An excellent if a tiny bit short read
355514
An excellent if a tiny bit short read, this story had a little bit of everything. There is romance, action, intrigue, and a lot of interesting characters in this story. We even get a slow building romance toward the end of the novel between Nelly and Senator Reed that leaves the story hopeful. Paul makes an interesting and conflicted character who is self-centered and mean with a very contradictory personality. In one scene he goes from lamenting his missing wife and his love for her to a woman he is cheating on his wife with, then having sex with the woman, and then lamenting his wife again.

A note, there is some graphic depictions of sexual activities in this novel. They aren't overly offensive or descriptive, but it definitely helps for people to understand that it is in there.

The important thing about this story is that it is fiction with flavorings of the real event spread throughout. It is interesting and entertaining, but it's not meant to be a documentary. It's meant to use these people to tell the story of Nelly Don and her life, but not for the nitpicky types who want perfect details. if you go into this book looking for a fictional and entertaining story with a lot of interesting scenes and different story-telling elements, then this is an excellent read!
3641834
I have just finished reading this short volumne in a single sitting and found it to be very worthwhile. The book, written in diary format, gives a very good insight into the War for Southern Independence from a Confederate chaplain's unique point of view. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I rate it only four stars because of its brevity.

Being written as a day-to-day journal, many of the entries are a bit sketchy. Still, several passages are very revealing and even emotionally moving. Readers desiring to know the truth about America's War of 1861-1865 (This book says it was not a true "Civil War") would do well to study the words of those who were actually a part of that unfortunate conflict, and not just the politically correct spin put on it by writers who were born a century or more later.

J. Stephen Conn
Editor, Confederate Digest
4704109
Excellent little book, interesting to read, and containing some insights into using materials that are available as household and/or hobby shop items with quite surprising results.  Mr. Fullum has a very conversational writing style which makes it easy to follow.  The most useful input is how to make use of his learning curve and avoid having to put in the time and effort that he has already done to get the best results.
1084290
What a fantastic little book. Watts uses very little jargon and doesn't really aim to cover any single thought school or religion in this book, but talks directly to the reader about his personal views. For anyone who has never heard the term nonduality or advaita, this will be an eye-opening read. For anyone already familiar with nonduality, they will still enjoy the elegance with which Watts expresses his ideas along those lines. The only complaint I have about the book is how short it is, as Watts at times leaves his deep thoughts explained only briefly. But the message is clear, simple, and profound, as expressed by many others: The way we experience the universe is a particular way based on how our brains have adapted to life on earth. But the reality of the universe is not limited to this particular, uniquely human way. Based on one of our most important adaptations, thought, we experience ourselves as an entity separate and disconnected from all others in the universe. But this is a function of thought and when this is seen as the particular view that it is, it becomes possible to experience life in a profoundly different way. This is not a belief, but an experience that arises naturally when thought and ego are seen as what they are. This book is among the most clever, fun, and engaging books to explain all this. Highly recommended.
1631996
There should be more books like this.  It was a short, fun read with lots of interesting and heartwarming stories from around the globe.  Well-written and concise, it was a great little read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
4607603
First, this book can easily be read in one or two sittings, that being said, it's not worth the hardcover $16 list price. Pick up a copy here for a couple bucks and all is well. Otherwise, i found this book to be a page turner. The author has a great "story telling" writing style. This book is a little step back in time, fortean in nature, and educational all in one short, well illustrated book.
2371563
It made me not want to put my Kindle down til I finished it. A short but excellent read,thoroughly enjoyed it
3495372
KJ Waters has cleverly created this fast moving, realistic short story. A brilliant little read. Highly recommended.
2999088
This book is a very quick read; short and concise.  The writing is clear and I think the author accomplished his purpose in creating an accessible summary of the problems of belief in god.  Given it can now be had at a bargain price it is worth buying and from whatever source it is surely worth the short read.
3986791
The entire novel is short and can be a very quick read, but if you take the time to appreciate the flow of the story, it will seem although you are reading poetry or prose set to music.

It is quite amazing how much information can be derived in so little words. I am a big fan of more verbose writers like Umberto Eco, Neal Stephenson, Philippa Gregory - and don't usually expect to become captivated by short novels.

The writer posseses a gift in being able to convey the characters' thoughts and essenses without have to go into detail about everything.

The day to day life that unfolds of young Griet, from her thoughts to her experiences gives the reader a glimpse into society and culture of that time period - which is truly, once again, mostly due to the author's writing style, quite enlightening.
1075368
Great and short, like 400 or so pages. Four stars only because it's so short other wise a great read.
3439377
As I said, it is short, well written and to the point with good advise to take with you and utilize.  Worth a read.  Wish it was a bit longer.  I was enjoying it.
1120127
I'm studying physiology at a university and picked this book up for some extra-curricular reading. I found it to be very interesting and thought provoking. It helped me understand things I'd not even considered before. It's a quick read with very little filler. I give it four stars, however, due to its shortness and price. I would definitely suggest trying to find it at a library, but I don't really see why someone would spend $13 for such a small book. I feel like "Why Size Matters" would be better suited to be a chapter in a textbook than something to stand on its own. Regardless, it's good info for anyone studying biology, but it's not something you really need to keep on your reference shelf. Check your library.
4801603
Loved this short little paperback by a favorite author.  Gives a short, but deep perspective on the Hungarian revolution against communist rule in 1956.  These people had incredible persistence.  For a person who would like to gain an understanding of historical events without delving into all the dry stuff, this little book helps considerably.  Even though a complete time-line perspective of this region is lacking, enough is written to help one understand the events and why they took place.  A must read for everyone.  You can always read deeper in other books later if your curiosity is piqued by this book.
4624083
"I can see in the dark" is a stand alone novel and is not one of the 10 books Fossum has written in the Inspector Sejer seies..  It is rather brief, about 250 pages or so and I think I would have liked it more had it been a good bit longer.  Fossum does an excellent job of getting into Riktor's head and since he is the narrator we know what he is always thinking.  Riktor is the ultimate loner, but then he begins to actively pursue more contact with others and unexpectedly his problems begin.  A good portion of the second half of the book deals with the justice system in Norway.  And though I expected some differences with the US system of justice, there were a number of scenes in this part of the book that didn't feel right, and I began to suspect that the author might have made some changes to the process to accommodate her story.  Also, some devastating evidence is rather conveniently found at the end of the book while other evidence (blood traces) is never discovered.  I'm not sure if that speaks poorly of Norway forensics or Fossum's crime fiction.  But Fossum does create a bit of a very enjoyable, Hitchcockian plot whereby a killer is on trial and in deep trouble over a crime he did not commit.  Interesting enough for a "4" rating for a book that easily could have been a 3 or a 5.
953107
In FRITO LAY, Beverly-Whittemore, as she did in BITTERSWEET, uses the perspective of a less affluent and less worldly protagonist to explore power dynamics, romantic entanglements, and the peculiarities of youthful female friendship. The author skillfully tells the reader quite a lot with only a few words--critical for achieving the story's depth, given its short length. And she does an equally good job of ratcheting up the tension leading up to the high-stakes climax. My only disappointment, really, was that I was left wanting to see/know/experience a little more about some of the characters.

I'm typically more of a novel reader, but some short stories, maybe because they are short enough that some things are inevitably left unsaid, can really capture the imagination in the best possible way. I'd put FRITO LAY in that camp.
2518365
I was really happy this was a short story.  Very self contained for new readers but it also had a little depth for fans of the series.  I was especially happy that I could read another of the author's works without having to wait 4 more years for a whole novel.  That said, its really short.  Not to say I'm complaining.  In fact, I loved it.  I'm a busy dad and often can't finish a novel.  I decided to take 45 minutes this afternoon and enjoy the story.  I wrapped it up in that time and I felt very accomplished.