MY

AS I WAS IN SEARCH OF AN EXCITING BOOK TO READ, I FOUND 'MY ROSE'. BELL COULD NOT HAVE WRITTEN A MORE BREATH TAKING NOVEL THAT DEALT WITH THE FEEL, TOUCH, AND SMELL OF LOVE. THIS LOVE INVOLVES ALL: GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, A MOTHER'S LOVE FOR HER SON, A SON'S LOVE, A FAMILIES LOVE AND FRIENDS' LOVE. I CRIED AND I REJOICED AS I READ A FAMILIY'S PERSONAL STRUGGLE WITH AIDS AND ITS STIGMAS. EVERYONE SHOULD READ ' MY ROSE': IT WILL FILL YOUR HEART WITH THE SMELL OF LOVE.

While reading this book, it brought emotions from me that I thought I had long forgot about. This is a story for anyone who has losted a love one due to a long suffering illness, yet it is a story of love and devotion that goes back as far as time and forward as time goes on. It is a story that explains a mother's love, challenges and fears that we all have experienced, especially mothers. The lessons and questions at the end of each chapter can be used for many purposes. One they are a wonderful guide/outline for teachers of social workers or anyone who deals with individuals and families emotional needs. It is also a wonderful tool for those who lead discussion and support groups. It is my opinion that anyone experienced in the healing process for those who have lost love ones will view this book as a vehicle to assist grieving families. It is also a wonderful way for parents to think through the issues of having a homosexual children. In today's society acknowledging that one's child(ren) sexual orientation is different form ours is difficult and we do not often have friends or family to share our concerns. This book provides that place in time for parents to think about their individual situation and to know that they are not alone. I recommend this book for people of all ages and status. It brings the issues of love, family, illness and dying to a common level

When my grand-mother gave me my copy of My Rose, it took me four weeks just read it. It was'nt that I wasn't interested. Its just that its hard to remember something that hurt you inside so deep. But when I did finaly get up enough courage to read it, It revealed to me how strong she was and still is! This book reveals how good God is when you think he's ignoring you prayers. It also explains how HIV/AIDS effects the black family, church, and just the world as a community. What I mean by that is, how some people can be compassionate while then others are ignorant of the disease, so they get scared and either run or fight. More people should be educated about the disease. Then less people would be scared and more people would be aware of the disease

...for how he was turned around. I first read this book as a summer orientation assignment just prior to my freshman year in college, and I guess it's a good thing that I still own that copy, given its availability at the moment. I guess it was a key influence to a kid of my generation who was just beginning several decades of wishful-thinking liberalism. Particularly where law and order is concerned--this is the autobiography of a man who claims to have been set on the right path by a number of people, one of whom was the warden at San Quentin. So you have to take with a grain of salt Sands' claim that he was rehabilitated from criminal status by the people he thanks with this book. In truth, Sands clearly admits being traumatized by an abusive mother and a semi-absentee father, and in rebellion, pulled a couple of "young hood" stickup jobs, wound up in "Q" and drew the attention of Warden Clinton Duffy, who from Sands' accounts became the surrogate father he had to wait for too long for, but who fortunately came into his life before it was too late. One thing Sands doesn't seem to realize here, however, is that he never was a bona-fide criminal--just a mistreated kid who took out his rage on innocent bystanders. Duffy simply spotted that fact and had the ability to deal with Sands in the way he needed. Which is to say there was always hope for this man--something that cannot necessarily be said for every man who winds up "in the System". After a stint in the Merchant Marine and the Middle Eastern petroleum industry, as well as the entertainment industry, Sands returns to the "family business", so to speak. Duffy, as well as rehabilitating Sands, had raised an adoptive son who followed in his footsteps as a ciminologist. A later book, "The Seven Steps", describes the rehabilitation and counseling program Sands creaated which that book is named after, but it's easy to spot the fact that Sands' biggest sucess stories in that book were men with roughly the same accessibilty as he had in their stage of life. Let's face it, gang--Sands was always a man born to help people, not victimize them. He proves this in an unrelated anecdote in this book about nursing back to health a woman friend critically maimed in an accident. There's no doubt, taking Sands' story as a whole, that his brief "partial life of crime" was but a temporary aberration. Contrary to what I was peer-brainwashed to believe when I first read this book, there are good guys and there are bad guys. This book was written by one of the former--an unusual autobiography of a great man who tells us that if it hadn't been for certain people, he'd have turned out a real scumbag. Which I seriously doubt.

Very powerful and insightful view into the power of love to turn arround a life bent on anger, hate and violence. The author explains what he learned inside prison walls, his search through classic literature and other factors that turned his life arround. I read the book 25 years ago and recently gave it to my 22 year old daughter to read and she has since passed it on to her friends to read. This book is a true classic.

This is a book every person should read. It reaches into the heart of the hopeless and offers hope, courage, love. If you want to get understanding about why people can go bad and how they can turnaround and actually contribute in a big way, this book will do that, and bring tears to your eyes in the process.

When we got this book our two year old opened it right away (probably because of the excellent illisrations) and asked me to read it. Now normally after about the first sentence or two she would be distracted by some other toy but she sat through the whole story and it has become part of our night time routine.

This book is wonderful because the adult can read it multiple
times and it is still engaging. The catchy rhymes make it easy
to memorize, which helps my 3-yr-old toward reading it on his
own. The illustrations are fantastic, with bright colors to catch the attention of young children and humor to keep the parent and child laughing. I also recommend Chugga-Chugga Choo Choo.

Concerned that our two year old was never going to slow down to listen to a story, we ordered this book because it was about a subject near and dear to his heart...trucks. My husband and I were instantly impressed by the bold, colorful illustrations. We opened the book and started reading it and our son stopped what he was doing to come sit and listen and look. After only two readings, he repeats many of the rhyming lines as he flips through the book on his own and asks us to read the book every night now. This book has it all, rhyme, reinforcement of numbers, great pictures, a subject matter that is of special interest to most boys (though I think girls could love it too), and the neatest part is that the illustrations tell a story that the words do not point out. I love the fact that this allows you to talk with your child about why the truck got stuck. This is truly a neat book and I think Lewis and Kirk deserve an award for this one. Can't wait to get Chugga Chugga Choo Choo.

what can go on behind the scenes of historical events, give this book a read.

I met Bill Gibson before his book hit the shelves. I found him to be a reserved man, with an underlying sense of humor. Only mentioning to me, he had a book coming out about his career as a professional photagrapher in the Navy. I asked him if he liked it on the Merrimac; oddly, he hardly speaks to me lately.

All jest aside, I'm not giving Bill's book five stars in order to be on speaking terms again, or for the rebate promised on my copy. Bill Gibson's "No Film In My Camera", will entertain all generations, and surely enlighten the younger; although parental guidance is suggested.

Bill brings us his personal perspective to major events and eminent icons of our history, with humor and dashing flair. Particularly dashing, when caught sunbathing on Enyu island.(One of the reasons for the PG rating.)

As I read, I couldn't help but envy his life, and imagine myself a member of his crew, partaking in the adventure.

Now that I've read the book, I find Bill to be a reserved man, with an underlying obsession for insane risk, and his humor a little less subtle, especially when I can talk him into a martini. BUY THIS BOOK, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!

As the wife of a career Navy photographer for many years, I was often asked, "What does a *photographer* do in the service?" Certainly, they are unsung heroes whose stories should be told. And now they have a master story-teller to do it: Bill Gibson. This book is sheer delight for all of us who were there, and many who will wish *they* had been when they read about it! Only the Twentieth Century could have produced Bill Gibson -- there will never be another. He not only lived history in many areas, but helped make it as well. "No Film" is such a good read that, although I tried to ration it to myself and make it last, I could not let it alone until I had read it all, and still go back to savor certain episodes again. I placed it on the shelf next to Tom Brokaw's two books about my generation, and I am hoping this remarkable person is at work on another.

Gibson is a supremely multi-talented author. His skill as a cameraman is met - and perhaps exceeded - as a gifted raconteur. He takes you along for a fascinating trip through history: World War 11, Africa, Viet Nam, Hollywood!, NASA and other adventures he was lucky to survive! From hanging off helicopters to crouching tigers - you can't get enough! This is a true page turner that proves again - great non-fiction has no equal. Gibson is a true Renaissance man....I hope he is writing a sequel. This is a book you will want to keep in your permanent library.

Jonathan Dobrer's newest collection of essays showcases his gift for extremely engaging, often humerous and always thought-provoking writing. Who can resist delving into an essay that seems to be a confession of a crime "I just got back from making a drug run to Mexico."? It's not a confession nor a crime--but I leave it to the next lucky reader to discover the truth! His essays explore and address seemingly insurmountable social concern; separation of church and state, Sept. 11, the situation in the middle east, corporate fraud, immigration, racism, and national security. And whether or not you may agree with his observations, these essays will make you think and rethink your own observations. These are essays born to spark lively group discussion. The essays here also show Jonathan Dobrer's strong ability to write deeply moving essays such as the one on the death of Daniel Pearl, delightful whimsical pieces such as "Murder Most Vowel" and local interest pieces such as "Irony-Free in Anaheim" that address the issue of immigration in an intelligent, straight-forward manner done so well it could apply to any community in the U.S. This book is a delight to read, talk about, and read again. I look forward to Jonathan Dobrer's next collection!

Jonathon Dobrer has an irreverent method of cutting to the heart of common and frequent misconceptions and misleading information. His way of playing devil's advocate while imparting knowledge to the reader is unique. He asks questions (most of us would like to ask but are too shy) and provides "dumb" answers--exactly what the average person gets when dealing with companies and their policies. This book is funny and thought provoking at the same time. I couldn't wait to read the next chapter and am looking forward to his next sojourn into the literary forest.

serious; funny; --> seriously funny.
so funny, i couldn't put it down.
seriously.

I absolutly love Julia Watts. Sadly though I now have all of her books in print and "Piece of My HEart" completes that collection. I can't wait till more. Piece of My Heart actually taught me more about women, lesbians in particular (duh!) than I knew before. Being your sterotypical gay male I confess to know little about women but Julia Watts writes in very vivid, detailed plots that ANYONE is sure to enjoy.

I was browsing in the lesbian bookstore, and came across this book;title caught my eye. i started reading this wonderful book, and before i knew it, it was three hours later, and I wanted more. The story line, and the characters are memorable, most of which we all have met at least once in our lifetime,..or will soon meet. The story left an impression on me that will last for awhile,..this is where I am in my life, and I'm sure others out there can relate to this wonderful story as well. It is a must read for the romantic at heart.

This book was not only insightful about life after the "coming out," it was just plain *funny.* I chuckled and laughed all the way through. Even better, our earnest heroine is *young* and there are all too few novels about younger lesbians that don't wallow in self-imposed marginalization. Jess reminded me of myself in my early 20s. I didn't have a clue either, and just made it up as I went along, a hopeful romantic.

Marissa is erudite, quick, fun, funny, committed to social justice and truth, and and an acute observer of human behavior. Her friend Johnnie Cochran describes her (in the introduction!) as "a prosecutor's prosecutor. She is full of zeal for her profession and possesses an insider's knowledge of the criminal justice system." She's also devoted herself to Buddhism for over 30 years, as well as to the mastery of the culinary arts. All of these elements figure in her very unusual book.

Besides telling three compelling and hair-raising tales, Marissa shares aloud the unspoken rules of the courtroom, and offers appreciative and insightful looks into the lives of law enforcement professionals, and denizens of South Central LA and the gay demimonde of Hollywood.

As a skillful storyteller, she is compassionate without becoming maudlin, and righteous without losing her sense of humor.

I am looking forward to her next book, which I understand is under way!

Marissa has the heart of a warrior. Her stories are classic story telling with spell binding revelations of what the truth is when it comes to crimes and the criminal mind. Her attention to detail, coupled with a sense of the world of the victim, allows the reader to be a prosecutor seeking justice for the people. The criminal procedural aspects of the criminal courts are cleanly explained with no chance of misunderstanding that lawyering is still an art when done with a heart. Marissa injects the calmness of her buddhist philosophy into the psyche of the reader to allow a deeper appreciation of the law and the victim equation.

As a criminal defense attorney, I usually avoid "true accounts" written by prosecutors as they tend to be one-sided, self-serving renditions of cases that could be won by a first year law student. The usual story involves a clear cut case where the District Attorney is representing the forces of right (the good people of the State) while the defense is usually some bad dude who deserves a long vacation in Prison. Of course the good guys prevail and the prosecutor is the hero. Good and Evil, Right and Wrong are clearly defined and everybody leaves happy. Not so with Ms. Batt's book. Besides her personal disappointment at the result of one of her cases, she manages to show that all is not black and white - urban life and particularly the criminal justice system present a myriad of situations where the lines become blurred. Her cases are interesting in that there are victims - individuals who by virtue of their own life choices are often viewed as not deserving of protection by the law and the system. Besides showing the underside of life, Batt also manages to forcefully demonstrate the maxim that "no man is above the law and no man is below it."
A great read, colorful, fast paced and real...I loved it.

ok this book is awsome the only book i have ever enjoyed reading i have read this book 3 times and still doesent get old its cool to see how someone so great go to were he is todaybuy this book as soon as possible i recommend it

My brother, an avid BMX'er, loved this book! He's not much of a reader but I think he liked the short tidbids about Mat Hoffman. A great gift idea for the cyclist in your life.

Two things struck me about Mat's story: One, his commitment and utter refusal to take "that's impossible" for an answer (sometimes to the point of self-destruction), and two, the earnest, humble way in which it was related. Mat's book is a very human account of an unorthodox life in progress--he freely admits his faults, lovingly celebrates the friends and family (and doctors) who have helped him succeed, and gives the reader generous access to what goes on in his mind. Read it and you'll learn that Mat's not crazy (although he is pretty close), he's just amazingly driven to achieve his goals--from shattering vert records (and bones) to becoming a trucker. Yes, a trucker.

Amid discussions of career milestones, Mat reveals plenty of funny stories about life on the road, offers insight into his addiction to thrills, and almost too much gory detail about his brushes with death (they definitely come off as a deterrent to anyone wanting to follow in his treads). Lewman's presence is more or less invisible in the book, as it should be, but there's no doubt that he's helped turn Mat's raw recollections into the flowing prose that appears on the page. It's a compelling, smooth read.

In the end, it's an inspirational, only-in-America kind of tale, and you can't help but respect Mat for not only what he has achieved but how he achieved it--creativity, willpower, and sweat. If you're looking for the human embodiment of the phrase "work ethic," you'll find it in Mat Hoffman.

Thank You, Kristin Hardy, for bringing sex and intrigue back into the world of books! This is the first book I've read in a very long time that captured my interest, and that I couldn't put down until I finished it. KUDOS!! .. can't wait to read your others!!

This debut novel is wonderful! Sexy, steamy erotic pleasures and a romance that takes more than a weekend to build and grow. The main characters are believable. He is smart and sexy- she is bright, ambitious and has friends- matter of fact she has so much going on and not enough time to date which is how she gets into the predicament that starts the book off onto a rollicking good time!

I received the book by mail. That is a really great book. The passionate yet sexy love scenes kinda make you want to have dreams at night. My favorite part was when Ryan and Cade were making love in a warm bath in the bathtub. An intense, steamy romance novel.

This book, written in a simple straightforward style almost like Young Adult fiction, is very good. I learned so much about Filipino culture from reading this book. I am American and my partner is Filipino and he was surprised at all the things I discovered about the culture, food, language and customs of Filipinos while reading a compelling story. The recipes tucked into every chapter will make you hungry. A very good read!!!

This book was incredible. I finished it in 3 days and just couldn't put it down or get it out of my mind. The book combines Philippine cooking with cultural facts while keeping you interested with a wonderful novel. I have 2 sponsored kids in the Philippines (one for 18 years) and wanted to get a better understanding of Philippine culture. This book easily accomplished that task for me in a very enjoyable way. I highly recommend this interesting and informative book!

I got this book in the mail Wednesday afternoon and couldn't put it down until Thursday night! I had to stop reading only to take care of my actual reading assignments for class, but this book was truly a great read. Escober does a wonderful job clarifying Filipino words and customs for non-Filipinos, and being Filipino myself, I learned a few things about my own culture. I can't wait to try out the recipes included in the book.