These are the RuJa Book Store staff favorite 100 books

The Big Kerplop!: The Original Adventure of the Mad Scientists’ Club (Mad Scientist Club)
by Bertrand R. Brinley
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Publisher: Purple House Press
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Good but not the best adventure of the Mad Scientists’ Club (2008-03-09)
I enjoyed the Mad Scientists’ Club since the 4th grade. When I found them on Amazon I started to read them again. This is a good story with a few problems I see. It is interesting but the first 2 MSC book’s story are better. I will explain without giving the story details away.

I know it is written for a “young adult,” but the details of how the club is formed are not very memorable. Instead, it is the problem that causes them to form that is huge. But I still wanted more background information. Secondly, I want to no why no other mad scientist other than Henry can think of a plan. Lastly, I don’t think the format of one story, the entire book, instead of the usual many short stories, suits the Mad Scientists. There were times when the story didn’t flow well.

Now the good: This is a great book for kids (and adults alike). If you have any interest in the Mad Scientist you are going to want to know how they got started. (Although I’m not sure how such a grand adventure ties into the other books.) But what makes these Mad Scientists’ books stand out is how they go about solving real world problems. And this book being such a grand adventure, it is what makes you keep reading the book to find out how they solve the problem. And I could see this intriguing the minds of young readers.

So where is Mammoth Falls located? This story gives some clues such as the leaves changing, within 2 hours for Aberdeen base, and some other clues. So even though Mammoth Falls is supposed to be factitious we get some details of where is the US it is located.

The book is easy to follow and well worth the read. It will be enjoyed by younger readers. And although it is not the best Mad Scientists’ book, it is good. Get it to complete your Mad Scientists’ collection.Quality Boy’s Literature (2006-11-03)
The Mad Scientists Club series of stories is great for sixth through high school. It uses humor, pranks, and

imagination to portray developing minds, and interests them in science, and good works through a knowledge

of science and scouting.Stick with the First Two Books (2006-10-13)
I searched for this book for years. I loved and still love both the original and The New Adventures of the Mad Scientists’ Club, and so I scoured bookstores to try to find this elusive prequel (only a thousand copies printed in 1974). Then came this reprint, and I ordered it and was promptly disappointed.

There’s only three chapters that have anything like the earlier works - the boys out in a boat on a lake at night, evading the police in a search boat. Good stuff. But the rest of the novel is all about the town councilors and police chief and reporters and Air Force officers. They just go on and on about nothing, so that you start flipping ahead to get back to the boys.

If you were to cut all that out, you’d get a story the length of one of the originals, but even then this story doesn’t work because the boys don’t actually have much of a hand in the outcome of the story. And it bogs down, as when, at the end, the general goes off to oversee the diving, and the boys are taken to a hotel restaurant by a reporter. We’re then given two full pages describing the hotel, and then another page of talking about food, and finally they get back to the fact that they need a way to get to the lake. Even then, when they get there, everything goes basically well, and they get celebrated, so that there’s no surprises or action or interesting climax at all.

In short, as much as I’d love to praise this book, you might find it best to stick with the originals.

The Mad Scientists Begin! (2006-05-22)
If you loved Bertrand R. Brinley’s two collections of stories: The Mad Scientists’ Club and The New Adventures of the Mad Scientists’ Club or the final novel The Big Chunk of Ice: The Last Known Adventure of the Mad Scientists’ Club, then you’ll also love “The Big Kerplop!” The boys return in the first novel-length adventure of the Mad Scientists of Mammoth Falls, which is in fact a prequel that explains how the club was formed and how founding member Harmon Muldoon got expelled, becoming their nemesis in the short stories.

Jeff Crocker, Charlie Finckledinck, and Harmon Muldoon are fishing in the fog on Strawberry Lake when an Air Force exercise goes wrong resulting in something rather large landing near the boys with a loud Kerplop! Thinking that the Air Force might like to have whatever it was back, the boys attempt to calculate their position using basic scientific principles. Their thinking turns out to be correct when the “something” is revealed to be a hydrogen bomb! However, when the Air Force fails to find the bomb where the boys calculated their position to be (or anywhere else for that matter), Jeff, Charlie, and Harmon take matters into their own hands, gathering together the future members of the Mad Scientists’ Club both in order to prove that they were right and to find the missing hydrogen bomb. Hi-jinks ensue.

As a boy, I was terribly disappointed by “The Big Kerplop!” that I had waited six long years for because I had assumed based on the brief published descriptions of the upcoming book, originally titled “The Sunken Village”, that we would finally see the restored midget submarine in action. Instead it turned out to be a prequel, and the midget submarine was never used. Rereading it now, I can better appreciate what turned out to be a very fine novel, a worthy companion to the previous books, that revealed a lot more about the characters than the short stories had disclosed. However, I can also more clearly see the chronological problems introduced by this prequel, specifically, the logic problem arising from making the boys such huge heroes at their club’s founding that their subsequent anonymity and treatment like a bunch of normal kids makes no sense. In addition Harmon Muldoon is portrayed as such a total jerk that the reader is left wondering how Jeff and Charlie could stand him long enough to be friends with him at the beginning of the novel.

Note: the Purple House reprint of The Big Kerplop!: The Original Adventure of the Mad Scientists’ Club is worth picking up even if you own the extremely rare first edition of The Big Kerplop; A Mad Scientists’ Club Adventure because the text is based on the original manuscript, restoring a number of passages that had been cut for space reasons. It also includes an introduction written by Bertrand’s son Sheridan. First time readers would be well advised to read this novel after reading the short stories in chronological order; for subsequent rereadings this novel can be placed first where it belongs chronologically.The Big Kerplop! The Original Adventure of the Mad Scientists’ Club (2006-03-21)
Really enjoyed this book-Reminded me of my childhood.Highly recommended to anyone who is still young at heart! 

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Nana, Vol. 9 (Nana)
by Ai Yazawa
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Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
Salesrank: 68415
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Nana is my favorite manga series! (2008-03-26)
Nana 9 is very sad compared to the other volumes. It is excellent though. Don’t chose to not read it just because it is sad. Oh poor Nana why???!! This is a must read just like all of the Nana books. I eagerly await each book and preorder it asap. 

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Small Arms at Gettysburg: Infantry and Cavalry Weapons in America’s Greatest Battle
by Joseph G. Bilby
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Publisher: Westholme Publishing
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COMPACT INFORMATION (2008-04-27)
VERY COMPACT AND WELL RESEARCHED BOOK ON THE SUBJECT.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR THOSE A.C.W. BLUFFS,SPECIALLY THOSE INTERESTED IN THAT PERIOD’S EQUIPMENT.ONLY A REGRET COULD BE MADE ABOUT THE GRAPHIC MATERIAL PRESENT IN THE WORK,I FIND IT A LITTLE SCARCE.An Excellent New Civil War Book (2008-01-13)
“Small Arms at Gettysburg: Infantry and Cavalry Weapons in America’s Greatest Battle” should be of value to anyone seriously interested in the nature of fighting at Gettysburg in particular or the American Civil War in general. The author examines the numerous types of firearms used by both the Union and Confederate armies at Gettysburg, cavalry as well as infantry. The development history of these weapons is covered, as well as how they were actually used on the battlefield.

Although the greatest space is devoted to rifle-muskets (as well it should be, since rifle-muskets by far were the most common shoulder arms used at Gettysburg), smoothbore muskets and breechloading rifles and carbines and revolvers are also described as well. An item of especial interest to me was the author’s detailed discussion of the “buck-and-ball” ammunition commonly used in smoothbores (and, as is made clear, a good many smoothbores remained in the soldiers’ hands at the time of the battle), the most detailed description of this ammunition type I have ever seen: usually, it is mentioned only in passing, almost as a curiosity rather than a significant piece of military technology, but in “Small Arms at Gettysburg” the history and employment of “buck-and-ball” is given its due attention for the first time.

The writing is vivid, yet detailed. If you are a serious student of the military side of the American Civil War, this is a volume that belongs on your bookshelf. 

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The Politically Incorrect Guide to Darwinism and Intelligent Design
by Jonathan Wells
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Publisher: Regnery Publishing, Inc.
Salesrank: 16131
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Darwinist are on thin ice (2008-05-02)
This book was very informative on the history and deception of the Darwinist Religion. I have used several of the augments of this book to Darwinist and they are baffled by the truth and yet they believe. It is sad, but as Max Plank said, “A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it.”

I recommend it to all who wish to know the truth.Not what I expected (2008-04-30)
This book was very disappointing to me. I simply bought it to get a better understanding of ID and compare it to what we know about evolution. It failed my expectations for a variety of reasons.

First, the author spent far too much time on the “persecution” of ID supporters. Very boring.

Second, the author attacks a few of the commonly known oddities and unexplained phenomena of evolution to ultimately conclude that the entire theory is fatally flawed. (The author says that evolution is not even a sound theory.)

Third, maybe it was me, but it felt like there was very little evidence presented to support ID. The one theme I felt like I read over and over was this: if scientists cannot explain it, and if it seems too complex to have evolved, it must have been created by some “intelligent designer.”

There are better books out there on this subject.Memorize this book. (2008-04-22)
This is one of the most interesting and useful books on the idea (note: not “theory”, not “fact”) of darwinian evolution that I have ever read. I am currently trying to memorize every fact in this book by listening to the cd’s over and over again. Read and find out about “evolution’s smoking gun”. It has still never been found.Newton and Einstein believed in Intelligent Design (2008-04-17)
As this book will make abundantly clear, ID is nothing more than a recognition of what is right in front of our faces. If you find pyramid in Egypt, you don’t try to figure out how it could have naturally formed. You try to figure out who built the darn thing. Science should be no different, and in fact, the PURPOSE of science in the minds of the giants who gave us our scientific foundations was to know God better.

Kudos on a useful, concise book.

In future revisions, it could perhaps concentrate more on the major differences within the ID world. This guide did not quite succeed in drawing those lines clearly. The “old earth” progressives are much more scientific than either the Darwinists or the “young earth” creationists. So it’s really a 3-pronged debate, not just “creation” vs. “evolution”.

I also recommend anything by Hugh Ross, if you want something with a little more scientific depth. He falls into the “old earth” camp.

“Politically Incorrect” if you choose to be informed (2008-02-25)
Waste of time to even argue with the nonsense promoted by this book. If people don’t have the capacity to deal with the disturbing elements within human nature and choose to be this stupid and ignorant about the origins of mankind the best more sensible people can do is keep them out of political office and other positions of influence. 

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It’s Not How Good You Are, Its How Good You Want to Be: The World’s Best Selling Book
by Paul Arden
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Publisher: Phaidon Press
Salesrank: 13127
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Cheap and Inspirational (2008-04-27)
The author starts off with the following:

“Firstly you need to aim beyond what you are capable of.

You must develope a complete disregard for where your abilities end…

Nothing is impossible.”

The author provides some tips for sales and advertising profession. But most of the tips are of vague and general sort (Don’t be Afraid to Work with the Best, Accentuate the Positive, If you can’t solve a problem you are playing by the rules, Getting Fired Can be a Positive Career Move).

This book, which contains at least one picture (or a drawing) per each page, allows one to think out of the box. I have found the visual approach to inspiration to be quite refreshing.

Yes, the book is short. It probably contains less than 3000 words. But, somehow, I came away more satified and motiviated by its message than its wordier counterparts.One star or five stars, depends (2008-03-31)
As a pro trader who read a lot of books on creativity, self improvement and contrarian thinking/trading, I found the author’s ideas familiar, but not his interesting presentation through extensive and interesting use of graphs, pictures and page designs. I dare not recommend it to any serious self help book reader or creative professional. Nevertheless, it’s a good choice for a 30 minute leisure reading.

p.s. Below please find some of my favorite passages for your reference.

Do not seek praise. Seek criticism. If, instead of seeking approval, you ask, “What’s wrong with it? How can I make it better?”, you are more likely to get a truthful, critical answer. pg 26

If you cant solve a problem, it’s because you’re playing by the rules. pg 49

There is nothing that is more certain sign of insanity than to do the same thing over and over and expect the results to be different. Einstein pg 51

Fail. Fail again. Fail better. - Samuel Beckett pg 53

It is very difficult for him to imagine anything else if what you show him has such detail. Show the client a scribble. Explain it to him, talk him through, let him use his imagination. Get him involved. pg 81

Different strokes for different folks. pg 82

All these lines (slogans) won the business because all of them made the chairman and staff proud to represent the company they worked for. pg 107

The first thing to decide before you walk into any negotiation is what to do if the other fellow says no. Ernest Bevin

Those who lack courage will always find a philosophy to justify it. Albert Camus

Some people take no mental exercise apart from jumping to conclusions. Harold Acton

What the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve. Clement Stone

We dont see things as they are. We see them as we are. Anais Nin

Going to church doesnt make you a christian anymore than going to a garage makes you a mechanic. Laurence J Peter pg 122-3

What a cheat. (2008-01-28)
Typographically interesting, but corny graphics. Just when I started to think “oh, this is interesting, what gem will he have to say on this?” he pulled the rug out and moved on to a completely different thought on the next page. I am not happy this man got my money, but commend him on the cover advertising that tricked me into thinking this was worth reading.Dao De Jing for Creativity (2008-01-02)
This was a book that I stumbled upon quite by accident. I was looking for The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick) when I found this. I flipped throught the pages and immediately bought it. I have read it cover to cover several time (Truly, something that can be accomplished in a matter of hours). It is a book, to my mind, more like the Dao De Jing in that it doesn’t tell a story, but gives you a way to live a better (work) life. It also reminds me of Ready for Anything: 52 Productivity Principles for Work and Life in that that book is very “Dao” like. If you work with or around creative people, I have to highly recommend this book.A book I will read again and again (2007-12-14)
For starters, this book is short. I read the entire thing on my 40-minute train ride home from work. I like that. Long books leave me weary and reading hastily toward the end.

The core of the message behind this book is simply: Be ambitious. Success is significantly more a product of ambition than it is of skill, or talent, or even luck.

Arden instructs the reader to choose the level of success they desire, and then to do everything in their power to reach that goal, even if the goal seems unreasonable at first.

The advice is simple and memorable, and more importantly, it’s good. Even though he obviously writes from the background of an advertiser, the majority of the things he says are universal.

This is a book that I will read again and again. 

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The Book of Football Quotations
by Phil Shaw
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Publisher: Ebury Press
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Released: 2003-04-07
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Draw 50 Horses (Draw 50)
by Lee J. Ames
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Publisher: Broadway
Salesrank: 36655
Released: 1986-04-02
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Excellent book for the person who likes to draw horses. (2008-01-07)
Great illustrations in this book. It will make it fun for you to learn to draw horses.Draw 50 Horses (2007-10-27)
This book brings many creative ways for any age to draw a variety of horses. I ordered it for my daughter’s birthday, because she was going for a horseback ride and it would help keep the memories fresh for her. She enjoys drawing on a more professional level; thanks to this book.Great book! (2007-01-18)
My daughter loves horses and constantly tries to draw them. This shows her the steps in order to draw a great looking horse!AWSOME BOOK!!!! (2007-01-16)
This is a awsome book! it tells you step by step how to draw any kind of horse you want too. it is easy for anyone, like me, i’m definetly a beginner! If you love horses like i do, then you will love this book!AWSOME BOOK!!!! (2007-01-16)
This is a awsome book! it tells you step by step how to draw any kind of horse you want too. it is easy for anyone, like me, i’m definetly a beginner! If you love horses like i do, then you will love this book! 

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Windows Server 2008 Administrator’s Pocket Consultant (Pro - Administrator’s Pocket Consultant)
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Publisher: Microsoft Press
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Excellent manual for Windows Server 2008 (2008-03-20)
Stanek’s books are my go-to resources for learning new technologies. Whenever Microsoft releases a new product I look to see if he has a book on it so when Microsoft finally released Windows Server 2008 I was happy to see he’d written not only one book but two: Windows Server 2008 Administrator’s Pocket Consultant and Windows Server 2008 Inside Out. I ordered both and have been using the pocket consultant for several weeks now.

Windows Server 2008 Administrator’s Pocket Consultant zeroes in on core support and administrative tasks. The book is focused and precise, covering in 650 pages more than most books do in 800 or 900 pages. I’ve learned a lot and every section clears up something or gives expert insights in ways I wouldn’t have thought of myself.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone upgrading from previous versions and any current administrators. For day to day work it can’t be beat. Great work, William!An Essential Title on Windows Server 2008 (2008-02-26)
Author William Stanek is well known for his excellent “Pocket Consultant” series from Microsoft. This book like his others is very well written and contains in depth information you can use immediately. This important book is designed to accommodate system administrators and developers at every experience level. I use it as a reference and it is always near at hand when I am on the computer.

This isn’t meant to be an all in one, but I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of information this book provides. Author Stanek really knows how to pack in useful details in a way that’s always clear, precise and helpful. A bonus is it fits nicely in a backpack even though its 647 pages!All About Windows Server 2008 in only 650 Pages (2008-02-24)
Pocket Consultants have always proved invaluable, and the Windows Server 2008 Pocket Consultant is no different. It’s 650 pages, clearly written and packed with useful information while focussing on the core features of the operating system. This book starts things off right with in-depth information that is easy to find and easy to understand. A must have for administrators. I can’t wait to pick up Stanek’s Windows Server 2008 Inside Out as well. 

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A Whole New Light
by Sandra Brown
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Publisher: Bantam
Salesrank: 49774
Released: 2007-11-27
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Easy, thoughtless reading (2008-02-19)
The original story was released in 1989 as a paperback. It recently came out in a hardback edition. So really, I read an old story in a new format, right? Anyway, I typically do not read this style of book even though I do like Sandra Brown. This is one of those lover stories where couples of course end up happy. It is actually a good story and requires no thought whatsoever. Quick read with a light story. Sometimes I need a no-brainer book and this is one of those. Besides, the author lives nearby in Arlington, Texas. How can I pass up a book by a local author?Awesome (2008-02-09)
Sandra Brown never lets me down. A Whole New Light was just another one of her many, many great books. She makes you really get into the character like you are the one in the book. Great, great book.Awhole New Light by Sandra Brown (2008-01-18)
I really enjoyed the book, however, I wish it would have stated that the book was re-issued from years ago. I read the book when it was written, and did not remember. You have to be very careful with Sandra Brown’s books, and also Nora Roberts, they re-issue books from when they were not so famous. Thank you.

Mary LorisTouching Love Story (2008-01-10)
A simple love story that was well done and touching. I read it quickly and enjoyed it. I do, however, wonder where Sandra Brown gets her ideas for her character’s names. They are always very odd and unrealistic. Other than the odd names she always has in her books, I thought this was a good, fast read.IT’S HOT IN ACAPULCO, AND THERE’S HEAT IN THIS READING (2007-12-11)

It’s hot in Acapulco - hot on the beaches, hot in the discos, and hot between the pages of A Whole New Light as read by Texas actress Staci Snell. This voice performer who also read Sandra Brown’s Demon Rumm has a young, often soft voice that is nevertheless distinct. Her articulation is pin perfect. With this story of Cyn McCall she imbues the character with both vulnerability and strength. Amazing what a gifted voice performer can do!

In Brown’s latest steamy scenario Cyn is beautiful, of course, but very much alone since her husband’s untimely death. His business partner, Worth Lansing, has been a support to her throughout her grieving process. Above all, he was a friend, one in whom she could confide and rely upon.

However, there was one thing about Worth and that was his way with women. He is, to use an old saw, a love `em and leave `m kind of guy. The relationship between Cyn and Worth is so close that she can smile and give him a hard time about his lengthy list of romances.

The time comes when Worth invites Cyn to spend a weekend in Acapulco, get away from the routine and relax. Little did either of them know that fate would step in and they’d find themselves sharing a room - an unexpected occurrence with the expected outcome in a book by Brown.

What will come of a night of unbridled ardor - is it a one time thing or the beginning of a lasting relationship?

Romance fans, get in line for this one!

- Gail Cooke 

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The Ballet Companion: A Dancer’s Guide to the Technique, Traditions, and Joys of Ballet
by Eliza Gaynor Minden
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Publisher: Fireside
Salesrank: 34284
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Possibly the best ballet book written (2008-03-02)
By far the best ballet book I’ve ever seen. Lots of pictures, concise information, covers just about everything. Despite being by Minden, it’s not a book that overly promotes the shoes. I’m a Grishko-wearer and was expecting a lot of tie-ins, but the book actually says different dancers may have different needs.

I highly recommend this book for young and older dancers alike.No serious dancer should be without! (2007-06-08)
We give a copy of this book to all graduating seniors who intend to continue their dance career.If You Love Ballet, You Need This Book! (2007-04-01)
This book is a must have for anyone who loves the Ballet. There is a little something her for everyone, instructors, dancers, ballet enthusiast. It’s a beautifully put together collection of photos, descriptions of ballet moves as well as descriptions of actual ballets. This is a wonderful book for research purposes and a beautiful addition to anyone’s personal library. The history of dance is also included as well as other interesting bits and pieces of trivia.

Ms. Gaynor Minden’s love for ballet comes across in this book. I highly recommend this title if you love ballet or know someone who does.

A Must for every Ballet Mom Library (2006-03-17)
Written in lay-persons terms so I could understand. Every thing you need to know concerning ballet. - From warm ups to jumps, ribbons to toe shoes, healthy eating to injury protection, Ballet history to future diva dancer. I have been able to look up an ache, see what muscles are in the area and then look up the appropriate stretches. All in one book!

And there are 5 glossaries in the back of the book. - Ballet Terms, Music Terms, theater Teams, Social Dances, and Dancer Slang! Don’t get stuck with a “Dolly Dinkle”! Be a proud “Bun Head” and be in the know! This may very well be the only dusted book in your Ballet Library.

Poor Mom of Three Darling Dancing Divas.Lovely (2006-02-27)
I really enjoyed this book. There’s almost nothing out there for us adult beginners, and this book fills that gap totally. I highly recommend it for anyone starting out, but would hesitate to get it if you’ve already been taking classes for a few years. 

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