This book shows how Gilman was truly thinking during her times of her youth to her death. She speaks in her own words which makes it great for researching for term papers. I used this book last Fall to research a paper I was doing for Art of Literature class at College. It helped me trememdously and I think it will help others who read it to learn or read it to do research of her life in a paper for school. It is definitley an A+ in my book of books on Gilman's life.

Young Mrs. Rhys looking for a washstand encounters an accident with a truck on lonely road and ends up stranded with culprits thinking she's dead. Inspector Rhys hunts for the suspects while keeping Jenny out of harms way at her brother and one coincidence leads to another.

Charlotte Zolotow's words and Garth Williams' dreamy ink and wash drawings evoke the poetic world of a little girl, as she imagines all the things she'll do for her baby brother, whom she adores. The simplicity and grace of this book makes it unique. They don't make 'em like this anymore

I am taking a chance that this is a book I read when a child, in the 40s. Or perhaps there was another book with the same title, about a young girl of noble family whose marriage to a prince who lives in a castle atop a high mountain and whom she has never met. The book opens with her journey up the mountain, in fear and trepidation.

This book has plenty of intrigue and suspense when poison innocently labeled as olive oil goes astray. But it's also a life-affirming romp with an assortment of delightful characters whom you love enough to return to time and again. A celebration of life and of individuality.

A near death experience changed his life...And Jared Slater vanished into the North Carolina mountains. Living in an isolated cabin, he told no one about the terrifying dreams of a killer stalking women. Or that those dreams had turned to nightmares because they were coming true. Jared even knew the next victim would be a woman named Tyler Harris. But when the lady actually walked into his life, she warmed him body and soul. Somehow, he had to tell her the truth. But could he force himself to reject the only woman he could ever love-in order to keep her out of danger?

I loved the characters and setting of this book, and imagined that I was on the trip with them, so great is the author's ability to set a scene and populate it with fascinating people that you would like to meet. Joanna James is a highly successful world-traveling photojournalist who is assigned to ride the Orient Express and spend 5 days at the sumptuous Cipriani Hotel in Venice. The trip commences in London, where her solitary existence is disturbed by a passionate fling with a casual acquaintance, Tyler, and just days later with her charming, British agent of 10 years, Henry. She leaves town feeling that she needs to escape from both of them to sort out her confused feelings.

Joanna meets the beautiful Lucienne, owner of a popular Paris bistro, on the train and they become immediate friends, sharing meals and long, revealing conversations. She also meets a dear old couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, and a precocious, captivating 14-year old boy who helps her discover Venice. People seem drawn to Joanna because she is attractive, friendly and inquisitive. However, she doesn't see herself in such a positive light, and is rather lonely and insecure.

The author's descriptions of the Orient Express, as seen through Joanna's eyes and camera lens, are fabulous in their detail. It's easy to imagine yourself riding along in the cosseted luxury of this world-famous traveling hotel. The scenes in Venice are equally compelling and fascinating. In the 5 short days that Joanna is in Venice, she manages to form deep friendships, have an impact on the lives of others and sort out her feelings about both Tyler and Henry. Her sincere interest in others, her inner turmoil, and her insightfulness make her a heart-warming character with traits worth emulating.

Dream Train is another satisfying, entertaining novel by Charlotte Vale Allen. I haven't been disappointed with any of her books yet, and plan to continue working my way through all of her novels.

I first read Hans Fallada's 'The Drinker' eight years ago and my second reading of it confirms all its macabre power to haunt its readers. Written in just two weeks in a German lunatic asylum in 1944, this hypnotic, compelling story of a respectable businessman's alcohol-induced descent into squalor and psychic collapse will sober its merriest reader. Based on events in Fallada's own life, the novel takes us into the progressively warped worldview of one Erwin Sommer - well off, middle class, insecure; a man who will soon discover all the charm and malignant power of a flight into self-destructice alcoholism. Estrangement, Paranoia and Victimisation are Sommer's travelling companions on this journey with only the passing comfort of the bottle for solace. Despite 'The Drinker' lacking any reference to the events of Germany,1944, the reader will soon find himself wondering to what extent Erwin Sommer's experiences are analogous to the descent of Germany in the years of the Hitler period. 'The Drinker' is not for those seeking a comforting or moral conclusion. For the reader who is fascinated by the extremes of human psychology and experience, this book book will stay etched in your mind.

Each one of the seven chapters in this mouth (excuse me, book) full of word play is more scrumptious than the last.

There's a chapter on the people behind famous dishes--like the sandwich and Graham Crackers. Readers can also devour tasty treats from the map--like Bacon, Georgia; Cherry, Nebraska; Rice, Minnesota; Hominy, Oklahoma and Pine Apple, Alabama, for starters.

The third chapter revels through menus full of meat. Or so it seems until we learn that hush-puppies are not really dogs and steaks named Tartare don't come from central Asia. Horseradishes of course don't gallop across your plate, and hot dogs, like hush puppies had an interesting etymology.

The fourth chapter covers some of the sweetest goodies you're ever likely to eat, including Chess pie (made with a filling of sugar, cream and eggs), lollypops (including how they got their name), pie in general (and the derivation of that term), Sundaes and pretzels.

Kids will also find out about bakers' dozens, and various other gastronomical odds and ends.

But my favorite parts are the bite-sized Food For Thought sections in each chapter. One lists various laws on various books about various illegal practices related to food--like throwing banana peels on the sidewalk in Waco, Taxes or putting cake in a cookie jar in Joliet, Illinois. Another lists food festivals. January is Carrot Festival month in Holtville, California, for example, while February hosts California Kiwifruit Day and the annual pancake race between Olney, England and Liberal, Kansas.

Events that made candy history will tickle kids with a sweet tooth. Those who fib now and then may enjoy Phoney Baloney, you know, stuff that's not really what it's called on the menu. (Examples include head cheese, Bombay duck, peanuts and Welsh rabbit).

My kids love this book. It's mouth-watering fun. Alyssa A. Lappen

Eddie Minetti s a third-grade kid with a good heart, but whose out-of-control behavior always gets him into trouble at school. His day gets off to a bad start when he spills orange juice on his dad's new suit. Then he forgets his lunch and must go back hoe for it which causes him to miss part of a spelling test. The girl seated next to Eddie accuses him of cheating when he looks at her paper to see what words he's missed. After the test he accidentally knocks things off his teachers desk, including a jar of sea monkeys that spill all over the floor. When he tries to Use Tiny, the class rat, to clean up all those sea monkeys quickly, his teacher finally declares, "I've had enough Eddie, enough!" And so he acquires a new nickname -- Eddie Enough. And so the day goes on with mishap after mishap until he lands in the principal's office. With help and support from the principal, his parents, a therapist, and a teacher, Eddie finally learns how to slow down and manage his behavior. Tests also reveal that Eddie has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). Now that Eddie's is a lot happier and finally in control, Eddie Enough feels more like Eddie Just Right! Eddie Enough! is enthusiastically recommended reading for ages 5 through 10 (grades K-4) and ideal for explaining children with AD/HD who are struggling with behavior problems at school. Debbie Zimmett's lively and informative text is enhanced throughout with the black-and-white artwork of Charlotte M. Fremaux.