Melody

this guy is just an unfunny jerk. I tried to make it all the way through but he's just self important and smug. I wish I could get my money and time back.

I was/am a struggling entrepreneur and I didn't have any notion of what I should do to better my business. This book through it's thoughtful and thorough examination of three HBS graduates made me understand what is necessary to achieve the kind of success I desire. I like the narration (using two different voices) and I love the content. No, it isn't like a recipe from a cookbook but it does give you very detailed ideas of what you should be doing for your business. I realized after getting half-way through the book that I was think much too small and that I needed more study in the business. As it stands, my business, in my estimation will do much much better due, in part, to this book.

I was expecting a little light reading with this one but what I got was a book that challenged my notions of what slavery actually was. I didn't want to like this book, I wasn't sure how I felt about the story of an African American slave being told by a white woman. Kudos to Jennifer Chiaverini on this accomplishment. I think this book changes her status from genre fiction to literature. Of course, it isn't perfect, it can be a little flat in the modern sections but the story of Joanna is entralling and emotional and gritty. This book actually changed how I felt about my own slave ancestors. I went from a place of shame to a place of extreme pride and love for a people who were tortured and suffered and yet still managed to survive and maintain their humanity. If you think "The Help" is good, you might want to give this book a try as well.

I love David Sedaris, I have several of his books and I love his wry, dry sense of humor. I always enjoy hearing him read and I think, in this case, he seemed to be enjoying himself. I thought it was too short and not really price appropriate. But I laughed and enjoyed what was there.

This is a substantial post 9-11 tale. Told from the perspective of a 20 year old college student. It deftly illustrates those life changing moments that occur in everyone's life. A girl goes from a farm girl who knows her world to a woman who realizes just how little she knows. I thought it was brilliantly done. I am a fan of words as is Lorrie Moore, she uses them as one would use different flavors to create a gourmet dish. This book is carmelized sage.