All week long I looked forward to savoring it at the end of each day like a warm bath--it's just the kind of book you ...
590553
Oh what a magical book!

 I was absolutely captivated by this sweeping, epic adventure from the first page. All week long I looked forward to savoring it at the end of each day like a warm bath--it's just the kind of book you disappear into and the whole world falls away
I mean first of all the concept--time traveling pirate ship? Seriously--how fast can we make this a movie?

But then there was lyrical, assured writing and a rag tag crew of complicated, vulnerable, deeply human characters, witty dialogue, a feisty, lovable MC and a central conflict with such entanglement and ache--pitting a daughter's longing for love against her own self-preservation--and oh, it's just so good. I am struggling to do it justice. You just have to read it.

A beautiful book with depth and heart, sure to be well-worn and dog-eared and loved by readers of all ages everywhere.
3705642
This wasn't a "I can't put it down" kind of book, but definitely one that I will think about for the next week.
4870271
The Kindle is my library on the road, and when a vacation is truly working its magic, I devour my books steadily.  After exhausting my start-up stash, I found and downloaded a perfect traveling companion in The Cooking Class in Kuala Lumpur!  I was immediately engaged, eager to see what would happen next. The novel is built on a "day in the life" structure with a handful of intertwined characters you will care about, their lives progressing and complicating with each passing hour.  How will she resolve this?  The book will keep you turning pages, even electronic ones, to a satisfying ending.  If this is a series, I'm looking forward to the next one!
3922351
First of all, this book just feels good, literally: In its compact form, with its shiny, beautifully illustrated cover and water-color filled pages, I just wanted to hold and leaf through it over and over again. It's art for the eye and nourishment for the mind and heart.  We all know how "children's books" can be as rewarding for us readers as those we are reading to.  This will be among my (and perhaps your) favorites.  Its joyful, exuberant message is one that I have savored sharing with my young nieces and nephew.  I get chills when I realize that by reading The Star Children, I'm being one of the lucky ones who gets to "race through the meadows and remind [others] to play!"  Yes, the story will stimulate some questions, depending on your listeners' ages, and you will get to choose how to talk about its meaning.  Isn't that part of the magic and beauty of children's books?  The Star Children invites us to welcome others onto our lap, read to them and then share from our heart what is true for us. I wish I could write a review that truly reflects the exquisite beauty of this book.  It's the kind of gift that keeps on giving. (I bought one for me and two for friends!)
3862846
I usually read quite rapidly but found myself slowing down to savor the time with old friends.  A beautiful book, hopefully not the end but fitting if so.
3426618
Some books beg for space on the coffee table. It's the usual place snobby friends file away their copies of "Archetectural Digest", or "Forbes", hoping you'll never notice that the adress labels printed on them are marked out with felt-tip pen. If you hold them to the light, you can just make out that they were sent originally to the office of their dermatologist. In the case of "Furo, the Japanese Trendy Bath Life", this tome is most enjoyable read in its' natural environment. In my case the bathroom is definately the least trendy room in my apartment. Fortunately with the addition of this book, i can see my "sitting room" become a little trendier, perhaps. The photographs of various dauntingly expensive bathrooms are expansive, and beautiful. It definately takes my mind away from the fact that I'm usually reading it on a "throne" that wobbles, thanks to an iffy wax seal, and bolts that I can't be bothered to tighten. Tsumura can be given to some overly flowery writing at times. An example of this can be found on page 30. "Mrs. Ukita's neat white bathroom on the sea-side of Mediterranean Sea is a shining example of her family's happiness." "The hero and heroine of this script, Mr. and Mrs. Ukita, always smile softly as though they were characters in a film." This sort of prose, might tempt some to lunge at the Ukitas with a small hand axe. Those violent thoughts, however would probably be put to rest after a vigourous soak in their luxurious bathtub. As a final thought to lurkers, expecting a voyeuristic view of total strangers sitting naked in exotic pools of fragrantly scented water. You will be extremely dissappointed. For anyone interested in stunning portraits of lavish bathrooms, and their accoutriments, this just may be the book You've searched for all Your life.
1337528
This book about books was delicious.  I picked it up at just the right time, in the right frame of mind, and I devoured it.  It's a book about books, about the magic that books hold and the effect they can have on our lives.

Chloe Sinclair is enchanted by books and by the family that introduced them to her.  She encounters the Sinclair family on her eighth birthday - at a time where she was ripe for change.  "What did it mean, really, to be a year older?  Oh I knew in actuality I'd only grown up by a day, but there was a new feeling to being eight, an eight-year-oldness that made everything seem fuller and stronger, like I'd crossed from one sort of childhood into another.  Losing my sevenness a forever thing, like losing my baby teeth."  And Chloe's life is changed forever by this family.

She is fascinated by the Sinclair children, their otherworldliness, their sheltered life.  They seem as if they are characters from books with their mysterious father and gentle, delicate mother.  A mother who Chloe almost adopts as her own.

"I was doing my best not to think at all.  Because it was sinking in slowly, the idea that somebody could, all at once, not exist anymore.  Where had it all gone?  The feel of her fingers French-braiding my hair, the velvety sounds of her storytelling, the scent of the vanilla extract she dabbed on her neck in lieu of perfume.  To let it in, the idea that all of it could just vanish into nothingness, made me feel like my insides had been beaten and clawed."

This is an interesting story, full of drama and emotion and good storytelling.  The characters are compelling and the words are evocative.  "It was as if time hadn't just moved forward in a straight arrow, leaving only memories and regrets, the present was folding and intertwining with the past like the ripples from a skipped rock.  The water itself is not moving, always there, above it the ripple of my life touching the ripple of Gabriel as a child..."

It's been a long time since I've stayed up late, LATE at night reading - but I couldn't let this story go. The intertwining of Chloe's life, the lives of the Sinclairs and the books they read and love just drew me in.  And at the end of the day?  It's a book about books - a subject I love and just can't resist.

"I ran my fingers over the text, then held the book up to my face, closed my eyes and inhaled the sweet-sour scent of old paper and binding glue.  Did everyone who loved books do this when they encountered a new one?  I loved the physicality of books just as much as the stories inside, the feel of pages between my fingers, the intricacies of classic fonts winding along the neatly lined rows of words."

It's like the words came from my own heart.
3683382
It was good enough to finish, though at times I found myself looking forward to the end of chapter to put it down.
3042171
After reading the other reviews of this book, I decided to give it a try - and I'm glad I did.  It's warm and witty, and the characters are for the most part believable and well presented.  Sure, it's overly optimistic - I mean how many college football coaches have you known who not only date the college chaplain but have the courage to do it so openly as Chip?  But I still enjoyed it and found it hard to put down, finishing it in only a couple of days.

One of the things I liked about it was that sex is secondary to romance and relationships in this book, which is a welcome change from the typical gay novel.  Where some books will gloss over the romance and describe the sex in nauseating, boring detail, this book wants to (and succeeds at) pulling your heartstrings and glosses over the sex with a statement as simple and complete as "They made love."

I could picture the characters and the settings very easily in my mind because Arvin describes them so well.  In fact, I'd like to see a movie made of this story.  I was also captivated by some of his creative word pictures, such as "You try to find things to keep the fragile smile on your face from dripping off like a watercolor."  That's only one example of many wonderful expressions in this book that caught my eye.

No, it won't sail to the top of the New York Times best seller list, but gay romantics who appreciate excellent character development and sparkling, creative dialogue will appreciate this little gem of a book.  I want to read more of Eric Arvin's work now.
2780756
I'm sure I will enjoy it when I have time to read it.
3730698
First let me say-this is not your normal review.  I started doing the treadmill. And it was really long and tedious. Then I started listening to music and that helped a bit. Then one day I took my kindle and reading while I was working on the treadmill made the time go by faster. I was looking for a book to read-and stumbled on to the Storied Life of AJ FIkry. Let me say, this isn't one of those blockbusters, or torrid romances, or brainless memoirs. Thank goodness. This is such a great little book. I limit myself to reading it while I am working on the treadmill-and I find myself looking forward to each morning when I can read a little more of this lovely book. The time on the treadmill passes by so quickly, I am sad when I have to put in the bookmark and wait till next morning to visit my friends at the bookstore. I am not finished yet, but I know I will be sad when I am. It is a lovely book. The characters are real and they make you smile and sometimes even chuckle. Kudos to Ms. Zevin
3970410
There are passages in the book that felt to me like a calm soothing bath.  I felt such peace with the characters. I didn't know till I finished the book that it was a true story.  More the pity Mr. Owita  is lost to the world.  The lesson I learned was to look with your heart in all things.
595927
I was trying to savor the novel and make it last a few more beach days, but it was so good!
I'm a doctor and noticed a few little inconsistencies, but it was well-written and went down smoothly,  like a great cognac.
I hope she comes out with another story soon!
4139772
I loved the laid back feel I got from this book...it reminds me that everything happens in its own time.
4310041
Every now and then, I like being able to read a book that causes me to think, one that I can truly savor. With that being said, this book of poetic prose was a joy to read and ponder. Unlike some books which are an exercise in the "Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am" mentality of our instant gratification-based culture, this book gives the reader a window into the lives of 2 damaged people who find themselves engaged in a restorative type of "slow love."

After having watched the movie version of this book, being able to finally take the time to read this book, was a true gift.

Not only was,the story well crafted, but the characters were fully dimensional, as well.

Some may not like the slow and steady pace of the book, but when something this good is being cooked, you have to give it time to let the story unfold.

Oh to be loved like Tom loves Fay,... Now that would truly be sublime.

Giving this one 5 stars.

*** ARC provided by Netgalley.com, in exchange for an honest review***
2357242
Maybe I'm so enamored with it because I'm needing a vacation from life right now.  It's like going to a magickal retreat, but in a book.  I have heard of women's retreats, and there are spas that cost thousands to be pampered for a week, but for those of us wanting to get in touch with our magickal selves, this is the kind of retreat you can afford, especially if you already have a well stocked herb and oil cabinet.  I really do like the
basic premise.
Each day is dedicated to doing things with a magickal intent that are appropriate for that day, Moon-day, Sun-day, etc, such as Wednesday is focused on wisdom and knowledge, and Thursday is focused on good fortune and prosperity.  Friday is about self love and love for all humanity, while Saturday is devoted to tapping into your dark feelings and purging fear, pain, resentments and negativity.  There are exercises to do while waking up, a morning pentacle salute to the sun, and a chakra meditation.  Then each day has some things to do for the day, such as going for a picnic, making an amulet, or cleaning out clutter.  Each day also has affirmations to say, teas to drink, herbs to mix, and a color to wear, like Monday is white or silvery blue, and Thursday is green.  Often, she gives alternatives for the herbs, or incense or teas, and little "tips" are all over the place. There are also simple rituals to perform each day, sometimes more than one. Each evening you are encouraged to take time to read in a magickal book, like Book of Shadows by Phyllis Curott,  before going to bed.  Keeping a
dream journal and notebook are strongly recommended, as are taking pictures of your altars, drawing, etc.
I know most people can't do this in the "ideal" way, but I think it's great to try to pick days and do it just to get a good reconnection of your magickal side.  Ideally, she recommends taking a week off from work during a waxing moon,  getting away from friends and family, basically getting away from your typical mundane life, and being magickal every day, all day.  It
is something you should be doing for yourself, without  interference in your focus.
This sort of thing may not appeal to everybody, and I'm sure not all will agree with what she has chosen to include, or the herbs, or something, but overall I think the idea is solid and wonderful.  The whole book is about taking time to step out of the daily grind, even if for one day, and step in to magick.  It is about taking the time to honor yourself, both personally
and magickally, and reconnecting with the mystical.  The book does have a decidedly feminine perspective, but I think it can be adapted for men without too much effort.
707790
It's like the most romantic book ever I love it ,when I first read it made me feel really exited !