Fun and Stimulating--Loved it!
598263
Not often do you get to have fun and do some light brain excercises at the same time. If you like puzzles, this game will not disappoint you and is appropriate for all ages. What's nice is that the game has a variety of puzzles, but is not repeitive even though they've worked in such a large volume of brain teasers and hidden them all over the city. I only hope and pray that they will make another!
3105875
This book was so much fun for my 5 year old and me.  "Read it again!" He wants more. Reading and hands-on is so much fun!
2510435
We had such a great time poring over the pages of this book. My kids loved reading the lists of animals. The author chose words that make your mouth move in all directions. Some of the animals we certainly hadn't heard of. So fun for me (the parent) to continue to be surprised by new creatures. My kindergartner loved seeing all the words that started with the same letter of the alphabet like she's doing in class. The fun facts at the back are fun and surprising--the kinds of facts with which you can impress the carpool immediately. Little hidden gems hidden throughout have been great to find on subsequent readings, too.

All in all, a wonderful book. I've recommended it to many friends and will continue to do so. Keep it up Mr. Cooper!
2666389
My son (8 yrs. old) and husband have had a blast with this book! It's divided into themes, and each maze in the theme builds on the one before it, which is pretty brilliant. MUCH time and detail invested in each maze, and so much more imaginative than others I've seen (not like the other "Help Fido find his bowl of kibbles" maze books!). Really nice artwork, too. I've bought several to keep on hand for gifts for nephews, my son's friends, etc., and the parents seem to appreciate that it'll exercise their kid's brain (whether the kid knows it or not!) and stretch their imagination a bit. I've also loved that my husband and son have enjoyed working on them together, and without my husband having to lower his I.Q.! He actually enjoys them!
1715507
I really enjoyed this book! I bought it on sale at a whim, and was pleasantly surprised. The magic system is really fun, well explained, and if I was about a decade younger I'd probably have a blast grabbing my sidewalk chalk and pretending to be a rithmatist. I loved the main characters, and the world itself is fascinating -- I'd love to know more about how everything ended up the way it is. Can't wait for the sequel!
2330478
What a fun romp--I love the hare-brained schemes and the irreverent humor. The characters are really engaging. Of course Sicarius, with his sense of distance and mystery, begs following just to catch another glimpse of what lies beneath that unreadable faade, but I also found Books and Akstyr intriguing. The first for his wit and his intelligence as well as loyalty to Amaranthe, and the latter for his quirkiness and the hint of hidden depths. Maldynado, I suspect, hangs around out of curiosity: the adventures he gets into with the Edge are a lark, and how can Amaranthe not be attracted to him? Amaranthe herself is a funny contradiction of terms, alternately determined, fearing to fail, failing, and delighted at turning tables. And Sespian, dear Sespian, might have escaped the first pot he was set to brew in, but he's still in the clutches of adolescent hormones and idealism. Even Hollowcrest fascinated me. I would love to know more of what he was thinking and what influenced his choices.

The "steampunk" setting is delivered with a light hand (which is good, because I would not like to be run over by thundering locomotives). I enjoyed the contrasts between the classes and genders. While I have seen comments that the gender discrimination is excessive, I feel that it fits not only the story itself, but our own historic (and even current) patterns. Standards of our own society now are not global and they are certainly distinct from most of history.

The plot was a wonderful roller-coaster ride of ups and downs, and--much to my delight--it's a good, clean read. I am very much looking forward to reading more of the adventure!
1614483
What a hoot -- this is so much fun! This book has just the perfect mix of hilarity and sexiness. The characters start out funny, and stay funny, but they are well-rounded, and don't stay with the superficial hilarity for long. Each has their own sense of humor, and stands on their own. The sexy playboy prince would seem to be a stereotype, but he is more than he appears to be. Kat is more than the drudge she thinks she is, the money-making machine that keeps her little household going. Minor characters are well-rounded, too. The story moves quickly, and makes sense. It's quirky, and I liked it a lot. I originally got this book out of curiosity -- the author is someone that posts in a writing group I'm also in. But it was totally worth my time, and I will look forward to reading more by her. Such good stuff!
517424
I do love our book club crew - don't get me wrong, we always have some good laughs discussing books BUT nothing like the laughs we had playing Mommy Tonic last night! What I think we all enjoyed most was the flexibility, it is a great conversation card game to be sure -- but I think that sells it short. It really is a "facilitator" of a good time -- it just took our conversations in all kinds of directions. We learned more about each other, opened up, blew off much needed steam and just had a hilarious time. Highly recommend this game - buy it for yourself and play with friends, and keep it on hand as a hostess gift -- that's my plan anyway!
414254
What an entertaining book! I bought it for my 4-year-old nephew and thoroughly enjoyed reading it myself. (I have to confess that it was fun to find the "quirks" on each page!) Mr. Zeltwanger has skillfully written text appealing to kids but with a message to adults as well. He emphasizes more than simply building athletic skills, touching on the need for practice and perseverance. He even encourages both kids and adults to work on only the fundamentals the child is physically capable of and to hold off on others until the child grows. It certainly is refreshing to find a source that highlights the importance of having fun when playing a sport.
1583277
Great fun for all ages; provides many challenges and opens up areas of discussion.  Can't say enough good things about it!
810520
I don't know when I've had more fun reading a book!  I have boundless admiration for Natalie Angier's ability to describe the essential concepts and dazzling details of scientific inquiry in ways that are clear and exciting to read.  Though several reviewers deplored her puns, humor and "style", I found this book exceedingly well-written and entertaining throughout. Angier's intelligence and style communicate a welcome enthusiasm and generosity of spirit, a palpable desire for others to experience the wonder of life as it is. From her appealing descriptions of the minute parts of an atom to the impressive story of the Big Bang and the birth of our solar system, Angier connects everything into an awesome whole --  which is profoundly moving to contemplate.  I can't wait to give this book to someone who is willing to take the time to find out more about the world we live in!
1828585
I loved this book!  It was accessible and fun.  It gave me a lot of uplifting ideas that I could put into practice immediately.  Can't wait for the sequel...
1411482
We played this with my brother-in-law and his wife a month or so ago and we were immediately hooked. My wife asked for it for Christmas and got it and we've played a TON since then. It's really fun to play with any number of people (even 2 player!), but we both think it's especially fun with a big group. We have since gotten many of our friends hooked on it as well. It's a unique game in that it is very thought provoking and challenging, but it's not very complex and doesn't require much explanation. Most anyone should be able to pick it up within a game or so. It's an engaging game that coaxes you to expand your thinking and try to find connections between things you wouldn't normally associate together. A definite 5/5 stars - I would highly recommend.
929922
When I initially agreed to read this book--I truly thought it was going to be another "self-help", "harness your brain's power" book.  I was still interested--as these concepts always intrigue me.  Then--the book wasn't that--and, I absolutely loved it.  Katz introduced us to his gifts of the mind through a fictional, suspenseful story.  This was a wonderful way to challenge our thought processes--and teach something without actually teaching or preaching.

I loved the author's writing style and I loved the character interaction.  Everyone was open to new experiences--and everyone had a curious spark for learning.  This was the perfect setting for this novel.  I couldn't put it down--and I found his perspectives interesting, and perhaps even feasible and reasonable for my own life.

Would I recommend Five Gifts for the Mind by Eran Katz?  I love learning about the mind and the brain's potential.  I love learning even more when I don't feel that I'm back in my college psych or sociology lectures.  This book is perfect for anyone--at any level of education--to consider the gifts and the possibilities of the mind.  The fictional story is interesting, well written and engaging--I had to follow the characters through their quest--and make my own discoveries and realizations along with them.  I loved this book.  While it's not a "self help" book--so to speak--I think the writing style and format makes it so accessible to such a wide audience that it suits its goals perfectly.  If you are interested in the mind and in harnessing its many powers--give this book a read.  The format will surprise you--but, the story will also enlighten you as you go.
3931999
It's curious how the book speaks about people's addiction to a virtual world because I became addicted to reading about that virtual world.  I was so thoroughly entertained by this book that I couldn't put it down...literally.  When I finally reached the last page, I looked over at the sun just beginning to rise on the next day realizing that I was so tired from reading through the night that I was probably going to be a mess for work the next day.  I did manage to make it through the day, and actually had a productive one at that because the book and the pleasure I got from reading it put me into such a good mood, I was energized and ready for anything.  In other words, my enjoyment of this book took on the same elements of enjoyment and stress that the characters experience in the book itself so that I could actually relate to the emotions as well as mental and physical fatigue they had to endure.

The book is thoroughly inventive, fast paced, well reasearched (or an illustration of neuroses - which I have no problem with) and rich in detail and character development such that it makes you care about them and their goals.  The storyline is complex in its depth and even more complex for those of us who actually get all of the quirky nostalgic 80's references.

I was so intrigued by this book that I googled the author and recognized immediately that he was born to write this book.  I just hope that he can equal this first one which has actually managed to make it onto my own "Scoreboard" (for those who have read the book)where I list my all time favorites.  And for an avid reader for over 4 decades, that is saying something.

Bottom line - don't hesitate, just read it and enjoy the journey!  Of course, it helps if you have a little "geek" in you.
3814583
This book was a lot of fun! I greatly enjoyed the characters and felt swept into the journey along with them. It was along the lines of Lord of the Rings or Narnia. The reader is swept into a journey of adventure and binding friendships, with a good level of intensity to keep you intrigued. As a mother of two children (5 & 7), it was nice to read a book obviously written for pre-teen age - but enjoyable enough to keep an adult entertained. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good adventure story, especially someone who enjoys Lord of the Rings, but is not ready for it due to academic level or readiness for the intensity/topic.
2014034
The UNique concept, and the beautiful cards and questions (for the PLAYER to thoughtfully answer from the heart) is particularly suited to our time when re-affirmation and INsight is in a particular period of conflict. I know of very few other gentle triggers within which to find INtuition, INsight, peace and affirmation. One cannot help but respond to the milieu these well-crafted and INspiring tempters make accessible to the INdividual and group. We discover a place of peace and meditation; and, above all, heart-centered fun, creating a warm and receptive time of closeness. Kudos to the Nibley brilliant authoring and the Nibley/Hayes synergistic alliance. We all LOVE the exhilaration of * INquiry's *  stimulation!