text
stringlengths 149
7.21M
| dataset
stringclasses 39
values |
|---|---|
Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows:
Title: See every outfit Duchess Meghan wore in 2019; Abstract: See the former Meghan Markle's style choices this year -- from maternity looks and glamorous gowns to casual dresses, trousers, hats and more.; Category: lifestyle
Title: Jeff Bezos is set to lose his crown as world's richest person; Abstract: Jeff Bezos is about to relinquish the title of world's richest person to Bill Gates, as Amazon.com Inc. stock tumbled in late trading Thursday.; Category: finance
Title: Mitch McConnell snubbed by Elijah Cummings' pallbearer in handshake line at U.S. Capitol ceremony; Abstract: A pallbearer appeared to refuse to shake Mitch McConnell's hand as Rep. Elijah Cummings was lying in state at the Capitol.; Category: news
Title: Joe Biden reportedly denied Communion at a South Carolina church because of his stance on abortion; Abstract: Joe Biden has a complicated history with the Catholic Church.; Category: news
Title: Prince Harry Has the Sweetest Response When Young Student Calls Him Handsome During Japan Trip; Abstract: Prince Harry Has Sweet Response When Student Calls Him Handsome; Category: lifestyle
Title: Democrats to test Trump as impeachment moves to new stage; Abstract: The House impeachment inquiry is set to move into a new, more public phase in the coming weeks that will test the viability of President Trump's defense strategy.; Category: news
Title: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are taking a royal respite; Abstract: Starting next week, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are going AWOL.; Category: lifestyle
Title: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Won't Spend Christmas with Queen Elizabeth at Sandringham This Year; Abstract: They'll hang out with baby Archie and Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, instead.; Category: lifestyle | mind |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Ravenwood: A Tanyth Fairport Adventure; Author: Visit Amazon's Nathan Lowell Page; Review: I loved this book. I liked the characters, especially Tanyth and the raven! It moved fast and I hated it to end.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: In the Tall Grass; Author: Visit Amazon's Stephen King Page; Review: Joe Hill writes enough like his dad that it fools you into thinking he wrote the story. It was a short story, a gross short story. The eating the baby scene was the worst for me. Blech! If you don't like that kind of imagery, I suggest you skip this one.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Winterfair Gifts (Miles Vorkosigan Adventures); Author: Mcmaster Bujold; Review: I love the stories she writes about Miles Vorkosigan. Pretty good story, I recommend it. Five stars for Miles and Katerin,; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Doctor Sleep: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Stephen King Page; Review: Just like the old days. I loved Abra and Azreel and am glad the cat was not killed in the book. Why authors have to abuse animals, especially cats in writing makes me sick. I did enjoy this book. Now you can call me names.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Blood Song: Book 1 of Raven's Shadow; Author: Visit Amazon's Anthony Ryan Page; Review: My favorite type of story, action, romance, sort of, a nasty warhorse and a not quite so lovable hound. Aces in my book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mr. Mercedes; Author: Visit Amazon's Stephen King Page; Review: Held my attention. Liked the characters, even the car, but no supernatural, that means King to me. I did enjoy the book.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Elizabeth Street; Author: Visit Amazon's Laurie Fabiano Page; Review: The characters were quite likeable, Nunzio was my favorite. I didn't know,but should have guessed that Italians were treated so badly. The detective Petrosino was another good character.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Yellow Crocus: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Laila Ibrahim Page; Review: I did enjoy reading g this book so much that I finished it in about two days. I will recommend it to others that like this kind of story.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Fireman: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Joe Hill Page; Review: Good fast paced story. Sounded like his old man in places. I would recommend this to anyone who likes King or end of the world apocalyptic type reads. I also liked that the lead character was a woman and that there were several others that were strong also. Loved John Rookwood and Nick. Why do authors have to kill the cat in the story? Really, stop doing that.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The City of Mirrors: A Novel (Book Three of The Passage Trilogy); Author: Visit Amazon's Justin Cronin Page; Review: Great series, loved it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cats We Love 2017 Deluxe Wall Calendar; Author: Sueellen Ross; Review: I love her calendars of cats!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Wind in His Heart; Author: Visit Amazon's Charles de Lint Page; Review: I enjoyed reading this novel. It did seem to o bog down a bit in places, but then picked right back up. My friend who started Me off with The Little Country has made me a lover of DeLint books. I will recommend this to her. Thanks for returning to adult fantasy.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Blue Hope (Red Hope) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's John Dreese Page; Review: Talk about stupid. The so called hero of the story was pretty stupid. The author was too. You don't need to explain who the characters were again. Read the book and you'll see what I mean.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: The Right Stuff; Author: Tom Wolfe; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: Inspired me.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Yeager: An Autobiography; Author: Chuck Yeager; Genres: history, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: Loved it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Naked Ape: A Zoologist's Study of the Human Animal; Author: Desmond Morris; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: Fantastic insights into anthropology and culture.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Moral Animal: Why We Are the Way We Are: The New Science of Evolutionary Psychology; Author: Robert Wright; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: Keep me up and thinking for days after I read it. Excellent and thought-provoking.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Happy Bottom Riding Club: The Life and Times of Pancho Barnes; Author: Lauren Kessler; Genres: history, young-adult, comics, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction; Review: Anyone who has read "The Right Stuff" or "Yeager" needs to read this book to really understand the other two.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Merriam-Webster's Book of Word Histories; Author: Anonymous; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction; Review: An amazingly fascinating book. I read every entry with relish.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Origins: A Short Etymological Dictionary of Modern English; Author: Eric Partridge; Genres: non-fiction, poetry; Review: Enjoyed every page of this study.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 2107 Curious Word Origins, Sayings & Expressions: From White Elephants to Song & Dance; Author: Charles Earle Funk; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: Etymology as an art form.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dictionary of Latin and Greek Origins: A Comprehensive Guide to the Classical Origins of English Words; Author: Bob Moore; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: Engrossing. I learned a lot.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Word Museum: The Most Remarkable English Words Ever Forgotten; Author: Jeffrey Kacirk; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: Entertaining.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Dictionary of Cliches; Author: James T. Rogers; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: Not as much fun as I had hoped.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Road to War: Duty & Drill, Courage & Capture; Author: Steven Burgauer; Genres: non-fiction; Review: I am the author. But here are four published reviews from "Military Writers Society of America", "Publishers Daily Reviews", "The Book Reviewers (UK)", and "The Book Bag Review (UK)" -- Military Writers Society of America's review of The Road to War: Duty & Drill, Courage & Capture, by Steven Burgauer In The Road to War, author Steven Burgauer weaves a cohesive representation of the diaries of Captain William C. Frodsham, Jr., an Army Officer and POW camp survivor of World War II. The book's subtitle, Duty & Drill, Courage & Capture, is aptly named: From December 8, 1941 -- the day after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor -- to August 9, 1945, we accompany Captain Frodsham through his call to duty, basic training, Officers Candidate School, deployment to the European theater of war, Omaha Beach, skirmishes through French hedgerows, capture by the Germans, life in various stalags in Poland, liberation by the Russians, and his return home. Having visited the D-day landing beaches several times myself, Captain Frodsham's memoir offers me a front-row seat to the experiences of a very real soldier on that beach. I find it humbling. In the early stages of the Captain's memoirs, the reader sees him as an enthusiastic recruit, an ace at almost all of his training, and a cocky young man. As the war progresses and he has still not seen combat duty, he looks forward to deployment overseas. A good section of the book is dedicated to "Drill" and explains his various assignments and posts. Perhaps a bit too much, but it is tolerable. The Captain mellows the closer he gets to actual battle, and his cockiness dissipates as he faces the brutal reality of loss of some of his men, injury, blood, and capture. His descriptions of life as a Prisoner of War (POW) are also quite interesting and made me appreciate the work of the Red Cross more than I had before I read the book. Insights into the military lives of officers vs. enlisted soldiers are offered, and to a reader such as myself who never served in the military, the stratified structure of military life is quite revealing. Most of the time, military terms are explained throughout the book, although there are a few instances where I had to look up some things. I wished for a cheat sheet to look up the differences among squad, platoons, companies, brigades, regiments, and so on. There was a reference to a specific bureaucratic form, too, and I had to research it. There was a minor copyediting error or two, and reading the text on the photos was difficult. These are minor inconveniences, however, because Mr. Burgauer's book is highly engaging, and it is a memoir worth reading for its insights into human altruism, courage under fire, and adaptability to extremely difficult situations. It flows well, and is both enlightening and heartfelt. Reading it, I found author Burgauer constructed a window into Captain Frodsham's psyche and soul. by Patricia Walkow, MWSA Reviewer, February 20, 2017 [url]... ========================= It's a little after 8; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: America in So Many Words: Words That Have Shaped America; Author: Allan Metcalf; Genres: non-fiction, history, biography, historical fiction; Review: Word etymologies fascinate me and this one hits the nail on the head (a fascinating word history all its own).; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Nazi Saboteurs on the Bayou; Author: Steven Burgauer; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: " . . . a novel for those who love non-fiction . . . " -- December 13, 2016, The Book Bag (UK), Ani Johnson A sudden death in New Orleans' red light district, the invention of a more effective US military landing craft with a big future, a crime family with links back to occupied Sicily and two Germans lurking suspiciously in America's southern states. All these are connected and, as World War II hots up across a fortnight in 1942, the links become more obvious as well as more dangerous. American author Steven Burgauer informed, scared and touched our hearts when he brought us The Road To War: Duty & Drill, Courage & Capture, the diaries of an American officer trapped in France after D Day. That time out, in order to add emotional depth to factual memoirs, he fictionalised it slightly. This time he does it the other way around by treating us to the fictional story of a Nazi plot in the Deep South's bayous while adding some encyclopaedic facts. Pretty soon we begin to realise that it's the facts that take precedence, but that's not a complaint. The way Steven writes makes this book different: a novel for those who love non-fiction. On the way there are some unforgettable characters, who together provide a broad gateway to the history of two weeks during 1942, within post-Pearl Harbour period of the conflict. For instance via Kentucky Rose and her colleagues we learn not just about the harsh lifestyle of black prostitutes but the barbaric realities of being black in 1940s America. Their brothel owner and pimp Nico Carolla treats them better than most but this can be a lethal way to earn money. Nico himself is rather interesting. As a real life American with a finger in a racquet flavoured pie or two and links to crime families in the Sicilian old country, he is of special interest to American intelligence and the FBI, bringing as much benefit as it does danger. There are other real people peppered throughout piquing our interest, not all of them as famous as the wartime leaders we're allowed to observe. As Exhibit A I offer you Andrew Jackson Higgins, designer/creator of the Higgins landing craft. Although landing craft in general have been around for a while, there is always room for improvement, especially as the marines approach the Pacific Island landings and the accompanying hazards. Yes, we definitely travel and not just to the Pacific Islands. In fact we travel as widely in geography as we do in facts. We take in places like Bletchley Park and its code breakers, along with the Navajo code breakers back in the States, as well as picking up factoid nuggets like the existence of 'The Green Book.' This particular directory listed the places that black Americans of the era are safe to frequent. Oh and be prepared to smile when you discover what the US marines used to keep their gun nozzles dry. (Some of you are probably ahead of me on that one!) By; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Why You Say It : The Fascinating Stories Behind Over 600 Everyday Words and Phrases; Author: Webb Garrison; Genres: history, young-adult, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fantasy; Review: I learned so much from this. Word histories fascinate me.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Learn Latin: A Lively Introduction to Reading the Language; Author: Peter Jones; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: Lively indeed. For a poor uneducated person like myself, it was amazingly informative. I thank the author.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Idiom's Delight: Fascinating Phrases & Linguistic Eccentricitie; Author: Sue Brock; Genres: non-fiction; Review: Feeds my fancy for word histories and the like. Joyful.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Thereby Hangs a Tale; Author: Charles Earle Funk; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: Curious is an understatement. What about delightful? Great book.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Night of the Eleventh Sun; Author: Steven Burgauer; Genres: history, young-adult, biography, historical fiction, fiction; Review: "A powerful, entertaining and thought-provoking novel, The Night of the Eleventh Sun, is a clear indication of Burgauer's ability to bring a distinctive voice to multiple genres. Deserving of a broad readership it is highly recommended." -- BookViral, January 6, 2017 4 stars out of 5 " . . . the author has quite cleverly interweaved his narrative with a science lens to help us make sense of the Neanderthal's actions . . . so the tag of science fiction/fantasy stands in this enjoyable tale." -- December 9, 2016, "The Book Reviewers" Full Media Ltd. The Night of the Eleventh Sun by Steven Burgauer Existence as a Neanderthal is explored through the life of a clan leader: hunting, family problems, a declining clan, mysterious strangers and keeping the spirits happy are just some of the issues facing Strong Arms in this enjoyable tale. A typical science fiction book will project you so many years into the future and wow you with all that has been achieved or dismay you with the awfulness that is our possible destiny. Not so for Steven Burgauer's latest book, The Night of the Eleventh Sun, which takes us back to the dawn of our time. But it is not us that are his focus; we are a mere bit part in this tale. Rather it is our rival hominid species, the Neanderthal, that takes centre stage. Hold on a minute, I hear you utter, does that not make it historical fiction rather than sci-fi? Well, possibly, but the author has quite cleverly interweaved his narrative with a science lens to help us make sense of the Neanderthal's actions. Clearly much of the science resides in the theoretical realm; ideas are pieced together from fragmented clues collected by decades of patient anthropological endeavours, so the tag of science fiction/fantasy stands. Initially there is a simplicity to the narrative that leads you to think that this might be pitched at a younger audience, but don't be fooled. Once the voracious sex lives of the Neanderthals are covered you know that this is definitely not for children! It is clear from what we learn about the everyday lives of the clan that their lives were similar to our own clan ancestors: use of tools for hunting and preparation, plants for healing, creativity, abstract thinking and philosophising. However, there is a question mark forever lurking whilst you read: why did they not endure? The clan in the story is one in decline, weakened by infighting, high infant mortality and threats from other, more successful and "different" clans. Any, or all of these reasons may explain the Neanderthal's demise, but it is too easy to dismiss them as a species that wasn't "fit" enough to survive; partly as they continue to exist genetically within many of us but also, as the book demonstrates well, we have much still to learn about their cultural legacy. [url]... ==================================================== "A marvelous blend of fact and fiction. Much more could be said of this excellent piece of historical fiction, but suffice to say, it roundly deserves; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: They Have a Word for It: A Lighthearted Lexicon of Untranslatable Words & Phrases; Author: Howard Rheingold; Genres: non-fiction; Review: This was a great book. Very entertaining, very informative, a must-read for folks who love words.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Icelandic Folk and Fairy Tales; Author: May Hallmundsson; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: This is a translation and so some of rings poorly to an American ear on account of the quality of the translator. Strange and wonderful culture, the Icelandic.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: A Certain "Je Ne Sais Quoi": The Origin of Foreign Words Used in English; Author: Chloe Rhodes; Genres: history, non-fiction, biography, historical fiction; Review: The author seemed pretty full of herself. Admittedly, an enormous number of English words descend from French, especially here in America where French trappers and clergy penetrated deep into the continent.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13; Author: Jim Lovell; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, comics, crime, graphic, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: A great, awe-inspiring read. Enjoyed every minute of it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Grandfather Paradox; Author: Steven Burgauer; Genres: paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: The Grandfather Paradox: a time-travel story Marooned in the present, their only hope for the future lay in the past. But first there was still the small matter of staying alive. The planet they were marooned on was crawling with bird-beasts, immense parrotlike carnivores that stood two meters tall, weighed upwards of fifty klogs, and had a giant scooped beak like a pelican. They normally swallowed their prey whole, though not before crushing them to death in their vise-like jaws. Then there were the vipers -- writhing snake-like creatures armed with dozens of sucker-bearing tentacles. They sprayed their victims with acid, then ate them while they were still alive. But it got worse. Much worse . . . Now, join Andu Nehrengel and his female clone companions on an intense voyage through time. First stop: the Civil War and the Battle of Shiloh, April 1862, one of the most horrendous land battles of all time. Meet Mark Twain when he is still a riverboat pilot. Journey with him north to Missouri when he joins the Confederacy. Then it's back to the future and on to Mars! ============================================= -- Publishers Daily Reviews, January 21, 2017 First, watch the short video book trailer, then read the review . . . [url]... In this brilliant new science fiction adventure, veteran storyteller Steven Burgauer weaves an intricate narrative bristling with technological insights and historical detail. And, along the way, he spins a good old-fashioned space opera about a stranded trio of female clones, a man with a mission rooted in the past, and a sweeping journey across time and space to put an end to a genetic curse. In the opening pages of this tale, Captain Andu Nehrengel, the victim of a mutiny in deep space, finds his way to a nearby planet to discover giant, carnivorous parrot-beasts and -- astonishingly -- human footprints close by. He follows these footprints and winds up as the prisoner of three gorgeous female clones -- the sole surviving members of an expeditionary band of Mormons dispatched from Earth more than two centuries earlier to establish a new colony. Things progress in a satisfactory manner -- at least for Nehrengel. The trio has never seen a man before and -- well, let's just say they are delighted to finally meet one. However, on a trip back to recover batteries from his downed ship, the bird-beasts attack and kill two of the triplets before Capt. Nehrengel can lay waste to the avian attackers. Heartbroken and now alone, the surviving clone -- named Prime Alpha -- cozies up to Nehrengel and agrees to go with him on a trip back in time to try and change history. But before you say: "Been there, done that on a million time-travel stories before," hang on. This one delves deep into uncharted fictional waters for one of the most imaginative plot twists we've seen in years. After acquiring a space-worthy ship, Nehrengel and his lovely new friend set their sights on a place Prime Alpha has never seen -- the storied home world she has; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Pioneering Space: Living on the Next Frontier; Author: James Edward Oberg; Genres: non-fiction; Review: Enjoyable, but did not stretch my mind.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | goodreads |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Hanmer Springs TOP 10 Holiday Park; City: Hanmer Springs Canterbury Region South Island; Review: We have stayed at the holiday park with the kids on a weekend to Hanmer. Knowing the budget this place provides all the amenities along with a great customer service. Walking distance to the pools, and eateries. Cabins provide adequate sleeping facilities, jug, cutlery etc. Beds could be updated as they have map roll together (not in the good way with kids in the same room). Would stay again wi family in tow.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sleep Inn Suites; City: Harrisburg Pennsylvania; Review: Prior to arriving in Harrisburg we were delighted that Erin accommodated our request to have some parcels delivered and stored for us. We travelled to Harrisburg from New Zealand this week, committing to 38 hours in transit with two children aged 7 and 5. Angel was able to assist us with an early checkin so we could catch up on three days with little sleep. They helped us with local knowledge, good discussions, and awesome hospitality. The room is nicely decorated and was very clean. Nice and quiet, with a small pool the kids enjoyed, breakfast was a good selection from cereals, waffles, and baked goods along with coffee and juices. Erin and Angel are very easy going and made the start of our trip, to catch up with family, that much easier. In fact we are canceling some other travel arrangements to go back to the SI&S for our last night in Pennsylvania.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Econo Lodge; City: Frackville Pennsylvania; Review: Whilst the motel is convenient and the staff very helpful and courteous the rooms are getting old. Our room, 216 was supposed to be non smoking, however stunk of stale cigarettes, and had ash on the bathroom floor. Breakfast is served in the motel office, as packaged muffins, assorted bagels, juice and coffee from machine. Would stay there again if the rooms are actually deodorized more often. Nice Dutch kitchen out just down the road, with local little bar a block and a half away (Black Diamond).; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Disney s All Star Movies Resort; City: Orlando Florida; Review: We recently stayed at the All Stars Movies with the kids on our week long vacation to Disney World. As it was our first stay we got a cool phone message from Goofy wishing us a good stay. Rooms are adequate if not a little small, but we did understand the constraints of the budget. The rooms are well maintained (1764) with adequate shower over bath. The bathroomis small, you can not be seated and shut the door. Two double beds, and TV with most channels. The grounds are nice for the characters with several pools. The kids loved the night movies, but after a long day at the park tiredness sets in. The food court has a lot of junk food options, pizza, burgers etc. It's is a great place for the park junkies with transport to and from all parks. We enjoyed our stay, and would stay again if budgeted.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Disney s Art of Animation Resort; City: Orlando Florida; Review: We stayed at Art of Animation for three days with the kids, girls 5 and 7. We stayed in room 1515 in Cars building one which is a family suite. The room was very good, and being newish they were clean and tidy. The novelty table which turns into a bed was great for the kids. The sofa also turns into a bed, so the kids had a bed each and their own bathroom. The main bedroom is large, with ensuite. Housekeeping prepared the rooms each day to a great standard, and left towels in the shape of mickey ears on the first night. The resort is very nice with life sized cars characters, three pools, and a medium sized food court. The food court has so,e nice options such as make your own salads, pasta, subs and burgers along with plenty of other junk food options. The only issue we ran into occurred due to changing resorts half way through our stay. Whilst our accommodation was attached to our magic band, our dining plan and parks entry was not, leading to some long waits in queues to remedy the situation. Had we not sorted out the park entry my two princesses would have missed their encounter with Belle, and would have been the last straw to a myriad of issues with the magic bands. Definitely the place to stay with kids.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: YHA Wellington; City: Wellington Greater Wellington North Island; Review: Great location, convenient to the city and not that loud (didnt hear any bars etc)! Stayed a Saturday night of the Edinborough Military Tattoo, with Mrs, and the two little Misses in 4 person mixed dorm (4 bunks) linen provided. Take towels!!! There is a supermarket across the road, and plenty of eateries in walking distance if you don't want to cook in the very well equipped kitchen. Coffee available from 6:45am (for us early morning walkers). The central fire station is across the road, and although the sirens did go off close to mid night it wasn't that bad. We stayed in room 304 which was next to the "alternate staircase" which is a bit creeky, so if used lots, you can get a little noise.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Dutch Chicago: A History of the Hollanders in the Windy City (Historical Series of the Reformed Church in America); Author: Visit Amazon's Robert P. Swierenga Page; Review: Thank you so very much for writing such a wonderful book!!! My father is of Dutch Chicago decent and from the Roseland neighborhood. I got this book on a recomendation from a geneologist that I met and got it for my father for christmas. He can't put it down!!!! He has either known a lot of these people or he has heard stories. He didn't know how vast the history was and how detailed of an account he could ever get. It means so much to him and to me to know more about this side of my family and the history here. I don't think there is another book out ther that chronicles in such detail. This is a great piece of Chicago history and one that has gone under the radar and is certainly less well known even by locals and Chicago natives.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Llama Llama's Little Library; Author: Visit Amazon's Anna Dewdney Page; Review: My son is 18 months and he loves these books!!! We read them daily and he enjoys them very much; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood: Practical Parenting from Birth to Six Years; Author: Visit Amazon's Jim Fay Page; Review: Still reading it and I love the examples it gives. It gives many examples of scenarios in which to handle tough situations but I'm still figuring out how to apply to all situations.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Llama Llama Misses Mama; Author: Visit Amazon's Anna Dewdney Page; Review: My son loves all of these books!!!!!!! He loves this one as well!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Kissing Hand; Author: Visit Amazon's Audrey Penn Page; Review: My 2 year old son doesn't have the patience for this book. Perhaps as he gets older he will like it more.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are; Author: Visit Amazon's Ann Voskamp Page; Review: These are my wife's thoughts as I didn't read this book, she did."Didn't hold my interest like some books do. In places the book is depressing and some places thought provoking"; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption; Author: Visit Amazon's Katie Davis Majors Page; Review: (I didn't read this book, my wife did, this is what she thought of Kisses From Katie)This book was very interesting full of love tears and laughter also very uplifting. Have told others is worth the reading; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Modern Essentials *4th Edition* a Contemporary Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils (The NEW 4th Edition) [Hardcover]; Author: Visit Amazon's Aroma Tools Page; Review: Has a lot of good information and easy to understand. Very easy to follow along with all the colorful illistrations.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: VB6: Eat Vegan Before 6:00 to Lose Weight and Restore Your Health . . . for Good; Author: Visit Amazon's Mark Bittman Page; Review: I chose this rating because I've gotten good results AND it is so easy to follow and I would recommend it to anyone. There are 3 members of my daughters family and they are losing weight and still smiling, not stressful for them or myself, for us VB6 is the way for us to lose.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Fast Metabolism Diet: Lose Up to 20 Pounds in 28 Days: Eat More Food & Lose More Weight; Author: Visit Amazon's Haylie Pomroy Page; Review: really good and e3xplains the plan plainly; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Paid in Full: Your Debt, God's Payment; Author: Visit Amazon's Paul Chappell Page; Review: A good easy read full of interesting information. Paid in Full explains things very clearly; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Incipio Feather Case for iPhone 4 (Pearl Metallic Gray) (Fits AT&T iPhone); Brand: Incipio; Review: This case is really really good. I wanted to get an ultra slim case because I was going to use it with a leather wallet type case, and it fits with no problem. It does not protect the screen if phone falls upside down but I knew of this before getting it. The best thin hard case I could find and it came with a screen protector and cleaning cloth.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Incipio IPH-579 Premium Leather Holster for iPhone 4 - Retail Packaging - Brown; Brand: Incipio; Review: I bought this case because: I was tired of carrying the phone in my pocket. This was the only holster type case that looked good and wasn't so pricy. I combined it with an Incipio ultra thin case an they work perfect (after a couple of days for the holster to stretch a little). The clip is super strong an the phone does not move at all inside the holster (it won't work with bulky cases, is not meant o be used like that. only good if is a naked phone or super thin case). Totally recommended; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dock Cradle For Apple iPhone 3GS 4 4G 4S Docking Station with Cable-Black; Brand: Xtra-Funky; Review: I purchased this so I could charge the phone and not have a cable lying around the night table. It has pros and cons: pros, it holds the phone really good, it looks good by itself, my case is really thin but I think it would work with bulkier cases. Works with both wall charger and pc USB. Cons, I think it was meat for PC use because the phone behaves funny when you manipulate it connected to a wall charger, this does not happens connected to PC USB. It diverts the audio to the 3.5mm audio output even when nothing is connected to it. Which forces you to check the phone while is in the charger due that messages won't sound. Call and alarms do sound. They should make it that it only diverts the audio when something is plugged in. So it works but creates the need to connect an audio device or to check on the phone every now and then or messages. Also the cable is poor quality and won't take normal use well. I broke the cable the 3rd time I took it out, good thing I have more cables.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Marware ADCU11 C.E.O. Prestige Plus Case for iPhone 5 - Retail Packaging - Black; Brand: Marware; Review: Is really usefull, perfect not to have the phone in your pocket. Elegant and light and it comes with a transparent case and a protective screen. 5 stars.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: BlackBerry Bold 9790 Unlocked 3G GSM Phone with 2.45-Inch Touch Screen, 5MP Camera, GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi; Brand: BlackBerry; Review: As all Blackberrys.... I am an iPhone user, i help a cousin (10 year old) to buy this phone as his own choice and against my advice. Well 2-3 months later he now regrets the purchase and lost that money, given the phone crashes and is really really slow with only about 10 apps installed. Blackberry, the only thing that is usefull is the PIN. The rest is garbage....; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Motorola HX550 Universal Bluetooth Headset - Retail Packaging - Black; Brand: Motorola; Review: Is a great product. I connected my iPhone in about 5 seconds. The On/Off switch is really useful. It got full charge in no time and it last a lot. Could not be happier. Recommended; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Apple 12W USB Power Adapter (for iPhone, iPad); Brand: Apple; Review: Original product, works great.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Cell_Phones_and_Accessories |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Founders: A Novel of the Coming Collapse; Author: Visit Amazon's James Wesley Rawles Page; Review: Founders takes you back into the practiced and practical imagination of James Rawles and an evolving saga of an eerily uncomfortable/believable America. Those familiar with his two previous titles, Patriots and Survivors will find familiar names and places as this story largely spreads horizontally rather than vertically up a timeline. Where Founders differs from the previous titles in the series is that emphasis is spent on tactics and security in a post-apocalyptic quasi-United States. If guns and ammunition are your passion, then you'll feel right at home. Those looking for more practical advise on surviving the end of the world as we know it shall find a wealth of inspiration for conviction, evasion, security, and the mental discipline required rather than "how to" information on gardening, building shelters or other readily available online skills. While I personally have a difficult time wrapping my head around time leaps (3 years ago, 10 years ago, 1 year ago), ultimately the stories to converge into a cogent whole. Readers will certainly benefit from having read the first two books so they have the backstory.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hounded (Iron Druid Chronicles); Author: Visit Amazon's Kevin Hearne Page; Review: "Hounded" had me howling with laughter and eagerly turning every Kindle page. If you're an RPG fan or just a fantasy nut, you'll thoroughly enjoy "Hounded." Hearne infuses an original take on Druidry that is fresh and believable in a setting that fits snuggly onto Google maps. Some tongue-tying Gaelic with which to wrestle, but for me it only adds to the authentic feel of the text. I'd rate it PG-13 for some F-bombs and mild sensuality, but it's still tamer than cable. If you like Celtic knots, "Hounded" will keep tied-up for hours!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Ruins of Gorlan (The Ranger's Apprentice, Book 1); Author: Visit Amazon's John Flanagan Page; Review: The Ruins of Gorlan came recommended to me which is why I gave it a read, and what a wonderful journey it was! Rich characters exploring their personal traits to the fullest set in a healthy mentor/apprentice setting. Exciting and satisfying. Highly recommended, even for an older gent like myself.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicles, Day 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Patrick Rothfuss Page; Review: I read...a lot...but it has been some time since I've had a fantasy novel I simply could not put down. I would pick it up for twenty-minutes and two-hours would take wing, carrying me along on Rothfuss' carpet ride. His ability to weave fist and third person through stories within stories is wonderfully compelling. I have lost many hours of sleep in Rothfuss' realms, gone to work with the dark circles of demons, draccus, and dreams of Denna under my eyes, and enjoyed every moment.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Slow Regard of Silent Things (Kingkiller Chronicle); Author: Visit Amazon's Patrick Rothfuss Page; Review: Patrick Rothfuss is currently my favorite contemporary author. In books one and two of the Kingkiller Chronicles he has a way of weaving a story that engrosses and entertains. Rothfuss is the first author in a long, long while to make me miss sleep! The Slow Regard of Slient Things caught me off guard. I knew it was a departure from the stories of Kvothe, but I was not expecting what I found: a strong but frail, brilliant but naive, potent but fearful wisp of a woman, Auri. Just Auri. No other characters, no interplay. Yet Auri is compelling and I think, represents a little bit of what cowers in us all. I know I have certainly had days which left me in an Auri-state-of-mind. And now I have a name for it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Death of Dulgath (Riyria Chronicles); Author: Visit Amazon's Michael J. Sullivan Page; Review: Once again the unlikely duo of Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater set out to fill their purses on a morally ambiguous quest, only to be entrenched in adventure and intrigue that forever shapes their futures. I enjoy the two and their repartee, but Royce grows more as a character in The Death of Dulgath than seen in previous booksrealizing how his relationships with Gwen and Hadrian are molding his biases, and I think, that having an idiot around is no bad thing. Enjoyable through-and-through, and a book that leaves you wanting more. It is fiction, but it mirrors the human condition in such a way that leaves you with a sense of hope, and in todays world, that is sorely needed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Besieged: Stories from the Iron Druid Chronicles; Author: Kevin Hearne (author); Review: To date Ive read every book and short story published on the Iron Druid, and wait with great expectation for each new release. The short stories in Besieged did not disappoint, giving us new insights into our favorite characters, including the loquacious Oberon. I only wish it had been longer. The one downside for me personally was, I read Kevin Hearne to be entertained, and while there is always a comfortable and obvious concern for Gaia in The Iron Druid Chronicles, Besieged takes stabs at other social issues, and can be perceived as preachy with an agenda to be expressed in 50 words or less. It did not bring this reader along to persuade my consciousness, it took quick stabs, and that was a turn off because while it proclaimed Kevins stand on contemporary issues, it does little to sway readers opinions, and given Kevins gift for words, that was a disappointment. I have no trouble with agendas in literaturethat is a key role for books and books have changed historybut when it is so blatant, it does not unsettle for introspection, it disenchants. Evenso, I eagerly wait for the final volume in the Iron Druid Chronicles, with a bittersweet sense of expectation and farewell.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Camino Real El Paso; City: El Paso Texas; Review: I stayed here because I thought it would be fun in a historic hotel. It was way overpriced for the room and the location. I would have much rather stayed in the cheap hotel down the road. At least I could have gotten a free breakfast. The place needs an upgrade SOON! The bed was uncomfortable. The room was nice and big but very uninviting. The staff was friendly enough. I was disappointed in the outdated equipment in the room. I had to move a dresser just to charge m phone.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Quality Inn Suites Oceanside Near Camp Pendleton; City: Oceanside California; Review: Hi, I just checked out of the Quality Inn & Suites hotel in Oceanside Ca. I stayed there for three nights at quite an expensive rate of $175 per night plus tax. I could have gotten a room on the beach for this cost. Anyway, throughout my stay, the wifi never worked and the desk manager said "too many people are in it" and "yeah, we've been having problems with it". I asked for a TV channel guide and none could be provided. I was in a kitchen suite but it had no dishes or cutlery. The mattress was quite worn out. The "spa" advertised was a 5'x5' hot tub that was beside a very small outdoor pool. Neither of these offered much in terms of relaxation because it was about five feet from the parking lot and heavy foot traffic and onlookers. The various front desk staff I spoke too was courteous and as helpful as they could be. The cleaning staff was also very nice. The room, minus the above mentioned items was quiet.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: La Quinta Inn Austin Oltorf; City: Austin Texas; Review: I stayed here for two nights during a conference because there was nothing else available at a reasonable price. The bar/restaurant next door had a band playing and it was LOUD. Also, there were many intoxicated people in the parking lot (the hotel and restaurant share the same parking) and they were also very loud. The rooms have been upgraded recently and are pretty nice. The bed slept wonderful. The wifi was great. The basic amenities of breakfast were the same as any other regular place.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Staybridge Suites Houston NASA Clear Lake; City: Webster Texas; Review: Friendly staff. Free breakfast and dinner! Good food. Very nice room. Bed was comfortable, walk-in shower, open floor, nice kitchen. Free laundry! Close to many restaurants and things to do. I would definitely stay here again. Checking in was easy. Parking is free and close.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Federal City Inn Suites; City: New Orleans Louisiana; Review: I like the place. Its a BIG room. Very quiet area around the hotel. Stayed here for a week on business. Front desk staff was nice. bed was comfortable. Kitchen in room was very nice. This hotel caters to military who are in the area. You can typically book it much cheaper on travel websites.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: KONG Air Dog Squeaker Dog Toy; Brand: KONG; Review: Great squeaker. After an hour our bull mastiff had torn off the cover. Nice hard tennis ball ends, but it has to last more than an hour.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: KONG Air Dog Squeaker Dog Toy; Brand: KONG; Review: Great squeaker. After an hour our bull mastiff had torn off the cover. Nice hard tennis ball ends, but it has to last more than an hour.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: RC Pet Products Whistler Winter Wear Dog Coat, Charcoal Tartan; Brand: RC Pet Products; Review: Coldest January in a hundred years in the northeast. Need I say more? We have one of these for each dog, a boxer and a bullmastif. They are both short hair dogs, so when it's 2 degrees out, they need a cover. These are great, male or female. Size 24 for the 65lb boxer and 26 for the 100lb (very lean) bulmastiff; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: PetSafe Solvit Deluxe Pet Seat Cover- For Car, Truck, and SUV Use - Available in Hammock and Bench Styles; Brand: Solvit; Review: 2 out of 3 ain't bad, right? Water, more importantly dog pee goes right through. Need I say more?; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Cat and Dog Water Fountain, Built-in Reservoir,Filtered Water for Your Pet, 168 oz. Water Capacity; Brand: PetSafe; Review: Pros: 1-We have big dogs and they like flowing water 2-Holds more than a gallon, so we only need to fill it 1-2x per day Cons: 1-bowl is too small, water/slobber ends up all over floor (we have plastic shoe pan under it to catch most of overflow) 2-it's very difficult to pick up to drain/clean when filled (how about some groove/handles) not well thought out 3-top cover is held on by gravity, so it gets knocked off daily, not well thought out 4-tank is removable, but is very awkward shape and has no groove/handle to hold when you fill it, not well thought out; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | amazon_Pet_Supplies |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Danielle Steel Collection: (Palomino / Secrets / Star / The Promise); Brand: Christopher Plummer; Review: I bought it for just one particular movie and enjoyed that one. I viewed the others and they were ok.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Oklahoma! VHS; Brand: Gordon MacRae; Review: Delivered on time. Classic; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: White Christmas VHS; Brand: Bing Crosby; Review: Delivered on time. Classic movie; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: State Fair VHS; Brand: Jeanne Crain; Review: Delivered on time. Love it; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: White Christmas; Brand: Bing Crosby; Review: Delivered on time. Classic movie; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Chuck:S4 (DVD); Brand: Zachary Levi; Review: Delivered on time Love it; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Follow The Boys; Brand: Connie Francis; Review: Delivered on time. Love it; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Old Yeller VHS; Brand: Dorothy McGuire; Review: classic movie; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Memory Keeper's Daughter; Brand: Gretchen Mol; Review: DVD is great condition. Great movie!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Movies_and_TV |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Pearl Izumi Women's Select Tri Suit; Brand: Pearl iZUMi; Review: Ordered this to train for my first tri and ordered a couple of sizes to see which fit best on previous recommendations (it runs small). I have used it for training swims, runs, and rides and it has performed beautifully. It's very comfortable without chafing or digging and while the bike pad is thin it does the job without adding bulk. It dries quickly after a swim on the bike. The design is very flattering and slimming and the separate bra is a plus. Everything stays in place for a run and the zipper is easy to maneuver with one hand. I had some second-thoughts about ordering a one piece suit (as opposed to a separate top and bottom), but it's been easy to pull on /off when nature calls--even after a swim. It comes in a little storage bag, but mine doesn't spend a lot of time there as it's in frequent use. No complaints.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Grabber FWMLES3 Foot Warmer (3 Pair/Pack); Brand: Grabber; Review: They did the job. Kept my feet toasty (but not sweaty hot) despite standing outside for hours in the snow in Minnesota winters.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: BV Bicycle Strap-On Bike Saddle Bag/Seat Bag/Cycling Bag; Brand: BV; Review: Love the little "expander" on the bottom. Fits my road bike perfectly.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Pearl iZUMi Women's Select Pursuit Tri Suit; Brand: Pearl iZUMi; Review: This is my second Pearl IZUMi tri suit. My first PI tri suit is three years old and just doesn't quit. As was my experience with the first, I wear a size small or medium but the large works best for me with the Pearl iZUMi tri suit (I am 5'9"). The cut and fit is comfortable and quality is good. My only complaint is that the bra is cheaply made and in desperate need of a liner like in early products. Am debating if I should keep or send back based on this alone.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Aegend Swim; Brand: Aegend; Review: I was dubious but am a convert! Have been using only Tyr Special Ops for about 5 years, but needed a new pair for an upcoming triathlon and this was an awesome deal with great reviews. Tried them on an open water swim today and the visual clarity out of the water (for sighting, etc) was much, much better than I was used to. It was a very sunny day and no glare. The lake I swim in is pretty murky so I can't see anything underwater regardless of the goggles. They were comfortable, easy to adjust, and were leakproof. I'm not thrilled with the bug-like appearance of the greenish yellow lenses, but if I scare off a few of the competition, so much the better.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Sports_and_Outdoors |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Armitron Women's Crystal Accented Silvertone Pink Mother of Pearl Dial Watch; Brand: ; Review: This watch is nicer in real than in the picture. The face is slightly mother of pearl to pink. The crystals are nicely displayed; and the watch band is surprising good looking.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Colored Simulated Pearl Cluster Drop Earrings; Brand: Amazon Collection; Review: Its relatively small; and less bright than in the picture. The colours are the same as displayed...just less bright as said before.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: BCBGeneration Tri-Tone Cuff Bracelet, 6"; Brand: ; Review: This product was received in poor condition. The bronze band in the middle had several flaws which made it look used. The metal was bruised on the edges dead center of the band; and there was a cloudy faded spot as though its a permanent finger print; and the rose metal coating was slightly crinkled. Its a bit on the small side; but thats good for me. When I can post a pic, I will. If not for the damages, this would have been a 5 star.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Big Hobo NYC Designer Hobo Fashion, Orange; Brand: Big Hobo; Review: This bag came nicely packaged in a big box to prevent bending of the bag during shipping. The colour is fantastic and can be used with multiple colours of clothing. It looks like a nice size big bag to fit all your junk in, but when you open up the bag, its suprising of how small the pockets are. I am hoping that all the extra on the exterior bag, is room for expansion when trying to fit all your stuff in the relatively small pockets. If you want a big bag for storing plenty things, this isn't it.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Star Trek - Big Bang Theory Mash Up - Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock Adult T-Shirt Tee, Navy, Medium; Brand: Ripple Junction; Review: This is way nicer in real. Its a thin material, but its relatively soft. Its not see through. Its fairly long. Its preshrunked so we orders one size up as a gift for a relative who is very slim and tall, and we were worried that it may have been a bit to big, but it was perfect.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Metal Masters Co. 8MM Black LORD'S PRAYER Tungsten Ring Wedding Band Sizes 7 to 13; Brand: Metal Masters Co.; Review: This ring is gorgeous. I bought my husband an 8, as his ring finger was 8 1/2. When he got it, it was quite a snug fit, little to close for my comfort but nevertheless he wears it because he loves it. He uses cream or soap to take it off, and wears it in air conditioned environments, not outdoors in our tropical climate. Its certainly quality made. One day we sized his ring finger again, and to my shock, his finger grew lol, he is actually a 9.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Thompson Tee Men's Sweat Proof Undershirts with Underarm Sweat Pads, Original Fit, DeepV; Brand: T THOMPSON TEE; Review: I bought the Medium in this for my husband at first, but it was a bit to large. This time, we bought the Small. He usually wear small in brands like CK, Guess, etc. Works very well. The arm padding is not too thick to make you uncomfortable or show, and neither to thin to be ineffective. Definitely saves his shirts from sweat and deodorant marks.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Crocs Women's Cyprus IV Rhinestone Heel; Brand: ; Review: I ordered it in size 9 in error, which is my usual shoe size, but I needed an 8 in this style. Its very comfortable. I also have other colours in it. The front strap is a bit tight at first and you definitely have to break it it. Breaking it in scared by feet where the instep bands are, but it went away. After this, it was perfect. Its the most comfortable fit and shoe. The heel height and the platform makes it feel like a low shoe; but it gives you some height. Its a very sturdy shoe and doesnt rock on feet very much due to the block heel. Its very stylish for Crocs. Wish I could get this in size 8.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dockers Men's Slim Tapered Fit Signature Khaki Pants; Brand: ; Review: I ordered this pant and it has material defects that make it very unprofessional and unusable. There are three white-ish stains that look like material defects/ discoloration at the back of the right leg, and its very pronounced. I would great;y appreciate a refund on this item from the seller, or have them send a new one free of charge to the address previously sent to. I am unable to return the damaged pant as it was gifted to my husband in Trinidad and Tobago, and not kept within the USA. To return from Trinidad would cost lots of $$. The pictures attached is the pant right out of the plastic packaging it came in. It has not been washed or used or tampered with in any way. Very disappointing, consider the cost of this pant. Please assist.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: NANA 14k Gold Post & Sterling Silver 4 Prong Swarovski Pure Brilliance CZ Stud Earrings CZ 1.0 to 8.0ctw; Brand: Central Diamond Center; Review: Very dull & colour seems cloudy compared to other Swarovski that I own & purchased off Amazon. Personally im not sure if what i received is real Swarovski crystal. Berricle brands, Swarovski, & other the Amazon Collection fitted with Swarovski seem much better to me. In the pics, the ring is from Amazon Collection with Swarovski emerald cut solitaire. I know the cut adds to the difference in brilliance too.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Platinum or Gold Plated Sterling Silver Fancy Shape Solitaire Ring made with Swarovski Zirconia; Brand: Amazon Collection; Review: Very beautiful, shiny & well made, looks quite real. It's simple and not too much, yet a big enough solitaire swarovski diamond in an emerald cut. My hands are quite large & my fingers long & slender. I find it realistic in size & a royalty for someone with limited means $$. Love it, worth it, recommend it for quality & class for those of us who can't afford diamonds or their closest match.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Dalat Backpackers Hostel; City: Da Lat Lam Dong Province; Review: Wow! What a wonderful home away from home in Dalat. Comfy beds, HOT showers!, great location, free breakfast and dinner, and to top it off, an incredibly friendly staff. My experience here was delightful! I'll certainly be returning if I'm back in this area. :); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Q Hao Hotel; City: Duong Dong Phu Quoc Island Kien Giang Province; Review: Been traveling solo for 2 months and Q-Hao is by FAR the best place I've stayed yet! Friendly staff, great atmosphere, beautiful skybar w ocean view for sunset, good wifi, pool table, jacuzzi, hammocks..couldn't ask for more, and at SUCH a great value. Two big thumbs up!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Phu House Hostel; City: Duong Dong Phu Quoc Island Kien Giang Province; Review: Been traveling solo for 2 months and Q-Hao is by FAR the best place I've stayed yet! Friendly staff, great atmosphere, beautiful skybar w ocean view for sunset, good wifi, pool table, jacuzzi, hammocks..couldn't ask for more, and at SUCH a great value. Two big thumbs up!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hi Ho Beach Apartments; City: Broadbeach Gold Coast Queensland; Review: My friend and I decided to go to the Gold Coast for a few days last week and had no idea about the area or where to stay but ended up booking Hi Ho in a rush on the internet and it more than exceeded our expectations! We had an excellent room and balcony with a beach view for a great rate. The pool was beautiful and the staff was amazing. Natalia went out of her way to make sure we had everything we needed and helped us pick out where to go and places to eat during our stay. And speaking of eats, there is a FABULOUS cafe connected to the apartments. Not to mention, there are several malls and tons of local eateries all within short walking distance. If you're looking for a private, beautiful stay in Broadbeach, this is the place to be! :); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Molly s Run; City: Kingscote Kangaroo Island South Australia; Review: Molly's Run..wow. Our accommodation on kangaroo island was booked by a travel agent, so going in, so we had no idea what to except. We hadn't done a bit of research, so we were completely blown away when we arrived. The breathtaking scenery and atmosphere was a bonus to the the hosts of the home. They actually felt more like family. We had Ang and Steve looking after us the first few days. They were exceptional people who made coming home after a day exploring the island feel like a treat! Not to mention all the delicious treats they prepared for us throughout the day. Paul and Charmaine, the primary host couple, were with us the last night and made us feel equally as at home as before! I couldn't dream up a more perfect place to spend my time on kangaroo island. Absolutely spectacular. Great location, fabulous people, and memories that will last a lifetime! Oh! And not to forget, we had a guest among the group that was gluten free, and Ang rose to the occasion and did an incredible job at tailoring each meal to that persons specific needs while still keeping the food delicious! Certainly a place that can cater to anyone's needs :)) hope to run into these folks later in life!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows:
Title: Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: What to Do in Case of Fire (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hard Core Logo (2000); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Tao of Steve (2000); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Personal Velocity (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: My Baby's Daddy (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Flirting with Disaster (1996); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Hush! (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Steal This Movie! (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Kuch Naa Kaho (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Spellbound (2002); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Secretary (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Happy Accidents (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: My First Mister (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: About a Boy (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0 | netflix |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Springhill Court Conference Leisure Spa Hotel; City: Kilkenny County Kilkenny; Review: Stayed at this hotel in Febuary during midterm break for the kids, not bad at all. We had a family room witch consisted of a double bed and two singles, room was clean & tidy, only two points to make about the room, could had done with a mini fridge regarding drinks/medicines etc,and windows should have had blinds to pull down during morning/night-time,as they only had curtans. The lesure centre was brillent and very clean with sauna /jacuzzi and good supervision, and must say the activities for the kids during the day was second to none, food good, especially breakfast. Would have no problem to go again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Apartamentos Casa Luis; City: Santa Eulalia del Rio Ibiza Balearic Islands; Review: Casa Luis is a family run apt complex, the staff are very friendly, & do work hard, the apts themselves are basic but clean,there are however a few points to note! Bad Points @ The swimming pool areas are far two small. @There are not enough bed by the pool for every one @ALL BEDS WERE FULLy/TAKEN BY 9AM!!!!!!!!! BEWARE!!!!!!!! @Entertainment was hit & Miss & down in what i can only describe as a dungeon! Far too hot. Good Points @ Staff were extremely friendly, & Helpful espically Julie. @Pool side bar was of good choice & keenly priced @resturant Menu was excellent & especially the Special Menu ( €10.50 for Bread/Garlic Oil dip, Soup/Salad/ choice of two main course & desert all topped with a glass of white or red wine ! & not forgetting the free complimentory Peach snapps! The Casa Luis is ideal for kids/teenagers aged from 8 to 15 so if you like peace and quiet forget it , There are quiet a few beaches within a 15 / 20 minute wake with some stunning views & also the Marina of st Elarlia.The boat trip is also a good day trip taking in the capital of Ibiza; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: VIK Hotel San Antonio; City: Puerto Del Carmen Lanzarote Canary Islands; Review: Returned from San Antonio hotel in early August 2009, i had read reviews and there seemed like there were a few bad reviews, firstly i have stayed at many a 4* hotel and found this one as good as they get! The check in was quick with a porter bringing our luggage down to our room, the room we had was a family room on the lower floor facing the tennis courts, the room itself was clean althought was a bit dated, with a good sized bathroom.the hotel is ideally situated at the end of Puerto Del Carmem/ Playa Los Picillos and has direct access to the beach. The beach in front of the hotel is rocky but to the left is a fantastic beach that streches for a least 2 miles towards the airport . The food in the hotel consisted of buffet breakfast & evening meal there was always something there for everyone with themed food nights each evening ie Chinnese /spannish /italian and the kids found what they liked so everyone was happy .entertainment was excellent with acts each evening and they were of good standard .drink prices in the hotel were still cheaper that at home in dublin ( pint €3.50. Bottle bud €3.60 Baileys large measure €4.25. a deposit of €5 per towel was needed if you required for your sun bed which was totally refundable great ideal & there was always plenty of sunbeds around so no getting up early to run down to put your towel down. I would have no problems returning to the San Antonio Hotel. Philthedub Dublin; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Beatriz Playa Spa; City: Puerto Del Carmen Lanzarote Canary Islands; Review: Having viewed the hotels pictures & read some of the reviews I thought that i could not go wrong with a 4 * hotel , well how wrong I was, firstly we traveled with extended family as it was mid term, on arrival the hotel did look impressive that's were it ended!! This hotel is huge but is not very well laid out , we had a junior suite which i thought needed some serious updating ! the rooms were clean however but just lacked something, i would say that this hotel was the bee's knee's 15years ago but has gone downhill rapid. we stayed all inclusive and when we went down to the restaurant we were met with Queues waiting to be seated, this was the case for everything regarding this hotel , Queues Queues !! The food was really terrible ,not labeled not enough of one thing or another , Queuing for the coffee, wine not working ,orange machine not working Etc really bad, the airport which we already knew is literary next door but we knew that already if you love planes this is the spot for you but juring the summer i could just imagine the amount of take -off's and landings here. Overall I would not recommend this hotel there are plenty of good 4* hotels ,this is not one of them,more like a 2+ or 3*; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Las Costas; City: Puerto Del Carmen Lanzarote Canary Islands; Review: Returned last Saturday the 24th July we had seen this hotel on our travels from last year were we had stayed at the San Antonio,which is a great hotel, but has gone far too expensive for us as a family, the reception area is large and airy and has the best and friendly reception staff i have ever come across.Check in was fast and friendly although our room was not quiet ready we had arrived at roughly 12.15 and were given 4 vouchers for drinks while we waited which turned out to be 10 minutes, a porter took of luggage to what i would describe as individual villas, ours had a garden view, the room was huge and modern and most of all spotless.Slide robe wardrobes tv fridge,microwave and air conditioning that really worked!! The pool area is just the right size with children section adults pool jacuzzi ,not to mention gym,sauna childrens mini club,pool,table tennis room. We stayed half board and there would have to be something wrong if you were not satisfied with the standard on view different menu every day and served with a smile!!! Majority of clients were German/Dutch and i have to say as Irish we all had a great friendly banter and craic . Staff in this hotel could not do enough just fantastic!!! would i recommend this hotel ? you bet your life I would we are already making enquirers about next year!!! ALL TWENTY TWO OF US !!! PHILIP MAY DUBLIN IRELAND Viva La SPANIA.!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Las Costas; City: Puerto Del Carmen Lanzarote Canary Islands; Review: This is our third trip to this wonderful hotel,and we were given the red carpet treatment! You arrive to a low level stone frontage about 15 drive from the airport ,Taxi should not be more than 14 euro, the reception area is spacious and airy, this leads out to a split level complex of apartments/villas. The front reception staff are excellent , pleasant and helpful .This hotel offer both BB/ basis lunch and evening meal facility. The food in the restaurant is excellent, with plenty of fresh salads/ meat /veg/ and ALL the restaurant staff go out off there way to make your stay great. One thing which was greatly improved was the day/evening entertainment program.Micky from Holland was fantastic and really livened up this side of the hotel.Las costas the kids loved him and I cannot think of the girls name that was there for 6 months but she was also great. The hotel is at the airport side of PDC and has a beautiful beach on its door step Los Picillos which offers fantastic walks in the morning or evening.PDC center is only a 10/ 15 min walk to the left of reception,with plenty of bars and restaurants. my only comments would be to upgrade the sun loungers at your balcony and replace the TV's with flat screen.I would definitively return to Las costas Signed Philthedub.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Las Costas; City: Puerto Del Carmen Lanzarote Canary Islands; Review: Hi and welcome back to to our fifth trip to Las costas and it was as good as ever we returned on the 3rd of August after three fabulous weeks of glorious sunshine,as ever this hotel certainly looks after its repeat guests with complimentary champagne on arrivial, as our flight was delayed in Dublin, there was even a salad and sandwiches left out for our late arrival. The Las Costas has it all, next door to the beach, a fifteen minute walk to PDC,and fab food.Hope to return again next year. Philthedub58; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Lanzarote Village; City: Puerto Del Carmen Lanzarote Canary Islands; Review: Arrived 09 November 2012, first the good points, 1- check in fast and friendly 2-Rooms clean although a little confusing regarding the number sequence in finding room 3-General area and surrounds of hotel were very clean 4-Pool enclosed with glass barrier so child friendly for safety 5-General friendliest of the staff. Now the downfall this hotel caters mainly for all inclusive guests,as a result in my personal view the standard of food drops,we found the selection of food very bland and cold,also at breakfast there was many problems like not enough untencils ,tea pots glasses, cereal bowls etc. this really let the hotel down. Overall it is a nice hotel but really needs to try that bit harder to be recognized as a 4 star hotel; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Las Costas; City: Puerto Del Carmen Lanzarote Canary Islands; Review: This has been our sixth trip to Las costa and we were warmly welcomed back by Carolina who had returned from vacation when we arrived,we were treated as if we were home from home and quickly checked in to our room which we had had before,this was a garden view on the left hand side of reception,When we got to our room,there was a bottle of champagne on ice and a lovely welcome back note,as always the room was spotless,we got showered and headed down to the dinning restaurant and once again was greeted by all the staff,that is one great sign that as long as we have been going to this hotel the staff have always been the same,friendly fun and with great service.The food was again up the highest standard and run with a buffet style so you had something for everyone,with a themed night every second night,If i was to comment on anything is that a nice Irish or English sausage would have complimented the breakfast in the morning.The general pool area is great with one large pool and a smaller pool for the toddlers which is divided from the main pool by safety glass,and one new rule which really was great was that you could not leave your towel down before nine am and this was strictly enforced. The pool side snack bar has also introduced a new menu with pizza and tropical frozen yogurts and Paninies which went down well,prices were also good considering its hotel price, so a pint of SanMigel/Dorada was €2.80.All round the pool area was great for teenage groups but without all the noise and messing as Mickey Jemmy and malgorzata who kept the daily activities going,my wife and teenage girls loved Jemmas pilates routine around 11am while mickey done most of the darts, shuttle board, table tennis and boules around 4pm we had a great game of water polo.The clients at Las costas are a mix of German,Spanish,Irish,Dutch & English and i have to say my family have built up a great friendship with the many returning families over the years.The Las Costas is situated at the airport side of Peurto del Carmen and right next to the fabulous blue flag beach of Playa Los Pacillios which stretches about 3km towards matagorda, great for walkers/runners alike.The strip of Puerto del carmem run from the left of the hotel for about 5km and you are spoiled for choice of pub bar restaurant it takes you about a 15 minute walk to the center or casino and there are lots of ice cream shops for the kids perfume shops for mum and clothes centers for the girls. As you are aware there are many trips to do around the island and this year we don two our first trip was down to the port ofPuerto calero to go on board the yellow submarine,the port itself is beautiful with all the designer shops Armani,Tommy Hilfiger etc the trip was excellent but i thought a little expensive. We also went para sailing in the harbor witch; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Solvit PetSafe Deluxe Extra-Long Telescoping Pet Ramp, Longer Length Dog Ramp for Steep Inclines; Brand: Solvit; Review: This works great for our 110 pound lab; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: HOODDEAL Fashion Dog Carrier Handbag Purse Tote Bag Pet Cat Dog Hiking Backpack,Very Thick Warm; Brand: HOODDEAL; Review: This bag is perfect for taking my 3 month old Morris everywhere. I love it; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Pet Magasin Grooming Scissors Kits - (2 Pairs - 1 for Body and 1 for Face + Ear; Brand: Pet Magasin; Review: Work wonderful; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: PanDaDa Small Pet Dog Stripes Pajamas Coat Cat Puppy Clothes Apparel Clothin...; Brand: Sunsen; Review: This is adorable on my morkie. At 1.8 pounds it is just starting to fit her good; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dog; Brand: PYRUS; Review: This product is pretty good. The corners tore fairly quickly since my babies don't really play with it to much but I put rubber bands on all 4 corners and that so far has done the trick.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Casual Plaid Dog Dress Dog Clothes Cozy Dog Shirt Pet Dress; Brand: Fitwarm; Review: Fits my 4lbs yorkie perfect; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fitwarm Sexy Leopard Soft Velvet Dog Dress Winter Coat Pet Hooded Clothes; Brand: Fitwarm; Review: It's nice but didn't fit my 4lbs Yorkie very long; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Doggie Design Sadie Michele Mia Black Faux Pebble Leather Dog Carry Bag; Brand: DOGGIE DESIGN; Review: This is an awesome purse. My 4 lbs Yorkie fits in here perfectly. I take her everywhere and no one even know shes in there.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: OFHUH Dog Flea and Tick Collar - Tick Prevention Treatment Up to 8-Month; Brand: OFHUH; Review: OMG I can't say enough about this product. My cat and 4lbs Yorkie have a ball playing in this tunnel. Best purchase ever!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Pet_Supplies |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: FitFlop Women's Lolla Slide Sandal; Brand: ; Review: Because I was completely satisfied. Reality is that since I first tried this brand, no other can satisfy me. They are all they advetise and more.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: FitFlop Women's Lunetta Thong Sandal; Brand: ; Review: Usually Fit Flops run big, on this style it did not. They are a little short. Still they are the most comfortable casual sandals I have ever wear.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: FitFlop Women's Flora Flip-Flop; Brand: ; Review: While size 6 fit to small, size 7 feels too loose. It is a shame they don't have a good fit because they are really beautiful.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Lucky Women's Emmie Ballet Flat; Brand: ; Review: They were for a gift and my daughter loves them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: KINGSHOW Men Warm Waterproof Winter Snow Leather Boots Size:9.5 Color:Brown; Brand: HDP; Review: I bought them because my son needed some waterproof shoes. These are not really waterproof it let water in.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Kids Luigi Hat and Mustache Set; Brand: ; Review: The size was wrong, there is not little child with such a big head. Workmanship was very cheap, in some places was not sawn. The mustache did not include the sticky side so it not possible to be used. I could not return it because how can you take a toy from a little boy hands? Very, very disappointed.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: THE LAZY PERSON'S WAY TO WEALTH AND SUCCESS - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's James F. Coyle Page; Review: Most of us desire to be wealthy and successful. But, how many of us really try to do something about it? We just day-dream and do nothing and blame it on fate or karma, whatever. James F. Coyle's book is a book for the physically and mentally lazy person who wants to be a success in life. His visualization and other techniques will definitely spur a lazy person into action.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 5 Gears Diet: Learn how to drive your body - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Diana Artene Page; Review: This book describes eating in a way that will allow you to get control over it for the rest of your life. Diana has compared the fat loss process to driving a 5 gears manual transmission car. Her 'gears' are fat loss guidelines which will help us to loose fat and be healthy. The step by step guidelines are easy to understand and follow.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 1-Day Executive Coaching; Brand: Visit Amazon's Shmaya David Page; Review: This book describes a coaching method callled the Results-Focused-Coaching developed in Israel. The focus of this coaching is on 'doing' that is working with clients who require practical, measurable results. This book is for anybody who wants to be a success and how to focus on what is required for any situation and how to get it. Check it out.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dark Persuasion Techniques - The Psychology Of Manipulation - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Charles Steed Page; Review: Charles Steed's book is about covert manipulation of people. He has a name for it-Dark Persuasion. According to the author, the basic tenets of Dark Persuasion are pleasure and pain and their derivatives. These are the fundamental concepts of human motivation. He shows us the various emotional 'hot buttons' which manipulators push to get people to move in a certain way. These techniques work on both individuals as well as masses. Charles has explained the various manipulative concepts with a lot of examples. After reading the book, you will know exactly who is trying to manipulate you and how to avoid becoming a victim. Interesting read. Highly recommended.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Homemade Tomato Ketchup. 30 Delicious Ketchup Recipes - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Dan C. Ionescu Page; Review: We all love ketchup, but how many of us know how to make our own ketchup? Interested? The recipes are easy to follow and the ingredients / equipment needed are readily available in most kitchens. So, if you want to avoid store brands and want your own home-made ketchups for your burgers, fries, ..... then this book is for you.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Aphrodisiacs That Increase Male Libido; Brand: Visit Amazon's Tom Shaw Page; Review: Hey,guys! Shhh... Feeling low? Then read this book! It contains a list of common and exotic libido enhancing foods to try and ways to consume them. Tom also discusses the harmful effects of some foods / supplements which can harm your sexual performance. A very instructive book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 7 Keys to Becoming a Better Guitar Player - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Don Sansone Page; Review: My son loathed the guitar because he was not able to play it well. The instructors, too, were not helpful. Out of curiosity, I purchased Don's book and asked my son to read it. Believe me! This book does contain the 7 keys for unlocking the guitar playing potential in anyone. Thanks to this book, my son has picked up his guitar and his musical journey has begun!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Children's Book: How Do I Stop My Baby Brother From Crying (Childress Children's Book Series 1) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Geryn Childress Page; Review: I was a single child. So is my son. We enjoyed this book, however! It has a nice rhyming effect and lovely illustrations. All kids should read this book!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Charles And Edward - Kindle edition; Brand: Beau Garon De La Nuit; Review: Wow! This is a well crafted romance story between Charles, a rich, successful, powerful and promiscuous upper class British gentleman and Edward who supports himself on the street as a hustler. This novel is written in the format of email letters exchanged between the two lovers. Through these letters we become privy to the play of emotions between two different men belonging to diverse backgrounds and how it affects their future..... I would highly recommend this unusual storyline for all readers. You don't need to be gay to be entertained by this book. I received a free copy for my honest review.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Quotes of Note eBook; Brand: Mir Joffrey; Review: This book contains quotes on a variety of topics (FUNNY PEOPLE, WAR, TECHNOLOGY, LIFE, PRESIDENTS, SPORTS, PEACE, LOVE, INSPIRATIONAL, AGE, BUSINESS, FAMILY, DEATH, CHANGE and HAPPINESS) Check it out if you are interested.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Vedic Mathematics; Brand: Visit Amazon's Advait Page; Review: Vedic Mathematics was conceptualized by an Indian holy man, Bharati Krishna Tirthaji, and is based on ancient spiritual verses called the Vedas. This system contains a list of mental calculation techniques which help you to solve complex math problems speedily and easily. This book will teach you how to deal with the various multiplication concepts. Suddenly, math seemed interesting! Read it to strengthen your math skills.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Heart Shaped Shards (Marry Go Round Book 1) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Ria MacAlister Page; Review: I don't normally read love stories but this book captivated me. Horrible husband-battered wife relationship. The emotionally scarred wife, Kate, picks up the pieces and . Hey! Im not going to reveal further. Read the book! Ria, good job! Looking forward to more from you.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Coconut Oil Recipes: Coconut Oil Recipes For Fabulous Skin And Hair (With Bonus Chapter!) (Coconut Oil Miracles Book 1); Brand: Visit Amazon's Dee Wallace Page; Review: This book talks about the health benefits of coconut oil. There are also lots of food-recipes at the end of the book which you would love to try out.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: With a New Interactive Discussion Guide - Kindle edition; Brand: Arthur Conan Doyle; Review: The Sherlock Holmes mysteries are my perennial favorites. You get to learn a lot about human behavior from the great detective and his assistant, Dr. Watson. Now Story Cartel has created a new twist to the Sherlock Holmes adventures. In addition to the original twelve adventures they have added eleven interactive chapters of their creation. These chapters prompt us to ponder over the lessons taught by the immortal detective and share our views on their blog. These chapters were an eye opener! I highly recommend this book to all Sherlock Holmes' fans. Disclaimer: I received a PDF copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. While I do not feel that this influenced me in any capacity, I am legally obligated to disclose this fact so that you can come to your own conclusions about the merit of my review.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Essential Oils for Weight Loss: All You Need to Know about Aromatherapy to Lose Massive Weight and Feel Amazing; Brand: Visit Amazon's Marta Tuchowska Page; Review: I was intrigued by the title of this book. Wanted to check out what the author had to offer. Im impressed. This books very well written! Theres a lot of information about how you can use aromatherapy to transform your lifestyle into a healthier and slimmer you. Youll get to know about- Whats aromatherapy? What are essential oils? What are their properties? How to use these oils safely and what precautions you need to take? Theres lot more. I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to improve their health and change their lifestyle the natural way.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: SUGARCOATIN' IS FOR CANDY & PACIFYIN' IS FOR KIDS!:Yes, I Said It! - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Nonnie Jules Page; Review: Thank you, Nonnie, for Booking your Blog. I agree with everything you said. Entertaining, humorous and honest! Yes! The world should be a better place to live in and it begins with us to make it possible. Great read and five stars from me!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Long Distance Relationships: Make a Long Distance Relationship Work and Survive Being Apart - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Daytona Watterson Page; Review: We have all heard scary stories of how some of our friends or family members were not able to make a long distance relationship work. Is it impossible to sustain a long distance relationship? The author from her personal experiences (two) begs to differ on this. She says that if you are committed to making it work and put in the effort, you can definitely continue the relationship and actually make it stronger! I believe her. How to go about it? Its all in this book. Stop running scared, if your partner has to locate elsewhere. You can make a long distance relationship work for you. Read this book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Anti Inflammatory Diet: Your Complete Beginners Guide and Anti Inflammatory Course to Protect Your Heart, Body, and Mind; Brand: Larry Kennedy; Review: This is a well written book about a medical condition called Inflammation which affects us whenever we are infected by a virus. This inflammation vanishes soon after the virus leaves our body. But, in some cases, it lingers on and becomes a chronic condition called - silent inflammation; chronic inflammation or low grade inflammation. The author then explains how this condition could lead to a variety of scary illnesses like heart disease; cancer; strokes; diabetes; allergies and How do we control the spread of the above mentioned diseases? By following the nine principles of anti inflammatory diet and lifestyle explained in great detail in this book! Im going to try it out and you should, too. Please read this book and lead a healthy life.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Azon Best Seller; Brand: Visit Amazon's Brian G. Johnson Page; Review: I urge all writers to read and learn from this book. It will show you the way to publishing a bestselling Kindle book. Check out his website for more tips and videos. Thank you, Brian Johnson, for the great information.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Her Best Match: A Clean Billionaire Romance (The Best Girls Book 1) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Tamie Dearen Page; Review: Tamies book was so enjoyable. The story begins with Anne Best visiting the office of Gherring Inc., as an unlikely job applicant vying for the executive assistant position. Her interview seems more like a war of words between her would be boss and future husband Steven Gherring. Anne is not afraid to stand for herself. The autocrat meets his match. She gets the job ..! I liked the magnetic chemistry between these two. Annes daughters, Stevens grandmother Gram and the other characters are also very believable. If you like romantic Marry the Billionaire type stories, go ahead read this book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Totally Amazing Spider Tales - Kindle edition; Brand: Lee Richards; Review: Spiders? Yuck. Even though Im a grown man, I detest them. When I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, I was in two minds- read this book or not. Curiosity prevailed. Kept my arachnophobia on hold and read the book. Im glad I did. I don't have kids to read to. I kept the lights on and read the book. I particularly liked It Came from Afar by L.A. Richards. Its a sci-fi story which could come true, one day. Yikes! Parents listen to your kids, if they tell you their fears. You might regret it later, if you don't. Read The Great Creepy Nasty by Simon Best, if you need further convincing. The other stories were equally scary and enjoyable. Go ahead. Scare your kids by reading to them at bedtime. You'll be awake the whole night!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Arabian Nights (Illustrated Edition of the Tales of the Thousand and One Nights, including Aladdin and the Wonderful; Brand: Anonymous; Review: Classic. Timeless. Priceless. Entertaining. Well written. Loved the illustrations. Read the book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 33 Ways To Reboot Your Life (The Reboot Series Book 1) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Luther Cale Page; Review: This book has many good ideas that will reboot your life. Luther advises us to pick 3 items that we resonate with and try it out for 30 days. Theres a lot of practical advice here like selling all the crap in the house; doing Yoga or other meditation practices; making a list of your top values in life; eating real food for 30 days; starting a side business on the internet; eliminating wheat from our diets (this really helps) ... Some ideas seemed impractical like the recipes for a daily morning tonic and food smoothies are not made from easily available ingredients; quitting your job if you don't like it; living out of a backpack Need full body orgasms? Read this book!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Best Dating Rules: A Romantic Comedy (The Best Girls Book 2) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Tamie Dearen Page; Review: Call me old fashioned but I love stories where the characters exhibit moral self control. The Best Girls belong to this group. I love the author, Tamie Dearen, for churning out sweet, clean romantic novels. This title is my second read from her bookshelf. All the characters are so real: Emily, Spencer, Anne, Steven, the Marshal sisters ..... Their romance and the many obstacles in their path, learning to trust after a broken heart, some funny stuff..... everything's in this book! Hey guys! If you're the romantic type, go ahead read this book. I enjoyed it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 7 Daily Habits that Turbocharge the Law of Attraction: A new age philosophy of self-acceptance, visualization and letting go; Brand: Cary David Richards; Review: If you figured the Law of Attraction was- Make a wish => Forget about it => Voila! => You get what you wished for Dream on! Its not going to happen. You need to follow the universal laws and follow habits that will dramatically improve your chances of making your wishes come true. If you are wondering what these habits are, then read this book! Theres lots of common sense and good advice to help you get what you want.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Kindle_Store |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: River of Doubt; Author: Visit Amazon's Candice Millard Page; Review: Another good book by Millard. A lot of detail on some places but it's all relevant. A testament to the fortitude of the human spirit.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Breakfast with Buddha: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Roland Merullo Page; Review: Very good. I liked this a lot. It sagged a bit in the middle and could have been a little shorter, but worth the read.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Children Act; Author: Visit Amazon's Ian McEwan Page; Review: Good writing but some of the passages went on and on. I was interested in parts of the story. Hated the ending.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Dutch Curridge; Author: Visit Amazon's Tim Bryant Page; Review: Excellent voice of Dutch and the other characters. I feel Bryant really did his research. Looking forward to reading more of his books.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Death Without Company: A Longmire Mystery; Author: Visit Amazon's Craig Johnson Page; Review: Enjoyed my it. It was just as good as the first. I'm definitely looking forward to more in this series.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Quick (A Hunter Kincaid Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Billy Kring Page; Review: I can't believe this is a debut novel. Kring captures the atmosphere of the land and the people along the border. All the characters have depth and interesting personalities. The bad guys are REALLY bad and smart. So Hunter, Quick, and Randall have their work cut out for them in their fight for survival. This book is literally a page turner!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Ranger (Quinn Colson Novels); Author: Visit Amazon's Ace Atkins Page; Review: I'm definitely going to read the rest of this series. The descriptions of the area, people, and action are very good.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Remember Mia eBook; Author: Visit Amazon's Alexandra Burt Page; Review: Burt does a fantastic job of describing places and emotions. I felt the pain, fear, and hope of Paradise as she looks for her daughter. Great twists and turns. I definitely recommend it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Love Food and Live Well: Lose Weight, Get Fit, and Taste Life at Its Very Best; Author: Visit Amazon's Chantel Hobbs Page; Review: I have to admit right off the bat that I had a lot of trouble reading this book. I knew when I chose this book to review that it was a book about diet and God, I think that is what drew me to it in the first place. I usually do not read diet books because they get bogged down in their plan and it is not easy to read or very fun. For the first ten chapters of this book, I was doing well. It was fun Chantel Hobbs tells her own and very personal story about weight loss and I was honestly hooked. I am personally not someone who can diet. I have tried and I just do not possess the will power to do so, but Chantel's book is not exactly a `diet' book as others are. Her plan is to eat 80 percent clean and the other 20 percent is yours to do with what you want. To me, it sounded good. As I got deeper into this book it really seemed easy enough. Then I started losing interest in the book. I would pick up other books to read instead of this one, I picked this book up to read again and I could barely get three whole sentences read. I was just too bogged down to read this again. I forced myself to try and finish this book, but I could not. Chantel has a great writing style and my inability to read this book is all mine and none of it hers at all. I do recommend this book if you are serious about changing your life and hate diets. But ONLY if you are SERIOUS, because otherwise you will not read it all. I received this book for free from Walter Brook Multnomah for the purpose of review in the Blogging for Books program.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Untamed: How the Wild Side of Jesus Frees Us to Live and Love with Abandon; Author: Visit Amazon's Lisa Harper Page; Review: Untamed: How the Wild Side of Jesus Frees Us to Live and Love with Abandon is one of those books that if you look at it you would never know what a true gem it really is. When I chose this book, I honestly did not think that I would be able to read the whole thing. I was wrong. Lisa Harper has such an entertaining writing style, it is very much like sitting down with a good friend and talking to her. I read five whole chapters in one sitting and was amazed at how easily this book is read. I love this book and will be reading it again and again. Untamed is about how really wild Jesus is. Lisa goes into what certain scriptures mean and how they pertain to the modern world. She also uses easily understood examples and writes so you can really understand what she is saying. I recommend this book for the new Christian and the Christian who has been walking with God for a long time. I think that everyone can get something out of it. Reading this book made me laugh and think at the same time. You will love her style of writing and understand what she is saying instantly. It really is like having a conversation with your best friend. I am looking forward to her other books as well. I received this book for free for the purpose of this review from WalterBrook Multnomah as a part of their Blogging for Books program. Untamed: How the Wild Side of Jesus Frees Us to Live and Love with Abandon; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Life in Spite of Me: Extraordinary Hope After a Fatal Choice; Author: Kristen J Anderson; Review: Life, In Spite of Me: Extraordinary Hope After a Fatal Choice [Hardcover]When I chose this book, it was not because I actually wanted to read it, it was because it was the only one left on the site for me to choose. I honestly thought that it would turn out like another book I had tried to read and ended up failing to finish. In fact, quite the opposite happened. I got my book a couple of days ago and set it aside, thinking I would start it the next day and well, life happened. I picked it up again last night because I needed something to read while I sat in the tub trying to relax. As it turns out, I read pretty much the whole dang book last night in the tub within an hour and a half. A totally unexpected occurrence, let me tell you! As I read Kristen's real life story, I could not put this book down. As a woman who suffered some depression in high school, I could totally relate to what Kristen was talking about. Although, I did not suffer as much loss as she did in such a short period of time, I too lost a grandparent while I was in high school. I never had the courage to actually try to commit suicide though. As I read Kristen's story I was moved to tears and I wanted to cheer for her as she learned some valuable lessons, which came at a heavy price. You see, I have a friend who talks about suicide a lot and I interrupted him as he was writing a suicide note (email). I am passing along Kristen's book in hopes of showing him that there really is a way to come back from this and hopefully give him the courage to live. Kristen writes the reader little notes between the chapters and talks about how she wished she knew some things then that she knows now. This is such an inspiring book, I am finding myself wanting everyone I know to read it. Kristen is an amazing woman and so inspiring! I find myself wishing I was half as strong as she is. I recommend this book to everyone, because it has something for everyone in it. I got this book for free from the Blogging for Books program from Walter Brook Multnomah.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Here Burns My Candle: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Liz Curtis Higgs Page; Review: Here Burns My Candle: A Novel Here Burns My Candle is another novel by Liz Curtis Higgs, a few months ago I reviewed Mine is the Night, which happens to be the novel after this one. As I had read one of her novels again I was happy to see this one because I wanted to know more of the story of the main characters, Bess and Marjory. As it turns out, this book ends as the other begins, so this is not exact the beginning of the story but rather the middle. I was very enthralled with the story telling and details of eighteenth century Scotland. In this novel, we learn how all is lost for Bess and Marjory and the details of their disgrace in Edinburg. I actually read this book very quickly and was sucked into the story rather easily. Although like the other book, I had trouble for the first few chapters getting used to the terms of eighteenth century Scotland, but it made the story more real for me. This story has it all love, loss, a man's betrayal of his wife, forgiveness, hope and even the characters finding God. The characters are well written and quickly become your friends and you find yourself hoping that everything turns out alright, even when you know in your heart that it most likely won't. You still find yourself rooting for them to work out the issues that they have and find their way back to one another. Bess is married to Donald, who is titled, wealthy and a womanizer. She loves her husband and eventually does find out about his cheating ways, although in his own ways he does confess to her. She is faithful to him and refuses to believe what she hears as rumors but when he admits it before he goes off to war, she is devastated and does forgive him. When he is killed in battle, again she is devastated, not knowing what she will do without him. Janet is married to Andrew, the younger brother who is not titled, but is wealthy. Andrew and Janet were an arranged marriage and it seems as though not all that loving. They seem kind of cold towards each other and very indifferent. Janet seems to be in it for the money and prestige but not for love. Marjory is the mother of Donald and Andrew, her husband having been dead for sometime, she is the head of this family. She is at first very snobbish and unfeeling. She looks down on Bess because she comes from common highlanders and not from wealth and privilege like she does. In the end, Marjory chooses to back the wrong side in the war and loses everything. She looses her sons, her money, her title, and her home. She is forced to rethink the way she has behaved and to make great changes. All in all, this is a great book and I encourage everyone to read it, I honestly would read it in order. I am looking forward to reading; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dinner with a Perfect Stranger/Day with a Perfect Stranger Boxed Set; Author: Visit Amazon's David Gregory Page; Review: When I read the blurb for this book, I was really interested in it. It seemed like an interesting concept to base a book upon. The concept is this, Nick Cominsky is invited to have dinner with a man who says he is Jesus. How many of us have always wanted to sit down with Jesus and ask him questions? I know that I have. So this book caught my attention before I could even open it and read the first word on the first page. Dinner with a Perfect Stranger: An Invitation Worth Considering The whole book takes place from the moment that Nick receives the invitation to when Nick returns home to his family. It mainly focuses on the dinner between the two men. During this dinner, Nick asks some really good questions and is quite skeptical at first. I mean who would really believe that they are dining with Jesus? I think that this book is a good read for the Christian in your life and the non Christian as well. It is a wonderful story told simply and without the distractions of other sub stories weaved in, you can really concentrate on what is going on in the story. David Gregory has written a wonderfully inspirational book. This book is relatively short and easy to read. Once I got into the story, I read the whole book in less than a day. I found that I really enjoyed this book and I think that lots of other people will as well. It is a wonderful book. I got this book for free for the express purpose of this review from WalterBrook Multnomah; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Enemies of the Heart: Breaking Free from the Four Emotions That Control You; Author: Visit Amazon's Andy Stanley Page; Review: I want to begin by saying that this is my first ever Andy Stanley book. I have seen him on Joyce Meyer's television show a couple of times and he seemed interesting enough. Sometimes, I make the mistake of thinking that if the person is a good speaker they are a good writer and I have found that is not the case with many. Andy Stanley is one of the few exceptions to that. He is so very personable in his book Enemies of the Heart. He talks about some very personal things and gets you thinking about your heart and how it is working with God. In this book Andy talks about the four things that keep a person from giving their whole heart to God. He even talks about his personal struggle with some of these things. As I was reading his book, I realized that some of this totally applied to me as well. It is hard to give it all over to God and not hang on to something, a tiny piece of your heart just in case things don't go exactly as planned. I know this kind of thinking all too well because I have engaged in it in the past. Andy also talks about confession. Real confession. Not just laying in bed listing off the bad things you have done that day, week , month, or even year. He talks about taking responsibility for your actions and your confession. Saying that if your actions have harmed another person, intentional or not, you need to go to that person and confess what you have done and ask for forgiveness. Sometimes, this can occur years after the incident, like he talks about in the book. Once you confess properly then you can go about your life. Anger, Guilt, Greed, and Jealousy are the four things that Andy talks about in this book that can and will keep you from giving your whole heart to God. I think that if we all look closely enough we will find that one or more of these have impacted our own lives in some way. I know that I had to come to terms with my own issues while reading this book and it made it harder to get through because I kept putting it down because I would think of things in my own life that were right on target for what he was talking about. I love how Andy Stanley writes, he is more of a conversationalist than a writer. Reading this book was a lot like sitting down with a friend and having a wonderful conversation about God. He is no way judgmental or preachy. He gives examples from his own life and that really helped me to understand what he was talking about. If you have never read an Andy Stanley book, I recommend you do!! He is amazing!! I got this book for free from WalterBrook Multnomah for the sole purpose of writing this review.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Shadows on the Sand: A Seaside Mystery (Seaside Seasons); Author: Gayle Roper; Review: This is my first Gayle Roper book and I have to say that I was easily drawn into the story and characters. She writes really well and creates characters that are totally believable. I found myself rooting for Carrie and Greg from almost the beginning of the book. There are some twists and turns in the story and that is the hard part about reviewing mystery books, not giving those away! Set in a small touristy town in New Jersey, these characters work hard and as it turns out look out for one another in ways that no one would have expected!! Seaside seems to be a magnet for runaways and people who in general need God. This book has a nice spiritual side, but it does not over shadow the story in anyway. As in life, there are good and evil people in Seaside. Some of these are not always outsiders, but those who live next door to us everyday. In this book Greg is a former cop who is still grieving for his lost wife, daughter, and son. They were murdered in front of him, in his very own vehicle. He does not think that he is done mourning yet when Carry comes into his life and he falls in love with her. Carrie on the other hand has had a major crush on Greg for a while and she does not know how to go about turning her crush into love. I got this book for the sole purpose of this review from Walterbrook Multnomah.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Forever Faithful: The Complete Trilogy; Author: Visit Amazon's Karen Kingsbury Page; Review: I normally really like Karen Kingsbury's writing and love her books, however, in this instance, I could not make it all the way through this trilogy. I could not make it through the first book in this all-in-one-three book set. I am not quite sure why I could not actually read this. It seemed like a story that I would have loved. The first part of book one was talking about how Hannah Ryan loses her husband and a daughter. Hannah is supposed to be Christian. In reality, I think (assumptions are mine) that she is kind of a Christian. Meaning that she goes to church, listens to praise music, she reads her Bible, but because she has never faced hardship in her life, she assumes that she never will. According to her, God won't let bad things happen to me. Then a drunk driver takes her husband and daughter and she is left with nothing but anger. She ignores her surviving daughter in order to begin a crusade to make sure the man who killed her family would be punished. At this point, her surviving daughter is dealing with the grief of losing her dad and sister who is her best friend. Not only that, she is wishing that she had died and her sister had lived because her mother is making her feel as if she is not enough. After that part, I put the book down and thought I would give it a few days because I was very emotional. As it turns out, I never came back to it. I tried. I picked it up many times to open it and read again, but just could not make myself. The emotions in the book are so powerful that I could not cope with the grief and deep sense of loss on the part of the characters. I have not really ever reacted this way to a book before. So it took me by great surprise when I thought about why I could not read this book. Having said all of that, I will try to read this book at a later date and if I get through it I will amend my review to reflect that and what I thought about the trilogy in full. But for right now, I am not going to force myself to read this yet. I got this book for free for the sole purpose of writing this review from WaterBrook Multnomah.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: A Sound Among the Trees: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Susan Meissner Page; Review: This novel by Susan Meissner is set in Virginia for the most part. It switches between present time and the 1860's. I really enjoyed this book because it has it all, romance, loss, perceived betrayal, and redemption. In this book, we see Marielle Bishop, who falls in love with Carter over the internet and on the phone. A very modern way to meet. Marielle is from Phoenix originally and Carter is in Virginia when a mix up with the online dating service that both belong to happens. Marielle is only interested in meeting local Phoenix men, but when Carter's profile is dropped to her by mistake, she finds that they have so much in common. She emails him and from the beginning she is determined that she will not fall for him. As the emails and later phone calls grow more frequent Marielle finds herself having feelings for Carter and agrees to a meeting. Carter has lost his wife, Sara four years ago and is living with Sara's grandmother and his and Sara's children. When he meets Marielle via online dating service he too is sorry that they do not live closer and is not looking for a long distance relationship. In fact, Carter was pushed into the online dating world by well meaning co-workers and is not sure he is ready for finding someone new. All he knows is that he is lonely and misses loving someone else. Adelaide is Carter's grandmother-in-law and owner of Holly Oak. She is ninety years old and has a business of sewing Civil War Confederate uniforms for the reenactments. In the beginning she is not sure how she feels about Carter remarrying someone else. She seems to feel like it would be a betrayal of her granddaughter Sara, if she liked this new person. Sara's mother Caroline, has been in and out of her life but never hanging around too long. Caroline suffers from mental illness that runs through the family. Holly Oak is the main character of this story, but is not human. It is a centuries old house that has seen a lot of hurt and anger in it's time. Surviving the Civil War with a cannon ball stuck in the side of it, it is a strong house that was the backdrop to lies, betrayal, love, hurt, death, and in the end is still standing tall. I read this book quickly and loved it very much! Such an awesome story and enough mystery to keep me turning the pages. I would recommend this book to everyone. I got this book free from WalterBrook Multnomah for the express reason for this review.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Finding Our Way Home: A Novel (A Snowglobe Connections Novel); Author: Charlene Baumbich; Review: In this wonderfully written, honest book by Charlene Ann Baumbich we find two strong women who are miles apart in their lives. Sasha, who is a wonderfully talented ballet dancer who was recently in a horrific accident that ended her dancing career early and Evelyn who is 19 years old, engaged and happy go lucky as can be. As the story opens it has been a while since Sasha's accident, but she is still recovering and not making much progress. Evelyn comes into the story as her assistant and home health care worker. Sasha is not acting like her usual self at this point being that she is depressed and cranky. Evelyn comes in and turns everything upside down in Sasha's life. She starts to understand that she was depressed and she needed to take her anti-depressants for the time being. When she takes that small but important step she is amazed at how things change in her life from being dark and dreary to being bright and happy. Evelyn on the other hand is having trouble with her parents over her fiance Jorden. Her father in particular does not really life him and in fact no one in Evelyn's family is impressed with him, which of course makes Evelyn hang on even tighter to him. Eventually she does start to see things about him that she has not seen before, especially when she is the one paying for dinner more than usual. Jorden begins to press Evelyn to get married before the two years she had planned on. Of course he has good reasons to get married soon and ups the ante when his family decides to move. It is at this point that something happens to Jorden and he breaks up with Evelyn which destroys her. Evelyn eventually finds her way and gets her life back on track with the help of her parents, her grandfather, and of course Sasha. In the midst of all of this Sasha is trying to reconnect with her husband of 13 years whom she abandoned after the accident. All in all, this book is wonderfully written and it reminds me that I too recently have found my way home. What a wonderful thing grace is. This book connected with me on so many levels and it was just what I needed at this time of my life. As always, I got this book free from WalterBrook Multnomah for the sole purpose of this review.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Not This Time: A Novel (Crossroads Crisis Center); Author: Visit Amazon's Vicki Hinze Page; Review: To begin, Not This Time is the first novel I have read by the author Vicki Hinze. You can find her personal website here. She is a Christian fiction author who also writes amazingly complicated thrillers. Most books in the genre of thrillers are easy to figure out within a few chapters, however in Not This Time, Hinze keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Myself having grown up and lived a significant part of my life in Florida, where this story is set, I have to say that she got it right. I love it when an author will set their stories in places that I know because I feel that the setting is also a character and should be given it's proper due as well. I do have to admit that there is not much in this book that I did not like, in fact I am not sure that I did not like anything. I also have to admit that writing reviews for the thriller/mystery genre is extremely difficult because I do not want to give anything away and I really want people to read this book! The characters in the story are all well written and fleshed out. I enjoyed that you do not know everything about everyone in the first few chapters. Hinze's characters are flawed and amazingly human and the story deals with something that we as human deal with on a daily basis whether we want to admit it or not. Terrorism. Although, in Not This Time, it is mostly domestic terrorism. There is also a very understated and expertly woven in undercurrent of spirituality in this story. It is not preachy and I love that because it lets the actual story of this novel shine through. The "God factor" as I like to call it is low key, but also adds to the story without getting preachy. Both Christians and non Christians will love this novel. I am totally looking forward to reading Hinze's other novels hopefully soon. So, what are you waiting for? Go read Not This Time now! You will not be sorry you did!! I got this book for free from WalterBrook Multnomah for the express purpose of this review. Not This Time: A Novel (Crossroads Crisis Center); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Twice a Bride: A Novel (The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek); Author: Visit Amazon's Mona Hodgson Page; Review: Twice a Bride: A Novel (The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek)This is the first novel I have read by the author Mona Hodgson, although this book itself is the fourth in this series which follows the Sinclair Sisters. In this book, however we are treated to the story of Willow Peterson and her landlady Miss Hattie. Willow is an honorary Sinclair sister, related by marriage. Her brother is married to Ida Sinclair. Willow is widowed from the love of her life Sam, who actually saved his best friend, Tucker, who is Willow's brother. She had a very rough time getting over Sam's untimely death and it forced her father to put her in an institution because of it. Willow eventually does come out of what is known as depression these days but back in the 1890's was termed as melancholia. Miss Hattie is Willow's landlady and owner of her own boarding house and has also been widowed. Her beloved George had cherished her for the whole marriage and Miss Hattie will not settle for anything less and is not even looking for a romantic relationship! I loved this book and the characters within it. If historical romance is your thing, then you will love this book too! Hodgson does a wonderful job setting the scene and keeping the reader turning the pages to see what will happen next! There are quite a few subplots weaved into the story and they are expertly handled. I would recommend this book for anyone who loves romance or even historical fiction. As always, I got this book for free from WalterBrook Multnomah for the sole purpose of this review.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Antennas Direct C1 ClearStream 1 Medium Range UHF Indoor/Outdoor DTV Antenna, 30 Mile; Brand: Antennas Direct; Review: After pouring through various websites looking for an antenna and reading various reviews for OTA HD reception I decided upon this one. Best value for money. Signal strength improved dramatically. Went from 2 bars to 5 bars. This is also the third antenna I've used with the other 2 being amplified rabbit ears that were bought at Target or one of those other stores. This outperforms them all. No more skips and loss of signal. Pulls all OTA stations in crystal clear. All our local broadcasts are in HD in the Rochester NY area. This antenna is mounted inside and works great. Sturdy construction and easy to mount. All you need is the coax to attach to your tv.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Headphone Adapter for iPhone Adapter Charger Adapter Dongle Splitter Headphones Adapter Aux Audio; Brand: turelar; Review: Used to connect an xbox 360 to a DVI pc monitor. Works perfectly. This cable only transmits video,no audio. Its not able to. HDMI cables can transmit both audio/video. If you need to connect your xbox to a pc monitor this is the way to go.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: rooCASE Dual-View Multi Angle (Black) Leather Case for 4th Generation iPad with Retina Display / the new iPad 3rd; Brand: rooCASE; Review: Needed a new case for an Ipad 2. This was on sale for less that $10.00. Great quality. Excellent snug fit and does all it says. It also shuts off the screen when you close the cover. Definitely worth more than we paid. Great item.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: VIZIO SB3820-C6 38-Inch 2.0 Channel Sound Bar (Certified Refurbished); Brand: VIZIO; Review: Great quality,amazing sound. For a refurb it looked factory new. Remote including batteries and all the various cables. Sound is amazing. Bluetooth connection to subwoofer is flawless and Bluetooth to your phone or other device is rock solid.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mpow Buckler Wireless Waterproof Shower Speaker Bluetooth with Built-in Speakerphone for Shower or Outdoor Activities; Brand: Mpow; Review: Great little speaker. Sound quality is great for what it is. Volume can get quite loud as well. Crisp and clear. Waterproof,splashproof and shower proof. It lets you know it's connected via voice. Exactly what I wanted.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Foscam C1 HD 720P WiFi Security IP Camera with iOS/Android App, Super Wide 115° Viewing; Brand: Foscam; Review: Worked great for a few months and now won't connect unless you're on the same network as the camera. Useless for remote viewing. Picture quality is decent but overall it is now useless.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Polaroid Protective Silicone Skin Snap Instant Print Digital Camera (White); Brand: Polaroid; Review: Fits as it should while protecting the camera. Great item.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: CURE FOR PAIN; Brand: Morphine; Review: Truly a great album. Every song is perfectly crafted and played beautifully. Played with great intensity. Meaty and propulsive. Definitely sets its own mood. I'd say that this is their best album.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Whitechocolatespaceegg; Brand: Liz Phair; Review: Overall a very poor effort with a handful of great songs. The Spin review above said it all perfectly. It's impossible to understand the creative or production process but with the few truly great songs on this disc, it seems that she hasn't lost her edge to the degree that this album suggests. Essentially listening to this CD requires either a remote or a program function on your machine.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Swordfishtrombones; Brand: Tom Waits; Review: This is where the sonic carnival really started. It's true that Blue Valentine hints that something funny was in the air but on Swordfishtrombones, Waits really decided to take off. Lyrically this album is brilliant for it's evocation of times and places that may or may not have ever existed but also really nails some true feelings. Musically it's like a wild cabaret with instrumentation no one could have expected.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Under the Big Black Sun; Brand: X; Review: I'm not sure what punk rock is and I definitely don't know what a "normal" "punk" "rock" "band" is; I guess we all have our own definitions of these words. This is a great album. It defines post-punk and sets the stage for the next couple of decades of music. Billy Zoom absolutely shines here. An opera, a manifesto, a throwback; this disk, at proper volume, makes me superduper happy.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Blood on the Tracks; Brand: Bob Dylan; Review: This one is truly great. The definition of a 5 star album (and an argument for 1/2 stars on Amazon in order to differentiate the really good from the essential). From the personal to the mythic in a few words or lines, this is the lyrical equivalent of any great work of art. I know it's only rock and roll but try to convince me of that while it's playing. One of the few discs that I think of as "perfect"; Blood on the Tracks is pure transparent American music--clear production and straightforward sound--nothing to obscure the music.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Blood Money; Brand: Tom Waits; Review: Just ok. When I first listened, I thought the sound was incredible--very subtle and deeper and broader but the more I listen I realize that this one is really a case of style over substance. Musically, it's good--well played with great sound a texture but the songs just aren't as strong as you expect. The songs are pretty straightforward. There are definitely some very tasty moments but I don't hear the fresh brilliants of some of the stuff that made me a fan in the first place. He has his vision but I wonder if it's becoming co-opted by a fan base which wants him to be some kind of drunken pied piper strolling to a wheezing calliope through a dying field with ancient decaying abandoned circus equipment strewn about. Tedium.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | amazon_CDs_and_Vinyl |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: New Balance Men's MW577 Hook and Loop Walking Shoe; Brand: ; Review: Good shoes.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Levi's Men's 501 Original-Fit Jean; Brand: ; Review: I messed up and din't rear the ads details. I just assumed that button flies were out . These are almost impossible to button. I guess I'll just have to quit buying clothes by mail My trash cans full of stuff with bad fit.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Levi's Men's Big and Tall 501 Original Fit Jean; Brand: ; Review: I messed up and din't rear the ads details. I just assumed that button flies were out . These are almost impossible to button. I guess I'll just have to quit buying clothes by mail My trash cans full of stuff with bad fit.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Levi's Men's 501 Original-Fit Jean; Brand: ; Review: I messed up and din't rear the ads details. I just assumed that button flies were out . These are almost impossible to button. I guess I'll just have to quit buying clothes by mail My trash cans full of stuff with bad fit.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Levi's Men's 501 Original-Fit Jean; Brand: ; Review: I messed up and din't rear the ads details. I just assumed that button flies were out . These are almost impossible to button. I guess I'll just have to quit buying clothes by mail My trash cans full of stuff with bad fit.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Levi's Men's 501 Original-Fit Jean; Brand: ; Review: I messed up and din't rear the ads details. I just assumed that button flies were out . These are almost impossible to button. I guess I'll just have to quit buying clothes by mail My trash cans full of stuff with bad fit.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Xhtang Men's Solid Buckle with Automatic Ratchet Leather Belt 35mm Wide 1 3/8"; Brand: XHtang; Review: I guess it's ok. It's just that I haven't figured out how to put together yet. I guess that I'm still easy with the old type.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Fruit of the Loom Men's Elastic Bottom Sweatpant; Brand: ; Review: Comfortable around the house.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hanes Men's 7-Pack ComfortSoft Briefs; Brand: ; Review: Feels good. Looks good. I always liked Haynes.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hanes Men's 7-Pack ComfortSoft Briefs; Brand: ; Review: Feels good. Looks good. I always liked Haynes.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Syba USB 3.0 Dual Hard Drive SATA II Docking Station CL-ENC50038; Brand: Syba; Review: Handy tool to have to rescue data from dead PC's. Simple, and easy to use. Should be in any home user's PC toolbox.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: D-Link 24-Port Gigabit Switch (DGS-1024A); Brand: D-Link; Review: Great little box. Fast connections and stays cool. I have a 16 port one in my home office and an 8 port one in the entertainment console in teh living room for the TV, Blu-ray player and game consoles.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: VELCRO Brand ONE WRAP Thin Ties | Strong & Reusable | Perfect for Fastening Wires & Organizing Cords |; Brand: VELCRO Brand; Review: if you have cables, wires or just rowdy kids, you need these. You can immobilize an average child or small adult with one roll. Or coil and secure a lot of cables and wires. Your choice, you bought them, use them as you see fit.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 3 in 1 iPad 6th Generation Case 9.7 Inch 2017,2018 with Apple Pencil Case Holder Full Protection; Brand: GMYLE; Review: Exactly as described. My iPad mini fits snugly. Looks great, feels just like a nice book in your hand.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sabrent USB 3.0 to SATA External Hard Drive Lay-Flat Docking Station for 2.5 or 3.5in HDD, SSD [Support UASP]; Brand: Sabrent; Review: Needed an enclosure for a hard drive from an old pc. This worked great to recover data that was erroneously erased. Would not recommend for long term use as there is no active cooling. That is not what this is intended for.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Marco's Redemption eBook; Brand: Visit Amazon's Lynda Chance Page; Review: I had to give it a four star rating due to Marcos perfect account of a true male alpha. Reading his inner caveman talk and his sex talk did it for me. There were things that I did not like, such as the story being too short and the constant trembling that both characters exhibited. I love Marco's strong suit against Natalie's sweet demeanor. This is definitely a story I will revisit again and I will definitely check out other works from this author.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Sheik's Dangerous Lover - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Elizabeth Lennox Page; Review: If only more was told about their engagement or if there was an epilogue..anything to keep the story going!! The hero was a typical hot alpha male: man saw girl, man wanted girl, man claimed girl caveman style...girl s reamed, "stop it some more!!" I just loved it, despite her foot stomping in the beginning. I just ignored it ever happened.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Beast of Mexico - There are men who make you want to rescue them, protect them, save them; Brand: Visit Amazon's Eve Rabi Page; Review: Characters are believable and the storyline is dramatic. This book covers a very sensitive topic,so I'm curious to see the final outcome. I predict any soft emotions on Payton's part will mostly be due to Stockholm syndrome.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: OBSESSED WITH ME - Break her, bit; Brand: Visit Amazon's Eve Rabi Page; Review: Definitely an intense read. We see manipulation, humiliation, violence, and racism. This read is very similar to Ravi's Bring a. So if you liked it and ready to read another amazing story, do not hesitate to pick up Obsessed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Saving Lawson (Loving Lawson Book 2) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's R.J. Lewis Page; Review: I hate when authors separate what would be a great full novel into parts or "books". It makes it hard for me to tally my books. Should I say 1 book when I've read two parts or say 2 books when I've read novella sized stories? Despite my delima, I didn't regret purchasing this "series". A very entertaining story that for one moment made me close my Kindle so that I can regroup and hope for a good outcome for a few moments, only to have my mind scream "whaaaaat?" The next moment.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Breaking Up with Barrett: The English Brothers #1 (The Blueberry Lane Series - The English Brothers) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Katy Regnery Page; Review: He is manipulative, high handed, and a pure romantic, but best of all the man can deliver a panty dropping speech.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as told; Brand: Visit Amazon's E L James Page; Review: Things I like: Grey. I think we want to see the inner thoughts of a complex guy. Reality, he is just a man with very normal brain activity. This reminds me of a picture I saw of a couple laying beside each other after sex. She is wondering what he must be thinking, letting her insecurities and imagination run wild. Her inner dialogue questions wether she was good enough for him or if he is thinking about another female. In his inner dialogue, he is actually questioning how the fly resting on the wall can hold itself up. Needless to say, this pic shows the tendency for women to over think and worry needlessly. Anyways, this book shows that Grey is not complex, only exhibiting ptsd. His inner dialogue is very much basic and simple, like the fly guy. I must say, I was still entertained and I could read about these characters forever. I hope to see another Christian pov book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Talk to Me - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Kristen James Page; Review: Please tell me there is a second part! Avery wakes up from a concussion and finds there is a voice in her head. This story is about her dealing with life, boys, potential boyfriends, and school while figuring out how to get rid of Marcus. In time, they fall in love and she changes paces from trying to get rid of him to trying to hold on to him. If there is no second part, the should at least have been an epilogue!!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Kindle_Store |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Steely Dan - Two Against Nature VHS; Brand: Donald Fagen; Review: I've been a fan for years and was delighted to find that the clock had not moved..the driving rhythms, the lyric twists, and unique sound that made Steely Dan a winner over twenty years ago is unscathed and they remain absolute winners! I'm sooooo glad to have them back on the scene. Keep it comin' !; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Jacques Loussier Trio: Bach's Goldberg Variations; Brand: Jacques Loussier; Review: The Jacques Loussier Trio captures an entirely new audience for Bach's work with the variation of his Variations. I've always enjoyed them as they were, but this takes it to another level...and invites another level of appreciation for the timelessness of brilliant music...for any age, in any generation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Chamber Music Society; Brand: Esperanza Spalding; Review: I have been an Esperanza fan since her first release a few years ago...and was eager to see what her next contribution would be. Needless to say, it is no where near the mark of her previous release. There was very little creativity in the song choice, no lyrics worthy of remembrance, and the continous moans made me wish someone would hand her a Pepto Bismol. I know she is capable of a much higher standard in delivery. I am sorry she chose not to meet that standard in this release.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The 20/20 Experience - 2 of 2; Brand: Justin Timberlake; Review: Not as good as the first one in this effort. rather pedestrian by comparison. Not "family friendly" either. Musically more limited. A disappointment.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Beautiful Life; Brand: Dianne Reeves; Review: the entire CD was a pepto-bismol "moment". Groan and moan and little that would qualify it as musical. having been a Diane Reeves fan for years, I was not prepared for this let down. sorry to say, would NOT recommend ir to anyone. Sorry I had not previewed before purchase.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: G I R L; Brand: Pharrell Williams; Review: Pharrell continues to have the pulse of what appeals to folks of any age. His sound and rhythms make one want to move and groove. a pleasant listening (and toe-tapping) experience.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_CDs_and_Vinyl |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Actiontec Universally-Compatible ADSL Modem, White Box (GT701D-NF); Brand: Actiontec; Review: Works well, would order again; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Vktech 100pcs Stainless Steel Exhaust Wrap Coated Locking Cable Zip Ties (11.8 Inch); Brand: Vktech; Review: Worked well, used under hood of van to hold item near high heat.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: EldHus 2-Pack Headphones with Microphone, Noise Cancelling Earphones with Volume Control, Running Earbuds for all 3.5mm Port; Brand: EldHus; Review: Great sunshade, I love the fact that it can be stored in door pocket. Note measure to be sure you order the correct size.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Heath/Zenith HZ-5316-BZ Deluxe Replacement Motion Sensor with DualBrite, Bronze; Brand: Heath/Zenith; Review: Works well so far hope it last.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Utilitech White Motion Sensor/Dusk-to-Dawn Light Control - 0; Brand: Utilitech; Review: works as it should, would buy again; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Maxboost Leather Case for Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0/8.0/10.1 Inch - Book Folio Style with Built-in Stand, Wallet Card; Brand: Maxboost; Review: Works well order for my grandson; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cable Matters 6-Pack 16 AWG Heavy Duty 3 Prong AC Power Extension Cord (Power Extension Cable) in 1 Foot; Brand: Cable Matters; Review: Good cord; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Ballistic SA0788-M005 SG Case for HTC Vigor/Rezound - 1 Pack - Retail Packaging - Black; Brand: Ballistic; Review: The Ballistic case for the HTC Rezound offers inspired design and superior protection. My phone has taken a couple of minor tumbles since putting it in the Ballistic case, and I knew that I would not have to worry about dents and scratches when I picked it up. If you don't mind some extra bulk, this case protects from impact from any angle. Even the screen is protected by the raised rubber corners of the case. I also like this case because if gives the phone a much easier grip in my hand. The same grip keeps it from sliding off the dashboard are seat in the car.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ballistic SG1072-M385 SG Case for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 - Bulk Packaging - Black/White; Brand: Ballistic; Review: The Note 2 is big and this case works well to thoroughly protect the device without further bloating its bulk. I use the case when I am traveling or when I am working outside with the phone in my pocket. The holes for headphones, speakers and microphones are correctly lined up and adequate size.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Samsung Universal Micro Home Travel Charger for Galaxy S3/S4/Note 2 - Non-Retail Packaging - White; Brand: Samsung; Review: I needed a spare charger for my Note 2, and was concerned about getting a quality unit that actually charged at 2.0 amps. The build quality appears to be Samsung OEM, but I cannot be certain. Comparing the factory unit with the one that came, it seems to be very close. Though some of the printing on the unit is slightly different. I have this unit plugged in at my desk at work all of the time, and not issues for the last couple of months.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Spigen Slim Armor LG G3 Case with Air Cushion Technology and Hybrid Drop Protection for LG G3 2014; Brand: Spigen; Review: Great fitting case for my LG G3. Adds nice protection to the sides and back. Sleek look with etched branding. It is a quality case with precise cutouts. My only issue with this case is that it's too slick and does not provide enough grip.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: amFilm LG G3 Premium HD Clear Screen Protector (Invisible) for LG G3 (Not compatible with LG G3 Vigor)(3-Pack); Brand: amFilm; Review: Good edge-to-edge screen coverage. Some tight cases might pull up edges, as the SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle case did for me. I suggest not following the directions for using the stickers and rubber bands (hinge method) for installation. After attempts to to do the hinge method, I gave up did the traditional peel and place method. Once these are on, they do what they are supposed to do.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Moto X Pure Edition (Moto X Style) Case, Cimo; Brand: Cimo; Review: This is just the case that I was looking for, for my Moto X Pure. It ads minimal bulk to this big phone, ads extra grip and maintains a stylish look.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: OMOTON Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Google Nexus 6P-5.7Inch, 2 Pack; Brand: OMOTON; Review: Nice clear fingerprint free glass. However, not for you if you like a snug case that fits tightly around the screen.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Nexus 6P Case, REDShield[Smoke]New Updated CaseSlim; Brand: RED SHIELD; Review: Great coverage. Accurate cutouts. Attractive cas e that compliments the 6p. A little too snug for the omtion or icarez screen protectors. Not sure about others.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Nexus 6P Case, Spigen [Rugged Armor] Resilient; Brand: Spigen; Review: I've always found Spigen cases to be high quality. This is definitely true for the Neo Hybrid Ex for the Nexus 6p. I had tried 3 or 4 other cases and had various issues with each. They did not offer enough protection, didn't work with screen protector, or too bulky. The Neo offers great protection in what seems like a smaller package. It is a substation case, but remains attractive. I am using it with the iCarez screen protector without the case pushing up the edges of the glass. Overall, I am very satisfied and have finally found the case I was looking for for my 6p.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Cell_Phones_and_Accessories |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Chet Atkins Plays Back Home Hymns; Author: Chet Atkins; Review: I Liked the songs in it. I like the way the songs are laid out.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Alex Cross's TRIAL; Author: Visit Amazon's James Patterson Page; Review: James Patterson always writes a good book and I love the character of Alex Cross and this one didn't let me down. It was interesting to learn the history of Alex Cross.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Gone Girl; Author: Visit Amazon's Gillian Flynn Page; Review: The book is good because it is suspenceful but in a horror story way. It is about what goes wronge in a relationship. People who like suspence. There wasn't anything i disliked.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fire; Author: Visit Amazon's James Patterson Page; Review: I liked the story plot is why i gave it five stares. Anyone who likes to read and likes science=fictionand fanticey.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Late, Late at Night; Author: Visit Amazon's Rick Springfield Page; Review: I grew up listing to Rick Springfeild and think he is great. Love his music and whated know about his life growing up.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mistress; Author: Visit Amazon's James Patterson Page; Review: I am a Patterson fan . I like action type books and this is one of his best . Would recommend this to any who likes these; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Darkness Taunts (Sensor); Author: Visit Amazon's Susan Illene Page; Review: This book is great and fun and sexy. I love the type of book this is and the characters in the book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Unmasked: The True Life Story of The World's Most Prolific, Cinematic Killer; Author: Visit Amazon's Michael Aloisi Page; Review: I loved the book and I think Kane is s great guy and loved his story. You must get this book if you are a horror fan.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Relic; Author: Douglas J. Preston; Review: This is a great book and a must read if you like suspense and horror and a police book and the authors are good.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Doctor Sleep: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Stephen King Page; Review: I loved this book. King is one of the best. If you love horror you must read this book. It is great fun.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Never Go Back: A Jack Reacher Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Lee Child Page; Review: This is a great book. If you like suspense, you will love this book. Jack Reached is a great character.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cross My Heart (Alex Cross); Author: Visit Amazon's James Patterson Page; Review: This is a great book and if you love crime Stories you will love is book. Alex Cross is the greatest character ever.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mississippi Delta Blues Fingerstyle Solos Made Easy; Author: Visit Amazon's Larry McCabe Page; Review: The song book is great and it came in great shape and I think you can learn a lot from this book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Innocence; Author: Visit Amazon's Dean Koontz Page; Review: This is one of Dean"s best books I recommend this book to anyone who loves suspense and horror. I loved it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Caroline's Secret Message (Caroline's American Girls Collection); Author: Visit Amazon's Kathleen Ernst Page; Review: This is a great book and story. CAROLINE IS a great character and brave. Young girls will love the story.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Caroline Takes a Chance (American Girl Collection 1812); Author: Visit Amazon's Kathleen Ernst Page; Review: This is a great book. Caroline is a brave and smart character. I would recommend this book to anyone. Great; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Changes for Caroline (Caroline American Girls Collection); Author: Visit Amazon's Kathleen Ernst Page; Review: This a great story about a young girl coping with war and being brave for her family and protecting her prosperity.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Bone Bed (Scarpetta); Author: Visit Amazon's Patricia Cornwell Page; Review: This is a great book. If you love suspense and crime, you will love this book. Kay Scarlett is a great character.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Uganda Be Kidding Me; Author: Visit Amazon's Chelsea Handler Page; Review: This is a great book and very funny. Chelsea is great and love her show and watch it every day.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Show Time With Sophia Grace and Rosie; Author: Visit Amazon's Sophia Grace Brownlee Page; Review: This is very cute book and a great story. The girls are cute and great. All kids need to read this book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Harry Potter (4 Volumes set); Author: Visit Amazon's J. K. Rowling Page; Review: This is a great book. All of the books in this collection is great. J, k. Is a great writer.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Book 2; Author: J.K. Rowling; Review: This is a great book. All of the books in this collection is great. J, k. Is a great writer.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Book 7; Author: J.K. Rowling; Review: This is a great book. All of the books in this collection is great. J, k. Is a great writer.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Darkness Divides; Author: Visit Amazon's Susan Illene Page; Review: The book Is great like the others. The story and characters a great fantasy. A new kind of love story.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Roc and Roe's Twelve Days of Christmas; Author: Visit Amazon's Nick Cannon Page; Review: The book is too cute and a classic story. The book has beautiful pictures and the kids are so cute.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Day of Wrath; Author: Visit Amazon's William R. Forstchen Page; Review: A very good book. Agree with a lot of what was said. Would recommend. A Great War book. Loved it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sugar Plum Ballerinas #1: Plum Fantastic; Author: Visit Amazon's Whoopi Goldberg Page; Review: A very cute book. Teaches about empowerment in young black women. Would recommend to any young girl . Great book; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Husband's Secret; Author: Visit Amazon's Liane Moriarty Page; Review: A great book. It had romance and action. Would recommend to anyone. A good read on a cosy night or beach .; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: What Alice Forgot: From the bestselling author of Big Little Lies, now an award winning TV series; Author: Visit Amazon's Liane Moriarty Page; Review: A great book. A great beach read or pool. Would recommend to anyone. I think they made into a movie..; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Temporary Agent (The Agent); Author: Visit Amazon's Daniel Judson Page; Review: A good book. Would recommend to anyone who likes a good spy thriller .a fast paced book. Loved it a lot .; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Temporary Agent (The Agent Book 1) eBook; Author: Visit Amazon's Daniel Judson Page; Review: A good book. Would recommend to anyone who likes a good spy thriller .a fast paced book. Loved it a lot .; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Witnesses (BookShots); Author: James Patterson; Review: The book is great. Loved the intensity of the book. Would recommend to anyone to read at your leisure .; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: DC Comics: Bombshells Vol. 2: Allies; Author: Visit Amazon's Marguerite Bennett Page; Review: A great comic. Girl power. Would recommend to anyone.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Doubt (Caroline Auden); Author: Visit Amazon's C. E. Tobisman Page; Review: A great book. Like a good thriller, this is your book. Wood recommend to anyone. Loved the the pace of the book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dear America: Voyage On The Great Titanic; Author: Visit Amazon's Ellen Emerson White Page; Review: This is a great book to learn history, Would recommend to Anyone, Loved the book, children should definitely read this,; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Turbo Twenty-Three: A Stephanie Plum Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Janet Evanovich Page; Review: A great book. Would recommend yo anyone. Love the characters. Love a thriller. Great author. Would read again. Loved it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Camino Island: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's John Grisham Page; Review: A very interesting plot. A great read. Recommend to anyone who likes a triller. Recommend to anyone who likes to read.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Holiday Inn Express Hotel Suites Jasper; City: Jasper Indiana; Review: This hotel is 2-3 months old so everything is new,clean and very inviting. Breakfast is good but they should look in to temperature checking their hot food. The big issue is the staff during our stay was not very well trained , but they were pleasant. AVOID room 109...it is located next to the laundry which they seem to run ALL NIGHT. The design of the laundry room seemed to lack the thinking through of equipment position, drain pipe position and sound proofing. The walls vibrated and it sounded at times like we were part of the rinse and spin cycle. When we checked out we mentioned it politely and the person at the desk only said I am sorry we had a lot of laundry to do during the night. The room was one of their exectutive suites so at $155 a night including taxes, one would think something more than a weakly spoken sorry.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Town Country Inn and Suites Quincy; City: Quincy Illinois; Review: Nice large rooms that are very clean, well lit and equipped. A very pleasant staff that makes your stay easy. The whole hotel staff appears to be setting the bar up another notch to get ahead of hotels in the area. Oh and you get all this for a very fair price. Great place to stay especially if you need to rest and catch up on paperwork.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sun Burst Inn; City: Indian Shores Florida; Review: This is a great little place to stay. There are several places close by and Mike and Marilyn make you feel right at home. High speed internet lets you work if you have to keep up. Coffee across the street with free enterainment on the weekends will make you hate the big chains. The view is great and while we were there you can not help meet the other pleasant quests. This is a place where you truly are only dealing with 22 other rooms for the beachfront. We will definitely go back but I hesitate reviewing because I know I just made getting reservations harder.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hampton Inn Suites Morgan City; City: Morgan City Louisiana; Review: Here on business. Very polite staff and extremely clean room. This will be a stop for future trips. The location is easy access as well.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hilton Garden Inn Appleton Kimberly; City: Kimberly Wisconsin; Review: This is a nicely equipped facility. Fast internet so you can get your work done. Freindly and helpful staff. Very clean and well kept. The restaurant serves a variety of well prepared items so you do not have to leave and hunt for a place. The rooms are large, very comfortable desk and chair arrangement so you can get caught up on your work. So this place is on my list next time I am in town, especially if I need to catch on correspondences.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Meltdown: A Free-Market Look at Why the Stock Market Collapsed, the Economy; Author: Visit Amazon's Thomas E. Woods Page; Review: Woods cites the the current financial crisis and similar historical events to show that government intervention in the economy has caused recessions or has made them worse. The author gives clear explanation of necessary economic theory to help the reader understand. The author advocates removing the governments ability to create inflation or artificially decrease interest rates by converting to commodity money such as gold and silver. Woods cites historical periods to show that arguments from opposing views are not tenable. The timing of this book is perfect. The CBO is projecting a $1.75 TRILLION dollar deficit for 2009 and foreign investors are losing confidence in the Feds willingness to fight inflation. We have the curse of living in interesting times. This book should be required reading for all good citizens. Another book that shows how the federal government has made economic matters worse. New Deal or Raw Deal?: How FDR's Economic Legacy Has Damaged America; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Getting Off Track: How Government Actions and Interventions Caused, Prolonged, and Worsened the Financial Crisis (Hoover Institution Press Publication); Author: Visit Amazon's John B. Taylor Page; Review: The author, John Taylor, is the originator of the policy guideline that was later labeled the Taylor Rule. His commentary on the subject is held in high regard in Economic circles and he has a lifetime of study and experience in this arena. The book is focused on the "mistakes" made by the Federal Reserve since 9/11 and the subsequent consequences. The author makes good use of graphs to show historical trends and effects of policy decisions. The book is written with an objective tone and is easy to understand. It is short and can be read in 2 hours. There is a nice Frequently Asked Questions section in the back to cement the authors case. I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5 because it was not clear what was the cause of all of the policy errors by the federal reserve. An increasing minority of persons suspect political motives are the culprit as the Federal Reserve is not entirely independent. The book is a good critique of the policy decisions of the current decade and a defense of Monetarism and Central Banking in general. For a good critique of Monetarism, I recommend Thomas Woods book. Meltdown: A Free-Market Look at Why the Stock Market Collapsed, the Economy Tanked, and Government Bailouts Will Make Things Worse; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Universe: The Definitive Visual Guide; Author: Martin Rees; Review: This book is an excellent buy for just the photos. The book is cover to cover with almost every page filled with sharp pictures of moons, planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, star clusters, scientist, graphic illustrations, space capsules, and scientific instrumentation. I have spent several nights too tired for serious reading just gazing at the photos. Oh, and the book has words too. I had Introductory Astronomy in college and this book is on an equivalent level without the math. Universe gives a brief history of Astronomy and Spaceflight and provides an extensive survey of major topics of Astronomy as the science stands today. But, it does not cover Cosmology or any of the technical aspects of Astrophysics. The last section has an Atlas for finding and identifying constellations that would be useful to the beginner. I recommend Universe for all ages and it would make a great gift for school age children. I keep my copy out as a coffee table book as several guests have enjoyed as well. Five Stars; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Primer on CO2 and Climate, 2nd Edition; Author: Visit Amazon's Howard C. Hayden Page; Review: This short book is really a refresher in scientific principles that are needed to understand the underlying arguments in the Climate Change debate. I recommend reading this short book before watching any Climate Change documentary.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Human Accomplishment: The Pursuit of Excellence in the Arts and Sciences, 800 B.C. to 1950; Author: Visit Amazon's Charles Murray Page; Review: Human Accomplishment is an extension of Charles Murray's study of cognitive ability and social structure. Murray uses a consensus of experts to conjure a quantitative inventory of excellence in the arts and sciences. This inventory along with people, places, and events is used as a Regression Analysis input to come out with several interesting conclusions. Most significantly, is that the most intense number of accomplishments were concentrated in several cities in Western Europe from 15C to 19C. Murray identifies and discusses the conditions for concentrated accomplishment in the concluding chapters as well as the decline in achievement in the last century. I read this book 2 years ago and felt compelled to write this review because after 2 years still I find myself referring to the book or going back to revisit a topic. Aside from the main theme mentioned above, Murray takes you on a journey through history and dedicates space to touch on a plethora of interesting topics such as Joseph Campbell's notion of the monomyth and the Lotka curve applied to professional golf. Murray occasionally takes an Aristotelean approach of classification such as his identification of ideas he coins as "meta-inventions". A meta-invention is more than a simple invention, but is a cognitive tool that changes our way of looking at something such as Logic, the Scientific method, or Artistic Realism. Murray's clean writing style and logical structure makes all of his books an easy read. The necessary occasional statistics is offset by lots of other funstuff which gives this book a high entertainment value as well.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Royal Descents of 600 Immigrants to the American Colonies or the United States Who Were Themselves Notable or Left; Author: Visit Amazon's Gary Boyd Roberts Page; Review: Royal Descents is essentially a genealogical reference. It provides the best lineage to the latest monarch (but not all, in the case of multiple descents). There is a 200+ page index of names for easy use. I googled the author's name and found a website where additions or challenges can be submitted. The book is apparently revised on a regular basis. There are several lines in the book that interest me. I have researched most on my own at least partially and have not been able to find errors in the book. There are some interesting facts found in the introduction. Most notably, that the majority of royally decended immigrants came in the colonial period and collectively have large progenies. These colonials came mostly to New England, Quaker Pennsylvania, and the Tidewater South. The author suggests that if you have 50-100 immigrant ancestors from these regions, then expect to find royally descended forebear herein. Lastly, if you have immigrant ancestors to the regions I mention above, there is an excellent book that studies the four British folkways (cultures) that fed into those regions and should enlighten the researcher about the norms of colonial America. Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways in America (America: a Cultural History); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The 10000 Year Explosion: How Civilization Accelerated Human Evolution; Author: Visit Amazon's Gregory Cochran Page; Review: The most poignant commentary on 10,000 Year Explosion comes from John Derbyshire's praise that is found on the back cover: "Did human evolution come to a screeching halt 50,00 years ago when Homo Sapiens emerged from Africa, thus ensuring the psychic unity of mankind? Don't be silly, say the authors of this latest addition to the fast emerging discipline of biohistory. In clear prose backed by a wealth of hard data, Cochran and Harpending add a biological dimension to the history of our species and hammer another nail into the coffin lid of 'nothing but culture' anthropology." Karl Popper claimed that Evolution is not a truly scientific theory since it is not falsifiable, but it is indespensible because it provides a paradigm for all we know in biology. So, the authors of 10,000 Year Explosion have set out to show through a plethora of case studies found in biology, population genetics, and human history that humans have been biologically evolving, rapidly in some cases, in the past few thousand years. Some of the best cases that have been known for many years is the dramatic change in animals that have been domesticated. Particularly, the work of Dmitri Belyaev in selective breeding the wild Silver Fox to a domesticated and docile fox with spotted fur, floppy ears, and a curly tail in only 40 years! The book is neither polemical nor technical and is geared toward the general reader. Whether you agree with the authors thesis or not, the book makes for a good read of various topics that are worth exploring in their own right. There is some good material out that helps drill down to the mechanisms that may be responsible for more rapid evolution of animal species. Nova recently had an interesting documentary on Epigenetics Ghost in Your Genes. Matt Ridley addressed natures influence on genes in his recent book Nature Via Nurture.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Housing Boom and Bust: Revised Edition; Author: Visit Amazon's Thomas Sowell Page; Review: The television and print media would like you to believe that the Housing Crisis is a fabrication of greedy Wall Street charlatans creating esoteric financial instruments such as mortgage backed securities. And that more regulation is the needed remedy. Thomas Sowell argues that those mortgaged backed securities would have remained secure had pressure groups and politicans not coerced banks into lending to previously unqualified borrowers. Additionally, banks were encouraged to make risky loans by the guarantee that loans made to low income groups would be purchased by Government Sponsored Enterprises, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. So, the seeds of the housing bust were sown in 1990s with Affirmative Action in Lending policies. Sowell makes a comprehensive and convincing argument for his case. He backs up his work with an extensive bibliography in the back. The book is short and concise and can be read in 3-4 hours. I am encouraging my friends to read this book if they want to understand the origins of our current economic problems.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Fabric Of Reality (Penguin Science); Author: Visit Amazon's David Deutsch Page; Review: This is a great example of the cognitive dissonance going on in physics these days. Theories so bizarre, as to make Black Holes seem commonplace, yet with NO supposed implications for Newtonian mechanistic meaningless worldviews. When Einstein said 'Relativity Changed Everything Except How We Think', one could imagine Einstein included himself in that criticism merely out of politeness, yet with Deutsch it seems actually true. Though, I still have hope that Deutsch will break his rigid academic strait-jacket, perhaps after the Nobel, and perhaps via some vibes from colleague Brian Josephson, and get a little into the 'what does it all mean' vein ... like whoever said: "Sahasarara Popping Transcendence", hehehe. (for an antidote science book, check out Nobelis Kary Mullis' 'Dancing Naked in the Mind Field'); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Kundalini: The Evolutionary Energy in Man; Author: Visit Amazon's Gopi Krishna Page; Review: This is an amazing spiritual biography, it deserves the status and immortality of St. Theresa's and other saints. Amazingly, to me, Gopi Krishna found so little spiritual help and guidance in India, when there were many avatars contemporary with him, like Meher Baba and Ramana Maharshi. Yet, it is instructive how hard it was for him to find information and help, even in India, where this sort of transformational experience is explicitly cultivated by literally millions! One hopes that his 12 years of agony and torture are not the norm for those who awaken the Kundalini too forcefully or prematurely. Yet, Nietzsche's own breakdown after his own Kundalini awakening offers further caution to the forceful awakening of Kundalini. Clearly, some kind of yogic physical practice is essential to moderate this transformation, like Chi Gung or Hatha Yoga, or even Gardening!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Synchronicity, Science, and Soulmaking: Understanding Jungian Syncronicity Through Physics, Buddhism, and Philosphy; Author: Visit Amazon's Victor Mansfield Page; Review: We need more multidisciplinarians like Mansfield and Capra these days. The story of Pauli and Jung is as fascinating as that of Bohr and Einstein, it seems to me, and deserves a book and a movie all its own! One omission in this book, is the connection between the 'kundalini' experience and synchronicity, as the former is well known to stimulate the latter, giving rise to a common phenomenon known as 'synchronicity storms'. Another omission is discussion of the schizophrenic experience of living in a totally synchronistic universe, which the book 'Madness and Modernism' by Sass describes quite well. As Dr. Peat says, Synchronicity is a key 'anomaly' in the worldview of science these days, and as much as critics like Victor Stegner would like to pooh-pooh it as totally subjective, (which merely begs the question of the locus of 'meaning' after all), it does seem to point to the 'bridge between matter and mind'. Science has far too rigidly adhered to Newton's adamant 'Hypotheses Non Fingo' in banishing all discussion of 'meaning' from physics. i.e. the 'meaningless universe' of Stephen Weinberg et. al. is merely an artifact of an ad-hoc methodology, not an inherent attribute of Nature. 'Meaning' is where it's at, after all! And why *should* it be purely 'objective'?; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: After the Ecstasy, the Laundry: How the Heart Grows Wise on the Spiritual Path; Author: Visit Amazon's Jack Kornfield Page; Review: A needed corrective to the often mistaken presumption by neophytes that the East has a monopoly on 'Enlightenment'. After all, as Kornfield shows so well, it is only what *used* to be known in the West as 'Conversion'. We of course know only too well the fickle nature of Christian experiences of metanoia/conversion, but presumed incorrectly, as Kornfield shows, that 'Enlightened' Buddhists are somehow different, i.e. 'more' enlightened. But Kornfield shows they are in the same boat, spiritually speaking. Its about time we realized that Buddhist so-called 'Enlightenment Experiences' are just as frequently realized by Christians, though described with different terminology. Perhaps now, we in the west can begin to reappreciate the Enlightened Christian, Jewish teachers who have been with us in the West all along, patiently waiting for the faddish and fickle public to wake up to the reality of Christian and Jewish spirituality, and stop assuming that, for example, commercial Christian televangelism, is at all representative of Christianity as a spiritual path. A conclusion all too easily drawn, sadly.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Historical Buddha: The Times, Life and Teachings of the Founder of Buddhism (Arkana); Author: H. W. Schumann; Review: Excellent brief history of the person of Siddhartha Buddha, summarizing much disconnected information found in the Pali Canon, and organizing it into a chronology of his life, and the founding of the Buddhist Order. Many extremely interesting maps and pictures also. A valuable reference, should be a required text in any Buddhism 101 college course! My one quibble with this work is the presentation of the Buddha's Awakening in a somewhat overly rationalistic and reductive manner, which may appeal to some 'scientific' types, but will certainly disappoint the Mahayana Mystics, as well as even many Theravadans, I believe. But religious 'soteriology' is not the focus of this book, after all.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: It's Here Now (Are You?): A Spiritual Memoir; Author: Bhagavan Das; Review: Lots of 60's spiritual history comes alive here. Good, bad and weird. It reads easily, as if it was dictated orally in a 'rap' mode, and then carefully edited and assembled by someone else. The most interesting anecdote for me, was the account of the cremation ground practitioner. This is truly a valuable first-hand account, at least for the record of religious anthropology. Some flaky spiritual 'teachings' get mixed in too, of course, which aren't necessarily worth believing, such as: "The point I'm getting to is that it takes one hundred thousand prostrations to get one good one."; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Breakfast of Champions CD Unabridged; Author: Jr. Vonnegut Kurt; Review: in that never again, since the age of 13 can i take anything in life seriously again - success, failure, suffering, or happiness. It is all illusion and allusion, one big farcical intertwined synchronicity going nowhere fast. This book is to blame for that. Parents, keep this book away from your kids! THIS is the book that should be banned in high schools! Needless to say, I have read it 3 times since I was 13, and plan to read it again soon, and have left instructions for a copy to be cremated with me when i am finally disposed of, after my trivial and inconsequential life is at last over, having gone on much too long, like a bad novel. "Greetings". please allow me to now disassemble myself, thank you.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Difference Between God and Larry Ellison: *God Doesn't Think He's Larry Ellison; Author: Visit Amazon's Mike Wilson Page; Review: A fascinating read, but I was quite surprised to find no discussion of Attention Deficit Disorder in this book. Much of Mr. Ellison's behavior is quite 'understandable' assuming he 'suffers from' / 'is blessed with' ADD. Read 'Driven to Distraction' along with this book and see if you agree.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Long Hard Road Out of Hell; Author: Visit Amazon's Marilyn Manson Page; Review: Worth a browse in some mall bookstore, readable for about as long as it is comfortable to stand with a book in one's hand. I will admit to one real laugh that almost made the cappucino foam burst my eustachian tubes. The pics are pretty artsy. But the horrible stories of boring experiments of depravity on handicapped groupies was really too much. Not even so much as a tinge of regret evident, either. I wonder when or if he is ever going to wake up to the existential nausea of his own existence, instead of merely reacting to the banality of post-modernism. And how about more details of his granddad's basement hobbies, eh? Anyway, might be worth buying a copy just to have to take to Vegas sometime when Manson is in his 50's and playing some off-strip lounge act, you can get him to sign it.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Into the Wild; Author: Visit Amazon's Jon Krakauer Page; Review: Those who used the word 'haunting' to describe this book, exactly describe my own impression of it. Granted, Chris was naive, quite inconsiderate, perhaps in need of traditional 'therapy', etc etc, but these failings are all the time-honored prerogatives of youth, after all, and to his credit, he certainly pursued the limits of what it means to be human in ways very few of us do throughout our whole lives. In that respect, he finds an honored place in the history of philosophers and seekers. That he died in the process of his quest, was just an accident, and not really his fault at all. I, for one, also enjoyed Jon Krakauer's own stories and interjections. He has crafted a truly gripping tale. I think Chris' last words deserve immortality: "I have had a good life, and thank the Lord. May God bless you all." God bless you, too, Chris!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Desperate Journeys, Abandoned Souls; Author: Visit Amazon's Edward E. Leslie Page; Review: I read this back in the 80's, quite an antidote and/or complement to depression and/or rainy days. Not your typical summertime beach read. Gives one a feel for what extreme conditions many of our human ancestors have had to handle during our million plus years of evolution. Though someone mentioned 'Into Thin Air' as a possible antithesis of this book, try the same author's (Jon Krakauer) 'Into the Wild', that might actually inspire you with an alternative view of the human predicament and potential, in the same way this book does.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark; Author: Visit Amazon's Carl Sagan Page; Review: A scattered collection of essays, the best of the bunch being the 'Baloney Detection Kit' chapter. Which is a valuable rephrasing of the scientist's credo, all-too-often glossed over in science education. In my opinion, the fatal flaw of this book is Sagan's naive materialism. Surprising to me, since he was a life-long marijuana connoisseur, valuing it for giving him creative insights into scientific problems. Yet he appears to have gained no inkling of the transcendent possibilities of consciousness, and seems all-too-ready to fall into the old 19th century trap of dismissing it all as wish-fulfillment fantasy (which, granted, 99% of it is). Anyway, for a valuable antidote and/or complement to Sagan's somewhat antique formulation of the scientific worldview, check out Nobelist Kary Mullis' 'Dancing Naked in the Mind Field', and physics prof. Victor Mansfield's 'Science Synchronicity and Soul Making'. Both of these books provide excellent counter-arguments to Sagan's (at times) all-too-naive skeptical realism, from authors who are at least as scientifically qualified as Sagan, if not more so.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Madness And Modernism: Insanity In The Light Of Modern Art, Literature, And Thought; Author: Louis Sass; Review: Dr. Sass's thesis - regarding some aspects of schizophrenia being 'super-normal' as opposed to the conventional view that schizophrenia is a completely degenerative disorder - deserves to be made in a more compelling and direct way than is done in this book. It seems to me this important point is diluted with scattered digressions and marginalia, however interesting. I hope the core ideas in his thesis will be revived and seriously researched at some point, as they certainly deserve to be.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Nausea (New Directions Paperbook); Author: Visit Amazon's Jean-Paul Sartre Page; Review: For those who like this sort of thing, this is the sort of thing they like. An easy read, short, mildly amusing. If you have lived with the outlook he describes, you will be (perhaps) reassured that you are not alone (even though you in fact are). If you are a stranger to the outlook he describes, then you may at least gain some empathy for those borderline schizophrenics who stare at you on the subway. Personally, I would like to see an analysis of this book's debt to the French Surrealist 'movement', as it has always seemed to me to be derivative of it (in a 'good' way).; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Storming Heaven: LSD and the American Dream; Author: Visit Amazon's Jay Stevens Page; Review: It seems to me, as others have said, that the discovery of LSD ranks up there with the top scientific discoveries of the century. The mere fact alone that there exists a substance, 50 micrograms of which, would be sufficient to perhaps reorient your entire life and understanding of the universe, whether or not one ever actually tries it, is well worth remembering on those occasions when we get a little too self-preoccupied. This book documents the history of the reactions of various individuals as they encountered this substance through an amazingly varied set of contexts, and through an intricately woven web of connections. I have a mild annoyance with the book in that the author is relentless in his effort to remain 'above it all' and regards everything with an amused and detached air. It is a puzzling attitude in a way. But the stories he tells are all well-crafted and make compelling reading. His lack of reflection on the ultimate meaning of LSD for our view of what it is to be 'normal' may be quite intentional, but it seems to give the book an unnecessarily superficial orientation which I found a bit strange.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Prisoners of Shangri-La: Tibetan Buddhism and the West; Author: Donald S. Lopez Jr.; Review: It seems that professors must write books about their latest pet peeves; if only just to preserve their most witty cocktail party repartees for posterity. Just as borderline schizophrenics who believe they are reincarnations of Tibetan Lamas must write books about their past lives. Now, perhaps the good professor will be so kind as to entertain us with a new book exposing all the laughable ways that the 2nd century Romans misappropriated Christianity. Though, I suppose it must be left to someone else to write the expose of all the laughable ways that academics have demeaned the religions of the world. "They themselves have not entered, and those that would enter, they prevented."; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Socrates Cafe: A Fresh Taste of Philosophy; Author: Visit Amazon's Christopher Phillips Page; Review: A valuable reminder of the perennial futility of all philosophical pretensions to 'inquiry'. The book does a good job illustrating how one must perforce get sufficiently fed up with dualistic blather before delving into the scientist's and mystic's perennial way out of the rathole of all such puerile 'inquiry', as shown in, for example, the allegory of Socrates' Cave, and of course, 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance'!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dogen's Formative Years in China: An Historical Study and Annotated Translation of the Hokyo-ki; Author: Visit Amazon's Takashi James Kodera Page; Review: I was lucky enough to run across this book in a used bookstore, having only read brief synopses of Dogen's life in other Zen books. I had not even realized such a biographical document in Dogen's own hand existed! So many touching details of the master/student spiritual relationship are revealed here; both stories that are timeless in their humanity, as well as stories that reveal the unique character of the Zen culture of 13th century China. Though, the famous story of 'body-mind drop-off' is not recounted by Dogen himself, as I was surprised to learn, other revealing anecdotes are - such as Dogen involuntarily weeping whenever he sees his teacher, and the teacher himself commenting on the auspiciousness of that sign. It is a true love story, in a way.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Crooked Cucumber: The Life and Zen Teaching of Shunryu Suzuki; Author: Visit Amazon's David Chadwick Page; Review: Some 2 years after having read and enjoyed this book, what has stayed with me is one simple saying of Suzuki roshi's that I hadnt encountered in other books, but which has lately seemed to me to be a deep insight into the reality of many-worlds: (but I won't spoil it for you, in stereotypical Zen fashion. :) The comments by another reader about possible ADD symptoms ring a bell, and I wonder how much is due to the practice itself, which, after all, is quite abnormal in many respects. This book reads very easily and is appropriately somewhat more reverent than 'Thank You and OK'. I did think that the subject of Suzuki roshi's Dharma-heirs did not get enough attention, though it is understandable. Yet, particularly in the Zen tradition, one's heirs seem to be as important, even more so, than the body of one's 'teachings'. It would be valuable for Baker roshi, Sojun roshi, or Jakusho roshi, for example, to write their reminiscences as well, though Chadwick does have some anecdotes from them included here. Anyway, this book will help a lot in demystifying the mystique of 'enlightenment', Zen or otherwise, the projection of which Zen teachers are perennially cursed with. It's a hard life in more ways than one.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Three Pillars of Zen: Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenment; Author: Philip Kapleau Roshi; Review: If you've struggled with D.T. Suzuki as a means to understanding zen, then this book will be a mind-blower in its clarity! Though be aware that it is primarily describing the Rinzai flavor of zen (intense retreats of induced mental breakdowns with the infrequent breakthrough), as opposed to the more relaxed Soto variety, a-la 'Zen Mind Beginner's Mind', which now seems to be the main zen sect in the USA. The retreat accounts are valuable, but mislead one into thinking that all zennies experience such dramatic cathartic breakthroughs and that they are the be-all and end-all of Buddhism. Such practices are really only ONE part of the Buddha's Eightfold Way. The author's later books do help somewhat to correct the imbalance of this one, and the messianic enthusiasm of this one is quite understandable. But one would do well to bone up on the Dhammapada and the Eightfold Way, via accesstoinsight.org, for example, as well. Though, this book remains a truly groundbreaking work and has Transmitted the Light to many, and I suspect it will continue to do so for many many kalpas.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Way of the Gladiator; Author: Daniel P. Mannix; Review: I believe this book is the reprint of Mannix's 'Those About to Die' which was originally published in 1958. Evidently the recent movie caused the republication. Evidently also, Mannix originally was riding on the popularity of the 50's film 'Ben Hur'. The more things change ... Personally, I find Mannix's style quite refreshing. It is not that far removed from the detective magazines of the 50's I would imagine. He has a taste for the more lurid aspects of the phenomenon, but makes the point well that what was 'normal' to the Romans of that era would revolt many of us today. i.e. the lurid parts of the book are not 'gratuitous' in the normal sense. One really gets a feel for the depths of Roman decadence, and how what started out as a noble ceremony to honor one's dead father, decayed into spectacles of death and gambling for the drunken mob. One can really believe that John the Revelator had the Romans in mind writing his Book of Revelation. This kind of book appeals a lot to teenage boys, I would imagine, and it might be a good way to get them interested in history. I found it very interesting and readable, a good way to acquaint oneself with some of the more interesting anecdotes from the classical writers, and the retelling of the preserved biography of an actual charioteer, Diocles, was truly fascinating.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind: Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice; Author: Visit Amazon's Shunryu Suzuki Page; Review: "in the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few." indeed! I find that the negative reviews listed here are quite instructive and worth reading. It is worth realizing, for us westerners, that Buddhism has its sectarian squabbles over heresy and scripture just like any other religion. As well as its own organizational byzantine structure and inertia just like any other church. I can imagine that not a few devotees of Zen Mind Beginner's Mind have been dismayed at the disgust they were greeted with when naively and optimistically discussing Buddhism with some transplanted asian Theravadan monk. (ahem, or was that just me? :) That said, the book clearly comes from a deep place of understanding 'beyond the scriptures'. Though, to my mind, I find it complements them quite well, assuming one understands that Suzuki's concept of 'Big Mind' is quite literally heretical in the Theravadan sect. Personally, the biggest heresy in the book I find is in the 'God Giving' chapter - 'How can He [God] help their activity when He does not know who He is?'. Phew! Christians of all sects will vituperate over this heresy even more than Theravadans over 'Big Mind'. Yet, the need for the mutual awakening of God *and* us, in order for God to awaken *to* us, is an old Gnostic tradition, it seems. e.g. Read Kazantzakis' 'The Saviors of God' for more of this heresy. Or, Matthew Fox's translation of Eckhart in 'Breakthrough'. Meanwhile, it surely cant hurt to bone up on the suttas at, for example, accesstoinsight.org, even though Suzuki said 'it is not that important'. Since surely he *wasnt* saying *never* read the suttas! As always, take the Middle Way between the extremes!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind; Author: ; Review: "in the beginner's mind there are many possibilities; in the expert's mind there are few." indeed! I find that the negative reviews listed here are quite instructive and worth reading. It is worth realizing, for us westerners, that Buddhism has its sectarian squabbles over heresy and scripture just like any other religion. As well as its own organizational byzantine structure and inertia just like any other church. I can imagine that not a few devotees of Zen Mind Beginner's Mind have been dismayed at the disgust they were greeted with when naively and optimistically discussing Buddhism with some transplanted asian Theravadan monk. (ahem, or was that just me? :) That said, the book clearly comes from a deep place of understanding 'beyond the scriptures'. Though, to my mind, I find it complements them quite well, assuming one understands that Suzuki's concept of 'Big Mind' is quite literally heretical in the Theravadan sect. Personally, the biggest heresy in the book I find is in the 'God Giving' chapter - 'How can He [God] help their activity when He does not know who He is?'. Phew! Christians of all sects will vituperate over this heresy even more than Theravadans over 'Big Mind'. Yet, the need for the mutual awakening of God *and* us, in order for God to awaken *to* us, is an old Gnostic tradition, it seems. e.g. Read Kazantzakis' 'The Saviors of God' for more of this heresy. Or, Matthew Fox's translation of Eckhart in 'Breakthrough'. Meanwhile, it surely cant hurt to bone up on the suttas at, for example, accesstoinsight.org, even though Suzuki said 'it is not that important'. Since surely he *wasnt* saying *never* read the suttas! As always, take the Middle Way between the extremes!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: China: Alive in the Bitter Sea; Author: Visit Amazon's Fox Butterfield Page; Review: The magnitude of suffering that the Chinese have endured this century is truly inconceivable. This book helps one to relate to it through the stories of those Chinese that Mr. Butterfield was able to talk to, not too long after the Cultural Revolution ended. It really makes one think: How does such a period of mass cultural insanity happen? Is it just a result of economics and youthful demographics? Could it happen anywhere? Was it no different than the nazis or the Khmer Rouge or the Inquisition? Are we even in such a period now, and don't know it? Mr. Butterfield does a valuable service in preserving this record of human suffering and endurance.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Witness: The Story of a Search (Bennett Books Spiritual Classic.); Author: Visit Amazon's John G. Bennett Page; Review: there are many personal anecdotes of Bennett's encounters with Gurdjieff and Subud here, but I personally found them less interesting than his accounts of his encounters with Sufism and dervishes. Anyone interested in the Mevlevi ceremonies should not miss his account of witnessing the ceremonies in Konya in the 1920s. Throughout the book he is running into dervishes of one sort or another, who reveal much personal spiritual experience to him, of a way of life that is now no more. alas.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: How to Win Friends and Influence People; Author: Visit Amazon's Dale Carnegie Page; Review: It is too bad this book is largely read by sales and business types, and not the average joe. Since the fact is, that even now, whenever one is engaged in a sales or business situation, in a store or at work, one can be 95% confident that the salesman/manager is operating according to the principles in this book, and if one, as a consumer or employee, is ignorant of these principles, one is literally a puppet in their hands. No doubt Mr. Carnegie was a nice person, and sincerely meant well, and no doubt his book has actually helped millions. Yet, I feel that the principles in this book can just as easily serve the sociopathic predator/hustler, as much as the ordinary business person. There seems to be a subtle form of hypocrisy involved in acting according to these principles that may be quite natural for sociopaths. But if one is aware of these techniques of subtle manipulation, one can at least know when one is being manipulated. Since, of course, they DO work! Hyperbolically speaking, it wouldnt surprise me in the least if even Hitler hadnt borrowed a few tips from Mr. Carnegie as he polished his techniques of persuasion in the early 1940's. I wonder ... ?; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: MINDS, MACHINES, AND THE MULTIVERSE: THE QUEST FOR THE QUANTUM COMPUTER; Author: Julian Brown; Review: I must say, this is one of the very best popular science books I have ever read! There is a lot of material for everyone here, from history to personalities to theory to experiment, and even to philosophy. Finally, here is a science book introducing one of the key new fields to emerge in the last decade that doesn't condescend to the reader or waste 100 pages rehashing high-school level science! This book also serves as an excellent companion to David Deutsch's 'The Fabric of Reality', as we get to hear prof. Deutsch further elaborating on his ideas, in addition to hearing about the history of his insights that led to the conception of quantum computers. Unlike most popular science books, one finishes it without that all-too-familiar nagging feeling that, because of oversimplification, one has been 'cheated' out of learning what is 'really' going on!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Thus Spoke Zarathustra: A Book for None and All; Author: Visit Amazon's Friedrich Nietzsche Page; Review: In my opinion, it helps somewhate to have read prof. Ronald Hayman's excellent biography of Nietzsche to get some idea of the context in which Nietzsche wrote this work. As Hayman describes it, it appears this book reflects a kind of genuine religious epiphany/satori experience Nietzsche had while hiking the trails of Sils-Maria while in anguish over his failed relationship with Lou Salome and Paul Ree. For that reason, I personally consider the book to be more scripture than philosophy. Albeit, a scripture informed by the life and learning of an eminent philosopher in the classical tradition. In this context, I see the book as the expression of the fruition of a true seeker's lifetime quest for truth and insight. The two key concepts that are new in the book: the Ubermensch, and The Eternal Return, have been vastly misunderstood, to often horrific effect. A result not entirely unforseen by Nietzsche himself, of course. Personally, even though I was fortunate enought to have studied Nietzsche in college, I never quite grokked the 'eternal return' until I grokked the psychological device of the zen koan via reading Philip Kapleau's 'Three Pillars of Zen'. It seems to me that the 'eternal return' fits in quite nicely with the koan tradition, being a 'what if' conundrum that just happened to grab Nietzsche in the right way and propelled him through the transformations he records here, in the later parts of 'Thus Spake Zarathustra'. The questions the book challenges us to confront are the classic ones: 'what is it to be human', 'what is the potential of the human', 'what is the self and why is it to be overcome' etc etc The sad and untold part of the book is the book's foreshadowing of Nietzsche's final kundalini awakening/epiphany, and subsequent collapse due to the overwhelming power of the kundalini energy, upon rescuing the flogged horse in the town square, in his story of the jester falling from the tightrope. but ... 'what matters all happiness?' indeed!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Eden Express; Author: Visit Amazon's Mark Vonnegut Page; Review: This book is valuable on many levels, not least of which is that it provides an early account of cannabis induced schizophrenia, a phenomenon only recently being studied and appreciated as the evidence grows that cannabis dramatically increases the likelihood of schizophrenia developing, especially so in those with a family history of it. Most reviewers don't mention that Mark's episodes were directly precipitated by cannabis, yet it is obvious in the accounts he gives us in the book. Anyone skeptical of the connection between cannabis and psychosis must read this book. It is a warning to all those susceptible, if pot makes you feel 'paranoid', STAY AWAY from it, it WONT get any better, and could get a WHOLE lot worse. Mark Vonnegut gives us a valuablecase study of a young person who had natively intuited and systematatically explored synchronicity for some years prior to his episodes of schizophrenia. It makes me wonder - how much the onset of his illness was due to this practice of his cultivating synchronicity. And how much the debilitating nature of the illness was due to the anxiety that resulted when it manifested more and more. I wonder if in a culture that accepted and understood the phenomenon more, would he have not suffered as much? There are so many similarities in the neurological metanoia/metamorphosis transformation of schizophrenia and mysticism, it seems so clear to me they must be very close together on the spectral distribution of human ways of being. To the handful of readers who are interested in these aspects of consciousness, I would recommend Victor Mansfield's 'Science Synchronicity and Soul Making', and Louis Sass's 'Madness and Modernism'. Oh well, disregarding all that metaphysical blather, Vonnegut's eloquent descriptions of the despair of modern life as seen from the eyes of a 20 year old make the book a timeless classic of cultural criticism, it seems to me. It brings to mind Jon Krakauer's story of Chris McCandless - 'Into The Wild'.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Pihkal: A Chemical Love Story; Author: Alexander Shulgin; Review: I had assumed this book to be new-age fluff after having seen it referenced so often in other new-age fluff books. So I was quite surprised to find that it is really a fascinating scientific biography, a genre I am personally addicted to. The 'love story' wanders into the fluff zone occasionally, and the chemistry recipe book wanders into extreme alchemical arcana, but overall its a comprehensive compendium that is unique as far as I know, and a valuable record of the behind-the-scenes history of the California new-age 80's. I am only puzzled at Dr. Shulgin's lack of comment or experience in the traditional spiritual practices, since even though he frequented Zen centers while doing his assays, he seems not to be the least curious as to the perspectives of these traditions. I was also interested to read more about the mysterious therapist referred to as 'Jacob' in the book 'The Secret Chief' by author Myron Stolaroff. Check out this book after 'Pikhal' and you will get a fresh and equally important perspective on the practices of this seminal group of psychic healers/explorers. somebody oughta make a movie! :); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Feedback Control of Dynamic Systems, 4th Edition; Author: Visit Amazon's Gene F. Franklin Page; Review: As a practicing engineer, I found the book's sections on PID controllers and Multivariable control to be more informative than my other references, including the venerable Ogata. Though perhaps the objections listed in the other reviews are valid when the text is used for an introductory course, I would just like to point out the text had value for me in understanding real-world PID controllers. Not sure if I would recommend it over Ogata for an introductory course, though. Both Ogata and this text make extensive use of Matlab, which is almost a requirement to have in order to follow the examples. The author makes available all his Matlab source code on his website, as well.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Monkey Business: Swinging Through the Wall Street Jungle; Author: Visit Amazon's John Rolfe Page; Review: Ok, its not great literature, but it is amusing and sheds valuable light on what is really going on behind the scenes in this economy. I didn't think it was as gross as some reviewers described, though that may just be me. Overall, it reinforced my low opinion of Wall Street investment bankers as superfluous parasites who do nothing productive and spend all their time thinking of clever ways to destroy productive companies so they can get even more obscenely rich. Their fascination with expensive clothes is so revealing of an unconscious awareness that their occupation is so disgustingly filthy and amoral.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism: A Bishop Rethinks the Meaning of Scripture; Author: Visit Amazon's John Shelby Spong Page; Review: Bishop Spong is pretty courageous to dare to say what he says in this controversial book. In ages past, people were literally burned at the stake for saying much milder things! But, luckily, now it can be told, that ... the virgin birth is only a metaphor, along with the resurrection, and that Paul was probably gay ... still and all, salvation through Jesus is a reality nonetheless! At least one doesnt have to check one's brain at the door and strain to believe 20 impossible fairy tales when going into Father Spong's church in order to celebrate Jesus!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood; Author: Visit Amazon's Koren Zailckas Page; Review: I guess this book is valuable for parents and teachers of similar girls re warning signs etc. Personally I am amazed she got 300 pages out of it, she must have been dabbling notes along the way to remember so much sordid detail. Her life strikes me as kind of the logical conclusion of western civilisation, what else did we expect this media culture to yield? Infantile narcissistic alcoholics without a bone of curiosity in their bodies. Men don't come off too good in this book either. The only redeeming part of the book is the endpiece rant against all the booze-pushing advertising, but coming from such an enthusiastic participant in the culture of delusion, it sounds a little whiny.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Sabotage: America's Enemies within the CIA; Author: Visit Amazon's Rowan Scarborough Page; Review: Judging from this book, to tell the truth about the reality of actual threats to this country is a traitorious act, whereas the true traitors, those who expose covert agents and fabricate 'intelligence' as justification for an unjustified war, are considered the real patriots. George Orwell would not be surprised at this product of the Scaife/Coors radical right propaganda machine.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Chronicles, Vol. 1; Author: Visit Amazon's Bob Dylan Page; Review: I very much enjoyed this reading by Sean Penn of Dylan's book. It is very easy to listen to, and doesnt sound contrived or artificial, conveys the stream-of-consciousness recollections Dylan is recounting quite well. The story is interesting in its nonlinear flow and in what seemingly trivial things strike Dylan as significant. I enjoyed his reminiscences of Tiny Tim, Moondog, and Dave van Ronk. A nice recounting of that bygone era.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Scientific American Day in the Life of Your Brain; Author: Visit Amazon's Judith Horstman Page; Review: ever wonder whether or not it is a myth that you are only using 10% of the Universe's most complex creation? Let the author of this wonderful book answer this and many other questions as she guides you into the neurological wonders going on in our everyday life. A very accessible introduction and review of the latest understanding of this most interesting field!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Roots of Obama's Rage; Author: Visit Amazon's Dinesh D'Souza Page; Review: I haven't read the book, but heard the author interviewed by Jonathan Alter on CSpan BookTV, which I would recommend anyone to look up on the web to get some perspective on D'Souza's peculiar slant on Obama. My impression from the interview is that D'Souza, although quite brilliant, is not someone I would entirely trust for intellectual integrity, a bit like Jonah Goldberg perhaps, a bit too infatuated with their own reflection.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Babylon by Bus: Or true story of two friends who gave up valuable franchise selling T-shirts to find meaning; Author: Ray LeMoine; Review: This book just cries out to be made into a movie. It deals with exactly the topics that most war films avoid: the aftermath, the chaos confusion and madness of trying to recover a demolished society once the cowboy yahoos have dropped their load on it and flown off. I can only imagine this book must be stuck in some kind of hollywood development hell, I wish I had the money to put it on the screen.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Confidence Men: Wall Street, Washington, and the Education of a President; Author: Visit Amazon's Ron Suskind Page; Review: This book restores some of my confidence that the administration actually knew the scope and causes of the economic depression of 2008, instead of being totally bewildered as appearances might suggest. Suskind gives us some important background on the wall street bigshots warnings to Obama long before the mess ever hit the front pages. What amazes me and what I wish Suskind had explained more is why the Obama press conferences still used the 'recession' narrative, as if it was just another business cycle recession, instead of the George W Bush quote "this sucker could go down" scenario. By not really informing the public of the true severity, Obama does not get credit for averting yet another Republican Great Depression, and instead gets blamed for a slow recovery from just another 'recession'. Also, Ron Suskind's BookTV book talk on this book is one of the very best ever done on BookTV, highly recommended viewing.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dropping Ashes on the Buddha; Author: Editor Stephen Mitchell; Review: A zen student asked Seung Sahn: 'What is love?', Seung Sahn replied, 'I ask you, what is love?'. 'I don't understand' replied the student. 'You ask me, I ask you, this is love.' said Seung Sahn. or something like that. Dont trust any religion that doesnt have a sense of humor. (does a zen master really sit at the kitchen table in his T-shirt reading the Sunday funnies?); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Fox Effect: How Roger Ailes Turned a Network into a Propaganda Machine; Author: Visit Amazon's David Brock Page; Review: When money equals speech, then by definition speech isn't free. Studies have shown the more you watch Fox News, the less you actually know. How is that then a 'news' network? All one needs to know about Murdoch and Fox is that they literally went to court to fight for the right to lie to their viewers when presenting 'news'. The Republicans used to think that Murdoch's Fox News worked for them, now they realize that they work for Murdoch. David Brock deserves much credit for his tireless work in revealing the unpatriotic neo fascists on the right. This is undoubtedly one of the most important books of the year since it reveals the roots of much of the dysfunction in American government since Murdoch and Ailes have modeled bullying as the default mode of public discourse. Just look at the 1 star reviews to see how deep the Ailes model of fascism has taken root in this country. May there be many more patriots like David Brock helping America to fight the decline into right wing fascism that Ailes and Murdoch would like to see. If only I.C.E. could deport Murdoch back to where he belongs, he has done enough damage to public decency and democratic values already and deserves to live the rest of his life in ignominy.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Life Among the Cannibals: A Political Career, a Tea Party; Author: Sen. Arlen Specter; Review: right on, Arlen! Check out his interview on Cspan Booktv.org, he does a very good description of the right wing fanatics and bullies in Congress who prevent rational debate and focusing on the good of the country, all for the sake of their twisted anti-American and anti-intellectual ideology. All congress members should be required to take a biannual urine drug test, and an annual 8th grade level economics test, and have the results posted publically. Maybe then we could get the alcoholics and know-nothings off the public payroll and get back to what America is supposed to be about, and away from this corporate plutocracy of millionaire parasites like Romney.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cheating Justice: How Bush and Cheney Attacked the Rule of Law and Plotted to Avoid; Author: Visit Amazon's Elizabeth Holtzman Page; Review: America was literally 24 hours away from complete collapse on Sept 18 2008 on George W Bush's watch, his only comment was 'this sucker could go down'. Reading this book, one realizes how systemic was the failure of Bush's team. The collapse may have been postponed on Sept 18 2008 but the damage Bush's legacy left may yet finish the job he started, especially seeing the lack of will to actually confront the reality of the misdeeds described in this book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: It's Even Worse Than It Looks: How the American Constitutional System Collided With the New Politics of Extremism; Author: Visit Amazon's Thomas E. Mann Page; Review: This book is an excellent psychotherapeutic intervention for the dysfunctional family that is America, where the father is an abusive closeted alcoholic continually bankrupting the family with delusional business schemes, and the mother is timid and long-suffering always having to clean up after the father's drunken rampages and trying to protect the children from his violence. However I don't quite agree with the author's premise that a third party would not help the situation. It seems to me that with a two party duopoly the inevitable result is exactly what we have: more and more polarization, since the two parties would eventually naturally split not along real policy differences but along the most obvious social divide of all - that of rich and poor, leaving the party of the rich (and very few) the problem of how to gain sufficient numbers to win elections, whose simplest answer is to exploit the other major divide: the smart and the stupid, since most non-rich would naturally not be inclined to vote for the interests of the rich. i.e. the party of the rich's only strategy is then how to recruit sufficient numbers of stupid voters (and of course suppress the voting rights of the poor), which results in the Rupert Murdoch and Rush Limbaugh mode of civil discourse: bullying and demagoguery. It is really very simple and inevitable. There is no big mystery at all explaining what is going on in America. The only way a plutocracy can stay in power is by bullying and demagoguery and persuading the stupid poor to vote against their own best interests. But the authors don't really spend too much time on the importance of media demagogues like Limbaugh. Just look at the GOP as a personality - it is as if the GOP embodies exactly the personality of Rush Limbaugh - willfully ignorant, blustery, buffoonish, and bullying. It is no accident he is now the defacto leader of the Republican party, and that they are all working for their employer Rupert Murdoch. Since Limbaugh has mastered the art of demagoguery to recruit the poor and stupid to support the causes of the rich. The only way out of this conundrum, it seems to me, besides reinstating the Fairness Doctrine in media, is to really empower Third Parties with ranked choice voting. The Two Party duopoly has rigged the system so now a third party vote is a wasted vote (cf Bush v Gore v Nader), but ranked choice voting would at least let third parties have real influence to counter the inevitable tendency to polarization, and valuable influences like Ron Paul and Ralph Nader could really make a difference instead of being marginalized as they are now. And where in the Constitution does it say anything about there must be only two political parties? Where does the Constitution mention political parties at all? The Founders would be truly appalled at the childish behavior going on in Congress.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Practically Radical: Not-So-Crazy Ways to Transform Your Company, Shake Up Your Industry, and Challenge Yourself; Author: Visit Amazon's William C. Taylor Page; Review: Jim Rickards is unafraid to state clearly and unequivocally that the crash of 2008 was just part of the Great Depression started in 2007, when, not uncoincidentally, we had two raging alcoholics in the White House. So now the question becomes how come we are repeating the Japanese Lost Decades mistakes? Parodoxically, Rickards has more hope for Europe than for USA for getting out of the Japanese Lost Decades scenario we are now in. This guy has the Straight Dope!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Party Is Over: How Republicans Went Crazy, Democrats Became Useless, and the Middle Class Got Shafted; Author: Visit Amazon's Mike Lofgren Page; Review: This book is a good description of the problem with two party duopolies like we have now, they inevitably evolve away from policy issues and merely become aligned along the most obvious divides in society: rich and poor, educated and uneducated, etc. Now we have the shameful spectacle of the party of the rich blatantly working to legislate against the party of the poor even being able to vote. I wished the author discussed more alternatives to the problems of this two party system, such as ranked choice voting. We could use more influence of other ideas like those of Ron Paul and Ralph Nader. Now they only serve as spoilers, ranked choice voting would give them legitimate power and influence to move the discussion off the stuck on stupid mode.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Thank The Liberals**For Saving America; Author: Visit Amazon's Alan Colmes Page; Review: Kudos to Alan Colmes for redeeming the word 'liberal' back to its rightful place as a great American tradition, as opposed to the decades long attempt of the wingnuts like Limbaugh Hannity Coulter et al to make 'Liberal' a dirty word. It is high time for them all to be revealed as un-American as Joe McCarthy. The martyrs of the White Rose Society would, I believe, be proud of Colmes' long stand against the forces of ignorance and intolerance that his employer Murdoch has unleashed upon us all. The book is an insightful and entertaining review of much forgotten history and the personalities who contributed to the great American tradition of Liberalism, highly recommended! The price of freedom is eternal vigilance, and the forces of fascism are always on the prowl. It seems hard to believe, but judging by the hatred of the billionaires and the Murdoch dupes for Obama, it seems to me that the risk of fascism taking hold is even stronger now than when Bush and Rove were working 24/7 to institute it. Bush is now drinking away the memories of the millions he killed, but Rove is still on the job 24/7 helping his billionaire buddies to enshrine their Fourth Reich.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: How the Hippies Saved Physics: Science, Counterculture, and the Quantum Revival; Author: Visit Amazon's David Kaiser Page; Review: This book makes me recal the Firesign Theatre quote: "how can you be in two places at once when you are really nowhere at all?" This book tells a great story of the perennial human resistance to metanoia, it has a religious flavor in the depiction of the resistance of the ordinary materialists to a new paradigm, which has been true throughout the history of religion, as the kundalini/DMT shamans try to explain the reality of many-worlds to their fellow tribesfolk concerned with everyday survival mode consciousnes, i.e. grant proposal writing. It is certainly nice to be reminded of Schroedinger's Vedanta background, even if he himself didn't take it too seriously later in life. And it is nice to see the verification of the many-worlds view of the ancestors like Dogen zenji ("We are each in the midst of many worlds and each moment in time is a universe unto itself") being affirmed if not confirmed. Still the majority of physicists are required to maintain that 'interpretations' are irrelevant to experiment, like Newton's 'Hypotheses non fingo' declaration, and they do not find it at all puzzling that conventional physics is completely consistent with the absence of consciousness as a property inherent in nature and not just a side-effect, as the negative results of 60 years of AI seem to suggest. The human mind will always resist the ultimate implications of the equations it discovers, as Wheeler wrote in his preface to Everett's paper. Even the pre-Socratics knew the reality of consciousness as a universal nonlocal attribute of nature. Oh well, it will still be while before we catch up to the wisdom of the ancients, it seems. See prof Victor Mansfield's book 'Synchronicity Science and Soulmaking' for another view into the scientific anomalies of consciousness and synchronicity.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Obama Hate Machine: The Lies, Distortions, and Personal Attacks on the President---and Who Is Behind Them; Author: Visit Amazon's Bill Press Page; Review: Bill Press gives us a good summary of the pathology of the American 'conservative', led by that most pathologically closeted Limbaugh. In 2008 the nation had elected a president to lead us out of a dire financial crisis that threatened us much much more than al qaeda and their fearsome boxcutters and monkey bars, and what did the Republican party do but ally themselves with our enemies to obstruct economic recovery. The book does a good job in explaining why the Republican party has to be so fundamentally un-American in practice if not in propaganda, since their base of the extreme wealthy is so small, they can only win by means of hysteria and mass delusion.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: While Europe Slept: How Radical Islam is Destroying the West from Within; Author: Visit Amazon's Bruce Bawer Page; Review: This is an interesting view from a liberal San Francisco gay man who left the USA to get away from the conservative crazies only to find another and more dangerous form of crazies infesting Europe. The author describes his liberal PC views of 'cant we all just get along' fading away in the face of the fundamentalism he found in Holland's immigrants. We should all recall what Christianity was like 300 years ago, and remember that Islam is 300 years younger than Christianity.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Boss Rove: Inside Karl Rove's Secret Kingdom of Power; Author: Visit Amazon's Craig Unger Page; Review: This book is an essential reminder that Karl Rove never sleeps, as long as he remains out of jail, he is an enemy to Democracy and America. Now that he has a billion dollars to play with in his PAC, are we supposed to believe he is not using any of it to grease the vote counting in Ohio? Have we forgotten Ken Blackwell's crimes? No opposing vote is safe with Rove on the job. We are really seeing the demise of the Republican party play out in front of our eyes during this campaign. And the two de facto leaders of the party: Rove and Limbaugh continue to drive it into the ground. This book gives a good picture of the peculiar psychosis of these two megalomaniacs.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Agenda 21; Author: Visit Amazon's Glenn Beck Page; Review: the funny thing is, the dystopian future that this book describes would be guaranteed to arrive if people like the Nutty Professor Beck are in charge. This guy has been peddling the same schtick since he was a top 40 DJ trying to stir up sales by hyping some fictional event that never happens. People should read more about his background as an uneducated lying snake oil salesman. When demagogues like Beck gain control of the media then critical thinking and an informed electorate and therefore democracy are doomed.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business; Author: Visit Amazon's John Mackey Page; Review: Judging by this book and his current promotional tour, Mackey is worried that his ignorant Romney-esque comments about socialism and fascism are turning his conned customers against him, so he his trying to show us how he is really a nice guy. But he cant help stepping in it again and again. There truly is something of the Romney in him. Mackey's book really misses the point on the health care issue - that it fundamentally is not a free market when the customer is sick and ignorant of medical knowledge and therefore not free to shop based on price and information. Mackey ignores the fundamental point that profiting off of sickness is truly immoral - the profits of the insurance companies come directly from the denial of care and the abuse of their customers. The entire health insurance industry seems like it provides no real benefit to either doctors or patients, they don't train doctors or make their job easier, and they don't help patients get care. The insurance industry burdens doctors with excessive bureaucracy and goes to great lengths to discourage patients from getting care, and yet their CEOs make hundreds of millions in 'compensation' - money taken directly from care not provided to patients. There is something really wrong with their business model and with a society that would go to such lengths to protect a business model that actually damages society as a whole. The profit motive does not work in all situations, that is a dogma of the market fundamentalists like Mackey.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The Great Degeneration: How Institutions Decay and Economies Die; Author: Visit Amazon's Niall Ferguson Page; Review: Ferguson seems to think that 'free market' means 'free of regulation' instead of 'free for all to participate on a level playing field'. How about lets have a free market in NFL football and take away all the refs, hmmm? How long before the cheating starts? The book's paean to Reagan approaches sickening levels, when you think of the legacy of middle class destruction Reagan left us these last 30 years. what a tool. Is this the kind of pseudo intellectual that Harvard is foisting on us these days? Has that old fascist Rupert endowed a chair? Talk about the decline of institutions. And why no discussion about the influence of plutocrats in the assault on the institutions of Democracy, such as the drive to privatize the commons so the plutocrats can profit, and let us not to mention the assault on the institution of the Free Press by plutocrats like Rupert who are only interested in misleading and misinforming the proles to protect his plutocrat class from their vote. We all agree Democracy cannot survive without an informed populace, but what if it is not in the interests of the plutocrats to have an informed populace? Where are the checks and balances to curb their monopolistic power when they can buy the FCC or the Supreme Court?; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The Christ Conspiracy: The Greatest Story Ever Sold; Author: Visit Amazon's Acharya S Page; Review: Many interesting speculations here on the parallels of astrology and the christ-myths, worth reading as an exercise in plumbing the depths of symbolism the mind is capable of. But it is risky to confuse the mind's profuse ability to project symbolism on everything for historical research. Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell have much to say about the veracity of myths versus their supposed truthiness, they are just a mirror showing us what the mind is doing in constructing 'our picture of the wine shop' as the ancient zennies knew. On the other hand, the document of the Gospel of Thomas is so un-mythical and narrative and close to actual speech in-the-moment, and so unfiltered, I take it as clear evidence of the historical nature of it being a record of an historical individual, Jesus. Then, a few retreats of prayera and fasting and listening to Gospel music of Dorothy Love-Coates and the 1955 Shrine Concert, and a moment or two of metanoia and pneuma and Holy Spirit, and all questions dissolve and the Reality of Jesus is settled for me once and for all, Praise the Lord! :). Though it is still fun to speculate now and then about all the myths.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: High Stakes, No Prisoners: A Winner's Tale of Greed and Glory in the Internet Wars; Author: Charles Ferguson; Review: ignore all the personality quirks, what we have here is a rare thing - an unvarnished account by an insider of what it took to make a deal with the VC sharks during the dawn of the Internet Age and come out of it with something you could take to the bank. You won't find many other tech business books giving such a detailed account from start to finish. Though it is lacking on the technical side, the view from the 'money guys' is pretty detailed. It is pretty amazing to realize the whole arc of the story is only about two years. Makes me wonder what I have been doing the last 10 years since I read this book, commuting my life away. To then leverage his proceeds into some constructive social documentaries like 'Inside Job' is a great second act, if only the Larry Ellisons or Steve Ballmers had that kind of commitment to civic culture.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Secret Knowledge: On the Dismantling of American Culture; Author: Visit Amazon's David Mamet Page; Review: On his recent BookTV speech Mr. Mamet describes meeting a conservative who was thoughtful, rational, and non-hyperbolic in explaining and discussion, which then led to Mamet's eventual conversion to 'conservatism', if not from revulsion at the mushy-minded liberals in his occupation. But where are such thoughtful conservatives to be found in the public forums of today? All we get are know-nothing demagogues. We certainly need a prominent William F Buckley type to clean house of all the impostor conservatives funded by the billionaires who run the think tanks and the Fox propaganda network. It seems to me Mr. Mamet has listened to a bit too much of Michael Savage-Weiner on the radio. It is a strange turn for such an intellect as his, but maybe just an inevitable side effect of wealth and old age,; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Moon In a Dewdrop: Writings of Zen Master Dogen; Author: Eihei Dogen; Review: Like, when Dogen says the entire moon and sky are reflected in dewdrops on the grass, that is like, too far out, man. Heavy. Like, I am the dewdrop! Can you dig it? Wow! The ENTIRE friggin universe is reflected in me! But, like, wouldnt that literally blow my mind? Funny, Dogen wants to reassure us that it's cool, like, don't freak out, man, cause "enlightenment does not divide you, just like the moon does not break the water". phew. I guess that's just the way It Is, got nothing to do with what I believe. So, like, might as well chop wood carry water and wander about enjoying the breeze of the ancient sages. (Dig it, Gary Snyder did an audio book version of this book, way cool, recommended); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Murdoch's World: The Last of the Old Media Empires; Author: Visit Amazon's David Folkenflik Page; Review: A valuable accounting of Rupert Murdoch's career of subverting the foundations of democracy and civilisation. The book shows how powerless the institutions of democracies are to resist the corrupting influence of power-mad media tycoons like Murdoch. Where are the checks and balances against such power? What is to prevent another power-mad media tycoon from taking over where Murdoch left off and finishing off democracy once and for all. Though we all probably agree that democracy cannot survive without an informed and educated populace, what if it is not in the interests of the media owners to have an informed populace? What if it is in their interests instead to systematically misinform the populace? Who is going to stop them? Who can silence Murdoch's army of shouting bullies like OReilly and Hannity? The book makes one think about the vulnerability of democracy to media demagoguery and its uncertain future.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Reinventing Collapse: The Soviet Experience and American Prospects; Author: Visit Amazon's Dmitry Orlov Page; Review: Great perspective from a veteran of the USSR collapse, which should be required in every high school history class. Humans really excel at denial, we deny reality until the very last minute, usually when it is too late. Just look at the levels of institutional lying and corruption now endemic in America, from broadcasters like Limbaugh making hundreds of millions off a career of systematic lying, to media moguls like Murdoch making billions off of systematically corrupting politicians, to Congress, who spends 50% of their time in begging for money for campaign advertisements paid to media companies who profit off lobbying Congress. It is so rampant and accepted it seems there is no way out except collapse.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims: Time-Travel Adventures with Exceptional Americans; Author: Visit Amazon's Rush Limbaugh Page; Review: If only Josef Goebbels had lived long enough, he too might have written a children's book, just like O'Reilly and Limbaugh have done. The need to whitewash ones reputation is very strong evidently when you have spent your whole career as a fascist bully. So now the fascist bully Limbaugh has hired someone to ghost-write a book he can read to the young boys in the Dominican Republic as he tucks them in at night after their horrific and unthinkable ordeal with Rush. The book is a poorly ghost written mish mash of 'conservative' wishful thinking, quite fitting for a dropout like Rush. The founders fought to free us from demagogues like Rush, yet for some reason he thinks he is a patriot, it boggles the mind. If only someone would finally out Limbaugh they would be doing the country a huge favor, not to mention all the young boys in the Dominican Republic, but I guess all his ex-beard/wives have had to sign a non-disclosure agreement. When your whole life is a lie, then lying is just a way of life, which explains this book and his radio show. The GOP has become a closeted cabal of fascist bullies and the documentary 'Outrage' only touched the surface of this weird political phenomenon, not unlike the last days of the Roman Empire perhaps.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Things That Matter: Three Decades of Passions, Pastimes and Politics [Deckled Edge]; Author: Visit Amazon's Charles Krauthammer Page; Review: Things that matter? How about critical thinking for one, and getting dogmatic ideologues and demagogues off the public airwaves? Putting this shameless shill for the plutocrats on PBS of all places is an affront to civilized discourse.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The Man Who Killed Kennedy: The Case Against LBJ; Author: Roger Stone; Review: Roger Stone could write a really interesting book if he wanted to, but then he might finally wind up in jail, along with his buddy Rove, so instead he gives us a fairy tale of the sort conservatives love to believe are actual history since it justifies so many of their delusions. Roger Stone knows the real story of how Bush's AWOL records got destroyed and how Dan Rather got suckered into reporting on a forged letter planted by some mystery person who was never investigated for some strange reason. The mysteries left unsolved regarding the Bush coup and 8 year reign of wanton destruction make the mysteries of the JFK assasination look minor, but the chances of the public ever getting to know the truth about the Bush coup are even less, in part thanks to behind-the-scenes hit men and operatives like Stone and fantasy books such as this one gratuitously confusing the issues.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: How Civilizations Die: (And Why Islam Is Dying Too); Author: David Goldman; Review: Lots of interesting history asides are included in this book which makes for interesting reading, since the main thesis of the decline of Islam doesnt take very long to explain. The author provides a valuable alternate perspective, that you won't often hear on the talking head shows. The emphasis on America's strength in its continuing high immigration rate is also worth repeating, as conservatives need to be reminded of this.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Capital in the Twenty First Century; Author: Visit Amazon's Thomas Piketty Page; Review: Excellent review of the natural laws of economic aggregation aka monopoly. Of course, let us not jump to extremes and 'punish the rich', though obviously a world without the sociopathic John Galts running things would be a better place to live, and the sooner they all leave the better. But let us just recognize the mathematical principles outlined in this book that explain the aggregation and disparity that is growing apace, and realize that a strong countervailing tax policy is essential to prevent the worst nightmares of George Orwell and Jack London and HG Wells and Karl Marx from coming to pass via unregulated capitalism. Yet the more the rich own the government, the less likely is any rational remedy for this decline into oligarchy and tyranny to happen absent revolution. The Founders instituted checks and balances for political power, but apparently didn't appreciate the need for checks and balances for economic power as well, which should have been painfully clear in 1929, and moreso in 2008. Conservatives would have us believe that capitalism is the only game that does not require referees to prevent rampant cheating, and that high scoring games are the best kind, regardless of how the game is played. Let's try deregulation in the NFL and see how quickly the cheating starts. Check out the amusing documentaries 'Born Rich' and 'Queen of Versailles' to see Pikkety's thesis in action in contemporary America, very funny and very sad.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Capital in the Twenty-First Century eBook; Author: Visit Amazon's Thomas Piketty Page; Review: Excellent review of the natural laws of economic aggregation aka monopoly. Of course, let us not jump to extremes and 'punish the rich', though obviously a world without the sociopathic John Galts running things would be a better place to live, and the sooner they all leave the better. But let us just recognize the mathematical principles outlined in this book that explain the aggregation and disparity that is growing apace, and realize that a strong countervailing tax policy is essential to prevent the worst nightmares of George Orwell and Jack London and HG Wells and Karl Marx from coming to pass via unregulated capitalism. Yet the more the rich own the government, the less likely is any rational remedy for this decline into oligarchy and tyranny to happen absent revolution. The Founders instituted checks and balances for political power, but apparently didn't appreciate the need for checks and balances for economic power as well, which should have been painfully clear in 1929, and moreso in 2008. Conservatives would have us believe that capitalism is the only game that does not require referees to prevent rampant cheating, and that high scoring games are the best kind, regardless of how the game is played. Let's try deregulation in the NFL and see how quickly the cheating starts. Check out the amusing documentaries 'Born Rich' and 'Queen of Versailles' to see Pikkety's thesis in action in contemporary America, very funny and very sad.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Divide: American Injustice in the Age of the Wealth Gap; Author: Visit Amazon's Matt Taibbi Page; Review: The book is a nice summary of the overlooked stories and background of the Third Republican Great Depression. The Abacus bank prosecution description is quite scathing, a minor player with a much better record than Wall Street banks gets the full force of government persecution, while Wall Street walks. Abacus, being a bank of Chinese immigrants probably didn't have the robust legal ramparts of the established Wall Street gambling cartels. Taibbi also shows how Wall Street learned a big lesson from the Enron prosecutions - FIRST you bribe congress to change the laws. THEN you run your scam. And when it all implodes, you are home free! Genius! Suggestion for the next book: how about an expose of all the unregulated hedge fund ponzi schemes out there, surely Madoff was not the only cockroach in the kitchen cabinet. The lack of scrutiny of the hedge fund industry no doubt makes it an irresistable playing field for ponzi artistes. Look at the huge hedge funds like Bridgewater, there must be a reason they are described as a 'cult', and that their TM-devotee founder hands all his employees a screed on 'radical honesty'. A reporter like Taibbi could find lots of interesting shenanigans going on in the hedge fund rackets.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Talk: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Michael A. Smerconish Page; Review: The book would be more interesting if the author dared to describe the closeted conservative trend in talk radio, led by ElBlabbo and The SavageWeiner. How do you stay closeted when you are famous and everyone in your business knows your secrets yet the public thinks you are the paragon of family values? Perhaps living your whole life as a lie is the perfect training for conservative talk radio. That is a story I would like to read.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Rush Revere and the First Patriots: Time-Travel Adventures With Exceptional Americans (Audio CD); Author: Visit Amazon's Rush Limbaugh Page; Review: If only Josef Goebbels had lived long enough, he too might have written a children's book, just like the fascists O'Reilly and Limbaugh have done. So let me guess, teams of ghost writers are even now hard at work on the Savage-Weiner and Hannity's childrens books for release this Christmas? It seems the psychological need to whitewash ones family values reputation is very strong when you have spent your whole career as a lying fascist radio bully demonizing one half of Amnerica's population. But when your whole life is a lie, then lying is just a way of life, which explains this book and right wing hate-talk radio, where 'liberal' is used instead of 'jew', but the invective is otherwise straight out of Goebbels' own radio scripts. It seems the GOP has become a closeted cabal of fascist bullies following Limbaugh's lead, and the documentary 'Outrage' only touched the surface of this truly bizarre American political phenomenon where the majority of 'conservative' leaders appear to be closeted in the style of the old commie hunter Roy Cohn. If Rush retires without being outed for what he is and the divisive damage that he has done to the country, it will be a huge disservice to America. Limbaugh and Roy Cohn deserve their very own chapter in every textbook of abnormal psychology.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era; Author: Visit Amazon's James Barrat Page; Review: "Artificial Intelligence"? When a computer can tell a decent joke, then I might believe it. We don't even have a clue what actual consciousness is and yet the dogma that it arises out of algorithmic computation persists. Meanwhile we have forgotten how to cultivate the latent non-local faculties of consciousness that sages have been trying their best to instruct us in for the last 4000 years or so, and are declining in our own intellectual faculties. Anyway, this book raises a lot of interesting issues, and is a worthy addition to the discussion. It is high time that others besides the usual well-known scientific autistic savants get a voice in this. What worries me is knowing that AI is what is really motivating Google's founders, since judging by Google's sinister trends in surveillance, their version of AI may just be the worst nightmare of the 50's scifi authors come true.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: DemoCRIPS and ReBLOODlicans: No More Gangs in Government; Author: Dick Russell; Review: I listened to the audiobook version of this, it is well done, reader is very emphatic and fun to listen to. One point I would quibble with Jesse about is his call for total elimination of all political parties, as third party politics is perpetually ineffectual. But the reality is that parties will always arise if just as vehicles for organization. But there is a simple way to fix the present corrupt-to-the-core two party duopoly - Ranked Choice Voting. IF a vote for a third party is not a wasted vote like it is now, then third parties would have real power to correct the excesses of the two party duopoly, and ranked choice voting would allow a voter to vote for a third party while knowing that their second choice vote will still be counted if their first choice vote loses. The two party duopoly has rigged the voting system in their favor and against the third party corrective, it is high time to fix this.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cycle of Lies: The Fall of Lance Armstrong; Author: Visit Amazon's Juliet Macur Page; Review: So it turns out the real sport of cycling is doping the riders and duping the public and press. And of course when it comes to doping and duping America is surely #1 as Lance Armstrong proved. Though America is also pretty good at the sport of Debunking. Thanks to American journalists like the author for thoroughly debunking all the innumerable lies lies lies that millionaire sports icons love to dupe the media into peddling on their behalf. The author's meticulous accounting of all the knowing accomplices is truly staggering for those like me who only heard Lance's emphatic and convincing denials. It reminds me of the debunking of the Catholic priesthood scandals, another stellar example of American debunking of lies lies lies. Now if only Wall Street's 100 billion dollar hedge fund ponzi rackets could be as thoroughly debunked as Lance Armstrong and the Catholic priesthood. The author is pretty even handed in showing how rampant and endemic the doping and lying really was all throughout cycling for decades, so that Lance comes off only as the best of the dopers, in recognizing what the actual sport was all about.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion; Author: Visit Amazon's Sam Harris Page; Review: This book seems to be an argument for practicing Buddhist mindfulness as an antidote to the socially imposed delusion of self. The first part of the book basically gives us the Buddhist analysis of the human condition without too explicitly referencing Buddhism, though he does allude to it (misquoting from memory): "The Buddha saw dukkha as the unavoidable corollary to sensory experience, and prescribed mindfulness as its antidote". I enjoyed the personal stories of the seeker's quest via drugs and retreats, and it seems he was deeply imprinted by his Outward Bound vision quest type experience or lack thereof. I would like to see a dialog between Sam Harris and Eckhart Tolle, both are anti traditional religion, and argue Jung's point that "Religion is a psychological defense against the religious experience". Sam Harris' infatuation with science seems a little too naive, befitting a freshly minted PhD, and it seems to me that scientism is one of the cultural delusions we need to wake up from to recover the Way and its Power that the ancients testified to, before the fantasies and dogmas of the priesthood got plastered on. (Update) Well, I gave up after chapter 1, as listening to Harris on audiobook is tedious in the extreme, with the relentless humorless autistic rationality. However - skipping to chapter 5 proved a breath of fresh air as he recounted a valuable synopsis of the foibles of the 'enlightened masters'. This chapter alone makes the book a worth addition to any skeptical seeker's library. (see also book 'Feet of Clay' and 'Enlightenment Blues'). After all, waking up is 'nothing special' since 'everyday mind is the Way'. Om Shanti Bodhi Svaha.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Darwin's Ghosts: The Secret History of Evolution; Author: Visit Amazon's Rebecca Stott Page; Review: A beautiful and fascinating journey through the history of humanity's struggle to understand geologic time and biologic intricacy. The challenge to expand our myopic vision of time and change is a continual one every age faces. The audio version makes a great road trip read, the reader is very good.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: America's Bitter Pill: Money, Politics, Backroom Deals, and the Fight to Fix Our Broken Healthcare System; Author: Visit Amazon's Steven Brill Page; Review: One chapter I would have liked to have seen in this excellent analysis is the role of the media to intentionally obfuscate and confuse the public about the real issues. For all the thousands of hours of talking head 'debate' on TV it seemed the public only became more and more confused about what the real problem was - to wit, that health insurance companies are in the business of denying health care, and that employer-based health insurance is designed to keep employees trapped in their jobs and lower their bargaining power for better wages. Corporate sponsors of media did their best to ensure that such simple ideas rarely got aired in the midst of all the know-nothing loudmouth bullies and ignoramuses who they would prefer to be our guides for such 'complex' issues.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief; Author: Visit Amazon's Lawrence Wright Page; Review: This text should be required reading for all freshman college students, your will learn more than any Psych101 class about the nature of the human capacity for self delusion, paranoia, and lust for power. Religion is meant to liberate us from that, and in this case it only amplifies it. A remaining cult that deserves to be exposed in the same manner is Transcendental Meditation, but with there Wall Street Hedge Fund connections to hundreds of billions of dollars, the repercussions will be much much larger when the truth finally comes out.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Jesus, Interrupted: Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible (And Why We Don't Know About Them); Author: Visit Amazon's Bart D. Ehrman Page; Review: I find it amusing how these scholar authors exhaustively deconstruct the minutiae of chronologies while studiously avoiding the elephant in the room: what the virgin birth story is trying to hide: i.e. miscegenation with the Romans. The question they always are asking is: 'what is the author desirous of conveying or concealing by distorting their story in this way?', yet do not apply this question to the virgin birth, where the answer may well be too much for the pious to take just as it was 2000 years ago, even though it is pretty obvious from a human point of view.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Caesar's Messiah: The Roman Conspiracy to Invent Jesus: Flavian Signature Edition; Author: Visit Amazon's Joseph Atwill Page; Review: It is sad that so many lack even the minimum of spiritual experience to relate to the story of Jesus as a simple and truly human experience retold in the lives of innumerable other saints in many other cultures and times, that they would even consider the premise of this book to be plausible. Dont waste your time or money or soul on this.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Putin's Kleptocracy: Who Owns Russia?; Author: Visit Amazon's Karen Dawisha Page; Review: This book sheds much light on the background to the present Trump scandal - why the Russian elite had only one major concern - how to get their money out of Russia, and why money laundering via real estate 'deals' fit the bill. This will no doubt be a valuable reference when the Russiagate details eventually come out.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome; Author: Visit Amazon's James L. Wilson Page; Review: Very helpful book, recommended by my Naturpoathic doctor, although i did not use the supplement section as it was not endorsed by my ND. Bought an extra copy to share with others.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Times Squared (mix); Author: Visit Amazon's Julia DeVillers Page; Review: My nine year old daughter loved this book . She found it "interesting and full of drama". She is reading the whole series:); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Driven ((The Driven Trilogy)); Author: Visit Amazon's K. Bromberg Page; Review: It's hard to put this story down, and even harder to stop thinking about the fire between Rylee and Ace.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fueled (The Driven Trilogy); Author: Visit Amazon's K. Bromberg Page; Review: Just finished book 2 and must read book 3 because I am still hooked. Wait for me Rylee and Colton , I'll catch up to you ASAP:); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Crashed (The Driven Trilogy); Author: Visit Amazon's K. Bromberg Page; Review: Well I'm sad I reached the end of Rylee and Colton's saga, but loved the whole series right up to the ending. I'll be looking for more books by this author!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Genius Files: Mission Unstoppable; Author: Visit Amazon's Dan Gutman Page; Review: Great story; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sweet Farts; Author: Visit Amazon's Raymond Bean Page; Review: Great book, hilarious, enjoyed by my family as a bedtime read, and my friend read it to her grade 3 class. They loved it too.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Take Two (mix); Author: Visit Amazon's Julia DeVillers Page; Review: My 9 year old daughter enjoyed these; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Double Feature (mix); Author: Visit Amazon's Julia DeVillers Page; Review: My 9 year old daughter enjoyed these; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Sweet Farts #3: Blown Away; Author: Visit Amazon's Raymond Bean Page; Review: Hilarious! My friend also read it to her grade 3 class and they loved it; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fifty Shades of Grey; Author: Visit Amazon's E. L. James Page; Review: Started with one book, bought the series, they got better with each book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Clockwork Princess; Author: Visit Amazon's Cassandra Clare Page; Review: Fantastic series purchased for my teen, but also enjoyed by myself.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: The Hammocks at Marathon; City: Marathon Florida Keys Florida; Review: Just like your luxury apartment in the Keys. Gorgeous, clean, new. Right on the water, gulf side. Great fishing dock, nice service. Grills on premise to grill your catch. The one bedroom rocks! Best place ever for kids. They WILL get you for their sales pitch but we bought and then bought again and it's worked wonderful for us if you have a lifestyle with that flexibility.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Courtyard Marriott Pigeon Forge; City: Pigeon Forge Tennessee; Review: Our family got caught in a terrible rainstorm at night on the highway. We booked the hotel literally a few miles from arrival. We were traveling with young kids and concerned. As it turned out the hotel was ideal. Right on the road, clean and super safe. We even left luggage in the car and it was fine!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Hammocks at Marathon; City: Marathon Florida Keys Florida; Review: Let me start by saying that the hurricane last year made irreparable damage to Marathon. Having said that, it’s still the Keys. The hotel has taken every precaution to make guests safe and comfortable and it is one of the hotels that “made it”. Thank goodness. I love this place with all my heart.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: La Quinta Inn Suites Birmingham Hoover; City: Birmingham Alabama; Review: We came to this La Quinta for a sports tournament with our family and team. We do a lot of sports travel and I was disappointed to see that unlike other La Quintas this hotel had an inferior breakfast bar. They offered minimum fruit and no sausage or eggs. There was no creamer and the only eggs were hard boiled. This made their breakfast included a mockery. Other than that and the rugs being kind of dirty it was OK.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: La Quinta Inn Suites Atlanta Alpharetta; City: Alpharetta Georgia; Review: We travel a lot as a family with a service dog and always stop here on our way up North. The hotel is a convenient location close to the highway but not on top of it. Nice staff, modern, clean, nice and cheap. I like the ample and clean bathrooms, good breakfast and happy staff.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Disney s All Star Music Resort; City: Orlando Florida; Review: We visited with family and it was good value and very convenient with nice amenities for the price. As all things Disney it was good for the kids. The restaurant was self service and very prompt and well stocked with food for all needs. Movies at the pool an d casual environment . Overall a good experience.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Apache Family Campground; City: North Myrtle Beach South Carolina; Review: We had a terrific time at Apache. We camped less than 100 yards from the beach in our 36ft RV. Our boys 9 & 6 loved the beach during the day and large swimming pool for the afternoon and evenings. The beach area was perfect, lots of great shells, but also perfect sand for beach goers. We will be back for our next trip to Myrtle Beach. Close to shopping & entertainment. Rentals for poles for the Apache Pier were inexpensive to rent to fish off the massive pier. The game room was large and clean. Restaurant was fair, prices a bit high. Highly recommend Apache if your looking for a ice beach RV outing.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hilton Garden Inn Ridgefield Park; City: Ridgefield Park New Jersey; Review: Great stay at the Hilton Garden Inn. Swift check in, clean rooms, EXCELLENT hot and cold breakfast options, including made to order items. Wow, and breakfast served until 11am. Would recommend to those looking for a convenient, close option for NYC and surrounding activities. Pool area small, but clean and we were the only users, so worked out great. Even have small outside patio with patio chairs.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cambria hotel suites Rockville; City: Rockville Montgomery County Maryland; Review: Our Cambria Suites stay was exactly as we were hoping! Excellent. Amazingly inexpensive with Expedia special for our day trips into DC. In and out via car in less than 30 minutes. Not one traffic issue over New Years holiday. Metro was 2 blocks away but traveling with children we wanted the flexibility to leave city with a moments notice. Hotel pool clean, hot tub hot and open 4-10p for relaxing after day of site seeing. Regal cinema right out the front door with excellent shopping, grocery and even an ice rink to enjoy! Perfect location, parking excellent ($15 day with in/out privileges), rooms large and freshly decorated. In room fridge, microwave and pod coffee pot. Overall even with DC parking fee daily, hotel parking & room fees we saved hundreds by staying in this quaint town of Rockville.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hampton Inn Rocky Mount; City: Rocky Mount North Carolina; Review: Quick rest on way south. Beds comfy. Breakfast adequate, some hot and cold choices, juices and great cup-o-joe. $155 with tax Thursday night little more than usually a custom to, but pat for area with holiday travel.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Homewood Suites by Hilton Tampa Port Richey; City: Port Richey Florida; Review: Good value with great amenities for families with children. Stated the day with excellent hot breakfast. Petty much any choice was available. Ample hot and cold options. Next having coffee on the pool deck while husband and son were playing ping pong, foosball and swimming in the pool. They have a pool ambient temp pool and heated pool. With additional 8 person hot tub. Even a small putting area. Mid day visited Clearwater Beach and returned to a spacious full kitchen room for some needed snoozing.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: The standard encyclopedia of carnival glass; Author: Visit Amazon's Bill Edwards Page; Review: GOOD BOK FOR CARNIVAL COLLECTORS; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Pocket Guide to Carnival Glass (Schiffer Book for Designers & Collectors); Author: Visit Amazon's Monica Lynn Clements Page; Review: old out of date; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Rumours; Author: Visit Amazon's Freya North Page; Review: good tunes; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Fields of Color: The theory that escaped Einstein; Author: Visit Amazon's Rodney A. Brooks Page; Review: Good book; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Camping Cookbook: Dutch Oven Cast Iron Recipes (Volume 3); Author: Visit Amazon's Louise Davidson Page; Review: nice; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Simple Soldering: A Beginner's Guide to Jewelry Making; Author: Visit Amazon's Kate Ferrant Richbourg Page; Review: nice very informative; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The South's Best Butts: Pitmaster Secrets for Southern Barbecue Perfection; Author: Matt Moore; Review: good book; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Introducing Roseville Pottery (A Schiffer Book for Collectors); Author: Visit Amazon's Mark T. Bassett Page; Review: fine; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Contemporary Enameling: Art And Technique (Schiffer Book for Artists); Author: Visit Amazon's Lilyan Bachrach Page; Review: fine; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Growing and Propagating Wild Flowers; Author: Visit Amazon's Harry R. Phillips Page; Review: interesting; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry: A Workshop in Painting with Fire; Author: Visit Amazon's Barbara Lewis Page; Review: fine; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Beginner's Guide to Enamelling (Search Press Classics); Author: Visit Amazon's Dorothy Cockrell Page; Review: fine; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Levi's Men's 501 Original-Fit Jean; Brand: ; Review: The material is a lot thinner than my last pair of 501's. The construction feels cheap. This pair was made in Egypt by Levi Strauss of Mexico. So buyer be ware.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Levi's Men's Big and Tall 501 Original Fit Jean; Brand: ; Review: The material is a lot thinner than my last pair of 501's. The construction feels cheap. This pair was made in Egypt by Levi Strauss of Mexico. So buyer be ware.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Levi's Men's 501 Original-Fit Jean; Brand: ; Review: The material is a lot thinner than my last pair of 501's. The construction feels cheap. This pair was made in Egypt by Levi Strauss of Mexico. So buyer be ware.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Levi's Men's 501 Original-Fit Jean; Brand: ; Review: The material is a lot thinner than my last pair of 501's. The construction feels cheap. This pair was made in Egypt by Levi Strauss of Mexico. So buyer be ware.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Levi's Men's 501 Original-Fit Jean; Brand: ; Review: The material is a lot thinner than my last pair of 501's. The construction feels cheap. This pair was made in Egypt by Levi Strauss of Mexico. So buyer be ware.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself; Author: Visit Amazon's Melody Beattie Page; Review: very good read. I've gotten a lot out of it; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Falling Stars (Kyle Achilles) (Volume 3); Author: Visit Amazon's Tim Tigner Page; Review: I enjoyed the fast pace and the many twists to the plot. This book is very well written and was easy to read.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Pushing Brilliance (Kyle Achilles); Author: Visit Amazon's Tim Tigner Page; Review: I really enjoyed this book. It became a page turner immediately. The plot has lots of twists. I enjoy the authors writing style. It has a fast pace, yet it is easy to follow.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Lies Of Spies (Kyle Achilles); Author: Visit Amazon's Tim Tigner Page; Review: Loved the many plot turns in this book. I found it hard to put down. Tigner is a wonderful storyteller .; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: I Am Watching You; Author: Visit Amazon's Teresa Driscoll Page; Review: I really enjoyed this book. It kept me guessing until the end. The author did a good job in crafting the characters and the plot. It is different from, but reminds me of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Not Quite Crazy; Author: Visit Amazon's Catherine Bybee Page; Review: I haven't read a romance novel in quite awhile. I really enjoyed this story and all of the characters. I found it hard to put down.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Casual Lies-A Triple Crown Adventure; Author: Visit Amazon's Shelley Lee Riley Page; Review: I don't know much about horses or horse racing, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was hard for me to put it down. Shelleys passion about Casual Lies and about training horses is evident on every page. It gave me a great perspective on just how amazing it is to make it to the Kentucky Derby. There was a lot of detail about training a horse, which I thought was fascinating. I think also she was able to describe what it was like to come out of nowhere, to being thrust onto the National and international media stage. I would highly recommend this book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Irene: Lazos; Author: Javier Charro; Review: Good; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: El Profesor (El Profesor: thriller en espaol) (Spanish Edition); Author: Visit Amazon's Pablo Poveda Page; Review: Nice; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ocean of Storms; Author: Visit Amazon's Christopher Mari Page; Review: It's very nice; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Le Petit Prince audio CD (French Edition); Author: Antoine de Saint-Eupery; Review: Very good; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Good Samaritan; Author: ; Review: Nice; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Le Petit Prince (Collection Folio Junior, 453) (French Edition); Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupery; Review: Very good; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Swahili Beach Resort; City: Diani Beach Ukunda Coast Province; Review: Having visited Mombasa several times before and stayed in the well-known hotels including Southern Palms and Diani Reef, I was apprehensive to visit a brand new hotel in a country that can be so hit and miss with standards. However, Swahili Beach is a breath-taking addition to the coast, and I had a very special two weeks there, which I certainly plan to repeat. The architecture and landscaping of the hotel are simply stunning. The pool has got to be up there with the best in the world, and the established gardens and cascading pools down to the private, raised beach area create a truly gorgeous environment. The buildings have a Morrocan/Eastern influence and are large, spacious and thoughtfully laid out. My only criticism here is that the hotel isn’t well set up for disabled or very elderly people – there are no handrails and the route down to the beach bar is steep. It’s slightly more accommodating for children, although it’s still not ideal. The lighting at night is beautiful but low key, and so again, best for people who are physically fit and on the ball. The rooms are spacious, clean, and have an exotic layout that fits with the style of the rest of the hotel. The bathrooms in particular are very cool with an eco-wetroom vibe, solar heated water (always nice and hot), an LED-lit rainshower and unusual bath. Compared to other hotels in the area, the bathrooms at Swahili are truly up to standard and were kept immaculately clean and fresh. The rooms are turned down every night, the bedding is clean, soft, fresh and new, and the beds are comfortable. There’s a romantic feel to the room with mosquito nets and a fan above the bed, and there are double doors out to the patio or balcony. There’s a flat screen TV with some decent channels, although a BBC/Sky News type channel would be nice. The rooms still need some finishing touches, such as full length mirrors, some more towel hooks, and other minor things. Some 5 star elements that are missing include room service, slippers, a stocked minibar (although this is done on request) and perhaps an iPod dock or similar. While we were there only the beach bar and main restaurant were open, but the Indian restaurant was set to open any day. At the beach bar the food is excellent, truly European standard, and reasonably priced. You must try a dawa cocktail, amazing, and the wood fired pizzas are delicious. The food in the main hall is also good at both breakfast and dinner with freshly cooked options at live stations – and again, it surpasses the competition in the area. There’s no evening entertainment in the way that other hotels in Diani do it, but there was some live music which provided a nice background. Once a week, a bit of local entertainment (Masai, acrobats, or similar) wouldn’t go amiss. The spa is not open yet, but they have set up a makeshift spa in two of the rooms while the real; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bloc Hotel Birmingham; City: Birmingham West Midlands England; Review: This hotel is simply a place to get your head down and sleep. It's ideal for those who are not looking to spend time in the hotel, and are just in need of somewhere nice to sleep before heading off somewhere else. It has all the basics covered, but the nice thing about Bloc is that the basics are done in style. So the bed is comfortable, the tv is great, the lighting is lovely, the bathroom is cool. But best of all everything works and it is immaculately clean. The only thing I would dispute about Bloc's claims on the website is the soundproofing - I heard people clumping about above me, doors slamming, and people outside on the street. Nevertheless I had a good sleep. The cleanliness and ease of check in/out more than outweigh any noise issues. Also unless you are going to be in the room during the day I wouldn't bother with the extra for the window - I had the blind down the whole time so it might as well not have been there!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Swahili Beach Resort; City: Diani Beach Ukunda Coast Province; Review: Just returned from a week long stay at Swahili Beach at the end of March. This is the second time our family has stayed here (the last time being March 2012). The fabric of this hotel simply can't be faulted - the setting is perfect, the buildings are beautiful, the food is fabulous, the spa is sensational, and the rooms are spotlessly clean and the most upmarket and comfortable I've seen in the Diani area (having stayed at two other Diaini hotels previously). This is as close as you will get to a genuine 5 star hotel in Mombasa. I have stayed in many 5 star hotels around the world so I know what to expect, and as I said the fabric and styling of this hotel does not disappoint. The swimming pools are world class, the established gardens are beautiful, and the general vibe is classy, civilised and stylish. However, there is still room for improvement and if this improvment can be made then Swahili Beach can certainly compete with the world's best resort hotels. The spa is in the perfect setting, perched on the edge of the Indian Ocean with large, open windows and white curtains moving gently in the breeze. They use Anne Semonin products which are brilliant, and the therapists are well trained and thorough. I had two massages and a facial, and all three treatments are of the high standard I have experienced at other top spas, including Gleneagles and Marbella Club. What is lacking here is promotion of the fact that there is a spa and that treatments are available. The food is the best I have had in Diani, and the restaurant team are hard working and knowledgeable. The lunchtime pizzas, grilled lobster, salads, burgers and calamari are of a high standard and very tasty, but service here could be much swifter and there needs to be more attention to detail such as supplying cutlery and condiments every time to every table. At night the food is faultless and a healthy, tasty mix of European, African and Indian cuisine. It's just a shame there is such focus on the main restaurant - again what is lacking is promotion and initiative around getting people into the other two restaurants which are beautifully set out and deserve to be shouted about. The same applies to the beach bar which is a lovely place to have a drink at the end of the night, but there's not enough promotion for it so people don't use it which is such a shame. Breakfast is delicious every day without fail, and the service is good at this time too. In terms of entertainment, a lot of reviews complain about the lack of it at Swahili Beach, although nightly entertainment such as karaoke or whatever is something I would expect at a lower star establishment, and few other 5 star hotels would put this on. There is live music though which is enough for during a meal. Perhaps once or twice a week there could be some more organised entertainment in; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Luxury Villa Excelsior Parco; City: Capri Island of Capri Province of Naples Campania; Review: A wonderfully calm and tranquil boutique hotel on Capri. Staff were wonderful, breakfasts were amazing, rooms clean and comfortable. There is also a shuttle service to help you around the island - Andreas will pick you up and drop you off at the main points at the port or Capri town so that you don't need to constantly get taxis. This hotel is a little haven in a busy resort.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Andris Hotel; City: Ercolano Province of Naples Campania; Review: The Andris is quite far from town but once there it's clean and comfortable and our stay was straightforward. The pool is especially nice, and the restaurant bar area is also modern and nicely decorated however didn't do food on demand so was quiet and limited. The rooms are not as modern but they were still fine and it is great value for money.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Maresca Hotel Praiano; City: Praiano Amalfi Coast Province of Salerno Campania; Review: Massive room with a big terrace, free parking, and easy to find. However there are lots of steps down to the room and the fabric of the rooms is old fashioned - air con not great for example. Very close to a cool (but expensive!) nightclub if you fancy a glamorous night out.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: B B Casa Nilde; City: Positano Amalfi Coast Province of Salerno Campania; Review: The price is comparatively steep for this hotel but then equally it's cheap for Positano so it's a good option for a hint of luxury and a breathtaking view if you want to experience Positano without the 5 star price tags. But make no mistake this is very much a B&B, there are only three rooms and staff are not there 24/7. Breakfast was disappointing - almost not worth them bothering to put anything out as you could buy better from the shop next door. The room however was spacious, modern, spotlessly clean and has the most amazing view. The balcony was perfect for enjoying Positano's sea view and the aircon and wifi were effective. However it's a LOOOOONG way to the beach down nearly 500 steps and the beach itself isn't wonderful so probably not worth the exertion. Also the restaurant they recommended - Mediterraneo - was not very good. Skip that and explore as there are many amazing places to eat and drink in Positano.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Deko Rome; City: Rome Lazio; Review: This is a great place to stay for a city break because rather than being in a big anonymous hotel you get 5 star treatment on a personal level instead. The hotel is immaculate, rooms are nicely designed and clean with great facilities, the location is ideal. But the real stand out thing about Deko is that the staff are simply amazing. We had the warmest welcome and by far and away the best recommendations from both Marco and Serena and their other staff which meant we saw the best of Rome and went to the right places so that we enjoyed our three day break with a perfect experience of the city. Without their excellent recommendations we would have missed out on the attractions to see and the best places to eat and drink because we wouldn't have known where to start. If only every city had a hotel like this one! Thank you again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Plaza; City: Sorrento Province of Naples Campania; Review: This hotel is a clean and modern option very close to the centre of Sorrento. Great aircon and good amenities. Seemed good value for money although it lacks a bit of character when you consider how charming and unique Sorrento is. The pool is tiny.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: La Ciliegina Lifestyle Hotel; City: Naples Province of Naples Campania; Review: This hotel is hard to find as it's on the 3rd floor of an apartment building, has no parking. But once inside it's lovely, the decor is very nice, the rooms are luxurious and comfortable with great amenities and nice bathrooms. The bed was great and the air con excellent. There are only 11 rooms so it's definitely a boutique hotel but a great place to stay nonetheless. A shame the roof terrace wasn't open when we visited.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort Spa; City: Dubai Emirate of Dubai; Review: This hotel is a vast complex of rooms, pools, restaurant and beach and is especially good for families. The standard is definitely 4 star when you compare with some of the other hotels in Dubai but if it was anywhere else it would definitely be a 5 star. The rooms are massive although the decor is a bit dated. We had everything we needed and staff were on the whole very helpful. The breakfast was extremely busy with queues every morning and similarly it was hard to get good beds on the beach or by the pools because of the demand. The hotel isn't near that much so a taxi is required to go anywhere which isn't ideal, and there's nowhere to walk to as it's right next to a motorway. The view from our room was of the back of the hotel which was the motorway and other uninspiring buildings. The hair salon and spa were both excellent although expensive. Also if you're staying half board your eating choices are limited as only a few of the several restaurants within the hotel are on the half board package. It's a good option if you have a family and want a quiet, safe and self contained holiday. If you want to get out and explore however then it's perhaps not in the best location.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Marbella Club Hotel; City: Marbella Costa del Sol Province of Malaga Andalucia; Review: Beautiful, magical hotel. No doubt one of the best in the world, it's very hard to fault. Absolutely first class service, rooms a delightful, the beach, pools and spa are all gorgeous. If only it was cheaper and we could stay here all the time!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sandy Lane Hotel; City: Saint James Parish Barbados; Review: We only stayed two nights here but it was wonderful. The restaurant and bar were so upmarket, but expenisve, it's worth it for a treat. The staff were professional and on the most part polite. The beach is one of the better ones in Barbados but still quite narrow. The rooms were very well appointed. There's no doubt why this is one of the world's best hotels.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Royalton New York Hotel; City: New York City New York; Review: This hotel is perfect for couples who want a boutique New York hotel experience within walking distance of all the main tourist attractions. The location could not be better for Midtown exploration - very close to all the action yet situated on a quiet and salubrious street which felt safe and was free of the pedestrian traffic you find everywhere else. You can walk to all the must-sees - including Central Park, 5th Ave, Times Sq and theatres, etc. Plus there are plenty of cabs outside the hotel and the subway is a short walk. The hotel's decor and general vibe is very cool and trendy. Yes the lobby is dark and there's music but we liked that, and once in the room it was quiet and peaceful. We had a great, spacious room which had a nice bathroom and good facilities such as a safe, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, plus a very comfy bed. However surely in 2016 it's a basic in a 4 star+ hotel to get free WiFi in your room? The WiFi is free in the lobby but want it in your room and it's 14 dollars a night extra. The check in and out was swift and we had no issues during our stay that required calling for assistance. In general I was pleased with the hotel as there's so much to choose from in New York it is hard to pick correctly for a first time visit. I thought it was fairly priced for the location and the trendiness/relative luxury on offer. However two things stood out as being not quite up to standard. First of all, while the lobby is slick and glamorously appointed the decor of the rooms is a bit tired and could do with a lick of paint and bits being upgraded/renewed. However, this is just a superficial observation and was of no detriment to our overall stay. Secondly - and this was the real disappointment - the staff, every one of them except for the porters, were abrupt to the point of being rude, reluctant to help, and almost scornful at some of our questions and requests. In particular the female concierge was so rude and dismissive it actually made me angry - it's her job, after all, to HELP and answer questions. A simple question just minutes after we had arrived in the city for the first time about Times Square was met with a derisive response about "why anyone would want to go there". When I asked her to book us dinner in certain restaurants she acted like I had asked her to cook us dinner herself. As it was too much bother for her we ended up booking our own tables and getting our own theatre tickets It's a real shame that a hotel that could qualify as 5 star in many ways is let down by staff who seem to feel they are above their guests. Overall however I would recommend the Royalton for location, cool factor, value for money (if you're looking for 4 or; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Shore Club South Beach Hotel; City: Miami Beach Florida; Review: This hotel is on the main drag of hotels in South Beach and not far from the best restaurants and places to go. The rooms are minimalist in a 'trendy' way but the beds are easily the most comfortable I've ever slept in - couldn't stop sleeping when we were there! The hotel itself is very trendy and cool and has constant music and a bar/club vibe to match. There's also a pool party on sundays. It's great for a group of friends or a young couple. The staff were helpful and the beach was nice and just a short walk past the pool. Compared to other neighbouring hotels the Shore Club is good value for the price and I would certainly stay again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Jumeirah Zabeel Saray; City: Dubai Emirate of Dubai; Review: Like most hotels in Dubai you can't fault the Zabeel Saray for the rooms and decor, staff or food - but sadly this hotel really suffers from a poor location right at the end of the palm, which makes it very isolated and forces you to stay within the grounds rather than experience the rest of Dubai. The rooms are stunning, the pool is lovely and very family friendly (although can get busy and hard to get a bed if you're late to arrive) there are plenty of restaurants to choose from which were mostly nice if a bit generic. Staff are professional and well trained. The spa was exceptional. But I found being stuck on the end of the palm meant you were limited to what the hotel had to offer and any trips outside to the malls, marina or downtown were a bit of an effort. The beach was also disappointing, as it's man made and facing inward to the palm there was only a narrow strip of sand and no view. Either side of the hotel was construction work which adds to the feeling of being out on a limb. This is a nice, luxury hotel, great for kids, but in my opinion there are alternative hotels in the marina or JBR which offer all the same amenities but within a more lively area with more to see and do without a half hour taxi ride first.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: VOI Grand Hotel Mazzaro Sea Palace; City: Taormina Province of Messina Sicily; Review: The photos on here do not do this beautiful hotel justice at all. Gorgeous setting, lovely decor, spotlessly clean and perfectly maintained. Service is impeccable and the food was nice. It’s perfectly located for the cable car up to Taormina town. Would definitely return here, a blissful stay.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows:
Title: House of Sand and Fog (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Love Actually (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Shattered Glass (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Smallville: Season 2 (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 21 Grams (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The West Wing: Season 2 (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Babylon 5: Season 1 (1994); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: 13 Going on 30 (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Smallville: Season 1 (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: City of God (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Mr. Show: Season 1 (1995); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Dead Like Me: Season 1 (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 24: Season 2 (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Alias: Season 3 (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Dead Zone: Season 1 (2002); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Meet the Fockers (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0 | netflix |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Muffin Tin Menus: 32 Recipes That Are Delicious and Easy to Make; Author: Visit Amazon's Martha Stone Page; Review: I can't wait to try these new recipes. They all sound delicious! Thanks for sharing! Great price for a nice collection!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Home Economics for Homeschoolers - Kindle edition; Author: Visit Amazon's Heather Leach Page; Review: This a wonderful resource! Thank you, Heather, for sharing with us!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Washi Tape Christmas: Easy Holiday Craft Ideas with Washi Tape; Author: Visit Amazon's Kami Bigler Page; Review: I really enjoyed the creative ideas shared in this creative collection of Washi tape ideas. Worth the read! Many great ideas and photos to help you visualize each project. My thanks to the author!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Best Yes Study Guide with DVD: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands; Author: Visit Amazon's Lysa TerKeurst Page; Review: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this new book by Lysa TerKeurst. It was both challenging and inspiring and well worth my time.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Oliver Twist (Radio Theatre); Author: Focus on the Family; Review: Focus on the Family's production of Oliver Twist is phenomenal - definitely for audiences ages twelve and up - but phenomenal. All of my tweens/teens loved this story. The characters are portrayed beautifully and the music/sound effects are flawless. We just finished it today, and my kids are ready to start it all over again . . . and to be honest with you, so am I. Great story - wonderful production!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Stonehenge Campsite Glamping Pods; City: Berwick St James Salisbury Wiltshire England; Review: Just home from a brilliant stay in the Eden pod. Very peaceful and cosy... The Eden pod has all you need, fridge, kettle and toaster. Fire pit and BBQ outside. Brilliant clean washing up sinks and a lovely modern ladies shower/toilet block (men's is due to be updated soon) Looking forward to returning! X; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Travelodge Worthing Seafront; City: Worthing West Sussex England; Review: Last min booking, very cheap.. Room was nice, bed was very comfortable! Shane we couldn't get a sea view room... Most of them where unavailability due to the windows being changed. Breakfast was okay.. Bacon wasn't great. Will probably return; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Mythos Apartments; City: Tigaki Kos Dodecanese South Aegean; Review: Visited here two years ago and it was so lovely we are booked to return this year! By the looks of it, it has been modernised since we were there. Can't wait to return! Close to the beach, lovely restaurants, great staff that make you feel very welcome.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Stonehenge Campsite Glamping Pods; City: Berwick St James Salisbury Wiltshire England; Review: Stayed in the Eden pod for 4 nights, very cosy and as it was October we made good use of the electric heater. The pod was very well equipped and very romantic. You could lay in bed and look out the skylight as the stars! Had a lovely wander to the local village for an evening meal... Gets very dark so take a torch. Great facilities, lovely ladies loos and showers.. I understand the gents have now been changed and are all modern like the ladies. Well recommended for a relax romantic get away!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rosebud Farm Touring Park; City: Saint Teath Bodmin Cornwall England; Review: What a lovely site! Fantastic modern showers and toilet.. Beautiful views! Site was very quiet (we went during half term) had it to ourselves towards the end of the week! We were welcomed with a cup of coffee which was much appreciated after our 6 hour drive. Nice friendly couple that run the site, very informative about the local area. Rules were great! Don't know what everyone is moaning about... Great if you want a peaceful break and a great base to get out and visit the north coast. Will definitely be returning!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Alua Soul Alcudia Bay; City: Port d Alcudia Alcudia Majorca Balearic Islands; Review: We stayed her for a long weekend, flew out early Friday and home Monday evening. Hotel was lovely clean, modern and friendly! Food was great with plenty to choose from, changed every meal time and different every day. I would recommend going all inclusive as drinks are very expensive! Room was absolutely lovely, Bed was huge and very comfortable. Shower was fantastic! Towels were changed every day if you left them in the shower. Air conditioning was very good. Our balcony faced the pool. Coffee making facilities but these weren't refreshed (we were all inclusive so think they should have been) lovely dressing gowns (didn't use as too hot) and Slippers. Arm band doubles up as Key for room which was great! Safe in bedroom. Late check out was €45 which I think was a bit much for an extra 3 hours! Pool was nice and clean, there were always sun beds available. Pool towels available for a €20 deposit. Entertainment team were fantastic! We did wine tasting, archery and aqua fit. There were other activities going on but we didn't participate in these. Free Wifi all round hotel and pool area! Alcudia itself I wasn't keen on, very busy and built up. Beach was okay. We had a very relaxing break and came home very refreshed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Roundhill Caravan Park Campsite; City: Brockenhurst New Forest National Park Hampshire Hampshi; Review: Camp where you want! Lovely site..been here many times. Very expensive for what you get. No electric hook up. Lovely bike rides and walks. Facilities okay could do with being updated. Great site to visit when the weathers on your side..; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Seadown Holiday Park; City: Charmouth Bridport Dorset England; Review: Lovely near beach site, very clean facilities. £5 deposit for toilet key. Close to small village shops, Beach access is easy through a field on site. very level site and good size pitches. They have fish and chip van plus a pizza van visit on different days of the week. Would definitely visit again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Manor Park Holiday Park; City: Hunstanton Norfolk East Anglia England; Review: Great site, good size pitch. Loved having a swim everyday. Great facilities. Entertainment okay. Roast dinner was fab in the club house. Short walk to town and to the beach. Would recommend off peek, not sure how busy it gets in school holidays. (We don’t have young children); Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Life on the Highest Plane: God's Plan for Spiritual Maturity; Author: Visit Amazon's Ruth Paxson Page; Review: This is an excellent book to get into. It's timeless & full of revelation that will deepen your walk with God.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Power of Faith; Author: Visit Amazon's Smith Wigglesworth Page; Review: This is an excellent book..like all Smith Wigglesworth books, the message is just trusting in God & His word. If He said it...it's true. This will build your faith in Him.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Nelson's Student Bible Dictionary: A Complete Guide to Understanding the World of the Bible; Author: Thomas Nelson; Review: This book is a great tool for young people. It's easy to read & understand & has lots of information. Great side book to have next to your bible.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Who's Who and Where's Where in the Bible; Author: Visit Amazon's Stephen M. Miller Page; Review: Great little pocket/purse size for information on just about anything in the bible. Places, people, etc...fun to read!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Nelson's Student Bible Dictionary: A Complete Guide to Understanding the World of the Bible; Author: Visit Amazon's Ronald F. Youngblood Page; Review: This book is a great tool for young people. It's easy to read & understand & has lots of information. Great side book to have next to your bible.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Manitoba Harvest Shelled Hemp Hearts, 5 Pound Tub; Brand: Manitoba Harvest; Review: I have always ordered Nutiva brand of shelled hempseed, however, I ordered this brand because I really liked the container with the screw top for easier storage and it's easier to open. I put the container in the refrigerator until I had finished my Nutiva hempseed. Unlike the Nutiva brand, I noticed that your brand has a lot of husk and/or shells with the hemp seed. Is this normal? I hesitate ordering more of your brand because of the husks and/or shells. I must admit, I really like your container, it's a lot easier for me to handle over the plastic bag used by Nutiva. I just wish that it did not have so many husks/or shells and you have really increased your price.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Nutiva Organic, Raw, Shelled Hempseed from non-GMO, Sustainably Farmed Canadian Hemp, 1.1-ounce (Pack of 12); Brand: Nutiva; Review: I have beenu using Nutiva Hempseed for about year now. In July I ordered the 5 lb tub by Manitoba Harvest, I really love their container, but I did notice that their brand had husks or shells and Nutiva brand does not. However the Nutiva doesn't have the tub container that I really like.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Nature Botanical Farms 100% Pure Yacon Syrup, All Natural Sugar Substitute, Metabolism Booster, 8 oz; Brand: Nature Botanical Farms; Review: Great product! Will get hard after opening, so keep cap on tight! It does help with sugar cravings!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bergin Nut Company Almonds, Raw Almonds, 16 Ounce Bag 2 Count; Brand: Bergin Nut Company; Review: I love these. I just wish they can in a resealable container or bag!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil; Brand: OLIVE PIER; Review: I have no complaints about this product! Use only olive oil for cooking.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Yacon Syrup (100%; Brand: Nutrivato; Review: Love this, but it does get hard after opening it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Grocery_and_Gourmet_Food |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: The Belial Stone (The Belial Series) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's R.D. Brady Page; Review: A good read; had a lot of what I enjoy. plan on reading the second book when I can and any future sequels if there are more; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Heart Change (A Celta Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Robin D. Owens Page; Review: Just the series. Very well done. The characters are interesting and easy to relate to. Love that animals are involved.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Body Electric; Author: Visit Amazon's Susan Squires Page; Review: Good read; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Heart Thief (Celta's HeartMates, Book 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Robin D. Owens Page; Review: Love her stuff can't wait until more comes out; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Heart Duel (Celta's HeartMates, Book 3); Author: Visit Amazon's Robin D. Owens Page; Review: Love her stuff can't wait until more comes out; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Heart Choice (Celta's HeartMates, Book 4); Author: Visit Amazon's Robin D. Owens Page; Review: Love her stuff can't wait until more comes out; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Heart Mate (Celta's HeartMates, Book 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Robin D. Owens Page; Review: Love her stuff can't wait until more comes out; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Heart Quest (Celta's HeartMates, Book 5); Author: Visit Amazon's Robin D. Owens Page; Review: Love her stuff can't wait until more comes out; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Heart Dance (Celta's HeartMates, Book 6); Author: Visit Amazon's Robin D. Owens Page; Review: Love her stuff can't wait until more comes out; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Heart Fate (Celta's HeartMates, Book 7); Author: Visit Amazon's Robin D. Owens Page; Review: Love her stuff can't wait until more comes out; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Heart Journey (A Celta Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Robin D. Owens Page; Review: Love her stuff can't wait until more comes out; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Heart Search (A Celta Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Robin D. Owens Page; Review: Love her stuff can't wait until more comes out; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hearts and Swords: Four Original Stories of Celta (A Celta Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Robin D. Owens Page; Review: Love her stuff can't wait until more comes out; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Heart Secret (A Celta Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Robin D. Owens Page; Review: Love her stuff can't wait until more comes out; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Heart Fortune (A Celta Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Robin D. Owens Page; Review: Love her stuff can't wait until more comes out; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Finders Keepers: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Linnea Sinclair Page; Review: Love her stuff can't wait until more comes out; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mosby's 2011 Nursing Drug Reference (SKIDMORE NURSING DRUG REFERENCE); Author: Linda Skidmore-Roth RN MSN NP; Review: very helpful though outdated now; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Heart Fire (A Celta Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Robin D. Owens Page; Review: Great read. There is a little predictability but has more surprises. It's what I would expect from Robin D. Owens.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Shades of Dark; Author: Visit Amazon's Linnea Sinclair Page; Review: Nice read the language could be better; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Patterson's View; Author: Visit Amazon's Cliff Cardin Page; Review: The story moved along with good speed, and the characters were well drawn. However, the final twist left me breathless, just staring at the book! I would like to read more from this author, to see if he can do this again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Say No More (The Faderville Novels) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's N. Gemini Sasson Page; Review: I really got immersed in this book, which doesn't always happen with a book written by a dog. The good times, the bad times, all were realistically portrayed. Add to that the dog's psychic nature, and I couldn't have asked for more.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Amazing Power of Animals; Author: Visit Amazon's Gordon Smith Page; Review: Interesting stories illustrating the power of animals in spirit. I was looking for this reassurance since one of my daughters and I recently each had to make the agonizing decision to put down a precious loving pet. This book was very comforting to me and I have recommended it to her.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Maids of Misfortune: A Victorian San Francisco Mystery; Author: Visit Amazon's M. Louisa Locke Page; Review: The only reason I did not give this book 5 stars is that it was billed as a clairvoyant mystery, and the main character is not a clairvoyant, though she poses as one. I happen to like clairvoyance in my heroines. However, she is highly intelligent, brave to the point of recklessness, and determined to find truth and justice. The story unfolds progressively, and surprising twists revealed along the way lead to the final climax, which I did not see coming. There is also a thread of romance, which develops subtly, as is appropriate for the Victorian setting.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife; Author: Eben Alexander MD; Review: For one who already believes in the validity of NDEs, this book gives reassurance against the doubts and the naysayers. I shall recommend it whenever the opportunity arises to share the good news.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Spell Of Trouble (Silver Hollow Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Leighann Dobbs Page; Review: A fine introduction to the series, with the characters and their magic introduced. I am looking forward to the next book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Veined (A Guardian of the Angels Book 1) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Anyta Sunday Page; Review: Sylva Lark has just awoken from a coma to find out that her entire life has been turned upside down. Her parents and younger brother have moved cross country to get Sylva the help she needed. When she starts at a new school, she is assigned a transition buddy named Attic to help her adjust. But what exactly is she adjusting to, why does she have a bright blue spiral etched into her back, and why does buddy Attic wear long black gloves all the time. The answers she receives will flip her life once again, and she risks losing everyone who has ever loved her. You will have to forgive this review, my brain is currently only operating enough to keep my eyes open (sleep deprivation thanks not quite 2yo son lol) but this book was amazing. Its a case of same old meets new angles, You have teen paranormal romance, but with strong characters and strong storylines. I would totally recommend this to everyone.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Suddenly Beautiful (Entangled Covet) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Boone Brux Page; Review: I received an ARC in return for an honest review. This book was beautiful, Greek Gods, Goddesses and Demigods, office romance, hot sex. All in all I loved it, but to be honest, i think the last few pages were a bit rushed. However Boone really knows how to right a book you cannot put down and so i would recommend this book to everyone.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: LUSH (a YA Dystopian novel) (A LUSH novel Book 1) eBook; Brand: Visit Amazon's S.L. Baum Page; Review: This book was a strange read, the conversations didn't feel natural and Bluebell felt fake, one minute she was questioning things and the next she was completely compliant. There was no major event in the book, until the "twist" at the end, which was blatantly obvious from very early on. But the book ended so abruptly that i was confused. It felt more like a middle point for me. I will read the next book in the series as the bones of this book were ok, but i felt it needed a bit more flesh on the bones. All in all it was ok.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Witchy Wickedness (Charmed Chronicles Book 1) eBook; Brand: Visit Amazon's Sherry Soule Page; Review: I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. Shiloh is a 15, going on 16, teen girl, who sums herself up perfectly in one sentence in the book, "I was acting like a petulant 9 year old." Yes, yes you were. At times she was painful to read and very hard to connect to. And i went to an all girls school as a teenager. Trent starts out as this perfect looking, overly smug, self confident young man, but he also falls into the whiplash category. He bounces between the cocky man, and the shy, blushing, blundering boy. I enjoyed the premise of the book, with the witchy, demonic, dangerous angle, the focus on Craven Manor, and the fact that Shiloh didn't com straight out and tell everyone, "Hey i am a witch" and everyone just goes "Yup ok sweet as" like what happens in so many other books. The fact that Shiloh gets away with some really bizarre behavior really threw me off, her emotions and actions were all over the show and you never knew what attitude was coming next. Also, she seemed astonished that Evans, who she described as a geek, knew who the x-men were.....I think i would have been more astounded if he hadn't know who they were, based of her description of him. All in all, i tried to enjoy this book, and while it had some redeeming qualities, i don't think i will be reading the next one.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Fire (Elements of Power Trilogy Book 1) eBook; Brand: Visit Amazon's Heather James Page; Review: I RECEIVED A FREE COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW First off this book had some great points. Dual POV between the 2 main characters, 4 realms all controlling 1 of the main elements each, and a rich history that is beautifully explained. The descriptions in this book are beautifully laid out, the people, the towns, the views on other realms. But i could only give this book a 3 as i found the characters to be lacking. I found Jasmine to quiet, paranoid. unsure amd overly emotional, which conflicted at times with what she would do, ie the face off with Roxy, and yet she was still a little leaf blowing shaking in a breeze. Roxy on the other hand was a self obsessed, arrogant, slightly psychotic nutter. In fact all the Helian people were like that. All in all i didn't hate this book, but i didn't love it either.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Witch Hollow and the Wrong Spell (Book 1 of 5) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's I.D. Blind Page; Review: I RECEIVED A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW I am giving this book a 3 star rating, for the fact that while it had its faults, the author is not an english speaking native, so therefore i took that into account. The story had really good bones to it and when it was flowing it flowed well. There were a few things about this story that rubbed me the wrong way. Eric had no issues believing in Witches, but Merpeople...thats crazy talk. When reading paranormal books and characters can accept 1 species but not another, kinda racist. I.D Blind uses some bizarre words, that i had to look up as i was reading, like aiguilles, and niveous. Now these don't even come up on spell check, and i in no way think myself dumb, but having to constantly stop and search the meaning of words took away from my reading pleasure. (Putting this down to the language barrier) The conversations felt unnatural ans stilted. At one point Eric asks Dinah about her mum, but instead of asking about her mum he asks about Mrs McCormack. Characters were brought into the story for seemingly no reason just to appear later with stories of Eric cheating on certain girls. The characters were unmemorable and i was often left wondering who the heck they were. Would i recommend this story.....i really don't know.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Sovereign; Brand: Visit Amazon's E.R. Arroyo Page; Review: I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a beautifully written book, which stands strong beside its predecessor, which we all know can be very hard to achieve. Cori is still as strong and confident going into book 2, but i do find her being a little naive when it comes to Dylan. He is stroppy and slightly controlling and has some wicked mood swings. I felt sometimes that he was too aggressive with her when he was in fact trying to be caring. The flow of this book is good and it keeps you on your toes, and unable to put it down. Jumping from The Pitt, to Mercy and then to Antius , there is always something happening. Now this was a negative for me, and some will find it comparable to the Allegiant ending. SPOILERS*** So Tyce dies. Tyce dies and Dylan and Cori raise Emma like she is their own. Dylan thinks that Tyce wanted him to raise his child. This bothered me something wicked as Tyce and Dylan never, ever got on AT ALL. To think in that spilt second before he gave his life, he would give care of his child to a man he had never shared a kind word with. Nope. All in all, up until the ending of the book i was immersed, impressed and interested. If the ending had been a little more ruffled, rather than perfect this would have been 5 stars from me.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Kindle_Store |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Dodge Challenger Stealth Blackout License Plate Frame; Brand: Eurosport; Review: Very nice product , looks great on the back of my Challenger !!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dodge Challenger Stainless Steel Sill Guards Protectors Set of 2 OEM Mopar; Brand: Mopar; Review: Very nice product They look great and they add class to the challenger . Easy to install and a must have if you own a Challenger. Something the factory should have already installed but they didn't. I would buy these again; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: NEW 2015 Dodge Challenger Deluxe Molded Splash Guards, Set of 4, OEM Mopar; Brand: Mopar; Review: Very nice , a must have on all Challengers; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: US Marine Corps USMC Vinyl Decal Sticker (M28) | Waterproof Emblem | Easy to Apply on Macbook, Laptop, Computer; Brand: CustomDecal US; Review: Very nice product , I have bought these a couple different times and have been very happy them each time , Semper Fi; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Painted Factory Style Spoiler for the 2015-2018 Challenger 550 PDT; Brand: SPOILER AND WING KING; Review: Very nice product, color match is pefrect. I would buy this product again; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Automotive |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: The One Year Walk with God Devotional: Wisdom from the Bible to Renew Your Mind; Author: Visit Amazon's Chris Tiegreen Page; Review: Chris has created yet another insight packed daily journal. Thought provoking, interesting, yet easy to understand this book will lead you to reflect in new areas and deepen your faith.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Until I Say Good-Bye: My Year of Living with Joy; Author: Visit Amazon's Susan Spencer-Wendel Page; Review: I have a friend who was diagnosed a year ago. I needed to know what she was going through and what was ahead for her. Now when I visit with her I have a little clearer perspective of her daily life. What a wonderful gift Susan left for her children.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: God's Prayer Book: The Power and Pleasure of Praying the Psalms; Author: Visit Amazon's Ben Patterson Page; Review: Ben Patterson provides brilliant insights into the Psalms. Inspirational. Highly recommend.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: How to Win at the Sport of Business: If I Can Do It, You Can Do It; Author: Visit Amazon's Mark Cuban Page; Review: Inspirational, practical, instructional. Great read for entrepreneurs and anyone else trying to understand what makes people like Mark Cuban successful.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Beyond the Mountaintop: Observations on Selling, Living and Achieving; Author: Mark A Thacker; Review: Mark does a fascinating job of combining the adventure of mountain climbing with practical business advice.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Case for Hope: Looking Ahead With Confidence and Courage; Author: Visit Amazon's Lee Strobel Page; Review: Another great book by Lee Strobel; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: The Southerner's Cookbook: Recipes, Wisdom, and Stories; Author: Visit Amazon's Editors of Garden and Gun Page; Review: Could not be happier! Prompt service; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Besh Big Easy: 101 Home Cooked New Orleans Recipes (John Besh); Author: Visit Amazon's John Besh Page; Review: Love it!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Southern Slow Cooker Bible: 365 Easy and Delicious Down-Home Recipes; Author: Visit Amazon's Tammy Algood Page; Review: Love it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: In a While, Crocodile: New Orleans Slow Cooker Recipes; Author: Patrice Kononchek; Review: Love it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Crockin Girls It's Our Crockin' Life: Continuing Our Love of Crockin' Through Every Lifestyle; Author: Nicole Sparks; Review: Great ideas & recipes!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Southern Slow Cooker: Big-Flavor, Low-Fuss Recipes for Comfort Food Classics; Author: Visit Amazon's Kendra Bailey Morris Page; Review: Love it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: South Your Mouth Some More!: More Southern Recipes& Down-home Humor from Your Favorite Southern Cook!; Author: Visit Amazon's Mandy Rivers Page; Review: Love it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows:
Title: Wild Strawberries (1957); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Frida (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Beautiful Mind (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Recruit (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Man on the Train (2002); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Pianist (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Men in Black II (2002); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: About Schmidt (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Sum of All Fears (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Bruce Almighty (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Others (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hard Times (1975); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Road to Perdition (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bringing Down the House (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Bourne Identity (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Unfaithful (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Insomnia (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Monster's Ball (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Minority Report (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Catch Me If You Can (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fiddler on the Roof (1971); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Gangs of New York (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Just Married (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Frequency (2000); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Rock (1996); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Moulin Rouge (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Two Weeks Notice (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Chicago (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Count of Monte Cristo (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Air Force One (1997); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Spider-Man (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Analyze That (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ocean's Eleven (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Traffic (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Phone Booth (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Green Mile (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Panic Room (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Ring (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Men of Honor (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: David Gilmour in Concert (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cheaper by the Dozen (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Little Caesar (1931); Rating: 2.0/5.0 | netflix |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Taryn Rose Women's Taylor Sandal; Brand: Taryn Rose; Review: I really wanted to like these shoes. It's so hard to find good soles, stability, AND a cute, strappy style in a good color. But unfortunately for me these shoes just didn't fit. The length was perfect, so I ordered the correct size. But the straps were very large, and they are thick velco straps that are pretty much impossible to adjust. I wore them around the house for a while to see if I'd get used to my feet flapping up and down in them, but it just didn't work. To make matters worse, the front strap hit at just such a position that it caught the nail of my little toe all of the time. Ouch. Yeah. Cute shoes. Didn't work out for me. They were returned.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Zutano Unisex-Baby Newborn Cozie Fleece Bootie; Brand: ; Review: Reviews indicated these may run small, so I got the larger size. Nope. I went back and orderedc3month size for my 1 month olds, and they are a tad bit too big. My kids are now 9 lbs and 7.5lbs, and the little one has pretty long feet. I kept the 6 month size for later, as these are great booties. My girl, I will say though, does manage to kick these off still. We have yet to find a sock or bootie that will stAy on her feet!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Undercover Mama Strapless Nursing Tank Top - For Breastfeeding & Pregnancy; Brand: Undercover Mama; Review: So happy I found these nursing tanks. They are perfect! They attach to my nursing bras with little rubber bands that hook over the bra clips, though they also have a second clip option I don't use with my bras. I am now at 130lbs and I bought a small and a medium. Both actually do just fine, though the med may eventually get a little too big as I am still 15lbs over pre-pregnancy weight.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Zutano Unisex-Baby Newborn Cozie Fleece Bootie; Brand: ; Review: Reviews indicated these may run small, so I got the larger size. Nope. I went back and orderedc3month size for my 1 month olds, and they are a tad bit too big. My kids are now 9 lbs and 7.5lbs, and the little one has pretty long feet. I kept the 6 month size for later, as these are great booties. My girl, I will say though, does manage to kick these off still. We have yet to find a sock or bootie that will stAy on her feet!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ema Jane - Large Gerber Daisy Flower Hair Clip Bows with Soft Stretch Crochet Child Head Bands (32; Brand: Ema Jane; Review: Very cute, and a good value. They arrived within the time frame estimated for shipping, but seller still threw in a free headband for being delayed in shipping. I can't say if all the bows actually match all the bands, but that's because I don't really care. I love the fact that the flowers and bands can be combined or used separately. The bands stay on our baby's head and don't leave deep marks like other bands - she doesn't seem to notice them at all. I will say that our baby girl smeared food all over her head and the bow, and when our nanny tried to wash the flower thing it became frayed and was practically destroyed. So,... either take them off before your kid is likely to get them dirty or be very, very careful in how you clean them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Baby Infant Girls White Pointelle Cardigan with a Bow by Baby Starters; Brand: ; Review: My baby girl is pretty small - like on the 7th percentile for weight for age - but this still seemed a bit small on her when purchased at the correct age group for her. It fit, but that means for about 90% of people out there it probably would have been somewhat small. It is super cute, though. It sits at her belly button, not at her pants line, which I didn't realize. Which means it looks a bit silly if I put it over a shirt with a pair of pants. Really it is best over a dress, which limits a bit the usefulness for me. Attracts compliments wherever we go, though.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Black Diamond Stud Earrings in Sterling Silver; Brand: ; Review: I'm a little surprised by other reviews on these. The pictures show exactly what they are, in my opinion. There is a lot of silver, but you can see that in the photo. From the front, they look exactly as shown - small black diamonds with silver setting. They are somewhat small, but I wear them as 2nd earrings and didn't expect them (or want them) to be large. I also got these as a $20 lightning deal, and am very pleased.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Wrapables Winter Hand Knit Floral Headband; Brand: Wrapables; Review: Very warm, fits good, and I love how it feels. When it got accidentally tossed in with the laundry, the flower fell off and it came out with fuzzies everywhere. I had to take a pair of scissors and skim off the fuzzy parts, and sew the flower back on. It looks good again, though.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 3 Long Sleeve Tee Tops; Brand: ; Review: Very cute. The 12 month old size fit my 13 month old girl perfectly. She is only 15lbs, though, and 3rd percentile for height and weight. So these will probably fit most 9-10 months old pretty well I'd guess, but not likely normal-sized toddlers older than that.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dahlia Women's Touchscreen Fleece Lining Winter Gloves; Brand: Dahlia; Review: Work pretty well with a smart phone. I have to pull them tight on my fingers to make it work, but it does work. Great not to have to take off my gloves to answer the phone or whatever. They are pretty warm, too, and I love how they look. The fingers seem to fit a little bit short, so if you have long hands or fingers these may be too small for you.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: PUMA Tune Cat Nubuck 2 V Sneaker (Toddler/Little Kid); Brand: ; Review: My kid loves these shoes - and so does everyone else who sees him in them. They are very well made, and look great despite some hard wear through dirt and mud and whatnot. My boy only wears a size 4.5 or so, and I bought 5.5 in these shoes. So they are big on him, but they are flexible enough he has no trouble walking in them (he is a fairly new walker, at 15 months and started walking at 3 months). They also stay on his feet better than any other shoe I've bought him. He gets so many compliments on his awesome red shoes!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Levi's Women's Petite 512 Skinny Jean; Brand: ; Review: Love these jeans. I am 1.6m / 5'3" tall, and have a 69cm/28" waist and the size 6p fit perfectly. The quality of Levi's jeans has unfortunately deteriorated in the last little bit of time, and like all of my Levi's these feel like thin 'fake' fabric instead of nice sturdy jeans as I'd been used to. I've learned that there are few other options, though. Stuff just got cheap. Also, the levi's emblem inside has no print, which to me also speaks of poor quality. So, they probably won't last, but didn't cost much and look nice.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Levi's Women's Petite 529 Curvy Straight Jean; Brand: ; Review: Thanks to the other reviews, I decided carefully on what size to buy. I am 1.6m / 5'3" tall, and weigh about 56kg / 124lbs. I normally wear a 6p or sometimes a 4p. My waist is around 69cm / 27 or 28". I bought a size TEN - that's right, 10P - and it fits perfectly. So 2 or even 3 sizes up. At the exact same time, I bought a different pair of Levi's in <6p> and they ALSO fit perfectly. So I also can't really figure out the madness of Levi's sizes, but the reviewers for this item were priceless and indeed the jeans are great and fit well - just make sure you pay attention and swallow your pride when you select the size.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Candlesticks Baby Boys' 2 Piece Dino Fleece Sleep Pajama; Brand: Candlesticks; Review: My boy ADORES these pajamas. He insists upon them. He is about 18lbs / 8.2kg, and is about 74cm tall, and the size 9-12 month fit him perfectly. I just bought a second pair of candlesticks pjs almost identical but with different design just so I can see something different on him now and then.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: baggallini Alfa Laptop Tote EXCLUSIVE Business; Brand: ; Review: I actually love this bag, even though it is a little large. I ordered it to replace a backpack that I used to use to carry my slim Macbook pro to and from work. This is much more classy than a backpack for a laptop bag! It fits my macbook pro like a glove. It has a LOT of room outside and even to each side of the laptop, which is ok. I don't use a fraction of that space. Given the size of this bag, I could see that a large laptop might be a tight fit into the actual laptop compartment of this bag, but if one just put the laptop straight into the bag I don't think there's a laptop produced today that would not fit. I gave this a 2 stars because I've been using it a few weeks and one of the shoulder straps is ripping off the bag. What the heck? Come on, Baggallini, I'm used to MUCH higher quality from your brand! I don't even carry anything in this bag outside of my macbook (light as it gets for a computer this dimension), a light sweater for work, some pens, and my wallet. I figure I'll take it to a tailor and suck up the cost of trying to get it stitched back on again, because I do want to keep using the bag... but still. Ack.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows:
Title: Bruce Almighty (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Taking Lives (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Jet Lag (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Chutney Popcorn (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: You Can Count on Me (2000); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Ginger and Cinnamon (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Malena (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Two Women (1961); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Station Agent (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Lovely & Amazing (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Bourne Identity (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Barbarian Invasions (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Me Without You (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Laws of Attraction (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Walking Tall (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The L Word: Season 1 (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Angels in America (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Twisted (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Hidalgo (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Journey to Kafiristan (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Latter Days (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: La Repetition (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Maurice (1987); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Orlando (1992); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Postmen in the Mountains (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Shelter Island (2003); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Spider-Man 2 (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: In Living Color: Season 1 (1990); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Human Stain (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0 | netflix |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Savane Men's Flat Front Performance Chino Pant; Brand: Savane; Review: I'm on a weight loss diet, sort of Atkins-ish, and the size 46 pants I bought a month ago are feeling a bit loose. However, these pants are still a bit tight - the pockets bag, if you know what I mean - but are otherwise comfortable. I'm quite satisfied, and at an average rate of two+ pounds per week, I expect them to fit better fairly soon. The color, however, is disappointing From the screen tint and the "shale" description, I was expecting some shade of grey. They actually seem to be a shade of olive drab.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Savane Men's Flat Front Performance Chino Pant; Brand: Savane; Review: I'm on a weight loss diet, sort of Atkins-ish, and the size 46 pants I bought a month ago are feeling a bit loose. However, these pants are still a bit tight - the pockets bag, if you know what I mean - but are otherwise comfortable. I'm quite satisfied, and at an average rate of two+ pounds per week, I expect them to fit better fairly soon. The color, however, is disappointing From the screen tint and the "shale" description, I was expecting some shade of grey. They actually seem to be a shade of olive drab.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Savane Men's Pleated Performance Chino Pant; Brand: Savane; Review: I am on a diet, a modified Atkin's Diet, and have been since 2/20/14. I have lost over fifty pounds, and these are only the fourth pair of slacks I've purchased in months. The two pairs of jeans are already too loose, but these pants are excellent, and I may buy another. They have just enough stretch that they fit now, and I expect them to continue to fit through another twenty pounds before they fall off. These are 44x28, and the work pants they replaced were size 52x28. Even with suspenders, those look like clown pants now.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Rubie's Adult Star Trek Costume; Brand: ; Review: The shirt was fine. My body wasn't. Maybe it'll fit better next Halloween.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Hanes Men's Short-Sleeve Beefy T-Shirt with Pocket; Brand: ; Review: What is there to say about a tee-shirt? It fits fine, has a pocket, the color is exactly what I wanted. It's still a tee shirt, not a tuxedo!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hanes Men's Short-Sleeve Beefy T-Shirt with Pocket; Brand: ; Review: What is there to say about a tee-shirt? It fits fine, has a pocket, the color is exactly what I wanted. It's still a tee shirt, not a tuxedo!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Trans by Jansport TM60 Supermax Backpack - BLINDED BLUE DANDY PLAID (9TV); Brand: JanSport; Review: I bought this for my daughter and she loves it. Very light and the material is very durable, well made too.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: FOROLAV 3/8" Girls Black Velvet Choker Necklace with Moon Pendant; Brand: FOROLAV; Review: My daughter loves it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: S.Leaf Cat Moon Necklace Sterling Silver Cat and Moon Collar Necklace; Brand: S.Leaf; Review: My daughter loves it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Crocs Women's Carlie Mary Jane; Brand: ; Review: Love it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Under Armour Kids UA GGS Micro G Assert V (Big Kid); Brand: ; Review: My daughter loves it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: WOSS Military Strap Trainer, Brown, Made in USA; Brand: ; Review: I received this equip 2 days after ordering and it was just as described, in fact it exceeded what i thought it would be. I took the strap to the gym and everyone wanted to know where i purchased it WOSS!! online at amazon.Further more, the words to describe how i was treated by WOSS and its employees have not been developed yet. C'mon Webster! (dictionary) get on the job!Also as a womanwho is a enthusiastic senor, member of the YMCA and retiree i was totally impressed with customer service esp a person name Wolfgang. Big ups to WOSS, their staff and companyMs P; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Black Mountain Products Resistance Band Set with Door Anchor, Ankle Strap, Exercise Chart, and Resistance Band Carrying Case; Brand: Black Mountain; Review: These bands were as claimed all sizex and good for me a 5'7 inch 145 pder who loves to use them daily They pkg was complete leg band good soft handles and door anchor Great buy; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Jillian Michaels Body Revolution; Brand: Gaiam; Review: I am 68 yrs old and have all of Jillians DVD. She has helped me go from 190 to 135 in a bit over a yr and i have not stopped yet I am now a marathoner and the oldest Afro Cuban runner in my city .Look if you don't liike Jillians stuff do something else Try Shaun T if your unhappy and have knee or joint problems and see what problems you have after his workouts.???I also own a few of his..I like them and like the fact that he moves faster But i was only able to achieve this "AFTER" being prepped by Jillian for yrGet real people, if you are an active person these DVD's will not hurt you, also if you have joint problems have you talked to your Dr about what is safe? NO! And if not why not.?Exercise is nothing to be poooopooed it is serious and has the potential for serious injury esp if you do not know what your doing because this takes,practice committment and more than a desire to have a tight butt. And look like Jlo.Bottom line you either have a butt or you don't and exercize will not give you one, it will only tighten what you have!!Stop with the put downs and get busy do what you can slowly and get in shape..jeez! If your body was all that or if it looked good you would not be here? Get honest and get busy Jillian is the best; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Sports_and_Outdoors |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Whiskey Beach; Author: Visit Amazon's Nora Roberts Page; Review: As always, Nora Roberts does a great job. I had heard it wasn't up to her usual standards..... BOGUS!! It was a great book with great characters and a great story.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Cross Stitch; Author: Visit Amazon's Diana Gabaldon Page; Review: I'm really enjoying this series of books. The author is very good at developing the characters. I'll be reading all of them!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Pantry Primer: How to Build a One Year Food Supply in Three Months; Author: Visit Amazon's Daisy Luther Page; Review: If you are someone that doesn't work and stays at home this may be the book for you. But for those of us that work, you might be able to do part of what she talks about but not realistically.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Blood Magick (Cousins O'Dwyer); Author: Visit Amazon's Nora Roberts Page; Review: Good but not as good as first two books.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: A Breath Of Snow And Ashes; Author: Visit Amazon's Diana Gabaldon Page; Review: Great Series - She really brings the characters to life! Love all her books!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: An Echo in the Bone: A Novel (Outlander); Author: Visit Amazon's Diana Gabaldon Page; Review: All her books are great. This is the 7th in the series of 8 and I wish there were more.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Written in My Own Heart's Blood (Outlander); Author: Visit Amazon's Diana Gabaldon Page; Review: I Love the entire Outlander series. I was disappointed that this was the last in the series and still hoping the author would write another one. They are all so good I would read them again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: No Ordinary Billionaire (The Sinclairs); Author: Visit Amazon's J. S. Scott Page; Review: I am an avid reader and several of my books contain sexual references. While this book had a decent storyline, the author went WAY overboard with sexual descriptions. Plus the language didn't help the book. It was overkill. I won't bother to buy any more books written by this author.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Hidden (A Bone Secrets Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Kendra Elliot Page; Review: Great book - Worth the read. Characters are well defined and there is a good plot. I would save and read it again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hidden (A Bone Secrets Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Kendra Elliot Page; Review: Great book - Worth the read. Characters are well defined and there is a good plot. I would save and read it again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Runaway Heiress: Billionaire Bachelors (Volume 6); Author: Visit Amazon's Melody Anne Page; Review: Story was okay. I can't say it was riveting but it was entertaining.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Les Miserables In Plain and Simple English: Includes Study Guide, Historical Context, Biography, and Character Index; Author: Visit Amazon's Victor Hugo Page; Review: This was nearly imposible to read. I know I should do it be painful to read a sing song book.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Two Wheels Through Terror: Diary of a South American Motorcycle Odyssey; Author: Visit Amazon's Glen Heggstad Page; Review: Glen is a bet to into himself and his Judo, but besides that you have to respect him for what he did. I am reading his next book, so for it is not as good. Keep talking about his kidney stones. Get over it and tell the story we want to hear.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Road Gets Better From Here; Author: Visit Amazon's Adrian Scott Page; Review: Nicely written, like I was there on the trip. He is obviously a writer before a motorcyclist problbly the best way to do it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Motorcycle South America: A Journey from California to Tierra del Fuego by Motorcycle; Author: Mike and Amie Tornincasa; Review: Was a ok read, obviously not writers, Basically you are reading their daily journal un edited. Why do we buy it because we want to do the ride and need info, it is there.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Haynes BMW F650 Singles Manual 4761; Author: Haynes; Review: Haynes manual is great, but I wish they would cover the new 2012 Sertao it is basically the same bike.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Riding off the Edge of the Map; Author: Visit Amazon's David Bryen Page; Review: He complains too much about the other guys he is riding with. Not really about motorcycle, more like a late middle age crisis in print, Which I would not have bought it.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Vespa: GTS125, 250 & 300ie, GTV250 & 300ie, LX/LXV125 & 150ie, S125 & 150ie 2005 to 2010 (Haynes Service; Author: Max Haynes; Review: Haynes manuals will get you where you need to go. I have one for my Vespa, KTM BMW. Don't leave home without it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The 10 Stupidest Mistakes Men Make When Facing Divorce: And How to Avoid Them; Author: Joseph Cordell; Review: Sucked; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The Great Pan-American Motorcycle Expedition; Author: Jesse K. Eyer; Review: Good book on how they did it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Motorcycling Through Midlife: The Call of the Corner; Author: John Metzger; Review: Well written but nothing new. Does make you reflect.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Disney Little Girls' Frozen Seven-Pack Panty Set; Brand: ; Review: thank you; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: var aPageStart = (new Date()).getTime(); var ue_t0=ue_t0||+new Date(); window.ue_ihb = (window.ue_ihb || window.ueinit || 0) + 1; if (window.ue_ihb; Brand: ; Review: thank you; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Disney Girls' Minnie Mouse Mock Hoodie Jacket; Brand: ; Review: thank you; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Young Hearts Little Girls' 3 Piece Cat Print Face Jackethood Pant Set; Brand: ; Review: thank you; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Young Hearts Little Girls' 3 Piece Striped Floral Sweater and Pant Set; Brand: ; Review: thank you; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Young Hearts Little Girls' 2 Pieced Princess Shirt and Pant; Brand: ; Review: thank you; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Nannette Little Girls' 2 Piece Heart Dogs Pullover And Jumper; Brand: Nannette; Review: thank you; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: U.S. POLO ASSN. Little Girls' Plaid Tiered Ruffle Top with Leggings Two-Piece Set; Brand: U.S. Polo Assn.; Review: thank you; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Good Old Value 4 Magnetic 4 x 6-Inch. Photo Sleeves Insert Picture Reusable Holder (4 Pieces); Brand: Good Old Values; Review: These are sturdy. No worry with moving them or changing pictures regularly.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hamilton Beach Retro Iron; Brand: Hamilton Beach; Review: Good iron for the value, works well and is not an eye sore. The water compartment does not have a latch and if the iron tips, it will dump some water if it is full, but I guess that is my fault. :); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cren® 10pcs Child Kids Multi Use Safety Strap Latches Locks for Drawer Door Cabinet Cupboard; Brand: Tools & Outdoor Gear; Review: First one star review I have ever written. Something with the adhesive strip caused these to take the varnish off an expensive hutch. If you care about your furniture or cabinets finish, these are a risk!; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Ello Fulton BPA-Free Ceramic Travel Mug with Lid, 16 oz.; Brand: Ello; Review: Stays hot and does the job; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: JapanBargain S-1888, Japanese Wooden Cooking Rolling Pin Bar, 11-inches; Brand: JapanBargain; Review: I could not remove the cellophane shrinkwrap without the item breaking.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 | amazon_Home_and_Kitchen |
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows:
Title: Prestige, The (2006); Genres: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Italian Job, The (2003); Genres: Action, Crime; Rating: 3.5/5.0
Title: 21 (2008); Genres: Crime, Drama, Romance, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ocean's Eleven (2001); Genres: Crime, Thriller; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Memento (2000); Genres: Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 0.5/5.0
Title: Baby Driver (2017); Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Focus (2015); Genres: Comedy, Crime, Drama, Romance; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Salt (2010); Genres: Action, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003); Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Cars (2006); Genres: Animation, Children, Comedy; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Cars 2 (2011); Genres: Adventure, Animation, Children, Comedy, IMAX; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Toy Story 3 (2010); Genres: Adventure, Animation, Children, Comedy, Fantasy, IMAX; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Interstellar (2014); Genres: Sci-Fi, IMAX; Rating: 3.5/5.0
Title: 2:22 (2017); Genres: Drama, Thriller; Rating: 3.5/5.0
Title: Atomic Blonde (2017); Genres: Thriller; Rating: 3.5/5.0
Title: Casino Royale (2006); Genres: Action, Adventure, Thriller; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Skyfall (2012); Genres: Action, Adventure, Thriller, IMAX; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Quantum of Solace (2008); Genres: Action, Adventure, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Despicable Me (2010); Genres: Animation, Children, Comedy, Crime; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Finding Nemo (2003); Genres: Adventure, Animation, Children, Comedy; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Finding Dory (2016); Genres: Adventure, Animation, Comedy; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Going in Style (2017); Genres: Comedy; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Hidden Figures (2016); Genres: Drama; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014); Genres: Action, Drama, Thriller, IMAX; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015); Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017); Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Last Knights (2015); Genres: Action, Adventure; Rating: 3.5/5.0
Title: Now You See Me (2013); Genres: Crime, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Now You See Me 2 (2016); Genres: Action, Comedy, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Me Before You (2016); Genres: Drama, Romance; Rating: 3.5/5.0
Title: Mechanic, The (2011); Genres: Action, Drama, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Mechanic: Resurrection (2016); Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Murder on the Orient Express (2017); Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Bank Job, The (2008); Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Expendables, The (2010); Genres: Action, Adventure, Thriller; Rating: 3.5/5.0
Title: Expendables 2, The (2012); Genres: Action, Adventure; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Expendables 3 (2014); Genres: Action, Adventure; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Foreigner (2017); Genres: Action, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Imitation Game (2014); Genres: Drama, Thriller, War; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Man Who Knew Infinity (2016); Genres: Drama; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Space Between Us (2016); Genres: Adventure, Sci-Fi; Rating: 3.5/5.0
Title: Unlocked (2017); Genres: Action, Thriller; Rating: 3.5/5.0
Title: When the Game Stands Tall (2014); Genres: Drama; Rating: 3.5/5.0
Title: WALL·E (2008); Genres: Adventure, Animation, Children, Romance, Sci-Fi; Rating: 3.5/5.0
Title: Up (2009); Genres: Adventure, Animation, Children, Drama; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Inside Out (2015); Genres: Adventure, Animation, Children, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Incredibles, The (2004); Genres: Action, Adventure, Animation, Children, Comedy; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Zootopia (2016); Genres: Action, Adventure, Animation, Children, Comedy; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Argo (2012); Genres: Drama, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Bourne Identity, The (2002); Genres: Action, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016); Genres: Comedy, War; Rating: 3.5/5.0
Title: Suicide Squad (2016); Genres: Action, Crime, Sci-Fi; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Wolf of Wall Street, The (2013); Genres: Comedy, Crime, Drama; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: I, Tonya (2017); Genres: Drama; Rating: 2.5/5.0
Title: Dunkirk (2017); Genres: Action, Drama, Thriller, War; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Departed, The (2006); Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Bourne Ultimatum, The (2007); Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dark Knight, The (2008); Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, IMAX; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Batman Begins (2005); Genres: Action, Crime, IMAX; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Dark Knight Rises, The (2012); Genres: Action, Adventure, Crime, IMAX; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Intouchables (2011); Genres: Comedy, Drama; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Lion King, The (1994); Genres: Adventure, Animation, Children, Drama, Musical, IMAX; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012); Genres: Adventure, Animation, Children, Comedy, IMAX; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Madagascar (2005); Genres: Adventure, Animation, Children, Comedy; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008); Genres: Action, Adventure, Animation, Children, Comedy, IMAX; Rating: 2.5/5.0
Title: Iron Man (2008); Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ratatouille (2007); Genres: Animation, Children, Drama; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011); Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Sherlock Holmes (2009); Genres: Action, Crime, Mystery, Thriller; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Inside Man (2006); Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: The Infiltrator (2016); Genres: Crime, Drama; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: American Made (2017); Genres: Crime, Thriller; Rating: 3.5/5.0
Title: Rush (2013); Genres: Action, Drama; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Bourne Supremacy, The (2004); Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Paddington (2014); Genres: Children, Comedy; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Paddington 2 (2017); Genres: Adventure, Animation, Children, Comedy; Rating: 4.5/5.0
Title: Coco (2017); Genres: Adventure, Animation, Children; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Den of Thieves (2018); Genres: Crime; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Molly's Game (2017); Genres: Drama; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | movielens |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: PETMAKER Folding Plastic Pet Stairs Durable Indoor or Outdoor 4 Step Design with Built; Brand: PETMAKER; Review: I gave it 4 stars due to being a perfect height to climb on my bed & very sturdy on the carpet. Although I had to add more stair runners w/double sided tape on the entire unit because the plastic on the risers were too slippery! Our dogs were afraid of it when they 1st tried it because they would slip & fall. Once I did that they're getting a lot better at using them.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Wellness Complete Health Natural Wet Canned Dog Food Senior Chicken & Sweet Potato; Brand: Wellness Natural Pet Food; Review: I've been using this Wellness Senior canned dog food for about 1 year. Yesterday I found a piece of rubber in the next to the last can I opened from a case of 12 cans. Unfortunately I do not know which of the three cases I ordered on the same day is the right case but I've included photos of the lot number, expiration date & UPC code. The piece of rubber is stretchable, about 2" long & about 1"-1 1/2" wide, black, see pics. I just want others to be aware of this. There's nothing in the ingredients that should be the color black so I'd not use it if you see this also.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Wellness Complete Health Natural Wet Canned Dog Food Lamb & Sweet Potato; Brand: Wellness Natural Pet Food; Review: I've been using this Wellness Senior canned dog food for about 1 year. Yesterday I found a piece of rubber in the next to the last can I opened from a case of 12 cans. Unfortunately I do not know which of the three cases I ordered on the same day is the right case but I've included photos of the lot number, expiration date & UPC code. The piece of rubber is stretchable, about 2" long & about 1"-1 1/2" wide, black, see pics. I just want others to be aware of this. There's nothing in the ingredients that should be the color black so I'd not use it if you see this also.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: American Kennel Club Orthopedic Circle Stitch Cuddler Pet Bed, Gray; Brand: American Kennel Club; Review: Our dogs love it, very well made BUT don't wash it in your washing machine. The memory foam gets bunched up on the bottom & you can't get it flattened back to the original.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Solvit Jumbo Standard Pet Safety Seat; Brand: Solvit; Review: Very safe design & sturdy construction! Our dogs love it but order a size larger than you think you need. I order the Jumbo for our 20 lb. dogs & there's just enough room to move & lay down.Solvit Jumbo Pet Safety Seat, Standard; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Wellness Core Hearty Cuts Natural Wet Grain Free Canned Dog Food, 12.5-Ounce Can (Pack Of 12); Brand: WELLNESS CORE; Review: Top notch-especially for picky/sick doggies. And you can hide small pills if you smush it into the strips. I've been using Wellness canned products for going on 2 yrs. & our 5 dogs love it. However I wish it wasn't so expensive but I use the Subscribe & Save feature which saves you 10-15%.**** REMEMBER TO SETUP & USE AMAZONSMILE FOR YOUR FAVORITE CHARITY. IT DOESN'T COST YOU 1 CENT & IT'S THE SAME PRODUCTS!!!!*****Wellness Core Hearty Cuts Natural Wet Grain Free Canned Dog Food, Beef & Venison, 12.5-Ounce Can (Pack of 12) TWellness Core Hearty Cuts Natural Wet Grain Free Canned Dog Food, Beef & Venison, 12.5-Ounce Can (Pack of 12); Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Pet_Supplies |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Horses 2015 Small Wall Calendar; Brand: 2015 Calendars; Review: Very nice; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Stren MagnaThin Monofilament Fishing Line; Brand: Stren; Review: thank you nice item; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Quik Shade MAX Shade Chair, Navy; Brand: Quik Shade; Review: thank you nice item; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Just My Size Women's X-Temp French Terry Pocket Short; Brand: ; Review: thank you nice item; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Daiwa BFSF1202MHRS Beefstick Surf Spin Rod, 12-Feet, 2-Piece; Brand: Daiwa; Review: thank you nice item; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Sports_and_Outdoors |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: NIKE Women's Revolution 3 Running Shoe; Brand: ; Review: I love, love, love these shoes! I work in a hospital and have to be on my feet all day. they are so comfy and look great! I hope I can buy them again next time I need shoes.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Nike Women's Revolution 2 Running Shoe; Brand: ; Review: I love, love, love these shoes! I work in a hospital and have to be on my feet all day. they are so comfy and look great! I hope I can buy them again next time I need shoes.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Moxeay Womens Floral Printed Jumpsuit Short Pants Romper; Brand: Moxeay; Review: Material is hard and its kind of bulky. I was hoping for a softer, more elegant jumper; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Jileon Women and Men Warm, Cozy & Soft Winter Fleece Rainboots Liners; Brand: Jileon; Review: Bought these to put in my rubber rain boots for around the farm. They aren't as warm as winter boots but great for spring and fall. Fit is great!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: King Will Basic Men's Tungsten Carbide Ring 8mm Polished Beveled Edge Matte Brushed Finish Center Wedding Band; Brand: King Will; Review: My husband got this because he lost his original ring. We spent hundreds less and it looks great and is holding up really well!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: "STUNNING FLAME" 18K Gold Plated Silver Brilliant Cut Simulated Diamond CZ Stud Earrings; Brand: Chic Code; Review: These were beautiful until they went through the wash in my pocket and the studs broke off :( Kinda flimsy...; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Premier Inn Tamworth Central Hotel; City: Tamworth Staffordshire England; Review: Stayed in a family room situated on the ground floor. Ideal for lugging luggage and a pushchair. Very warm inside however a fan was provided and it was warm outside so this was inevitable. Swisscom provide wifi access however this was advised as £5 for 60 minutes or £9 for 24 hours which was expensive considering monthly broadband is only £10. There is very little 3G signal within he complex and the mobile signal frequently drops out. This was dissapointing as my phone has Internet access but needed 3G to work best. Wifi could be made complementary. Staff are very accommodating and helpful. Only 10 minutes in the car from Drayton Manor. 10 minute walk from Tamworth Park and castle. Softplay found in the bowling alley next to the park. Asda/McDonalds/Currys/ToysRUs etc 5 minute walk from the hotel. Clean, friendly atmosphere and I heard no traffic from our room at night. Beefeater grill next to the hotel is slighty expensive but convenient. Staff very friendly and a clean place to eat.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Middlesbrough Hotel Sporting Lodge; City: Middlesbrough North Yorkshire England; Review: Stayed one night. Clean room in line with price. Blinds in the room were old and could do with updating. Not very private and could do with curtains. Free WiFi Reception staff didn't explain very much. Not detail on breakfast costs or detail on use of the facilities or nearby bar or pub. Would stay again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Royal National Hotel; City: London England; Review: We stayed here for 5 nights in August 2016. Despite only staying in the room a few hours a night it was far too hot. There's no air-conditioning in the rooms and the window only opens up about 4 inches. We looked out onto the internal courtyard which housed the generators and fans needed for the building. Having the window open meant that with no wind the heat and sound of these units were a constant noise during the night. The bathroom has no extractor fan so after a hot shower the whole room gets very hot and stuffy. We were staying there during a heatwave which isn't a fault of the hotel but it made the few hours in the room on a night unbearable. The room decor is very tired and in need of a refurbish. We stayed on the 7th floor. The hotel staff are very abrupt and could do with some customer service training. Location is good as it's fairly close to attractions and underground stations. I would source another hotel nearby if possible. Breakfast is nothing to write home about but becomes boring as it's repetitive. Again, some staff at the breakfast room are abrupt and needs some customer service training. The room has coffee and tea facilities which were replenished daily as well as clean linen and bedding. There's a hairdryer in the room and a small amount of fans available from reception on a first come first served basis. During a heatwave these were gone very quickly. The shower was very powerful and only briefly went cold every now and then. Lifts are very quick up and down. Nearby London pub can be expensive for what you get so have a walk around for value for money. The Pizza place inside the hotel complex is nice but again just a small menu so venture out if you can.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Premier Inn Newcastle City Centre New Bridge Street Hotel; City: Newcastle upon Tyne Tyne and ; Review: Great little Premier Inn situated close to the city centre. Very friendly staff on the desk and even accommodated an early arrival with a room that was ready. Quite a bit of building work going on outside(over the road) but you cannot hear the noise at all. (Stayed on 4th floor) Wifi was a bit slow but not a major issue. Restaurant is nice and considering we ate quite late the food was still of a great quality. Air-conditioning in the room if you need it. Comfortable bed ensured a good night's sleep. Would definitely return again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: BlueBay Lanzarote; City: Costa Teguise Lanzarote Canary Islands; Review: Rooms We stayed in block A which has a balcony overlooking the pool area. The room was clean and spacious compared to other apartments we’ve stayed in on other islands. There were 3 of us, 2 adults and a child, the pull out bed wasn’t ideal and forced our son to sleep on the sofa itself which was a lot more comfy. The main bedroom has 2 singles pushed together with fairly comfortable mattresses. The room air con worked perfectly. We had trouble with the shower door leaking which we reported and a new vertical seal was added however the bottom vertical one wasn’t and still caused a leak. Towels were changed almost every day however sometimes the maid forgot there were 3 of us living in there and only left enough towels for 2. The apartment front door overlooks the main road and roundabout as well as the hotel car park, this was a slight issue with the Heineken truck delivery every morning (around half 7)as he wasn’t the quietest, dropping barrels directly on the road rather than a sand bag or something was very loud. Fridge provided along with the usual bathroom shower gel, shampoo and conditioner, small bottle though so not enough for 2 weeks used by 3 people, remember to bring your own. We were only given one door key which could pose a problem if a family split up and do separate things. Not sure if you can request more, we didn’t need to do that. Last day for us meant a 12pm checkout with a 19:15 coach pick up time, this was a long day with no shower facilities available after 12pm. We used the pool shower and reception toilets for changing. Food Food is as you would expect, intercontinental and repetitive. Sometimes rushed to keep up with demand meant food is frequently bland in the restaurant. Having to cater for hundreds of guests however you would expect this. There is a poolside area for eating with a bar and small café area which serves food. You often need to wait for food to be cook here meaning you pick eat rather than eat a meal or snack. Not the chef’s fault as he’s often on his own and cooking food to order for people (toasties) meaning other food has to wait. Staff Staff are fairly friendly and made a fuss of our son which is great to see. Having seen some of the other kids running riot around the pool and leaving food, drink cups around for them to pick up and demanding food and drinks without a please or thank you, I was surprised the staff could still raise a smile. The Barcelona attack happened when we were there and this was a difficult time for Spain, just as it was in the UK attacks, this was evident on the staff and a totally understandable reaction of sadness and difficulty in their normal busy jobs. Sunbeds If you’ve read the other reviews you’ll no doubt have an idea of what this is like. The; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with businesses as follows:
Title: Milano Music; City: Mesa, AZ; Review: I have been shopping at Milano Music since I moved here in 2001. I was a drummer then and I started buying my sticks there, then my heads, then everything else. In about 2003, I decided that I wanted to focus on guitar and I did just that. Well, I bought my first "high end" acoustic at Milano, followed by a Telecaster later, then a Strat, then a few others. The staff has always been courteous, kind, knowledgeable and stayed with me at my pace in the store. I have seen different faces over the years,but that has not changed the experience.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Worth Takeaway; City: Mesa, AZ; Review: Have you seen Heaven? I have. It's right here, at Worth Takeaway. So, there I was, newly employed in the downtown Mesa area, not having stepped a foot near the place in the decade and a half that I have lived here. I asked my office of coworkers one gloomy afternoon, "Where can I get good food around here?", and like the trumpets of the angels on high, they replied, "Worth Takeaway!" I had to take a second to catch my breath, as the words they spoke, though sweet, came roaring toward me like the guttural growls of the jungle king, the mighty lion. I knew then and there that I had to try this Worth Takeaway, albeit, my brain, after a quick Google search, was telling me that this was simply a glorified Subway. I walked from my work building down a couple of blocks to Worth and before I reached the door, I could smell the blessing odor of every good memory I have ever had in my grandmothers kitchen. This smelled like much more than a 'sandwich shop'. I opened the door and was immediately greeted by the woman at the register, in the most sincere "Hey, there!" voice ever. I ordered my Buffalo Chicken sandwich and waited for what seemed to be merely a minute. The sandwich was swaddled in perfect paper and placed in to a brown, handled bag. I walked back to my office and as soon as my hind end hit the seat, I tore in to the paper, unveiling a warm ciabatta bun, filled with beautiful, fresh chicken and add-ons. I brought the sandwich to my mouth and with my teeth, tore a chewable size section from the remainder of the sandwich, and for the first time in my life, I experienced true, unadulterated bliss. The amalgamation of flavors was so incredibly well thought out and proportioned so... perfectly. As I chewed, I knew this bite was going to end as soon as I slid it down my gullet, and that I would have to take another, which meant that I would be another bite closer to the end. I teared up as the next bite came to fruition, in both glee and sadness. Another bite, and another, and another, until it was gone. The sandwich from Heaven above was diminished and now breaking down in my stomach, in order for its nutrients to absorb in to my body, like the soils nutrients to a living tree. If I were to die today, I would hope that I'd left the world with this: "Go to Worth Takeaway. Now."; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Chili's; City: Mesa, AZ; Review: This was probably one of my least favorite dining experiences to date. I'll start with this... the place was not busy enough or understaffed enough to justify the service that we'd experienced. In fact, it was like any other Saturday evening and the staff were plentiful. Our party of seven was seated in a horseshoe booth, in clouding two small children. Perfect! The waitress came over after we were seated and took our drink order. The drinks were out in about five minutes. She asks if we were ready to order and we were. We let her know that we wanted to start with an appetizer chips and salsa, then we placed our order. She left the table and we began our table conversation. Well, after about 15 minutes, we started to wonder where our appetizer was. One of the members in our group tried to wave down two separate staff members to ask, to no avail. Finally, our waitress came to take the order of the table behind us, so we were able to ask her about it and she seemed clueless. I told her that we wouldn't want an appetizer to come out at the same time as our meals, but after another ten minutes, that's exactly what happened. In fact, the chips and salsa hit the table AFTER our meals were down. After we got our food, I asked the waitress if we could get refills on our drinks and she obliged, then walked away. About ten minutes later she came back to ask how the food was... with no refills. I explained to her that my daughters pasta was pretty cold and my burger, that I ordered medium rare was done well. She asked if I wanted another one, but by that time I had eaten the burger anyhow, because I was that hungry. I declined the burger at that time. I did remind her though, that my meal was supposed to come with fries, which I'd never received and that we were still waiting for our refills. The refills came out in about two minutes, but no fries, so I mentioned it again. They finally came out... cold. At this point, I was over it and just waited for everyone else to finish their food, so that we could leave. I still left the waitress a tip, because I'm a not a total chicken lolly, but it was not at all earned. I did not have a very pleasant experience this location and it's a bummer, because I'm always in the Riverview area, and we go to eat every weekend. I wish I could remember the waitresses name, but I believe that I was too irritated to bother noticing. I hope that everyone else has had a better experience.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Chili's; City: Mesa, AZ; Review: This was probably one of my least favorite dining experiences to date. I'll start with this... the place was not busy enough or understaffed enough to justify the service that we'd experienced. In fact, it was like any other Saturday evening and the staff were plentiful. Our party of seven was seated in a horseshoe booth, in clouding two small children. Perfect! The waitress came over after we were seated and took our drink order. The drinks were out in about five minutes. She asks if we were ready to order and we were. We let her know that we wanted to start with an appetizer chips and salsa, then we placed our order. She left the table and we began our table conversation. Well, after about 15 minutes, we started to wonder where our appetizer was. One of the members in our group tried to wave down two separate staff members to ask, to no avail. Finally, our waitress came to take the order of the table behind us, so we were able to ask her about it and she seemed clueless. I told her that we wouldn't want an appetizer to come out at the same time as our meals, but after another ten minutes, that's exactly what happened. In fact, the chips and salsa hit the table AFTER our meals were down. After we got our food, I asked the waitress if we could get refills on our drinks and she obliged, then walked away. About ten minutes later she came back to ask how the food was... with no refills. I explained to her that my daughters pasta was pretty cold and my burger, that I ordered medium rare was done well. She asked if I wanted another one, but by that time I had eaten the burger anyhow, because I was that hungry. I declined the burger at that time. I did remind her though, that my meal was supposed to come with fries, which I'd never received and that we were still waiting for our refills. The refills came out in about two minutes, but no fries, so I mentioned it again. They finally came out... cold. At this point, I was over it and just waited for everyone else to finish their food, so that we could leave. I still left the waitress a tip, because I'm a not a total chicken lolly, but it was not at all earned. I did not have a very pleasant experience this location and it's a bummer, because I'm always in the Riverview area, and we go to eat every weekend. I wish I could remember the waitresses name, but I believe that I was too irritated to bother noticing. I hope that everyone else has had a better experience.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Chili's; City: Mesa, AZ; Review: This was probably one of my least favorite dining experiences to date. I'll start with this... the place was not busy enough or understaffed enough to justify the service that we'd experienced. In fact, it was like any other Saturday evening and the staff were plentiful. Our party of seven was seated in a horseshoe booth, in clouding two small children. Perfect! The waitress came over after we were seated and took our drink order. The drinks were out in about five minutes. She asks if we were ready to order and we were. We let her know that we wanted to start with an appetizer chips and salsa, then we placed our order. She left the table and we began our table conversation. Well, after about 15 minutes, we started to wonder where our appetizer was. One of the members in our group tried to wave down two separate staff members to ask, to no avail. Finally, our waitress came to take the order of the table behind us, so we were able to ask her about it and she seemed clueless. I told her that we wouldn't want an appetizer to come out at the same time as our meals, but after another ten minutes, that's exactly what happened. In fact, the chips and salsa hit the table AFTER our meals were down. After we got our food, I asked the waitress if we could get refills on our drinks and she obliged, then walked away. About ten minutes later she came back to ask how the food was... with no refills. I explained to her that my daughters pasta was pretty cold and my burger, that I ordered medium rare was done well. She asked if I wanted another one, but by that time I had eaten the burger anyhow, because I was that hungry. I declined the burger at that time. I did remind her though, that my meal was supposed to come with fries, which I'd never received and that we were still waiting for our refills. The refills came out in about two minutes, but no fries, so I mentioned it again. They finally came out... cold. At this point, I was over it and just waited for everyone else to finish their food, so that we could leave. I still left the waitress a tip, because I'm a not a total chicken lolly, but it was not at all earned. I did not have a very pleasant experience this location and it's a bummer, because I'm always in the Riverview area, and we go to eat every weekend. I wish I could remember the waitresses name, but I believe that I was too irritated to bother noticing. I hope that everyone else has had a better experience.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Chili's; City: Mesa, AZ; Review: This was probably one of my least favorite dining experiences to date. I'll start with this... the place was not busy enough or understaffed enough to justify the service that we'd experienced. In fact, it was like any other Saturday evening and the staff were plentiful. Our party of seven was seated in a horseshoe booth, in clouding two small children. Perfect! The waitress came over after we were seated and took our drink order. The drinks were out in about five minutes. She asks if we were ready to order and we were. We let her know that we wanted to start with an appetizer chips and salsa, then we placed our order. She left the table and we began our table conversation. Well, after about 15 minutes, we started to wonder where our appetizer was. One of the members in our group tried to wave down two separate staff members to ask, to no avail. Finally, our waitress came to take the order of the table behind us, so we were able to ask her about it and she seemed clueless. I told her that we wouldn't want an appetizer to come out at the same time as our meals, but after another ten minutes, that's exactly what happened. In fact, the chips and salsa hit the table AFTER our meals were down. After we got our food, I asked the waitress if we could get refills on our drinks and she obliged, then walked away. About ten minutes later she came back to ask how the food was... with no refills. I explained to her that my daughters pasta was pretty cold and my burger, that I ordered medium rare was done well. She asked if I wanted another one, but by that time I had eaten the burger anyhow, because I was that hungry. I declined the burger at that time. I did remind her though, that my meal was supposed to come with fries, which I'd never received and that we were still waiting for our refills. The refills came out in about two minutes, but no fries, so I mentioned it again. They finally came out... cold. At this point, I was over it and just waited for everyone else to finish their food, so that we could leave. I still left the waitress a tip, because I'm a not a total chicken lolly, but it was not at all earned. I did not have a very pleasant experience this location and it's a bummer, because I'm always in the Riverview area, and we go to eat every weekend. I wish I could remember the waitresses name, but I believe that I was too irritated to bother noticing. I hope that everyone else has had a better experience.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Chili's; City: Mesa, AZ; Review: This was probably one of my least favorite dining experiences to date. I'll start with this... the place was not busy enough or understaffed enough to justify the service that we'd experienced. In fact, it was like any other Saturday evening and the staff were plentiful. Our party of seven was seated in a horseshoe booth, in clouding two small children. Perfect! The waitress came over after we were seated and took our drink order. The drinks were out in about five minutes. She asks if we were ready to order and we were. We let her know that we wanted to start with an appetizer chips and salsa, then we placed our order. She left the table and we began our table conversation. Well, after about 15 minutes, we started to wonder where our appetizer was. One of the members in our group tried to wave down two separate staff members to ask, to no avail. Finally, our waitress came to take the order of the table behind us, so we were able to ask her about it and she seemed clueless. I told her that we wouldn't want an appetizer to come out at the same time as our meals, but after another ten minutes, that's exactly what happened. In fact, the chips and salsa hit the table AFTER our meals were down. After we got our food, I asked the waitress if we could get refills on our drinks and she obliged, then walked away. About ten minutes later she came back to ask how the food was... with no refills. I explained to her that my daughters pasta was pretty cold and my burger, that I ordered medium rare was done well. She asked if I wanted another one, but by that time I had eaten the burger anyhow, because I was that hungry. I declined the burger at that time. I did remind her though, that my meal was supposed to come with fries, which I'd never received and that we were still waiting for our refills. The refills came out in about two minutes, but no fries, so I mentioned it again. They finally came out... cold. At this point, I was over it and just waited for everyone else to finish their food, so that we could leave. I still left the waitress a tip, because I'm a not a total chicken lolly, but it was not at all earned. I did not have a very pleasant experience this location and it's a bummer, because I'm always in the Riverview area, and we go to eat every weekend. I wish I could remember the waitresses name, but I believe that I was too irritated to bother noticing. I hope that everyone else has had a better experience.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Joe's Farm Grill; City: Gilbert, AZ; Review: The atmosphere at Joe's Farm Grill is absolutely amazing. The food there is incredible, to say the least. The drink selection is very unique and just as delicious. The staff members are super friendly and incredibly helpful. My family and I love it. I'm only giving it four stars, instead of five, because it's fairly pricey for what it is. Regardless, I have recommended Joe's Farm Grill to several people and will continue to do so. My family and I have not had an experience there that we haven't enjoyed!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: YC's Mongolian Grill; City: Gilbert, AZ; Review: It's been quite some time since I've taken my family back to YC's. The last few times have been rough. Corporate has been kind enough in the past to offer complimentary meals to right wrongs. Well, this time was no different than prior visits we have had. Actually, it was worse. Maybe it's our bad luck spot. I typically write pretty lengthy reviews, but I'm gonna try and cut to the chase today. My wife, daughter and I all went to this location with some family friends for dinner a few days ago. Not only did myself and one of our friends get handed the incorrect meals, which can be an easy mistake to make... no big deal, but they were not even from our table. We got it figured out. Now, what made the visit awful was when the super sweet bus girl came to collect our plates and bowls and spilled a bowl of noodle juice all over my daughter, staining her shirt, jeans and white converse shoes. We were able to get most of it out, but the oils ruined her shirt. I know it was an accident, but it was kind of brushed off, cleaned up and that was that. What the hell?! I was beyond angry at that point, as was our table of six. Accidents happen, but to not bother to really recognize that it happened is insane to me. I'm pretty sure we are just going to avoid YC's indefinitely moving forward. Sad, but it's clearly not the place for us.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: YC's Mongolian Grill; City: Gilbert, AZ; Review: It's been quite some time since I've taken my family back to YC's. The last few times have been rough. Corporate has been kind enough in the past to offer complimentary meals to right wrongs. Well, this time was no different than prior visits we have had. Actually, it was worse. Maybe it's our bad luck spot. I typically write pretty lengthy reviews, but I'm gonna try and cut to the chase today. My wife, daughter and I all went to this location with some family friends for dinner a few days ago. Not only did myself and one of our friends get handed the incorrect meals, which can be an easy mistake to make... no big deal, but they were not even from our table. We got it figured out. Now, what made the visit awful was when the super sweet bus girl came to collect our plates and bowls and spilled a bowl of noodle juice all over my daughter, staining her shirt, jeans and white converse shoes. We were able to get most of it out, but the oils ruined her shirt. I know it was an accident, but it was kind of brushed off, cleaned up and that was that. What the hell?! I was beyond angry at that point, as was our table of six. Accidents happen, but to not bother to really recognize that it happened is insane to me. I'm pretty sure we are just going to avoid YC's indefinitely moving forward. Sad, but it's clearly not the place for us.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: YC's Mongolian Grill; City: Gilbert, AZ; Review: It's been quite some time since I've taken my family back to YC's. The last few times have been rough. Corporate has been kind enough in the past to offer complimentary meals to right wrongs. Well, this time was no different than prior visits we have had. Actually, it was worse. Maybe it's our bad luck spot. I typically write pretty lengthy reviews, but I'm gonna try and cut to the chase today. My wife, daughter and I all went to this location with some family friends for dinner a few days ago. Not only did myself and one of our friends get handed the incorrect meals, which can be an easy mistake to make... no big deal, but they were not even from our table. We got it figured out. Now, what made the visit awful was when the super sweet bus girl came to collect our plates and bowls and spilled a bowl of noodle juice all over my daughter, staining her shirt, jeans and white converse shoes. We were able to get most of it out, but the oils ruined her shirt. I know it was an accident, but it was kind of brushed off, cleaned up and that was that. What the hell?! I was beyond angry at that point, as was our table of six. Accidents happen, but to not bother to really recognize that it happened is insane to me. I'm pretty sure we are just going to avoid YC's indefinitely moving forward. Sad, but it's clearly not the place for us.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: YC's Mongolian Grill; City: Gilbert, AZ; Review: It's been quite some time since I've taken my family back to YC's. The last few times have been rough. Corporate has been kind enough in the past to offer complimentary meals to right wrongs. Well, this time was no different than prior visits we have had. Actually, it was worse. Maybe it's our bad luck spot. I typically write pretty lengthy reviews, but I'm gonna try and cut to the chase today. My wife, daughter and I all went to this location with some family friends for dinner a few days ago. Not only did myself and one of our friends get handed the incorrect meals, which can be an easy mistake to make... no big deal, but they were not even from our table. We got it figured out. Now, what made the visit awful was when the super sweet bus girl came to collect our plates and bowls and spilled a bowl of noodle juice all over my daughter, staining her shirt, jeans and white converse shoes. We were able to get most of it out, but the oils ruined her shirt. I know it was an accident, but it was kind of brushed off, cleaned up and that was that. What the hell?! I was beyond angry at that point, as was our table of six. Accidents happen, but to not bother to really recognize that it happened is insane to me. I'm pretty sure we are just going to avoid YC's indefinitely moving forward. Sad, but it's clearly not the place for us.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: YC's Mongolian Grill; City: Gilbert, AZ; Review: It's been quite some time since I've taken my family back to YC's. The last few times have been rough. Corporate has been kind enough in the past to offer complimentary meals to right wrongs. Well, this time was no different than prior visits we have had. Actually, it was worse. Maybe it's our bad luck spot. I typically write pretty lengthy reviews, but I'm gonna try and cut to the chase today. My wife, daughter and I all went to this location with some family friends for dinner a few days ago. Not only did myself and one of our friends get handed the incorrect meals, which can be an easy mistake to make... no big deal, but they were not even from our table. We got it figured out. Now, what made the visit awful was when the super sweet bus girl came to collect our plates and bowls and spilled a bowl of noodle juice all over my daughter, staining her shirt, jeans and white converse shoes. We were able to get most of it out, but the oils ruined her shirt. I know it was an accident, but it was kind of brushed off, cleaned up and that was that. What the hell?! I was beyond angry at that point, as was our table of six. Accidents happen, but to not bother to really recognize that it happened is insane to me. I'm pretty sure we are just going to avoid YC's indefinitely moving forward. Sad, but it's clearly not the place for us.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Culinary Dropout; City: Gilbert, AZ; Review: The staff here is great, the atmosphere is very hipster, which I'm very indifferent on. The food, however, was not good. My wife and I both ordered the fried chicken, as we were told that it was this amazing dish that was sought after by the masses! It was extremely salty. Like, licking a salt stick salty. It also took over 30 mins for us to get it! It was supposed to be the best birthday dinner I've ever had, but man alive, it was so... much... sodium. The whole table was done eating before my wife and I even got our food, so that was also kind of a bummer. However, the Smashed Irishman was delicious!; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Culinary Dropout; City: Gilbert, AZ; Review: The staff here is great, the atmosphere is very hipster, which I'm very indifferent on. The food, however, was not good. My wife and I both ordered the fried chicken, as we were told that it was this amazing dish that was sought after by the masses! It was extremely salty. Like, licking a salt stick salty. It also took over 30 mins for us to get it! It was supposed to be the best birthday dinner I've ever had, but man alive, it was so... much... sodium. The whole table was done eating before my wife and I even got our food, so that was also kind of a bummer. However, the Smashed Irishman was delicious!; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Culinary Dropout; City: Gilbert, AZ; Review: The staff here is great, the atmosphere is very hipster, which I'm very indifferent on. The food, however, was not good. My wife and I both ordered the fried chicken, as we were told that it was this amazing dish that was sought after by the masses! It was extremely salty. Like, licking a salt stick salty. It also took over 30 mins for us to get it! It was supposed to be the best birthday dinner I've ever had, but man alive, it was so... much... sodium. The whole table was done eating before my wife and I even got our food, so that was also kind of a bummer. However, the Smashed Irishman was delicious!; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Culinary Dropout; City: Gilbert, AZ; Review: The staff here is great, the atmosphere is very hipster, which I'm very indifferent on. The food, however, was not good. My wife and I both ordered the fried chicken, as we were told that it was this amazing dish that was sought after by the masses! It was extremely salty. Like, licking a salt stick salty. It also took over 30 mins for us to get it! It was supposed to be the best birthday dinner I've ever had, but man alive, it was so... much... sodium. The whole table was done eating before my wife and I even got our food, so that was also kind of a bummer. However, the Smashed Irishman was delicious!; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Culinary Dropout; City: Gilbert, AZ; Review: The staff here is great, the atmosphere is very hipster, which I'm very indifferent on. The food, however, was not good. My wife and I both ordered the fried chicken, as we were told that it was this amazing dish that was sought after by the masses! It was extremely salty. Like, licking a salt stick salty. It also took over 30 mins for us to get it! It was supposed to be the best birthday dinner I've ever had, but man alive, it was so... much... sodium. The whole table was done eating before my wife and I even got our food, so that was also kind of a bummer. However, the Smashed Irishman was delicious!; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Culinary Dropout; City: Gilbert, AZ; Review: The staff here is great, the atmosphere is very hipster, which I'm very indifferent on. The food, however, was not good. My wife and I both ordered the fried chicken, as we were told that it was this amazing dish that was sought after by the masses! It was extremely salty. Like, licking a salt stick salty. It also took over 30 mins for us to get it! It was supposed to be the best birthday dinner I've ever had, but man alive, it was so... much... sodium. The whole table was done eating before my wife and I even got our food, so that was also kind of a bummer. However, the Smashed Irishman was delicious!; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Culinary Dropout; City: Gilbert, AZ; Review: The staff here is great, the atmosphere is very hipster, which I'm very indifferent on. The food, however, was not good. My wife and I both ordered the fried chicken, as we were told that it was this amazing dish that was sought after by the masses! It was extremely salty. Like, licking a salt stick salty. It also took over 30 mins for us to get it! It was supposed to be the best birthday dinner I've ever had, but man alive, it was so... much... sodium. The whole table was done eating before my wife and I even got our food, so that was also kind of a bummer. However, the Smashed Irishman was delicious!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Haymaker Peoria; City: Peoria, AZ; Review: My wife, my friends and I visited Haymaker on Saturday evening after reading a bunch of good reviews. We were excited to check it out and partake in the Georgia Peach drink that all these reviews spoke so highly about. We walked in and it wasn't very busy, but it wasn't quite slow either. It was a smaller establishment with a pretty cool aesthetic and a pretty relaxed atmosphere. But after walking in is when the issues began. It took a full ten minutes for anyone to even acknowledge the four of us standing by the door. When the hostess finally decided to acknowledge us, we were seated at a booth, almost immediately. Ok, so everybody has off days... no big deal. But the. We waited, and waited and finally got menus placed in front us by a young man who seemed less than confident in his abilities. He introduced himself and said he'd be our server and started to walk away. I stopped him and asked if we could place our drink orders. He turned and took our orders. The drinks came out fairly quickly. Then he disappeared for another 15 minutes or so. Once he came back, we placed our orders. To keep it short, my wife's salad was incorrect... twice. My friends burger was incorrect. My plate was forgotten until I asked about it, roughly three to five minutes after everyone else's corrected food was delivered. The drinks were great, so I don't want to take away from that. By the time I got my chicken fried steak meal, it wasn't warm at all. It was like it was left on a counter, but I was hungry so I ate it anyhow. Now, we had mentioned far in advance that this was a split check; myself and my wife / my friend and his. Somehow, the checks got SO messed up that it made no sense at all. It wasn't like one item was misplaced or even two. It was just all over the dang place! So my wife and I decided to pay both bills and just figure it out and have our friends Venmo us their share later. For my first and most likely last experience with Haymaker, I was far less than impressed. It took way too long to be seated for a place with numerous open seats, it took way too long to be acknowledged at our table and brought menus, it seemed like nobody way paying any attention to the details of our orders (which weren't even customized, it took way too long to receive some of our food and the attention to who ordered what was clearly not prioritized. Had my food been hot, I may have enjoyed that quite a bit too. I certainly hope this isn't the norm for this place. We live out in San Tan Valley and only visit the area at our time share once a year. This years dinner outing was rough.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Haymaker Peoria; City: Peoria, AZ; Review: My wife, my friends and I visited Haymaker on Saturday evening after reading a bunch of good reviews. We were excited to check it out and partake in the Georgia Peach drink that all these reviews spoke so highly about. We walked in and it wasn't very busy, but it wasn't quite slow either. It was a smaller establishment with a pretty cool aesthetic and a pretty relaxed atmosphere. But after walking in is when the issues began. It took a full ten minutes for anyone to even acknowledge the four of us standing by the door. When the hostess finally decided to acknowledge us, we were seated at a booth, almost immediately. Ok, so everybody has off days... no big deal. But the. We waited, and waited and finally got menus placed in front us by a young man who seemed less than confident in his abilities. He introduced himself and said he'd be our server and started to walk away. I stopped him and asked if we could place our drink orders. He turned and took our orders. The drinks came out fairly quickly. Then he disappeared for another 15 minutes or so. Once he came back, we placed our orders. To keep it short, my wife's salad was incorrect... twice. My friends burger was incorrect. My plate was forgotten until I asked about it, roughly three to five minutes after everyone else's corrected food was delivered. The drinks were great, so I don't want to take away from that. By the time I got my chicken fried steak meal, it wasn't warm at all. It was like it was left on a counter, but I was hungry so I ate it anyhow. Now, we had mentioned far in advance that this was a split check; myself and my wife / my friend and his. Somehow, the checks got SO messed up that it made no sense at all. It wasn't like one item was misplaced or even two. It was just all over the dang place! So my wife and I decided to pay both bills and just figure it out and have our friends Venmo us their share later. For my first and most likely last experience with Haymaker, I was far less than impressed. It took way too long to be seated for a place with numerous open seats, it took way too long to be acknowledged at our table and brought menus, it seemed like nobody way paying any attention to the details of our orders (which weren't even customized, it took way too long to receive some of our food and the attention to who ordered what was clearly not prioritized. Had my food been hot, I may have enjoyed that quite a bit too. I certainly hope this isn't the norm for this place. We live out in San Tan Valley and only visit the area at our time share once a year. This years dinner outing was rough.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Haymaker Peoria; City: Peoria, AZ; Review: My wife, my friends and I visited Haymaker on Saturday evening after reading a bunch of good reviews. We were excited to check it out and partake in the Georgia Peach drink that all these reviews spoke so highly about. We walked in and it wasn't very busy, but it wasn't quite slow either. It was a smaller establishment with a pretty cool aesthetic and a pretty relaxed atmosphere. But after walking in is when the issues began. It took a full ten minutes for anyone to even acknowledge the four of us standing by the door. When the hostess finally decided to acknowledge us, we were seated at a booth, almost immediately. Ok, so everybody has off days... no big deal. But the. We waited, and waited and finally got menus placed in front us by a young man who seemed less than confident in his abilities. He introduced himself and said he'd be our server and started to walk away. I stopped him and asked if we could place our drink orders. He turned and took our orders. The drinks came out fairly quickly. Then he disappeared for another 15 minutes or so. Once he came back, we placed our orders. To keep it short, my wife's salad was incorrect... twice. My friends burger was incorrect. My plate was forgotten until I asked about it, roughly three to five minutes after everyone else's corrected food was delivered. The drinks were great, so I don't want to take away from that. By the time I got my chicken fried steak meal, it wasn't warm at all. It was like it was left on a counter, but I was hungry so I ate it anyhow. Now, we had mentioned far in advance that this was a split check; myself and my wife / my friend and his. Somehow, the checks got SO messed up that it made no sense at all. It wasn't like one item was misplaced or even two. It was just all over the dang place! So my wife and I decided to pay both bills and just figure it out and have our friends Venmo us their share later. For my first and most likely last experience with Haymaker, I was far less than impressed. It took way too long to be seated for a place with numerous open seats, it took way too long to be acknowledged at our table and brought menus, it seemed like nobody way paying any attention to the details of our orders (which weren't even customized, it took way too long to receive some of our food and the attention to who ordered what was clearly not prioritized. Had my food been hot, I may have enjoyed that quite a bit too. I certainly hope this isn't the norm for this place. We live out in San Tan Valley and only visit the area at our time share once a year. This years dinner outing was rough.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Haymaker Peoria; City: Peoria, AZ; Review: My wife, my friends and I visited Haymaker on Saturday evening after reading a bunch of good reviews. We were excited to check it out and partake in the Georgia Peach drink that all these reviews spoke so highly about. We walked in and it wasn't very busy, but it wasn't quite slow either. It was a smaller establishment with a pretty cool aesthetic and a pretty relaxed atmosphere. But after walking in is when the issues began. It took a full ten minutes for anyone to even acknowledge the four of us standing by the door. When the hostess finally decided to acknowledge us, we were seated at a booth, almost immediately. Ok, so everybody has off days... no big deal. But the. We waited, and waited and finally got menus placed in front us by a young man who seemed less than confident in his abilities. He introduced himself and said he'd be our server and started to walk away. I stopped him and asked if we could place our drink orders. He turned and took our orders. The drinks came out fairly quickly. Then he disappeared for another 15 minutes or so. Once he came back, we placed our orders. To keep it short, my wife's salad was incorrect... twice. My friends burger was incorrect. My plate was forgotten until I asked about it, roughly three to five minutes after everyone else's corrected food was delivered. The drinks were great, so I don't want to take away from that. By the time I got my chicken fried steak meal, it wasn't warm at all. It was like it was left on a counter, but I was hungry so I ate it anyhow. Now, we had mentioned far in advance that this was a split check; myself and my wife / my friend and his. Somehow, the checks got SO messed up that it made no sense at all. It wasn't like one item was misplaced or even two. It was just all over the dang place! So my wife and I decided to pay both bills and just figure it out and have our friends Venmo us their share later. For my first and most likely last experience with Haymaker, I was far less than impressed. It took way too long to be seated for a place with numerous open seats, it took way too long to be acknowledged at our table and brought menus, it seemed like nobody way paying any attention to the details of our orders (which weren't even customized, it took way too long to receive some of our food and the attention to who ordered what was clearly not prioritized. Had my food been hot, I may have enjoyed that quite a bit too. I certainly hope this isn't the norm for this place. We live out in San Tan Valley and only visit the area at our time share once a year. This years dinner outing was rough.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Haymaker Peoria; City: Peoria, AZ; Review: My wife, my friends and I visited Haymaker on Saturday evening after reading a bunch of good reviews. We were excited to check it out and partake in the Georgia Peach drink that all these reviews spoke so highly about. We walked in and it wasn't very busy, but it wasn't quite slow either. It was a smaller establishment with a pretty cool aesthetic and a pretty relaxed atmosphere. But after walking in is when the issues began. It took a full ten minutes for anyone to even acknowledge the four of us standing by the door. When the hostess finally decided to acknowledge us, we were seated at a booth, almost immediately. Ok, so everybody has off days... no big deal. But the. We waited, and waited and finally got menus placed in front us by a young man who seemed less than confident in his abilities. He introduced himself and said he'd be our server and started to walk away. I stopped him and asked if we could place our drink orders. He turned and took our orders. The drinks came out fairly quickly. Then he disappeared for another 15 minutes or so. Once he came back, we placed our orders. To keep it short, my wife's salad was incorrect... twice. My friends burger was incorrect. My plate was forgotten until I asked about it, roughly three to five minutes after everyone else's corrected food was delivered. The drinks were great, so I don't want to take away from that. By the time I got my chicken fried steak meal, it wasn't warm at all. It was like it was left on a counter, but I was hungry so I ate it anyhow. Now, we had mentioned far in advance that this was a split check; myself and my wife / my friend and his. Somehow, the checks got SO messed up that it made no sense at all. It wasn't like one item was misplaced or even two. It was just all over the dang place! So my wife and I decided to pay both bills and just figure it out and have our friends Venmo us their share later. For my first and most likely last experience with Haymaker, I was far less than impressed. It took way too long to be seated for a place with numerous open seats, it took way too long to be acknowledged at our table and brought menus, it seemed like nobody way paying any attention to the details of our orders (which weren't even customized, it took way too long to receive some of our food and the attention to who ordered what was clearly not prioritized. Had my food been hot, I may have enjoyed that quite a bit too. I certainly hope this isn't the norm for this place. We live out in San Tan Valley and only visit the area at our time share once a year. This years dinner outing was rough.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 | yelp |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: JVC HA-FX300B In-Ear Headphones (Black) (Discontinued by Manufacturer); Brand: JVC; Review: I returned them when I bought a pair of Skull Candy ear buds that sounded just as good at 1/3 of the price.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Bose SoundDock Portable 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Speaker Dock; Brand: Bose; Review: I thought I could find a better dock for less. Well I was wrong . After about a years worth of research and buying cheaper products I finally bit the bullet and spent the $399. I could not be more pleased. How does Bose do it? Such wonderful sound from such a small device. I highly recommend this product. Spend the extra $100 and get the battery powered dock. You will not regret it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bose SoundDock Portable 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Speaker Dock; Brand: Bose; Review: I thought I could find a better dock for less. Well I was wrong . After about a years worth of research and buying cheaper products I finally bit the bullet and spent the $399. I could not be more pleased. How does Bose do it? Such wonderful sound from such a small device. I highly recommend this product. Spend the extra $100 and get the battery powered dock. You will not regret it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: New Trent Trident IMP71T 7100mAh External Battery Pack with Tri-output Port Charger with Large LED Display; Brand: New Trent; Review: I love this product. It holds about 3 full iPhone charges. Plus you can charge so many other things.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sonos Original Play:1 - Compact Wireless Speaker for streaming music. Compatible with Alexa devices for voice control. (metallic white); Brand: Sonos; Review: Great product!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: La Mer Deluxe Hotel Spa; City: Kamari Santorini Cyclades South Aegean; Review: We stayed here, 2 adults and one child for a week and were very impressed. There is a lot of staff to take care of your every whim and 3 pools to choose from. The complex is tastefully done in the style of small Greek villas. The rooms are cleaned meticulously and towels and bedding change twice daily - the breakfast was a magnificent spread and staff friendly. We has a huge round bed in the main room! The only gripe we has was that our son was in the adjoining room/tv room in a sofa bed but there were no curtains and the flood lights shone in and disturbed his sleep - the staff were more than helpful though and fixed this by hanging up a duvet cover in the window. We liked the gym and games facilities in the cool underground section - they had billiards, table tennis and table football. The constant playing of the same crap cover songs CD annoyed us buy that was the only thing. The restaurant and bar were overpriced and we preferred to take our lunch and dinner along the waterfront, about 100 meters away. Santorini is a beautiful island and the hotel is great - question is now " Can we beat this holiday?".; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Thalassa Boutique Hotel; City: Lassi Cephalonia Ionian Islands; Review: When booking with Airtours we expected a nice but simple hotel - we were wrong!! The hotel was fantastic, staff friendly and extremely helpful and everything was nearby and at hand. Even a mini market at the neighbouring complex. Make sure to book a room with a sea view and it was breathtaking to sit and have breakfast looking over the whole bay area at Lassi. Rooms cleaned every day and linen changed frequently. There is a mini kitchenette in a sort of Ikea wardrobe with a sink, fan, few cutlery bits and bobs and two hotplates, but forget it if you're going self-catering as this won't be enough. There is also a fitness room with some keep fit items and an extra shower if you have to hang around the hotel waiting for transport later in the day. There are two small pools and there are 2 small beaches within 250 meters. The village of Lassi has many restaurants offering lots of dishes at very reasonable prices. Try Trata fish restaurant where they give you a gorgeous cinnamon liqueur after your meal! Excellent holiday and hats off to the staff for making everything run smoothly.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Radisson Blu Hotel Cardiff; City: Cardiff South Wales Wales; Review: An excellent hotel for travellers in the heart of the city. Huge breakfast and really tasty contemporary food in the hotel bar. The only niggle I had was a really dirty toilet, which wasn't properly cleaned. Friendly staff, though most not Welsh speaking.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Haulfan Guest House; City: Lampeter Ceredigion Wales; Review: I was made to feel very welcome at Haulfan. Mrs Williams and her husband were very welcoming with a wonderful guesthouse. I stayed in their en suite double room with coffee and tea making facilities. They offer a large range of cooked breakfasts and cereals, according to what you like. They both speak Welsh so this is a perfect place to try some out. The guesthouse is just opposite to the university so is perfect if you're studying at the university. They also have good advice on where to eat and what to do. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and will come back next year.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Tallink City Hotel; City: Tallinn Harju County; Review: I've been staying at this hotel at least once a year for the last few years and it's a great friendly hotel, very close to the city centre and the Viru Keskus shopping centre. The breakfast buffet is really big, though the coffee is revolting. The hotel has been open for 10 years and the decor is beginning to look tired - especially the sea-sick inducing carpets, so it's time for a freshen up I think. The superior suite is brilliant - like having a flat at the top of the hotel.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hotel St Clemens; City: Visby Gotland; Review: Beautiful place with quirky rooms. Friendly staff and a wonderful ambience. Excellent breakfast. The setting is a yard, around which there are many converted buildings in different styles. Each room is completely different. The grounds also contain the ruins of St Clements Church. The whole area is really relaxing and very close to the main square in the Hanseatic old town.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Tallink Hotel Riga; City: Riga Riga Region; Review: I like staying at the hotel and we can often check in early. The hotel is well designed and the staff are friendly. Breakfast is excellent with a wide range of food for all tastes. Book a deluxe room for a better class of room.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows:
Title: Miguel Cervantes' Wife Reveals Daughter, 3, 'Died in My Arms' After Entering Hospice Care; Abstract: Miguel Cervantes' Wife Reveals Daughter 'Died in My Arms' After Hospice Care; Category: tv
Title: 5 Common Stomach Problems That Could Signal Serious Health Issues; Abstract: How to know when gas and diarrhea are more than just a nuisance.; Category: health
Title: You can rent Barbie's Malibu Dreamhouse for $60 per night; Abstract: Call three friends, jump in the bubble gum pink Jeep, and hop on the Pacific Coast Highway. The Barbie Malibu Dreamhouse is available to rent.; Category: travel
Title: Boxer Patrick Day dies after suffering traumatic brain injury in super welterweight fight; Abstract: Boxer Patrick Day, 27, died on Wednesday after being knocked out against Charles Conwell on Saturday. He had surgery and had been in a coma.; Category: sports
Title: Angry octopus and human fight over camera; Abstract: Eight arms vs. one hand... do the math, human.; Category: video
Title: After seeing a FedEx worker walk 12 miles home for months, co-workers rally to buy her a car; Abstract: Darlene Quinn, 60, had her car break down and couldn't afford to fix it, so she walked home from work. Co-workers and strangers rallied to help her.; Category: news
Title: I tried to eat like Kate Middleton for a week, but I couldn't get through it without cheating; Abstract: Following Kate Middleton's diet helped me feel energized throughout the week, but there were some meals I could only stomach once.; Category: health
Title: This Arctic blast is in its final day. But the cold isn't over quite yet; Abstract: The hundreds of millions of people gripped by the Arctic blast can begin to peel off a layer or two of clothing starting Thursday.; Category: weather | mind |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation: An Easy-to-Use Guide with Clear Rules, Real-World Examples, and Reproducible Quizzes; Author: Visit Amazon's Jane Straus Page; Review: I have been a writing teacher for 6 years now and in the education business for 15 years. The Blue Book is one of the most helpful books I have found. No grammar book is perfect, but this one is very user friendly and perfect for helping high schoolers hone their grammar. I know others have quibbled over this book, but their complaints are really unfounded.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Putting Your Past in Its Place: Moving Forward in Freedom and Forgiveness; Author: Visit Amazon's Stephen Viars Page; Review: perfect; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dave at Night; Author: Visit Amazon's Gail Carson Levine Page; Review: No problems.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Discovering Design with Chemistry Textbook; Author: Dr. Jay L. Wile; Review: This is such an excellent chemistry course. I took AP chemistry in high school and again in college, but those courses did not explain things as well as this course by Dr. Wile. His conversational style and clear/straightforward examples make the material approachable. I have taught Dr. Wile's chemistry course several times in a co-op setting, and I was excited to see that he had come out with this new one. It is a delight to teach. The progression is incremental and students get all the help they need. I appreciate the online helps. Also, the option to print the Comprehension Questions and Review Questions as worksheets makes it easier for the student. The reproducible extra review questions are so helpful to prepare students for the test. Thank you, Dr. Wile, for another GREAT course!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Farewell to Manzanar; Author: Jeanne Houston; Review: Really nice copy!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Dance Of Death; Author: Visit Amazon's Dale Hudson Page; Review: I pretty much only read true crime books and have come to be very picky about my reads. Some of them are so full of factual mistakes and poor grammar and misspellings and it's made me skeptical about the information in them. Dance of Death was written in such an entertaining manner that any mistakes would've been forgiven by me! I loved Dale Hudson's sense of humor - I found myself howling at some parts of the book. I didn't want the book to end! More please Dale Hudson!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Presumed Guilty; Author: Matt Dalton ; Review: but not to read! :-) Simply unbelievable that Matt Dalton would feel he could write anything about the Peterson case worth reading! It rates right up there with something that Falconer (original juror #5) might pen! Some of these reviews certainly remind me just how gullible peeps can be. I'm glad I wasted no money on this borrowed drivel - just wasted the time it took to read it! I rated it with 1 star simply because that's the lowest choice here. In reality it's less than zero!; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson; Author: Keith Ablow; Review: surely just part of his name with the remainder of it being Hard! Ablowhard! Absurd! Phony! Cashing in with meaningless babble! It would be laughable if so many gullible peeps didn't swallow this nonsense hook, line and sinker. One star is way too many,; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Die, Grandpa, Die (Pinnacle True Crime); Author: Visit Amazon's Dale Hudson Page; Review: This is not a slam against the writer, Dale Hudson, as I love the way he writes. However, the subject matter of this book and all the psychobabble and drivel from experts as to how Zoloft affected Chris Pittman and why he killed his grandparents was laborious to read. Not an enjoyable read at all and it took me forever to finish this book and I'm not sure why I did. Perhaps because other true crime books are few and far between right now. Usually I don't want books to end but I popped the cork on champagne to celebrate finishing this ugly tale.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town; Author: Visit Amazon's John Grisham Page; Review: Is what I wonder each time I pick this book up. I consider myself a very caring person but I haven't conjured up anything but pure disgust at this Williamson. Mental illness is very scary and disturbing to me and I think it can't really be helped all that much and it ticks me off that they quit taking their meds and go off the deep end. What purpose did he serve here? I looked at the pics and saw he was wasted away to nearly nothing so went searching to see what finally put him out of his and everyone else's misery. That was the high point of the book and I may not have to finish it now. Yes, it sucks that he was not guilty but he was crazier than an outhouse rat!; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: In Her Own Backyard: A Perfect Husband, A Perfect Marriage, A Perfect Murder (Berkley True Crime); Author: Howard R. Lemcke; Review: It's been awhile since I tried, with great effort, to read this book. So this review comes as an after(little)thought! I'm fairly certain this was THE most boring piece I ever attempted to read. There was absolutely nothing to hold my interest. I kept it around for awhile to use in case I ran out of toilet paper, then realized it wasn't even good for that!; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Love Her to Death; Author: Visit Amazon's M. William Phelps Page; Review: I love this book! No, I don't love the subject matter - it's a horrifying story in so many ways. I can only wonder at how and why peeps choose to live such screwed up lives! But this author strings together words quite to my liking and his kind of sarcasm is right up my alley! I was ROFLMBO at many of his comments that I could see my own self making! I'm almost to the end of the book and I will begin again as soon as I finish. I remember seeing this story on a Dateline or 48 Hours but I didn't recognize it until after I got into reading it. More, more, more from Mr. Phelps please!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A New Kind of Monster: The Secret Life and Shocking True Crimes of an Officer . .; Author: Visit Amazon's Timothy Appleby Page; Review: I love this book. Love how the author writes. The hideous tale of Russ Williams so piqued my interest that I've not been able to get enough of reading/watching about him. I don't think we'll ever have answers that satisfy our need to know why Russ or anyone else would do these sort of things but that's just my opinion. Mostly I think he was bored, spent too much time alone, and did what he did because he could. He'd satisfied much of what he wanted in the Air Force (more than enough to tickle his fancy) and he figured it was high time to tickle some other places in his sick self. Thank you, Timothy Appleby, for your very factual and sometimes humorous way of telling the tale of Russ Williams. I pray all who knew him, especially those as close to the man as he would let them get, heal from the devastation that Russ brought to them, especially his wife, parents and brother.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Deadly Little Secrets: The Minister, His Mistress, and a Heartless Texas Murder; Author: Visit Amazon's Kathryn Casey Page; Review: I savored the book as much as I could but it was difficult to put down the 3 times I did. I'm already reading it for the second time. What a great job KC did with a horrible subject! KC outdid herself on this one. From the first time I saw the story on tv I was hooked. There is so much info in the book, so many details she shares that most of us weren't aware of until now. It's a very sad read but so necessary to get in peep's hands as a warning about dirty little secrets - not just our own but those that belong to people we get into close relationships with. And to everyone who was so dedicated to bringing justice for Kari, you are heroes! I can't thank you enough for all you did to bring good from evil. Matt Baker was/is a person who thinks he can "baffle with bulls**t". I'm sure he did if from the pulpits he stood in and I know he did it to family and friends. He thought he could do it in front of tv cameras too. I thank God that along with so many who stayed at it in order to see Matt charged with/convicted of murder that Matt also helped put himself on the dark side of the bars, all the while attempting to baffle everyone with his BULLS**T! And that gf of his, so aptly named (bulls), as even her name gives her away as a baffler! There should have been charges brought against her too!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows:
Title: Sixth Sense, The (1999); Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: American Beauty (1999); Genres: Drama, Romance; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Arlington Road (1999); Genres: Thriller; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Blair Witch Project, The (1999); Genres: Drama, Horror, Thriller; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Bowfinger (1999); Genres: Comedy; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Mumford (1999); Genres: Comedy, Drama; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Runaway Bride (1999); Genres: Comedy, Romance; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Mystery Men (1999); Genres: Action, Comedy, Fantasy; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Muse, The (1999); Genres: Comedy; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999); Genres: Comedy; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Haunting, The (1999); Genres: Horror, Thriller; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Fight Club (1999); Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Life Is Beautiful (La Vita è bella) (1997); Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, War; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Shakespeare in Love (1998); Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Crooklyn (1994); Genres: Comedy, Drama; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dear God (1996); Genres: Comedy; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Shall We Dance? (Shall We Dansu?) (1996); Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Swingers (1996); Genres: Comedy, Drama; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Delicatessen (1991); Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Strictly Ballroom (1992); Genres: Comedy, Romance; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Groundhog Day (1993); Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Player, The (1992); Genres: Comedy, Crime, Drama; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Election (1999); Genres: Comedy; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Full Monty, The (1997); Genres: Comedy, Drama; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: As Good as It Gets (1997); Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Waking Ned Devine (a.k.a. Waking Ned) (1998); Genres: Comedy; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Toy Story (1995); Genres: Adventure, Animation, Children, Comedy, Fantasy; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Clueless (1995); Genres: Comedy, Romance; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Forrest Gump (1994); Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, War; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bob Roberts (1992); Genres: Comedy; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (1990); Genres: Comedy, Drama; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Clerks (1994); Genres: Comedy; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Eat Drink Man Woman (Yin shi nan nu) (1994); Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Aladdin (1992); Genres: Adventure, Animation, Children, Comedy, Musical; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Night on Earth (1991); Genres: Comedy, Drama; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Big Lebowski, The (1998); Genres: Comedy, Crime; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Metropolitan (1990); Genres: Comedy; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Little Voice (1998); Genres: Comedy; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | movielens |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: 10 Pairs of Reusable Thick False Eyelashes; Brand: EBOX; Review: First off i was skeptical about these only because they are so cheap and affordable for so many.I'd have to say these lashes are durable even more so than the ones in the store.As i remove the Lash from its case, i pull it off and it doe not damage the lash, not one bit!.I personally love them and would consider buying these again. There is so many their well defined, Whats not to love?!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: NYX Cosmetics Eye Shadow Base, White, 0.21 Ounce; Brand: NYX; Review: I've had this for a few months now, it works like it should.the consistency is firm and smooth. i would definitely buy this eye shadow primer again!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Coastal Scents Eclipse Concealer Palette; Brand: Coastal Scents; Review: I really like this concealer palette, its not powder, its more like how eye shadow primer feels like. I like the yellow, it highlights under your eyes, (FYI im pretty tan). The green cancels any redness out. I sometimes like to use the dark brown for eye depth in my crease. I really like this product, its durable, the casing & product lasts. I deff recommend buying this!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Crayon Concealer, Fair/Light Neutral, 0.10 Ounces; Brand: L'Oreal Paris; Review: I like this product, but i bought it in the shade light, what a mistake. I'm Mexican so i'm pretty tan. I also like the simplicity of this product. I don't use it much because of the color...; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Xtreme Brite Brightening Gel 1oz.; Brand: Xtreme Brite; Review: I bought this product about 3 months ago, I finished my tube of xtreme brite, as soon as I was almost done with the product I started seeing results. As I applied the gel in a circular motion i was doing so, I started to see dirt like skin come off. It was incredible :) as of today my arm pits are still white, well as they should look.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Beauty |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Lazareto Hotel; City: Monemvasia Monemvasia Municipality Laconia Region Peloponnese; Review: We have stopped at the hotel Lazareto for 2 nights. The rooms were clean but not very charming. We were quite close from a parking. Som rooms are better situated with direct view on the sea. Be aware to choose them (and forget the room in the tower). The access to the sea is difficult and the sea not very clean. Tehre is no swimming pool. The situation of this hotel is nevertheless appropriate to discover the old city and take beenefit from the numlerous taverns in the the new city. Not appropriate for a long stay. Very good breakfast.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Perivoli; City: Nafplio Argolis Region Peloponnese; Review: The hotel is located out of the city of naufplia in a charming place surronded by orange trees on a top of a hill. It is a small hotel (11 rooms ) where you feel at home! The staff is very welcoming and provides you with good tips. Large swimmingpool; huge rooms. We have not tested the restaurant but the breakfast was good (please add some fruits!). It's a design hotel I would definitively recommend.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Castelinho38; City: Rio de Janeiro State of Rio de Janeiro; Review: We recently staid at hotel Castelinho. The place is amazing in a charming old castle nicely situated in Santa Teresa. People are very nice and welcoming... but our room was so small that we couldn't let our case open. We only had cold water in the bathroom (just a dodgy electric heater on top of the shower that provides mild water). The windows has no glass even if you have an AC. Room was noisy but clean. I guess other room may be better. Avoid palmeira room. View is wonderful from the terrasse.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Gion Hatanaka; City: Kyoto Kyoto Prefecture Kinki; Review: Gion Hatanaka is very well situated in the heart of the old city. I nevertheless think that the hotel is overpriced. The confort is limited by the type of this traditional accommodation: sleeping on futon bed, no heating in the bathroom and the entry of the room. We asked them many times to let the door open between the bedroom and the rest of the very big room to heat it but they never did it. Traditional accommodation is a choice you have to make.. or not! The food is good but I would not recommend booking a dinner there: our Maiko evening experience was in fact a dinner in our room (no choice) because they are not available every day. They should at least tell you that when you book the dinner. Global feeling is that we were more treated as a foreigner tourist than a traditional guest.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Baglio Giammaccaro; City: San Vito lo Capo Province of Trapani Sicily; Review: This is the right place to choose if you want to experience a very exclusive (only 5 rooms) and luxurious experience ... in a such friendly atmosphere that you think you are visiting friends. Stefano has created a very nice place and a beautiful garden (I should write amazing). There is no swimming pool but you can borrow one of the bikes to reach one of the beaches within 3 minutes. There is also a jacuzzi.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: IOGEAR Universal Ethernet to Wi-Fi N Adapter for Home or Office, GWU627; Brand: IOGEAR; Review: received in great condition and as promised; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: TP-Link Wireless N300 PCI Adapter, 2.4GHz 300Mbps -(TL-WN851ND); Brand: TP-LINK; Review: received in great condition and as promised; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: ASUS B85M-E/CSM DDR3 1600 LGA 1150 Motherboard; Brand: Asus; Review: received in great condition and as promised; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Linksys AC1200 Wi-Fi Wireless Dual-Band+ Router, Smart Wi-Fi App Enabled to Control Your Network from Anywhere (EA6100); Brand: Linksys; Review: received in great condition and as promised; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: ASUS B85M-E/CSM DDR3 1600 LGA 1150 Motherboard; Brand: Asus; Review: received in great condition and as promised; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: ASUS Dual-Band AC750 wireless router 733 Mbps with USB port (RT-AC51U); Brand: Asus; Review: received in great condition and as promised; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: SABRE Wireless Window Glass Break & Vibration Detector Alarm with Security Warning Decal - DIY EASY Installation; Brand: Sabre; Review: received in great condition and as promised; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Logitech USB Headset H570e Stereo; Brand: Logitech; Review: received in great condition and as promised; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bluetooth Headphones Over-The-Ear Wireless Headphones with Mic by HomeSpot Hi-Fi Stereo Wireless Headset,; Brand: HomeSpot; Review: received in great condition and as promised; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Thermal Paste, 5 Pack ThermalCoolFlux(TM) High Performance Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Paste; Brand: Flux; Review: received in great condition and as promised; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Logitech B100 Corded Mouse – Wired USB Mouse for Computers and Laptops, for Right or Left Hand Use, Black; Brand: Logitech; Review: received in great condition and as promised; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: RCA Viking Pro; Brand: RCA; Review: received in great condition and as promised; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: DOBERMAN SECURITY Ultra-Slim Window Alarm 2 PACK with Loud 100dB Alarm and Vibration Sensors – Modern; Brand: Doberman Security; Review: received in great condition and as promised; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Asus Micro ATX DDR4 LGA 1151 Motherboard B150M-C/CSM; Brand: Asus; Review: received in great condition and as promised; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Myguru Computer Camera High Definition 1080P HD USB Webcam Network Camera USB Computer Web Cam with Microphone for Skype Facetime; Brand: Myguru; Review: received in great condition and as promised; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: RCA Viking Pro; Brand: RCA; Review: received in great condition and as promised; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: CableWholesale 12-Feet 2 RCA Audio Plus RCA RG59 Video Gold Plated Stereo/VCR Cable (10R3-01112); Brand: CableWholesale; Review: received in great condition and as promised; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Uniden AppCam25HD High Definition Outdoor Wi-Fi Camera (Black); Brand: Uniden; Review: received in great condition and as promised; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: ASUS H110M-A LGA 1151 Intel H110 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro-ATX DDR4 Motherboard; Brand: Asus; Review: We ordered this motherboard to use in a custom built system that we were building for a customer. When we went to use the board we found it to have bent CPU socket pins, and was DOA. After getting a RMA and sending it back to Asus for replacement they informed us that they would not replace the damaged motherboard even though it came from the factory damaged. We buy and sell many Asus motherboard and this is the first time we received a damaged board. But Asus will not stand behind what they sell. I could see them not wanting to replace a board that has been used but this was a brand out of the box motherboard. They suggested we return it to Amazon, and I would except it is after the return deadline so I now have a dead motherboard that I can't use just because Asus won't stand behind what they sell.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: AJs Retro Thigh High Tube Socks; Brand: AJs; Review: Love these socks; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Madden Girl Women's Cactuss Boot; Brand: Madden Girl; Review: Awesome boots; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: AM Landen Girls Cotton Over Knee Thigh High Socks Tube Socks Stockings(Black/Gray); Brand: AM Landen; Review: Did not like these socks at all; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: AJs Retro Knee High Tube Socks; Brand: AJs; Review: Awesome socks; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: AJs Adult Striped Knee Socks; Brand: AJs; Review: Love these socks; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Polar Products Womens Lace Up Rubber Sole Short Winter Snow Rain Shoe Boots; Brand: Polar Products; Review: Love these boots , they fit great and there warm and comfortable; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: 5 Liter/1.3 Gallon Round Step Color Trash Can (Blue); Brand: Hopeful by Long-Lived; Review: Good product!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ruthy's Textile 2-piece Brandy Flocked Back Tab or Rod Pocket Window Curtain Panels 54" X 84" Total 108" X; Brand: Ruthy's Textile; Review: Really like it! It's not light blocking but it does create privacy, even at night. Would definitely buy again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 3 Pcs Set - Classic Christmas Stockings 18" Cute Santa's Toys Stockings - 3D; Brand: Imperial Home; Review: Super cute :); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Lulltra Waterproof Mattress Protector by Coop Home Goods - Cooling Waterproof Hypoallergenic Topper- Queen Size Cover- White; Brand: Coop Home Goods; Review: Stopped working after a few months, even though I followed washing directions. I'd like the seller to contact me regarding a replacement.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: CHUN YI 1-Piece Knit Spandex Fabric Sofa Slipcovers (Loveseat, Black); Brand: CHUN YI; Review: Most slipcovers are so-so, but this fits perfectly and is very soft!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Home_and_Kitchen |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: LensCovers Sunglasses Wear Over Prescription Glasses, Size Medium, Polarized; Brand: LensCovers; Review: Fit was exactly as expected.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Samsonite Luggage Fiero HS Spinner 20, Black, One Size; Brand: Samsonite; Review: Great suitcase. Used as a carry on on United flights. No problem with carry on size.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fila Men’s Memory Workshift Slip Resistant Work Shoe; Brand: ; Review: Very comfortable.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ubridal Short Beading Keyhole Back Tulle Homecoming Dresses Prom Gowns; Brand: Ubridal; Review: Nice dress, daughter loved it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Genuine Leather Wallets For Men - Bifold Mens Wallet RFID Blocking With Removable Card Holder; Brand: Access Denied; Review: Seems well built, but very stiff. Thought it would soften over time. Been using it for over a month now and still very stiff.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Courtyard Edmonton Downtown; City: Edmonton Alberta; Review: We stayed at The Courtyard Edmonton mid October 2005. It is located right on the River with fantastic views. We were given a top floor corner room so were able to look out over the river and also toward the University of Alberta area. The room was very large and nicely decorated. It had a small refigerator inside a cabinet and a marble floor and counter in the bathroom. Breakfast was available either as a buffet or made to order. It was not included with our room although I believe sometimes you can get a rate that does include it. There were also several other restaurants within walking distance as well as shopping. Next door was the convention center. Across the river was the Muttart Conservatory with 4 pyramid glass buildings that are edged in blue lights at night. The only negatives were that you either used the valet parking or the pay parking next to the entrance, and the counter space in the bathroom consisted of a narrow strip running above the sink along behind the toilet. There was a small round table next to the bed that I took into the bathroom and used to put my toiletries on. There was plenty of room for it. The staff were very friendly and one took us out onto the outside eating area and pointed out places of interest and things to do. I would not hesitate to stay here again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Aroma Suites; City: Fira Santorini Cyclades South Aegean; Review: We had a very nice time at the Aroma Suites even though the weather wasn't co-operating the entire time we were there. Since it was March 22-24 we had some rain and lots of wind but had enough sunny days to enjoy our time on Santorini. We were in the Vanilla Suite which was a traditional cave apartment. It was quite comfortable and had a lot of room for the two of us. It would be suitable for a family as there was also a trundle bed and another twin bed. We didn't use the kitchenette except to keep a water bottle cool but it would be handy to make up a picnic lunch or quick meal. The 2 burner cooktop and other kitchen stuff was kept under the sink so was out of sight. The bathroom was traditional also and a challenge for us tall people to take a shower with a hand held shower wand and no curtain. The towels were not big and fluffy but did the job. Bring your own washcloths. The housekeeper was supposed to bring us toiletries but didn't and we didn't press the issue. The room stayed at a good temperature which is the advantage to the cave rooms and which is probably very nice in the hot days of summer. It was nice to have a tv as we had some downpours at night and we could stay entertained by BBC. We weren't able to get internet in our room as I think we were too insulated but went to the office and could get our emails on our laptop. I would recommend the cave suites just for the experience. The view was fabulous and Fanes is a very helpful and gracious host. We rented a car for a day, that he recommended, and arranged to use it to get to the airport so we didn't have an additional expense of a taxi. Although we visited in March, and other than the weather being somewhat of an issue, most everything was open and probably more relaxing than during the high season.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Grand Hotel Palace Thessaloniki; City: Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Region Central Macedonia; Review: We stayed at the Grand Hotel Palace from March 14-22, 2007. The hotel was nice. We especially liked the breakfast buffet that was included. I wouldn't have rated it as a 5 star compared to hotels in the USA maybe a high 3. The bed was very comfortable and the bathroom facilities fit us 2 tall people. We also had dinner here twice which was very good but a little expensive. We used the pool twice which we had all to ourselves. You need to ask for the key to get to it as they seem to host a lot of large groups of high school age students and evidently don't let them use the pool or gym facilities. We were not bothered by the kids as they were on a different floor and the hotel has excellent soundproofing both from inside noises and the outside. The biggest downside was the location. It is not close to the town center or any restuarants or shopping areas. They do provide a shuttle every half hour until 11:30am to their sister hotel near the center, but we could have used it in the afternoon also. The number 8 or 12 bus is about 1 1/2 blocks away that takes you into town and the return drops you off right across from the hotel. Also, the smell of cigarette smoke as you walk in and in all the public areas was stifling at times, but the whole city(country?) smokes everywhere all the time. So, the hotel was nice but the location was not convenient.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: SpringHill Suites Las Vegas Convention Center; City: Las Vegas Nevada; Review: We went to Las Vegas for a wedding. Liked that there was not a casino or slot machines at this hotel. Liked the modern look of the rooms. Although not on the main strip easy to get to either walking, driving or taking the monorail.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Fairfield Inn Suites Oakland Hayward; City: Hayward California; Review: We were visiting family in Hayward so the location was perfect for us. Easy on and off from hwy 92 and 880. The first room we stayed in was #123, which was adjacent to the breakfast area. I was worried this might be noisy in the morning but we weren't bothered by any voices or food supply noises. What was a problem was that this room shares the wall with the kitchen and the refrigerators are against the wall where the head of the bed is. The buzz of the refrigerators was too much for me - I'm a light sleeper. I was hoping it would be like a "white noise" but was too intense. My husband slept fine. We moved to room #206 the next night which was better other than what sounded like "happy feet" above us running back & forth until @ 1:00am. Otherwise the hotel was very quiet and it didn't seem there were too many people there. These were the days after Christmas. The desk people were very friendly and helpful. This hotel is atrium style with a water feature in the middle.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Pacific Gardens Inn; City: Pacific Grove Monterey County California; Review: My cousin and I stayed at the Pacific Gardens Inn for one night on our way home from visiting relatives in the Bay area. It is surrounded by trees and was very quiet. It is an older place but clean and pretty well kept up. We had a 2 Q room upstairs (206) and didn't hear hardly any other people, cars, etc. It had a fireplace that was all set up with matches to light it. It didn't have small kindling so the fire went out quickly as the larger logs didn't catch but we didn't fool around with it to try for a lasting fire. Popcorn and machine was provided but we were too full from our dinner (and the wine & cheese and crackers provided earlier in the lobby) to try it out. Asilomar Beach is a short walk across the street through the Conference Center's parking lot. The breakfast was filling. Besides scones, muffins, danish there were two choices of cereal and some hard cooked eggs. Pacific Grove is a charming town and I may bring my husband back for our anniversary.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Rosedale Inn; City: Pacific Grove Monterey County California; Review: We stayed in room 117, a deluxe King Suite. It was very quiet. We never heard any neighbors and only the backup beep of a truck in the morning but otherwise no traffic noise. This room has a private patio off the bedroom where we sat and watched the squirrels. As others have said the bathroom is not heated so I wore slippers and was ok. Also it was during a warm Spring time so the sun warmed the living room during the afternoon. Opening the window and drawing the curtains and turning on the ceiling fan was helpful to cool it down. I imagine during cold days it would be nice to have the warmth. I loved the location as it is super close to the water and among the trees. A rural feeling but close to all the sites and things to do. Didn't use the whirlpool tub but found the shower adequate. Soft water which was nice. Good breakfast as others have said.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Residence Inn by Marriott San Ramon; City: San Ramon Tri Valley California; Review: Staff was friendly and helpful. Breakfast was generous and well replenished. Room was nicely decorated and comfortable. We were happy that RI are now furnishing with King beds as we are tall people. Near shopping centers and far enough from the freeway, yet easy access. Stayed after Christmas (cool weather) so didn't try out the pool, although saw one person in the hot tub. Only criticism would be that there was a basketball court directly under our window and a boy was out there @8:00am bouncing the ball. Luckily we were up but time restrictions might be good. Possibly there were but I didn't notice a sign on the enclosure. Overall a good facility and good staff.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Econo Lodge Grand Junction; City: Grand Junction Colorado; Review: We stayed in room 205 which faced an empty lot toward the back of the property. It was far enough away from the interstate that we heard very little traffic noise. The EconoLodge is tucked next to a Shell gas station and another hotel so is back from the street also. There is no pool or fitness room and is a smaller hotel. The staff are very friendly and helpful. Second floor is accessed from stairs in the lobby or back door entrances. All stairs are inside-no elevator. Breakfast room was adequate but all food and drinks were set up in a corner configuration so more then 2 people caused traffic jams. Perhaps if people moved out of the way while their waffles were cooking would help. The breakfast attendant was helpful in explaining what was available and refilled immediately.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fairfield Inn Suites Grand Junction Downtown Historic Main Street; City: Grand Junction Colorad; Review: This Fairfield had a really nice feel. It was adjacent to many restaurants and other stores in the historic area. The outside artwork was impressive along the street. We were in room 414 which had 2 Queens and was very large compared to most hotel rooms I've stayed in. We overlooked the front of the hotel toward Springhill Suites across the street and could see a beautiful sunset out of the side of our window. The check-in person was very friendly and helpful with suggesting places to eat. Even though our room was diagonal across from the elevator we didn't hear any noise associated with it. Just some people letting their doors slam shut.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: SpringHill Suites Las Vegas North Speedway; City: North Las Vegas Nevada; Review: We stayed in room 326 which was on the top floor. Usual Springhill decor with split bathroom. Friendly staff, large breakfast area, and especially appreciated the breakfast time from 6am to 10 am. Breakfast items refilled timely and nice selection. Free wifi fast enough for me. Cons- lighted mirror around sink in shower room dim for makeup application, and doors seemed to be especially loud when people let them slam shut, AC cold for bed right next to the unit and it was a little loud.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Heavenly Valley Lodge Bed Breakfast; City: South Lake Tahoe Lake Tahoe California California; Review: Linda really made us feel special and welcome. I like that extras are included, like bottles of water that are replenished each day. The breakfasts were great and we really enjoyed relaxing and indulging in happy hour. Bicycles were available and Linda said she was going to be opening a gift shop soon on the premises. It was nice to have a kitchenette and the fireplace was a centerpiece. We took a peek at some of the other rooms and all have a cute theme and different fireplaces and kitchenettes but seem to have all you would need. This is a great alternative to a bland motel room.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Courtyard by Marriott Anchorage Airport; City: Anchorage Alaska; Review: We stayed coming and going from Anchorage. Nicely decorated and comfortable rooms. Our room was quiet on the third floor. I did hear footsteps above when we were on the 2nd floor. You can hear the seaplanes but they run at reasonable times. Fun to walk across the street and watch them take off and arrive. Since the weather was so nice when we were there - 70s- we had dinner on the outside patio at the Lakefront across the street from the Courtyard and watched the planes. The menu at the Courtyard looked good and reasonable but we didn't take the time to eat there. Bus stop is a couple of blocks away to take you downtown.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fairfield Inn Suites Sacramento Folsom; City: Folsom California; Review: I'm not sure when this property was built but it seemed pretty new. We were in room 302 and the room was quiet and the furnishings looked well kept. Plenty of room on the bathroom sink area for all of our stuff. Staff were all friendly. Breakfast was good.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Prestone AS250 De-Icer Windshield Washer Fluid - 1 Gallon; Brand: Prestone; Review: Great price; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: MATCC Adjustable Foam Cannon 1 Liter Bottle Snow Foam Lance With; Brand: MATCC; Review: Piece of ****. DIDNT WORK; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Car Windshield Snow Cover Magnetic by WindAigis — No Scraper and Ice — Wipers Protection — Storage Pouch Bag —; Brand: Wind Aigis; Review: Magnets missing...; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Chicago Power Tools 39606 5-Inch to 6-Inch 8-Piece Waxers Bonnet Set; Brand: Chicago Power Tools; Review: You get what you paid for it; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: 3M 39036 Wheel and Tire Cleaner - 16 oz, Pack of 1; Brand: 3M; Review: Works great; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Automotive |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: You Can Read Anyone: Never Be Fooled, Lied to, or Taken Advantage of Again; Author: Visit Amazon's David J. Lieberman Page; Review: Well, it feels like i do after reading David Lieberman's "You can read anyone". It was such riveting reading that i couldn't put it down for a whole week reading the pages over and over again to see if i missed out on any new information. I love the theory followed by example format which was chosen and even tested some examples in real life. Whilst i cannot say it works 100% of the time, i find it still very compelling to read and try out. Its funny to see that sometimes human behaviour can be so predicable. All in all.... a very interesting book.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Get Anyone to Do Anything: Never Feel Powerless Again--With Psychological Secrets to Control and Influence Every Situation; Author: Visit Amazon's David J. Lieberman Page; Review: My feeling towards this book is that it reuses all ideas that has already presented in other self help books and just bundle it together with a new cover. Yes, the ideas within can be useful but i did not gain any new knowledge from reading this book. However, there are some good ideas within and still worth a read if you would like to know more about reading body languages and improving your communication through better choice of word selection.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Anthropologist On Mars; Author: Visit Amazon's Oliver Sacks Page; Review: The book is very intriguing! Everyone is different one way or another, in this book, Sacks explores some of the more extreme cases, and talks about their life story to show how he/she has overcome with 'not being normal'. Sacks explain concepts in layman terms so that even people who are not in the medical field would not fall asleep whilst trying to grasp the situation. Any "House" fans like myself will definately enjoy this book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Secret (Unabridged, 4-CD Set); Author: Visit Amazon's Rhonda Byrne Page; Review: Advantages: This book has a very elegant leatherish cover with a magnetic lock. There are wise quotes scattered at the bottom of each page Disadvantage: Basically its similar to a lined notebook except it has has really fancy cover. Disappointed for the lack of content. However if someone is interested in a fancy notebook to write your daily gratitudes, then this is worth your purchase.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Self-Esteem Guided Journal; Author: Matthew McKay; Review: This journal is very thorough with its guidance in your journey from discovering how you become who you are today and what you can do to change it. Each day there is a section that ask a specific personal question you need to answer and those questions require you to step back and reflect back on your life experiences. Themes include: being aware of how your "shoulds" controls your choices in life, how you developed your current self esteem level, learning acceptance etc etc... Very therapeutic!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dr. Quantum's Little Book Of Big Ideas: Where Science Meets Spirit; Author: Fred Alan Wolf PhD; Review: I never thought i was philosophical person but reading this book, it really challenge me to view the experiences around me in a different way. The book is broken down into different chapters such as parallel universes, natural selection, cause and effect and concept of time which whilst it is expressed in a scientific manner, the ideas proposed also challenges to the reader to think in a spiritual sense as well. Small book but definately BIG on ideas!; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Living The Secret Everyday: My Secret Workbook; Author: Visit Amazon's Joanne Scaglione Page; Review: The simplicity on how they express their ideas and then providing readers the opportunity to practise the theory through practical exercises given within the book, makes it a worthwhile purchase. I love the blank journal entries and goal planner at the end of the book, it really help make the big picture more clearer for me. In general, if i had to summarise what this book is about i would say: Finding out what you want, work towards reaching that goal in obtaining what you want and then weeding out what is not working. Its an enjoyable work book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Belkin Silicone Armband Case for 80/120 GB iPod classic 6G (Black); Brand: Belkin; Review: PROS: Fits ipod like a glove, covers/protects wheel and has a screen cover, leaves access to all ports and hold button. Works very well with the armband. I have recently battle tested it doing windsprints and weight training; it stays on my arm tight and secure. Also works well as a universal case...just pull out the armband through the back when not exercising. -Asthestically pleasing and not bulky. CONS: Very little to complain about here. Kinda wish it had a belt clip as well, a bit of a dust magnet, sometimes hard to work the wheel (but usually works great). Conclusion: BUY! BUY! Buy!! I have tried other cases...this one is exactly what I was looking for. Works great for my work outs and works great as a universal case - protects the screen and wheel. Very satisfied!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Philips SHE2650/37 Earbuds with Case (Discontinued by Manufacturer); Brand: Philips; Review: Just buy them, better yet buy a couple pairs. They sound pretty good, better than the earbuds that came with my ipod that blew, they are dirt cheap, the cord is just the right length, and the case works just peachy if you remember how to do it. I'm happy with them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Logitech S120 2.0 Stereo Speakers; Brand: Logitech; Review: If your not looking to fill your whole house with big sound, you can't go wrong with these puppies. I bought a set so that I could listen to my ipod in the bathroom...they more than do the trick. I have another cheap set of some other brand in my bedroom, but they sound cheap. These puppies are 1/2 the size and sound better. And for the price, you can't go wrong. I'm happy!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: JBuds J2 Premium Hi-Fi Noise-Isolating Earbuds Style Headphones (Black/Chrome Silver) (Discontinued by Manufacturer); Brand: JLAB; Review: These buds sound GREAT especially for the price point. Glad I purchased them. They also appear to be more rugged than others I've had, but time will tell...I am HARD on them (more the type to wad them up and stuff them in my pocket rather than roll them up nicely clockwise! lol) Please allow me to revise my review. Where the input 1/8" stereo jack goes into the the ipod has a short (this has happened on many other headphones I have used) and audio now only plays on the left side. This is probably my fault for not storing them better, but I was hoping these would be more durable.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Belkin Sport Armband Pluswith FastFit for iPod classic 2G (Navy Blue); Brand: Belkin; Review: To be fair to this product...I am using it with an 80 gig classic ipod. It isn't specifically designed for this older ipod. PROS: The wheel still works! It has a clip that clips on to the armband, so it doesn't rest directly on my arm (bounces around a little less). The clip can also can clip onto a belt so it's dual purpose. CONS: Barely fits my 80 GIG Ipod & it's ugly! I like to use it as a case without the armband when I'm not exercising and this unit is CLUMSY as a holder (slippery, sinc cable barely fits). The top of the unit does not cover ipod so dirt and stuff can easily get in. I really miss my Belkin rubber/silicone holder and will switch back to that again soon.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: RF Link AVS-5813 5.8Ghz A/V Wireless Receiver; Brand: RF Link; Review: I used to have I think a 900mhz version that fuzzed out when ever...there were numerous interferances. This one works quite well given the same interferences. I am very happy with it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Belkin Sports Sleeve Case and Armband for 30 GB iPod 5G, 5.5G (Black); Brand: Belkin; Review: I have had a couple other arm bands w cases and they both covered the wheels and therefore the wheel was not very sensitive and using it was hit & miss. This one is durable silicone construction and leaves the wheel exposed. The arm band slips in when you want it. It also fits my IPOD Classic 80 gig and is solid black so it looks better too. 5 stars!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: niceeshop White 30pin Dock Male to Female Extender Extension Converter Adapter Mate for iPhone 3 4 iPod iPad; Brand: niceeshop; Review: Don't buy this one. Spend a couple bucks more and get something that might actually work for more than 2 days. That is all.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Plantronics M25 Bluetooth Headset - Retail Packaging - Silver/Black; Brand: Plantronics; Review: I love that when I turn it on it announces how much talk time is remaining. It also has a deep sleep mode that preserves battery. The only con and it's not a deal breaker is the range is not very far. All in all, great purchase and given the chance I would buy this one again for sure!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Philips SHQ1200/28 ActionFit Sports In-Ear Headphones; Brand: Philips; Review: Best headphones I have owned for the $. Great sound and one side doesn't quit working after 6 months like so many other headphones and ear phones I have had. The only negative would be the caps can fall off (and be lost). Still for the money I am on my second pair and if the caps fall off and are lost I will replace em with the exact same again - a no brainer for the sound and reliability.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Palais Winterfeldt; City: Berlin; Review: We've been there for 12 days and it has been perfect. It isn't ijust n the middle of the city (better, because you can rest better), but in just 4 or 5 U-bahn stops you are there without changing line! Well located in a good neighbourhood and with a supermarket just in front (perfect). Clean apartments, fully equipped, and with very nice staff: the first day, there was a little misunderstood with keys and because of that, they gave us a champagne bottle to apologize! just charming!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rhodes Hotel; City: London England; Review: We’ve been there for three days. It’s the typical B&B of London, no surprises. Kind staff, clean and comfortable room, new bathroom, acceptable breakfast (toasts, croissants, jam, yogurt, ham, cheese, cereals, tea, orange juice, coffee, fruits). I would consider that is well located: 2 min. from Lancaster station in a good neighbourhood (just three stops from Oxford Circus) I definetly would stay there again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Feung Nakorn Balcony Rooms Cafe; City: Bangkok; Review: Beautiful hotel with comfortable-clean-secure rooms. Nice staff, good breakfast and near the main sights of bangkok. The only thing i notice is that there isn't an elevator, so if you are traveling with a disabled person you should know it. I would go there again!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Woodland Villa Country Cabins; City: Klamath California; Review: We had cabin #2 and it was perfect for us, although we were four people and a pair of us had to sleep in the sofa! The cabin was clean, comfotable and what is the most important thing, a few minutes from Redwoods and Praire Creek (incredible hike!) There is a supermarket and a dinner there, so you can eat and buy whatever you need. If i come back, i will sleep there again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Pension Brinn; City: Berlin; Review: Simple and clean pension with a very good breakfast. It's located in a quiet neighbourhood, and just three minutes far from the U-bahn. Very well connected: U-bahn U2, perfect if you want to visit the main tourist spots.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Holiday Inn Express Waynesboro Rt 340; City: Waynesboro Virginia; Review: Spent I night and loved the hotel. Great location, near the highway and many restaurants nearby. Room was great, breakfast terrific and staff very friendly.would highly recommend to families because of the pool, nearby children's restaurants and free breakfast; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Tenuta Torre Gaia; City: Dugenta Province of Benevento Campania; Review: We booked 2 nights here and it was fantastic. Great location, beautiful scenery,great rooms in a converted castle. The people could not have been more friendly. Anna was a great host, gave us a tour of the wine celler and served us breakfast. The food was outstanding. Would highly recommend.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hotel NYX Cancun; City: Cancun Yucatan Peninsula; Review: If you are staying 1 night avoid at all costs.when we checked in we asked for Internet and was told it was $13US an hour.Unbelievable..We had a drink by the pool and charged to our room. For dinner the waiter told us the price included wine or drinks. We had wonderful wine but when the bill came he said he made a mistake as the wine was not included but if we paid in US dollars he would reduce the bill by 10%. He probably pocketed the money. Then the people from the pool bar came to us and said we can't charge to the room we must pay cash. It got worse. The room was facing the main road and adjacent to a loading dock. The noise started at 4am. The room had no chairs to sit on just the bed. We found out the resort is up for sale,what A surprise..I am sure since this is also a vacation club people staying here for a week have a much better experience..for I night find another place; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Cody Cowboy Village; City: Cody Wyoming; Review: What a great place. It looks like a plain log cabin,but what a surprise when you walk in.. A living room with a couch and a flat screen TV. A spacious bedroom with the best bed we have slept on in all our worldwide travels and a modern bathroom. No wonder this place is booked from Memorial Day weekend thru the summer.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cody Cowboy Village; City: Cody Wyoming; Review: Love Cody Wyoming, Didn't know what to expect when we booked the Cody Cowboy Village. Looked like a small log cabin. What a great surprise. Large living room and large bedroom. Loved the place. Interesting historic site next door,a recreation of an old western town. Don't miss the Irma Hotel,,down the street. Named after Buffalo Bill Cody's daughter and the bar was a gift from the Queen of England.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hotel NYX Cancun; City: Cancun Yucatan Peninsula; Review: We have been coming to Cancun for 25 years. We found this hotel 2 years ago. In the Hotel Zone on the beach. Great rooms with breakfast included. The rooms are modern with all the comforts. The price is at least half of most hotels and with the dollar strong against the peso it’s a great deal. Pay in pesos for a great exchange rate if your credit card doesn’t charge for foreign transactions. The staff is great.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Ray Cook Extreme Aim Chipper; Brand: Ray Cook; Review: Excellent weight and feel. Worth every penny. Great for amateurs.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Da Vinci Italian 100% Plastic Playing Cards, 2-Deck Set with Hard Shell Case & 2 Cut Cards; Brand: Da Vinci; Review: great cards; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Wacces Professional Exercise, Stability and Yoga Ball for Fitness, Balance & Gym Workouts- Anti Burst - Quick Pump Included; Brand: Wacces; Review: perfect; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: World Sport 30 Foot Flat Rung Agility Ladder (Breaks Down to Two 15 Foot Ladders); Brand: World Sport; Review: best option on the market; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Valor Fitness MB-5 Triceps Rope with Rubber Stoppers; Brand: Valor Fitness; Review: Works perfectly; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Valor Fitness MB-1 V Handle Bar with Rubber Grips; Brand: Valor Fitness; Review: comfortable V-bar, excellent; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: CFF Functional Trainer Nylon Cable Crossover Handles (Pair); Brand: CFF FIT; Review: Excellent product, much quieter than the metal counterparts and just as effective; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Century Original Wavemaster Freestanding Heavy Punching Bag; Brand: Century; Review: very good product; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Power Systems Premium Bar Accessory; Brand: Power Systems; Review: great product; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Elite Sportz Equipment Ab Wheel Rollers - Our Ab Exercise Wheels are Sturdy, Smooth Rolling, and has; Brand: Elite Sportz Equipment; Review: performs perfectly; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: CFF Landmine Double D Triangle; Brand: CFF FIT; Review: very strong/sturdy, just a bit bulky; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Sports_and_Outdoors |
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows:
Title: The Man I Love (1997); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Sleepy Hollow (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 28 Days Later (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Bad Boys (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ghost Ship (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Sum of All Fears (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Signs (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Sixth Sense (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Black Hawk Down (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: High Crimes (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Romancing the Stone (1984); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Willow (1988); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Reign of Fire (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Minority Report (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Terminator 2: Extreme Edition (1991); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Meteor (1979); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Butterfly Effect: Director's Cut (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Better Than Chocolate (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ghosts of Mars (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Back to the Future (1985); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Outbreak (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Forrest Gump (1994); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Along Came a Spider (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Boys Don't Cry (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Enemy Mine (1985); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Double Jeopardy (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Men in Black (1997); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Deep (1977); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Gladiator (2000); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cast Away (2000); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: DeepStar Six (1989); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Total Recall (1990); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mercy (1999); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Matrix (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: K-19: The Widowmaker (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Independence Day (1996); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Red Planet (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Titanic (1997); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Enemy of the State (1998); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Shawshank Redemption: Special Edition (1994); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Green Mile (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Negotiator (1998); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Man on Fire (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Secret Window (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Day After Tomorrow (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Ninth Gate (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0 | netflix |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: var aPageStart = (new Date()).getTime(); var ue_t0=ue_t0||+new Date(); window.ue_ihb = (window.ue_ihb || window.ueinit || 0) + 1; if (window.ue_ihb; Brand: Wolverine; Review: A little too, materials and workmanship are very good, very strong. Suitable for outdoor pavement not good place to wear. Rain shoes when you enter water; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Calvin Klein Men's Bedford Dress Pant; Brand: ; Review: It was the right size. It is a thin section of corduroy and very suitable for summer. It feels very good and Partial loose .; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: U.S. Polo Assn. Men's Classic Polo Shirt; Brand: U.S. Polo Assn.; Review: Webpage picture looks smooth and cool, but in fact not so good; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: U.S. Polo Assn. Men's Slub Short-Sleeve Henley Top; Brand: U.S. Polo Assn.; Review: Wear comfortable, good choiceI Will buy it again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Levi's Men's Leather Belt With Plaque Buckle; Brand: ; Review: The cortex is good, the length is also very suitable, the belt head does not look the picture to look good. It is still very good.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon; City: Miami Florida; Review: A real shame this hotel is. It's location and facilitys could be used much better. The lack of real managment really hurts this property. We booked a room here the last night of our cruise mainly because of location and name of chain "Hilton", what a mistake. Yes we arrived earlly and did not expect to get a room so we hung out at the pool for the day. When a room was available they checked us into a room that was not serviced. To correct the problem they then upgraded us to a room that would not accomadate us with bedding. After my second trip to the front desk we eventually recieved a clean and ready room as paid for or so I thought. Upon checking into the proper room we find an empty condom box behind the TV. How clean is this room?? The house keeping here at this hotel is a complete joke and there manager should find work else where! Next time I will sleep at the airport before staying here.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Hilton Garden Inn Kalispell; City: Kalispell Montana; Review: Stayed here for an overnight road trip and was very pleased. Hotel is new and well looked after. Small casino and restaurant are a great feature. Food and drink are fantastic. Pool area very nice as well. Lots of parking. Great breakfast for a small fee. This will be my hotel of choice when visiting Kalispell.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sandman Hotel Suites Winnipeg Airport; City: Winnipeg Manitoba; Review: What you would expect for a Sandman. Staff very friendly and helpful. Rooms clean and accommodating. Dennis and Chop located right in hotel is nice although this is all you have close by. Parking is a challenge as this seems to be a place where locals park and fly. Finding a parking stall is a challenge and when you do you do not want to leave it. I would consider returning next trip.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Riu Vallarta; City: Nuevo Vallarta Pacific Coast; Review: Just returned from the RIU Vallarta yesterday. I would have to say most reviews are spot on. First things first, it's the staff that make this hotel what it is. Each and everyone one of them go above and beyond to make your trip enjoyable. Do not expect a five star hotel when only paying for a 3. Yes this hotel has been well used! It really is showing it's age and wear. The staff do there best to keep it clean and looking good even if it includes serving you several drinks. The speciality restaurants are nothing special. I found the buffet to be just as good if not better. Drinks were what you would expect at an all inclusive, average. Bathrooms are definitely in short supply especially by the pool encouraging pool bar patrons to use other means. Check in and out is really easy. Sports bar boring. Disco worse. Central and lobby bar best bet for a drink in the evening. Yes there are lots of water snakes on the beach. WIFI in lobby good. Would I return? Probably not. There are better hotels for the same price.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Riu Emerald Bay; City: Mazatlan Pacific Coast; Review: Just returned from my 1 week stay Feb 01 to 08. First I must say it was a pleasant surprise having the pool bar back open in time for my trip. I was sure it wasn't going to be. Overall stay was very good. It is exactly what you pay for. I have been staying at RIU's for my last several trips and they are all just about identical. This hotel was hard to compare to my last trip as it was a RIU Palace of which they are building right next door. I would for sure pay the extra and upgrade again to a Palace as there were some minor things I missed this trip. Busy days made finding bacon in the morning a challenge as well as the OJ being drink crystals (Tang) and no pineapple my last day. Service is top notch and once again it is the service that makes this stay so good. Yes there was construction in the day but it did little to spoil my trip. The bands everyone complain about on the beach are not that bad. In fact it's tempting to tip them to keep playing knowing very few dislike them. LOL. Chinese restaurant is very good, Mexican not so. Lobby bar is a great place to meet people in the evening. Most visitors were Canadian which also made the trip so great. The other half would be locals who are also great to meet. All in all I would return to this hotel although I would book my room at the palace next door once complete.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: The Pact: A Love Story; Author: Visit Amazon's Jodi Picoult Page; Review: This is the story of two families, the Hartes and the Golds, whose lives were intertwined by the close proximity of their homes. James and Gus(Augusta) Harte were already living in the small town of Bainbridge, New Hampshire when Melanie and Michael Gold moved into the house next door. Gus Harte was a warm and decisive woman, very outgoing in manner, and it was mostly through her efforts that the strong friendship between the two families developed. This friendship was suddenly shattered by a tragic event that occurred between their two teen age children, Chris Harte and Emily Gold,who had known each other literally from birth and had gone from a brother-sister relationship to a more serious one of young love. Jodi Picoult is one of my favorite authors. She has a deep insight into human relationships. Her characterizations are real and her plots believable. In this book she shows that parents sometimes have such strong expectations for their children they overlook or fail to see the more obvious indications of what is actually occurring in their children's lives. The reader of this book quickly finds involvement in the plot and perhaps a hint of what might have or could have happened in his/her own life. Alma Winters, Author Once Upon a Time Tales; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Winthrop Woman; Author: Visit Amazon's Anya Seton Page; Review: The "woman" in this book is Elizabeth Winthop,a real historical person who was born in England in 1601. She was the niece of John Winthrop, the first governor and one of the principal establishers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. She was also his daughter-in-law through her first marriage to Harry Winthrop, John's second son. Elizabeth was a rebel against the strict and often harsh conventions imposed upon women of that day, particular in respect to the rules of the Puritan colonists who came to the New World to practice the freedom of their religion which was denied to them in their native England. Her attitudes and often rash actions caused her undue hardships, forced her and her family to move several times,often stealthily and with great loss. She was denied fullment of her first love but with her third marriage she eventually found not only love but peace and contentment. Anya Seton has cleverly woven a fascinating plot into actual historical events, using real historical persons. In this book she shows the struggles of the early settlers of this country, the exploitation and maltreatment of the native Americans and the consequences of these attitudes, the lack of religious tolerance of those who left their native lands because of the same intolerance, and the complete dominance of men over women who they regarded as unable to think or act for themselves in an intelligent way. As a lover of historical novels, I would recommend this book as a way of learning history in a more entertaining way than by means of a history textbook. Alma Winters, Author, ONCE UPON A TIME TALES; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Ben Sherwood Page; Review: This is the story of love between two brothers, Charlie and Sam. Charlie is three older than Sam. Charlie's father left his mother when he learned of the pregnancy. When she marries again and Sam makes his appearance, his father deserts also. Their mother finds life a constant struggle, but Charlie is the bright spot in her existence. When she is forced to spend long hours at her job she depends on Charlie to care for Sam. Charlie takes this responsibility seriously and since he and Sam have shared interests, especially baseball, he doesn't find this task too hard. But one fateful night,Charlie makes a huge mistake which results in a serious accident. Both boys are found by paramedics and Charlie is saved but Sam dies. While they both hover between life and death, they swear they'll never leave each other. Charlie keeps this promise by giving up the kind of life he should be having as a young man. He appears to have the gift of actually seeing his brother and each evening at sundown they meet. Whether or not the reader believes in spirits or an afterlife, the author Ben Sherwood has depicted a kind of love and loyalty that can be so deep that memory of a loved one can make them as close in death as they were in life. I found this to be a wonderfully moving story and a relief from books that appear to portray love by detailed and explicit sex scenes. Alma Winter, Author, ONCE UPON A TIME TALES; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: If You Give a Pig a Pancake; Author: Laura Numeroff; Review: This book, like all of Laura Numeroff's books in this series (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, If You Give a Moose a Muffin, etc) is wonderfully written in a logical order of events, each the result of a previous action. The illustrations by Felicia Bond follow the written word and are highly expressive of the sense of the story. I liked this book and all of the others I have read to my grandchildren because they are entertaining. In a subtle way each story shows how exasperating it is when the granting of a simple request becomes complicated when it leads to a series of requests, each built upon the previous one. Alma Winters, Author-ONCE UPON A TIME TALES.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Skippyjon Jones; Author: Visit Amazon's Judy Schachner Page; Review: Skippyjon Jones is the story of a cat who appears to want to be anything but what he is, a Siamese cat. This story depicts an animal with a big imagination who first decides he is a bird, but when his mother sends him to his room to think about what he really is, he then pretends to be a Mexican Chichuahua. The book, in my opinion, has a TV cartoon quality which I think appeals to many children in the age group for which it is intended. Children also like the rhyming lines and the illustrations are very well done. I feel the underlying nuances, whether intentional or not, of relationships (a cat being with birds without thinking of them as a meal and a Siamese cat being a hero to a Mexican dog) is completely lost on the young child who reads or has this book read to him/her. Alma Winters, Author-ONCE UPON A TIME TALES.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Giver (Collins Modern Classics); Author: Visit Amazon's Lois Lowry Page; Review: Jonas an eleven year old, is preparing for the annual Ceremony when he will become a Twelve. In essence, he will be leaving childhood behind and beginning the road to adulthood. This is not unlike some religions which celebrate the attainment of age twelve with some sort of ceremony. However, Jonas lives in a community which is strictly controlled in order to preserve a kind of perfection that has serious flaws. When Jonas and others who have been declared a Twelve (no individual birthdays are celebrated; every child advances to the next age in December each year at the Ceremony),they are assigned a specific role in the community. This will become their life's work. Jonas discovers that he has been selected to be the next Giver, which is considered to be a great honor. However, Jonas finds out that this is not such a great honor because his training will be the most difficult of all the others. He also learns the great flaws in the society into which he has been born. The author, Lois Lawry, has incorporated in this story many concepts which are cleverly presented in order to show that the world is not a perfect place and in order to obtain the kind of perfection that is purposed, all undesirables must be eliminated. I'm not sure these concepts are evident to the average young person in the age group for which the book is targeted.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Come, reza, ama (Spanish Edition); Author: Visit Amazon's Elizabeth Gilbert Page; Review: This autobiographical tale of the writer, who is in my opinion an emotionally unstable woman, at age thirty-five spends a year in three different countries, following a very bad break up and divorce from a marriage. She goes to Italy, a country rich in art, history, music, architecture and incredible scenery, and spends her time ignoring all of this to gorge herself on rich Italian food. Then she travels to India to spend time in an Ashram to contemplate and find God. Finally she flies to Bali, in Indonesia, to study with a medicine man. In this place she meets a man with whom she falls in love. In this present world there are many love affairs which go sour, many marriages that fall apart, many couples who separate,and many who seek solace and peace with God. However, most people do not have the luxury of traveling to other lands or exotic places to "find" themselves. I felt the author was just taking an ego trip but because she has a reputation as a writer, was able to have her work published. I purchased the book because the title intrigued me. I read it from beginning to end because I kept thinking I would find something worthwhile in it and because I have a policy to finish each book I start. But I was sorely tempted to deposit it in the "round file" after the first few pages. I found nothing to make me either sympathize or empathize with the author. Alma Winters,Author-Once Upon a Time Tales; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark; Author: Visit Amazon's Ridley Pearson Page; Review: This book is the first in a series of three. The setting is The Magic Kingdom part of Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Five young people about twelve or thirteen years of age,each of whom have taken part in an experimental program known as DHI technology, are involved in saving the Magic Kingdom from an evil group known as the Overtakers. This book has adventure, suspense, imagination, mystery and all the magic of Walt Disney's wonderful magical creations. It also contains some of the creative technology that is so a part of the world in which children now find themselves. It appeals, I think, to both boys and girls in the nine to eleven age group. Alma Winters, Author- Once Upon a Time Tales; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Recessional: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's James A. Michener Page; Review: This book deals with many aspects of the kind of life that faces the older generation. Mr. Michener has written not only a wonderful story with sometimes ordinary, sometimes eccentric characters, but has touched upon some of the problems that are endured because of age. It decries the use of the term "nursing home" for any and all retirement communities. It denounces the attitude that because a person having reached a certain age and/or with some physical disabilities, must also be mentally deficient and unable to make intelligent decisions. It tells of the love and devotion of a man whose wife is suffering with the final stages of Alzheimers disease. It touches on the questions of living wills and on pro-life groups that use unscrupulous methods for interfering with legally written and expressed wishes of those facing the final stages of life. It also tells of the loving care and deep concern that the staff of the retirement community in which the story unfolds feels and expresses toward all the residents. This book, although written in the early nineteen nineties, is in my opinion, one that should be read by everyone, whether in the age bracket known as the older generation, or has a parent or relative of advanced age, or simply comes in daily contact with those who don't think of themselves as being old and should not be considered just old folks. Alma Winter, Author-ONCE UPON A TIME TALES.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sacred Hearts: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Sarah Dunant Page; Review: This story takes place in Ferrara, a city in northern Italy, in 1570. During this period, because the price of a wedding dowry had risen so sharply within Catholic Europe, only one daughter of a family, usually the oldest, was able to marry. Other daughters of the family were sent to a convent where the dowry price was much less. In this story,fifteen year old Isabetta, the older of two daughters, was destined to marry a man of her father's choosing. However, she has fallen in love with another young man (and he with her) and she refuses to marry the man her father has selected. Therefore she, much against her will, is the one who is sent to a convent, Santa Caterina, to become a nun. Here, as a novice, she is given the name of Serafina. Serafina shows her unwillingness in many ways. In the end, with help from unexpected sources within the convent, she is able to leave,and she and her young lover depart the city to marry and live where they will not be known. The book is interesting because it reveals the life and inner workings of a convent during this period of Italian history. It is, as in life outside a religious house, made up of diverse characters with distinct personalities and several of them have a profound influence on young Serafina. As with other Sarah Dunant novels, I enjoyed the book tremendously.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Private (Private Novels); Author: Visit Amazon's James Patterson Page; Review: PRIVATE is a private investigative firm which Jack Morgan inherits from his father. It is equipped with all the most modern and advanced technological devices one can imagine and employs experienced operatives and technology experts to help solve the cases presented. The story has a main plot and several sub-plots. The main plot deals with Jack,whose criminal father dies in prison, whose twin brother appears to have inherited his father's deplorable ways of life, his unsteady relationships with the two women who appear in his life, and who is still haunted by his experiences as a Marine pilot in Afghanistan. The sub-plots are the cases. One case involves the murder of one of Jack's best friend's wife; another deals with a number of young girls who are lured to their deaths through text messages which appear to come from well-known friends; professional football game fixing; and some minor ones that deal with crime families. Although I have read many of James Patterson's books, I didn't think this was one comparable in quality to his other books. The cases weren't as riveting and I felt there was more offensive language than was necessary. Alma Winter,Author-Once Upon a Time Tales; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Peak (A Peak Marcello Adventure); Author: Visit Amazon's Roland Smith Page; Review: PEAK is the story of a fourteen year old boy named Peak because this was the name his father gave him when he was born. Peak's father and mother were both climbers, but when his mother discovered she was pregnant, she gave up climbing. Peak's father, Joshua Wood, has become a famous mountaineer who leads climbers to the summit of Mt. Everest, for a sizeable sum of money. He is never around while Peak is growing up. Peak's mother divorces him and remarries a man named Rolf and when Peak is eight years old, they present him with twin step-sisters. Peak has inherited his parent's love of climbing and when he attempts to climb the Woolworth Building in New York City, he is arrested and taken to Juvenile Hall. His father turns up at his trial and helps pay the fine the judge imposes and agrees to take Peak to live with him for awhile until the incident of his climb is more or less forgotten, particularly by the press. Peak's father doesn't reveal to either Peak or his mother that he intends to take Peak with him to Mt. Everest where he plans to have his son be the youngest person to reach the summit. Peak meets Zopa, a Buddhist monk and a boy a few months younger than he. They help him in his many trials and harsh experiences in attempting the climb. Peak gets very near but doesn't reach the summit. This is an exciting book, a well-told story with twists and turns. Any boy between the ages of eleven and fourteen will enjoy it. As an adult, I can say this book was far more interesting than some of the recent adult literature I've seen on bookstore shelves. Alma Winters-Author, Once Upon a Time Tales; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1) 1st (first) edition; Author: Visit Amazon's Rick Riordan Page; Review: This book begins with a twelve year old boy named Percy Jackson, who is about to be expelled from a boarding school for troubled children. All his life he has encountered difficulties. He learns that his problems stem from the fact that his mother is a mortal and his father is the Greek God, Poseidon. This book is the first in a series entitled Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and as an adult, I found the story a bit weird. But to the targeted age group of boys, ages ten to twelve, it is a fantasy that fires up the imagination and is filled with adventure, suspense, and unbelievable and exciting events. Incidentally, the book also gives an incite into Greek mythlogy which might encourage the reader to read further on this subject. By writing in the first person, the author, I think, has incorporated a style which is appealing to the targeted age group. He makes the reader feel a part of the actions taking place. I would recommend this book to any boy who enjoys reading about events that seem so real that they appear not to be beyond the realm of possibility. Alma Winter, Author-Once Upon a Time Tales; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: A Gate at the Stairs; Author: Visit Amazon's Lorrie Moore Page; Review: The author tells of a young girl, Tassie Keltjin, who has lived all her life in a small farming town. Her father is a potato farmer who has earned a reputation for his potatoes especially among restaurant owners. She comes as a student to a university town where she finds employment with a couple who hire her to be a nanny to an adopted interracial child, an adorable little girl who is two years old. She has a brief love affair with a fellow student who is not who he represents himself to be and ends when he suddenly leaves. She is at first devastated by this but other sad events in her life take precedent. I found the book interesting, well written, but a trifle wordy in spots. It showed that despite equal rights legislation and so-called political correctness, there still exists a great deal of racial biases which can be overwhelming, particularly to young children. Alma Winters, Author-Once Upon a Time Tales; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Apostle (The Scot Harvath Series); Author: Visit Amazon's Brad Thor Page; Review: Scot Harvath, a former Navy SEAL and a counterterrorism operative, had resigned his government position because he didn't agree with the policies of the new administration, particularly those of the newly elected President. He is suddenly called back into service by the President, to perform an extremely dangerous task. A high ranking al-Quaeda operative, Mustafa Khan, was captured by the Afghan government and was being held prisoner by them. They hoped to put him on trial. A young woman,Julia Gallo,a doctor working with an aid organization in Afghanstan, is captured by the Taliban and held prisoner. She is the daughter of Stepanie Gallo, a powerful and influencial media expert who helped the President win the election. Mrs. Gallo uses her money, influence and a secret she holds over the President's head, to obtain her desire to have her daughter freed. The objective is to get Khan from prison and exchange him for Dr. Gallo's release. The book is a somewhat typical thriller ableit that the location is Afghanistan and involves today's combat and terrorism in the present on-going conflict in that area. It is a quick read and interesting enough to want to know how it will end. Alma Winters-Author, Once Upon a Time Tales; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Sarah's Key; Author: Tatiana De Rosnay; Review: Julia Jarmond is an American journalist, living and working in Paris. She is married to a Frenchman. Around the time of the sixieth anniversary of the July 1942 round up and incarceration of thousands of French Jews in the infamous Veldrome d'Hiver,Julia is assigned to write an article about it. While researching for her article, she discovers that the apartment which her husband is having renovated for them was once the home of a little girl named Sarah. Sarah and her family were among those who were taken by the French police and eventually ended up in a camp outside Paris. When the round-up began, Sarah hid her little brother in a secret closet and told him to stay there and he'd be safe. She promised to come and get him. She took the key to the closet with her. At the camp, Sarah was separated from her parents who were sent on to be exterminated. Sarah manages to escape and is taken in by a French farmer and his wife. They go with her to Paris and find that the apartment is occupied by another family who know nothing about the secret closet. When Sarah opens the closet, her brother is dead. Sarah returns with her adopted family and later, when she is grown,moves to the United States where she marries an American. Julia becomes so interested in her story and the information that she painstakingly finds that she is determined to find Sarah and learn what happened after she went to America. Julia's marriage is in trouble and she and her husband divorce. Julia moves back to the United States with their children. This story is both fascinating and sad. It depicts the horrors of the treatment of the Jewish people and the shame of the French involvement in their tortures. It reminds us not to forget this deplorable time in which so many lives were unnecessarily lost, and those who survived were unable to forget what happened. Alma Winters, Author-Once Upon a Time Tales; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Anna Karenin; Author: Visit Amazon's Leo Tolstoy Page; Review: Anna Karenina is a well known classic. It describes the people of the nineteenth century Russian aristocracy, their feelings toward each other, toward their government and toward the serfs and those who worked for them. It also describes the roles of husbands and wives in this era when women were subject to the will of their fathers or husbands. Anna is married to a man she detests. She meets and falls in love with a handsome military officer and they subsequently have an affair. She tells her husband and she seeks a divorce but doesn't want to give up her son as a substitute for her husband's agreement. She finds herself shunned by most of her family and by others in her circle of friends and acquaintances. In the end she cannot live with the circumstances she finds herself in and commits suicide. This is a very good translation and is easily read and followed. It also depicts the unrest among the workers which eventually leads to the revolution of 1917. Alma Winters, Author-Once Upon a Time Tales; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Lunch at the Piccadilly (Ballantine Reader's Circle); Author: Visit Amazon's Clyde Edgerton Page; Review: This book is a wonderful story about the devotion of a young man, Carl Turnage, to his Aunt Lil, who has been put into a convalescent home called Rosehaven. It is full of interesting characters who for one reason or another are her fellow residents. One resident in particular, L. Ray Flowers, a former preacher, decides to begin a movement to make churches and nursing homes interchangeable. Aunt Lil and her lady friends are taken in by Mr. Flowers' idea and decide to help him. Carl is a nice young man who tries to both help and protect his aunt. She still feels she can do all the things she did before, including driving her car. Carl just can't find a way to tell her that her driving days are over. In the end, she has a stoke and dies. This is a brief peek into the lives of those who are confined to a convalescent/nursing home. It shows the different ways by which they cope with a situation which is not ever what they'd imagined would be the end of their lives. Alma Winters, Author-Once Upon a Time Tales; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: House Rules: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Jodi Picoult Page; Review: Jodi Picoult is a writer with a keen insight into the trials and tribulations of the teen years, both from the standpoint of the young teen and the parents who must deal with problems that perhaps didn't exist or were unknown when they themselves were in this age group. This story is about a single parent, Emma Hunt, who has two teenagers,one with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. Her husband left her when the older one, Jacob,who has Asperger's syndrome, was three years old and his younger brother, Theo, was only a few months. Life is difficult enough for a single parent, but she also faces all the particular problems of her older son. She hires a young colleg woman, Jessica Ogilvy, whose studies are focused on learning to help children with special needs, to help Jacob with social interactions. When Jessica is foung dead, Jacob is accused of her murder. The book is well-written and the knowledge of who is and who isn't the murderer,keeps the reader in suspense until the very end. I think this is one of Jodi Picoult's best books and would recommend it to anyone who loves to read. Alma Winters, Author-Once Upon a Time Tales; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Safe Haven; Author: Visit Amazon's Nicholas Sparks Page; Review: The protagonist, Erin, was married to Kevin Tierney, a detective with the Dorchester, PA Police Department. They met when Kevin rescued her from two men who had grabbed her when she was walking home from work late at night. At first he treated her "like a princess," but later abused her both physically and mentally. When she finally found the courage and the means to leave him, she found a new and what she hoped would be a safe place to start over. She changed her name to Katie and tried to settle down to life in the small southern town of Southport, North Carolina. She met and fell in love with a man, Alex, a widower with two children, but was afraid to commit to a permanent relationship and marriage. She was still married to Kevin and was still afraid he'd eventually find her. The story has a happy ending, but not without some terrors and some surprises. Nicholas Sparks, as always, tells a beautiful story with believable characters living life as it really is. Alma Winters, Author "Once Upon a Time Tales."; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Lacuna: A Novel (P.S.); Author: Visit Amazon's Barbara Kingsolver Page; Review: The story, told as a series of journals, begins in Isla Pixol, an island in Mexico. The principal character, Harrison Shephard, was born in the United States. He is the son of an American father and a Mexican mother. When he is about eleven years old his mother leaves his father and takes her son to Mexico where she becomes the mistress of a wealthy man,Enrique. Enrique had made elaborate promises of marriage and wealth, but doesn't keep these promises and mother and son become virtual prisoners on the island. With the help of one of Enrique's business friends, they escape to Mexico city where she again becomes a mistress. While in Mexico City, Harry (the name his father calls him) meets Diego Rivera and his wife Frida Kahlo. He becomes Rivera's assistant and lives in their home. When the Russian, Trotsky (a friend of Rivera's) seeks asylum in Mexico,he lives in a house belonging to the Riveras and Harry becomes a part-time cook, part-time secretary to Trotky. Trotsky is murdered and Harry is commissioned to return to the United States to accompany paintings by Frida Kahlo who is giving a showing there. He finds his father has died and left him an old car. He eventually drives to Asheville, North Carolina. He settles down in an old house and begins to accomplish his life long dream of becoming a writer. He is successful and earns fame from his first two published books. He is a shy man and shuns the idolized attention he receives from his fans. During the sad era when many artist and writers were thought to have Communistic interests or associations, he is investigated and has to appear for an Inquiry. He is not a Communist but because of his past association with Trotsky, he finds himself accused of being a Communist sympathizer. He returns to Mexico where later he is reported to have drowned in the waters off the island of Isla Pixol. I found this a different kind of story of a man who lived in two different countries but didn't quite belong to either one. Alma Winters, Author-Once Upon a Time Tales; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Have a Little Faith: A True Story; Author: Visit Amazon's Mitch Albom Page; Review: This is a true story about three men, a Jewish Rabbi, Albert Lewis; a young man named Henry Covington, and the author himself. Mitch is asked by Reb (this is the way Mitch refers to his Rabbi)to give his eulogy. At the moment the Rabbi is not dying and Mitch is confused as to why the request is made. Although he has been educated in the Jewish faith and still attends on feasts and high holy days,he doesn't seriously practice his faith. He begins to visit Reb in order to become better acquainted. The second part of the story is about a young man, Henry Covington, who was the second youngest in a family of seven. He grew up in poverty and turned to crime. He goes to jail for a murder which he hadn't committed. Eventually he finds faith in Jesus and becomes a pastor of a run-down and abandoned church. He begins to lead a life of helping others and in the end, due to Mitch's help, he finds those who will help him with work and donations of money and goods. Reb dies and Mitch delivers his eulogy. In his efforts to learn more about his Rabbi,Mitch finds his faith renewed. This is a sweet sad story but the lesson is not only one of faith but tolerance for those of every religion. As always,Mitch Albom, writes with sensitivity and warmth. Alma Winters, author-Once Upon a Time Tales; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Queen's Fool; Author: Visit Amazon's Philippa Gregory Page; Review: At the time of the dreaded Inquisition in Spain, Hannah Verde(Green) escapes from with her father, Oliver, a printer and bookseller, and they settle in London, England and set up a small shop. They were of Jewish faith, but after Hannah's mother was burned at the stake for heresy, they openly worshipped as Christians, but practiced their faith in secret. In order to protect his daughter, Oliver had her dress as a boy and work as his assistant. Robert Dudley and his tutor, John Dee, come to Oliver's shop for books and believe that Hannah has "the Sight" because as they enter the shop she see a third person dressed all in white. This person does not exist. At this time, the mid fifteen hundreds, England's King was Edward VI, the only legitimate son of Henry VIII. However, Edward was young and sickly, and the country was actually being run by his counselors and so-called protectors, the principle of whom was Robert Dudley's father. Robert secures a position for Hannah (as a boy) to become what he describes as "a holy fool" to young King Edward. Thus Hannah is introduced to court life. In the meantime, her father has bethrothed her to a young Jewish man named Daniel Carpenter, who is studying to become a doctor. When Edward dies, his half-sister, Mary, Henry VIII's daughter by Catherine of Aragon, is declared to be Queen because on his death bed, Edward is forced to name her in his will as his heir. Mary, like her mother is a strict Catholic, and begins to change over the country from being Protestant to Catholic. Fearing for their lives, Hannah's father and Daniel leave and go to Calais, France. Calais at this time was under English rule. They beg Hannah to go with them, but she has become the Queen's fool and is very involved in court affairs. She also is very fond of Mary and feels she cannot leave her. There are many who plot to get rid of the Queen and place her half-sister, Elizabeth (daughter of Anne Boleyn) on the throne. At one point, Hannah is sent by Queen Mary, to spy on Elizabeth, but Hannah also becomes close to the young woman who declares she is innocent of any plots. When Queen Mary begins tortures of all who will not turn to the Catholic faith, Hannah flees to Calais and there she marries Daniel. She finds out that he has had an affair and has fathered a son, and she leaves him. Calais is invaded and reclaimed by the French. Hannah escapes with the help of Robert Dudley who has led the English to try to retain Calais. As she is leaving, the mother of Daniel's child has been wounded and she gives her son to Hannah, who, when she reaches England again, claims as her own. She again comes under the protection of Robert Dudley and then returns to service with Queen Mary who is very ill. When Queen Mary dies, Hannah returns with Daniel's son and finds her husband. She; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: An Irish Country Girl (Irish Country, Book 4); Author: Visit Amazon's Patrick Taylor Page; Review: This book is another in a series written by Patrick Taylor about the small village of Ballybucklebo in Northern Ireland. Maureen Kincaid, known as Kinky, is cook and housekeeper for two doctors, Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly and Barry Laverty and this is about her life when she was young, how she met and married her husband and about how she came to have what the Irish refer to as "the Sight." It is a fanciful tale filled with Irish folklore and their beliefs in the mystical realm of banshees, spirits and fairies. I found the book charming as are the others in this series. Alma Winters, Author, Once Upon a Time Tales.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town; Author: Visit Amazon's John Grisham Page; Review: This is a true story of a small town in Oklahoma where a horrible murder took place; where two innocent men were arrested by policemen using insubstantial investigation methods and who were more interested in the arrest than whether or not they had the real killers. They were prosecuted and convicted by the state prosecutor who had no real evidence and who used unreliable witnesses whose testimony was based on what they said they overheard in prison. They were denied some of their basic rights during the trial because they could not afford a decent attorney, and they were sent to prison where after many years they found someone to believe in their innocence. This book explains the many flaws in the legal system that caused the arrest and conviction of innocent men. Under the Constitution of the United States, its citizens are guaranteed many rights not found in other governments, but we do have many flaws in our legal system and until these are corrected, innocent people suffer. Like all of John Grisham's books, most of which I have read, this one was fascinating from start to finish. Alma Winters-Author-Once Upon a Time Tales; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession; Author: Visit Amazon's Anne Rice Page; Review: In this book, the author tells of her life as a young girl growing up in a Catholic home,going to Catholic schools and living in an area where there was a predominance of Catholic churches. When she is an adult, she embraces atheism but later returns to the Catholic church. Although I felt the author sincere, the book to me was unimpressive, uninspiring, uninteresting and not too well written. I have never read any other book by this author because her subject matter does not appeal to me. I read this book because it was a gift and I felt obligated to the giver to read it. However, I seriously doubt I shall ever read another book by Anne Rice. Alma, Author-Once Upon a Time Tales; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Red Queen (The Cousins' War); Author: Visit Amazon's Philippa Gregory Page; Review: This book is a continuation of the story of the War of the Roses. This war in the history of England was the struggle between two royally connected houses, Lancaster (represented by the red rose) and York (represented by the white rose). In the book, THE WHITE QUEEN, Philippa Gregory tells of the house of York and THE RED QUEEN tells the story of how the throne was eventually won by the house of Lancaster. Margaret Beaufort, the principal character, was only fourteen when she married Edmund Tudor, a man many years her senior. She had a son by him and named him Henry, after Henry VI who then occupied the English throne. Shortly after the birth, Edmund died in battle and she was then married to Henry Stafford. These two marriages were arranged by her mother. When Henry Stafford died, she married Thomas Stanley, a marriage she negotiated for herself. Only the marriage between her and Edmund Tudor produced a child, her son Henry Tudor. Margaret believed that God had destined her to become great through her son. However this was not so easily accomplished and the throne of England changed hands several times before Henry Tudor became king when Richard III was killed in battle. Philippa Gregory weaves marvelous stories using historical facts. I always enjoy her books and I think this is a great way to read history. Alma Winters-Author, ONCE UPON A TIME TALES; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Appeal; Author: Visit Amazon's Jerzy Andrzejewski Page; Review: Krane Chemical, the largest employer in the small Mississippi town of Bowmore, had for years dumped toxic waste into the town's drinking water and caused so many deaths from cancer that the county in which it was located became known as Cancer County, USA. The firm of Payton & Payton, a husband and wife attorney team, used all its slender resources to sue Krane Chemical for one of their clients, Jeannette Baker, who had lost her husband and only child to cancer. They not only won the case but also a huge settlement for their client. Krane Chemical, of course, elected to appeal the case before the Mississippi Supreme Court. This book reveals the abuse of the legal system and the political maneuvers big business, with both power and mega-millions, uses to protect their money and have legimitate decisions of the lower courts reversed in their favor. John Grisham has written a powerful story and one that makes us think about what can be done to prevent this kind of inequality. Alma Winters, Author of newly released ONCE UPON A TIME TALES.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Water For Elephants; Author: Visit Amazon's Sara Gruen Page; Review: Jacob Jankowski is a student at Cornell University, studying veterinary medicine so that he can join his father's practice. Near the end of his senior year and before he sits for his final exams, he is called into the dean's office and told his parents have been killed in an automobile accident. When he returns home to bury them, he learns that his father is bankrupt and all he inherits is debts. After the funeral he returns to Cornell where his room and board have been paid up until the end of the year. He tries to sit for his final exams but ends up leaving without answering a single question. He walks away from the college and finally jumps aboard a railroad car and begins what will be an unusual life, a hard life, and exciting life with a circus. The story is told by Jacob when he is an old man living in a rest home. It is a depiction of life during the hard years of the Great Depression, the even harder life as a member of a traveling circus, and also provides a peek into the life of early rest homes. I found the book to be a little raw in spots but also exciting and entertaining because I remember the traveling circuses with the big top tents and the intriguing side shows which, as a child, I was never allowed to see. Alma Winters-Author of the newly released Once Upon a Time Tales.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The King's Speech; Author: Visit Amazon's Mark Logue Page; Review: This is a wonderfully told story about King George VI and the speech problems he had that many did not realize existed. Lionel Logue was an extraordinary man and he was well ahead of his time in the field of speech therapy. I remember quite well the historical events that took place and heard some of the King's radio broadcasts, but I had no idea of the difficulities involved. This book deserves all the accolades it has been given. Alma Winters-Author, newly released Once Upon a Time Tales.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Most Wanted Man [Paperback] [Jan 01, 2009] Le Carre, John; Author: John Le Carr; Review: Issa Karpov is half Russian and half Chechen and the illigitimate son of a Russian Red Army Colonel. His father deposited huge sums of money in Brue Freres Bank in Hamburg, Germany. Issa is smuggled into Germany by various means, claims he's a strict Muslim and with the help of a young lawyer, Annabel Richter contacts the present owner of Freres Bank, Tommy Brue, supposedly to seek help so that he can study to become a doctor. The German, the British and the American intelligence agencies all decide that Issa is a Muslim terrorist who wants to claim the money for terrorist purposes. Issa, Tommy and Annabel become the objects of the various investigations and each country's agency representative claims the right to carry out the mission to capture this "dangerous" person. John Le Carre is an excellent writer and his books are subtle spoofs of Intelligence Agencies. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Alma Winters-AUTHOR-ONCE UPON A TIME TALES; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: BEARPAW Men's Moc Ii; Brand: BEARPAW; Review: Very nice and comfortable slippers. Pleasure to wear.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: New Balance Men's MX608v4 Training Shoe; Brand: ; Review: Great shoes. Good support and comfort. This is the second pair I have purchased. They last about 1 year under heavy use.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: New Balance Men's Mx608v4; Brand: ; Review: Great shoes. Good support and comfort. This is the second pair I have purchased. They last about 1 year under heavy use.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: New Balance Men's Mx608v4; Brand: ; Review: Great shoes. Good support and comfort. This is the second pair I have purchased. They last about 1 year under heavy use.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: New Balance Men's Mx608v4; Brand: ; Review: Great shoes. Good support and comfort. This is the second pair I have purchased. They last about 1 year under heavy use.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: BEARPAW Men's Moc Ii; Brand: BEARPAW; Review: Very nice and comfortable slippers. Pleasure to wear.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: EdisonBright Bundle Fenix HL60R 950 Lumen USB rechargeable CREE XM-L2 T6 LED; Brand: EdisonBright; Review: A bit heavy but not too bad. Wow is this thing bright! Update 4/6/16 - Have been using this light for several weeks now. I can report that I am very pleased with the ease of operation and the brightness. It's rechargeable so I always leave it on the brightest setting. Easy to recharge with the included USB cable. It is a bit pricey but you get what you pay for.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bikehand Bike Floor Parking Rack Storage Stand Bicycle; Brand: Bikehand; Review: Nice and sturdy. Easy to assemble. I'd buy this again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Topeak Sport II Floor Pump; Brand: Topeak; Review: Great pump. Easy to use and I consistently get my bike tires up to 125 PSI without too much effort.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Blackburn 239;FER Front or Rear Bike Light; Brand: Blackburn; Review: very bright for its size. Charge lasts about 3 hours of use.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Carhartt Men's Odessa Cap; Brand: ; Review: I didn't like the fit. Seems too large.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: CamelBak Podium Chill 21oz Insulated Water Bottle; Brand: CamelBak; Review: Pros: Tight seal, no leaks. Cons: Poor insulating properties.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | amazon_Sports_and_Outdoors |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: RG Costumes White Lab Coat Kids Costume; Brand: RG Costumes; Review: This is definitely not worth $18.99. Its cheaply made from thin polyester. If i had paid under $10, this is the product i would've expected. Im still debating returning this but my child needs it in a few days for a career day at school, so I'm probably stuck with it..; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: DSIKER®3-Way Spiral Rainfall Shower-Head/Handheld Shower Combo. Convenient Push-Control Flow Control Button for easy one-handed operation; Brand: DSIKER; Review: If you are looking at this product because you want the greatest shower of your life, look no further. This product is amazing!!!!! I would give it 10 stars of I could! My husband mounted the handheld on the adjacent wall and lower than the main showerhead and it is like heaven on Earth. The quality of good, feels sturdy except for the handheld mount which rotates and feels a little flimsy, but if you treat it with care it will be fine. If it breaks replacement mounts are cheap and easily accessible. I also suggest buying the 10" extension so you can have more adjustability with the larger showerhead. Buy this...; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: FLUKE-116/62 MAX+ Kit; Brand: Fluke; Review: Bought this for my husband, who is a commercial HVAC worker. He loves it. It was the only meter he found (and liked) that had all the features (the hanging strap, long leads, and certain functions) included.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fluke 116/323 KIT HVAC Multimeter and Clamp Meter Combo Kit - FLUKE-116/323 KIT; Brand: Fluke; Review: Bought this for my husband, who is a commercial HVAC worker. He loves it. It was the only meter he found (and liked) that had all the features (the hanging strap, long leads, and certain functions) included.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mr. Heater Pilot Assembly for Big Buddy; Brand: Mr. Heater; Review: Save money by buying this part here. Worked great for my Buddy heater; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Tools_and_Home_Improvement |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Garni Onda; City: Torri del Benaco Province of Verona Veneto; Review: Torri del Benaco is a fantastic little village tucked away on the eastern coast of lake Garda. Small enough and not commercially developed to ensure it still offers a good welcome to tourists wanting to escape the "delights" of some of the other tourist traps around the Lake. Garni Onda - A great little B&B. Nothing fancy, but everything is clean and the owners were willing to help during our stay. Breakfasts are typically German/Austrian (reflecting the typical guests to the area), but there's plenty of everything to set you up for a good day out. Rooms are straightforward - bed + furniture, ensuite, balcony. If you're after a well stocked mini bar try elsewhere! ;) Booking-wise you need to contact the B&B owners direct. A search for Garni Onda on a "good" search engine will throw up the owners website.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Albergo Ristorante Ancora; City: Riva Del Garda Province of Trento Trentino Alto Adige; Review: ; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Westhaven; City: Fox Glacier Westland National Park Te Wahipounamu West Coast Region South; Review: After the drive up from Queenstown, Fox Glacier is a welcome sight. It's very much a "one street" town with all the necessary amenities. The Westhaven Motel itself is right slap bang in the centre of the village. As the other reviewers have pointed out it's walking distance to the store, bars and the tour providers. The room we had was large, well equipped and airy. Absolutely no faults with it. The owners were really helpful and friendly (not sure who the earlier "critical" reviewer was referring to), and were more than happy to advise on where to eat, etc. Reading the press during our visit, we spotted that the owners had offered assistance and support to the family of two Australian tourists killed in an ice fall earlier in January 2009. In my opinion, that type of hospitality in times of trouble speaks volumes about the owners. Given the opportunity to visit NZ again, I'd certainly put Fox Glacier on a list of places to re-visit and I'd have no qualms about stopping at The Westhaven again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Anchor Inn Motel; City: Kaikoura Canterbury Region South Island; Review: We had a studio apartment overlooking the ocean. The motel itself is well run, clean/tidy and has everything you could need for a short stay. The motel itself is located at the quieter end of town away from the main highway (and its rumbling trucks). That said it's only a 10 minute walk to the main part of town and its restaurants and bars. Kaikoura is a great spot. We can highly recommend the whale watching tours that are bookable from the main Railway Station. The staff at the Anchor Inn helped us to check availability and whether the tour we were on was running (they don't run when the weather is awful - and the sea can be pretty rough around Kaikoura apparently); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Woodlyn Park; City: Waitomo Caves Waitomo District Waikato Region North Island; Review: Woodlyn Park is a brilliant little place and wacky to boot. The hotel itself is approximately 5-10 minutes walk from the centre of the village (it is walkable as the roads are so quiet) We had one of the Hobbit Rooms at the hotel. The Hobbit Rooms are built into a hill and look out over the other wacky "rooms" at Woodlyn Park (the plane and the train look intriguing rooms to stay in) Check-in kicks off the experience, when you meet one of the friendly staff working at Woodlyn. You certainly won't meet any of them in the reception of a Marriott/Hilton/etc. - the Woodlyn staff make check-in much more interesting...trust me. Our stay was made all the better by the visit of the donkey and pig - they decided to eat the grass on the top of our room which is linked to one of their fields. Looking through the visitors book, it appears that the pig fell off the roof when some other folks were staying. They gave the pig "10/10 for entrance and 2/10 for landing" - just wish we'd been there that day. All in all a quirky and brilliant place to stay. It's certainly on my list of places to re-visit.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Atrium Apartments; City: Mount Maunganui Tauranga Bay of Plenty Region North Island; Review: The apartment was well kitted out, with all the necessary mod-cons and a good view out over the sea. They're a useful base for visiting other areas along the "north" coast, including White Island if you're willing to make the 1 hour drive down to Whakatane. It's well worth doing. The town itself clearly targets the Cruise Ships that dock every few days in the peak season. The town itself is restricted to a main street that has a few decent restaurants...shame the customer service in the restaurants and the hotel itself aren't consistent day in day out. Would we return to Mt Manganui...probably not. That said if we had to visit again, we would probably stay at The Atrium.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Alta Apartments; City: Queenstown Otago Region South Island; Review: We had a great stay at the Alta Apartments, especially the view out over the Remarkables. We had a spacious two bedroom apartment with a balcony that looked out over the lake and mountain range. The apartments are well appointed, and have pretty much everything you could need...although the lack of pots and pans was a bit of a pain when it came to cooking a meal (got bored of eating out every night!). The major gripe was the distance to town. The apartments are a good 10 min downhill walk to town...and you can add another 5 mins on the way back from town (not exactly staggering distance) All in all a great set of apartments.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Lake Tekapo Village Motel; City: Lake Tekapo Mackenzie District Canterbury Region South Island; Review: This motel will absolutely blow you away - the view from the rooms is amazing. The property looks out over Lake Tekapo and the surrounding mountain ranges, and we spent a good while just looking out over the lake from our balcony. The view at night is equally amazing. Given there's no light pollution in the local area, the view of the stars is incredible. The rooms themselves are clean, tidy and have the standard NZ motel mod-cons. The motel owner is really helpful and gave us a number of tips for stopping points on the journey south to Queenstown. The "kitsch" postcard he gave us on checking out has been stuffed in our Lonely Planet NZ guide and still raises a smile. All in all, a very worthwhile stopping point on the journey between Christchurch and Queenstown.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Shining Star Beachfront Accommodation; City: Hokitika West Coast Region South Island; Review: The other reviewers have hit the nail on the head with their reviews of this motel. The chalet accommodation is slap bang on the beach, and has everything you could want for a stay of a day or two. The balcony areas are a huge bonus - we had fantastic weather and were able to eat alfresco listening to the waves crashing on the beach. Hokitika itself is unlike any other NZ town - I don't think I'd rush back to see the "sights" of the town centre itself. Fortunately for the hotel, it's on the outskirts of the town and much closer to the quiet end of the beach. As the previous reviewers have stated, make sure you bring supplies and some food with you, rather than relying on the restaurants in the town itself.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Fleece; City: Witney Oxfordshire England; Review: We found this hotel through Alistair Sawday's books, but unfortunately it doesn't come up to the mark we've experienced with his other recommendations. The rooms are a let down. We were given room 11, which is upstairs overlooking the rear carpark. The view isn't a particular issue...the decrepit windows and very large extractor fan directly outside the window certainly are! There's a very very audible rumble whenever the restaurant is serving (which appears to be most of the day). This was compounded by the furnishings starting to look tired - stained carpets, the toilet roll holder falling off the wall, and poorly patched holes in the walls. It's a real shame, as with a small amount of investment and some TLC, these faults could be sorted out and Room 11 brought up to standard (can't comment on the other rooms). On a positive note, the restaurant has a great atmosphere, delicious food and attentive staff. It seems to be popular with the locals too, so it can be difficult to get a table - make sure you book for the restaurant and get down to the bar early. It's not somewhere we'd rush back to given the tired state of the rooms. We've used Alistair Sawday's book before and since our trip to The Fleece - the other places have been better.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok; City: Bangkok; Review: All the other reviewers have summed the Chatrium Suites up really well. A great hotel/suite of apartments in a great riverside location. The location is outside the main hotel/shopping areas of Bangkok, and the taxi drivers we had struggled to find the hotel...make sure you take the telephone number of the hotel so they can call for directions. A great spot that gives great access to the key sights of Bangkok via the River Ferries or Skytrain. I'm pleased we chose here instead of the variety of hotels on Sukhumvit Road and all the dodgy nightlife that exists in the various parts of Sukhumvit. Go on....book it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Barnsdale Lodge Hotel and Restaurant; City: Barnsdale Oakham Rutland England; Review: This is a cracking hotel....but just make sure you don't pay the excessively high hotel "rack rates" advertised on the hotel website. (If we'd been paying the rack rates, the rating score on this review would have been lower) The hotel is based around a courtyard, with rooms in small stone buildings overlooking the garden areas of the courtyard. It's very peaceful with only the audible sound being wildlife and other guests chatting in the garden. The rooms are nicely decorated and set out - we didn't spot anything that was obviously missing. They certainly warrant the 3 or 4* rating the hotel has got. Part of the restaurant is based in a conservatory overlooking the courtyard. There's a great menu, which showcases locally produced food. The night we were there, the food was simply brilliant. The food at breakfast was equally as good, although the waitress service in the morning let the hotel down a little. (An additional waiter/waitress would probably have sorted things out.) Finally, the hotel is close to some great market towns such as Oakham. Combine this with the close proximity to Barnsdale Gardens (approx. 1 mile), which were designed and "built" by Geoff Hamilton while he was presenting on BBC2. Additionally, the hotel is very close to Rutland Water, which has a cyclepath around it. If you want to bike around, there are a couple of locations where you can hire bikes, or alternatively you can walk the 17.5mile route (it took us 5 hours including lunch stop). All in all, a great place to stay and eat at.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Yosemite Big Creek Inn; City: Fish Camp California; Review: The Big Creek Inn is a fabulous B&B on the outskirts of Yosemite National Park. As other reviewers have already stated, Pamela and John have thought of just about everything (and probably a few things extra) to help make a memorable stay. The rooms are beautifully fitted out, with very comfortable beds and all the usual mod-cons. Breakfast is excellent, with a wide selection to choose from (including Pamela's home made cakes!). While the B&B is outside of the National Park, this isn't too inconvenient. Pamela has some great tips on hikes on the Fish Camp side of the park, including the Sentinel Dome and Taft Point hike...a brilliant way to get a 360 view out over the key peaks in the park. Driving down to Yosemite Valley takes about 40-45 minutes, and the drive itself is an experience. We did this on a couple of occasions, including once to complete the long hike up to Nevada Falls. Even after a long hike like that, the drive back over to Fish Camp wasn't an inconvenience as we got to see the sun setting over parts of the park on the way back to Big Creek Inn. Overall we loved our stay in Fish Camp. Would we stay here again if we were in the area - you bet!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Murphey s Motel; City: Lee Vining California; Review: We stayed here for a night en-route into Yosemite National Park. As previous reviewers have stated, the motel is older, but it's clearer well maintained by the owners. Everything you'd expect in a motel room is there, although it may not be the latest version (e.g. it's a CRT Television rather than a Flat Screen). There's free Wi-Fi, a decent seating area outside and plenty of parking. We were made to feel very welcome on arrival and throughout our stay. The motel is near to a small selection of good restaurants and cafes. Would we stay at Murphey's again - definitely.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Harveys Lake Tahoe; City: Stateline Lake Tahoe Nevada Nevada; Review: The room we had was pretty much standard for a chain hotel (e.g. large with all the usual facilities). We were staying in Lake Tahoe Stateline en-route elsewhere, rather than as part of a stay to specifically to use the casino facilities. The rooms appear to be offered at a cheap price to attract the casino go'ers in. Given we're not gamblers, the atmosphere in hotel felt odd. I can't explain exactly why or what caused this odd atmosphere. The casino floor appears pretty dated and claustrophobic due to the low ceilings. However there are still plenty of punters stuck to the machines feeding in their hard earned cash...dollar by hard earned dollar. So many people literally fixated on flashing lights and spinning symbols. If you're a gambler this hotel is probably your nirvana, but we would keep on driving further south to another town on a future trip.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Monterey Peninsula Inn; City: Pacific Grove Monterey County California; Review: The Lodge is about 0.5 miles out of the main shopping/restaurant area of Pacific Grove, which makes for a pleasant walk in the evening. It's located at the quieter end of town, and is very near to the coast, lighthouse, etc. Having stayed, I'm not sure that the "in person" experience is as good as the professional pictures of the rooms on the web make out. The lodge is effectively made up of a series of wooden sheds, and the one we stayed in was starting to show it's age to be honest. While the bedroom area has been nicely redecorated at some point recently, the bathroom in our room was looking very very tired and in desperate need of renovation. For example, the bath was badly stained and the enamel surface cracked and lifting in many places across the base. The flooring in the bathroom also looked like it had seen better days a few years ago. At the price we paid for the room, I'd have expected a tidy and well serviced bathroom. A couple of other reviewers have commented on the sound proofing issues. There does seem to be a problem, and we heard "noises" from adjacent rooms. While the staff were very friendly and helpful, the "issues" we had with the quality of the room mean we'd look at other Motels/Lodges if we were to re-visit Pacific Grove in the future.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Tides Inn of Shelter Cove; City: Shelter Cove Humboldt County California; Review: The location is fabulous, with uninterrupted views out over the ocean from the balcony. There literally are no interruptions down here - mobiles/cell phones rarely get signal and there is very little road noise. The sound of the ocean is very soothing and relaxes you after the long winding drive to Shelter Cove. The room we had was spacious and clean, but could do with a few "homely touches" to make it a bit more welcoming - the lounge just lacked "something" special. We were also hoping that the "Welcome Basket" in our room would make up for the limited restaurant options available for breakfast. While the hotel's website states you'll be given "juice, coffee, tea, chocolate, pastry, cookies, bottled water, etc." in your room, our Welcome Basket was pretty limited with the pastry being a packet of Pop Tarts and the juice being missing. In hindsight I wish we had stocked up at a store on the way to the hotel. The location itself it fabulous. We spent two hours in the sun the following morning exploring the rock pools, and watching the seals and sea lions. Walking out of the parking lot, our first sight was a deer wandering down the road to the sea front. Not something you see most days, but a very welcome sight especially as the animal didn't seem at all fazed by us watching her. We then went looking for star fish, and found loads of different coloured ones clinging to the rocks literally below the hotel. I'd reiterate the words of caution that some other reviewers have raised about the availability of food in Shelter Cove. While the hotel website states that there are two restaurants in the vicinity, with at least one open each night, both were shut when we visited. It looks like one has closed down as it has a "For Sale" sign outside, while the other restaurant only opens at weekends. We ended up having take-away pizza, which while tasty, wasn't what we really fancied that night. It looks like the food places are struggling for business, so it would probably be best to eat before heading the 20 odd miles to Shelter Cove if you fancy some choice. The cooking facilities in the rooms consist of a Microwave and a fridge, meaning limited options if you don't plan ahead.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Hampton Inn and Suites Arcata CA; City: Arcata Humboldt County California; Review: Stayed here for only one night. The room itself was very clean and well maintained as you'd expect of a big chain. The hotel itself offers nothing out of the ordinary (e.g comfortable bed, desk, decent bathroom, etc.). However, we could hear the folks in the room next door talking on a few occasions, so there appears to be a slight issue with the sound proofing in the rooms. The location the hotel is based in means there are no good restaurants within walking distance. The restaurants in the shopping area directly next door to the hotel are best avoided, meaning a drive into Arcata town itself. This is a real nuisance after a long drive up the coast.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Lighthouse Inn; City: Crescent City California; Review: A few other reviewers have commented on how "quirky" this motel is, and after staying here I'd have to agree. Yes the rooms are large...yes there's an ensuite....yes there's a bed in every room....yes the staff are very friendly. BUT, and it is a big "BUT", the motel lacks warmth and charm and it's just feet from 101. I couldn't understand the counter with the sink in the middle of the bedroom area...it's just plain odd. Outside the room, the decoration is equally quirky with model Lighthouses positioned on every available counter area and a lifesize model of Elvis (I think it was him) positioned right by the front door. The question I was longing to ask was "Why!?". There's a limited breakfast bar available in the lobby, which is adequate. However, when we stayed there, it appears there was a "Donut Eating" festival in a few of the bedrooms on the third floor. A good few groups of guests were seen stacking up large piles of donuts onto trays, before disappearing up in the lift to the third floor to join in the Lighthouse Inn "Donut Eating" festival. This just added to the quirkiness/oddness of the motel. Would we stay again....afraid not it was just too quirky. I'd suggest continuing to drive further up the coast to somewhere else.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Castle Inn; City: Bradford on Avon Wiltshire England; Review: The Castle is a fantastic pub, serving a great selection of beers in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Having spent a night in the bar, it's clear its a favourite with the locals which is great news in these tough times for the pub trade. The owners and staff look after everyone who visits, and were very helpful to us through out our stay. The rooms are very clean, tidy, and well decorated. They've all the usual facilities you'd expect in a hotel of this type, plus a few quirks that come with a building of the age of the Castle. As other reviewers have said, there's very limited parking available. From memory, the parking is limited to 7 or 8 spaces and if you're arriving later in the evening there's a fair chance they'll all be occupied. Probably best to call ahead and ask the hotel staff for advice on where else to park if this is the case. The atmosphere in the pub/restaurant made up for the minor points above. Would we return for another stay - definitely!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Hollow Bottom; City: Guiting Power Cheltenham Cotswolds England; Review: We stopped one Saturday night on the way home from Cheltenham. The Hollow Bottom is a very nice Cotswold pub/inn, and the rooms are well maintained and decorated. Even having the one room that has a separate bathroom across the hallway was no real inconvenience - all the other rooms that have ensuites were booked that night. The pub itself has a great selection of real ales to try - always a bonus when so many places just serve the Green King IPA/etc. The restaurant is also well run and appears to be well used by locals and passing visitor alike. The food on offer in the evening and at breakfast is really good quality and value for money. As another reviewer has highlighted, the only real downside is that certain regulars feel the need to punctuate their discussions with "select" obscenities in very loud voices (maybe we were in the bar on the wrong night). I'm a regular in different pubs in the West Midlands, but the language was certainly "choice" in the Hollow Bottom.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Metropark Hotel Causeway Bay Hong Kong; City: Hong Kong; Review: We spent three nights at the Metropark, having stayed at the hotel roughly five years ago. The service was excellent and the staff very helpful. The rooms are a typical size for Hong Kong, and are clean and tidy. However the decoration in the room we had was looking a bit tired and dated. The hotel is located close to Tin Hau MTR station, and can be reached from the airport in under an hour via the Airport Express and MTR. Access to central Hong Kong and Kowloon is also easy using the MTR or the trams that trundle along the main road near the hotel. As others have said, use the cafe literally next door to the hotel (out the front door and turn left). The food offered by the cafe is better and costs a fraction of what the hotel charges for their breakfast offering.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: White Mansion; City: Phnom Penh; Review: Maybe I missed what the other reviewers who have given the White Mansion top scores saw. Yes the rooms are big, yes they are furnished, yes they've got a large bathroom, etc. However, the rooms feel cold. Decoration-wise they're painted white and black, and for me they were missing something that made the rooms (or the hotel interior) unique, unusual or linked to Phnom Penh. The attached cafe is good for breakfast (which was included in the rate), but at other times the service was really slow (30 minutes for a sandwich to arrive felt overly long especially when it arrived). As I say maybe we missed what others saw.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel Towers; City: Hong Kong; Review: We stopped at the Sheraton for drinks and food in the hotel Sky Bar which looks out over the HK harbour. Service was fantastic and we happened to time our visit with the kitch light and laser show which takes place nightly at 8pm. Well worth a visit.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Grand Hotel Mussmann; City: Hannover Lower Saxony; Review: This hotel is well located in the centre of Hannover, near the shopping district, main station and key business areas. Rooms are a great size, well appointed and maintained. They offer an excellent breakfast buffet, but the hotel doesn't have a restaurant that's open in the evening. This means that you have to explore the city centre for restaurants - only a hassle if you have had a long day. The staff are friendly and are willing to give tips about places to visit and how to travel on the excellent transport network.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Miramare Hotel; City: Chora Folegandros Cyclades South Aegean; Review: As other reviewers have stated, this hotel has a fabulous view out over the Chora, which is complemented with views across the coastline and sea. On a sunny day the view is breath taking. The room we were allocated was very spacious with a large and comfortable bed, and decorated in a "minimalist style". In places this style needs some further attention. For example the shower in our room consisted of a shower tray in the corner of the bathroom with no screen or shower curtain. Ultimately this leads to an unintended wet room (I.e. flooded floor) - pretty irritating on the second/third occasion. The hotel appears to be run by a family. While it's great to support a local business, it was difficult to find the family members on the few occasions we wanted to ask a question. When we did track them down, we did feel we came second to their other activities (e.g. Talking to friends on the phone or looking at stuff on the Internet). The only other thing to be aware of is the very steep climb up to the hotel. Obviously this gives great views, but it's a tough climb even outside of the heat of the day. Ultimately we loved our time on Folegandros and we'd certainly visit the island again. However we would think twice about staying at the Miramare, and would pay close attention to the reviews of others before booking.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Yavapai Lodge; City: Grand Canyon National Park Arizona; Review: Coming here it's all about the location rather than hotel choice (all the hotels on the south rim are owned by the same company apparently). The rooms are clean, tidy but a little functional for the price you pay. However, it's walking distance to the south rim for the all important sunset or sunrise photos. Would we stay again - yes.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Platinum Hotel and Spa; City: Las Vegas Nevada; Review: If you're looking for a great hotel a short distance (5 mins walk) from the strip, then this is a great option. Rooms are massive and well equipped, plus the staff are very friendly. The hotel is also located very close to the High Roller, which is a great way of getting an eagle's view of the Strip at night. All in all a great hotel to get some rest after the bright lights of Vegas.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Desert Quail Inn Sedona at Bell Rock; City: Sedona Arizona; Review: A great hotel located close to Bell Rock and other hiking sites. We preferred Oak Creek over Sedona, as it's quieter and has a friendlier feeling to it. Oak Creek also doesn't suffer from large numbers of Psychics and crystal shops (unlike Sedona). Personally I prefer to leave my aura unread and unphotographed - thanks all the same Sedona! The rooms are well appointed, quiet and the staff are really friendly. The only minor downside is the lack of a view.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Onkyo SKW204 Bass Reflex Powered Subwoofer (Black); Brand: Onkyo; Review: This sub is just great and a wonderful piece to add to any good system shakes your seats.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Inspire AC Home Wall Charger+CAR Charger for Microsoft Zune NEW; Brand: Fosmon; Review: works great. all of it; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: SquareTrade 4-Year TV Protection Plan ($350-399.99); Brand: SquareTrade; Review: havent needed to use it yet but comes in handy.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Samsung UN32EH5000 32-Inch 1080p 60Hz LED TV (2012 Model); Brand: Samsung; Review: Just a wonderful picture but its very flimzy and could find where to place the third screw in the base and the instructions need to be re written in larger format kind a joke.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Must Have Accessory Kit For Sony HDR-CX220, HDR-CX330, HDR-CX900, HDR-PJ340, HDR-PJ670, FDR-AX33,; Brand: Butterfly; Review: works great with our sony.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Onkyo TX-8020 2 channel Stereo Receiver; Brand: Onkyo; Review: Nice and crisp sounds and a great price after all you cant get this at best buy or a local place around here very pleased with it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Samsung HT-H5500W 5.1 Channel 3D Blu-Ray Home Theater System (2014 Model); Brand: Samsung; Review: well it worked for a short few and most of the speakers quit working after days of trying to fix the problem we gave and returned it.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Pentax Jupiter III + 8x22 Binocular (Yellow / Matte Black); Brand: Pentax; Review: we received a dusty Pentax that was missing the lens protectors as it seemed to be a floor model that also came in a open package.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Hotel Lanka Supercorals; City: Hikkaduwa Galle District Southern Province; Review: This hotel gives good value for money. This line covers the rooms, breakfast & dinner buffets, pool, etc. The hotel is located on the main road & is easy access. The view from almost any room will overlook the swimming pool & the ocean. However you don't get much of a beach between the hotel & the ocean (if you're looking for that sort of thing in a coastal hotel in Hikkaduwa). But you can have a short walk along the coast & easily get to a beach side that will suit you. The rooms also have a small balcony where you chill out facing the ocean, or go downstairs & do the same by the pool. Good staff hospitality & the service was also very accommodative & good. On the down-side there was a loud banging noise during the night that wasn't very helpful.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Cinnamon Lodge Habarana; City: Habarana North Central Province; Review: There's quite a walk from the pool & dining area to some of the chalets, but that is because the hotel is located in a massive compound. The trees help to somewhat reduce the warm whether in Habarana (at the time when we visited). The hotel puts in a lot of organized effort to keep the entire place clean & tidy. The room / bathroom facilities are of very good quality. The food is great & the large spread is very commendable. Regardless of what your taste is (eastern, western), I'm pretty sure you will enjoy the food. Also, there is good variation in between the meals offered. Plenty of action stations to keep you excited. The deserts were a delight. I particularly enjoyed the vanilla & chocolate truffle & the tarts. The staff service is highly dependable. There are also a playground, pool table, volleyball court, tennis court, etc. There so many different places in the hotel premises where you leisurely relax. The nearby attractions would be the Minneriya National Park (wildlife) & Ritigala (an ancient historic place to visit).; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Sentral Pudu; City: Kuala Lumpur Wilayah Persekutuan; Review: The hotel is situated in a good location in Kuala Lumpur. This is the main plus point here. It is close to shopping malls and restaurants. The rooms are alright. You may not get a good view. I had some issues with WiFi. The check in I experienced was not good. They took a long time and we had to wait at the lobby for a long time (after a tiring journey). The breakfast is not great, but it is obviously tied to fact that this is a budget hotel.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Koggala Beach Hotel; City: Koggala Galle District Southern Province; Review: This was my second visit here. The food in generally good. They have action stations and a pretty good spread for the cost. The rooms are not that spacious but clean. With a small balcony that overlooks the ocean, although the beach view may be slightly blocked by a few trees. Still nice to relax and enjoy the sea breeze. The swimming pool is not that big and can get awfully crowded if there are a lot people in it. The staff is friendly and the service is good.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sheraton Casablanca Hotel Towers; City: Casablanca Grand Casablanca Region; Review: This was my fourth visit here and I've stayed here for weeks on each visit. The rooms are good, but I found that the amenities (Wi-Fi strength, fruit basket, water bottles, etc) and vary between rooms for no reason. The reception (check in) was not good on most occasions. We had to wait for rooms to be ready. At check out they sometimes charge you for the snack bar even if you haven't used it, but on appeal, you can sign that you didn't use it. The experience at the reception here has not always been good, unfortunately. The rest of the hotel service on the hand is very good. The restaurant (breakfast buffet, usually on the 3rd floor) staff is absolutely wonderful! They do a lot to make sure you are served well. Friendly, polite, everything you can want for a good service. The food is the same everyday, but you get a decent spread, though it could be better. Housekeeping does an excellent job here! I am always impressed. The dry cleaning quality and service as well as room service here is very satisfactory. It is very easy to request for dry cleaning. I was in a hurry on one occasion and they got a shirt dry cleaned and iron pressed for me within a day when I asked for it. The hotel takes note of guests' birthdays and gives a little surprise to your room. The menu on the room food menu is comprehensive and they do deliver anything on it within 20 minutes of ordering. I was once not well and I asked for something not on the menu (a vegetable soup with some toast) and they brought it to me within 20 minutes, nicely polythene wrapped and with a bread basket. The soup was superb! The hotel is located on the main road and it is easy to hail a taxi from the entrance, safely. You don't get many night clubs in that area and you will have to travel about 30-40 minutes to get to an area with good night life. Not many restaurants nearby too - you could walk 5-10 minutes to 'Casa Port' where you find eating places. They also have a gym and sona which they offer free for guests.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Oryx Rotana Doha; City: Doha; Review: The rooms here are among the best. You get good, comfortable sleep quality and a nice view. The bathrooms a neat and clean. High quality. The breakfast (buffet) was fantastic too. The staff is friendly and polite in their service. I had a smooth check in and check out.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Centara Ceysands Resort Spa Sri Lanka; City: Bentota Galle District Southern Province; Review: You are taken by ferry to the hotel. The hotel is located on a stretch of the land in between the ocean and a river. The rooms are decent here. You can get beach view or pool side rooms. Good beach access from the hotel. They have a fairly lengthy, but curved swimming pool. There are many activities, indoor and outdoor games to keep you occupied including jet skiing (in the river, with a guide riding with you). The service is ok, nothing great. The food is good, they had an awesome, abundant BBQ on one of the night we were there.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Steuart by Citrus; City: Colombo Western Province; Review: Been here a few times. The service is great. The atmosphere is comfortable and easy. They have couches for groups. I find this to be a real lay back, relax, chill place. The food portions are quite large here. You can really fill yourself up! Drinks are good too. There's a lot on the menu here.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: RCA ANT1650F Flat Digital Amplified Indoor TV Antenna; Brand: RCA; Review: Works great except during a storm.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: CoverBot iPad Keyboard Case Station PURPLE Bluetooth Keyboard For iPad 4, iPad 3 and iPad 2 with IOS; Brand: CoverBot; Review: love but wish keypad was charged with a phone charger cord.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: SABRE Wireless Window Glass Break & Vibration Detector Alarm with Security Warning Decal - DIY EASY Installation; Brand: Sabre; Review: wish they are louder when sounding; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: TP-Link N300 Wi-Fi Range Extender (TL-WA850RE); Brand: TP-LINK; Review: Great for extending my wifi; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: UGREEN USB 2.0 Hub 4 Port USB Hub Splitter for Mac, Windows, Linux systems PC (Black); Brand: UGREEN; Review: Easy way to use multiple USB devices with one computer.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Docooler Mini Hamburg Speaker for iPhone iPad iPod Laptop PC MP3 Audio Amplifier (Black); Brand: Docooler; Review: Good sound and nice small style; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: SanDisk Cruzer Fit 8GB USB 2.0 Low-Profile Flash Drive- SDCZ33-008G-B35; Brand: SanDisk; Review: love the smallness of this with the huge storage.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Yubi Power 6 Outlet Power Plug Surge Protector Wall Tap with 2 USB Ports 2.1A 300 Joules - White; Brand: Yubi Power; Review: love the combo of the outlets and usb plugs for all my electrical needs.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty (Sleeping Beauty, #1); Author: A.N. Roquelaure; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: It started out strong...and I thought hey! Good way to start out, but then it just never let up. I read a review from someone who stated that there was spanking on every other page and man, I feel ya, it just got to be a little much for me. This is the first time I've ever really read a book like this and it being by Anne Rice I was really excited to check it out. However, I don't think I'll finish it, and because of that is why I only gave it three stars. I'm as open minded as they come, so no judgment here. It just wasn't what I expected, and I'll probably take the other two off my to-read list as well. Kind of bummed, but hey, it happens.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, #1); Author: Charlaine Harris; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I had a really hard time following along with this book. My own fault though. I watched the show before I read the book and so every sentence I read just brought back flashbacks from the show. It really made it impossible for me to concentrate on what I was reading. I found the book to be almost word-for-word with the show and it totally threw me off. I gave it 4 stars because I love the show, and the book being so similar, it has to be equally as great! I'll try my luck with the second one.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dreamside; Author: Graham Joyce; Genres: thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: I actually bought this book at a dollar store. I really enjoyed reading it, and it's one of the books I will forever call a favorite. It's topic is one that has always interested me and the author puts a nice fiction/horror type twist on it. I gave it 4 stars because it starts to get a little..weird...towards the end lol. Other than that it's pretty great.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Marked (House of Night, #1); Author: P.C. Cast; Genres: young-adult, romance, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: I absolutely loved this book. I'm not going to get all into depth about what I think the author was or wasn't trying to portray to the teens lol. That's just silly, because really, who knows. I don't think you do ;) Everyone will take what they want from the story, but in my opinion it was excellent and very entertaining. I loved the style of writing that was used. It made it really easy to read and understand the thought processes of the main character. I've started the second book now and I intend to finish the series.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Celestine Prophecy (Celestine Prophecy, #1); Author: James Redfield; Genres: thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Horrible writing, but worth the read, if you can bring yourself to finish it lol...; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Mutant Message Down Under; Author: Marlo Morgan; Genres: history, young-adult, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Reading through the other reviews I feel a lot of people are seriously missing the point of the message in this book. Whether it was made up or not. The story she tells is a beautiful way of sharing an eternal truth that many generations before us understood and some cultures today still teach and practice. I imagine that those who looked past the writing style, the fact that it was fictionalized, or whatever petty details might have bothered them about this book, can really open their hearts and see what a beautiful message this is and how it can profoundly change your outlook on life, like I know it already has for many others.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Art of Being Kind; Author: Stefan Einhorn; Genres: non-fiction; Review: This book mostly consisted of examples of different kinds of "Kindness" instead of really delving into the actions you should take to be a more kind person. I guess it's just my own idea of what I thought the book would be about. Not what I was expecting and didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Monstrous Beauty; Author: Elizabeth Fama; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure if I would at first, and just picked it up on a whim at the Library, but once I got started I didn't want to put it down. I finished it within 36 hours. Definitely something I would recommend to others! It's a great read and it was very refreshing to have a story that hasn't been rehashed over and over again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Angry Fat Girls: 5 Women, 500 Pounds and a Year of Losing It...Again; Author: Frances Kuffel; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: I wasn't able to finish this book. I was really excited to read it after I picked it up at the Library, but the writing style was just to scattered and confusing for me. The book had great potential but I don't think it was put together very well.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Sibylline Oracle (The Oracles #1); Author: Delia J. Colvin; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: I had an awful time getting through this and I'm definitely not going to be jumping to read the sequel. The idea was great, but executed poorly. So many things happened that made no sense and were overly romanticized. Not to mention I really struggled to get a feel for what emotions were being portrayed because of all the dang exclamation marks. I found myself re reading trying to picture how the characters were conversing with each other, because surely they weren't exclaiming every word? There are so many other things, but for the sake of time I'll just say I really didn't like it.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Sleep Tight (DCI Tom Douglas, #3); Author: Rachel Abbott; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, mystery; Review: I REALLY enjoyed this book. It's the first mystery type novel I have read since I was very young and it was so exciting to get to each chapter and slowly start to unravel all the crazy that was going on. I love how each section was from a different point of view and you could only speculate what had really happened. I found that I also enjoyed that the chapters were not 4830284093 pages long like some other books I've read. For me, it makes it much easier to get through the book and also makes it seem like it's going at a faster pace which is obviously more exciting, especially when it comes to these types of stories! Overall I thought the writing was amazing and I definitely am going to be looking into her other books.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Niceville; Author: Carsten Stroud; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: I couldn't get through this. There was way to much going on and it was almost impossible for me to follow. The story wasn't near interesting enough for me to continue.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 | goodreads |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Hugh Glass; Author: Visit Amazon's Bruce Bradley Page; Review: Good reading; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Toilet Paper Origami on a Roll: Decorative Folds and Flourishes for Over-the-Top Hospitality; Author: Visit Amazon's Linda Wright Page; Review: Fun.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Jim Bridger "The Grand Old Man of the Rockies"; Author: Visit Amazon's Grace Raymond Hebard Page; Review: Good.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 100 Classic Napkin Folds: Simple and Stylish Napkins for Every; Author: Visit Amazon's Rick Beech Page; Review: Fun.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Panini; Author: Visit Amazon's Melanie Barnard Page; Review: Good.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Tissue Paper Flowers; Author: Inc. Klutz; Review: Fun .; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: How to Make 100 Paper Flowers: Ideas and Instruction for Folding, Cutting, and Simple Sculptures; Author: Visit Amazon's Maria Noble Page; Review: Fun to do.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Complete Illustrated Book of Napkins and Napkin Folding: How to create simple and elegant displays for every; Author: Visit Amazon's Rick Beech Page; Review: Fun.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Code Check Plumbing & Mechanical 4th Edition: An Illustrated Guide to the Plumbing and Mechanical Codes (Code Check Plumbing; Author: Redwood Kardon; Review: Goog book; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.