A Review of Back Roads to Far Towns
by Basho
reviewed by Nicholas Beatty

In my mind, a beautiful garden exists. It rests high on top of a mountain where a light breeze carries the heavenly scent of cherry blossoms and violets from the valley below. Having never felt so peaceful in all my life, I rest on the bank of a gently flowing stream. Although not thirsty, I feel compelled to taste the cool water. As I bring my cupped hands slowly to my face, I am amazed by the revelation....

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A Review of The Memoirs of Cleopatra
by Margaret George
reviewed by Nicholas Beatty

Memoirs of Cleopatra is more than merely a book, it is an epic journey straight to the heart of a woman shrouded in mystery. From the moment I opened the cover of this book, I was transported to the ancient city of Alexandria. I felt the heat of the Egyptian sun on my shoulders, I could smell the exotic fragrances drifting from the palace and I watched as Cleopatra's magnificent fleet glisten in the harbor....

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A review of The One Who Walked Alone
by Novalyn Price-Ellis
reviewed by Nicholas Beatty

Like a dandelion pushing through a crack in the sidewalk, love blooms in the most unlikely of places. One such love story took place on the hot and dusty fields of Cross Plains, Texas. Set in the Depression, this is a story about a man and a woman... one with dreams and hope for the future... the other doomed forever, out of fear for what the future might bring....

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A review of Fish!
by Steven C. Lundin, Harry Paul, and John Christensen
reviewed by Nicholas Beatty

Can creativity and enthusiasm be learned from a smelly, fishmonger? You Bet! One of the most important values I learned from Fish! is that it's possible to gain wisdom from some of the most unsuspecting places. Never judge a book by its cover, you could be missing out on a lot!

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A review of the answer is Yes
author: Sara Lewis
reviewed by Saf Krauss

Jenny Brown didn't know what to expect when she and her husband moved to San Diego from the east coast. Suddenly she finds that her life lacks direction; she's in a rut. Loneliness, the insensitivity of her husband, being jobless and the internal struggles to make the decision to find her birth mother, are all taking their toll....

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A review of Magical Star Fruit Tree
author: Rosalind Wang
reviewed by Nicholas Beatty

In our society we often reward those who have found success with our respect and admiration. While leading a successful or prosperous life is the ultimate goal in our American culture, many individuals seem to forget to display consideration towards others while pursuing their goals...

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A review of Angela's Ashes
author: Frank McCourt
Reviewed by Saf Krauss

Angela's Ashes is a true story that will take you back to a time in history where poverty and war tested your resolve and made you stronger or weaker. The author, with his poetic language and hidden sense of humor, describes a period in his life that is depressing to the average American... but it will leave you with a compassion and understanding of why people left Europe in droves to come to the site where the Statue of Liberty rests. And why they continue to do so to this very day....

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A review of The Lives of Christopher Chant
author: Diana Wynne Jones
reviewed by Beverly Reynolds

Christopher Chant would like to become a professional cricket player when he grows up. Unfortunately, he's been "blessed" (or cursed....it would depend upon whom you asked) by being the only person in the entire world with nine lives and a hefty supply of magic......

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A review of Ahab's Wife
author: Sena Jeter Naslund
reviewed by Saf Krauss

Ahab's Wife will gain the reputation as one of the best pieces of literature to come out of the 21st Century. Through Sena Jeter Naslund's skill and command of the English language, and her sense of adventure, a storyline is developed around the feared Captain Ahab of Moby Dick. This master storyteller shows us contrasts and comparisons between Captain Ahab and the main character, Una, who later becomes his wife...

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A review of MoonBoy
author: Carolyn Garcia
reviewed by Beverly Reynolds

The illustrations alone make this book different from many other children's books. But the story is very important, too. MoonBoy is sent down from the moon to explore new things. But everyone is afraid of him because he looks so different: he has a head that glows and some strange doors on his chest, where his heart should be.....

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