Lost in a Good Book (Thursday Next Novels)

Book Description

The inventive, exuberant, and totally original literary fun that began with The Eyre Affair continues with Jasper Fforde's magnificent second adventure starring the resourceful, fearless literary sleuth Thursday Next. When Landen, the love of her life, is eradicated by the corrupt multinational Goliath Corporation, Thursday must moonlight as a Prose Resource Operative of Jurisfiction—the police force inside books. She is apprenticed to the man-hating Miss Havisham from Dickens's Great Expectations, who grudgingly shows Thursday the ropes. And she gains just enough skill to get herself in a real mess entering the pages of Poe's “The Raven.” What she really wants is to get Landen back. But this latest mission is not without further complications. Along with jumping into the works of Kafka and Austen, and even Beatrix Potter's The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies, Thursday finds herself the target of a series of potentially lethal coincidences, the authenticator of a newly discovered play by the Bard himself, and the only one who can prevent an unidentifiable pink sludge from engulfing all life on Earth.

Customer Reviews:

Loved getting Lost .......2007-07-23

The second book of the Thursday Next Series is a delight! Jasper Fforde writes for people who are creative, people who are well read, and people who like a good mystery. The more read you are, the more inside jokes you will understand.

This books carries on from the end of the first in the series, nicely builds more depth inthe characters by going a bit farther into the history of some, while still leading you through a mystery, laughing along the way.

Lost plotlines.......2007-07-02

I really enjoyed the first one, "The Eyre Affair", and mostly enjoyed this one. It wasn't as tight a story, and there were too many introductions of new characters (and too many dropped ones) to truly be called a sequel, but it was well done and interesting.

I'd have liked to know a little more about Aornis Hades, and her seemingly tossed in for good measure and as an afterthought plot. I hope that in the next book her character is developed more, though Acheron as the villain will be hard to top. He was fantastic.

I thought the introduction of Miss Haversham was fun and appealing. However, she seemed to completely take over each scene she was in, and pushed out characters from the first book I found much more interesting. I didn't feel Thursday's reaction to Miss Haversham all that realistic, based on the first book, and again, she was overwhelmed by the secondary character.

I like Thursday's ability to jump into fiction books, but couldn't quite connect the first one with this one - I'm not sure we were meant to, actually. Where's the larger-than-life (and horribly cliched) Goliath? What about her father's severely diminished role? And Spec Ops? They're reduced to nothing more than caricatures of their caricatures. And poor Landon, will he ever have a continuous storyline? Or a jumbled mess of a forgotten one?

Over all, this was a good sequel but I have to agree with previous reviewers: without reading book one, it's mind-bogglingly difficult to follow. Still, it won't stop me from reading "Well of Lost Plots".

I was lost in this good book.......2007-04-05

After having not only successfully defeated the evil Acheron Hades in The Eyre Affair (book 1) but also having married the love of her life Landen Parke-Laine one would think the main character Thursday Next hasn't a care in the world. However, after only a brief episode of happiness where she finds out she's pregnant, her husband is `eradicated' and someone is trying to kill her. Thursday must not only uses all of the tools available in real life to battle these problems but also those only available in fiction. Together with Thursday the reader visits books by Kafka, Austen, Dickens, Poe and others.

I've decided I do like Fforde's books after all. After reading The Eyre Affair (#1), which I didn't care for too much, I thoroughly enjoyed The Well Of Lost Plots (#3), and now mostly enjoyed Lost in a Good Book (#2). What made one book more enjoyable than the others? I've gotten more of the hints in books #3 and #2 than in one and the absence of scenes with Landen. I don't care for Thursday herself because she shows too little emotional depth for my taste and especially in scenes with Landen that seems to bug me more than at other times. And don't get me started on Landen ... I can't stand him, he seems so diffuse and bland it makes me wretch. Thank goodness Fforde has filled all of his books with vivid supporting characters of wit, interest and vigor as well as fascinating ideas! Whether it's Dicken's Miss Haversham who has a penchant for racing cars, the Cheshire Cat, who's the librarian, or one of the members of Thursday's family the other people in Fforde's books make them interesting and fun to read. His ideas ranging from footnoterphones to entroposcopes are amazing and hilarious. His hints and references to other books make me want to read more and more variety and that's always a good thing, isn't it? Fforde's book are on my shelves now and they're there to stay and to be read again.

Impressive yet again!.......2007-03-07

Thursday Next is back and newly married in this sequel to The Eyre Affair!! This time a manuscript written by Shakespeare but never heard of is sounding suspicious and she's back to work! After her husband is lost in time and only exists in her memory, she is more than happy to get lost in an unpublished book. This is a fantastic follow up... can't wait for the "Next" adventure!!

Funny, original, but poor plot and villains.......2006-12-03

Thursday Next's adventures continue.

A very random book without much in the way of a plot. This doesn't have to be a bad thing - and wouldn't be if Fforde wisely chose to simply let us revel in ludicrous episodic adventures. Something like a Dr. Who or Sherlock Holmes structure, where there doesn't have to be some big linking overstory, but enjoyable characters can pop up here and there in different distinct episodes within a loose framework. Fortunately you don't need a workable plot or antagonist to make the story enjoyable: Fforde's sense of humour playing with literary conventions and his ability to create a stream of eccentric characters in imaginative settings are enough.

However, the unnecessary poorly executed plot (Landon is erased, and Thursday doesn't quite get around to restoring him - end of part two) does dilute the pleasure of the book: Plot is the second weakest aspect of this series so far. Yes, I understand that central to the fun of this book is playing with things without them having to make rigorous scientific sense, but it is possible to work towards satisfying resolutions consistent within the imagined (if surreal) world. It is annoying that supposedly super-perceptive street-wise Thursday only uses her unique and impressive powers to serve - with childlike trust - people who have only ever lied to her. This just doesn't work with what we know of Thursday. The line `blinded by love' doesn't cut it - Goliath is her enemy, and it is totally out of character that she never tries to take them on. It also is dodgy that she is happily distracted by adventures with Miss Havisham and a nice holiday by the sea, when she's supposed to be a driven, intelligent, highly resourceful and supernaturally gifted hero with her one true love to restore. It'd be great if Fforde could combine his impressive imagination with a robust novel (or even series) structure - but here it would be better if he dropped the deeper plots.

And while he's at it, it'd be great if his dodgy villains were collateral damage in this process. They're the weakest aspect of the series. This book's Hades is similarly paper thin: handed super-evil powers without even a whiff of explanation, and the motive, "You killed my brother," only making sense until you trace it back to the total lack of motive in her sibling. Likewise the Goliath corporation - the merest carbon shadowy mega-company lifted from a hundred bad derivative Hollywood flicks - which Fforde can't even bother giving a history.

So, sure, this is OK, and could even have been outstanding - Fforde has some real originality and talent - if not for the couple of glaring flaws.

Average customer rating:

good book
great book

City Of The Lost (Bionicle Legends)
Greg Farshtey
Manufacturer: Scholastic
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0439890330

Book Description

The Toa enter an underwater world in which six new villains hold sway. Can the Toa navigate their way past the rocky shoals of this environment and complete their mission? Or are they doomed to a watery grave?

Customer Reviews:

good book.......2007-05-14

City of the Lost had a good plot. The story moved a little too slowly, though. I liked the open ending of this book. It makes me want to look for the next book!

great book.......2007-05-02

this book is about the mask of life fell in the sea.The book is great but a little action but the story is ok . THE bad guys are the Barraki 7 war lords of great power. THe barraki figth or the mask .

Average customer rating:

One of our Family Favorites
the soulful eyes of a beauitful child.
The Truth of all that Shadows may Hide
amazing illustrations!!

The Tale I Told Sasha
Nancy Willard
Manufacturer: Little Brown and Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0316941158

Customer Reviews:

One of our Family Favorites.......2004-04-30

It's the poetic tale of a girl who lives a simple life. her house plain and small, yet her imagination is so deep that she is able to make the most out of a simple little thing like a yellow ball. Illustrations are gorgeous and the story is rhythmic.. My kids love this book and so do we!

the soulful eyes of a beauitful child........2002-04-18

I wasn't as touched with the story 'The Tale I Told Sasha' as I was with the illustrations. My goodness, the watercolor and sketches were so breathtakingly beautiful the story was easily forgotten.

The Truth of all that Shadows may Hide.......2001-02-27

Have you ever lost something? Then follow a little girl on a magical journey as she chases her small yellow ball over the Bridge of Butterflies, across the Field of Lesser Beasts, through painted trees, to the place where all lost things are found in the enchanting picture book, The Tale I Told Sasha. Nancy Willard explores just how far a young imagination can go on a rainy day, through her writing in this concept book first copyrighted in 1999. The vivid illustrations are the true art in this children's masterpiece, as illustrator David Christiana paints the unimaginable with captivating dimension in brilliant color. Whether the first or five hundredth time through this breathtaking book, The Tale I Told Sasha will reveal something new and deeper in each and every reading. The words, few and powerful, are capable of intriguing children and puzzling adults time and time again. Even the end-sheets of a golden hue and the cutout title page are thoughtfully created and tastefully executed. Williard and Christiana should receive smiles of approval from both young and old, as the truth of all that shadows may hide is revealed in their phenomenal children's picture book, The Tale I Told Sasha.

amazing illustrations!!.......1999-06-09

The poetic and thought provoking adventure that unfolds through the course of this book is quite captivating in and of itself, yet I believe the fantastic watercolors that illustrate the tale are beautiful and eye catching enough to stand on their own, if needs be. Whether you have kids or not, this book is a collectable for anyone who appreciates this kind of creative eye-candy.

Young Cam Jansen and the Baseball Mystery (Young Cam Jansen)

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Young Cam Jansen helps her friends track down a missing baseball
Baseball has never seen the likes of Cam before!
Review of Cam Jansen and the Baseball Mystery

Young Cam Jansen and the Baseball Mystery (Young Cam Jansen)
David A. Adler
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0141311061

Book Description

Cam Jansen and her friend Eric want to play baseball in the park with some other kids. But they need to find their lost ball first. Everyone gets together to search, and Cam says "Click!" to start up her photographic memory. What was going on when the ball disappeared? Who has it? Where can it be now? Cam is ready to find out.

Customer Reviews:

Young Cam Jansen helps her friends track down a missing baseball.......2006-03-19

Cam Jensen's real name is Jennifer and she has an amazing memory. Her memory is like a camera: she has a picture of her head of every thing that she has seen. Whenever she wants to remember something she closes her eyes and says, "Click." Because of her great memory people started calling her "the Camera," and then they shorted it to just "Cam." "Young Cam Jansen and the Baseball Mystery" takes place one afternoon when Cam and her friends are playing a game of baseball at the park. When Amy hits the ball so far that it sails over Robert's head, she ends up hitting a home run. But the ball disappears and Cam and her friends have to find it because otherwise the game will be over. Can Cam catch all the clues?

Written by David A. Adler with illustrations by Susanna Natti, "Young Cam Jansen and the Baseball Mystery" does a nice job of finding a comfort level for its young readers when it comes to solving the mystery. Kids reading this book might not be as quick as Cam to figure out the clues, but they should be ahead of Cam's friends in that regard. There is also an opportunity for readers to test their own memory and see if it as amazing as Cam Jansen: Right before the opening chapter there is a full-page illustration of Cam and Robert walking through the park. Young readers are supposed to look at the picture, blink their eyes and say "Click," and then turn to the last page of the book to answer some questions and see how well they remember the details of the picture.

There are other books in the Young Cam Jansen series, including "Young Cam Jansen and the Dinosaur Game," "Young Cam Nansen and the Missing Cookie," and "Young Cam Jansen and the Library Mystery." These are all Level 2 readers aimed at ages 5-8 (Grades K-2), and students who are beginning to read. The reason these are all Young Cam Jansen mysteries is because Adler has written even more books about his young heroine in the Cam Jansen adventure series, which are aimed at ages 8-12 (Grades 1-3) and kids who are reading alone. Helping young readers make the transition to chapter books, this series includes "Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Babe Ruth Baseball," "Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Monkey House," and "Cam Jansen and the First Day of School Mystery." I certainly like the idea of Adler different types of books for readers at two different levels and think it would be interesting for Adler to write a Level 1 Cam Jansen story and another for her at some reading level higher than 3.

Baseball has never seen the likes of Cam before!.......2005-01-19

You have to love Cam Jansen. When you're a kid, you read all of these stories about magic powers, mystery, and adventure. But everyone tells you magic can't exist. Cam Jansen manages to solve every case without the use of magic... she's a real girl. That's what makes her special and what makes you want to red more and more. Cam Jansen is a real kid superhero, and the thought that a person like her could actually exist... makes her the best kid detective ever! Our family loves Cam Jansen!

Review of Cam Jansen and the Baseball Mystery.......2002-03-03

This book is great for those who are just becoming independant readers. The sentences are short and the vocabulary is simple enough so it is easy for them to understand. Also the pictures correspond well to the story. The story will keep their interest, they will follow the pursuit to find the baseball, seeing how Cam uses her photographic memory to help solve the mystery. This story teaches young children how photgraphic memories work in a simple way. I liked how they used Cam, short for camera as her nickname.

Average customer rating:

My Good Shepherd (Easter Board Books)
Alice Joyce Davidson
Manufacturer: Zonderkidz
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

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ASIN: 0310708443

Book Description

An adorable Easter board book that will delight the hearts of small children.

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Good Night Sam

Good Night Sam (Stella)
Marie-Louise Gay
Manufacturer: Groundwood Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 088899530X

Book Description

Stella’s little brother Sam is back in this charming picture book. Sam asks his big sister whether or not she is sleeping. "Yes," answers Stella. "Aren’t you?" But Sam can’t sleep: he misses his beloved and faithful dog, Fred. Where could he be? Sam knows that Fred is afraid of many things: the dark, the monster that lives in the closet, and the giant toad that lurks downstairs. Luckily, Stella is there to reassure Sam as they search everywhere. Gay’s delicate watercolors, full of whimsy and humor, bring Stella and Sam’s world to life.

Customer Reviews:

Good Night Sam.......2007-08-12

My grandson Sam loves to have this series read to him. Beautiful artwork and fun, happy stories of Stella and Sam. Oh yes, Fred the dog too!

Let's Play Ball: Bring-It-All-Together Book (Get Ready, Get Set, Read!/Set 5)

Average customer rating:

This is 1 book with 5 chapters

Let's Play Ball: Bring-It-All-Together Book (Get Ready, Get Set, Read!/Set 5)
Gina Erickson M.A. , and Kelli C. Foster Ph.D.
Manufacturer: Barron's Educational Series
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0812094352

Book Description

This review book brings together the irregular vowel sounds taught in SET 5, which feature the word families: ound, y, ow, ew, and all.

Customer Reviews:

This is 1 book with 5 chapters.......2007-01-16

I was expecting a set of 5 books--this is 5 very short stories in 1 book...thought you'd like to know.

The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose

Average customer rating:

An Amazing Book
This is an amazing book!
THE BEST BOOK EVER
The Remarkable Life and Times of ELIZA ROSE

The Remarkable Life and Times of Eliza Rose
Mary Hooper
Manufacturer: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1582348545
Release Date: 2006-10-31

Book Description

Ousted from her family by her new stepmother, Eliza Rose makes her way to London—only to be thrown straight into prison for stealing a bite to eat. Her life takes a remarkable twist when she is rescued and befriended by the infamous actress Nelly Gwyn. Nelly introduces her to the courtly intrigue, politics, and glamour of the court of King Charles II, as well as to a handsome young man known as Valentine Howard. Eliza is smitten, yet their love cannot be, as she is only a lowly maid and he is an aristocrat.

From orange seller to mermaid and to a lady about town, Eliza will take on many remarkable guises, but will she ever find what she yearns to know—a place where she truly belongs?

Customer Reviews:

An Amazing Book.......2007-04-19

It was a fantastic book, and the best I have read this year. This was the first Mary Hooper book I have read, but now I want to read more books by Mary Hooper. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who is 12 and above.

This is an amazing book!.......2007-03-21

Mary Hooper does an excellent job developing the character of Eliza Rose in this book. I couldn't but this book down, I read the whole thing in a few days! The book takes place in 16th century England, and you can acctually get involved with the characters and feel like you are there! This is definately a book to add to your collection, as it is beautifully written!

THE BEST BOOK EVER.......2007-01-18

I LOVED THiS BOOK AND I AM DYiNG FOR ANOTHER ONE ABOUT ELiZA THiS BOOK iS DiFFENETLY A 5 STARS BOOK AND I WOUD RECAMMEND iT TOO GIRLS AGED 12 AND UPWORDS

KELSEY

The Remarkable Life and Times of ELIZA ROSE.......2006-12-28

I have recently finished this fantastic book by Mary Hooper and I love it!
Set in the 17th Century Mary Hooper's descriptions of the clothes, sights, smells, and general life of London are brilliant. I would recommend this book to a wide range of readers, (mostly girls), from 12, (I being 13), to adults.
The journey taken by this exquisite character I enjoyed throughly and could barely take the time to put it down. I hope that you as well take the time to read "The Remarkable Life and Times of ELIZA ROSE".

Our Father Among the Saints Raphael Bishop of Brooklyn: Good Shepherd of the Lost Sheep in America (Saint Raphael Hawaweeny)

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Our Father Among the Saints Raphael Bishop of Brooklyn: Good Shepherd of the Lost Sheep in America (Saint Raphael Hawaweeny)

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0962419036

Product Description

The life of St. Raphael (1860-1915) and the complete texts needed for the celebration of the services commemorating him in the Orthodox Church. The 68-page life is written by Fr. Andre Issa and edited by Fr. John Mack. It followes St. Raphael from his native Syria to Constantinople, Russia, and the United States. He was consecrated by the Russian missionary bishop St. Tikhon the Confessor, to assist him with the oversight of the Arabic-speaking Orthodox Christians in the U.S. and Canada. He was the first Orthodox bishop consecrated in North America. He founded 30 church temples, which are listed. He was glorified as a saint of the Orthodox Church in 2000. The liturgical material includes the Akolouthia of St. Raphael, that is, the proper hymn texts for the services of his feast day, the Akathist to St. Raphael, and a musical suppliment with western-type musical notation of Byzantine chant settings of many of the hymns. The hymns (presumably written by Bishop Basil) are in traditional liturgical English. The typography is clear, large, and well-suited to be used by clergy and chanters in services. Includes all the propers for vespers, litiya, orthros (matins), and the Divine Liturgy. Black hardcover published without dust jacket.

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The Lost Ball
Sports, Boys and Dogs
Two Languages and twice the fun
The Lost Ball/La pelota perdida

Lost Ball, The/La pelota perdida

Manufacturer: Rayo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060297638

Book Description

One park,
two dogs,
two boys,
two lost balls ...
and dozens of
ballplayers.

Is this your ball?
No!
¿Es ésta tu pelota?
¡No!

Then ...
let's go find the owner of this ball!
¡Vamos a buscar al dueño de esta pelota!

Turn these pages and you will discover that boys and dogs and ballplayers speak the same language (even when they don't).

And by the time you finish this book, you will, too.

Customer Reviews:

The Lost Ball.......2002-10-16

Lost Ball is a really terrific book and I have enjoyed sharing it with my son. He's in grammar school and just learning Spanish and just learning about ball games. This book does a great job in helping with both learning Spanish and about the ball games. He likes it. I like it. He's a boy and I'm a girl, so I guess it also appeals to both sexes. Bravo to Reiser!!! She's a great author and a great illustrator.

Sports, Boys and Dogs.......2002-10-07

What a great combnation--sports, boys and dogs. It's a book that I can read and enjoy with my boys. The pictures of the sports seem to be accurate and even I like learning the names of the balls in two languages. We like to look at all that's happening and what has changed in the interval between when the first boy passes a field and the second one comes looking for the owner of the ball. I wish there were more books like this one. Reiser is one of our favorite authors and illustrators.

Two Languages and twice the fun.......2002-10-07

This is a wonderful book for learning Spanish and English. It is very applicable to young readers as the park a place they know and the names of the balls can be practiced on any vsit. The book cleverly has the two boys circling the park in different drections so the words learned are repeated and renforced. The color coding makes clear who is saying what . In the end, not only are the balls found, but each boy and each dog has a new friend and a liittle of a new language. The details of the pctures of the sports add depth to the readng experence by provdng lots to see and talk about. A wonderful book. My chldren love it..

The Lost Ball/La pelota perdida.......2002-08-16

Yuk! The text in English & Spanish is way too confusing! Each boy has a dog & ball & the two end up intertwining storylines, balls & dogs. The illustrations & color coded text will be too confusing for young children. The illustrations are way to busy. I like when the text is all in English and/or all in Spanish.

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