My Catholic friend tilted her teacup like a fortune-teller. "You know," she said, "I think people who don't have God in their lives are like people...
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At times heartbreaking and hilarious, Lauren's Groff's debut is one you won't want to miss. The gothic mixes easily with the romantic in this funny, poignant novel. I found myself flying through the pages, willing myself to read slowly, but far too engrossed to be disciplined.
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(11 of 18 readers found this comment helpful)
I found the book absolutely inspiring and informative. The personal accounts provide the opportunity to experience "hindsight is 20/20" without needing to actually make any mistakes! It's a must-have for the burgeoning librarian...
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(2 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
As a young child, these books enabled me to enter deeply into the world of imagination where dreams of acting, dancing, and skating could come true...Not in the way of fairy tales, with a swish of a wand, but rather through hard work, humble attention to form and practice. One of the most endearing aspects of the series is the attention paid to socio-economic realities and the difficulty lower-class children experienced in trying to succeed in expensive fields. I myself came from a struggling family and could readily idenitfy with the difficulties and also with the pride in being able to bring home a salary to share with the family. The stories are beautifully written and also quite factual, representing the research done by Ms. Noel Streatfeild as well. I was an ice-skater for many years as well as in ballet and really appreciate the fine attention to detail. In the end, it is the friendships and tenderly drawn charaters which draw you in. Even now, 25 years after first having read a library copy, my mind runs over the old familiar lines with as much joy as that of a reunion with a dear friend.
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(4 of 7 readers found this comment helpful)
Perhaps I am a bit prejudiced, having grown up with James Herriot, but to this day there is nothing like curling up with a nice pot of tea, some biscuits, and settling in with Yorkshire and the country vet...So many stories told with such startling simplicity-it is easy to believe that the stories wrote themselves. But we know that they did not; they are the work of a very fine writer, one who knows how to work his way into your imagination until the characters and adventures become part of your own memories. A beautifully told collection which will have you laughing through your tears.
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(1 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
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sarahnaomi24 has commented on (5) products.
The God Effect: Quantum Entanglement, Science's Strangest Phenomenon by Brian Clegg
sarahnaomi24, July 30, 2009
A fascinating topic from a lovely writer...Highly recommended!(1 of 1 readers found this comment helpful)
The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff
sarahnaomi24, November 23, 2008
At times heartbreaking and hilarious, Lauren's Groff's debut is one you won't want to miss. The gothic mixes easily with the romantic in this funny, poignant novel. I found myself flying through the pages, willing myself to read slowly, but far too engrossed to be disciplined.(11 of 18 readers found this comment helpful)
Jump Start Your Career in Library and Information Science by Priscilla Shontz
sarahnaomi24, October 3, 2008
I found the book absolutely inspiring and informative. The personal accounts provide the opportunity to experience "hindsight is 20/20" without needing to actually make any mistakes! It's a must-have for the burgeoning librarian...(2 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild
sarahnaomi24, September 18, 2008
As a young child, these books enabled me to enter deeply into the world of imagination where dreams of acting, dancing, and skating could come true...Not in the way of fairy tales, with a swish of a wand, but rather through hard work, humble attention to form and practice. One of the most endearing aspects of the series is the attention paid to socio-economic realities and the difficulty lower-class children experienced in trying to succeed in expensive fields. I myself came from a struggling family and could readily idenitfy with the difficulties and also with the pride in being able to bring home a salary to share with the family. The stories are beautifully written and also quite factual, representing the research done by Ms. Noel Streatfeild as well. I was an ice-skater for many years as well as in ballet and really appreciate the fine attention to detail. In the end, it is the friendships and tenderly drawn charaters which draw you in. Even now, 25 years after first having read a library copy, my mind runs over the old familiar lines with as much joy as that of a reunion with a dear friend.(4 of 7 readers found this comment helpful)
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
sarahnaomi24, July 7, 2008
Perhaps I am a bit prejudiced, having grown up with James Herriot, but to this day there is nothing like curling up with a nice pot of tea, some biscuits, and settling in with Yorkshire and the country vet...So many stories told with such startling simplicity-it is easy to believe that the stories wrote themselves. But we know that they did not; they are the work of a very fine writer, one who knows how to work his way into your imagination until the characters and adventures become part of your own memories. A beautifully told collection which will have you laughing through your tears.(1 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)