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  & 5 users

• Current

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Type: educational

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Status: I recommend

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Author: Jeffrey Sachs

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Tags: economics poverty non-fiction

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Description: A very good read clarifying Sachs' thinking on how and why we can end extreme poverty byA very good read clarifying Sachs' thinking on how and why we can end extreme poverty by 2025. Also includes a history of his work with governments which demonstrates some of the issues and techniques in macroeconomics. He makes clear with simple data why it's possible to end extreme poverty, and how little we're currently doing....

2006-04-24

  & 19 users

• Current

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Type: fiction

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Status: neutral

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Author: Gregory Maguire

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Tags: fiction oz

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Description: I didn't think much of this story. While there was still some enjoyment in playing withI didn't think much of this story. While there was still some enjoyment in playing with the world and stories of Oz, the author didn't create anything that interested me in the character and story of the witch's son....

2006-03-27

  & 7 users

• Current

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Type: special

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Status: I recommend

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Author: Kurt Vonnegut

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Tags: memoir non-fiction

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Description: This collection of notes and memoirs is typical Vonnegut. It feels especially relevant toThis collection of notes and memoirs is typical Vonnegut. It feels especially relevant to hear his take on the modern state of things. His thoughts as always are biting, intelligent and both pessimistic and inspiring.
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2006-03-27

  & 17 users

• Current

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Type: fiction

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Status: liked

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Author: Robert Jordan

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Tags: fiction wheeloftime

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Description: Hard to believe we're on book 11. Jordan seems to be getting back on track with this one.Hard to believe we're on book 11. Jordan seems to be getting back on track with this one. It feels like things actually happen here with several plot threads coming to a close. In addition, a sense of pacing is back, turning the series back into a page turner. ON the downside, some threads feel rushed as if Jordan finally realized how much there was to do before the conclusion. At this point rushing may be necessary, but with major foreshadowed events a lot more care would have been nice. And Jordan has not shaken his problems with slow movement and over-detailing. He claims the next book will be the last – I fear that will mean an unsatisfactory conclusion....

2006-03-12

  & 28 users

• Current

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Type: fiction

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Status: favorite

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Author: Audrey Niffenegger

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Description: This is as close to perfect as you can get. A fascinating concept which doesn't beginThis is as close to perfect as you can get. A fascinating concept which doesn't begin to lose its fascination by the time the story ends. Plus characters which feel so real, so 3-dimensional and a plot structure that can't help but keep you turning pages as it evolves. If only she would write more!...

2006-03-12

  & 108 users

• Current

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Type: educational

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Status: I recommend

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Authors: Stephen J. Dubner Steven D. Levitt

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Tags: economics non-fiction statistics

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Description: I loved this book, although I felt it was too brief and cursory. This type of research andI loved this book, although I felt it was too brief and cursory. This type of research and thinking is exactly my cup of tea. I love to see research, especially statistical reserach that disproves conventional wisdom or that discovers something outside of the realm of conventional thinking. Here I learned that having a swimming pool is 100 times more likely to kill you than having a gun, the real factors behind the crime rate and the economics of crack dealers. I would love to study this kind of stuff....

2005-10-23

  & 189 users

• Current

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Type: unknown

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Status: I recommend

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Author: J.K. Rowling

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Tags: fantasy harry_potter

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Description: I finally read the newest volume, not soon enough to have it somewhat given away but beforeI finally read the newest volume, not soon enough to have it somewhat given away but before I heard it all. Between HP books I don't consider myself much of a fan - Rowling certainly isn't the greatest fantasy writer ever. But once I start reading I am always hooked and must admit she does do something special. This one was one of the best, not wasting time on rehashing or hero angst. She has nicely depicted Harry growing up and becoming more interested in his quest rather than school or whining. It left me with a lot of thoughts about what will happen next time....

2005-10-23

  & 16 users

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Type: fiction

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Status: —

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Author: Steve Martin

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Tags: fiction

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Description: This short little novel was a pleasing character study. It hooked me from the beginning withThis short little novel was a pleasing character study. It hooked me from the beginning with its descriptions of the main character, a young woman working the glove counter at a department store. The story is of her changing life, and that of the few characters that interact with her. It's told in a quick, omniscient voice that deals with a lot of internal issues while not lingering. I thought the voice was a bit overdone, a bit baroque in a modern psychological sense. But it was still an enjoyable read and succeeded in outlining some real characters....

2005-10-08

  & 49 users

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Type: fiction

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Status: —

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Author: Christopher Paolini

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Tags: fantasy magic dragons

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Description: A fairly typical fantasy story. Nothing new in the genre here, and the writing is obviouslyA fairly typical fantasy story. Nothing new in the genre here, and the writing is obviously by an amateur. But the story was enjoyable, and did have me turning the pages. I'd be glad to see where the story goes in the other books. This was recommended to me by a 14 year old friend,and I would have probably loved it then. At 29 I've read a lot of versions of this book though....

2005-09-17

  & 1 users

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Type: scientific

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Status: I recommend

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Authors: Lynn M.D. Ponton Gerard Jones

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Tags: psychology children non-fiction

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Description: This book described well my thoughts on imaginary/entertainment violence and children. I oftenThis book described well my thoughts on imaginary/entertainment violence and children. I often find myself at odds with people who feel we need to stop our children from violent play or entertainment, and hearing a "professional" take my side on things was nice. And of course in the length of the book he added some pieces to the argument that I had not considered, as well has having many individual stories. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the subject or who has kids....

2005-09-17