Al Valvano

The character development continues to improve, with each protagonist portrayed in complex, sympathetic, unlikeable and even frustrating ways. The storyline moves along, with enough progress to feel satisfying but leaving you with enough cliffhangers to make you anxious to start The Last Argument of Kings.

Great novel. Attention to period detail, believable and sympathetic characters, and well-paced plotting.

Started slow for me, but found myself falling into it after the initial few scenes.

Great overview of all aspects of raising common small-farm animals, including selection, raising from birth through, uhm, that last part, care & feeding, common ailments, common issues, training, and more. Worthy addition to the homestead library.

Seriously?

This was a blog post, not a book. 10 minute read, zero depth. Google moving average and you will save your money.

Comprehensive, thought provoking and maybe exhausting....

Comprehensive, for sure. I'm not 100% bought into every concept listed but there are some things to definitely consider as you think about a wholistic, healthy lifestyle. I have a hard time thinking that I would - or even could - live a life as structured as the author, and some of the concepts seem pretty fringe. But I very much like the wholistic look at health and fitness, brain health, emotional health, and big picture approach he takes.

Enjoyable and moving. In the realm of post-apocalyptic fiction, this one, while still grim, show hope, and beauty and life.

As Snowman might say: prescient, pertinacious, apposite, heartrending.

I've meant to read this some time, and I'm glad to finally have gotten to it. I thoroughly enjoyed it. As a homeschooling family, I was fascinated by the sections on education: the cultural associations drawn, the tie to agriculture, and the suggestive data about how our school system may be flawed. Definitely recommended.

Some interesting tidbits, lots of great stories from the survivors he interviews. I mostly felt that the various points made were shallow at best, condescending at worst.

Should be required reading.

Hate to over-simplify this, but I just wanted to like it more.

I liked the “aging detective” theme, and the struggles of the main characters in adjusting to the realities of adult life - perhaps as I myself turned 40 this year? I also liked the surprise that Amanda had become since we last saw her.

But unfortunately, it's not quite up to par with Lehane's typical flair for plot, pacing or language. And with one notable exception, the villains were simply cartoons.

Compared to the first, which I found engaging and well-paced, this one seemed to drag.

Just fantastic. Some of the best fictional characters I've come across in years. Bittersweet, satisfying, and complete.

Started strong...but lost steam for me midway through.

The single best gardening book I have ever read. Ignore for a moment the usefulness of a really detailed regional handbook. The chapters on planning and watering alone are worth the price.

Bought this one on a whim. I really appreciated the attention to small character details.

Lost interest in characters. 

Characters went sideways in the sequel. Couldn't connect.