Just a Couple of Days

Book Description

Blip Korterly kicks off a game of graffiti tag on a local overpass by painting a simple phrase: "Uh-oh." An anonymous interlocutor writes back: "When?" Blip slyly answers: "Just a couple of days." But what happens in just a couple of days? Blip is arrested; his friend, Dr. Flake Fountain—a molecular biologist—is drafted into a shadow-government research project conducting experiments on humans. The virus being tested—cleverly called "the Pied Piper"—renders its victims incapable of symbolic capacity; that is, incapable of communication. Is this biological weaponry? What would happen if it were let loose on the world? Does a babbling populace pose a threat or provide an opportunity for social evolution?

This novel’s absurd, larger-than-life characters speak in exuberant prose that is as satirical as it is playful, as full of implications as it is full of mirth. It’s no wonder Just a Couple of Days has become an underground cult classic. This grassroots phenomenon will reach even more soon-to-be fans in its newly updated Harvest edition-- complete with an excerpt from the author's next book!

Customer Reviews:

Good book in need of a good editor.......2007-09-25

This was an engaging and thought-provoking book. A very fun read that would have been helped greatly with some judicious editing.

Vigorito has a talent for turning a clever phrase, but spends too much time trying to show off his ability and often gets in his own way as he meanders past playful or poignant and into redundancy and tedium.

I very much enjoyed the book, but through many passages felt myself skimming through paragraph upon paragraph of artfully crafted (yet nonetheless repetitve) prose making and re-making the same point over and over and over again, ultimately gilding the lily to the detriment of the underlying point.

Also, some of his metaphysical wool-gathering is a bit sophomoric and superficial, and thus suffers all the more from the redundant reiteration as it strays into the pointless pontification of a half-baked undergrad in a late night smoke and bull session.

Perhaps, in service to the theme of the book, this was a conscious stylistic device... If so, I feel it was a poor choice. Plodding is not made any more tolerable simply because it is intentional.

By all means, read the book... I have little doubt you'll enjoy it, particularly if you enjoy the likes of Tom Robbins or Christopher Moore, just know that it often lacks the wisdom, discipline, or economy exhibited by these authors who rarely allow turning a phrase to get in the way of telling a story.

While their books often wander along the sceenic route to share with the reader a pleasant diversion, this one sometimes drifts into the 'look at what I can do' territory of an insistintly precocious piano student pounding out her seventh song of the evening, determined to turn her parent's dinner party into her own private recital.

the book was a good read.........2007-08-30

I highly recomend reading this book when you have to time for all the intricacies. The constant stopping of the story with the poetry and the dialogue between two of the characters may throw someone off, if they are not paying attention in the fist place. I tried reading this book throughout Europe and I enjoyed it immensely. There are alot of good natured themes and anticdotes that are fun and philosophical. The ending was absolutely brilliant and the voice of the author kept coming in through the reading the entire time. Great fun.

i LOVE this book!.......2007-07-20

As an avid reader I have enjoyed many, many books. Sometimes, however I luck into finding a book that touches my heart, soul and mind. These rare gems are added to my "books-to-reread-for-the-rest-of-my-life" list. Tony Vigorito's "Just a Couple of Days" not only made the list but is right up at the top!

If you love a well-written book, that is enlightening, thought provoking and just plain entertaining, I would venture to guess that you will love this book as much as I do.

My heartfelt gratitude to the author for this treasure...

I am anxiously awaiting "Nine Kinds of Naked"!!!

Just A Couple of Days is worth much more than a couple of days.......2007-07-03

I just finished reading this book for the fifth time...and I still am fascinated and intrigued with all elements. This is the type of novel that you can read again and again; and discover something new each time.

The writing is incredibly amusing, sharp and playful. Each sentence is crafted to near perfection and rolls of the page with a clever giggle. in the likes of greats like Tom Robbins, Vigorito has crafted a prose that influences the reader to truly view life in a different, but yet, painfully accurate, way.

The plot too, is more than worth mentioning. It is a rare occasion that a novel succeeds in being truly unique and creative...but Just a Couple of Days does exactly that. An unfamiliar story told in a familair voice makes the pages easily turnable. And if nothing else, the reader's only regret is that there is not more...

As an Educator, I have used this book numerously in my classroom...but also in late night conversations, early morning dreams, and everything else in between.

I prefer to avoid cliches, but this novel truly is a "must read"...for all those who look for meanings, but scoff at answers.

Smart and Fun.......2007-06-02

I loved this book. Passed it along to all of my friends and they felt the same way. Vigorito is Brilliant. Can't wait for his next book. Truly an inspiring read.

Book Description

Lady Jane Whittington dreams of a life filled with excitement and adventure, but her dreams are dashed when her father betroths her to a neighbouring baron.

Lord William Chadwick is handsome enough, but the man acts like a certified dandy who doesn't seem capable of intelligent conversation! However, William is more than he seems...

He's just returned to England after years as a spy for his country, and all he wants is to settle down to a simple life, marry and sire children. Society beauty Jane is the perfect choice.

All he has to do now is convince her that the only excitement she needs is the pleasures to be found in his arms.

Customer Reviews:

A cut above the ordinary.......2006-11-20

A toe-curlingly cheesy cover on this book wasn't encouraging, neither was the blurb on the back including such memorable phrases as "does his heated gaze enflame a desire in her" but this book was actually rather a pleasant surprise.

Jane Whittington is a dutiful daughter of separated parents. Her father has arranged a match for her with Lord William Chadwick to which she agrees but with significant reservations. Lord William, although reasonably attractive, is a brainless fop and Jane herself is well-read and intelligent. However, she obeys her parents' wishes in her betrothal (a point that is necessary for the plot but was a little bit unrealistic as the novel moves on and we find out more about Jane's independent nature).

Of course things aren't as they seem (when are they ever?) Will is a former spy who has taken on the mantle of his last disguise - the English nobleman fop - as he doesn't really know who he is any more. However he finds himself embroiled in another mission to catch red-handed a traitor to England who just happens to be at a house party he can also visit.

Will manages to whisk Jane away on a visit to her father in Yorkshire and is able to divest her of her maid on the way. He then seems to spend rather a lot of time trying to shock her and seduce her whilst protecting her from potential enemies that may be following him. Their interactions are well written as Jane gradually realises that there's more to William than the brainless dandy and also begins to understand herself and her longing for excitement, adventure and her horror of being controlled by a husband.

The spy plot part of the book is pretty minor really - we meet a couple of other people in it and there's another book about one of the spies already written - and in fact I didn't think the plot worked too well. However the rest of the book was definitely more interesting than a lot of other Regency romances that I have read recently. Strong characterisation is surprisingly difficult to find in this genre and I felt that this book bucked the trend. Worth a read!

The First In A New Trilogy!!!.......2004-11-23

This is the first read in the new trilogy that Ms. Callen has started. Here we meet Jane Wittington and William Chadwick. Jane can't believe that her father has betrothed her to the dandy that he has. Please, all he can do is talk about fashion, material, and any other inane thing that comes to mind. Jane has dreams that don't include William. Never mind the fact that he has the ear of the Queen and her father for some reason has decided he is the one for her. Before she knows it she has set out for her fathers estate and the dandy and fop that she thought William to be is changing. What on earth is going on?

William is a retired spy. He has been called back just one last time to help on a case of capturing a traitor. He is ready to settle down with the lovely Jane, but the problem is he has no idea what a "proper" lord is suppose to do or how he is to act. He thinks he has it down pat, but Jane seems rather...put off by the whole thing. When his mentor and future father-in-law askes Will to bring Jane home, he does not think twice about the request, that is until he is pulled back into service. Now he must use all of his talents to keep Jane in the dark about who and what he is, and at the same time keep her safe from the assassine that seems to trying to kill him, while keeping an eye on a traitor. All in a days work...not!

This was a fun read. Ms. Callen has created some wonderful characters and if you're like me and read books out of order and have already read "Beauty and the Spy" then you will realize that these two stories take place at the exact same time! Even so both reads stand alone fine. Will and Jane are great characters, and Killer (I'm not going to ruin this for you, the reader) is a wonderful addition to the cast. At times the storyline does seem to bog itself down with the push and pull dance, that Will and Jane perform. As a result I became frustrated just a few times and hence the lower rating. Still this is not a read that I would dismiss or ignore.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

Thoroughly enjoyable.......2004-06-24

Callen's newest work is enchanting. Jane is a reluctant fiance who keeps looking for ways to convince her father to end her betrothal to a fop. But William isn't what he seems; in fact, he's not quite sure who he is or who he wants to be...he's been a spy, putting on other personalities, for far too long. Even though Jane turns out not to be what he thought he wanted in a wife, she's exactly right for him.

William's "Lord" routine is amusing as are Jane's exasperated responses. But as he reveals his true self in small ways, Jane becomes intrigued. Danger from a traitor adds to the tension and serves to draw them together. Both people learn about themselves and how they unthinkingly try to force the other into a certain mold. They learn, they grow.

A delightful read.

Was a good read!!.......2004-03-08

This was my first, Gayle Callen book, and with this book, I will be on the look out, for all her books. In addition, buy her older writings.
I will definitely buy the next book, about Nick and Charlotte, this fall. For some reason, I see the next book being five stars.
This book, No Ordinary Groom, was very romantic, very sweet, and I like how the pages are not full of raw sex, and has a story to read. The sex was not so over bearing..That you need to skip pages, which is what I usually do if a book goes on and on about it. A salute to you Ms Gayle Callen, will done.

Am I supposed to LIKE these people?.......2004-02-20

I really wanted to like this book. I love the whole 'Scarlet Pimpernel' story, and thought it was a great plot device. But these characters are all over the board. First of all, I wish authors would get past the junior high idea of love - you know, if you really like someone, insult them, or make them angry, or pretend you can't stand them. I know it's harder to write books where the tension is intelligent, but that's what I spend my money for - characters who make you fall in love with them and who make you understand why they fall in love with each other. I do not buy books to read about young women who I am 'told' are intelligent, but who act like idiots, or men who enjoy irritating the woman they care about. It's possible I'm being somewhat unfair to this book, because I could only make it to page 176 before I skipped to the ending and then threw it down it disgust, but I've been reading romances for a long time, and I'm getting tired of some of the best authors turning in sloppy efforts they figure will sell just because their previous works have been so good.

Average customer rating:

No Ordinary Groom

Manufacturer: AVON BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0739439898

Product Description

Miss Jane Whittington's hopes have been dashed. She'd always imagined herself marrying someone daring, adventurous, exciting. Instead, the man her father has betrothed to her is...a fop! Certainly William Chadwick is devastatingly handsome, but Jane could never love a dandy who cares for nothing save the latest fashions. So why does his heated gaze enflame a desire in her that she's never known? His work as a British spy has kept William apart from proper society for years-and he has no idea that his latest "disguise" is anything less than appropriate. Now that he longs for a simpler, safer lot, he believes he's found his ideal bride in this irrisistable beauty. But it will take a special sort of seduction to win Jane's heart. And when the Crown calls him back into service, how can William refuse-even if it costs him the peace he covets..and the woman he can no longer live without?

Average customer rating:

No Ordinary Groom (Good Housekeeping)
From the Editors of Good Housekeeping
Manufacturer: Hearst Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Low Fat | Special Diet | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books

Spies and Lovers Trilogy: No Ordinary Groom, The Beauty And The Spy, A Woman's Innocence

Average customer rating:

Spies and Lovers Trilogy: No Ordinary Groom, The Beauty And The Spy, A Woman's Innocence
Gayle Callen
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000PYIFTO

Average customer rating:

No Ordinary Groom
Gayle Callen
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEXRNO

Average customer rating:

No Ordinary Groom[paperback]
gayle gallen
Manufacturer: avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000N54VGG

Product Description

tender,touching and classically romantic!

Book Description

On the wild frontiers of human space, Inquisitor Gideon Ravenor and his elite team of agents hunt down mankind's most dangerous enemies. If Chaos is left unchecked, mankind's future is surely doomed.

Customer Reviews:

Abnett Strikes Again.......2006-06-30

The man's quality never slips. He manages to captivate throughout his 7th inquisitor story with what's basically the same formula - undercover ops, high politics and graphic violence, with daemons and cultists thrown in. The action is so seamless that you often forget to admire his attention to detail and ability to pull together complex plot strands with very few holes in the result.

I found the style of the Ravenor novels mildly less engaging than the Eisenhorn trilogy's first-person narration. But that didn't stop me reading them in one go.

The one thing Abnett never quite pulls off is the ending, which as usual leaves you hanging for a resolution. I guess that just means you'll have to buy the next one...

Actually better than the first title?.......2006-06-02

This was a fun book to read, and my primary complaint with the first title in this series (lack of central protagonist, or at least written in a way that didn't associate reader with one) seems to have not been an issue here, despite ravenor's perspective being only a small part of the book.

as usual abnett creates very vivid worlds and villains, I cannot name another author who can make such live and competent villains in this genre.

Obviously this is at least a 3-part series.

A Compelling "Connector".......2005-11-04

It virtually goes without saying by now that M. Abnett is the most talented writer in the Black Library stable of authors. His works have had a formative effect on the game universe, and much of his writings have become canon in the 3rd and 4th editions of Games Workshop's Warhammer 40K game, much in the same way that M. Watson's writings did for the 1st and 2nd.

Ravenor Returned, the sequel to Ravenor, is clearly a middle tale, in much the same way The Empire Strikes Back was a middle tale in the "first" three Star Wars films. This is not to say that it doesn't have an engaging storyline of its own, but it clearly leaves space for the next book in the series as it concludes.

M. Abnett clearly has a talent for immersing the reader in his world, making the background come alive, and helping the reader "see" the words. His characters are bigger than life in many ways, and yet they each have frailties to match their strengths. This contrast makes them seem much more real, even though they are all clearly "heroes" in some form of the mold. His villains act intelligently, having believable motivations of their own, and there are virtually no abominable "belief in the Emperor somehow turns the tide" plot devices (excepting one on a thankfully very minor matter).

Warhammer 40K "fluff" fanatics will love the book, as it's chalk full of background material from the aforementioned immersive world, but even non-gamers will enjoy it on its own merits, though I highly recommend reading Ravenor prior to this one to get the most out of the tale.

In short: a highly entertaining tale; I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book.

Shades of Eisenhorn!.......2005-10-26

The Black Library publishes some mightly fine sci-fi, but Dan Abnett is truly one of its best! I thought his Eisenhorn series was outstanding, and was terribly disappointed when he finally retired Gregor after 3 terrific books! But you can still get almost the same taut, compelling Abnett style since Ravenor continues the tradition with a twist; if Eisenhorn was dashing and lit up his universe with bright swatches of color; Ravenor is reserved and paints his universe with shades and hues.

In Returned, Ravenor goes rogue and returns his strike team to a planet where the corruption goes right to the top. His team gets some help from unexpected places(!) and the action is more subtle, but still twists and turns in ways that will keep you reading! I can't wait for the next sequel!

The Plot Thickens.......2005-04-26

Ravenor Returned opens with Inquisitor Gideon Ravenor and his retinue surreptitiously returning to Eustis Majoris to further probe the activities of an illicit trade cartel dealing in narcotics and forbidden technology. Believed dead by their enemies, Ravenor and his compatriots choose to proceed undercover, thus forsaking the official assistance typically afforded an Imperial Inquisitor. The group soon begins to question the wisdom of this decision, however, as it discovers that the trade cartel has very powerful friends in very high places. Compounding the problem is the unexpected appearance of previously unknown third parties, each with its own cryptic agenda. Left to their own devices and facing a variety of foes, Ravenor and crew struggle to identify the architect behind the smuggling operation and the reason for the importation of the warp tainted technology.

Unlike Abnett's earlier Eisenhorn series which featured frequent intense action sequences, Ravenor Returns progresses at a somewhat slower pace and relies more heavily upon clandestine detective work than it does on open conflict and combat. Abnett is one of those rare Black Library authors who always seems to make the "grim darkness of the far future" feel almost within the readers' reach. We remain engaged even as Abnett escorts us to such "mundane" settings as a vast Administratum data center, drowning in bureaucratic minutia, or a dreary Ministorum office staffed by overworked and underappreciated gumshoes. Personally, I think Abnett's overwhelming success as a 40K writer is due in no small part to his ability to make the alien and exotic seem strangely familiar and Ravenor Returned certainly does not disappoint in that regard.

Despite the measured pace of the book, those readers looking for riveting actions scenes will not be disappointed as the snooping and prying of Ravenor and his confederates ultimately leads to several violent clashes with seemingly unstoppable foes. Rather than simply throwing stock antagonists at our heroes, Abnett instead continues to surprise with inventive and nuanced opposition. Along the way, an old adversary returns to the fray and several members of Ravenor's entourage begin to grow and evolve in ways that neither they nor the readers could have imagined. Overall, a gripping account through the very last page which leaves the reader eager for the next installment.

Book Description

Many books describe elements of church leadership— what it is and how to do it— but very few focus on the process of personal transformation that is central to being able to lead well. The Leader's Journey provides a blueprint and the practical tools needed to transform the lives of pastors and congregational lay leaders so that they can become truly effective leaders. Blending the best of sound psychological research, solid Biblical principles, and proven congregational experiences— authors Jim Herrington, Robert Creech, and Trisha Taylor offer step-by-step guidance for engaging in the personal transformation journey as part of effective congregational leadership.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Resource for all in Christian Leadership.......2005-08-13

This is an excellent resource for any person serving in Christian leadership. Not only do the authors of this book explore systems theory with brevity and clear language, but they also balance well the application between both the individual leader and local congregation. Understanding a congregation as an emotional system is invaluable. In my opinion, the authors of this book give one of the clearest and most concise explanations that I have yet seen, and therefore this book should be praised for this accomplishment alone.

Ultimately, the authors do their best work in the application of systems thinking to Christian leadership. Going beyond proving the importance and plain necessity for self-differentiation in Christian leadership, the authors explain how a leader may acheive this spiritual maturity. Near the end of the book the authors give a great discussion on spiritual disciplines and the role they play in cultivating a less-anxious spirit. I highly recommend this book to those who have studied conflict management, systems theory, or literature on congregational health, especially those who have read Peter Steinke's two volumes, "How Your Church Family Works: Understanding Congregations as Emotional Systems," and "Healthy Congregations: A Systems Approach."

Incredible and life-changing.......2005-03-11

This book is really amazing. If I had to pick one thing that I learned from this book (there are too many to count), I would say it was understanding the concept of anxiety. Anxiety exists in every imaginable home, church, business, and community. In this book, I learned how to better identify and treat it.

This book will change the way you lead...and live!.......2003-07-25

I wish I had a nickel for all the "ah-ha" moments I had while reading "The Leader's Journey."

Using simple terms and real-life stories, the authors describe the (often overlooked) connection between our personal lives and our role as leaders in a congregation. At a time when we are too often tempted to go through life on auto-pilot (doing things the way they've always been done, acting according to everyone else's expectations, staying trapped in handed-down family patterns), this book comes to us with a message of freedom: By God's grace, you can define who you are and choose to live (and lead) from that place of authenticity.

This book invited me to see common patterns in my behavior (at home, at work, at church), and then it outlined for me the skills I need to respond in new ways. With each new page, I found myself saying, "that makes so much sense!" The authors apply tried-and-true realities of family life to everyday church situations. And in the end, we are reminded that we cannot expect to change another person (or a family, or a church) until we do the hard work of changing ourselves.

I have already purchased several copies of this book to send to friends in Christian leadership throughout the country. It is an absolute 'must' for men and women in ministry. And strongly recommended for lay church leaders. Read it slowly (don't miss out on the excellent questions at the end of each chapter!) and allow God to work through the pages as you read.

Essential part of a leader's toolkit.......2003-02-28

I was honored to do some editing work on this book. The book is primarily an application of Bowen family systems theory to the Christian life. Its target audience is Christian leaders in that the anecdotal evidence is drawn from leaders' lives and the results are applied to congregational settings.

One important message for leaders is that the important elements of Bowen family systems theory --seeing systems instead of merely looking for simple cause and effect, identifying one's own habitual responses to anxiety and conflict, disciplining one's self to be a present, calm, loving influence in the midst of conflict, etc.-- are essential components of the leaders toolkit. I believe that done properly, as acts of surrendering control to Christ and choosing to love others unconditionally, the material in this book comprises some new spiritual disciplines.

I believe that this book is important for several reasons:
* It is one of the most articulate, secular or Christian, explanations of Bowen family systems theory
* It explains the theory in the context of Scripture and Christ; frankly, it is only in Christ that we can have the hope of truly being free to love and free from the influence of our anxious world
* It recognizes that all the church growth how-to books in the world are worthless if the leader lives life reacting to others and being an anxious presence in the life of the church
* It calls the leader to take responsibility for his/her own behavior, recognizing that learning to love others will result in them learning to love, too

Leader, is their a cold war of silence going on between you and one or more of your immediate family or between you and one or more of your church leaders or parishioners? Are you engaged in a power struggle with somebody else in your family or church? You need to read this book. It will help you to take responsibility for your part and to develop a capacity for choosing to love others even in the midst of conflict.

While the target audience is Christian leaders, this book will benefit anyone, particularly any Christian. For we all lead in some way, whether that is just in a family setting or some responsibility in our jobs. And we all our leaders regardless of position if we will obey Jesus' instructions to lead by serving.

Average customer rating:
The Leader's Journey (Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation)
Jim, R. Robert Creech, and Trisha Taylor Herrington
Manufacturer: Jossey-Bass
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OE3QZ8

Average customer rating:
The Leader's Journey Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation
Trish Taylor
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N7KQT0

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