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i would have rated BD better if it wasnt a part of the twilight series. that being said, i thought this final enstallment was written from a completely different author. many, many times i was like "wait..is this really S.Meyer writing this?" all of the tension between bella/edward/jacob and the volturi that was built up in the series was almost nonexistant in BD. it felt like the author ran out of storyline and plot and filled the entire book with fluff until the very end, only to let down the reader..again.

it was a decent story, but a complete let down for being the conclusion of the twilight series.

I enjoyed most of The Last Lecture, and often found it informative and inspirational. Still, there were weak points where he enumerated cliche after cliche, some of which are already tiresome on the first hearing, such as "luck is where preparation meets opportunity."

His bragging about his deal with his mom regarding the possibility that his disrespectful behavior might lead to breaking her furniture simply made me think, "if you pay for it, it's still a waste." What if everyone had that attitude about things? Well, we do, don't we? Everything is disposable.

St. Randy's double-head fake at the end just left me shrugging my shoulders. There was no sublime theme waiting to be revealed at the end. There was no fake involved. It was quite predictable.

A more modest ending might have felt more sincere, but let's face it. Randy Pausch wasn't a saint. He was an ambitious, cocky over-achiever. Good for him. He also had a heart. Bless him. Why should we try to make him into something that he never was?

One thing I would have liked to hear from Randy Pausch. He did say that he was thankful that he was given an opportunity to prepare for death, but what he could have added is that we all have that chance. Life is a death sentence. We all need to recognize that.

Finally tired of feeling left out of the next big thing in young adult literature, I conquered my embarrassment and borrowed Twilight from a friend. Though not usually a fan of romance, happy ending, or even horror stories, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this story of teenage love and vampirism.

I had read many a review maligning the main character, Bella, as a spineless anti-feminist mockery of a role-model for teen girls, and I was thusly expecting to be exasperated by her throughout the novel. Again I was surprised. In my eyes Bella is actually quite mature, insightful enough to see her parent's faults but loving enough to forgive them. I think most parents of teens would be thrilled if their children would take responsibility for planning and cooking dinner, manage their school work, and work part-time all with very little drama or parental guidance, as Bella does. Then this eminently reasonable girl has to fall in love with a vampire. Not very logical, and yet love so rarely is.

Turns out Bella is strangely attractive to an aloof young man at her new school, and she quickly uncovers the secret of his strange behavior. Bella is not particularly prone to flights of fancy, as well as obstinately head-strong once she has made a decision, and the reality of vampires is not enough to deter her from pursuing a relationship. Again criticism is leveled at this section of the book as not being a good model for teenage relationships. While it is true that Edward is a little physically and intellectually domineering, it helps to remember that he is both immensely strong and very old, and thus has some pretty valid excuses for thinking he knows best. Proximity to vampires eventually leads Bella into danger, and I think she comports herself quite well for a mere human up against immortals.

In summary, Twilight is a surprisingly well-written and enjoyable soppy love story, with a few vampires thrown in for good measure. I probably would never have touched this book as a teenager, but I've since learned to temper my cynicism with a dose of humor. Concerns about helpless females and abusive boyfriends are utterly unfounded, and actually appear to me to be rooted in a kind of reactive sexism. Why do we never hear this type of "role-model" concern for novels targeted at young men? I think I'll just assume that most teenage girls are smart enough not to base their relationships on the fictional exploits of a vampire, and continue to enjoy this harmless escapism.

This book is essentially a theological message, one that diverges a bit from orthodox Christianity. And that's okay, and that's probably part of the attraction so many have found in this book. However, by itself, I doubt many persons would have read this theological treatise, myself included, and would have given it a poor rating. However, encapsulated in the sentimental story of the abducted and murdered girl, whatever theology would have been put inside would probably have worked, and hence my high rating.

I had already read the first two books in about a 2 days time so I knew I had to order Eclipse, the third in the saga. This one is full of more action than the preceding books and I personally found it more enjoyable. I won't go in to detail because I don't want to spoil the story, but if you have read the first two, then you HAVE to keep going! And if you haven't yet read the first two books, order them as well and get started!!

While the series is more or less geared for YA, many ages can find something to relate to within all the books of the saga.

Watchmen is much more than a graphic novel. It is a fantastically well crafted piece of literature. On top of the breathtaking imagery and top notch art work, the authorization is incredibly well done. I would highly suggest this book to any and everyone, whether they be a fan of comics or not. This book delves deeply into the many problems with today's society and hammers them out with such force it will leave you in slight disbelief afterward. You will finish this novel and want to immediately flip back to the front cover and start again, and you should. This book needs to be read a minimum two or three times to really grasp everything. Not to mention that it's better each time, because there are things there that you couldn't have possibly noticed the first time around. Read watchmen. Read it again and again.

This is as bad as it gets! Witness the swift-boating of Obama. Sad, very sad. How does Corsi keep getting work?

OATHS SWORN . . . loyalties tested . . . forces collide.

Following the colossal battle against the Empire’s warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still there is more at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep.

First is Eragon’s oath to his cousin Roran: to help rescue Roran’s beloved, Katrina, from King Galbatorix’s clutches. But Eragon owes his loyalty to others, too. The Varden are in desperate need of his talents and strength—as are the elves and dwarves. When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices— choices that take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice.

Eragon is the greatest hope to rid the land of tyranny. Can this once-simple farm boy unite the rebel forces and defeat the king?

Absolutely wonderful book, I am a hugh fan of the Twilight series start with the first book and read all the way to the end 4 books in all, written so well I couldn't put them down. Enjoy!