One of the best books I've read year-to-date
584687
One of the best books I've read year-to-date! The characters are developed really well from the the start, there's awesome dialogue, and the relationships just gets better as the story goes. Just can't help but fall in-love with Garret Graham, his character is so sexy, smart, and omg funny. There are times I wish he would get slap more often but kissed kissed all at at the same time  :P  Hannah is strong, beautiful, and vulnerable. Love this book and will definitely read again.
2089220
One of the best books I've read this year.  A female micro-biologist discovers how to boost human intelligence, using a pill which lasts for about an hour.  The boost is so dramatic that it enables her to solve very complex problems instantly.  However, she can not do this too often as it takes a lot out of her physically. She also discovers how to double the human life span, and there are people plotting how to get the secret of extended life from her.  Very good reading, I liked it a lot.  I am now reading the sequel entitled "Amped", and it is very good also.
3407198
This is one of the best books I've read all year, and I've read a lot of books this year! When I first saw it, I couldn't wait to read it, and I knew I would love it from the first page. The chapters are short, only a few pages, and feel like conversations with a friend or a big sister as she tells you about her struggles, her joys, and the things she's learned. There so much to take in from this book, I know I'll be reading it again to soak it in more!

Something that really resonated with me about the message of being fiercehearted is that you don't have to do something huge or extraordinary. It's all about loving the people around you, even when it hurts, and God giving you strength, even in your weaknesses. It's about the small choices we can make every day to become the women we were meant to be, women who are more like Jesus.

I really enjoyed the whole book, but I'd have to say that chapter 15 is one of my favorite chapters. These lines kind of summed up the book for me: "A full life and life to the full are two very different things. One is about grasping, the other is about receiving, One is about cramming in, the other is about room to breathe. One is about striving, the other is about trust. One is about control, the other is about letting go -- sometimes for a moment and sometimes for always."

With Christmas coming up, this book would be a great present for yourself ;) or for any of the women in your life! Moms, sisters, aunts, friends - I think we could all use a little encouragement to be fiercehearted.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own; I was not required to give a positive review.
597450
This is one of the best books I have read all year, and I am a voracious reader.  The character development and dialogue are spot on.  This is billed as a book for teenagers, who I think will love it, so here is my suggestion for parents everywhere:  buy the book for your children, then read it before you give it to them, because you need to get the message, too.  I have one other piece of advice, though.  (I'm 80, so I'm entitled.). Please don't tell your kids they have to read the book, and for heaven's sake, keep your thoughts to yourself until after they've done so.  When they have, you might be blessed with the greatest discussion you've ever had with them.  Then send a huge thank you to Rebekah Crane.
1842199
I really liked reading this book. It was one of the most riveting and surprisingly useful books I read all year.

David knows what he's talking about, and knows how how to talk about it. He makes it possible for the average reader to learn about international affairs, network dynamics, team psychology, and history without boring them or forcing them to trudge through his philosophies before getting to the good stuff. It's all good stuff, from front to back.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Sun Tzu or John Boyd. I believe they would both approve of this book and keep a worn-out copy within reach at all times.
4713421
By far, it is the best book I've yet read this year! (averaging about a book a month this year)

If you're looking to get next year off to a great start, read this book and do the exercises.

Each 'chapter' is a blog post in length. So, you can easily pick up and set down the book. Great for busy professionals!

The exercises at the end of each post are challenging. Found myself squirming a few times because some of them hit a spot I know I could do better.

There's also a personality assessment at the end of the book and some fantastic quotes.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
3703573
Quite simply, I couldn't put it down!  Best book I've read all year to date!
2136312
Gratitude isn't something I've always practiced. If you read this book it will only influence you for the better. The story of the author is compelling, and I couldn't put it down. It is also a great gift for friends, family, and colleagues. My wife also read it and really enjoyed it, this was my favorite book I've read this year.
1920547
Karl with a K is one of the best books I've read all year, hands down. I've recommended it to coworkers, friends, and pretty much anyone who asked me about it when they saw me reading. As someone who works with young people I'm so glad I have these poems to share with students when they're going through a hard time, wanting some motivation, or just needing some words of wisdom. Karl Lawrence balances honesty with inspiration, and through the entire book his unique, powerful voice shines through. This book is something special.
2368466
This is one of the best books I have read this year.  Russell grabbed my attention on the first page and kept it for the remainder of the book.  His use of McArthur's Farewell speech in the early part of the book softened my heart and reminded why I spent 31 years in the Army Reserve.
  Russell's use of a flawed hero makes the book real to all individuals.  Everyone thinks like the main character from time to time.  Russell's dry wit and knowledge of politics, as well as scandals in DC, is well rounded and is important in understanding the tenor of life in the capital.  I highly recommend this book as one of the best of the year.
4148253
One of my favourite books to read in the past 10 years. It's up there with 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The fifth Discipline. I have a hard and soft copy as I use it's content in my business on a regular basis. In actual fact, I commenced reading it and then I completed a MOOC with the authors ... which was awesome.
Make this a must read in 2016.
4108290
I read probably a book or two a week, and here it is 12/29/09, and this is the best book I've read this year!  As I was reading this book, savoring the language, I felt deeply satisfied in the sense of something filling my soul.  I am not gifted at literary review; I am not an editor.  I can only say that the writing of this book seems extraordinary, a rare thing.  I just now watched the clip of Colum McCann on this site, and he speaks of "channeling" the voices of the characters and of acting as a ventriliquist.  He succeeds expertly at channeling disparate voices--and so many of them--from different races, socio-economic standing, and from different places--Ireland, Guatemala, and the United States (he seems to have New York City down pat and then there was Gloria with her Missouri roots).  He made me love these people, these very different people.  He helped me understand and also care about hookers in the Bronx, about a struggling single mother from Guatemala, and a judge in NYC who's life was not all it seemed to be once McCann helped us see beneath the veneer.  These people are believable, both in the way they talk and the way they think, their interior lives.  This is an outstanding book.  I am not the first to say so; I just wanted to add my thoughts and thanks to so many others'.  Congratulations to Mr. McCann for this amazing work of art!
2393879
A friend recently told me sometimes it's harder to describe the books you loved over the ones you didn't...I'll start by saying this is one of the best books I've read this year.

The chapters are divided into three different voices - Maddy (the mother who has passed away), Eve (Maddy's teenage daughter), and Brady (Maddy's husband). Reading Eve's perspective, I found it relatable and deeply personal. When I was fourteen, my best friend's mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer; she passed away days before my friend's fifteenth birthday. Through that experience of being a friend to a teenage girl suffering the tremendous loss of her mother, particularly at that phase of life, I found Fabiaschi's words to be spot-on and authentic. All the voices were. There was emotional tenderness, the characters were complex and real, and the writing was flawless.

I think the best books force you to look inward, to think about your life and how you impact others. I learned quite a bit from this book- humanity, loss, suffering, and hope, as it relates to my own experiences and the experiences of others. This important quote in the book - we have to learn to learn from pain - left its indelible mark on me. This book gets my highest of recommendations.
1520933
One of the best books I've read lately!  And I read a Lot!
4245815
Very enjoyable book.  My favorite for this year.
2077071
An insightful book that really made me laugh. One of the best I've read this year.
1568713
This was one of my favorite books of the year. I read it for discussion in 4 different book clubs and they all felt it was an excellent book. Many important issues lead to very good discussions in all groups. I would highly recommend it for book clubs.