The Week of December 27th

LenaEllis2000@aol.com
MACBETH by William Shakespeare, 5 stars
EMMA by Jane Austen, 3 stars
Emma is about a girl that's a matchmaker. Great book.
LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott, 2 stars
HAMLET by William Shakespeare, 1 star
THE HOBBIT by J.R.R. Tolkien

Bengtabks@aol.com
AMONG THE 36 STRATEGIES, RUNNING AWAY IS THE TOP ONE by Chia Chen, 5 stars
After living in the US for several years, a young woman returns to China to visit her family and friends and is caught up in happy memories of childhood contrasted with tragic memories of the Cultural Revolution. This book is dense, but easy to read, funny, yet shocking. If THE JOY LUCK CLUB was a stylish painting, Chia Chen's book is a home movie. To read it is to eavesdrop on the personal side of China's recent history.
THE WHIRLPOOL by Jane Urquhart, 4 stars
Set in the summer of 1889 on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Very well written first novel, but plot rambles. Still an interesting venue, which few novels have touched.
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CHAUCER by John Gardner, 5 stars
Rich and amazing look at the 14th Century.

Vclairbleu@aol.com
Hi! I've been an incredibly avid reader since I was born and had books read to me by my parents, (that would be 17.5 years now), and would read just about any book anyone recommended (often times doing so at the neglect of homework, etc.) and I've got a rather varied list compiled for Harry Potter fans who are looking for other stuff to read. Here goes:
Philip Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy -
Book one: THE GOLDEN COMPASS by Philip Pullman, 5 stars
Book two: THE SUBTLE KNIFE by Philip Pullman, 5 stars
Book three: THE AMBER SPYGLASS by Philip Pullman, 5 stars
Absolutely fabulous books, with really something in them for anyone, especially anyone who likes fantasy, philosophy, or adventure.
The Sally Lockhart trilogy -
Book one: THE RUBY IN THE SMOKE by Philip Pullman, 5 stars
Book two: THE SHADOW IN THE NORTH by Philip Pullman, 5 stars
Book three: THE TIGER IN THE WELL by Philip Pullman, 5 stars
Also with the same characters: THE TIN PRINCESS.
ENDER'S GAME by Orson Scott Card, 5 stars
There are two books that come after it that I have not read, but many of my friends who have read all of them said this one is the best. It's Sci-fi, but one that I enjoyed, and I normally don't think much of Sci-fi books. It also has a lot of thought-provoking social commentary. And it also has semi-fantasy bits.
THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE by C.S. Lewis, 5 stars
Most people have read the Narnia books (I've read them all multiple times) but C. S. Lewis also wrote some other really good novels no one hears about.
TILL WE HAVE FACES: A Myth Retold by C.S. Lewis, 4 stars
It's based off of a Greek Myth, except it's really much more interesting and exciting than the myth starts out as.
OUT OF THE SILENT PLANET by C.S. Lewis, 4 stars
If you like weird Sci-fi, go for it. Although it's more like HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE than anything else. Which brings me to...
THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY by Douglas Adams, 5 stars
... and all the subsequent books related to that. RESTAURANT AT THE END OF THE UNIVERSE, SO LONG, AND THANKS FOR ALL THE FISH, et cetera. Amusing, off the wall, British humor. Think Monty Python in outer space.
THE DRAGONRIDERS OF PERN by Anne McCaffrey, 5 stars
Yet another trilogy; Book one: DRAGONFLIGHT, book two: DRAGONQUEST, book three: THE WHITE DRAGON. These books set the scene for Pern, dealings with Dragons (good Dragons), and you can go on to read all the dozens of other Pern books she's written. Also by McCaffrey, the B-B Ship books. Brain-Brawn Ship books. The best one is THE SHIP WHO SANG. Try it, and you'll get a sense for Anne McCaffrey in general.
THE HOBBIT by J.R.R. Tolkien, 5 stars
Nearly everyone has read it, but that doesn't mean I'm going to leave it off my list. It has the best start of any book, "In a hole in the ground, there lived a Hobbit..." and the following paragraph. Tolkien is great. If you've read HOBBIT, but wouldn't mind hearing more about fantasy and adventure, read...
THE LORD OF THE RINGS by J.R.R. Tolkien, 5 stars
(still another trilogy!) One: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, two: THE TWO TOWERS, three: THE RETURN OF THE KING.
DUNE by Frank Herbert, 5 stars
Another great series. There are tons of books about Dune.
THE EARTHSEA TRILOGY: A WIZARD OF EARTHSEA by Ursula K. Le Guin, 5 stars
THE EARTHSEA TRILOGY: THE TOMBS OF ATUAN by Ursula K. Le Guin, 4 stars
THE EARTHSEA TRILOGY: THE FARTHEST SHORE by Ursula K. Le Guin, 4 stars
Yet another otherworld with wizards and magic and good vs. evil, but these aren't quite as whimsical as Harry Potter.
A WRINKLE IN TIME by Madeleine L'Engle, 5 stars
A WIND IN THE DOOR by Madeleine L'Engle, 5 stars
A SWIFTLY TILTING PLANET by Madeleine L'Engle, 5 stars
There are a dozen others with the same characters, and they are wonderful books. I don't even know how many books she's written, but there are quite a few. All really good.
THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ by L. Frank Baum, 4 stars
Not many people know that there are tons of Oz books. Some get a bit bizzare after a while.
REDWALL by Brian Jacques, 5 stars
You've probably heard a ton about this series. Really well written, fun books. Although they are a bit long.
FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER by E. L. Konigsburg, 5 stars
Kids who've run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Great book. She's also written a number of other great books, including THE VIEW FROM SATURDAY, which I thought was terrific.
For a bit-older readers...
CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR by Jean Auel, 5 stars
>From her Earth's Children saga. One of the most unique series I've read. Prehistoric man, but not how most people think of it. These books are wonderful, but are meant for older readers, as some of what is written is rather risque. I'm not sure how many she's written, but I'm reading the 4th book right now, and I assume there are more after that.
THE FAR PAVILIONS by M. M. Kaye, 5 stars
SHADOW OF THE MOON by M. M. Kaye, 5 stars
Historical fiction, set during the British Raj in India. Fantastic books, but ones I would never have picked up off the shelf if they hadn't specifically been recommended.
One thing that makes the Harry Potter books so appealing is that they fit into several subject categories, if not genres. Fantasy is the most prominent, so most of the books I listed are fantasy. I've also listed general Good vs. Evil books, realistic fantasy world books (i.e., Hogwarts is not a real place, but it gives you the illusion of being one), books with magic in general, and also books that J. K. Rowling recommended as ones she particularly liked reading. I tried to keep this list as close as I could to the subjects from Harry Potter, but my book recommendation list goes on and on for pages, especially in the kids' catagories (I work in a childrens' bookshop.) I left off the list some other great books that don't really fit the catagories (The Giver, The Little Prince, to name two) but if I tried to list all of them, I'd be writing for days. Enjoy.

BEVBOOKS@aol.com
A SLOW BURNING by Stanley Pottinger, at LEAST 5 stars.
This book was really a high tension read. Pottinger knows how to keep you guessing and on edge. The protagonist is a New York police detective, secondary character is his fiance who is fighting for her life, and was in love with the black doctor who supplies the medical suspense for the story. Lots of racial tension, good-guy-bad-guy suspense, and a great love story too.
RUNESTONE by Don Coldsmith, 4 stars.
This one is about the Norsemen who came to explore beyond Vinland (the Norse settlement in the New World), and is a great frontier read. Based on facts, Coldsmith is a great storyteller, and his characters are well rounded.
THE LIBERATION OF LORD BYRON JONES by Jesse Hill Ford, 4 stars
I loved this book when it first came out, in 1965 and I am re-reading it. The story of a black undertaker whose wife is having an affair with a white police officer. Lots of tension in this book of that period in history in the south.

SNobleAGYouth@aol.com
WUTHERING HEIGHTS by Emily Bronte, 5 stars
A tale of 2 lovers who DON'T marry each other or find happiness until they both have perished. A great novel that has a tradition of touching the life of its reader.
FARENHEIT 451 by Ray Bradbury, 5 stars
A great story about what would happen in the world without books. I would hate to live in this society. Read this book and find out what happens when the govt. starts to tell us what we can and cannot read.

RunnyFudyShadows@aol.com
A TIME FOR DANCING by Davida Wills Hurwin, 5 stars
A teenage girl gets a rare form of cancer and it changes everyone's life forever.
HOW DO YOU SPELL GEEK? by Julie Anne Peters, 4 stars
Two girls are studying for the national spelling bee. When a strange new girl comes to town, Ann is forced to choose between her best friend and the new girl.
THE OUTSIDERS by S.E. Hinton, 5 stars
Ponyboy Curtis's family is falling apart.
THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW by S.E. Hinton, 5 stars
It seems everyone is moving on - except for Bryon.
RUMBLE FISH by S.E. Hinton, 5 stars
TEX by S.E. Hinton, 5 stars
After Tex's dad comes back after 6 months, Tex discovers a secret.
NANCY DREW #130: THE SIGN OF THE FALCON by Carolyn Keene, 5 stars
Nancy's dad is missing. Then she discovers that he's been kidnapped! Who did it?
NANCY DREW #129: THE BABYSITTER BURGLARIES by Carolyn Keene, 5 stars
Someone is framing a babysitter for stealing from her client's houses! Can Nancy find out who and clear the babysitter's name?

Whimsey03@aol.com
SHATTERED by Dick Francis, 4 stars
The accidental death of a jockey creates a mystery involving the location and content of a videotape--a tape someone is willing to kill to find. The brisk pace and satisfying storyline are a good example of why the prolific Dick Francis is so popular. And the glimpse at the art of glass blowing is a very nice touch.

Cipsi2@aol.com
DAUGHTER OF FORTUNE by Isabel Allende, 5 stars
Such a writer. Such a story.

HRDCOVERS@aol.com
CRAZY FOR CORNELIA by Chris Gilson, 3 stars
Another "way out there" Cinderella story. Unfortunately, it wasn't anywhere near as good as the original.
FAMILY HONOR by Robert B. Parker, 5 stars
The first in Parker's series featuring a female private investigator. Definitely worth the read.
A WALK IN THE WOODS by Bill Bryson, 5 stars
A travelogue on Bryson's trek of the Appalachian Trail. An absolutely enjoyable and informative read.
THE FINAL JUDGMENT by Richard North Patterson, 5 stars
This author is the BEST and so was this book. Try to read DEGREE OF GUILT first, then EYES OF A CHILD and THE FINAL JUDGMENT last because they have some of the same characters and you'll have a better overall appreciation of this book.
THE RED TENT by Anita Diamant, 5 stars ++++
Will end up to be the best book I read in the year 2000. I've never read biblical fiction before and wasn't sure I'd like it. This story about Dinah, Jacob and Leah's only daughter, was fascinating.

Loveajoy@aol.com
BURIED EVIDENCE by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg, 5 stars
FIRST OFFENSE by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg, 5 stars
CALIFORNIA ANGEL by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg, 5 stars
INTEREST OF JUSTICE by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg, 5 stars
MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg, 5 stars
FAMILY HONOR by Robert B. Parker, 5 stars

GDurisin@aol.com
TRUE JUSTICE by Robert K. Tanenbaum, 4 stars
MIDDLE OF NOWHERE by Ridley Pearson, 3 stars
WHEN WE WERE ORPHANS by Kazuo Ishiguro, 2 stars
It bogged down and couldn't hold my interest, but still, there's something there that makes me think I should give it another try when life is less hectic.

UKHRH@aol.com
FERNEY by James Long, 5 stars
A delightful tale of past life experiences in a small English village. It's mystical, magical and full of life's emotional conflicts. A must read with a very interesting ending!

WRaskob@aol.com
AND NEVER LET HER GO by Ann Rule, 4 stars
Good true crime book.
ONE FOR THE MONEY by Janet Evanovich, 4 stars
Hilarious, racy "mystery". I have just finished reading all 6 books in this series by Evanovich and liked them all. They are about an inept "bounty hunter" named Stephanie Plum and her adventures.

Acj830@aol.com
STRAY KAT WALTZ by Karen Kijewski, 4 stars
I have thoroughly enjoyed Karen Kijewski's writing and STRAY KAT WALTZ is no exception. I give this a 4 star rating and look forward to the next Kat book.
SHE'S COME UNDONE by Wally Lamb, 5 stars
Now my all time favorite book. I was moved beyond belief and am amazed how accurately Mr. Lamb described these delicate characters. At least 5 stars!
I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE by Wally Lamb, 5 stars
So far I am intrigued and entertained by the characters and the relationship he creates between them. So far at least a 5 and I can only see myself getting pulled deeper into an understanding of human nature and family relationships. I love this man's writing. I cherish the experience of reading such moving circumstances and the truthfulness of his characters.

p_m55@yahoo.com
THE DOG STAR by Donald Windham, 4 1/2 stars
Dark, brooding, Southern literature from the 1940's. An overlooked classic. Windham paints poetically with his words and characterization. He'll get his due in years to come. An unheralded master of the novel.
THIRD WORLD PRINCESS by Michael T. Maloney, 4 stars
This novel I couldn't put down though I have a hard time describing what it actually is. A satire of the Colombian oligarchy? Yes. (Inept kidnappers, rebels and government types.) A coming of age novel? Yes. (The sex scenes are wildly funny and gross.) A tragedy of Shakespearian proportions? Definately. (Self sacrifice and suicide all over the place.) A melodrama and a soap opera? Why, sure! (Ever see a Spanish language telenovela? Well here it is in novel form. Spiritualist fantasy? Oh yeah! Big time. Just because a character dies, doesn't mean you never see them again. That's when it gets good. Or just plain weird. It's set in Bogota, Colombia (how's that for exotic) and this girl named Maria Angelica goes thru... hell, I suppose. She's this rich 15-year-old girl who loses everything including her mother to her plastic surgeon. All I know is that I laughed and I cried. Out loud! I've come away from this book having this strange desire to go to Bogota now just to see if the author - who has this very in-your-face style of writing that I like - was on the level. He calls it "magical surrealism". Yep, it's that too. Move over Joyce, Beckett and Cummings. This book is really a genre all to itself. It breaks new ground all together and a lot easier to read than Ulysses. Read THIRD WORLD PRINCESS! Love it or hate it, but it's a must read.

DDobrjansk@aol.com
THE GREAT WAR: AMERICAN FRONT by Harry Turtledove, 5 stars
Turtledove proves that he is the master of alternate history by weaving a rich tapestry of characters and plots with the frame work of what if the Confederacy had won the Civil War and proceeded to build a world power (rivaling the United States). The action supposes what would have occurred during W.W.I if the battles had been fought not only in Europe but here on American soil. This is the first book in a four book series which includes AMERICAN FRONT, WALK IN HELL and will end next year with the final chapter SETTLING ACCOUNTS.