A Simple Act of Gratitude: How Learning to Say Thank You Changed My Life
by John Kralik
Thank You! (4/26/2011)
The concept of this book is inspiring and thought provoking. While there are some slow spots in the book, the overall premise is intriguing. Because the author vows to write a Thank You note everyday for a year, he is forced to appreciate the good things rather than dwell on the negative. He doesn't set out to make this project a "self help" endeavor, it is simply a goal he has made for himself. I found this to be the most refreshing aspect of the story. Because he is forced to look for the good things, so that he can write his Thank You notes, his entire perspective changes and eventually his life. I recommend this book to everyone, of all ages. It is an easy, fast read and the concept while simple, is something all can benefit from.
While My Sister Sleeps
by Barbara Delinsky
A great Young Adult pick...... (12/23/2008)
I have to admit that when this book arrived in my mailbox, my 15 year old daughter scooped it up and read it before I did. She had just finished reading Barbara Delinsky's previous book, "The Secret Between Us" and really enjoyed it. She gave a great review for this one as well.
I, on the other hand, felt that it was just average. The beginning was slow and I felt that it was going to be predictable. The story line does become more complicated with some twists and more depth so I was glad that I stuck with it. The novel deals with how a family deals with a tragedy that befalls it's "favorite daughter" . She is an Olympic marathon runner who fatefully has a heart attack while training and falls into a coma. The dire situation brings forth several family secrets as well as many issues between siblings, mother, father, husband and wife.
It was an easy, quick read and as it got moving, became more enjoyable. I can't help but compare it to "My Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Picoult which deals with a similar story line and explores some of the same issues. "My Sister's Keeper" was much more suspenseful and thought provoking though.
The Marriage of True Minds
by Stephen Evans
Nothing great.... (2/12/2008)
The Marriage of True Minds was nothing great. Initially, I wasn't sure that I would be able to finish it but plugged along because I knew that I had to. I couldn't help feeling like I was reading a movie script with Jim Carey cast as the main character. In spite of that ( or perhaps because of it! ), I managed to finish the book in a few days. It was a light, easy, funny read with a somewhat interesting story line but nothing very deep or surprising.
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