5 comments about Why Stop?: Texas Roadside Markers: A Guide to Texas Historical Roadside Markers, 5th Edition.

1. I was amazed at the number of markers in our state, and no longer have to wonder what the sites are noted for. I have traveled Texas roads all my life, and wish this book had been with me from the beginning: I would know a lot more Texas History!
   Highly recommended.
   Aubrey Estes



2. This book has an alphabetical listing of the city or towns where the markers are located, with addresses or locations of each. This makes for much easier locating when you drive by a marker. My husband & I RV a lot and we keep it in our vehicle -- when we see a marker, I grab the book, look up the marker, and read the information aloud. If anyone's interested in the history of Texas, this would be a great book to add to one's collection of historical books.



3. I thought it would be more up to date but it isn't. There were numerous historical markers that were not noted. Maybe they have come out with a more up to date one. Otherwise the book is informative.



4. Perfect for Texans who hate to stop but who want to read the historical markers anyway.



5. My husband is a history buff, so this will fill in the blanks when we are driving through Texas. Thanks

1 comments about DogFriendly.com's Lodging Guide for Travelers with Dogs: United States and Canada Pet-friendly Lodging, Hotels and Accommodations.

1. This book was a great help to us in traveling with our three dogs. It is clearly written and we found the information contained in the book to be 100% correct. Great reference!

1 comments about A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to Florida, 2nd (Canoeing & Kayaking Guides - Menasha).

1. This is a good guide packed full with good info. You are going to need to buy a DeLorme atlas for Florida along with it. The maps in the book are pretty scant.

5 comments about Secret in the Tower: Time Spies, Book 1 (Time Spies).

1. Eight-year-old Alex Chapman doesn't know what to expect when his parents inform him that he, along with his two sisters (Mattie, nine; and Sophie, five), are moving to a creaky country inn, where they'll be the new proprietors, welcoming guests of all shapes and sizes with open arms. All Alex can concentrate on is the fact that he'll be leaving behind his old soccer team, in which he was the best goalie ever, as well as his old school, and countless friends. However, upon arriving at the Gray Horse Inn, Alex's preconceived notions about the old place quickly change; for he soon sees that the Gray Horse Inn appears to hold many strange quirks, and a lot of old-time charm. Upon exploring the three stories, and countless bedrooms with his sister's, Alex discovers a secret passageway that leads to the tower. While, on first sight, it appears to be completely empty, Alex begins searching through the drawers of a lone desk, only to discover an old spyglass that appears to be some sort of antique. The moment Alex, along with Mattie and Sophie, place their hands upon the old spyglass, they are transported back in time, and find themselves on the Inn's front porch...hundreds of years ago (the year 1781, to be exact). Within minutes Mattie, Alex, and Sophie witness two American heroes upon horseback, racing through their backyard, a gang of Redcoat Soldiers hot on their trail; and soon they realize that they're smack dab in the middle of the Battle of Yorktown. With all of this excitement looming around them, the three siblings soon realize that maybe living in an old Inn isn't as bad as they originally thought. In fact, it might turn out to be a somewhat...educational experience.
   
   I rarely read time travel books. However, the premise of Candice Ransom's SECRET IN THE TOWER sounded too good to resist, and I instantly delved into it. I was not disappointed. Ransom has woven an enchanting, spellbinding adventure, that combines a little mystery, a little magic, and a whole lot of history, to create an intrepid tale that will thrill (and educate) young/middle readers. The three characters are extremely relatable, all possessing their own little quirks: Mattie being bossy, and very "big-sister"-ish; Alex being laid back, easygoing, and always up for excitement; and Sophie being the typical, adorable little sister, who's just along for the ride; creating a wonderful mix that blends together marvelously. Mixing two parts MAGIC TREEHOUSE, two parts THE SECRETS OF DROON, and one part AMERICAN GIRLS, Ransom has penned a wonderful new series that is sure to win over readers of all ages, and get them excited over history!
   
   Erika Sorocco
   Freelance Reviewer



2. Wizards of the Coast have their own publishing company for non-D&D/Magic the Gathering titles? Now I've seen everything. At this point in time, I'll be entirely blunt with you. When I picked up this first book in the new "Time Spies" series, "Secret In the Tower", I was not especially thrilled. But I'm a fair children's librarian. I try to allow every book I read a chance to surprise me, though few actually take me up on the challenge. In the case of this "Time Spies" book, everything was working against it. For one thing, it's a series book for kids that probably already love "The Magic Treehouse" and "The Chronicles of Droon". And my familiarity with those two series has taught me that when good authors like Mary Pope Osborne (as with her "Pompeii" book) and Tony Abbott (as with "Firegirl") write series fiction for the early-chapter set, often the books are two-dimensional dribble with some of the worst dialogue on the planet. Hopes were, needless to say, not high for "Time Spies". So I started reading... and reading... and reading... until it suddenly occurred to me what it was I held in my hands. This is a series book, yes, but it's more than halfway decent. About the time I discovered that the youngest child had a stuffed elephant named Ellsworth, I was sold. You absolutely have to have series books in your home and library? Well, bypass all the other books out there and take a turn with "Time Spies". If you're gonna do historical series fiction for young `uns, you may as well do it right.
   
   Alex, Mattie, and Sophie are all dealing with their recent move with their parents to a renovated country inn in the middle of Virginia in different ways. Five-year-old Sophie's cool with it, eight-year-old Alex is excited by it, and nine-year-old Mattie is seriously perturbed. Once they arrive at the house their parents have bought, the kids discover that parts of the building date back to colonial times. There's also a mysterious Revolutionary War reenactor there who tells them about the history of the region. When the three discover an old spyglass in one of the house's hidden rooms, suddenly they are sent back in time to fulfill a job of the utmost importance. Codes, revolutionary heroes, and spies abound when these kids become messengers from the future to the past.
   
   So what sets this apart from all the other "Magic Tree House" knock-offs on the market today? Well, for one thing, it's far better written than any of the "Magic Tree House" books churned out. If you know of a kid that's read all of Ms. Osborne's series, you would do very well to encourage them to move on to "Time Spies" as they are similarly historically-minded. The book moves fast so that kids reading it won't get bored, but at the same time you get a clear view of who the characters are right from the start. Facts about the time period they're dealing with (in this case, both the Revolutionary War and the ride of Jack Jouette) are dealt with in kid-friendly but factual terms. The book also happens to be both understandable and exciting, a rare early chapter book combo. Ransom, to her credit, never leaves ends dangling or details swaying in the wind. If there's a mystery at the end of the book, that's only there so that kids will be enticed to read future books in the "Time Spies" series. Extra points to "Secret In the Tower" for including some of the little known George Washington spy info too often ignored in kid lit.
   
   I'm obviously not saying that "Secret In the Tower" is going to win huge awards and revolutionize the way we read series books or anything. I just happen to know that finding quality books for kids of this reading level can be hard sometimes. If you're gonna hand them a series, you may as well make it a good one. You may as well also make it "Time Spies". It's worthy of your consideration.



3. Great series! Highly recommended for those that can't wait for the next Treehouse book! My son is in third grade and received the first two in this series for Christmas. He ignored all his other new books to read this one first and then he immediately began the second in this series! As soon as he finished the second one, he was requesting more. As a mom and as a former reading teacher, I can't tell you how happy this makes me!



4. I read this book before I purchased it for our school library. I liked it because it will appeal to both boys and girls. It is a lot like the Magic Tree House that the children go somewhere else, in this case they are going back in time. This is a great way for the younger audience to learn something about history.



5. My students love these stories as it travels back in time. I love the stories as it has sparked an interest in history. Some of my students have gone on to read other historical stories.

5 comments about Three Weeks With My Brother.

1. It took me a while to get into the autobiography of Nicholas Sparks, but if you can get past the beginning, it is a very emotional story. I listened to it while I was driving and I was tearing up a few times, which isn't too good while driving, LOL. I think this would actually make a good movie.



2. As i was traveling with my boyfriend to Florida to visit with my family i acciedntly bought this book. i meant to buy something else by Nicholas Sparks but it just so happens that is was Three weeks with my brother. I dont not have any brothers and up until this point i didnt think that the realastionships between brothers and sisters could be so close. I loved how this book tied in the relationship that the two brothers had as well as the relationship with the whole family. I myself have not done too much traveling around the world and loved the insight that the book gave me. I actually have looked into a trip to see some of the locations that the two brothers went to.
   This book was very inspirational. It allowed me to want to connect more with my family as well as my surroundings. I loved it......



3. Excellent memoir. Kept my attention the entire book and you really felt for the characters. I love all of Nicholas Sparks' fiction books, but this one, you got to know Nicholas Sparks' and read about his interesting life. My husband loved it, too. Very, very good read. Highly recommend!



4. I commute 4x a week to work, which is roughly 130 miles round trip (but very worth every mile), and I am always looking for books on CD to listen to on the ride. This story was wonderful to listen to; it made the drive fly by. I found myself excited to get in my car for my trip back and forth, just to hear the next chapter and adventure. The stories of Nicholas Sparks' childhood were my favorite part.



5. At first I thought it was very difficult to listen to. I got throught the first CD and put it aside.
   
   I want to know where he found this trip and how much did it cost because I would like to do this too. Anyone else know?
   
   Anyhow, yet again there is always a twist and I have found not be the emotional type when it comes to hard times but once on my own and thinking about it I feel bad for when good people pass on because there are so many other nasty people that we could do without.
   
   I wish I was more like Dana none the less. I am not optomistic at all.
   
   Anyhow in the end the book was very good and yes I would say read/listen to it.....Also, I still want to know where you found this trip at.

No comments about Montana Benchmark Atlas.

2 comments about 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: New York City: Including northern New Jersey, southwestern Connecticut, and western Long Island (60 Hikes within 60 Miles).

1. You would think that a hike in New York City would take you from say Central Park to Battery Park along the sidewalks. To my surprise, the Brooks have found all of these hikes within a reasonable distance from the city. As a for instance, the Pelham Bay Park is 2,766 acres in size with 13 miles of shoreline. It's also reachable by public transport. (Take the #6 train followed by the Bx29 bus.) The hiking there is flat, shoreline and all that. Or there's Norvin Green where you'll need sturdy hiking shoes, and find multiple deep-water streams to cross in a 9.3 mile up and down trail. Other hikes include wildlife refuges, state forests, national recreation areas, swamps, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, ocean shores. You can get away from the concrete.
   
   As a book, the layout makes it easy to find things. The overall maps lead you to the general area you may find interesting. The descriptions of each of the 60 hikes includes a description, a detailed map of each, elevation profile, and directions - usually by automobile and public transport. As the back cover says, If you live near NYC, get it.



2. Christopher Brooks surely did his homework in writing 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: New York City: with northern New Jersey, southwestern Connecticut, and western Long Island. The details on the many hikes in the Tri State area are very helpful. One can easily trace around the suggested trails that Brooks provides. Also Brooks adds a little history to many of the recommended trails.
   
   He gives equal emphasis to New Jersey, Connecticut, Long Island, and the Hudson Region. Also a comprehensive index is provided so the reader can easily distinguish flat hikes from vigorous climbs to ones to bring the children on. Every base is covered as this book is a fantastic guide for anyone looking to explore new hiking trails in the New York area.

1 comments about 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Portland, 3rd: including the Coast, Mount Hood, St. Helens, and the Santiam River (60 Hikes - Menasha Ridge).

1. Paul is a knowledgeable hiker, passionate outdoorsman and entertaining writer. His attention to detail, whether giving driving directions or adding tidbits of historical interest to a certain location, make this a useful book both on and off the trail. In this, the third edition, Paul has fine tuned the content of the previous two editions, adding new hikes hitherto un-popularized in other hiking books, making this the most complete and best edition yet. This is not a book based on hearsay and bookish research; Paul has actually hiked, many times, all the locations profiled. Paul's treatment of the material is so thorough that I was able to use some of his research in the writing of my own book about fishing Oregon. Paul's new book on the day hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail is a great companion book. Thanks for the great work, Paul.

2 comments about Moon California Fishing: The Complete Guide to Fishing on Lakes, Streams, Rivers, and the Coast (Moon Handbooks).

1. Tom Stienstra has spent his entire adult life exploring the outdoors in California and the Pacific Northwest. He supports his avocation by writing guidebooks to the state, the most popular being California Camping and California Hiking, the latter co-authored with Ann Marie Brown. But his true passion is fishing and it shows on every page of this book, the eighth edition of California Fishing.
   
   Like other books in the Moon California recreational series, this one divides the state into 15 geographical regions ranging from Redwood Empire and Shasta in the north, to San Diego County and the desert regions in the south. Each region is given its own chapter and prefaced by a map giving noted locations for each write up. Every chapter then includes 10 to 80 fishing locations, each of which is briefly described, along with local boating regulations, nearby camping or resort opportunities, and similar amenities. Of course you will also be told what to expect, best seasons to visit, and some strategies for each body of water.
   
   Fishing is an enormously addictive activity. As I child I owned multiple tackle boxes and would dream over my lures nightly as fishing season approached. I gradually moved away from fishing towards hiking exclusively, but after reading the book, I find I am again bitten by the bug. This April may well find me backpacking in Henry Coe State Park, and should that be the case, I will bring along some ultra light equipment and see if I can tempt a few bass or bluegill. So be forewarned; this is an excellent book, but it can lead to seriously reevaluating the relative importance of many things in your life. A t-shirt my mom gave my father sums this up nicely: We interrupt this marriage to bring you the fishing season!



2. This book is awesome, and especially great for the beginner, with plenty on tackle and techniques at every lake, reservoir, stream and pier worth fishing...and even a few that aren't! I used to fish as a kid with my dad, and am trying to get back into it. After reading this book I caught my first rainbow trout in 25 years. 'Nuff said.

No comments about Not for Tourists Guide to Boston 2009 (Not for Tourists Guidebook).