These are the RuJa Book Store staff favorite 100 books

Natural Birth Control Made Simple
by R.N., C.N.P., Barbara Kass-Annese, Hal C. Danzer
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Publisher: Hunter House
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Very informative! (2007-03-06)
I honestly didn’t quite know how the reproductive system worked. It was very easy to read and gave great illustrations. I recommend this book highly because taking pills for birth control is very toxic to your body!Educational (2007-03-01)
I think that this book has been very informative, the illustrations are hand drawn, photographs would have been better for some of the descriptions. Overall, I would recommend it.Choose a Better Book (2007-01-29)

If you’re looking for a good place to start - this book is not it. While I think the author gives good descriptions of your fertility signs, I don’t think this book is a good idea for people new to NFP.

My biggest beef with this book is how the ‘rules’ are presented.

What you need to know is that there are basically two forms of NFP: STM and OM. STM (Sympto-Thermal Method) uses your basal body temperature, cervical mucus observations and changes in your cervix to determine when you are fertile and when you are not. OM (Ovulation Method or Billings Ovulation Method) relies on cervical mucus observations to determine your fertility.

While both can be effective - they use different rules. The author presents both STM and OM - but she mixes up the rules!

The result is a mish-mash of fertility rules that I think will lead to lower effectiveness rates. If you want to use NFP effectively, you need to pick one method and follow the rules for that method.

An example of this mix up involves the rules before ovulation. The author lists one of the STM rules (page 114) as abstaining during menstrual bleeding. This is not an STM rule - this is an OM Rule. There is no reason, if you are using STM that you need to abstain during the menstrual bleeding - but you MUST abstain during any bleeding if you are using the Ovulation Method.

With STM, you use your Basal Body Temperature rise to know when you are experiencing true menstrual bleeding - and not breakthrough bleeding, which is very fertile. With the Ovulation Method - there is no way of knowing (since you don’t take your temperature) if bleeding is true menstruation - so with the OM, you must abstain during any bleeding.

Then on page 117, the author discusses the Cervical Mucus Method (aka Billings Ovulation Method) and suggests that you should abstain during your menstrual bleeding - or - you can have intercourse during the first five days of your cycle. Well - which is it? With the OM - you must abstain during any bleeding. The first five days option is a rule from STM.

If you’re new to Natural Family Planning or Fertility Awareness - these may not seem like big differences. But take it from someone who has studied both methods - it is important to follow the rules. You can’t take a little from this method and a little from that method and hope to get an effective method of postponing pregnancy.

The author will say that there are some rules that are more conservative - and others that are less - but doesn’t always clearly identify which is which. For a beginner to NFP - this is trouble.

If you’re looking to learn more about Natural Family Planning, pick a better book. Try “The Art of Natural Family Planning” - while it’s a bigger book - you’ll get clear instruction on the rules, along with the effectiveness of each rule so you can make informed decisions.

I gave this book two stars (instead of one) because I think the author does do a good job describing fertility signs and how to observe them.

That aside - choose another book to start learning about NFP - this one mixes up too many rules to be a good beginner book. If you are serious about using NFP effectively - don’t choose this book.

Easy to understand and informative . . . a must for any woman! (2006-10-04)
This book clearly and accurately describes the natural changes that a woman’s body goes through during her fertility cycle. In language that is easy to understand, the author (who is a nurse) describes each phase and its corresponding symptoms in clear, plain English.

While there is a lot of information, it is a thin book that is easily read in one sitting. I refer to it often and find more things explained to me each time I read it.

I have no doubt that after reading this book, I can confidently and accurately track my fertility, and I’m sure anyone else can, too. I bought this when I went off the pill, and no other book compares. It is a must-have for any woman of child-bearing years. I wish I would have known about this book before I messed up my body by being on the pill . . . it took MONTHS to get back on track. But this book was a Godsend in helping me to understand my body, which is the most important thing.Informational Page-Turner! (2005-08-19)
This book was a fantastic read! Not only did it describe and show you how to chart your signs of fertility it also went into great detail on how both the female and male reproduction system works, therefore making your own fertility signs make sense to you, rather than just charting and guessing on signs. This book addressed the Natural Family Planning method as well as the Fertility Awareness Method. It was written from a strictly informational point of view and doesn’t try to shove any religious motive on you for trying the NFP method. Also, they include many examples to help you learn how to use the charting system and also include a blank chart for you to copy and use. I would highly recommend this book to anyone either considering using NFP or FAM or even to just become more aware of the way their body works! Excellent, excellent book. 

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The Asthma and Allergy Action Plan for Kids: A Complete Program to Help Your Child Live a Full and Active Life
by Allen Dozor, Kate Kelly
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Publisher: Fireside
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Best Book on Asthma and Allergies! (2004-04-02)
I don’t usually buy books about health inssues, but we’ve been struggling with my daughter. She has allergies and asthma and I am so afraid of the medicines and my doctors never seem to have enough time for me. This book has been a godsend! Dr. Dozor really seems to know what he is talking about. I wish he was near me. If you have children with allergies or asthma, you have to buy this book.Fabulous book on asthma and allergies in kids (2004-03-13)
If your child suffers from asthma or allergies, you have to get this book! Practical, concise, funny, I learned something in every chapter. At last a book I can use, easy to read, full of warm and friendly advice. I loved this book. 

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Why Gender Matters: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know about the Emerging Science of Sex Differences
by Leonard Sax
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Publisher: Broadway
Salesrank: 3105
Released: 2006-02-14
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Long overdue (2008-04-15)
The book is outstanding, and long overdue. While I fully support equality of the sexes, it’s very important to more fully understand the differences between boys and girls, and how those differences might impact learning and teaching. This book speaks to my personal experiences and I discuss it widely, and have given it as a gift to many people. It’s an important topic and one that every parent, educator, and concerned citizen should read. 5 stars all the way!Don’t write about things you don’t know (2008-04-07)
I wish people who know nothing about breastfeeding would stop trying to give breastfeeding advice. The suggestions on nursing in this book are child abuse, plain and simple. The author might be competent when it comes to the main topic of his book, but his understanding of infant nutrition is absurdly lacking.

I suspect that he got all his breastfeeding “knowledge” from Gary Ezzo. (www.ezzo.info)A must read for every parent. (2008-04-01)
This book is essential for parents to be able to understand their sons and daughters and their very different needs.Dr. Sax is Right On (2008-03-06)
Wow. What a page turner.

I’m sixty years old now and my only daughter is grown with two of her own children - a boy and a girl. I’m happy to say she turned out great but I still wish I’d had this book when I was raising her. I hope that she will read it and apply its teachings to the raising of her children. It’s a more complicated world out there now and parents need all the help they can get.

I’m almost in total agreement with Dr. Sax on how things have changed over the last 40 years. I’ve seen a lot of young men and women fresh out of high school in my 18 years as a community college instructor and even in that time span I’ve seen many changes. And I’m sorry to say the changes I have seen have been for the worse, probably due to the reasons Dr. Sax explains in this book.

Parents, take heed. Read this book and pay attention before it’s too late.

Simply stated (2008-01-01)
This book is a great resource for understanding a few basic differences between boys and girls. I had a copy, lent it to a friend, and just bought another one for my husband to read. Highly recommend it to anyone, parent or not! It’s been great just to understand the opposite sex in any situation! 

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Deciding What to Teach and Test: Developing, Aligning, and Auditing the Curriculum
by Fenwick W. English
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Publisher: Corwin Press
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Struggling to Surrender: Some Impressions of an American Convert to Islam
by Jeffrey Lang
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Publisher: Amana Publications
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recommended reading (2007-05-08)
very enlightening and recognizable - this man has really searched the answers in a very honest way, honouring his inquisitive mind so as to be fully rewarded with the answers he ended up withA Muslim Revert to Christ responds! (2006-01-07)
This is an interesting book. Lang is sincere, no doubt. I found the usual missionary work from Islam to be quite bold and strategic in scope. The Muslim may use Ahmad Deedat’s (he died last year having suffered from a stroke after attacking Christ- May God have mercy on his soul) many effective books to confuse the Christian who may not have had a good chance to research difficult topics like the Trinity (a favorite subject for Muslims to attack using it as mathematical formula to refute Christianity!). Coming from Islam, I found the Lord in the Qoran itself. I too struggled for a long time but discovered that Jesus is the Spirit of Allah, His prophet and His Word. If Allah had created His Word and His Spirit then there was something wrong with divinity itself for God could never be without His Word and Spirit.-

This comes from the Qoran:

“[4:171] …… Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) an apostle of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a spirit proceeding from Him…”.

Jesus saves. The Qoran is a revised Syriac apocryphal series of Ebionite and other heretical writings predating Islam. Even its title Qoran comes from Aramaic, which means Qorowo or sermon in a Church…

Say (0 Muhammad): “He is Allah, (the) One. Allah AsSamad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks). He begets not, nor was He begotten; and there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.” Ikhlaas 112: 1-4

AsSamad is a plurality from Hebrew and NOT Arabic. Here it is again God is one God is a Triune God.. Samado in Hebrew means a plurality usually 3.

Helpful (2005-11-17)
I read this book as well as Lang’s “Even Angels Ask” after a Muslim girl I was seeing bought them for me. (In order to continue the relationship, I would have had to convert to Islam which I was open to and considered.) I read these books with the hope that it would provide some insight on what it was like to be an American convert as well as deal with some of the troubling aspects of Islam that, due to my cultural upbringing, I had problems with. On the first point, Lang delivered and provided some honest insights on the difficulties he had in becoming part of the Muslim community. I found these reflections invaluable and very helpful in demonstrating the myriad difficulties an American convert faces.

As far as addressing the troubling aspects of Islam, (the treatment of women, the irrational prohibitions on food, the concept of jihad, the non-separation of church and state, anti-Semitism, and general intolerance of non-Muslims), he failed to provide any adequate justifications or explanations. His attempts at justifying the treatment of women were inadequate and akward and only strenghthened a rational opposition to the treatment of women in Islam. In reading, it seemed that the subject caused him a bit of discomfort. His anti-Jewish feelings were apparent and disturbing and did nothing to assuage my impression that Islam is inherently hostile to Jews in particular. All of his other attempts to explain Muslim beliefs and practices that conflict with American values also left me unsatisfied.

In the end, I have to admit that the book was helpful to me in that it made it clear that Islam was not a worldview to which I could subscribe. The book did clarify many things for me which made it more clear that Islam was in conflict with my values. I appreciate Prof. Lang’s attempt to share his experiences and thoughts on his conversion and am grateful that, thanks in part to his book, I was able to avoid making the mistake of converting to a faith which would have made me profoundly unhappy.What if (2004-12-21)
What if so called Christians were as OBEDIENT to their leader as Muslims are?Different prespective about Islam (2003-07-12)
Dr. Lang a professor of Mathematic of KU gives an account of his conversion. He gives a very unique prespective of ISLAM.The books is probably directed at American Muslims, but this book is great if someone wants to learn about Islam, Muslim or non Muslims 

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The Twilight Zone Companion
by Marc Scott Zicree
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Publisher: Silman-James Press
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Is what a TV series “companion book” should be . . . (2008-04-17)
What a great surprise! TV series companion books are a mixed bag and most are disappointing. This one, however, is worthy to bear the name of the wonderful classic series it chronicles . . . The Twilight Zone.

The book opens with a biography of Rod Serling, followed by an equally engaging chapter on the conception, creation and birth of the series. Much background information and insights. Very, very well researched and written. Extremely interesting.

Each of the show’s five seasons is grouped, and a chapter devoted to each episode - documenting the date, writer, producer, directors, music, and cast. Serling’s opening comments for the respective episode are reproduced and then a synopsis with EXTREMELY interesting behind the scenes information. Some of the more famous episodes (”The Invaders” with Ages Moorhead) are given more space and detail.

What makes this companion book so special, I think, is that due to our familiarity with the Twilight Zone, and having re-watched the various episodes multiple times - the average baby boomer can just about open this book at random and within a few sentences is recalling the episode and the details being discussed.

The book closes with an After the Twilght Zone chapter, and then an epilogue. I cannot iterate enough, how well written this book is. Some books of this nature are clinical and boring, others gush with praise but offer no real depth of information. Marc Scott Zicree hit the mark perfectly with this piece of work. Fascinating information that WE are interested in, well written in a conversational matter, well organized. Hundreds of great nostalgic still photos are a bonus.

Highly recommended for even a casual Twilight Zone fan. I bet you won’t be able to stay out of it.Everything you wanted to know….. (2008-04-01)
about the Twilight Zone episodes. Man this book is great. As well as providing great information on the episodes themselves, the book goes deeper as it goes into detail of its conception, life and death of what some may claim to be the best TV series ever. Every TZ fan should have this book already.Twilight Zone Book - A Rare Find! (2008-02-09)
A real gem for any Twilight Zone Buff! Lists all the actors as well as story line for each episode. If you see this out of print book better grab it! Hopefully now that there is a new DVD compilation out this book will be republished.Very excellent book (2007-10-20)
I love this book!!! It has everything for a twilight zone fan. It first has an introduction to Rod Serling Then goes on to tell about the show. Then it explains about each season and has every episode in order by air date. Every episode has a picture information about the episode including Rods introduction and outro,Who it was written by, the producer, Director and a few other things plus the sum of the episode then goes into a sort of interveiw with special people behind the twilight zone. so basically your learnign something special about every episode. It has all the information you would need about the twilight zone. It was a spectacular book. I suggest it as a BUY!!!Mixed Bag (2007-09-03)
Zicree’s Twilight Zone Companion is alright as a reference guide for information on original airing dates, credits, and backstage tidbits. The organization of the book could have been more user-friendly but nothing to quibble about. Interviews with those associated with the program were also interesting and worth the price of admission.

Zicree is docked two stars for presenting his critiques as anything other than completely subjective. He is welcome to his opinions as we all have favorite episodes and ones that we find less enjoyable. That’s the nature of art in any form. For me, the problem is with the fact that Zicree doesn’t at least admit up front that his opinions have less to do with the quality of a given story and more to do with a leftist world view. His apologetics for all things Socialist (see his comments on Khruschev and Castro) coupled with a hatred for traditional American culture (see his comments about an episode concerning Custer, for example) are grating to say the least. While one may argue these geopolitical points in a different setting, a guide to a TV series, in my opinion, appears to be an ill chosen forum.

Just a closing comment here: Zicree could not bring himself to find any good thing to say about contributer Earl Hamner’s episodes. It seems to me that it may have more to do with Hamner’s later work in the Walton’s, a series with a very traditional viewpoint that is the antithesis of Zicree’s left-wing dogma, than with the quality of Hamner’s TZ scripts. 

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Legacy of the Drow Gift Set: The Legacy, Starless Night, Siege of Darkness, and Passage to Dawn (Forgotten Realms: Legacy of the Drow)
by R. A. Salvatore
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Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Salesrank: 12525
Released: 2003-09-01
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Awesome Salvatore keeps getting better, good set, nicely packaged (2008-04-01)
This set was nicely packaged, make sure you read your Drizzt in order, there are a good number of posts on Amazon for this, as Salvatore consistently refers back to his previous works in the stories. So my high recommendation is to read these in order. This is a good series, Passage to Dawn is awesome, but I recommend reading Claric Quintet before reading Passage to Dawn.Come to the underdark, and get out alive. (2008-03-28)
R A Salvatore is hands down one of the most exceptional contributors to the forgotten realms world.

If you are not a dungeons and dragons player, this is still an outstanding read. Once you start the first book, you won’t stop until the set is finished.

You then will have many more days with Drizzt in the series that follow and you will never get bored, tired, or fall away from the story.

The tale of Drizzt Du’Urden is one that MUST be read by everyone. I loved these books. Once you open the first page, you can feel the cool air of the underdark on your face.

The writing is so masterful, its as if you never read the words, just watch the imagery scroll through your mind.

buy, love it, and buy the rest of RA Salvatores work.Forgotten Realms: Legacy of the Drow (2008-02-22)
Legacy of the Drow Gift Set: The Legacy, Starless Night, Siege of Darkness, and Passage to Dawn (Forgotten Realms: Legacy of the Drow)

The Legacy

The return of Dinin and Vierna Do’Urden another great Drizzt story by R.A. Salvatore.

Starless Night

Drizzt’s return to Menzoberranzan. His meeting with the Moon Elf from his pass which sets things up for the Sea of Swords. Another good book.

Siege of Darkness

The Drow’s attack on Mithril Hall. Great storyline with one cliffhanger after the other.

Passage to Dawn

Concentrating on Drizzt and Catti-brie. Action, adventure and comedy typical of Drizzt’s adventure by R.A. Salvatore. A very good read.greatness all around (2007-08-06)
The R.A Salvatore books for the Drow series is the first books i ever pick up and read. Me not being a reader thought i would never sit a read a book on its entirity, well i was wrong. since the very fist books i just kept reading. Salvatore puts the material in such a vivid way that you get involve in the story and you feel each character and their way of life since i started i read 9 books and working on my ten book. Thats how great the books are i Would recomend to everyone but specially to those people who think they will never read. Last i would like to say i hope that you soon be enjoying the books They’re Greatness all aroundLegacy of the Drow Gift Set: The Legacy, Starless Night, Siege of Darkness, and Passage to Dawn (Forgotten Realms: Legacy of the Drow)Legacy of the Drow (2007-05-31)
“As an old school gamer I dislike so many things that occur in these books, but this is some of the best sword & sorcery reading you will find. This is the 2nd or 3rd trilogy dealing with these characters. The imagination that went into creating the Ecology of the twisted society of the underdark is simply mind blowing.” 

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Wired: For a Life of Worship
by Louie Giglio
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Publisher: Multnomah Books
Salesrank: 59190
Released: 2006-03-01
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A bibllical view of worship (2007-01-02)
There has been much confusion about the word ‘worship’ in evengelical culture. There is a tendency to think of worship as just being about music, a style of music and the fifteen minutes (more or less) before the sermon. We use phrases like ‘the worship was really good this morning’ or ‘I prefer modern worship instead of the old hymns’ etc. Much of the church is guilty of this compartmentalized way of thinking.

This book will shatter any misconceptions a reader may have about a) what worship is and b) how we worship. Louie Giglio builds a solid biblical foundation for the idea that worship is an attitude of the heart that bleeds into all of our life: how we think, how we live, how we rest, how we serve and our attitudes toward God and His gifts. Of course, there are implications about how this impacts our worship IN church–but it is more about how we worship God outside of the church.

Although written with a younger audience in mind, this book should be required reading for a Christian regardless of age and spiritual maturity. Many pastors and evangelical leaders should read this book–perhaps there would be great change in our churches and the petty arugments we get into about worship style and form of worship will finally end.

The book is interactive—there are questions and discussion sections that make it a great tool for group study. Giglio has done the church a great service in writing this much-needed book.Powerful tool for youth workers (2006-05-17)
In his book, Wired: For a Life of Worship, dynamic author and speaker Louie Giglio offers teens a fresh look at a lifestyle of worship. Today’s youth are searching for meaning, and they want to grow spiritually beyond the packaged church experience. Giglio believes God wants us to know Him intimately and to “live a life that’s fully active, awakened to His great love.”

In the same way Giglio’s bestselling The Air I Breathe was a huge success, the writing in this edgy teen version leaps off the page. His book is divided into two sections: the first half introduces readers to the author’s vision for true worship, followed by an interactive “30-Day Worship Journey” that takes readers through the book of Psalms.

The author defines worship as a “whole-life response to God’s greatness and glory.” You can tell he knows his audience well - the stories and anecdotes are hip and relevant for teens. He offers up-to-date examples to support his theory that worship is an active, ongoing process of walking out our love for our Savior, Jesus Christ.

This book is a powerful tool for youth workers and anyone seeking positive ways to raise up a new generation whose lives are wired for serving God. I wish this had been around when I was a teen. Wired is also perfect for dynamic small group discussion that will change lives and, ultimately, rock the world. - Heather Ivester, Christian Book Previews.com

 

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Complete Candida Yeast Guidebook, Revised 2nd Edition: Everything You Need to Know About Prevention, Treatment & Diet
by Jeanne Marie Martin, Zoltan P. Md Rona
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Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Salesrank: 8994
Released: 2000-10-12
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This Book Has It All (2007-09-10)
This is the only book that really takes you from start to finish with Candida. It not only explained the things to do but why. The author has been through this and the fact that Dr. Zoltan Rona is part of it makes it the “real thing”. It is helping me on my way back to wellness.

a good book (2007-08-16)
This book is pretty decent. Some things I don’t care for too much: Way too many exclamation marks. (”Nuts are a bomb in the digestive tract!”) Ok, this may be way exciting to the author but it makes it seem like she is on crack or something. Sorry just an observation. Also the book is incredibly repetitive. In fact, with a close reading you will find entire paragraphs verbatim in different parts of the book. A little anoying. My hat is off to anyone who writes an honest book on this subject. I in no way intent to discredit the author’s sincerity. They did a good job.Great source! (2007-08-06)
I am glad i read this book. I was looking for something that would explain causes of candida and help me prevent it, as opposed to just popping diflucan or other medications, to which I have side reactions. With this book, I feel I can keep candida under control by maintaining a diet- not the worst price to pay for staying healthy. I have been watching what i eat for the past couple of months and it works! (I only miss drinking milk.) I am also glad to have been reassured that I wasn’t imagining my strong sugar cravings. This book has been a great resource!Best of 3 (2007-01-15)
We purchased 3 books related to Candida from Amazon. This one stands way above the other two. It doesn’t just preach, it explains why to do or not to do something. My wife and I have been on a Candida cleanse for 2 weeks (she has it, I’m doing it to support her). The food is pretty good. It does take more time to prepare the meals but the results will be worth it (lost 12 pounds in 1 week!). Miss some things (like coffee and wine) but will stick it out for 4 weeks. Wish us luck.Over the Top (2006-08-12)
This book is in the catagory of information overload and treats Candida overgrowth in the same way as several other severe immunodeficient diseases are. In fact others conditions are included. The co-author being an M.D. helps present a rounded viewpoint. 

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Spark and Burn (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
by Diana G. Gallagher
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Publisher: Simon Spotlight Entertainment
Salesrank: 256366
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Too much time rehashing the series (2008-01-28)
When I buy a novel based on a television show, I either want a copy of the show or something very new. Frankly I’m guessing that the amount of truly new material in this book is under 50% thus the 3 of 5 stars. Oh, I suppose it is interesting to get into Spike’s head but how difficult was that in the series? I really was hoping for more insight into why he is so strongly attracted to Buffy, the fight for his soul and his fight to reclaim his sanity after he gets it back. Far too much time was spent in the book on the events of season two to satisfy me.Super Reader (2007-08-06)
This book is a combination of bits and pieces from both the Buffy and Angel tv series, with Spike as the main character. Mostly anchored around the 1997 events, when he first came to Sunnydale after the death of the Master, trying to find a cure for Drusilla, and in 2002, leading up to his decision to fight for good in 2003.An enjoyable read, but doesn’t break any new ground! (2007-04-16)
The book is an enjoyable read, but don’t expect anything new. 90% of this book is quoted directly from previous episodes of Buffy and Angel (althought NOT after Spike’s return). It fills in some VERY minor points in between, but it doesn’t break any new ground. From that perspective, it was definitely a disappointment. Especially after parting with $6.99. On the other hand, it’s nice to have most of the Spike story contained in one book. It’s a worthy read, but try to find it at your local library or borrow it from a friend!James Marsters on the cover HOT HOT HOT (2007-03-30)
Dont even have to open this one to enjoy it. Just look at that view! What a beautiful man!

Okay, besides the drool factor this is also a great read. Spike backstory and Buffy/Spike heat. Really cool book for the Buffy fan. Spike fans… BACK OFF… HE’S MINE!!!It’s Spike! Perfect Book for Spike Fans! (2007-01-24)
As a long-standing Spike fan myself, I can say with confidence that “Spark and Burn” is an awesome book for fellow fans. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, despite it’s cheesy show title, is one of the greatest shows of all time, and Spike is probably one of the best characters, next to Buffy herself.

“Spark and Burn” takes you on a journey through certain events on “Buffy”, especially during season 2 when Spike and Drusilla first crashed through that ‘Welcome to Sunnydale’ sign. It jumps back and forth from past events (when Spike was first sired by Drusilla, and the years following his birth as a vampire and his subsequent terrorizing of Europe with Drusilla, Darla, and Angelus) that help illustrate how Spike grew to be the vampire he is today, and current events (which for this book ‘current’ meant season 2, the first season Spike appeared as a character on Buffy). The book is told entirely from Spike’s point of view, which is unique in that most of the Buffy novels that contain Spike use him as a peripheral character. I’ve always wanted a Buffy novel that was all about Spike, and here it is!

What I loved most, besides Spike, was that the story took you through well-known Buffy episodes (mostly in season 2) and retold them while giving you a whole different perspective on things. It illustrates how Spike first viewed the Slayer, and how his initial animalistic attraction to her (despite the fact that he still intended to kill her), slowly transformed into grudging respect for her skills as a warrior, and eventually grew into a sort of burning need for her (hence the title of the book). Being able to (as a reader) get into Spike’s head and really experience the inner workings of this bleached-blonde care bear with fangs is a real trip! It’s an incredible journey, and I’d love to see more books like this one!

By the time you finish the book, you’re left wishing they had gone further with it, because you are so entranced that you don’t want it to end! (at least *I* didn’t want it to end). Spike fans, and especially Spike/Buffy fans, will truly get a kick out of this book! Those who aren’t necessarily Spike fans might become one after reading this!

Bottom line, it’s an awesome book, and I plan to read it several times! 

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