Delightful hunt for a true treasure
586040
We go back to life in Icicle Falls for this adventure, which rockets back and forth in time, including letters from the recently-deceased Justine. Colin Wright and Mia Blair were childhood friends who became sweethearts, only to misunderstand each other after Mia went away to college. Other misunderstandings also exist, which serve to prevent them for talking through their feelings and thus getting back together in the ten years each has avoided going home again.  Colin is in Seattle and Mia in Chicago, but both their hearts are elsewhere.

Justine creates a treasure hunt for the two of them to discover what each really wants in the course of learning what she has willed them. Although I suspected what the final "treasure" would be, how their search plays out is skillfully woven through a story that is well worth following to its inevitable end. Well done, Sheila Roberts!
634744
The pictures and story in this book are a real treasure.  Jan Brett breaths new life into the "goldilocks" story.  Truly delightful.  I could study the pictures for hours and still be awed by them.  Buy it!
3815492
The Red Canoe is a great read! especially with its presentation arousing imaginative stirrings upon the Shenandoah River, a place I have visited often including the surrounding landmarks that bind the reader to the book and to the magical thoughts of hunting treasure. I was captivated to solve the mystery from the first chapter as the author delights his audience with twists and turns that lead you on. The book offers two treasures: the first is in the plot to find what is beneath the surface, the second is the book itself. What a great find.
4143358
Really pleasant. Depicted lost treasure in today's society; integrity, respect and values. Humor was pleasantly laced throughout. Enjoyable and inspirational.
3023982
A treasure hunt, excellent historical references, and a finely woven tale from one of my favorite authors. Thanks for another excellent book, Steve.
3240485
This is one story which I had seen on PBS, which inspired me to read the original. What a treasure lay waiting in my bookcase!
I found that all Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael books are "Excellent Mysteries", even if I occasionally question her private brand of clerical or secular justice.  But the literary gems of extreme value are those five novels which enhance our understanding of the protagonist's character.  An additional bonus to the delectable mysteries themselves with their  beautifully landscaped setting of England or Wales is our introduction to medieval customs and monastic ritual.
  I promise to be careful not to give anything away which might diminish the reader's enjoyment of future novels in the series (20, plus a prequel book of 3 short tales).  My favorites are #1, where we realize the importance of Cafael's devotion to his Saint Winifrid, also Welsh. Next comes #2 because we have the wonderful relationship with Hugh Beringar, his friend and fellow sleuth--no matter which of the warring cousins they seem to serve: King Stephen or Empress Maud.  My last 3 favorites are those novels which reveal Cadfael's gradual relationship with Olivier--no hints or spoilers.  Thus the unlikely hero who has retired from the world to pursue a life of inner peace within the cloister becomes increasingly more human; he earns our sympathy, respect and love.
  Forget the clever plot on this one--for it is the unique and fascinating countredance of personalities that makes this novel precious. Each side in the battle for the kingdom is distrustful, trying to outmaneuver the other.  Readers must decide for themselves who gains the most, who loses the most and who has the last laugh. Brother Cadfael certainly enjoys great freedom of movement--missing many masses and daily offices in purusit of justice--thanks to the old Abbot's pious nature and shunning of secular matters. Ellis Peters offers us much more than mystery artfully blended with medieval history; she presents great insight into the human heart and mind. Savor each novel and Brother Cadfeal will surely become your favorite herbalist-detective.
634238
A few years ago, I attended an exhibition of Chinese sculpture from the Sackler Collection at Columbia University. The carvings on gravestones done from 300 AD to 600 AD fascinated me. I bought the book Treasures Rediscovered by Leopold Swergold. I enjoyed it so much not only because of the knowledge displayed by the author but also because of his passion.

The passion for Chinese Buddhist gilt bronzes from the Wei to the Tang Dynasties (386-907 AD) comes through again in Thoughts on Chinese Gilt Bronzes. The icons in the book which are part of the Winthrop Collection at Harvard University as well as some from the Swergold Collection are lavishly illustrated. There are thirty illustrations.

Better yet, the book is organized historically. I came away with an understanding of the place in art history that these beautiful pieces hold. I know that the book will make my visits to museums with Chinese art and my forthcoming trip to China more enriching. The book is small, but mighty. I read it in one day and one morning.
For anyone interested in Chinese sculpture and about to visit China, Swergold's book is an investment that will reap valuable rewards.
4585105
Images from this book will echo in your memory. Symbolism and characters not so much.
It is alot like finding a fabulous old tea set at the flea market. The discovery is so much fun, you forgive the fact there are a couple of chips in the saucer.
May you enjoy the nun swimming to the rescue as much as I did.
3957860
Lisa See has done it again! Reading her delightful stories transports me to a wonderous mysterious land filled with family secrets and tales to be shared. This book delights the reader (me) to a decade when societies evolve and grow along with the lives of its people involved. The book is the sequel to continue the adventures of two sisters, an artist from their past and families memembers discovered along the way in now what is known as communist China. There are many twists and turns that takes you through the lives and countryside scenery of that era. I highly recommend this extraordinary read, treasure the moments shared by Lisa See and the reader. I could not savour this story enough! It held my interest right up to the very last word. I look forward to more beautifully written books by Ms. See. She is a true treasure!
3748963
I checked this out from our local library the other day and it turned out to be a serendipitous find. I've read some of Didion's work previously of which _The Year of the Magical Thinking_ was the most recent.

This compilation was actually fun to read. My favourite pieces were the ones that focused on California or Southern California, respectively. She is a gifted storyteller.

I couldn't help but feel a keen sense of sadness for her with the noted timeline of her life (and historical moments, too). She lost both her parents, then her spouse and two years later her daughter.

I would suggest this book to others. It's a real treasure.
2998216
Charlotte Louise Dolan is a true buried treasure.  I've been very impressed with her books with their beautifully crafted prose, engaging characters and clever plots.  Reviewer Cilla summed up the plot but please let me add to it by saying that the opening chapter was one of the best I've read in a long time.  It is a clever send up of the machinations of village life, the class divide and loyalties, gossip, innuendo and brilliant character sketches of some of the secondary characters who drive the story.

I truly enjoyed Miss Hemsworth who is not all that she seems although she is not easily over looked due to her statuesque height.  We have an insanely silly dastard of a villain and a set of twins who are well able to hold their own as characters, several interesting servants, a side story or two, a kidnapping and a hero who arrives on the scene ready for a huge change in his life.  Up until now he has travelled the world, trying to outrun his unhappy early life but now he is ready to settle down despite himself.

There is funny, engaging dialogue, good narrative description and a believable story line with a H/H who behave themselves in a manner suited to the timeframe.  Sprinkled throughout the story are some funny events and amusing scenarios that reminded me of one of my DIK writers, the always brilliant Barbara Metzger.

This is worth seeking out and, most delightful of all, it has a follow-on story, The Black Widow.  I am now starting it and look forward to meeting the characters from this book once more.  Highly recommended to fans of the truly traditional regency.
1278580
Ready for an intriguing treasure hunt? This is your book!

It begins with the discovery of a 400 year old diary - that needs to be translated, and sadly ends with the diarys writer at deaths door. The adventures of that diarys' translator fill this story with hope, intrigue, excitment and danger. Along the way the writer of the diary becomes a favored character in the story.

My understanding is that the place is factual - the premise of the story factual - but this rendition is fiction. Great job of one authors translation of the story.
773291
There were aspects of The Discovery I really liked. The joy Michael and Jenn feel upon becoming really well-to-do overnight was very authentic. I appreciated that an author could and would acknowledge that even in the midst of sadness we can feel joy and happiness when we realize that our loved ones provided for us both in life and death.

I also loved the story within a story aspect of the book. We don't follow Michael for the entire text, instead we delve into an older world you may not expect if you don't read the entire book jacket. I won't spoil it for you, but suffice it to say, I was delighted with it because it is a time period I enjoy reading about and this copy provided a real twist to the usual stories I come in contact with.

I must give Revell serious props for actually going to the bother (though it probably isn't as much of a bother now as it would have been in the past) of highlighting the story within a story pages with a border that differentiates them from the present time. It was a lot handier than the usual italics for dates at the beginning of the chapter in terms of keeping a reference point while reading.

Anyone looking for an adventure story with a really sweet romance tied up in it couldn't go wrong with The Discovery
640889
The original, "A Treasure's Trove" book, was a fun treasure hunting experience for our family.  The solution book gave us great insight to clues we may have overlooked.  We are looking forward to the next book:  "The Alchemist's Dar".  What a wonderful concept written by a very talented author.
4219993
This book is a little treasure from my favorite modern fantasy writer Neil Gaiman and a wonderfully talented artist Eddie Campbell. The actual story is derived from folk tales and legends from the Inner and Outer Hebrides that Gaiman found while visitng the Isles of Skye. It is a story of love, murder and revenge that is spun out against the cold and murky background of the Hebrides. The hero, if he is indeed such, is a dwarf with hidden strength and talents and the possible villian is a man who is but an empty shell full of hidden meaning. Our protaganist seeks gold, or perhaps the gold of resolution to a wrong perceived or real. The art matches the storyline and perfectly matches the haunted feelings portrayed in words. Beautiful.
2843637
This treasure hunt book contains many interesting facts and a believable scenario explaining the treasure's location.  I recommend it highly.
969493
What a wonderful find! The real-life adventures of women travelers  spanning the past 300 years. Brave, joyful women who carried the same  adventurous spirits in their souls as I do when I travel (real or  armchair). Soul-mates found across the generations! I have always enjoyed  reading letters and diaries of women but this is an extra special  collection. I look forward to reading Jane Robinson's next work.