The best series of books I've ever read. I can't wait until the 5th book comes out - hurry hurry please!!

Have read all Jean Auel's books in the Earths Children series. I could not put them down. Please tell me when the 5th book will be out!

A wonderful, well-written series. I've read these books several times through, just dying for the next one to come out. The characters are captivating and Auel draws you into their lives so vividly you don't want to put the book down. The history and story-line are so well researched it's sometimes hard to imagine you're reading fiction. When the fifth in the series does come out, I will reread each and every of the previous books in order to capture the full beauty and richness of Ayla and Jondular's lives once again. I just wish the author would finish the next segment.

This book is targeted towards African-American women, but I don't believe that African-American are the only women who experience "life in the valley." This book offers healing, inspiration and guidance to all who read it

Each week at the end of choir rehearsal at church, the choir director brings in some sort of devotional reading to inspire us. She brought this book in and "volunteered me" to read an excerpt from it. I flipped through the pages and was so drawn into it, that I couldn't stop reading and couldn't decide which passage to read aloud to the other choir members. I loved the book so much that I had to go buy a copy for myself and also for my best friend. We both love Iyanla Vanzant now and am looking forward to purchasing more of her work. THANKS, IYANLA, FOR YOUR POSITIVELY CHARGED WORDS OF WISDOM!!!

Faith In The valley by Iyanla Vanzant is truly a book to help us on our journey toward peace. Ms. Vanzant imparts words of wisdom and encouragement. She is reminding us of some of the day to day things we take for granted. We sometimes forget to be thankful for what we have; good health, a job and a place to live. You will not regret reading this book. As Ms. vanzant writes, "What a blessing! I am so thankful" that I read this book. Go get yourself a copy of "Faith in The valley".

This book was recommended to me by a black woman. She said it was a book for black women but it's really for all women. It will help you understand the misfortunes in your life and why we go through the same pain over and over again. When I started to read it, I found myself relating to a lot of the stories these women went through. And then she would explain why we choose the people we choose and why we go through it anyway when we know it's not good for us. I thought it was amazing. I have been recommending it to every woman I know ever since. It's an inspiring book and helps you become strong or stronger. It helps you empower yourself to controlling your life the way you would really want to live it. Definitely a book to read and have in your collection!

Here we find the words we all look for when we find ourselves speechless, and at a momentary loss for ideas of what to do next. I know here is Oakland, many sisters refer to this book as the "other book next to the bed". We were blessed with a visit from the sister to talk about "The Spirit of A Man", but found that anything written is evidence of her ability to incorporate her words into pages. I have to order a second book since my sister friend "won't" return mine. I feel this book is one we all should read. Those of us that are constantly doing spiritual work to better ourselves know this as a reference tool for all times. The sister's work is phenomenal. Thanks for being on Oprah show this week and sharing Iyanla. I have been waiting for your prime time conversations with the world. But, most importantly, keep writing the books. We can take them everywhere. I can't put a value on "The Value". Peace and Blessings

This is truly one of the best books that I have ever read. From start to finsh, the author captivated me with her spiritual and inspirational style of writing. It is also one of the few books that I did not want to rush to get to the ending. I wanted to savour every last drop of inspiration and knowledge this novel had to offer. I recommend this book to any woman who has ever gone through trials and tribulations in her life. And I don't know any who have'nt. I wish I could have read a book like this a long time ago. I know I would have had a different outlook on life. After reading it, I gave it to my 23 year old daughter to borrow until her copy comes in that I purchased. This is a book you'll want to refer back to time and again. The "valley" she talks about in her book, is what one goes through in life. The "value" is what one learns, when she comes out of the valley, if she truly gets it. There is a whole lot of "value in the valley". This book has really changed my life, and made me a better person. Too bad the rating ONLY went up to five stars. If you or someone you know find yourself in the valley, do yourself a favor and get this book. You will not be sorry.

Ms. Jackson

From the best known animator outside the US. Miyazaki is never a comic artist, in fact, Nausicaa is his only work in graphic novel format. While the backdrop of the story, a post-appocolyptic portrayal of a world very much like our own but not quite exactly earth, is hardly original, Miyazaki has a lot of surprises in store for his readers. I don't want to spoil the fun for any potential readers. Nevertheless, this is something I can say. Nausicaa is a serious science fiction work, with very rich and engrossing details. The characters are well developed and very likable in ways you won't find in many post-appocolyptic stories. Despite a rather moody background, the story is not as dark as you might expect from a book of this type. Finally, true to his origin, Miyazaki delivers top quality art in his books.

If there was ever a reason to get into reading manga this is it. Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind tells of the legacy of a devoted Joan of Arc esque princess born in a small peaceful valley. An intricate tale is woven through absolutely masterful drawings to depict Princess Nausicaa's walk of life to save not only her home but her despotic rulers, their enemies and the sea of destruction that would destroy them all.

Set in the distant future, man has all but lost the battle against the poisonous jungles which now cover much of the earth. What remnants remain of human society wage war for their own interests further culling the dwindling human population. With more and more people dying young and fewer children living past infancy, Princess Nausicaa takes a quest of compassion to save the world from itself.

Miyazaki presents a world of hand to hand sword fighting, huge flying barges, giant insects and a truly admirable princess in a short skirt.

If you die without having experienced these books then you have never truly lived.

-----Outside of the US borders, Miyazaki is almost universally regarded as the best director and writer of animated movies(in Japan, 'anime'. See alt.fan.miyazaki). His films have won numerous awards, and in the Animation 'Nausicaa of the valley of the wind.', the Character 'Nausicaa' has been often regarded as the most admirable fictional character in fiction. Despite this, I say that the character development, drama, and storyline of his graphic novels far exceeds that of the animated video(not available in any reasonably accurately translated form in the US, but very well known in Japan and amongst fans of Foreign animation.) --The story of Nausicaa is set in the earth's future. The immense wars that Humanity had waged have wiped out all major cities, and the remnants of technology that remain--airships, and a few other toys--cannot be repaired when they break down. Most of the surface of the land is covered with poisonous forests--forests which release debilitating miasma and which contain many immense and formidable insects, and which grow larger and larger each year, threatening the healthy land--that is, the land which people can live and farm on. The valley of the wind is protected from the Miasma by--you guessed it--wind, and the people of the Valley are happy in their lifestyle under the rule of Nausicaa's father.. ..until, that is, an airship from a foreign kingdom crashes in their valley.. --for this is not a story about nature, conservationism, and living in harmony with nature(though these do, naturally, creep in)--this is a drama about politics, wars, intrigue and the value of life. Adventure is far from absent in this fantasy tale, but it's not the swordplay, gunfights, and chases that will make you want to buy the entire series.. --it's the way the books play with your mind. Check it out

I started the Anne of Greene Gables series when I was 10 or so and could not stop reading it. This book is one of the best classics and one of my all time childhood favorites (Ramona Quimby being the other)! I read all the series that followed as well and they were equally excellent. Lucy Montgomery has created characters that are so endearing and heartwarming that you feel as if they are real and that you can identify with them. The story is a beautiful story with so much imagination, depth, and heart, and even subtle sweet romance...stories that are very rare to come by these days. It truly touched my heart and has continued to warm my heart even to this day at the age of 24 when I am down or just need some inspiration and good fun reading! Girls and women alike should all read this as this series should never fail to inspire you and make you see the world in a more beautiful and different light. Truly touching, inspiring, romantic, and humorous all at once!

The ANNE OF GREEN GABLES series is one of the most unforgettable, and one of the most enjoyable, series of all children's literature. This series chronicles the life and times of Anne Shirley.

Anne Shirley is the plucky, imaginative, red-haired orphan. Her parents die when she is baby, and so she spends the first 11 years of her life going between homes and orphanages, with no one really wanting to keep or to love her. By a mistake, she is brought to Avonlea--instead of a boy--to be adopted by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a pair of farmers who never thought they would be raising a girl in their old age.

You may want to skip this next part of my review, because I am going to sum up each book briefly. No plot spoilers will be revealed, but some of the contents will, and if you haven't read all the books, then maybe you don't want the content revealed ahead of time.

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES covers a span of Anne's first 5 years in Avonlea. She will age from 11 to 16. Her immortal antics that have made this book so beloved include her rivalry with Gilbert Blythe, dyeing her hair, and falling off of Mrs. Barry's roof...

ANNE OF AVONLEA spans two years. Anne is 18 at the novel's finish. She has become a teacher. Marilla adopts twins. Also, Anne has some more humorous and immortal moments.

ANNE OF THE ISLAND spans 4 years--Anne college years at Redmond. She will be 22 at the end of the novel. Anne discovers the real meaning of romance and love and courtship in this novel.

ANNE OF WINDY POPLARS also known as ANNE OF WINDY WILLOWS covers the 3 years of Anne's engagement to Gilbert. She is a Principle at Summerside High School where she has to deal with the Pringle clan, Katherine Brooke, and plenty of other interesting folks.

ANNE'S HOUSE OF DREAMS covers the first two years of Anne's married life. She and Gilbert now live in Four Winds Point, 60 miles east of Avonlea. Gilbert is making a living as a doctor, and the Blythes have new and interesting neighbors. **My favorite book of the series.**

Note: there is about a 6 year break between AHoD and AoI.

ANNE OF INGLESIDE covers about 6 years. Anne and Gilbert have moved to Glen St. Mary, near Four Winds Point, and now have children. This novel covers the birth of Rilla to the 15th wedding anniversary of Anne and Gilbert. More about Anne's children's adventures than Anne herself.

RAINBOW VALLEY takes place in 1 year. It is about Anne's children, and more specifically their neighbors, the Merediths--Faith, Una, Jerry, and Carl--and Mary Vance, but Anne does come in at important points within the novel. Faith is reminiscent in many ways of the young Anne.

Note: there is about a 9 year break between RV and RoI.

RILLA OF INGLESIDE is a heroine in her right. She ages from 15 to 19 during World War 1, the setting of this novel's time period. Anne is by now in her 50s and is a background character, but Rilla is a delightful and outgoing heroine with or without her mother.

This series was meant to be loved and reread and reread. Read the books in chronological order, or read them out-of-order but you'll still find them as fresh and enjoyable and as humorous as the first time you read them.

***Montgomery wrote some books about Anne's neighbors in Avonlea (CHRONICLES OF AVONLEA, FURTHER CHRONICLES OF AVONELEA) and in Glen St. Mary (THE ROAD TO YESTERDAY). And so if you enjoy the Anne books you might enjoy those books as well---although any Montgomery book is a reccommended read.***

I first loved the "Anne-girl" books at 12 or 13. Since then, whenever I am feeling glum, I re-read the detail-filled tales of an orphan girl from PEI with a vivid imagination and an enviable, wholly positive outlook on life. I recently realized that I skipped volumes #5 and 6 so it was a real treat to go back to read them (I could relate better at 25 and a newlywed to "Anne's House of Dreams.") It's hard not to see the beauty and romance in these books. Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote charming tales--I imagine it's the sort of thing that Anne wrote during her B.A. days at Redmond.

I'm back online to buy the boxed set for my sister, age 10. I hope she learns to love Anne, Diana, Gilbert and the host of other kindred spirits Lucy Maud Montgomery created as much as I do.

I checked this book out from my local library not really thinking that I would have the time to read it. But as soon as I finished reading the first chapter I was hooked. I mean who would have known that Lila Fowler's ancestors' stories could be SO touching. Everything was so descriptive that I could imagine myself being the characters in the wonderful story about friendship, romance, tragedies and just plain fun. If you are interested in ANY of the Sweet Valley series you will definately enjoy this book.
When I was reading this book I was really hooked on the Sweet Valley Twins Series. This book made me broaden my horizon's and got my interested in Sweet Valley Jr. High books, Sweet Valley High books and many other great Sweet Valley miniseries.
Recently, I read the book, The Wakefields of Sweet Valley. This book was even better than The Fowler's of Sweet Valley if that is humanly possible.
The only thing that I didn't like about this book and The Wakefield's of Sweet Valley is that they are SO sad. I have never cried so much in a series. The only time I could put the book down was to get a tissue.
These books in the Sweet Valley Saga series teach you a lot. I hope that you will condsider reading them.(Tip is you read any of the Sweet Valley Saga books: Get lots of tissues.)
I hated how in this book Lili never got together with her true love. It was SO sad.

The Fowlers of Sweet Valley, is, no doubt, the best book I have ever read---and that is a lot of books! I think it was even better than the Wakefield saga, which was good also. The book is truly a sweeping romance. Sensitive readers will surely cry reading this book. AMAZING WORK!

As a college student, I need some mental cotton candy every once in awhile. I found a few of my old Sweet Valley High books and I've gotten hooked on them like never before-- buying them at secondhand bookstores, etc. I have to say that I really love The Fowlers of Sweet Valley-- although-- it seems like in every single "Saga" book the generations-- in this case Beautemps vs. Oiseilluer/Fowler-- that preceed the SV characters we know and love come THIS CLOSE to falling in love and then die, move away, lose touch, etc. Every single generation-- in every book-- it starts to get just a little bit old. However, the only case where this is actually interesting and almost a little heartbreaking is when Isabelle marries Jacques' (oisiellur, who later changes name to Jack Fowler)friend when she thinks he is killed. I have studied the first world war in depth and there are cases like that where they think beyond a doubt the soldier has died and then he turns up somewhere. But with that-- and the background of Lila's parent's falling apart-- make this a wonderful read. Loved it when Celeste found out about her mother Lili!

i wish that will and jessica were not going out! after reading this book it was obvious that he and melissa deserved each other, since he seems to prefer girls who hang onto their man. jessica and jeremy were a much better fit. i loved seeing liz and conner together, after all they went through, they're finally together and even though conner is still having a hard time calling liz his girlfriend, it's great that that's what she finally is to him. i hope they last a long time! after what happened in the end of this book i'm dying to get the next one so i can find out what happens with the whole jessica/jeremy/will storyline!

If your a Conner and Liz fan you'll love this book. Jess and Will have a few problems. Ken and Maria are not mention. Andy's trying to change and Tia makes a mistake. if you are a SVHSY fan you will enjoy this book.

Hey everbody! This is a great book for all of you Liz & Conner fans like me. You really see them become a couple. Jess and Will have a few problems and Andy worries about his future. There's not a lot about Tia until the end and Maria and Ken aren't in it a lot either. This is a great book and I can't wait for the next one.

I liked almost all of the stories going on in this book. Jeremy is an awesome guy! He DESERVES Jessica--I REALLY REALLY hope she never goes back to Will, but I bet she will 'cause that is the idiotic route the author usually takes. Anyway, the genuine friendship starting up b/w Maria and Ken is really cool--it would be neat if they would become a couple in the future, because it would have started as friends not just raging hormones. The most optimistic and worthwhile book so far, except I don't like Conner and think THAT whole part of the book should be dramatized a LOT less!

Following the events in "Your Basic Nightmare" (#6), "Boy Meets Girl" (#7) makes some interesting changes in the main character's lives. For starters, Jeremy Aames finally asks Jessica Wakefield out on a few dates after their first kiss in the previous book. However, their dates never seem to go as planned, and they both begin to have their doubts about whether or not they should continue seeing each other. Plus, there's that added tension with Will Simmons showing up on one of their nights out. His appearance would seem harmless (after all, Jess swears she's over him), but if you read on, you'll see why it's not.

Next up is Melissa Fox, who is hospitalized after trying to kill herself in book #6, right after Will Simmons broke up with her. Most everybody feels guilty about this incident, especially Jess and Will, yet that's not stopping either one of them from thinking about each other. Could there still be some possible chemistry between these two? (I hope not. Jess seems happy enough with Jeremy, without Will ruining things.)

And lastly: Maria Slater had caught Elizabeth Wakefield and Conner McDermott kissing, and now she's not speaking to either one of them, mostly Liz though. And not surprisingly, Conner is now avoiding Liz, too, so she can "work things out" with Maria. More like so he can leave the "relationship" quietly.

There were some really good lists, journal entries, and assignments in "Boy Meets Girl", in particular Liz's freestyle writing assignment about the meaning of love and Maria's "Why Books Are Better Than People" list (my favorite). This is probably one of the better books I've read so far in this series. Jessica is finally back to her old self, worrying about boys and appearances, plus being more assertive, which was the biggest character trait missing in the previous six SVHSY books. "Boy Meets Girl" is worth reading if you finally want to see Melissa get her comeuppance and Jessica land on her two feet again. For readers age 12+

ok, now the book itself was good, but what i want to know is why Jessica can even think about Will after the way he treated her. also, i hope she and Jeremy have a strong relationship, but i know that it won't last, and neither will Liz and Conner. How? because in the first book of the SVU series, Liz and Todd are a couple, anxious to start college together, and Jessica and Lila are friends again, and Jessica is single. That's the problem i have with the whole sweet valley thing. there is a lower school series, a bunch of middle school ones, and a now retired junior year, senior year, and college. it's almost too much. they are each pretty good, but reading them all at once makes it confusing. that's why i refuse to support Liz and Connor, or Jessica and Jeremy. i hope that for now, each relationship is strong and healthy, but since i know it won't last, i can't really get all that excited. oh, but i am glad that Melissa was dumped. do any of the students at SVH know what a slut is? Jessica kissed Will before she found out about his girlfriend, and then he and Melissa spread that rumor about more happening, and then all of a sudden, Jessica was the school slut. first of all, a slut is someone who sleeps with every guy she goes out with, and Jessica simply went on dates, nothing more. also, even if she was dumb enough to sleep with Will (thank god she's smarter than that!), that still doesn't make her one, all that does is tell people that the new guy pretended he was single to get a girl into bed. that would put HIM at fault, not Jessica. she would have had some blame, but not enough to be a slut. those people really need to realize what they're talking about before they start saying it.

Conner and Liz...caught! Jessica and Jeremy...romance never ending. Will and Melissa...tragedy. I can't wait for Boy Meets Girl. What happens between Maria and Liz after the 'surprise'? Jessica and Jeremy, his crazy life, will he be able to fit her in? Will and Melissa, will it work out? This is one of the best of the series so far. The book leaves you wondering what will happen next and even as you read it, it feels like you're there along with them. Liz :), Tia ;), Conner :):), Andy, Jessica :P, Maria :o, what will happen next? The little love triangle has blown out of control, and if you have read the previous books, you will know what i'm talking about. The Jessica/Melissa/Will/Jeremy situation has come to an abrupt surprise. Both for Liss and Will and Jeremy and Jessica. Can't wait for #7!

Another love triangle! Elizabeth's best friend and Conner's ex Maria catches them kissing and runs off crying. Elizabeth was desperately trying to hide her feelings for Conner, which obviously didnt work like a charm. Meanwhile, Will is planning to break up with Melissa but his plans fall to ashes when she tries to commit suicide at the end. Jeremy's father had a heart attack the night of Trent's party (book 5) and Jessica was confronted by Cherrie, Melissa and Gina, Will stood back like the lying creep he is, and Melissa's followers made Jessica run off. When Jeremy ran after her he was stopped by his mom who said his father was in the hospital...

It's about time that Elizabeth and Conner are together! They are a perfect couple and they deserve each other. First off, Maria needs to get over Conner because obviously he doesn't like her anymore. Duh! Maria, if you were my friend, I'd tell you that you need a life because basically, you're a selfish freak! She couldn't even understand that Elizabeth liked Conner. What a friend. Not. Secondly, Melissa Fox is a two-faced jerk! She didn't just give up on Will after he broke up with her, no, she tried to get even more attention by attempting to commit suicide! Well, I sure hope that Will doesn't get back together with her because, they both need time away from each other. I think that Melissa Fox deserves to die after making Jessica's life a living he||. She needs serious help and that's all i need to say about that. Next, Jeremy and Jessica need to get together! They are a perfect match! I think they're both nice and awesome for eachother. I can NOT wait until the next book comes out!

This was a truly heartwarming book. I started reading Sweet Valley High when I was 8 years old, and I never stopped. As a twin myself, it was quite fascinating to read about the twins' despair in finding one another after the earthquake. Characters I have read about all my life suddenly had to struggle to stay alive. Although I have never been the type to get weepy over a movie or novel, this was a truly emotional read. What really appealed to me was that the idyllic nature of the mythical town of Sweet Valley was finally shattered. The fact that a tragedy could occur here made it all the better of a read. This book is great for anyone--the themes make it relevant for all ages.

I've read this book many, many times. It never gets old. It's kind of weird, the way that the reader can tell that the girls' dog can sense something. The best part, and most tragic in the book, was the parts about Olivia and Ken. When the author can bring the reader to tears (like me) then you KNOW it's a good book. If you ever read a Sweet Valley book, this is the one. It takes the reader back to other books as the characters remember. Sweet Valley always seemed like the perfect place to live. This book made the place seem more real. To know that if something this terrible and tragic could happen there, it could happen anywhere.

Earthquake by Francine Pascal is at times touching but overall a very excellent book. As the story starts out, Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield, the twin sisters in Sweet Valley, are having their 17th birthday party. They live in California, along a fault line, and their town is prone to earthquakes. During their party, a devestating earthquake shatters their celebration. They have to look through the rubble of their once standing home to try and find their friends. But who out of their friends survive? Read Earthquake and find out!

I would recommend this book to mainly teens who enjoy drama and love/relationships.