Average Rating:

.

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: David Wroblewski

June 10, 2008
This is an amazing book. What an excellent read, well written and captivating. If you are at all a dog lover I would recommend this book but it goes way beyond dogs and training, it gives you an honest look at a genuine family and the happiness and sorrows of their lives. An all over good read from start to finish.

Average Rating:

.

The Pillars of the Earth (Deluxe Edition) (Oprah's Book Club)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Ken Follett

November 14, 2007
When a novel is as thick as "Pillars of the Earth", I am usually skeptical whether it will keep me interested throughout. And, the start was slow, but only for a couple of pages. And then, it really started. I had a tough time putting the book down before I reached the ending. The depiction of medieval times was so vivid that I could picture the villages, the buildings and the people quite clearly in my mind, almost as if I were watching a movie instead of reading a novel. The storyline is very good and kept me on my toes as if the book were a modern day suspense thriller. If you want to spend a couple of days reading a good novel, you cannot go wrong with this one.

Average Rating:

.

Buffy Season Eight Volume 2: No Future For You

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Brian K Vaughan, Joss Whedon
by: Various Artists

June 11, 2008
When a novel is as thick as "Pillars of the Earth", I am usually skeptical whether it will keep me interested throughout. And, the start was slow, but only for a couple of pages. And then, it really started. I had a tough time putting the book down before I reached the ending. The depiction of medieval times was so vivid that I could picture the villages, the buildings and the people quite clearly in my mind, almost as if I were watching a movie instead of reading a novel. The storyline is very good and kept me on my toes as if the book were a modern day suspense thriller. If you want to spend a couple of days reading a good novel, you cannot go wrong with this one.

Average Rating:

.

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner

October 05, 2006
Freakonomics gets me thrown out of a lot of parties. Now that I know what really makes the world turn I cannot resist butting in on folk's conversations and putting them right.
`Zero tolerance', someone will say, `that's what cut crime in New York'.
`No it didn't', says I, `it was the 1973 legalisation of abortion that cut crime. Fewer young men means fewer young criminals.' A few dirty looks and off I go to another group.
`My estate agent is marvellous; she sold my house in no time. A little under my asking price but she got me the best deal she could'.
`No she didn't', I interrupt. `She sold your house below your asking price for a quick sale. She makes more money selling lots of houses cheaply than fewer houses for a fair price.' More unfriendly ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

The Road (Oprah's Book Club)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Cormac McCarthy

March 28, 2007
This is my first Cormac McCarthy novel and it probably won't be my last. "The Road" is a stark narrative about a man and his son navigating their way south on an unnamed interstate enroute to the coast after some unknown catastrophic event which has grayed the skies, scorched the earth and left very little life. The only people alive are scavengers who pillage, steal and eat children.

Now, the uplifting part. McCarthy builds up the relationship between the man and his son providing a glimmer of hope in humanity amidst the destruction around them. The dialogue between the two is absolutely remarkable. The humanism is striking.

McCarthy's writing is raw and uncompromising. He likes to contrast extremes: "Human bodies. Sprawled in every attitude. Dried and shrunken ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

Infidel

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Ayaan Hirsi Ali

April 01, 2008
Alis journey not only covered continents but her experience must have felt like time traveling as she moved from Africa to Arabia and Europe until she found her maturity and personal freedom. Although the book has political and religious elements throughout, it is also an important testimony of the difficult journey one faces as their personal, family, religious, political and intellectual paradigms are shifted all at the same time over a period of 15 years.

Her personal candor is touching and establishes her credibility. In my opinion, she shows great restraint in remaining objectively descriptive of the most difficult events of her life. Besides not being able to put the book down as her story is a great adventure, I found it highly educative in understanding better the complexities ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

World Without End

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Ken Follett

October 09, 2007
Having read and enjoyed Pillars of the Earth when it first came out, I rather looked forward to reading it's follow-up, World Without End. Obviously I was 18 years younger when I enjoyed Pillars of the Earth, and I expect more from a book now. World Without End might be called Book Without End. The characters are flat, the plot is predictable to the point its irritating, and I finally gave up on page 843 because there couldn't possibly have been a satisfactory ending to make all that plodding worthwhile. There are many thoroughly enjoyable books out there, but this isn't one of them. Do yourself a favour, save your money and buy something else.

Average Rating:

.

The Secret

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
from: Atria Books/Beyond Words

November 28, 2006
I read this book after many recommendations. The premise of the book is that we can use the power of attraction, through positive thought, to get what we want from life (e.g. a life partner, job, wealth).

This book is a strong example of the current Western Individualism, focusing on our needs and desires. For those with more duty-based morals or a focus on our contribution to society, this book will likely be distasteful.

I did not finish the book as I did not appreciate the self-centered and materialistic values promoted in it.

Average Rating:

.

The Last Oracle

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: James Rollins

June 24, 2008
James Rollins remains at the top of his game in his newest thriller, The Last Oracle. Extracting events from history and melding the subject with cutting-edge technology, his newest books' theme is a connection between the Delphi Oracle, autistic savants, genetic engineering and politics.

The Sigma team (a secret U.S. defense agency appearing in many of Rollins' previous books) has returned, to investigate a trail of seemingly non-related incidents including a murdered radioactive man, a kidnapped autistic child and a stolen Greek coin from the site of the Delphi. Dodging assassins as they travel from India to Chernobyl, the team learn that a specific line of children have been kidnapped and genetically modified to enhance and exploit their special abilities. While at home, Sigma medical staff fights to save the ... Read More:

Average Rating:

.

The Digital Photography Book

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Books
by: Scott Kelby

September 02, 2006
Want to raise your photo level by a "big" step, this is a must. Easy to read - every page is a useful tip - and he also provides insights on what to buy for your tiny or no limit budget when you start in this domain in regards to lenses, accessories, etc. I found also that many tips were not only aimed at DSLR owners also, so everyone can benefit.

Save on shipping and buy volume 2 at the same time. You won't regret it as volume 2 has a whole section on how to use your flash the right way.