Everyone is saying this has the distinct voice of To Kill a Mockingbird and it really is very similar. The story is not really like Mockingbird but the narrative perspective is told in the same way by Evelyn Bucknow. The book covers eight years of Evelyn's adolescence--from 10 years onto her graduation from high school. Her mother is constantly trying to make ends meet financially, and she loves Evelyn deeply. There is a great schism in the family because Tina, Evelyn's mother, had her out of wedlock. Tina's parents are extreme fundamentalists that will not let her forget her past. When Tina becomes pregnant again with a married man's baby, the problems start all over again, and Evelyn's grandmother, Eileen, is the only family that will talk to them.

Evelyn's brother, Samuel, is born prematurely and it is soon obvious that he is mentally handicapped. Tina's role in the book changes to constant caretaker of Samuel, and Evelyn moves into her teenage years nearly alone. Her grandmother begins taking her to church, and Evelyn finds some answers there... yet she struggles with questions when one of her favorite teachers in school, Ms. Jenkins, becomes the target of a smear campaign by the fundamentalists for teaching evolution to the children. Evelyn's struggle to decide whether to side with her grandmother and the "nice people at the church" or her teacher shows exactly how Evelyn is certainly in the center of everything.

The Center of Everything brings together many situations that Evelyn must confront--and she is a strong girl who has a very wise voice for someone so young.

I was quite surprised to read that the previous reviewer found this book "depressing", I found it completely inspiring...my daughter saw this book in SEVENTEEN Magazine and HAD to have it...she loved it so much that I read it as well....my husband is reading it now, too...I wish this book had been around when I was growing up....the main character, Evelyn, does face many hardships, and Moriarty completely nails what it feels like to live on the outskirts of nowhereville, but she learns through trial and error that your choices define you more than your circumstances....the voice of Evelyn rings so true, and I love that the mother, Tina, is neither a saint nor a sinner...details about the 1980's, from a child's perspective, bring the story to life...I am going to recommend this book to everyone...anyone who feels that life isn't always fair will find this book inspiring....very well written, apparently this is her first novel, and I would love to read more of her work.

Laura Moriarty is a wonderful new writer, who has come up with a winner with her first novel. This is nominally the story of Evelyn Bucknow, of Kerrville, KS, daughter of a struggling single mom, and granddaughter of a kind, evangelical grandmother. But really, this is Moriarty's attempt to paint an illuminative portrait of the kind of family who got lost in the shuffle in Ronald Reagan's America (the story takes place in the 1980's, when Reagan is the president). And she succeeds beautifully, with a fully realized portrait. She treats this family, and all of the books' characters, with so much dignity and respect that it is impossible not to root for all of them. Laura Moriarty is going to change the way we look at poverty in this country, as well as the way we look at the state of Kansas (where I happen to live!).

What a wonderful book! I heard about this book on the Today Show and bought a copy for our dog. I made her some peanut butter doggy bones and she went wild. She loves them! This book has very easy to make recipes that dogs love and it is also a good read. It is well written and entertaining.

I am a huge fan of Three Dog Bakery and have actually visited their original bakery in Kansas City Missouri as well as their French Quarter and Seatlle locations. We have purchased 3 Dog Bakery products for several years now, through mail order and Lucy, Clark and Jenny (my own three cocker spaniels) have NEVER been disappointed with the cakes and treats.I bought the book hoping to discover whatever their secret is for their amazing treats, but these are all new recipes.I made the Simple Simon bones and the birthday cake last night for Jenny's 2nd birthday party today.Everything turned out beautifully.I think if you enjoy fun and dogs and cooking, I would highly recommend this book!

I am a real dog lover the kind that treats my dog as my child,( and reallly is my child) I started making treats about 6 months ago grabbing reciepes off the internet , but The three dog reciepes are the best ! I was only able to find a few Three dog treats, I had to get the book , If you want to bond with you pet spend a sunday afternoon in the kitchen baking away, and let your partener , taste away, I bake so many treats I share with co workers and the dog park, all the dogs give 5 paws for three dog recipes , They never add salt or sugar which Is what I like. Shadow , says woff woff ,

I must admit that passages of this book were very hard to read because I found the subject matter to be repellent. However, I think the root of my feelings stems from the fact that Scott describes an uncomfortable situation so beautifully, that you almost feel guilty enjoying the prose that describes such horrible acts.

Brian and Neil are two young men forever linked by their past experiences, but could not have interpreted the experience any more differently. Brian searches for answers in the hull of a spaceship, convinced he was abducted by aliens, while Neil moves from trick to trick, leading a risky lifestyle and coming to some difficult realizations along the way.

I thought this was a wonderful story of two people looking for answers and closure. It is beautifully written and takes us to a place that is uncomfortable to look at, but gives us two different perspectives to view it from. I highly recommend this book.

Scott Heim is one of the best authors I've read in a long time. He is up on a pedestal with the likes of Truman Capote. His debut novel "Mysterious Skin" is about Neil and Brian, two gay boys, who through trials and tribulations, discover who they are, and what they are. There just aren't any adequate words in the human language to describe Scott Heim's beautiful, haunting prose. He is incredibly poetic, and the lives of Brian and Neil are so exqiusitely painful and achingly beautiful that it should drive you to tears, and if it doesn't, then check your chest cavity for a heart. How anyone could possibly give this book a bad review is simply beyond me. Just be forewarned: Do not read this book on a gray rainy day, while feeling dismal, or while using heavy machinery. It is sure to depress, but make angry, and also begs for attention.

~Steven Harvey

When I went to High School in Kansas I soon learned that an author had gone to the same one as me. After a few years, I found Scott Heim's first book "Mysterious Skin". I read it and it was like a punch in the chest. The story takes place in my community and amongst the people I thought I knew. I also share the same sexuality as the main character. I found the book to be a sweet and painful release to the suffering I've gone through in this state of Kansas. The hurt and horror of this book was all to familiar. Heim's words and language, his graphic paintings of reality, and his twists of beauty and perversity pour out onto the pages of this unworldy novel. Don't expect to read it and pass it off. His books will live in your memory for a long time. To take his work to heart is to look at this world with wider eyes. Definately, this book is a must. Even though the book hurts so much to read and you will want to put it away, you can't. And in the end, through the horror, you will see the beauty of his work.

I really like the Benni Harper series. She's independent, strong, and happily married. That's a nice combination. We also have a lot in common, since I was born in Texas and live in the West right now.

This book finds Benni and her husband Gabe on a trip to meet his family. Benni's husband is the silent type, and she soon discovers that she doesn't know as much about him as she'd like to. There's a murder (of course) and Benni can't help getting involved (also of course). Benni is having trouble bonding with her in-laws when she suspect them and everyone else of being involved in murder. Gee, my in-law trouble are so normal. Anyway, lots of fun. And if you like quilting, there's some great stuff in this book about the Amish tradition.

Benni Harper and her new husband, Gabe Ortiz leave California for a vacation in Kansas so that Benni can meet Gabe's family and old friends. The experience is stressful for Benni because she knows very little of Gabe's background or former life. As usual, Gabe is not into explaining things to Benni and they are constantly locking horns in between their flirting. Gabe's sister shares Benni's love of quilts and asks for her help in setting up a local quilt show. In the mean time, the murder of a young woman singer named Tyler takes place. She happened to be dating Gabe's old friend Rob and he is a suspect in her death. Tyler was also a runaway wife from the local Amish community and a superb quilter. When Benni sees the last quilt that Tyler made, she discovers some clues that could lead to the identity of the killer.

There's a lot of fascinating "quilt talk" in this book and some interesting facts about the state of Kansas. This is the third book in the Benni Harper series and I'm now committed to reading them all.

Many people dread their first meeting with their new in-laws, it does not help that Benni and Gabe married after only knowing each other 3 months nor that Benni insists on keeping her last name (that of her dead husband) instead of taking Gabes. Meeting Gabe's family is hard enough, but after the murder of a beautiful young singer, Tyler Brown, Benni finds herself deep in a murder mystery where her husband's best friends are all prime suspects. She and Gabe struggle to find their footing in their marriage which seemed so right in California but under the scrutiny of his family seems ill advised. Discovering Tyler's true background as an Amish wife who has fled the community resulting in banishment from her family is startling. How did her life with the "English" lead to her death? Bennie is thrust into danger as she gets closer and closer to identifying the murderer. Will Gabe be able to protect her? Ms. Fowler's writing is fast paced and the story moves well. I did think there were a few loose ends in the story but nothing that will keep me from reading the rest of the Benni Harper mysteries. They are currently all on the top of my reading list. I love all the characters and enjoy seeing them fleshed out in each of the books, they have depth and multi-layers to them which I really like. Gramma Dove is an absolute hoot!

This is an excellent book for those who wish to become an informed and independent investor. Although I am a long time investor in both stocks and options, I found the material presented to be quite useful. Yes, much of what is presented is "known", but this book provides an extremely valuable outline for developing the discipline required to be a successful self directed investor.

It is definetly not a "how to get rich quick in the market" book, but rather an orderly presentation of the skills you need to develop and useful techniques that will make you a successful investor. Must read for new but serious investors, very good review for the old hands.

The information in this book is by no means ground breaking. However, it is a well written book that provides solid all around advice for the new investor.

The book touches on many aspects of investing without being biased toward any particular one. It basically gives an overviews of many of the tools available to make investing decisions and leaves it to the reader to choose and learn more. For example, it starts out with an overview of economic factors and then moves into fundamental analysis, charting and buy/sell guidelines. It then touches on options, IPO's and tax issues.

Compared to other "newbie" books such as those by the Motley Fool, I think this offers a much more rounded approach. These books (and others) tend to present a biased view of the "correct" way to invest. This book gives a broader view that gives the reader more starting points to continue their learning and ultimately make better investing decisions.

One final comment -- there is not a lot of advertising for the thestreet.com in this book. Many chapters are accompanied by lists of websites to help you explore the topic presented in the chapter. Naturally, thestreet.com is often in the list, but all websites are given very fair treatment throughout the book.

First, this book is written in plain English and is meaningful to anyone from age 16 high school student to college professor. Second, the book is lucid and comprehensive. Third, it's worth the price. By most standards this reviewer is a successful home office private trader and investor, not a broker or money manger. I'm a much better trader and investor because of TheStreet.com Internet site to which I have subscribed since it started some years ago. During twenty years of private investing I have read hundreds of books and periodicals and examined hundreds of Internet sites promising "personal trading and investing systems" and examined what to buy - the so called hot stocks and funds. Most are nonsense and a waste of money. TheStreet.com Internet site and book are different, they explain how to trade and invest with a combination of fundamentals and contemporary interpretations. As a former analyst in another field, I especially appreciate TheStreet.com's process because it is analytical. This is a book about how to use information, knowledge, analysis, findings, conclusions, and judgment to make sound decisions. That's the only process that works in the real world, good times and bad. In my opinion, TheStreet.com is superior to any university or broker house course on the subject. The explanation pertaining to why and when to sell a stock (or fund) described in this book is alone worth the reader's investment. The book, TheStreet.com, provides an understanding of the fundamentals of how to trade and invest free of brokerage nonsense. Whether investing in an IRA, 401k, 403b, for college, for savings, to supplement income, or to become independently wealthy this book is worth reading. The book includes basic mutual fund and stock investing and options. If you are a student, new, intermediate, or even an expert trader or investor, this book is worth reading. If you teach trading and investing use this book. This book explains why to use the Internet investing tools -- Moringstar.com, TC2000 technical analysis, and the Wall Street Journal. But...to get the full advantage of this book, a successful trader or investor also needs to daily read the full range of columnists at TheStreet.com Internet site. (This reviewer is not affiliated with TheStreet.com in any way except as a paid subscriber.)

Derivative of Stephen King's "Carrie", this tale is nevertheless highly readable and entertaining. The story involves a plan gone awry when down-on-their-luck parents hatch a dangerous plot. They set their son up to fall in a mine shaft and hope that the resultant publicity will bring them fame and fortune, and restore their family resources. Unfortunately, their other child is an unintended victim. The first half of the book that describes the family, its decline, and the subsequent accident are quite gripping. Once Andromeda is rescued; however, the book becomes quite predictable and it's only a matter of time before she wreaks the havoc the reader knows is coming. Still, one can't help wondering if the author will let Andromeda "go all the way" and you will just have to read the book to find out for yourself!

I was very, very impressed with this first novel by Mr. Schenk. It seems like with some of the other reviews, people loved the first half (everyone agrees on that) but didn't like the second. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, so I'll give mine...yes, the first half and second half of the book are pretty different. I did feel myself wish part 1 was longer, but then I also wished part 2 was longer. The plot of the first half concerns a down-on-their luck family who are at the end of their rope. The mother hatches a plot to trap the son in a mine shaft a la Baby Jessica, for media attention and money. The parents finally decide to do it, despite feeling like slime, because they figure the son is emotionally stable and will not be too traumatized. Unfortunately, the plan goes awry and their little girl falls into the trap instead, and she is younger, more fragile, and worst of all, terrfied of the dark. Even though I needed to get to sleep I read the first half all in one greedy sitting, there was no way I could put it down. The second half takes place 15 years later, when the girl decides to return to town. It is obvious to her older brother that she is not the same person she was before she was trapped, and in fact may have brought something very unpleasant back up with her. The various ways she takes revenge are great, and I was glad to see some of the people who profited off her trauma get what they deserved. This would make a great (but sick) movie. I was let down slightly by the last 15 pages or so--it seemed sort of anticlimactic, though I did find it beleivable. I still loved this book, however, and just wished it was much longer. If you want a great, gripping read with characters you can really feel for, you won't be sorry if you pick this book up--even if you don't like the second half, the first half alone is well worth the price of admission.

If you are wondering how I read this so early before it was published, it's because Martin is my brother. But, honestly, I would not say I liked this book and wouldn't even want to show my face if it was bad, especially since I've been bragging about it for months.

Martin has a sixth sense that I have been extremely jealous of, and wanting to obtain all my life. He can spot greediness and dishonesty a mile away, but he has always had a soft spot for the forgotten and the misfits in the world.

This story has two people that seem to be forgotten by their town. They were once extremely popular in high school, but when the husband decides to try and make a living from farming organic vegetables and fails, they can't seem to get a break. When they eventually lose their home, the wife comes up with a "Baby Jessica" type scheme, only in this case, it's not an accident, and instead of a girl, they would use their son.The problems start when their daughter mistakenly becomes the victim of their plot. So as not to ruin the story, I will not go further into the particulars, but I will tell you that the characters are so well developed you feel you know them. His descriptions of time and place are so precise at times, I felt as if I was watching the story unfold in front of me.

Quite honestly, I continue to be amazed at my own brothers talent.The dialogue is believable and the language is easy to follow, and I can see now why people are already comparing him to Stephen King. The story grabs you and holds you. You become angry, sad, scared, disgusted, and you like it. You want more, and you are mad when the book is done. This is the first story of his that I have read, and I am thoroughly impressed. Even if he wasn't my brother I would say the same thing -- Martin, write more books that are just as or more interesting than this one!

This book is pretentious and boring. Like another reviewer I struggled through the first 20 pages, pushed ahead a bit further (mostly because I was stuck on an airplane and had nothing else to read) and eventually gave up to read the airline magazine. The characters are inconsistently drawn and not very deep and the proclaimed architecture and self-referential nature of the book is a cute trick that adds little. I doubt this will ever be studied in a graduate English course.

Are you bored of conventional writing styles? Are you looking for a good story to read and reflect about? Then look no further, because "A Parisian from Kansas" is all you need to enjoy yourself and see some things in life with wide-open eyes. Ambitious to its purpose and true to its kind, this story unfolds the life of Darren Swenson, an American dealing with AIDS who despises his roots and believes that a book about his life will immortalize him forever. Darren's life and the making of this biography both intertwine between each other, building up a concept worthy of admiration. In a few words, a story inside a story. Skills and originality describes this novel, at times quite confusing, but definitely a story that will change your view of how to read a book.

Although I (and most people I know) loved the novel, there are a few that don't like it. Who will NOT like it? Those who insist that stories should be told in a linear fashion. This novel jumps back and forth in time and space, sometimes within a paragraph. For those who prefer traditional story telling, you may not like this. I enjoyed this unique style because it made me pay attention, and after all, no one in real life tells long life stories in a linear fashion, it's natural to jump around.

Also, those who dislike gays/homosexuals may not appreciate the novel. Although this novel is certainly not a "gay novel," the protagonist is gay, and so it is hard to avoid the subject! Chapter 11 (in the middle of the novel) is graphic, so those who are sensitive to this, may want to skip the chapter and continue reading.

However, in the end this novel is about creating a novel, the desire for immortality, and the works of literature that inspire writing.

I've read many professional reviews of this book, and they are consistently positive.

I can understand why some readers may not like the style. You never know if you are in or out of the novel. Sometimes you don't know if an event really happened. To some, this can be maddening. To most, however, it makes the novel thrilling and engaging.

The novel is mostly true, but is in the fiction category, because there is some artistic license.

I can't guarantee that you'll love it, although nearly everyone I know who has read it has love it.

I recommend taking a small risk and buying it. I doubt you'll regret it, especially if you have any appreciation of literature and/or original writing styles.

Philippe Tapon's next novel will be entitled "The Mistress" and it comes out in January 1999. I can't wait!

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Wind in the Wheat" (Arvin's first novel) and I really like legal novels -- two of my favorite authors are John Grisham and William Bernhardt. So this combination seemed like a sure bet for "The Will". And I was not disappointed. The characters are real and fleshed out, especially the main protagonist, Henry Matthews. The plot had some nice twists and some good mysteries that unfolded over the course of the book (beyond the main mystery that it is built around).

One word of caution: This would be a fairly coarse book at times to some folks -- language alone would merit it a PG-13 were it a movie, and there is a half-page (unnecessary, in my opinion) sex scene as well. If neither of those bug you, have at it.

Henry Matthews--ambitious up-and-comer at a large, prestigious Chicago law firm--receives an unexpected call from his hometown of Council Grove, Kansas. The richest man in town, Tyler Crandall, has died, and Henry must go home and execute his will. The Crandalls pretty much own Council Grove, and all assume that the estate will pass to Roger, Tyler's son, and things will continue on as they always have. But to everyone's shock and surprise, Tyler Crandall leaves everything to the Birdman, a crazy, delusional homeless man who has lived in the town park for the last twenty-five years. Now, as the will is contested by the Crandall family, Henry is determined to find out what the connection is between Tyler and the Birdman and why he left him his fortune. And, as he digs into the past, Henry begins to uncover long-hidden secrets and truths that will change this small community forever. Reed Arvin has written a terrific mystery/legal thriller that will put you on the edge of your seat and keep you turning pages to the very end. This novel has it all: a suspenseful, compelling storyline, great characters with strong voices, riveting scenes, a climax that will knock your socks off, and a very satisfying ending. Mr Arvin's writing is true to life, crisp and spare, with a real ear for dialogue. So turn off the phone and lock the door, "The Will" is a winner and a book you will have to read in one sitting.

I bought this basically because of seeing a bunch of reviews that said it was better than my favorite author, John Grisham. I have to agree it's true, and I have a new fave. It rocks along like Grisham but Arvin has some poetry in his writing that Grisham doesn't, and I liked that. I never read a Grisham and thought, wow, that's a beautiful line. But sometimes you think that with this book - like it's on a higher plane or something. Anyway, I thought it rocked and the characters were amazing. Buy it - you won't be disappointed.