This is the best present you could give your newlywed friends!!
It is funny, charming and teaches valueable lessons on communicating and exploring with your new soulmate. I would even recommend it for those who wish to strenghen a long term relationship. Its the best [money] you will ever spend!!!

This book was quite possibly one of the funniest things I have read in a long time! The author, Dominick Miserandino, is a very wise newlywed--it's much easier to be married while traveling to different places instead of hearing the wife nagging to take out the trash! They did travel to many different places, almost as an extension of the Honeymoon this first year. It also offered a good perspective on travel stories, which at times can be bland and boring. I can't wait to see the next installment--maybe How to Raise Kids While on the Road????

I bought 3 copies of this book for friend's of mine getting married. Beyond they travel story aspect, it tells about marriage and relationships from the perspective of the guy.

In Water from the Well, six short stories coil together, nestled in the spiral of a century of Southern history. On one level these could be the stories of any small town: the bit characters are universal-gossip mongers who know (or think they know) just about everything about each other. But on another level, these characters are uniquely Arkansan and their struggles pinned in place and time to the three generations who inherited the chaos and eventual resettling of the post-slavery era.

"Red Sky at Night," is the story of a baseball game between the white men of Sugars Springs and the black men of Bethel. This story, set in 1905 serves as an introduction both to the characters and the tensions of the novel. "Red Sky at Dawn" is set a year later, and introduces the element of chaos in the form of a tornado that hits the town without warning. "Ransom Passing" explores the personal history of one ex-slave and then moves forward in time to his grandson's life. "Baby, Leaving," and "The Choosing of Little Jewel" demonstrate gender tensions among families of both races. Finally, "The Salvation of Cora Emery McRae" highlights religion's role in the South.

Although the language is unmistakably Arkansan, Myra McLarey's voice is more fluid than the traditional women writers of the south. Think Alice Hoffman rather than Eudora Welty or Flannery O'Connor. While the depth of the characters and the vividly-painted context make this book a worthwhile read, it is the lyrical prose which makes it unforgettable.

In Water from the Well Myra McLarey reveals the soul and spirit of a racially divided community in Arkansas early 1900's. Through the stories of its inhabitants she explores the various ways in which religion, race, legend, community and personal relationships act to both keep the races apart-and at the same time binds them together. She shows how the character, soul and spirit of a place can transcend the various forces at work to shape it. In the end one realizes that the story is in fact not really about anyplace in Arkansas but a place we all "know"--that mystical, ideal, imaginary place called home.

McLarey's style and craftsmanship is very reminiscent of that of Barbara Kingslover. It's a pity her work is not nearly so well known or recognized.

Water from the Well ranks as one of the two or three best books I've read in the last decade. I highly recommend it.

Lyrical and Haunting, McLarey's insight into all walks of life creates a book as rich in flavor as the South itself. McLarey explores the spiritual realities of a wide-spectrum of characters in a deeply touching and respectful way.

A very fun story. There are a lot of memories here that are shared and there's even a little bit of information that some of the family members try not to share. What a unique story.....moving a house because of a last request from a father who has passed away. Truely a fun, quick, unique read. Read this book, it's intriguing as well as fun and will give you a lift.

This novel had me intrigued at page one. The entire concept of moving a house, moving a memory, moving a life resonated throughout the novel. It is a journey, one that the reader feels a part of, one that the reader cares about. Mira, Kat, Ray, Wesley, all visable characters. And the house, it has a life of its own, filled with happy and sorrowful memories. Fleming shows that houses are not just objects, but homes, for good or bad, they are homes. A great read.

Moving Lila is a fresh and engaging novel that manages to be simultaneously moving, funny, and thoughtful. A wonderful read, enjoyable on every page.

I can't say how many political biographies/autobiographies I've read (suffice to say, a lot!), but a few years ago I grew tired of the genre. All too often, these books contain a lot of smug congratulatory prose, assuring the reader that politician X's impact on the nation was unsurpassed.

Not so with Bumpers' book. I was instantly struck by the genuine humility of the author. Bumpers speaks from the heart, and in a very personable manner (I often felt that he was relating this whole memoir to me personally over a cup of coffee). Furthermore, his memoir does not just focus on his political career.

The first half of the book covers Bumpers life before politics. Weaving together dozens of personal anecdotes, Bumpers takes the reader through life in a small Arkansas town in the depression era. These stories are heart-wrenching, and yet often humorous. Naturally, Bumpers ties these sad tales into his liberal, welfare-state political views. And yet, he's neither preachy nor overbearing. Readers may or may not agree with Bumpers' politics; but they cannot deny his sincerity.

The chapters directly relating to Bumpers' political career offer a brief yet fascinating look at recent Arkansas history. One learns of the state's tough progression away from segregation and of two less than stellar governors, Orval Faubus and Winthrop Rockefeller. No doubt Bumpers is a little biased here (since he ran against both of them), but he does not denigrate them (or anyone else) for having different views than him.

The last chapters briefly discuss Bumpers' 24 year Senate career; and end, appropriately, with his eloquent defense of President Clinton during the impeachment trial. This speech doesn't read as well as it was spoken, says Bumpers; but it reads pretty well at that! I was too sickened by the whole charade to watch any of the impeachment trial at the time. So Bumpers speech was new for me and only reinforced my beliefs on the issue.

All in all, Bumpers book is witty, mostly light-hearted and never boring. Whether you're looking for a brief look at life in the south during the depression or want to know more about this fascinating man, pick it up.

Almost the entire first half of this bio deals with Bumpers youth in Depression-era rural Arkansas. Written in a graceful and page tuning style it captures the essence of a different time and space in our country's history.
I would rank it right up there with Russell Bakers GROWING UP.

Dale Bumpers is 10 tears older than I, but given that rural Arkansas small town life was similar from the turn of the century until about to mid 1950s, our boyhood experiences were not disimilar. Bumpers tells his story anecdotally, the way he speaks. It is written with a sharp wit, frequently pointed at himself. It is intelligent, articulate and exactly what one would expect from one of, if not the very best of this nation's senators in the second half of the 20th century. Bumpers was always honest, usually truthful - always hard for a lawyer :-) - and always respectful in his dealing with his constituents. Bumpers, like his predessor, William Fulbright, never suffered fools lightly, and given that he was surrounded by them toward the end of his senate career, it is easy to see why he ended his senate career as a relatively young man - by senate standards. Bumpers never directly answers a question that many who followed his career always wondered about - why did he never run for president? - given that he would have been an exceptionally attractive democratic candidate. One hint he gives us is that he never enjoyed being governor. He always said that one reason he didn't run at one propituous time was that he had a bad knee. However, given the fact that his greatest political model, FDR, who had consumed American politics during his formative years and who he once saw on a presidential trip through Arkansas, (...couldn't even walk" which is a paraphrase of the name of one of his chapters) was handicapped to a far greater extent, it seems odd that a man of Bumper's physical and moral courage never made the race. It may have been that he was unwilling to spend the time and make the moral compromises necessary to raise the obscene amonts of money necesary to make a legitimate bid for a major party nomination, or he may have been put off by the vicious nature of presidential campaigning that developed during the last 20 years, or it may have been that he just refused to put his family under the national media spotlight in which every flaw and weakness is exploited by a modern press following the orders of an every decreasing number of usually right wing owners, producers and publishers. Whatever the reason, the nation lost a master politician who might have changed to course of history. This is his story in his words. A wonderful read. wfh

For those of us born in the late '30s and early '40s, Larance has magically rekindled a time that while not free from complication and struggle, certainly was more secure in many aspects. It centered around family, work and church, and an often unspoken but universally applied set of values -- love, charity, honesty and integrity.

This cocoon of safety provides a perfect foil for the natural curiosity of the young boys looking for adventure as a part of their initiation into manhood, and Larance captures this environment with warmth, humor, and generosity toward the characters described.

The social tensions of racial relations in Arkansas and elsewhere had yet to erupt, and Larance treats them fairly from the eyes of a child, alluding to both the coming storm and his bewilderment.

The setting may be Arkansas, but Larance aptly described my childhood in a western suburb of Chicago. In it, and perhaps characteristic of communities nationwide during that era, neighborhoods reigned and everyone was your parent, doors were left unlocked, people shared their bounty, money was tight but poverty was negligible.

It would be a shame to characterize Miss Myrtle's Boy as only a regional memoir. In truth, in addition to heartwarming episodes of a child's coming of age, in a larger sense, and without preaching or nostalgia for an age gone by, Larance instructs young and old alike on the values that are the great promise of America -- perhaps somewhat out of focus now, but worthy of redemption.

Stylistically, Larance speaks to us directly, clearly, intelligently, with charm and understated humor -- in a way we're sneaking a peek at his diary. Miss Myrtle's Boy is an excellent read that will leave you smiling and musing on your own life look after you've finished it.

"Miss Myrtle's Boy" is a story elegant in its simplicity. It serves as a good reminder of the importance of the journey over the destination, and of what's special about everything in life that is ordinary. If you like the style of Mildred Walker's books, taking us back to a time and place we all know a bit of -- where values endure, common sense rules, and land shapes the people -- then you'll love "Miss Myrtle's Boy." Its lessons are timeless. Charles L. Larance has delivered a delicious bedtime read, as effective as cocoa and a slice of pie to ensure sweet dreams (but with none of the calories)!

"Miss Myrtle's Boy" is a series of vignettes about growing up and coming-of-age in an idyllic small-town Arkansas community in the 1940s and '50s. If you are a male in, approaching, (or exceeding) mid-life and you want a quick nostalgic escape back to your youth--no matter where you grew up or what your family circumstance-- this book IS for you. I grew up in a large city in the Northeast, the product of a divorced home and still virtually every chapter "pinged" me and brought me "home" again. The simplicity, the reality and the honesty will touch you. And this book isn't just for men in their 50s. If you are married to one, or you are the child of one and you want to better understand where he came from, read the book. If you still have an appreciation for the American values of the 1950s, read the book. If you feel stressed out by the pace and pressure of of the world around you as we rush into the next millenium and you want to slow down a bit, read the book. It would be very easy to read this book in "bite-size" pieces whenever you have a few minutes, since each chapter is a story unto itself. But, if you're anything like me, once you enter the world of "Miss Myrtle's Boy," you'll want to linger a while longer. If you'll soon be getting on a plane for a business trip, or if you're headed for vacation, or if you're able to take a "time-out" at home on an evening or weekend, do yourself a favor and pick up "Miss Myrtle's Boy." You will be glad that you did!

I am an Arkansans who has recently started quilting and I have learned several of the patterns. I have started my own yo-yo quilt. I love the quilts featured in this book. One of my favorites is plate 13.

A Piece Of My Soul: Quilts By Black Arkansans showcases more than seventy-five individual pieces of patchwork quilt art in full-color photography. Each is accompanied by Cuesta Benberry's informative commentary as she details the importance of quilting to black Arkansas and the extensive holdings of African American quilts in the Old State House Museum in Little Rock, Arkansas. Enthusiastically recommended reading for students of Black History, southern popular culture, and the needlecraft arts, A Piece Of My Soul explains the quilt's uses, materials, and construction, as well as what each piece featured says about the needlecraft artist and her beliefs.

Cuesta Benberry has been a well-respected and internationally known quilt curator and historian for many years. With this book, she again "raises the bar" for those who research and wish to preserve the history of American quilt making. For many years, the dominant critical voices ignored the full range of quilt making by Black quiltmakers of the past. Ms. Benberry now has written and published a thoroughly documented and exciting work that clearly documents that Black quilters were part of the mainstream--not an exotic offshoot. In fact, one could argue that it is just as likely that some of the traditional patterns might have been invented by Black quilters--as easily as we assume that all the patterns were Euro-American inventions!

The State Museum of Arkansas, whose collection she is documenting, is to be congratulated for their support. Most importantly, her book can be used to challenge other state museums, regional quilt collections and national museums to seriously track, document and collect a full range of all types of quilts by Black quilters from the 19th and early 20th century--before this powerful and important legacy is lost forever. As a contemporary Balck artquilter, I am so grateful to Ms. Benberry for her continuing work! This book belongs on the shelf of anyone interested in the history of American and African American quilt making.

I completely agree with the other reviewers. This is the most fascinating book I've ever read. Mr. Harington is an unsung genius. He should be picked by Oprah and then he might get the kudos he richly deserves. His writing is so beautiful, stories so imaginative,etc. etc. etc. Hard to believe one person could write so well.

There are two subjects that particularly fascinate. One is "things para-normal" and the other is "sexuality." Harington's book explores both with such stunning originality and skill that I can hardly finish the book!

Let me explain. Usually when I'm reading I will dog-ear a page that I know I will want to return to some day. In this case, I have marked so many pages and individualy sections--even sentences--and I continue to return to many of them so frequently, that after three months I still haven't finished it! Oh, yes, I have actually read all the pages, including the last, but there remains so much wonder in this story and the telling of it that I really can't (if you'll excuse the cliche) put it down.

I cannot imagine how, or from what source, the author received his inspiration or research for this book. And how can he know that much about what goes on inside the human head, whether it be the characters' heads or our own?

I don't want to overdo it, and I know nothing else about the author except the fact of this book, but I am in awe of his insights and ability to express them in this way. The title, alone, is absolutely brilliant!

My favorite ghost story is SOME OTHER PLACE, THE RIGHT PLACE. It is sexy, funny, sad, and wise. The story is about a college girl who happens reads a newspaper story about high school boy who, under hypnosis, has been channeling a ghost -- the ghost of her grandfather! She and the boy begin an odyssey, visiting all the ghost towns where the ghost used to live. Naturally the boy falls in love with the girl -- but she falls in love with the ghost who emerges in the boy when he is under hypnosis, so this becomes one strange love triangle. This book and THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE ARKANSAS OZARKS by the same author are the two books I most often give away to my friends.

This is the tender story of a mature woman who is very much alone and of her struggle to learn to accept the proffered love of the endearing cast of characters around her. The well paced plot zips along with several contrasting lines of development (including the threat of an approaching tornado) which hold the reader's interest from start to finish. The author has a masterful command of language and it is a joy to read the work of this articulate storyteller.

Miss Etta's Arkansas Spring is a beautiful story. Anyone interested in Southern culture or music would enjoy this book. Dr. Imbragulio captures the true spirit of the smalltown music teacher in his wonderful character development. The greater themes of aloneness and terror are also explored. His descriptions of the piano students, teachers and friends of Miss Etta's are remarkable. This book reminded me of some of the extended short stories of Eudora Welty in the way the tension builds throughout the work and the wonderful use of the language. I will not soon forget Miss Etta and highly recommend this moving book.

This is a delightful book for anyone who loves life and loves to read. It is a moving story of a lonely piano teacher and the struggles she faces in her life. The author's descriptions of the characters and their diverse personalities are so typical of real life, that it seemed to me I had met some of them before. One of the main characters resembled a professor I had in college. The life-changing circumstances of the book and the way in which it is presented make this book a winner in my opinion!

I think this series is improving with every book

. . .I agree with previous reviewer. Sam was NOT dumped. She was scared to make a commitment and Harry decided to move on after she told him she couldn't commit. Did she expect him to just stick around like a puppy dog until SHE decides when and if she can be serious about him?

There is plenty for her to see and do, with or without Harry. A big fancy wedding to attend, a murder to solve, a man with shady connections to flirt with, and, no doubt, some Pepsi to drink. Some of it gets wrapped up this time. . .but there's a "cliff-hanger" ending and as it turns out, Sarah Shankman made her fans wait twice as long as usual for the next book in the series while she worked on and released "I Miss My Man But My Aim Is Getting Better," wherein the best part of the book was the title. Once you've finished "He Was Her Man" just skip "I Miss My Man" and go straight to "Digging Up Momma."

First of all, let's set the record straight. Sam did NOT get dumped. Her boyfriend pressed her for a commitment. She didn't want to make one. His response was to give her space. What else could the guy do? Stalk her like Leroy does Shelby Kay in "I Still Miss My Man, but My Aim is Getting Better?" I mean, what do you people want??? There. I feel better now. The Samantha series has gotten better and better with each installment. This is the best of the bunch. When's the next one coming out, already???

Jim Morgan gets most (but not all) of his facts straight, approaching his subjects with an affecting blend of humor, compassion, and both human and architectural insights. IF THESE WALLS HAD EARS: THE BIOGRAPHY OF A HOUSE offers up eight families' worth of bittersweet reminiscences, ruminations and recriminations comingled with the author's own personal reflections on this whale of a house. Portions of the book are uneven and a bit awkward as Morgan transitions between the families' and his own perceptions and his narration. But overall, it's an interesting and enjoyable read which should resonate truly with anyone who has ever experienced the mixed blessings of home ownership -- or found themselves haplessly ensnared by a four-walled moneypit.

Ed and Sheri Kramer: Chapter Ten

A house is an aggregate relic of all the people who have lived there, recording their improvements or their neglect. The author writes an interesting chronicle of the house's former inhabitants. It's disconcerting to reflect upon the fact that others owned our home before us, and we will leave it to others when we're gone. It's a reminder of how temporary our lives are, in our few hours upon the stage. Each generation, with all its hubris, is only a chapter, or a few pages, within the book of life.

Morgan has done here what every old house owner has dreamed of doing: answering the question "what history occurred here before we arrived?" In telling the rich stories of the people who preceded him as owners of this particular Craftsman bungalow in one old neighborhood of a single city, he spins a wonderful tale of our nations's history as well.