Explore our new BookBrowse Community Forum!

Reviews by

If you'd like to be able to easily share your reviews with others, please join BookBrowse.
Order Reviews by:
Into The Wild
by Jon Krakauer
 (8/9/2001)
Heather
I recently finished reading Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild and I was disappointed. It came as no great shock (having recently read Into Thin Air) that Jon Krakauer took minimal facts about a young man he didn't even know and created a 'nonfiction' story linking these facts together. While the story in itself was interesting, I don't believe that Krakauer had the right to embellish these facts about a real human being and his family. If I was in McCandless' family I would be annoyed at the amount of creative license Krakauer granted himself while telling this real life event. Jon Krakauer needs to learn that there is a fine line in journalism between what is acceptable and what's not. Human beings shouldn't be submitted to fabricated exposures of the unknown (seemingly to all but Krakauer) events surrounding the death of their loved ones. Krakauer needs to pull himself away from his hedonistic views and consider someone else besides himself and his pursuits that 'border on obsession'.
Innocence: A Novel
by Jane Mendelsohn
 (8/9/2001)
Robin
As I read Mendelsohn's novel, it was somewhat scary, but at the same time intriguing. The metaphors included within the novel make one think about the world we see around us. A picture of the adolescent mind is exquisitely painted by the plot and structure of the book. This is a must read. Bravo.
In The Meantime: Finding Yourself and the Love that You Want
by Iyanla Vanzant
 (8/9/2001)
Teri
I did not think the book was well written and I believe it encourages people to be too self-centered. However, it has a few good points, such as: "You can't grab what is good for you if you are holding on to what is bad for you." and "fluctuation is not the same as change." In toto, it is worth reading.
In The Meantime: Finding Yourself and the Love that You Want
by Iyanla Vanzant
 (8/9/2001)
Kim Larocque
The book inspired me to realize one important thing. As long as I am "In the Meantime" everything else is O.K. While I evaluate, "throw out the trash", and move up and forward, I can have peace of mind and live life in the present moment.
In The Meantime: Finding Yourself and the Love that You Want
by Iyanla Vanzant
 (8/9/2001)
Emily Eldridge
This book was an excellent source of strength for me as I was dealing with the exact "in the meantime" experience Iyanla discussed. She made me realize that although my life may seem to be stagnant; it is just the beginning. God is just preparing me for something greater, but I must be excited about the meantime until that day.
In A Sunburned Country: UK Title: Down Under
by Bill Bryson
 (8/9/2001)
Jim Sayre
Perhaps my exposure to this as an audio book contributed to my frequent aversion to Bryson's style. The delivery came across too often as jaded, melodramatic, and illusory. To be 'cute' he pretends to be in eminent danger, yet is able to throw in $1.00 words to a degree where I actually had to 'fast forward'. He wastes much time on irrelevant meetings with people who provide little insight to the Australian people. Occasional facts and descriptions are appreciated, but seem less believable after his constant exaggerations. My suggestion: eliminate the polysyllabic adjectives; just SAY IT! Try also to show people the way an artist or photographer would, with contrast, insight, and compassion. Bryson's are amateur snapshots with pretentious captions.
House of Sand and Fog
by Andre Dubus III
 (8/9/2001)
Sue C
I, too, found this book vastly disappointing. I was willing to suspend disbelief for the first two thirds, where I was pulled along by interesting writing and two characters -- Kathy and Behrani -- whose emotional situations, if not their legal status, were relatively believable. But in the final third, the plot spun out of control to bring the book to a totally surreal end. I wouldn't recommend to anyone.
House of Sand and Fog
by Andre Dubus III
 (8/9/2001)
Susan
I fought my way through this book from the beginning. After Oprah and several critics gave this novel such high acclaim, I was determined to stick with it until I found the pleasure I had been promised. It never came. I was unable to develop any concern or affection for any of the main characters. The time bomb that ticked away with each turning of the page was something I almost wished would explode so that I could be finished with this disappointing read. I would also like to say that I disagree with the critics who describe this novel as 'believable'.
Hot Six
by Janet Evanovich
 (8/9/2001)
KK
The best stephanie plum roller coaster ride yet! can't wait for the next one.
Hearts In Atlantis
by Stephen King
 (8/9/2001)
Paul Nash
The master of horror, with perhaps his finest novel in twenty years, recreates the 1960's and the decades that followed with stunning clarity and his typical eye for even the smallest detail. King's ability to turn even the most normal situation into a tale of mystery and evil is again his trump card. From the small boy in suburban Connecticut to the New York businessman, danger is waiting at every turn. My own personal favourite, the title story "Hearts in Atlantis", teaches me more about college life of that time than I could ever learn about in history books or from television. The characters are alive, the university is real. As King says "the sixties aren't fictional, they actually happened."

by
 (8/9/2001)
JayT
Not many people (including myself I must confess) would expect someone who makes a living of getting severely injured again and again to be such an intelligent, witty, funny and genuine human being. Not only does his book act as a fascinating (and at times sickening) insight into the world of pro wrestling but also Mick's struggle from an ordinary life to enormous (and well deserved stardom). Congrats Mick! And Have A Nice Day!!

by
 (8/9/2001)
Sean
Mick has really opened up his heart and soul to write this autobiography, and boy, it was worth it! Full of comedy, romance, drama and heartache, this book dissects the myth and legend that is Mick Foley and hands it back to the reader on a compelling level. It is much, much, much more than just a book on sports entertainment. Instead, we receive many glorious pages about one human being's will-power and determination to be all he could be. "Have A Nice Day!" packs a serious punch too. Tears of joy and tears of sadness will be shared with all who read this, but overall, it brings a positive uplift in the human spirit. Well done, Mick! You've proved an inspiration to both pro wrestler and author alike.

by
 (8/9/2001)
Steve
This book is awesome!!! it has excitement romance comedy and most of all blood. Truthfully though it is the well written story of the hardest hardcore legend of our time. Mick foley. this book will make you laugh it will make you cry it will make you want to smack rick flair for letting arguably the best wrestler of all time.

by
 (8/9/2001)
Tom Hartmann
This is to anyone who has recently seen the book "Have a nice day" by Author/Wrestler Mick "Mankind" Foley on top of the New York times bestseller list but has been hesitant to read the book because its about wrestling and that wrestling is fake. Let me tell you all that this book, while it may be about wrestling, is more about life. It will make you laugh, shudder and perhaps even cry when you read how Mick Foley has sacrificed himself in order to entertain his fans who have paid their hard earned money in order to see him. This book is highly recommended, not only for wrestling fans, but for anyone who wants a better understanding of the human spirit.

by
 (8/9/2001)
John Kell
Have a Nice Day is an unusually touching and honest look at a world that has received little respect in regards to being a legitimate business/sport. Mick Foley lets all truth be known as he explains the behind-the-scenes of many popular wrestling organizations. His own story is one of a man who, through determination and pride, overcomes all to do what he loves most- wrestle. The injury descriptions can be graphic, but are still very revealing of a "fake" sport which Foley has toiled in for most of his life. One can't help but have a sense of admiration and respect for the man and the business after reading this well-written and revealing book.

by
 (8/9/2001)
Eldonia Martel-Merritt
Have A Nice Day was really funny. And it encouraged me not to give up my dreams of becoming a pro wrestler.

by
 (8/9/2001)
Tim Song
This book is the best! MANKIND IS THE BEST! HAVE A NICE DAY!
Hannibal
by Thomas Harris
 (8/9/2001)
Eric D. Cole
This was one great book! The suspense just builds and builds until you can't stand but to read the whole thing in one setting. Harris does a great job of bringing you into the book with such great vivid and exacting details. A great read that will scare and gross you out, but you'll forever cherish in your memory.
Hannibal
by Thomas Harris
 (8/9/2001)
Momoko
I've read all the Hannibal books now, and each one just gets better. This book was soo amazing, I could hardly put it down! It kept you in suspense, and the last hundred-or-so pages is my favorite, and I keep reading it over and over. I thought the ending was perfect, paul krendler deserved it, and Clarice and Hannibal make a strange, but interesting couple. Ya better go read it now!
Hannibal
by Thomas Harris
 (8/9/2001)
Lily
This book makes you use your imagination at it's furthest and it is all ruined at the end. Hannibal should of eaten her or something-anything-other than that. She's too smart to fall into his twisted life style.

Top Picks

  • Book Jacket: Our Evenings
    Our Evenings
    by Alan Hollinghurst
    Alan Hollinghurst's novel Our Evenings is the fictional autobiography of Dave Win, a British ...
  • Book Jacket: Graveyard Shift
    Graveyard Shift
    by M. L. Rio
    Following the success of her debut novel, If We Were Villains, M. L. Rio's latest book is the quasi-...
  • Book Jacket: The Sisters K
    The Sisters K
    by Maureen Sun
    The Kim sisters—Minah, Sarah, and Esther—have just learned their father is dying of ...
  • Book Jacket: Linguaphile
    Linguaphile
    by Julie Sedivy
    From an infant's first attempts to connect with the world around them to the final words shared with...

Members Recommend

  • Book Jacket

    Pony Confidential
    by Christina Lynch

    In this whimsical mystery, a grumpy pony must clear his beloved human's name from a murder accusation.

Who Said...

Fanaticism consists in redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim

Click Here to find out who said this, as well as discovering other famous literary quotes!

Wordplay

Solve this clue:

F the M

and be entered to win..

Your guide toexceptional          books

BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.