This book is amazing, but you can't read it on the fly
584176
This book is amazing, but you can't read it on the fly! You have to sit down, make the time out, and engage in the exercises thoughtfully. Michele is a great writer of plain English, and her advice is brilliant- the kind of stuff most of us learn too late. I have already started implementing some of her recommendations. I would recommend getting a hard copy, actually, so you can take notes and keep this top of mind!
313398
The Count of Monte Cristo is one of the best books I've ever read - and I'm not much of a "classic lit" person. The unabridged version looks intimidating but it's an "easy read." Every word was so gripping that I flew through this in days. The story evoked emotions similar to watching a thriller movie. There were numerous "edge of your seat" moments for me.

The Robin Buss translation is wonderful and very easy to read. However, the only thing I don't like about this is the binding. The cardstock paper for the cover is very stiff and it seems impossible to not permanently bend it out of shape once you open the book. It also seems impossible to not get ugly white cracks down the spine. I'm disappointed that Penguin didn't publish the paperback out of sturdier material like the Modern Library books.

Other than that, I think this is one of the greatest novels I've ever read. My hope is that Penguin will republish this as part of their clothbound series.
421694
An astounding book and the convenience of having it on a device (my phone) so I can jump in when I have a few minutes is terrific. Some will be put off by the language. It's archaic, but I find that this provides texture and weight. If you're not familiar with this language style, however, there is some risk of misunderstanding. Even so, it's a great read and explicates Christian theology very well.
4866968
I found nearly everything about this book amazing except for the not so minor detail that the characters do so many things the hardest way possible. For example, let's say a rogue time traveler ("clocker") decided to change history by traveling back in time to change the outcome of a key battle in a war, and that you've decided that you need to fix history by undoing that. Would you: (a) travel back to the very dangerous active war zone where that battle takes place and where large numbers of soldiers from both sides and the rogue clocker and his team consider you the enemy; or (b) travel back to just before the rogue clocker travels back in time and waylay him to prevent him from even being at the battle scene? Okay, so let's say you unbelievably foolishly pick (a) (as Saira and her gang does) and during a skirmish someone's about to slit your throat and tells you they're going to rape your dead body but fortunately, you get the upper hand at the last second, would you: (c) let him go so he can try to kill you again in a few hours; or (d) kill him or at least give him grievous enough injuries to ensure he doesn't come back at you later? Saira chooses (c). If you chose (a) above and someone important to your team died during the operation, wouldn't you then at least then consider approach (b) to try and rectify the situation so that he's no longer dead? And on and on and on.

Saira can travel from any place and time to any place and time that she can picture. This is a tremendously powerful ability that allows for a lot of "do-overs" and to fix problems with no muss, no fuss. But over and over again, Saira and team pick the maximum muss, fearsome fuss approach to everything. That makes for a lot of excitement and plot tension, but it also leaves this reader shaking his head in bemusement at the characters sheer stupidity.

Given the five star reviews piling up, apparently nobody else is much bothered by the rampant stupidity of the characters, and other than that, it is a very, very good book.
2583914
I wish it had better app options, such as read out loud. or at least to let me copy the book into a program that can read it out loud. The book as material is an amazing history book. I love reading it, but the experience it could have been much easier.
Sometimes when I am very busy I like to have my kindle read the books to me when I drive, double dose of reading, better learning of material. You guys should put this in the descriptions (The book does not have the option to be text to speech) - that's the reason for the 4 starts
3516040
This book is hysterical. Mary Roach is hands-down one of the best authors for a fun, interesting read. Because this book and author are so great I want to share this book with my family and friends. However, lending IS NOT enabled for this book. This is a major, MAJOR con for Kindle and Kindle Apps. Dear Amazon, I don't purchase books or films or random other things from anywhere else but you. Tell me, how long do I have to wait? I'm more than ready to move fully into the digital world but this very issue consistently stops me in my tracks.

This book without question deserves 5 stars. Unfortunately, I'm forced to give it only 4 thanks to its inability to be shared digitally with others. Sometimes Kindle.... you just suck major balls.
2874930
This is an amazing book with exceptionally developed characters, descriptions and storyline. It was a little difficult to follow with the switching back and forth in time; therefore, I urge the reader to have a physical copy of the book as well as audio and/or Kindle book.
2879475
This is an amazing book that deserves to be read. I believe it is one of the most significant pieces of literature of the last decade. Having said that, the author's writing style takes a little time to get used to, and the first few chapters have you wondering where it's all headed. I gifted the book to my 25 year old son and he indicated that he was struggling to get into it and wasn't sure he could finish it. I made him persevere and he was so glad I did - he felt the whole story was incredibly moving and one that would stay with him always.
I cannot recommend the book highly enough.
3433901
Too many words to describe how Extraordinary this book is.
1683383
This is a great book and really makes you look at your life and what you eat. I got so excited I got the cookbook as well! Downside is it is not an easy read.. I could only handle a couple pages at a time because it was so technical.
3773843
When you read the first chapter you'll not be able to put it down - an incredible story that stymies the imagination!
4465233
I bought this book in the audible version. The narrator is amazing and manage to give texture to both the story and the characters.
The story itself is brilliant and suspence is there from the fist to the last page, making impossible to envision the outcome (which I will not tell here, no). It truly grabs you, and it is difficult to put it down. As one reviewer remarked, it is possible to "see" the King style (and good and familiar to plunge in it) tinted by new and unexpected "nuances". Great team!!
The only drawback of the Audible version is the great nument of characters which, at least at the beginning, make it harder to properly follow the story. Maybe, next time, why not include a digital glossary to the Audible version? :-)
1866092
This is my favorite book of all time, so I had to give it five stars. That said, I was disappointed to realize after purchasing it that I can't read it on my Kindle Classic! I didn't know that before purchasing. If I had, I probably wouldn't have bought it. It does work on my iPad, though, and is as wonderful, moving, and though provoking as ever. If you've never read the book before, please buy this. Just please make sure it's compatible with your device before purchasing!
4157732
After reading this book, it is almost hard to comprehend that this was a TRANSLATION.  The writing is absolutely brilliant, beautiful. and creates a spellbinding story.  I loved reading this book, and will read it again.  The follow up book, though, was disappointing.
2534434
VERY difficult for me to review this one.
I was shocked when I arrived at the final page, as it seemed like wed just been faced with a whole new batch of questions that hadnt been answered, to be added to all the previous unanswered questions. However the book is so exquisitely written, it is impossible to give it less than 4 stars.

In a nutshell its about the narrator and his brother, and the religious pilgrimage their mother brings them on in hopes of curing Andrews mutism. Its definitely a work of literature, and if I had read this in college I would have been all over Esther Smith, the hyper-religious mother. Intriguing symbolism, religious and otherwise, is rampant throughout the book. I think a reader probably needs a very slow and careful reading, if not multiple readings, in order to get everything out of the experience.

It is dark and creepy, with terrifying moments that never come to anything. I loved reading the book, even though I kept waiting for something to happen. It is very carefully written so as the whole experience of reading it is just being on the edge of your seat, waiting for the bogeyman to pop out from behind a tree. You are convinced, at every point in the book, that this is when The Horrible Thing is going to happen.

Does it ever happen? Youll have to read it and see. Obviously there are a lot of questions left when its over, but that appears to be the point. What exactly did happen? One reader may believe one thing, another reader might believe something different. Its less about unanswered questions than it is about interpretation and beliefs.

I almost wish I had read this in college, so Id be forced to take the time to pick apart this book and the characters and really delve deep into the symbolism. Yes, at the last page I was pretty mad at the book, but in the end its really a piece of art.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. I struggle between 4 and 5 stars, but there were questions left about the narrator that I am too upset about not being answered.
1525521
This book is such a great book its filled with  imagination and  creativity I don't know how the people made such an amazing book. I have always been a fan of The Little Mermaid movies and books.  So just read this book. I just would like it if people would buy this book. This book is amazing. But the only issue is that the text to speech can't pronounce some of the words and names right, but other than that this book is one of the best books I've ever read in my entire life. So please don't make the mistake of not buying this book. Have a nice day :D
2848691
I started reading it on Wattpad, and I'd read a few dozen chapters before I realized you had to buy it to know what happened; but by that time you could only buy it as an eBook, and if I was first gonna buy it, i wanted it as a physical book. So I stopped reading it in May, and i guess I kind of forgot about it, until I saw it in my library and went on amazon and checked right after Christmas, and there it was: with a beautiful cover and in paperback!
So after nagging my mom for a few months we finally got around to buying it in February, and I've been reading it non-stop all day.
It is absolutely A-MAZING! It is a page turner, and an emotional rollercoaster. You fall for the characters like nobody's business, and if anyone crosses them or does them wrong, you want to punch them in the face.
I believe Alana Henry wants her readers so love and fight for her characters just like she does, and she has no problems getting you there. She has an enviously ability to captivate you with her words, in a way that times looses it length. You look at the time and it 3:15 next time you look: ten minutes later, it's 4:11. This I believe, can only be done by someone who is meant to write books. And I cannot wait to see what she will do next.