The Devil in the Junior League

The Devil in the Junior League
Average customer rating:

A pleasantly quick read

How true, how true

My husband wanted to know the ending as well!

Bravo!

A hilarious tongue-in-chic romp

The Devil in the Junior League
Linda Francis Lee
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Comic | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0312354959
Release Date: 2006-08-22

Book Description

The Junior League of Willow Creek, Texas, is trs exclusive. Undesirables need not apply. Fredericka Mercedes Hildebrand Ware (Frede to her friends) is a member beyond reproach....until her life begins to unravel. When her husband betrays her, steals her money, and runs off to places unknown, it's something Frede would rather keep under wraps. The last thing she needs is to become fodder for the JLWC gossip mill. And to make matters worse, there's only one person in town who stands a chance at helping her get revenge: Howard Grout, a tasteless, gold-chain-wearing lawyer who has bought his way into Frede's tony neighborhood. But there's a price: She has to get his tacky, four-inch-stiletto-and-pink-spandex-wearing wife Nikki into the Junior League. Linda Francis Lee has written an hysterical novel about the crme de la crme of Texas society, the lengths to which one woman goes to bring her cheating husband to justice, and how taking on what seems like a "Mission Impossible" can change you in ways you could never have imagined.

Customer Reviews:

A pleasantly quick read.......2007-09-26

It's a bit of a guilty pleasure watching a spoiled princess being taken down a peg or two, but I also found myself seriously wanting Frede to pull herself back up, which she does in a somewhat unexpected ending. Despite the backdrop of tradition, this is truly a story about a woman questioning those traditions and what they mean to her and consequently discovering herself.

How true, how true.......2007-09-23

I have been a Junior League member for more years than I care to admit. The author hit the nail on the head on every page. I could picture all those meetings and trying to get to the meetings!

Oh so funny!

I hope Nickki was not disappointed.

My husband wanted to know the ending as well!.......2007-09-05

As I read this book, I kept laughing or groaning out loud in front of my husband. So of course he wanted to know why. Funny thing is, he didn't like Frede Ware that much. I did, but that's because I can see her as a woman. While my husband didn't like her, he DID want to see how the book ended. By the time I was 3/4 of the way through the book, I was reading whole passages aloud to him. :D It was a great read. My sister-in-law likes it so much that she is making this a part of her permanent library (which she doesn't do verra often).

Bravo!.......2007-07-18

What an unexpected delightful book! I was drawn to this book because I grew up in Texas and know women in other states in the JL, I just had to read it. WHAT A STORY! Altho there is a fair share of cat-fighting, scheming, and manipulating ugliness there is also a story that unfolds in a way that makes you hardly believe so much could happen in such a short time in one person's life. I enjoyed the various story lines and how things were redeemed with many characters. I look forward to reading more from this author. Thanks so much for a terrific (and timely) read!

A hilarious tongue-in-chic romp.......2007-07-16

Frede Ware is on top of the world. She is Texan, gorgeous, fabulously wealthy, married to incredibly handsome (but poor) Gordon, has her own art gallery, and is a member of the Willow Creek Junior League inner circle. As the story opens, she even giddily suspects that she's pregnant after years of infertility treatments.

Frede dashes home from her Junior League meeting to use her pregnancy test --- and that's when her world falls apart. Her maid, Nina, is in the foyer with a mousy stranger named Janet Lambert. Janet informs Frede that she's pregnant with Gordon's child. Can things get worse? Yes, they can.

Gordon arrives. He's shocked to see Janet and angry when she reveals to Frede that she's been in Frede and Gordon's bed every Wednesday. Then he blurts out that Janet can't be pregnant because he had a vasectomy years ago. Frede, who is way beyond furious, throws Gordon out.

When she calls her bank to cut off Gordon's access to her money, she discovers that Gordon has cleared out the accounts. And when she contacts their lawyer, he refuses to help her since he represents Gordon in so many business dealings. Frede can't go to her parents since their money is dwindling, and she can't bear to lose face.

Finally, Frede calls on her loud and obnoxious lawyer-shark neighbor, Howard Grout. Howard agrees to help her if she can get his stiletto-heeled, hot-pink, leopard-print legginged wife Nikki into Junior League. That's impossible, yet Frede has absolutely no choice if she wants to retrieve the money Gordon stole from her so she can continue her luxe lifestyle.

Nikki and Frede have a history. They were part of a clique in junior high that eventually fell apart in high school due to social status issues. Now Frede has no choice but to concoct a game plan to help her ex-friend. She must recruit five snooty Junior League members to sponsor flamboyant Nikki, and soon. First she plans an intimate tea at Nikki's and tries to avoid the pitfalls --- namely Nikki's jungle room and slutty outfits.

Meanwhile, Howard and Frede go to battle against Gordon. Howard insists that Frede must turn a profit at her art gallery and sends her off to persuade eccentric sculptor Sawyer Jackson to show his pieces. That quest opens up an entirely new and different can of worms.

Frede has major Attitude as she undertakes her Henrietta Higgins quest; she grows and changes (yet remains her own persnickety self) through the course of the plot, which makes for a satisfying story arc. THE DEVIL IN THE JUNIOR LEAGUE melds a little mystery, a little hot romance, some surprising plot twists and a whole lot of snarkiness into a hilarious tongue-in-chic romp --- the perfect recipe for the ultimate beach read.

--- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon (terryms2001@yahoo.com)

Average customer rating:

Great for English and Spanish learners
Beautiful pictures
A great book by a great artist

In My Family/En mi familia
Carmen Lomas Garza
Manufacturer: Children's Book Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0892391634

Book Description

Following the best-selling Family Pictures, In My Family/En mi familia is Carmen Lomas Garza's continuing tribute to the family and community that shaped her childhood and her life. Lomas Garza's vibrant paintings and warm personal stories depict memories of growing up in the traditional Mexican-American community of her hometown of Kingsville, Texas.

Customer Reviews:

Great for English and Spanish learners.......2007-04-16

I just had a baby and I want her to bilingual. This is a great tool to start with for both her and myself. Since I have to brush up on my Spanish.

Beautiful pictures.......2006-06-29

The pictures in this book are so detailed. It reminds me so much of many of my family's homes growing up in Texas. Great childrens book.

A great book by a great artist.......1999-04-26

This is a great book, and Carmen Lomas Garza is a great artist. Everything is so detailed, and she tells you exactly who's who. All her pictures are real memories. There is something going on in every corner

We the People: An Introduction to American Politics, Texas Edition, Fifth Edition

Average customer rating:

Canceled Order

We the People: An Introduction to American Politics, Texas Edition, Fifth Edition
Benjamin Ginsberg , Theodore J. Lowi , and Margaret Weir
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0393926214

Book Description

We the People is widely recognized as the classroom standard for introductory American government courses. Maintaining a central emphasis on the relevance of American government and politics to students and continuing to highlight the importance of political participation, the Fifth Edition has been meticulously revised and updated through the 2004 presidential elections, including in-depth analysis of the Iraq War and the "War on Terrorism."

Customer Reviews:

Canceled Order.......2005-09-13

I canceled the order because the book would not get to me in time, and I did not want to pay for the express shipping.

Average customer rating:

A tale of stunning accomplishment
A Strong Work Ethic
Life is so good and it gets better every day
Life, Learning, and Literacy
An Astonishing Book Which Humbles Me

Life Is So Good
George Dawson , and Richard Glaubman
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Authors | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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Sociology: The Core
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ASIN: 0141001682
Release Date: 2001-06-05

Book Description

In this remarkable book, 103-year-old George Dawson, a slave's grandson who learned to read at age 98, reflects on his life and offers valuable lessons in living as well as a fresh, firsthand view of America during the twentieth century. Richard Glaubman captures Dawson's irresistible voice and view of the world, offering insights into humanity, history, hardships, and happiness. From segregation and civil rights, to the wars, presidents, and defining moments in history, George Dawson's description and assessment of the last century inspires readers with the message that-through it all-has sustained him: "Life is so good. I do believe it's getting better."

Download Description

George Dawson was born the grandson of a slave in Marshall, Texas, on January 18, 1898. His four brothers and sisters attended a school for black children, but George, the oldest, had to go to work to help the family make ends meet. He was just eight years old when he first left home to live at and work as a farm hand on a white family's farm. But from his warm and loving parents Dawson inherited a positive life philosophy, based on focusing on how much they had rather than how little, and on wise observance of others, and common sense.

Richard Glaubman captures Dawson's personality, philosophy, voice and amazing life story, from his early years in Marshall -- his jobs as farmhand and sawmill worker, to his attraction to a white girl which he handled to protect them both, to his departure at 21, when he said goodbye to his family, and hopped a train to find his way in Memphis. Throughout this story, "Life Is So Good" captures Dawson's techniques for survival, and the history of the nation, as seen through Dawson's eyes -- segregation and race relations in the South, the First World War, the invention of the automobile and the airplane, the desegregation of baseball, and more.

Dawson worked many jobs in his 101 years, including laying railroad ties. He was married twice, widowed twice, and raised seven children. At 98, long after he retired, a local teacher offered to teach him to read, and he realized he was tired of making an "X" for his signature, he wanted to be able to read the Bible and the newspaper. After learning his alphabet in half a day, Dawson has learned to read, print and write.

Throughout his story, Dawson repeats the message that has sustained a happy life, thathis father passed on to him at an early age: "life is good. I do believe it's getting better." So good, also, are his ways of being and being happy, his wisdom and knowledge about survival, joy, people, and life.

Customer Reviews:

A tale of stunning accomplishment .......2007-08-08

Richard Glaubman's "Life Is So Good" is a real comeuppance for anyone whose outlook towards life runs along the lines of "I wish I had done X, but I'm too old to start now." Here's a man, George Dawson, who learned how to read at age 98. As a USA Today review aptly summarizes, "Dawson has become a literary hero, a testament to the power of perseverance." First-time author Glaubman expertly fleshes out Larry Bingham's award-winning 1998 Fort Worth Star-Telegram short story.

Dawson's tales of life in the Jim Crow-era South, his unquenchable work ethic, and his travels throughout North America make for compelling reading. Here is a man who was never given a shot to read when he was younger - economic circumstances forced him into full-time manual labor at a very early age. Despite significant hardship, his optimism and sense of self-worth never waver. The title really sums it up well here. Glaubman's final words from Dawson are "Life is so good and it gets better every day."

As other reviewers have noted, Chapter 1 of this book could stand alone as among the best short stories you'll ever read.

A Strong Work Ethic.......2007-04-27

I like the memoir because George Dawson never gave up his dream to read and write. George was born in the late 1800's. His parents were not slaves, but his grandparents were once slaves. George was raised in Texas. His family was poor, and he never attended school. Georges started working at a very young age, drawing water from the well each morning for the house. George worked alongside his father in the fields. The work was hard, so was their life. They had to watch what they said and went in fear of the K.K.K. Twelve year old George went to work, and stayed with a white family to help out at home. His cousins came to live with his family because their parents died, so George was needed at home. George left home at twenty-one and worked in Tennessee building levees. It was two years before he returned back home.

Life is So Good is a story about George Dawson's dreams of receiving mail, learning to read and write at the age of ninety-eight, and his work ethic. I can relate to George's hard work and his work ethic. I beleive in hard work and doing it right the first time.

This book is sad and tells of struggles he had to go through. It is not easy reading at first because the chapters jumped around. But overall, it is a good book to read.

Life is so good and it gets better every day.......2006-12-12

"Life is good just like it is"(233). "Don't worry about what someone else thinks. Just do the right thing and take pride in yourself"(214). The owner of this optimistic way of thinking toward life was George Dawson, the grandson of an African American slave, who worked hard his whole life but was illiterate until he turned 98 years old. From the time George Dawson was a young boy, he learned the importance of hard work from his father and gave up going to school to help raise his younger siblings since he was the oldest son of five children. Dawson felt that school was only for children, and he was never aware of adult education classes until he attended an ABE (Adult Basic Education) program. He was ashamed of his illiteracy, but no one around him knew it, not even his children, until Dawson told them. When signing a sheet, he had to mark his name with an X.

Dawson grew up in South, Texas, where there was a prevalence of strong racial discrimination. As a grandson of an African American slave, he suffered social injustices his whole life, including racism and poverty, but his cheerful view of life was the key to his mental and physical health. Dawson's wholesome life philosophy despite a racist society was transmitted to him from his father who taught him how to get along or deal with white people without friction; this was a realistic and functional survival skill. However, throughout the book, strong racism was well represented in every story and left me feeling sad and angry.

Nevertheless, their family worked hard so they could make enough to feed the family. Moreover, he left home to travel and work for about nine years here and there, not only inside the USA, but also in Canada and Mexico. These experiences away from home let him become acquainted with the ways of the world. During his lifetime, Dawson did not waste his time and tried as best as he could in any situation and he did not lose his warm heart nor fall into any misbehaviors under difficult circumstances.

He married four times and had seven children, but he sent all his children to college; for his life, he had always valued the importance of education. He had lived in three different centuries, from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 21st century. His life's journey in education as a member of the labor class and minority is a prime example of the American history of adult education in the 20th century. Interestingly, he traced back in memory to important social events or movements by looking at old photos or listening to past historical stories. Because he could not read the newspaper, he received the news from other people or the radio. His excellent memory enabled him to become literate in an ABE program at the age of 98 years old.

All through the book, I learned many actual philosophies of life. I thought that every ethnic group has its own specific life style, but I am reminded that the basic philosophy of life is not different between different races or classes; Dawson said that "...Every colored man had the same talk with his children: how to get along, how to survive in this world" (202). His philosophy was that, "A man is born to die. You got to keep that in mind and don't do no wrong" (257). This thinking was not new, but hearing these advices have produced a profound sense of meaning for me. He also said that, "You have no right to judge another human being,"(12) and "People forget that a picture ain't made from just one color. Life ain't all good or all bad"(233). He did not complain toward social injustices but kept his composure illustrated by his ability to keep calm. For example, when he was gardening for a white woman, he refused to eat a meal she served when he discovered she provided the same food to her dog.

However, I think that many parts of his optimistic perspectives towards social inequality were influenced by his illiteracy and non formal educational background. Without education, he was unable to articulate his human rights and desire for social reform. Criticisms directed towards social injustice were out of his realm of concern.
"I want for people not to worry so much. Life ain't going to be perfect, but things will work out" (246). "I guess the heat doesn't bother you people. You're fortunate that you can just keep working"(209). These positive thoughts were the cause of his long life; this book was published when he was 101 years old.

The school started at nine, but he got up by five-thirty and made his lunch, packed his books, and went over his schoolwork. He had always gone to school early and had not ever been late for three years since he began to attend the adult education program. When he turned one hundred years old, Dawson could read on a third-grade level.
I would definitely recommend this great book for any student over ten-year old children to let them know the importance of education, the value of literacy, and the sadness of a distorted social and racist environment. I also would like to recommend it to older generations who have been afraid of learning something at their age. I already handed this book to my teen-aged child with a brief explanation.

Those of us who are literate and highly educated people do not know the difficulties of illiteracy, but it is a shameful secret for many illiterate people. I think that illiteracy is mentally as debilitating as poverty. As a non-native English speaker, I have a similar sense of shame in many situations as Dawson might have had; this feeling is well synthesized into the story. This easy to read, meaningful, and impressive book kept me reading non-stop from the beginning to the end.
"Life is so good and it gets better every day" (260). I always would like to remember this philosophy of life.

Life, Learning, and Literacy.......2006-12-06

"I am a witness to the truth. That's why I am still here. I can't let the truth die with me. That's why you're here: to help me get the true story down, before it's my time." (Dawson and Glaubman, 2000, p. 45)

From Jim Crow laws to lynchings, from hobo camps to boarding houses, from hard work to hard times, Life Is So Good is the extraordinary story of an ordinary man. Generally, biographies and autobiographies, of which Life Is So Good is a bit of both, tell the tales of people who have risen to celebrity. We, the readers, learn of the accomplishments against all odds or the adventures of remarkable daring of some individual who has risen to fame and acclaim. Life Is So Good is not an account of such a person. Rather, Life Is So Good is an account of a person who is normally dismissed in the course of our lives--someone we see shuffling through the grocery store line or sitting in silence on the bus, someone to whom we give not a second thought. Life Is So Good is a reminder of the humanity of all people. Life Is So Good is a reminder that the story of every individual is worth knowing and that wisdom has the potential to develop from the depths of any and all experience.
George Dawson, the book's topic, is a man from the humblest of circumstances. Born in 1898 in East Texas, Dawson is the grandson of slaves. His early youth is spent working on the family's meager farm. When he is twelve, he is sent to board and labor at a white neighbor's farm. Dawson, as are all 'colored folk', is subject to all manner of subtle and not so subtle indignities at the hands of the local white establishment. There is violence and there is humiliation. There is dire poverty and there is sudden death. Yet, most astonishingly, Dawson's account is not framed by anger or resentment. The tone of the narration is calm and composed. Dawson, despite hardship and prejudice, appears able to acknowledge the truth of his situation without losing his sense of personal worth or enthusiasm for life. He is particularly drawn to and inspired by the words of his father. In an exchange between father and son after witnessing the terrifying event of a lynching, the elder Dawson responds to the young George's rage, "Some of those white folks was mean and nasty. Some were just scared. It doesn't matter. You have no right to judge another human being. Don't you ever forget" (Dawson and Glaubman, 2000, p. 12).
Keeping faithful to the lessons of his father and always willing to put in a full day's work, Dawson leaves his East Texas town. Dawson, as both train passenger and rail rider, journeys far and wide. He's on a levy crew outside Memphis; he's a field hand in Mexico; he's a longshoreman in St. Louis and New Orleans; he journeys to Canada in search of snow. He is naïve but grounded by common sense; he is sometimes a victim of his pride, but not for too long. He is, however, stopped short on more than one occasion by his inability to read. Near the end of the story, Dawson describes how his illiteracy plagued him and how his illiteracy forced his mind to be ever vigilant:

I always had a dream that I would learn how to read. It was my secret, that I couldn't read. There was nothing I couldn't do and my mind was as good as anyone's. That's just how it was. All my life, I had been just too busy working to go to school. I kept it a secret that I couldn't read.
My mind worked hard. When I traveled somewhere, I could never read a sign. I had to ask people things and had to remember. I could never let my mind forget anything, never let my mind take a vacation. (Dawson and Glaubman, 2000, p. 224)

At the late age of 98 we learn that George Dawson enters an Adult Basic Education program and ultimately learns to read. Dawson who has spent a long, productive, and commendable life utterly unrecognized by the dominant culture is, ironically, near the very end of his existence celebrated by the very society which for so long scorned him. Dawson's story is one of hope and perseverance and promise.
Life Is So Good is an illustration of the value of personal experience combined with self reflection as an educational tool. George Dawson learns by watching, by doing, and by thinking. Dawson's education takes shape in an atmosphere of relevancy, curiosity, and confidence. Learning for Dawson for much of his life is not about books or schools; rather, learning for Dawson is embedded in his everyday experience--for an illiterate and "uneducated" man, Dawson exemplifies the lifelong learner. Dawson, in the spirit of Eduard Lindeman (Lindeman, 1961), reminds us that learning is situated foremost in the individual; institutions and degrees are ancillary.
Life Is So Good is engaging and thought provoking. The prose is straightforward and accessible; the wisdom expressed is plain-spoken and immediate. This book has universal appeal, from students of all ages to educators of all ages. Too, this book provides a sort of reality check, making it a worthy read for minorities, 'majorities', historians, activists, and policy makers alike.

References

Dawson, G., and Glaubman, R. (2000). Life is so good. New York: Penguin Books.

Lindeman, E. C. (1961). The meaning of adult education. Norman, OK: Oklahoma Research Center for Continuing Professional and Higher Education.

An Astonishing Book Which Humbles Me.......2006-09-16

George Dawson's words expressed through Richard Glaubman's more advanced language catch your attention right from the first sentence. I wasn't able to put this book down and found myself staying up late to finish it. It has changed my outlook on life. Read it and see for yourself. All events in the book are true; unbelievably Mr. Dawson can still have a positive outlook on life. One of the best books I have read. I will keep this one for life. A classic.

Average customer rating:

Sheila
I didn't enjoy the book at all!
Excellent
Beautiful and Tragic
Believing is seeing...

Somebody's Someone: A Memoir
Regina Louise
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0446529109

Book Description

What happens to a child when her own parents reject and abandon her? At birth, Regina Louise is deposited by her mother in a foster home where she grows up with the constant specter of severe beatings and other harrowing abuses. But at 10 years old, this extraordinarily bright and resilient child strikes out on her own. Set adrift, she re-encounters her mother, who chooses the men in her life over her daughter's safety, and is then foisted upon a father she has never known, who is at first indifferent and then emotionally abusive. She inhabits over 30 foster and group homes in her painful quest to be loved. Distinctive and arresting, Regina's story offers a scalding look at the life of a child no one wanted-and her discovery of the love that for so long had eluded her.

Customer Reviews:

Sheila.......2007-02-25

I wish I could have gotten the same understanding from this book that some others got. It is to me a hard story to follow. It has no continuity. The book was not as good as I thought it would be. I don't expect anyone to to agree or disagree with me on this review. I'm just expressing my thoughts about the book Somebody's Someone: A Memoir.

I didn't enjoy the book at all!.......2006-09-28

It wasnt at all what I thought. I really didn't like the writing- the ending wasnt great and I thought it could've had more details on foster care. As a FC worke I've seen things 1000x worse then the book. It really didn't capture how horrible the system can be.

Excellent.......2006-09-12

This book is not to be missed, a must read for everyone. It transends all races, ages and genders It is the true story of hope and finding one's way through a hard unforgiving life.

Beautiful and Tragic.......2006-08-25

Regina's memoir revisits memories through the eyes a ten year-old girl. She recounts her journey through foster homes and her quest to find a family that will love her. Regina's story is beautiful and tragic - a unique glimpse into the life of child determined to find her place in a confusing and indifferent world.

Believing is seeing..........2006-06-15

...that is exactly what this little girl did; she saw that there was something better for her out there and she believed in herself enough to go in search of that which held her heart; a search for someone to love her. Not often enough do we as a society credit children with the tenacity and foresight that seems so inherently apart of what makes them resilient and full of courage. The narrator of this memoir gives us all something to think about; how willing are we, as change agents for humanity, to continue to allow this type of soul craping devastation that Ms. Louise writes about, to affect the children of our future. Her story is proof that we need to act, and act quickly to prevent another 500,000 children from become lost to what is possible in their lives. If this isn't a story for Porah, I don't know what is.

Pick Your Poison: A Yellow Rose Mystery (Yellow Rose Mysteries)

Average customer rating:

Great detective
Witty, Charming Début!
Enjoyable Read
Delightful
Fabulous first mystery! Abby's a winner.

Pick Your Poison: A Yellow Rose Mystery (Yellow Rose Mysteries)
Leann Sweeney
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 045121031X
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Book Description

Out of school, out of work, and out of motivation, Abby Rose is contemplating her life and wondering what to do next. It's the kind of situation that would get some girls down, but luckily Abby's got a heart the size of Texas-and a bank account to match. But when she discovers the gardener dead in her greenhouse, Abby realizes what she needs to do with herself: she needs to solve a murder...

Customer Reviews:

Great detective.......2006-08-24

First in the Yellow Rose series, this series is in Texas, featuring Abby Rose. Abby's gardener is murdered, and she wants to find out why: why he was killed and why he was there. Abby's fraternal twin Kate helps her run the computer business that their father left them, and she also gets roped into helping Abby find the answers to her questions. In this, Abby finds out answers to other questions, ones she wished she hadn't asked. I found this to be better than your average cozy - I was leery of the basis of the spoiled rich girl playing detective - but Abby redeems herself.

Witty, Charming Début!.......2006-07-29

Introducing Abby Rose...a privileged woman living in River Oaks, Texas...a wealthy town near Houston. In the first book in the Yellow Rose Mystery series, we find that Abby has inherited her late father's home and computer business along with her twin sister, Kate. The business runs fine without them, and they are able to pursue other interests while having a steady income. Having no real ambition in her life, and feeling left out now that Kate is finishing her dissertation and moving in with her boyfriend, Abby longs for something meaningful to fill her time. When their hard-working gardener is found dead after he promises to share a large family secret with the twins, Abby begins to investigate both his death and her past. Questions about their adoption begin to loom again in Abby and Kate's mind, and she wonders if they have the whole truth about their birthparents. When the trail to a killer leads her directly to a shady adoption agency, Abby begins to ask some tough questions. Will she discover the killer and the key to her past in time to stop a murderer on the loose?

This was a great start to a new series! The fact that Abby and her twin sister, Kate, sometimes work together in the book (but are not "joined at the hip"), made a likeable, interesting combination. The mystery itself offered a lot of twists and turns, and I was kept guessing throughout the book as to the twin's past, and to the identity of the killer. The only thing that I disliked in the book was the overuse of clichés. I know previous reviewers have mentioned this as well, and I completely agree with their feelings on the subject. However, the book was too good to pass up even with this minor flaw, and I will eagerly pick up future installments in this fun, witty series.

The next book in the series is called "A Wedding to Die For". Enjoy!

Enjoyable Read.......2005-12-16

I enjoyed the book. However, I agree with the Reviewer that said the main character used too many bad cliches. It did seem forced and got to be a little "too much". I thought the ending could have had a more interesting twist but I knew that wasn't going to happen because it is a series so all the main characters had to stay in tact.

Delightful.......2005-08-15

My second book by Leann Sweeney and I laughed all the way through at the antics of Abby Rose, an amateur sleuth who manages to get in and out of trouble in delightful ways. I'll be buying a third book by Ms. Sweeny as they are easy reads and keep you entertained.

Fabulous first mystery! Abby's a winner........2005-02-15

Abby Rose is trying to decide what to do with her life. Since she has a large bank account, she doesn't have to rush to decide. Her twin Kate is soon moving out to be with her boyfriend, and Abby doesn't know what she will do with the large house their father left them - it's too big for just her.

After she discovers her gardner, Ben, dead in the greenhouse, she realizes how little she knew about him. She begins to look into his life so that she can express her condolences. That just opens up more questions, like who killed Ben's wife years before? And why was he working for Abby's father?

Abby contracts with her ex-husband, who swears he is clean and getting his life together, to help her renovate the house in Galveston. It hasn't been lived in for years. She finds herself having to interact with him more than she likes.

The sexy detective from the Houston P.D. who is investigating Ben's death, adds some spice to Abby's dull life. Especially when he tells her that Ben was poisoned. Now Abby is determined to unravel the mystery surrounding Ben and who killed him. She finds more questions to have to find answers to.

In her investigation, she finds herself in many sticky situations. Can she discover the truth before someone puts an end to her?

This is the first Yellow Rose Mystery. LeAnn Sweeney has a real winner. I had trouble putting this book down. Abby and Kate are terrific. The Texas setting is fabulous. I've always wanted to go to Galveston, and I feel like I've at least had a short visit there. I just started reading A Wedding to Die For, the second in this series. It looks to be just as great as the first.

I highly recommend this book!

Average customer rating:

Over - My - Head
A Great Bus Ride
simple plot, with endless imagination
Portrait of person, time and place
The upheaval of a simple life

White Widow
Jim Lehrer
Manufacturer: PublicAffairs
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 189162041X
Release Date: 2000-05-16

Book Description

Some bus drivers never meet a "white widow"--a wild card, a woman traveling alone who can change the course of a driver's life, and not always for the best. In this subtle, poignant novel, based on the true experiences of the anchor of PBS's News Hour with Jim Lehrer, Jack T. Oliver, who drives the Houston to Corpus Christi run for the Great Western Trailways bus line, is about to meet his.

Customer Reviews:

Over - My - Head.......2007-07-07

Within my span of listening (now cut short - thanks, big Al), Don Imus has interviewed more non-fiction authors than authors of fiction. Preferring the output of the latter, I followed Imus's recommendation.

I started out with a sense of fear, given that Lehrer works for the government's PBS. Regardless, it obviously took some talent to write a successful novel about a totally boring subject and the totally boring lives associated with it.

Amazingly the book held my interest. These characters aren't human beings; they are more like machine parts. They lead nightmarishly repetitious and simplistic lives, perform mundane activities, and, carry with them a sense of defeatism throughout. The protagonist's wife didn't even accompany her husband to his award ceremony. "That's progress, you see," repeats revered veteran bus driver Paul Madison. Does this refrain attempt to echo Vonnegut's "so it goes"? (would anybody please tell me what "so it goes" is supposed to mean?)

Events in this novel were unrealistic. Son of an eye doctor wants to be a bus driver? Top-of-the-line bus driver sabotages his own bus and practically leaves a note (but he did not) saying, "yeah, it was me the driver, I did it." The protagonist's moderately happy marriage is destroyed over the mere observation of an attractive woman? People are killed and a career is lost for the same reason? The biggest thing in life is to decorate the house for Christmas?

This is terrifying. I felt the same anxiety when learning (in late 1960's high school) of life in the Soviet Union.

Regarding this novel, given its hyperbole and ultra-simplistic nature, I am left with a sense of the hidden metaphor. I don't know what that metaphor is though.

Perhaps one with literary skills can tell me what the hidden metaphor of Jim Lehrer's "White Widow" is all about. I hope it amounts to something more than Jackie Gleason's "The Honeymooners" on naturalism.

A Great Bus Ride.......2007-03-12

I heard about Jim Lehrer's book while watching Imus in the Morning, who gave it a good recommendation. I thought I'd give it a whirl and did not regret it. It's a great story about a kind, wholesome, honest, hardworking man who goes through one of those life altering experiences that is completely unexpected. "On Time Jack" was just at a restless point in his life, I believe, and needed a bit of a change. He got it when a beautiful woman he compares to Ava Gardner appears on his bus every Friday. He becomes obsessed with her, to the point it begins to effect his entire life...his job, his marriage, his integrity. I really enjoyed the book; it's the perfect size and a very entertaining read. I plan to read more of his books and highly recommend you order this one ! It's a keeper.

simple plot, with endless imagination.......2006-08-16

I will start by saying that this book may not be for everyone. Some readers with short patience will loose interest before the book climaxes. But if you are a true fan of reading, I cannot see you loosing interest in this book. The descriptions of buses and Jack's day to day occupation are occasionally over the top and what some would say excessive... but it all serves a distinct purpose to bring you as the reader, into Jack's life. If you don't let yourself become Jack in this book, don't bother reading it, because it will mean nothing to you. But if you give it a chance, you will see a beautiful tragedy unfold right before you. This book truly is a proving ground for the saying that, "you don't know what you have till it's gone." You may also find it difficult to remove yourself from Jack's life once you've put yourselves in it.
I would recommend this book to anyone who truly enjoys reading, but especially men, who in my opinion can truly relate to what a white widow is, and how we can really loose our minds after getting one in our head.

awsome book!

Portrait of person, time and place.......2005-11-30

This portrait is so full, it really doesn't need the "white widow" of its title. In my opinion, a number of more realistic scenarios could have prompted what became the final action. This didn't, however, interfere with my enjoyment of the book.

Having been a bus rider and a resident of TX, the ride rang true. You really get to know Jack Oliver and the world of post war TX bus driving. As with any well developed character, you miss Jack when the book is over.

I recommend this book to those who like character studies or regional literature.

The upheaval of a simple life.......2003-10-23

White Widow is Jim Lehrer's succinct, unadorned yet poignant account of the life of a simple man Jack T. Oliver. Oliver residing in Corpus Christi, Texas, the son of a local ophthamologist is a proud and professional bus driver for the Great Western Trailways line. He is soon to be promoted to the exalted rank of Master Operator, a result of years of exemplary service. Never one with lofty aspirations, he is happily married to an equally simple wife who was his first and only love. His sole hobby, which he shares with his wife is the decoration of his humble abode for Christmas.

Oliver who possesses a fertile, Walter Mitty-like imagination is smitten with emotion when a gorgeous raven haired passenger boards his bus. Imagining her to be the beautiful Ava Gardner he pictures himself as her paramour. She evolves into a regular passenger on Fridays causing Oliver to lose focus on those things that were truly important to him, his job and his wife. His lack of concentration results in some disastrous repercussions to his existence.

Customer Reviews:

Good work in the field of Anthropology.......2000-04-22

Jose Limon has a way of weaving a story into an athropological study that brings the aspect of culture that he is studying to life. He keeps the reader interested by making the stories of his field work part of his studies.

Book Description

Family Pictures is the story of Carmen Lomas Garza's girlhood: celebrating birthdays, making tamales, finding a hammerhead shark on the beach, picking cactus, going to a fair in Mexico, and confiding to her sister her dreams of becoming an artist. These day-to-day experiences are told through fourteen vignettes of art and a descriptive narrative, each focusing on a different aspect of traditional Mexican American culture.

The English-Spanish text and vivid illustrations reflect the author's strong sense of family and community. For Mexican Americans, Carmen Lomas Garza offers a book that reflects their lives and traditions. For others, this work offers insights into a beautifully rich community.

Customer Reviews:

a kid's favorite.......2007-02-26

My 5 year old daughter loves this book. She enjoys both the brief stories accompanying each illustration, and examining each illustration and looking closely at the fascinating details. The text describes a large family and their many traditions that are interesting whether or not you are familiar with Mexican-American traditions and customs. Although we don't read Spanish, we like having the text in Spanish available for us to learn the words and phrases.

Family Pictures.......2006-02-24

I have read many children's books; this book however, isn't really a book for reading. It's greatest attribute are it's pictures. It does have a small descriptive paragraph opposite each picture in both English and Spanish, therefore making the book accessible to many different children. It is a great multicultural book; you can learn about the culture and traditions of a Mexican American family. It is a good book to develop multiculturalism and can be used in many ways in the classroom.

Cuadros de familia.......2005-05-28

This book is a must have for ALL classrooms, but especially Bilingual and Dual Language Classrooms! I use it all year long! My students LOVE it so much that I bought them each their own copy for Día del niño this year. We use it as a writing prompt, they connect text to self and compare and contrast. The illustrations are beautiful. This year we used it for our yearly diorama project. Instead of the children choosing random books to do a diorama on, they chose the cuadro that most spoke to them and their family experience, and did their diorama on that. They also did a beautiful piece of polished writing comparing a family memory with that cuadro. This is my favorite book to use in the classroom, and many adults love to receive it as a gift as well. It brings back beautiful memories to all ages. This is truly a treasure. I cannot reccomend it highly enough! It is also great to leave for a substitute because it is bilingual and you know you cannot count on all subs speaking Spanish! The students never get tired of reading it or writing about it!

A MUST BUY!

Wonderful piece!.......2004-04-12

Family Pictures is an excellent example of an autobiographical as well as multicultural book written for children from kindergarten through fourth grade. Lomas Garza covers a short period of her own childhood and the social life and customs of Hispanic Americans. The reader's attention is held by the detailed illustrations done in a variety of materials including oil on canvas, acrylic on canvas, and gouache on arches paper. While children will be drawn by the wonderful paintings, they will be learning a great deal about the Hispanic culture.

Teachers must have this book!.......2003-12-06

Family Pictures is a book within our third grade anthology, and it is definitely worth buying. This book is an excellent example of an autobiography or personal experience narrative for students to read while using background knowledge to make schema connections of all kinds, especially text to self connections. Students will use the author's detailed illustrations and text to predict, question, infer, and synthesize. I was so impressed by this book, that I bought the author's other book called In My Family, and found it to be an excellent sequel for text to text connections with Family Pictures. My class used the book Family Pictures to create our own classroom book of family pictures using the author's craft to guide our own photo summaries. This activity incorporates not only the use of elaborative detail, but teaches the skill of summarizing by using the 5 W's: (who, what, when, where, why). Text to text connections may also be made relating this book to Too Many Tamales and When I Was Young in the Mountains.

Average customer rating:

Texas and Texans
Anderson
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill/Glencoe
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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