Treat yourself to a great read
586837
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys great characters, unique historical settings and a rollicking plot.  Marshall has a gift for inhabiting and bringing to life a lot of very disparate and believable characters at the same time, and for giving us reasons to care about them all as they struggle to navigate private passions in the midst of a rough and tumble frontier civilization just taking shape.  I will not soon forget the vivacious Frances, wimpy Percy, delicate Anna, powerful Alexander, single-minded John and goofy but lovable Kirsten.  Nor will I forget the snow and sunsets and oceans of grass and dirt homesteader hovels described so vividly by Marshall. I could go on and on. Treat yourself. You'll be glad you did.
3361901
A great selection of themes, this book has something for everyone. I loves not only the variety, but getting to experience new authors. The passion simmers, and there are surprising emotional notes. I won't spoil a thing, but I will say that the short length is perfect for a way to unwind after a long day, or to treat yourself to an indulgent little binge on good stuff. This is a voluntary review of an advance reader copy.
1639937
Fantastic great reading once you start you do not want to put it down try it yourself and see what you think
3254469
Outlander begins a tale that spans (probably) six volumes, and never tires in its efforts to transport the reader to the location and time of the tale. It has vivid, well developed characters, delightful interactions among them, and finely crafted location descriptions that create a world one lives in as one reads.
Jaimie and Claire become "alive" in vision and tangible in substance so much so, that by consuming one volume after another, you find you are visiting them as much as reading about them. They become a part of your story, as you consume their story.
Historical and fictional, romance and real, the story flows  from one continent and time period to another with serious believability. You will find yourself comparing what you might have decided to do when/if you were in their shoes in that time and place. And all the while, you will be entertained and educated and you will enjoy. Above all, you will enjoy.
4729068
Start at the beginning of the series, you will find characters that you will fall in love with. These are lovely books and as an avid reader I can really recommend them as the type of book you won't want to put down. If you have ever considered extending a holiday into a long stay to "live like a local" but not quite had the guts to do it, this is a good way to enjoy the experience from the comfort of your own home. Who knows, maybe you will become inspired to try the Dolce Vita for yourselves!
3147521
Taking a trip with a self-centered nineteen year old is not on the top of anyones "to do list", especially if you want to have a relaxing, good time.  That is exactly what I am proposing for book lovers to do this summer!  And you will have a fabulous time!  When Simon starts his adventure he is a person you would love to leave behind but very soon his wonderful metamorphus begins to evolve.  His character grows exquisitely,and captures the reader with lots of humor, zesty conversation, and enjoyable storytelling.  Simon gains a depth of spirituality along his way that is enticing to the reader.  Other characters in Simon's world are so rich that you would love to pick up your next book and learn about them as well...I ask the author to please give us more stories about these well manicured characters...Simon's father, sister, grandfather, and girlfriend...I for one was not wanting the book to end!
2497053
What an extraordinary novel.  As a trial lawyer I try, as best I can to engage in "pleasure" reading. This book was an absolute pleasure to read.  Candy for the mind! I read a great deal and rarely find myself so  engaged in a book I find it hard to put down.  Actually it's sort of  annoying to read a book that is so well written that you don't want to put  it down.  So this review is a WARNING.  If you don't like reading a book  that is so good you can't put it down,  Don't buy this book.  Otherwise...ENJOY!
1971530
Before you read make sure you have a good chunk of time to dedicate to this book, because you will not want to put this down!
3214290
The best part of reading to me is being able to vividly picture the words and immerse yourself into the story as if it were happening. I enjoyed reading this book immensely.  When you find a book that you don't want to put down you have got a good one. Get it today!
812553
Thoroughly entertaining! You will want to read it all in one sitting. One of the things I love about Jennas books is how the characters are all relatable and you genuinely care for them (or feel you could be one of them).  I suggest you pour yourself a glass of wine and get yourself comfortable on your favorite couch because you will want to keep reading until you get to the end. You won't regret it! Enjoy!
2548297
These are great stories that entertain you and pull you in for a few pages.  Great to read on the go, or when taking a short break from reality.  Laurie Boris makes sure her stories have heart, and that you care about her characters, for two pages or two hundred.  Great book.
259696
I love a good captivating story that will absorb you and take you on a joyful journey.
I love all the characters in this book and find the situations hilarious. This book is a great option for a joyful read.
8322
Great read, fun to follow the personal aspect as it intertwines with plot and other characters. Enjoy, I know you will.
607289
Give yourself a nice day in your favorite reading spot because you'll need it. Suspenseful and knowledgeable author leads you on chapter after chapter. I can't wait to continue reading the series!
4622250
I love to read and sharing an amazing book like this with others is a joy. Rating works of art (books) is not a love of mine simply because each reader's experience with a book differs due to our life's interjected- perceptions. They say perceptions are everything. Right? So I say go in with no expectations- live with the characters- accept the journey for what it is and the book will take you where you are to "travel". Enjoy your reading!!! This is a lovely story...curl up and read away.
1944180
Hooked in Horta "hooked" me in the first paragraph, which was a refreshing change from many books. I won't give any spoilers in this review, so you can enjoy it to the fullest yourself. A mixture of mystery, romance, crime, and drama, it all works together and should appeal to a variety of readers. There's really no place in the book where you feel comfortable laying it down because the intrigue just keeps coming, keeping you on the edge of your chair to find out what happens next. If this is your first Sieglinde Young, then you'll want to continue reading her works with "Solace Under a Tamarind Tree" and "Inge's War" and many others. Happy Reading.
3855872
I have three stacks of books by my bed:  the professional reading, the personal reading (parenting books, etc.) and the `for fun' reading (novels, biographies, etc).  The urgency usually follows that order, to the point that my last new years' resolution was to read more fluffy novels.  It's July.  The end of July.  I have read 1.

So it's a good thing I picked up Deborah's book, Oy Vey Isn't a Strategy.  The book was officially in the first pile: professional reading.  Though it very well could have been in the second (striving for better work/life balance, personal satisfaction, etc.).  About 2 pages in I realized it was entertaining enough to qualify for the "just for fun" pile too.  This woman is a hoot!  This book really transcends any category, or perhaps better put, it delivers value in all of them.

Deborah puts so much of herself into this book.  In some places it reads like a memoir, and knowing Deborah, I have fully enjoyed getting to know her better through her amazing personal, familial and professional stories. We can all see a bit of ourselves in her journeys and reflections.

But the real punch of the book is that Deborah uses her own entertaining stories (and delightfully funny writing style) to hold up a mirror for us to see, and understand, ourselves - personally, professionally, emotionally, strategically.

I cracked the book on an airplane that was already running hours late on a flight home from Chicago.  We were taking off at 10pm.  I'd arrive home in the wee hours of the morning.  I intended to peruse the first chapters and then sleep, but I could not but this book down.  By the time I got to chapter 8 (which begins, "Temporarily losing my left eyebrow changed me permanently...") I had given up sleep and found myself giggling out loud (apologies to the gentleman reading a neuroscience journal in 9B next to me).

But within a few pages in every chapter, Deborah seamlessly moves from the upturn of my smile to the depth of my heart and gut, gently and firmly holding and articulating the issues that are at the root of our happiness and success.  And just to make sure that the ideas and reflections don't end in our heads, each chapter ends with questions and exercises to help us really knead our own experiences and apply her teachings to our own lives.

The most insightful nuggets of this book sometimes are delivered in insightful one liners.  It's full of them.  My favorite? In chapter 14 Deborah observes that for many of her clients seeking help as `self diagnosed procrastinators', "we discover that procrastination is masking perfectionism".  BULLSEYE.  While I don't find that I'm a serial procrastinator, this is exactly why it does occasionally happen.  And that procrastination can be costly - in time, energy, dollars, relationships, and attention wasted elsewhere.  Small lessons can have big impact.  And this book is full of them.

My `personal reading' stack includes many Jewish books.  While I work with rabbis and Jewish educators everyday, I'm always wishing I could make more time for my own Jewish learning.  And, as if Oy Vey hadn't delivered enough yet, the Jewish lessons, quotes and stories are woven throughout.  Deborah's lessons for us are grounded in experience, training, wisdom, thoughtfulness, and tradition.  And when I was done, exhausted and travel worthy, I felt grounded too.