jenknox's Reviews (494)

I really love Malcolm Gladwell's work in general, but this book was a little too far-reaching. It is filled with carefully-framed, well-told stories of ordinary and extraordinary folks who have challenges Gladwell defines as David-like (challenges of the little guy) in some way or the other. I loved it in the beginning. The intro was fantastic and thought-provoking. The first story follows suit. But as a collective whole, I couldn't shake the feeling Gladwell was cherry-picking data to supplement the personal accounts and fill a book.

Mystical High is a landscape for the unexpected. Jessie and Jinxsy (great name) are endearing and believable. Two teenagers, well-portrayed and endearing due to their raw energy and endearing confusion, find a bond that is strengthened by their individual battles as well as the unexpected and odd occurrences around them. The characters come to life immediately, the dialogue is strong (quick-moving) and the story is dynamic. I remember watching Eerie Indiana as a kid, remember being obsessed with the Twilight Zone, and this book brought back the fun and mystery; more, it brought back that sense of innocent curiosity that I had, quite honestly, forgotten about.

This was a tough book to read in some regards. There are scenes that are hard to shake, but the payoff is there. Despite so much pain, so little give, there was remarkable beauty (hinted at by the very title). That's the key for me, when an author can portray the connections and strength that transcend circumstance. A well-written, vivid, important story. It puts a lot in perspective, and the women's point of view felt genuine and whole. Bravo!

OK. Crossroads does not belong to the genre of choice for me, but I've come to know Steven Nedelton and I had to admit, his book sounded interesting, so why limit myself, I thought. So here's my take: This is a plot-driven, fast-paced, spy thriller that seems to incorporated a lot of research and keen literary skill. I'm very glad I picked up this book, and thanks to Nedelton, I'm in the market for an occasional thriller. To recommend this book, I have to resort a reviewer's cliché: I couldn't put it down. www.snedleton.com

Dynamite writing. That's what mattered to me in this book. The sentences were stories.