing sears homes. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I do!

I just finished reading The Houses That Sears Built. I was unable to put it down. I grew up in a Sears house, but I did not know anything about them until I read this book. It is obvious that the author did her homework while researching the subject.

Not as good as "Eat The Rich" or "Parliament of Whores" or "All The Trouble in the World" or "Holidays in Hell" or "Give War A Chance"; those books are thought-provoking as well as screamingly funny. This one is just screamingly funny, but this might actually be a plus for people whose response to some of P.J.'s better works is a defensive "That's not funny!"; P.J. has a tendancy to poke fun at EVERYTHING, including the sacred cows of people who he disagrees with (and sometimes those he agrees with.)

This book is absolutely hilarious! I'm a big fan of PJ's, so how did I miss this little gem until now? Anyway, this book had me literally LOL (Laughing Out Loud) as I read it in my own bachelor apartment. PJ has captured the essence of bachelordom, namely, we are all basically mischievous boys at heart who love chaos and disorder. PJ on cooking - "If you think of it as setting fire to things and making a mess, it's fun". His recipes alone will leave you in stitches. And he provides all sorts of ready excuses for putting off anything related to cleaning or keeping up one's residence. This especially rang true as I surveyed my own humble abode and thought "You know, I kinda LIKE having all that clutter on the floor, it makes the place looked lived in." This book is simply required reading for anyone who's experienced the joys of sharing an off campus apartment with two other complete slobs, where beer cans and empty pizza boxes are the primary forms of interior decoration. Let's just say it's a pleasant trip down memory lane for any healthy, red blooded American male, and should get 6 out of 5 stars if such a thing were possible!

The Bachelor Home Companion: A Practical Guide to Keeping House Like A Pig written by P.J. O'Rourke is a very funny, keep you in stiches book.

You'll never keep a house neat and tidy after you read this book. Of Course, that's assuming that you already do. What its like as a bachelor in theory as to actually being one is, according to O'Rourke, a great disparity. If you want to laugh and be entertained at the same time then this little tome is for you to enjoy.

Humor abounds and your life will definately take a turn... for better or worse will depend on you.According to O'Rourke... "How often does a house need to be cleaned, anyway? As a general rule, once every girlfriend. After that she can get to know the real you."

The "Random House Word Menu" defines words, but it is not a dictionary. It is arranged by subject, not alphabetically, and lacks word etymology and pronunciation. Unlike a thesaurus, it doesn't provide synonyms or antonyms, but words related by subject. The "Word Menu" is the product of 20 years of research by writer Stephen Glazier, whose diverse career with words includes writing novels, screenplays, copywriting, and editing. It started as lists of words organized by subject for use in writing novels, and it ended up a widely useful reference book featuring 75,000 words. The words are divided into 7 major categories: The Human Body, Living Things, Science and Technology, Domestic Life, Institutions, Arts and Leisure, Language, and The Human Condition. Each category in turn has 3 or 4 subcategories, and there are two more levels of categorization within those, constituting 800 divisions in all. Once you find the subcategory that you want, you are presented with a literal "menu" of words pertaining to the subject along with their definitions. You can find the subcategory you seek by looking at the table of contents, by using the Guide Words that tell you what category and subcategory you are in at the top of each page, or by using the index. All of the words are indexed alphabetically, so if you can think of a word related to what you need, you can locate the appropriate category easily. The "Word Menu" is most useful for finding the correct word when describing a topic in detail and for gaining familiarity with the vocabulary of a particular subject. Because the words have been selected by subject, the "Word Menu" contains far more nouns than adjectives or verbs. I found that the book's organization took a bit of getting used to before I could locate words efficiently. But the "Word Menu" is a unique and helpful writer's tool that has a place alongside my dictionary and thesaurus.

Every writer needs this book. It is not negotiable. I was lucky enough to find a hardcover copy of Word Menu about five years ago on a bargain book table, and at least once a month, I rave to my wife about how much I love it.

All true writers know that nouns and verbs are the meat of writing. This is what makes Word Menu great. The book puts words into categories like walking, hats, and ships. Suppose you know what a certain type of gun is, but you don't know the name--with Word Menu, you'll find the exact name of the thing.

I read somewhere that the author, Stephen Frazier, made this book his life's work. He is now dead, but what a legacy to leave behind! I think the next step for someone eager (or crazy) enough would be to produce a visual word menu, because often we know what an item looks like, but we don't know its name. A great, great reference tool.

I bought this years ago just out of casual curiosity, even before I ever had a thought about writing lyrics or poetry, but now I find this an absolutely invaluable reference.

Writing a lyric that has a line about seeing a bird? "Hmmm...'a bluebird flew by my window...' Ugh! 'bluebird' is way too cliched... and I need an extra syllable to properly fit the melody... hmm... let's see what Glazier has to offer... birds... birds... aha - 'meadowlark'!" Ok, bad example, but you get what I mean...

Pass on this one. Monticello itself takes a back seat to the Levy saga of buying the estate.

Our third president, Thomas Jefferson, possessed many talents, but a grand vision was among the top of his possessions. Over a period of many years, he designed, built, and re-built his grand home in the Piedmont of Virginia. Neither the plain saltbox home of John Adams nor the stately yet conventional Mount Vernon home of George Washington, Monticello was a home of which the entire country could be proud. Exhibiting many classical architectural elements along with some truly unique touches, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello was a home that completely fit the remarkable qualities of its owner.

After Jefferson's death on the 50th anniversary of the country's birth, Monticello was soon sold to clear some of his substantial debts. Saving Monticello is the story of the ultimate preservation of this irreplaceable national treasure. The story primarily features the Levy family, a collection of intriguing characters who continue the goal preserving Jeffersons home, at great person cost, through several decades, and against substantial opposition. Marc Leepson has produce a clear narrative of this fascinating history, covering Monticello's repeated near ruin and its restoration to its original glory. Written in a clear manner, yet with abundant detail, this book is required reading for Jefferson scholars, students of architecture, or merely those interested in a great historical tale. It is clearly the best account of the largely unknown saga of the saving of Monticello.

In his compellingly readable book, Marc Leepson gives long overdue credit to the Levy family for saving Monticello. Monticello, the greatest architechtural icon of America, would likely not be standing today if first Uriah Phillips Levy and then his nephew Jefferson Levy had not poured their money and their passion into preserving Monticello. Marc Leepson skillfully tells the dramatic story of how the Levys took proprietorship of Monticello and became the saviors of Jefferson's "essay in architecture." I discovered while reading Leepson's book that most of my suppositions regarding Monticello and Jefferson's role in preserving Monticello as an architectural shrine were false. It amazed me that I knew so little of the story of Monticello, and it further amazed me that Marc Leepson had ferreted out so many fascinating facts with which to dazzle the reader in this masterpiece of detection and research. If you read only one American history book this season, read this one!

Georges Perec loved language, and it shows. _Life_ is clearly a labor of love. There are times when maybe the descriptions ramble, and you may well find yourself into the fifth page of a description of some piece of furniture, but if you don't keep track, you'll never notice. This is a difficult book to describe simply because it is so dense. At one level, it's a logic game; at another, it's an exercise in linguistics; at another, it's simply poetry. The translator, too, deserves kudos. Although I haven't read the original, the translation, I suspect, has remained faithful to the spirit of the book. Please read this book.

I just wanted to move into this apartment complex here at Amazon and put my name on the list of roommates who love this book. I finished the book today and find myself exhilerated at it's genius. Perec, along with Queneau and Calvino, prove that Oulipo isn't just a gimmick but a viable workshop in which great art can be produced that is both equally humorous and emotionally moving. Perec's prose is rich. There's more than enough humor and pathos in the book for anyone who's willing to carefully read a book that's not just rushing to tell a story, but to occupy it with some beautiful philosophy. It's as great as anything else I've read, including Faulkner, Joyce, Calvino, Balzac, etc. Top-drawer!

Perec would properly be regarded as an experimentalist and this novel, like his others, was written under self-imposed constraints.
The novel takes as its plan a block of flats in a Parisian suburb, a 10 x 10 grid, over which the narrator must proceed by way of the moves of the Knight in chess, never landing on the same flat twice(this, like other formalities, were allowed to be bent but let's not get too complicated...) with a whole system for information, knowledge and learning to be allocated to each chapter.
'So far, so what' might be the natural response to this were it not for the majesty of the finished novel.
Read in translation the writing is formal yet intimate and seems to proceed at its own leisurely pace as it moves through the block of flats, through life. Numerous 'Tales' are recounted as the novel progresses, each rich in feeling and poignancy though sometimes disturbing, the key of which, indeed the key to the novel, is 'The Tale of the Man who painted watercolours and had puzzles made out of them'. To go into detail would spoil the effect for other readers but this is about life, about a plan for life and ultimately a metaphor for life. And the making of this book.
I have to confess to a love for French literature generally. It seems possible to trace an organic progression and tradition (the blanket phrase that readily comes to mind is 'intellectual pessimism'...)through its history which is then disrupted every once in a while by an individual who rebels against that tradition (Rimbaud) or subverts it (Mallarme or Aragon). Perec, arguably, both is and is not of this tradition.
He is however, in the wider tradition of great literature. And seems to recognise this. 'Life...' is crammed with literary puns ( an advertisement in a shop for 'Souvenirs' by Madeleine Proust anyone...) and what Perec refers to as 'unacknowledged quotations'. Which is how the novel manages to begin exactly where 'Ulysses' ends (with the symbolic word 'Yes'...) and how 'The Tale of the Acrobat who did not want to get off his trapeze ever again' manages to have its origins in Kafka's short story 'First Sorrow'. And so on...Perec provides a list of authors used at the end.
And an Index of the individual stories. Which is really what you must read this for. For the stories. Because they will excite, depress, frustrate and elate. Because Perec was not kidding with that title. All of life is here. In all of its wonder and sadness. It is not a 'User's Manual' in that it gives pat answers to complex problems, what it does do is far more difficult. And brave. It suggests over and over why life is worth living and how beauty and wonder surround not only the everyday but the tragic too.
Yes, it really is that good...