5 comments about My Family and Other Animals (Classic, Nature, Penguin).

1. My Family and Other Animals is a bare-bones story in terms of plot. The Durrell family goes to Corfu, lives through what could be termed as a soap opera, and leaves. It's humourous, but not particularly challenging.

   However, the older Gerald Durrell utilises vivid vocabulary over and over when describing the setting and people of Corfu. Fifteen-letter words that paint a crystalline picture are used frequently, relieving the never-ending roller coaster that is the life of the Durrells.

   Overall, this is a highly entertaining book that will keep you engaged for the week or so that you will spend reading it every spare second you have.




2. In todays day and age of Steve Erwin and Jeff Corbin who go around hunting for animals, it is easy to forget where it all started. With people like Gerald, and the London zoo. In this book, he collects animals, deals with his demented siblings and his long suffering mother who has to raise four kids and fend off the advances of a really persistent Colonel who gets increasingly vulgar and `grabby' when he drinks. This is a rare story that combines a humorous story with humorous writing and I once caused passengers in a flight to turn around and give me strange looks, so hard was I laughing.



3. Gerald Durrell was not only a naturalist and a gifted writer about his beloved animals, but a loving brother and son whose descriptions of his family and their foibles will keep you laughing all the way through. This is one of those books which I've reread so many times I've lost count, and which I've given to many friends who needed cheering up. Always works, too!



4. This book is absolutely, brilliantly funny. The wit and unique characterizations are woven with great descriptions of the animals and plants of Corfu. That Durrell can hold the attention of readers who have no interest in biology simply demonstrates what a fine work this is. Gerald's depiction of a larger-than-life expatriate family on a larger-than-life Greek island is a tremendous celebration of life. The variety of different Greek characters parading through this book rivals the variety of Corfu's flora and fauna. Absolute great read!



5. I must say this is one of the most light-hearted, hilarious books I have ever read. The story is of a world that one really may not get to see these days.. Go ahead and buy it..

No comments about Santorini: A Guide to the Island and its Archaeological Treasures.

5 comments about A Summer All Her Own.

1. A year has passed since her husband Paul died from a heart attack, but forty-five years old Anna Sandoval still grieves her loss deeply. Anna needs a change and knows it so she leaves their DC home for a summer in Crete. There she hopes to regain the passion for art that she sublimated as a celebrity wife in support of Paul's talk show career and to raise their two now adult children.
   
   On the isle, Anna lets go of her inhibitions even sunbathing without a top though she learns how easy it is to burn ones breasts. She also meets two men who seem to desire her. The widower Sam and the architect Alexis compete for her affection, which is a new feeling for Anna. However, Anna remains feeling lost and confused except when she paints.
   
   Anna is a fascinating lead character as she struggles to regain her equilibrium after the sudden death of her spouse. She had been a celebrity wife and mother, but now is grieving widow and so knows she must find the lost Anna though she understands she will always love her Paul and their children regardless of what she does. This middle aged woman seeking her groove is an interesting well written character study.
   
   Harriet Klausner



2. A year after she is made a widow, Anna Sandoval goes on an odyssey to Greece, hoping to find herself. Her path crosses with many individuals, among them two men who have the potential to capture her heart, if she is willing to give it. Sam is an American, like her, and is also searching for something or someone to complete himself. Alexis is a Greek Prince Charming who makes her feel special, but Anna fears losing her dreams if she gives herself to the romantic artist. Unlike most heroines though, Anna comes to see that her path does not lie in choosing one or the other, but in possibly taking the third way and choosing neither.
   
   ** The leisurely pace of Anna's quest will be soothing to many. If you want a plot with a lot going on and great depth, then this might not be the best choice. **
   
   Reviewed by Amanda Killgore, Freelance Reviewer.



3. How does one cope with the loss of a spouse after so many years of living in the role of wife? Anna Sandoval has been grieving the death of her husband, Paul, for a year when she decides to travel to Crete. Crete is one of the few places she and Paul never traveled. Anna hopes to discover herself as she has been Mrs. Paul Sandoval, wife of celebrity broadcaster, for so long that she is directionless. In Crete, Anna begins to rediscover herself and soon finds herself torn between two men, Sam McDonald and Alexis Sarkis. What realizations will Anna come to when she has A SUMMER ALL HER OWN?
   
   Rosanne Keller's stunning exploration of one woman's journey in the aftermath of death is spectacular. Anna Sandoval's search for her own identity and meaning is one that anyone who has ever lost someone close to them will relate to. Ms. Keller doesn't provide any easy answers, just as life doesn't. Anna's friendship with Demetri and Maria Anistopolis opens up a new window on life for Anna as they gently coax her into looking beyond Paul's death and seeing her own potential.
   
   A SUMMER ALL HER OWN is truly an international book. Ranging in settings from the United States to Crete and even to Athens, this book takes readers on both an emotional and a physical journey with Anna. The descriptions of the various locales are pure poetry. Readers will easily envision the various scenes and characters as they are vividly drawn through the artistic eye of both Anna and the author.
   
   A SUMMER ALL HER OWN is a deeply moving book. Rosanne Keller's lyrical prose brings this story to life. A SUMMER ALL HER OWN is both thought provoking and entertaining. The artistry of Rosanne Keller is showcased in this stunning book by a first time published author. A SUMMER ALL HER OWN is a leisurely journey that is well worth taking.
   
   COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES



4. This is a good chic flick and has a cute story to it. But half way through the book I wanted it to be over with, it just dragged on for too long. Some of the book was a little far-fetched for realism. But the discriptions on Athens and Crete was very vivid.



5. I didn't like the character. I enjoyed the art stuff and some of the country descriptions. I felt some of it was too affected...

1 comments about Patmos: Isle Of The Apocalypse.

1. Dennis Eugene Engleman's book "Patmos: Isle of the Apocalypse" was a winner in 2005's 41st Annual Georgia Author of the Year Awards held in Atlanta. The book won the "Best of Inspiration" Division in the Creative Nonfiction Category.
   
   "Patmos: Isle of the Apocalypse" features both stunning photography and fascinating narrative about this unique island where Saint John the Evangelist was exiled in the year 95 AD and wrote what we now know as the Bible's Book of Revelation.
   
   Sandee McGlaun, Assistant Professor of English at North Georgia College & State University, and judge of the competition, described "Patmos: Isle of the Apocalypse" at the awards ceremony in glowing terms: "It is a lovingly crafted book, equal parts travel guide, spiritual meditation, and personal narrative. Lyrical, informed, and insightful, Engleman's prose is complemented beautifully by personal photographs taken on his piligrimage to the isle."

No comments about Greece Before History: An Archaeological Companion and Guide.

No comments about Greece: A portrait Of (A Portrait of).

2 comments about Knopf MapGuide: Hawaii (Knopf Mapguides).

1. I am very pleased with this book for a number of reasons. Many other books are just too big to carry around with you and take up too much space in your luggage. This book is very compact, which makes it highly portable. in addition it is more than just another travel guide, as it is jammed packed with map after map after map. These maps fold out and cover almost every part of the Hawaiian Islands. Also this guide has listings for such things, as restaurants, museums, and shopping. Out of the three travel guides that I have boughten or received on Hawaii this is one that most likely will accompany me on my upcoming trip to Hawaii.



2. We were only going to one island (Maui), but this is a great, quick overview of all the islands. I was surprised at the hidden "gems" the guide found (for example, it mentioned Sam Sato's for lunch). It doesn't go into great detail, or offer "suggested itineraries" like other guides, but it's a good starting point.

3 comments about One Room in a Castle: Letters from Spain, France & Greece.

1. This is a travel book in more ways than one. Connelly provides interesting stories of her travels in Spain, France, and Greece (and a little at-home time in Canada). She also opens up her own life and experiences, sharing her observations, insecurities, and pleasures, along with short fiction and poetry along the way. Connelly's approach to travel writing reminds me of my favorite Mary Morris travel books and I've given it as a gift to friends who also enjoyed Morris's books.



2. Karen Connelly does a wonderful job of recreating the experiences and thoughts she had while on her journeys through France, Greece and Spain. One Room In A Castle is a textured, rich account of the cultures in which Karen Connelly connected. Although I have not yet had the pleasure of visiting these countries, I truly felt, as I read the poetry and prose, a love for the land, people and experience which compelled the writing in the first place. Travel Literature, at it's best, is absolutely captivating, taking the reader to the core of the experience. Karen Connelly does this in ONE ROOM IN A CASTLE. I highly recommend the text to anyone interested in Travel Literature.



3. This is like opening a treasure and discovering all the beauty of the world around us, and the worlds within us. Karen shoots from the heart, she gives us her thoughts, her stories, her people. It's not a travel book, not a rough guide to anywhere, it's a search. Karen is searching for herself, discovering herself, discovering all the parts of herself as she travels. We are all of us, many things to many people, but we all need to learn how to be happy in our own skin, and Karen is definitely searching. Sure she goes to Greece, France and Spain and paints us accurate pictures of the places and people she encounters, but the bigger search is within herself.

No comments about Mount Athos - An Illustrated Guide to the Monasteries and Their History (Travel Guides).

1 comments about The Greek Isles: Timeless Places.

1. I've actually been to Greece 3 times, and have never found a book - even over there! - that shows the beauty of these islands. This book is perfect, text is fine, but the pictures are exceptional - well worth the price!