H. G. Wells predates Sci-fiction. Most of his books in the field were written before the term was coined in the 1930s. Along with Mary Shelley, Jules Verne, and Robert Louis Stevenson, his work laid the foundation for almost every major form of Science Fiction. Just as many other books written since Wells share elements with THE INVISIBLE MAN or THE TIME MACHINE or THE WAR OF THE WORLDS, so numerous novels, short stories, movies, and television episodes have been influenced by THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU. It also has been made into three films, an absolutely god-awful one with Marlon Brando in the title role, another bad one (but not as bad) with Burt Lancaster in the lead role, and a 1932 version starring Charles Laughton and retitled ISLAND OF LOST SOULS. While not a perfect film, it is easily the most intriguing of the three films, not least because of Bela Lugosi's unforgettable portrayal as The Sayer of the Law. In fact, both of the later films are more in the way of remakes of the first film rather than versions of the novel.
Nonetheless, like with Wells's other novels, reading THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU will feel familiar to modern readers. So many elements have been appropriated that we've all seen this time and again. That is also the problem with his books: so many elements have been appropriated that we've all seen this time and again. There are a few interesting scenes, but the truth is that a sense of familiarity runs throughout the book. This is not really a criticism of the book. It is more an acknowledgment of how successful it has been.
Still, the fact that the book can no longer feel unfamiliar and given the otherwise relatively minor literary qualities of the book (Wells is not an especially skilled prose stylist and his characters are rather cardboardish), this book is a somewhat tedious read. Its virtues at this point are primarily historical. This is a book that we read to find out how the mad scientist portion of the Sci-fi genre developed as it did. I personally find it less interesting than many of Wells's other Sci-fi works.Get more detail about Island of Doctor Moreau (Airmont Classic).
Low Price Island of Doctor Moreau (Airmont Classic)
Save Graceling
I'm not going to give you a summary of the book, just know it's incredible! The characters are strong, and its easy to pick up on their traits and get a good feel of who they are. The relationships between the characters is half its greatness! It's not easy to get a good grasp on the intimacy of fighting, The beginning draws you in quickly, and forms the plot nicely; the end is a BIT anti-climactic, but over all its a good read.Get more detail about Graceling.
Discount ArchEnemy: The Looking Glass Wars
At the end of SEEING REDD, Frank Beddor's second book in The Looking Glass Wars trilogy, Wonderland was in disarray. The power of the Heart Crystal had been contained and imagination was seemingly lost. Queen Alyss and her meddling aunt, Redd Heart, were left powerless and forlorn. Only one person looked to capitalize from the confusion and hysteria the citizens of Wonderland were experiencing: King Arch.
Not content with sitting idle in the neighboring Borderland, King Arch leads an all-out assault on the capital of Wonderland, while Alyss and Redd remain powerless without the use of their imaginations. He overtakes the palace and starts to construct a plan that can only end in disaster and leave him as the last royalty standing.
Along with her host of deadly assassins and without the use of imagination, Redd seeks to return to her origins. Still as bitter, spiteful and evil-hearted as ever, she would like nothing more than to regain her rightful place as Queen from Alyss. King Arch, however, poses a bigger threat at the moment, and Redd is starting to feel that familiar energy of imagination seep back into her.
Queen Alyss recognizes that, with or without imagination, a queen still needs to take care of her people. Alyss cares deeply for the inhabitants of Wonderland, so when she's forced on the run, her only concern is to overthrow King Arch and restore peace to her beloved country. It doesn't help that her thoughts are preoccupied with her bodyguard, Dodge, and their ever-complicated relationship. Does he love her? Does she love him? If only imagination could fix things already.
And let's not forget the caterpillar oracles. They may know the desires and future of those in Wonderland, but they always seem to have an ulterior motive of their own. It may indeed be that the fat oracles care only for tarty tarts (and lots of them), but they keep mentioning the safety of Everqueen. Who is Everqueen? As the last book in The Looking Glass Wars trilogy, the stakes are as high as ever. Lives will be lost, relationships will be severed, and old enemies will unexpectedly unite in a climactic battle that is beyond imagination.
Frank Beddor's re-imagination of ALICE IN WONDERLAND has succeeded on so many levels. The introduction of The Cat and Hatter Madigan as assassins was enough by itself to take the storyline to a whole new level. Once heavily-armed card soldiers, epic battle scenes, and more imagination than your standard daydream were added to the mix, Beddor's tale transcended the level of fun children's story.
Fans of THE LOOKING GLASS WARS and SEEING REDD will not be disappointed in this third installment. If anything, Beddor ups the ante and dives even deeper into the characters by offering rare insights into their psyche. And action fans, don't fret: there are more knives, guns, ammunition and bombs than you can shake a jabberwocky at. On a final note, make sure you take time to visit the official website of the series, which contains information on the three books, book trailers, music, art, games, and information on the two graphic novels that accompany this wonderful series.
--- Reviewed by Benjamin BocheGet more detail about ArchEnemy: The Looking Glass Wars.
Cheapest Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Bought this book for our spirited child who very often has no good very bad days. It has become a source of comfort for him to know hes no the only one who has such days. Get more detail about Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
Cheap Drums of Autumn (Outlander)
While this book is still better than 99 percent of the rest of the books available, when compared to the others in the series it is a step down. It doesn't seem to have its own identify as much as it serves as a link for the preceding book an the next in the series. While it is a link, it is a very long link. However, like all the books in the series, it reads quickly for its length because it is a stirring series with well-told tales. The narrative, however, does not have the same directed flow of the previous Outlander novels, and seems more of a placeholder. That said, I can't wait to read the next in the series.Get more detail about Drums of Autumn (Outlander).
Buying Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations
"A teenage rebellion against low expectations," is a great way to summarize this book. Most teenagers these days don't live up to the expectations that teenagers had back in the older days, such as George Washington. This book really opens up the eyes of all of the teenagers, and parents who read this book. Well, at least I know it opened my eyes. It explains to us that the expectations of teens today are much different of those before. Now, the expectations of teens are to be able to clean their room, without the help of their mother, do the dishwasher and take out the trash. Before, George Washington, at age eleven was already on his way to becoming the first president of the United States. Also, Clara Barton at age 11 was helping the wounded and nursing the health and later became the founder of the Red Cross. You should read this book because it is a really fast read; it is so interesting to listen to how low our expectations are these days. It's also not just a book for a specific gender. It relates to all teens, girls and boys. Plus, it is also for parents who are learning how to get their child to live up to bigger expectations and do something productive with their life. Also, it is written by Christians and relates back to the bible throughout the book. You do not have to be a Christian, but if you are a Christian and want a good, fun, interesting book, this is the book for you.
-Samantha BlouchGet more detail about Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations.
Buy The Omnivore's Dilemma for Kids: The Secrets Behind What You Eat
Just FYI, I saw Michael Pollan in an interview today and he said the target age is 8 to 12 years old. I just ordered this so I have not read it yet, but I read the adult version and thoroughly enjoyed it and am excited about sharing this version with my kids.Get more detail about The Omnivore's Dilemma for Kids: The Secrets Behind What You Eat.
Purchase The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
I don't normally read books but wanted to start. I thought this book might be a good start, and it certainly was. Written from the perspective of an autistic boy, it's a light, easy read and very conversational. Overall, I found myself laughing out loud and utterly wrapped up in his tale. I finished the book in one day over the course of a few hours, I couldn't put it down. I'd recommend it. After I finished, I closed the book, held it against my chest and smiled. I heard this book is being made a movie. Read it before the movie comes out. You'll be glad you did!Get more detail about The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
Order Percy Jackson and the Olympians Paperback Boxed Set (Books 1-3)
Almost as well crafted as the Potter series, "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" is full of adventure and suspense, heroic deeds and triumphs. Imagine being a 10-year-old in modern US who suddenly discovers that his life depends on understanding Greek mythology--because all those gods are relatives, and one is your dad. Percy has to fight off monsters and discover some truths about himself along the way.
The books bring a delightful turn to learning the Greek myths, and the premise works. Placing Mount Olympus in Modern New York City (600th floor of the Empire State Building) --and Hades in Los Angeles--sets up a whole new look at American culture from the point of view of a young person just trying to figure life out.
My daughter and I gulped the first three books down in less than 2 weeks. She's discovered the whole new richness of Greek mythology for the first time and I am having great fun remembering it all.
You need to read the first book before the movie comes out! You'll be glad you did.Get more detail about Percy Jackson and the Olympians Paperback Boxed Set (Books 1-3).
Where To Buy Ranger's Apprentice: The Siege of Macindaw: Book 6
Will and Horace are reunited in this book. They enlist the help of the Skandians to take the castle Macindaw. Alyss is being held prisoner. Like all the other Rangers Apprentice books this is full of action and keeps the reader hooked. It's very difficult to put the book down. There was also humor in this book. I laughed out loud at the bickering between Will and Horace. I can't find a thing wrong with this series except for having to wait so long between books. I read it in one sitting. This series is great for teens and adults alike, it's on of my favorites.Get more detail about Ranger's Apprentice: The Siege of Macindaw: Book 6.
Shop For The Giving Tree 40th Anniversary Edition Book with CD
i remember also being a little "confused" by this book as a child, but that is the point. life is not black and white. this book demonstrates that there are two sides to every coin, that every positive has a negative. i can't wait to read this to my daughter. i only wish they made it in board books, right now she might damage it. better that children realize this balance needs to be attained while in the comforts of their own homes then thinking this thought for the first time as an adult. great book. Get more detail about The Giving Tree 40th Anniversary Edition Book with CD.
Leviathan
I do not enjoy Steampunk novels, which Leviathan most definitely is. However, I have enjoyed Westerfeld's past novels, including the Uglies series and Peeps, immensely so I decided to give Leviathan a try.
In Leviathan, Westerfeld has created a rich alternate history that both embraces and transcends the Steampunk genre. There are enormous mechanical "walking machines" that the "Clankers" use in battle, to be sure, but the Clanker's opponents are the "Darwinists" -- societies where firepower and steam engines have been replaced with biological weapons such as genetically modified bats that poop spikes onto their enemies. The books title itself is the name of the Darwinist's biggest airship, a beast made of a whale, glow worms, and bees, among other things.
The characters are likable. The pacing is a bit clunky at times (it drags near the beginning, especially), but once it gets up to speed, Leviathan is a page turner. If you liked Westerfeld's other books, you'll love Leviathan. If you haven't read Westerfeld's other books, start here and work your way back.Get more detail about Leviathan.
The Going-To-Bed Book Review
This book illustrates to children a great bed time routine by brushing teeth, bathing, pajamas, and turning off the light. My two year old loves this book and knows what to expect when we are through reading.
I like that this book is hardcover, my daughter points out the different animals, and the setting is on a boat, which my daughter likes. The end of the book shows serene quiet activity which shows my daughter how bedtime should be.
Get more detail about The Going-To-Bed Book.
The Hobbit Top Quality
There was missing text on several pages, which was not mentioned on your website for used books, in fact it said "IN PERFECT CONDITION - AS NEW".Get more detail about The Hobbit.
Three Cups of Tea Young Readers Edition: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One Child at a Time This instant
I bought this book for the library at my church, which I take care of.I wanted to make sure that everyone had a chance to read this book and get its message. Greg M ortenson has a great story to tell and makes me want to do something to help in his effort to educate girls in Afghanistan and Pakistan.Get more detail about Three Cups of Tea Young Readers Edition: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One Child at a Time.
1984 (Signet Classics) Immediately
That's not why you should read this edition, since any good copy of 1984 is going to feel like a poignant precursor to the mess we live in now (as for those machine mentioned in a recent review, I don't think that's the problem: rather, it's the speed that digital processing of stock market manipulation allows that is truly becoming one of the worst problems negatively affecting the world economy today).
No, the reason to read this edition is for the Pynchon foreword! Pynchon's voice has been, since "Gravity's Rainbow" almost the inheritance of 1984; as a dislocation of the predictiveness of the Orwellian text, it also has functioned as a panacea to this nightmare we live on, precisely because Pynchon's language doesn't allow for any concreteness. Go read "Gravity's Rainbow" then go read "Inherent Vice" (or vice-versa, since the latter is infinitely easier to read than the former), and get a taste of the way the world should be.Get more detail about 1984 (Signet Classics).
The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition Get it now!
This edition of the Elements of Style does NOT include the material by E.B. White! For some incomprehensible reason, the publishers have stripped all of White's excellent observations, tips, and essay material out of the book.
I grew up with Strunk & White. I used it as a college teacher and tutor. I used it for decades as a professional writer. When my copy was destroyed in a fire, I sought to replace it and was entirely too careless: I simply looked for the same title ("The Elements of Style") and clicked to order it.
I would award Strunk & White five stars. Without White's material, The Elements of Style is a two-star book. This weak-tea version of "Elements" is merely adequate. If you really want insight into style, purchase Stunk & WHITE. I was careless; I want to alert other purchasers before they make the same error. Get more detail about The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition.
