Thank You for the Music: Stories

Book Description

In 14 original stories, Jane McCafferty illuminates modern life weaving her love of music throughout the lives and stories of her characters. From two middle-aged strangers who meet in an empty baseball stadium during a rainstorm, to a 23-year-old man who brings his 62-year-old wife home to meet his parents, to a young couple who live next door to an unemployed clown and his wife, these stories are at one unexpected and enthralling.

This collection of short stories, linked by the theme of music, is a gorgeous follow-up to One Heart, award-winning writer Jane McCafferty's critically acclaimed debut novel.

Customer Reviews:

Thank you for the music.......2005-08-29

Jane McCafferty's compilations are like musical selections from a favorite cd. You can feel the characters and setting, and find yourself getting caught up in the outcome of each short story, hoping the next selection is just as lyrical. Filled with bittersweet hope, this book does not disappoint. Thank you-Jane.

Excellent collection!.......2005-06-16

What a treat! I've discovered a new short story favorite. This collection is worth reading if only for one story in particular, "The Dog That Saved Her." Well, also, "Dear Mr. Springsteen." Two of my very favorite short stories ever, up there with the best of Lorrie Moore and Amy Bloom. Please pick up this slim, moving, surprising gem of a book!

Best Story Collection of 2004.......2005-01-03

Now that 2004 has ended, I can say with confidence that this is the best story collection of 2004. It's one of the best collections I've read in years -- and woefully ignored. Whenever I direct someone to this collection, I get this response: WOW! Please discover this writer.

Thank You for These Stories.......2004-04-14

"Thank You for the Music" is McCafferty's third major published work and her second collection of short stories. This is a collection that celebrates the contradictions and mysteries of our lives and shows us why we're worth writing about, worth reading about, worth thinking about, and, ultimately why our lives are worth living. Few people are able to find the sacred in the ordinary as well as McCafferty does. So while many of these stories begin with our very mundane selves - the jealous brother and husband, recent empty-nesters (who have only themselves and their "achievements" left to live with-or to avoid), insomniacs who are moved to graced risk by misapportioned devotion to pop stars, the family misfit, the suburban father, frustrated by the life he seems to have gotten painted into, and others - McCafferty perseveres and penetrates each protagonist deeply and keenly for more, faithful to her belief that there is more, lots more. Often, we can't see beyond what we think her characters should be; neither can most others in her stories. But it's because she's able to expose what lies beneath all our foibles so respectfully, so artfully, subtle but important epiphanies emerge. And in being witness to them, we get all that blessed residue.

McCafferty's writing is both visionary and clear, both mystical and well grounded, both spontaneous and well organized. Reading this book, her first collection of stories, and her wonderful novel, "One Heart," I'm reminded of Richard Yates, both for his writing ability and, unfortunately, for the fact that he wasn't aptly appreciated during his time. If this collection doesn't move McCafferty out where she deserves to be, it's not going to be for want of a solid achievement.

Average customer rating:
5 Titles in the Xanth Series - 10-14 - Vale of the Vole - Heaven Cent - Man From Mundania - Isle of View - Question Quest
Piers Anthony
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000PU0PNM

Product Description

5 mass market paperback Titles in the Xanth Series - 10-14 - Vale of the Vole - Heaven Cent - Man From Mundania - Isle of View - Question Quest

Question Quest & The Color of Her Panties (Xanth, 14, 15)

Average customer rating:

Question Quest & The Color of Her Panties (Xanth, 14, 15)
Piers Anthony
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Product Description

Books 14 & 15 in the XANTH series.Question Quest (1991) Xanth Book 14Being grown up is a drag... or so thinks Lacuna, one of the mischievous Castle Zombie twins. So she makes the Good Magician Grey an offer he can't refuse. Thirsty for a taste of the Elixir of Youth, she'll help him outwit the evil Com-Pewter if he'll send her to Hell (in a handbasket, no less) to find Humfrey, the missing sorcerer. And while there, she'll learn the True History of Xanth (simplified) and help rescue a blushing Rose from the demon X(A/N)th... with the help of a gorgon or two.The Color of Her Panties (1992)Xanth Book 15Gwenny Goblin, Che Centaur and Jenny Elf are just about the only creatures on Xanth who have been spared the sight of Mela Merwoman's undergarmentpreoccupied as they are with helping Gwenny beat out her awful half-brother Gobble for chiefship of the goblin horde. But first they must master space and thyme... and find the fabulous egg that sits between the Roc and the hard place. While Melawho would gladly relinquish her oft-viewed undies for a new husbandjoins the Adult Conspiracy... and quickly discovers the power of a perfect pair of panties!

Book Description

Fireheart's traitorous enemy Tigerclaw has been vanquished and exiled from Thunder Clan -- but Fireheart can't shake the feeling that he's lurking in the forest, waiting for his chance to strike.

That's not the only problem facing the young warrior in these blazing summer months, as he struggles to handle sinister omens, an apprentice with a shocking secret, and a devastated Clan leader who is a shell of her former self.

Meanwhile the forest gets hotter and hotter ... and everyone braces for the coming storm ...

Ages 10+

Customer Reviews:

a pretty good book.......2007-09-30

like i said before, it's a pretty good book. the only reasons I'm marking it down is because of Cloudpaw and Bluestar. Cloudpaw constantly gets in trouble and that gets very annoying, especially when Fireheart doesn't punish him enough. And Bluestar's frustrating, thinking that everyone is a traitor and not coming out at all. She has also given up belief of StarClan. Overall, a pretty good book

Heatfilled .......2007-06-04

In this book, Fireheart can't help thinking that Tigerclaw will carry out his threat against Fireheart and Thunderclan. A storm is rising that might distroy the Clan and they don't even know about it.

Warriors:Rising Storm.......2007-05-16

This book is an awesome adventure/fantasy about cats.I love the warrior series and I am the only person in the whole [..]who reads them!My BFF is going to borrow them because we LOVE adventure stories and we love fantasy stories.This book has lots of killings and betrayals, but they are still awesome books and I think that EVERYBODY should read this series because I know that they would love them!!!!

BLUESTAR!.......2007-03-22

Ive herd (by ma-hey I have a southern acsent- friend)
that BlueStar dies somewere around this time...
Get ready sisters and brothers of the Warrior lovers club(WLC)...

yet another review from "Noodleheart"........2007-03-19

Fireheart is the new ThunderClan deputy and Tigerclaw is still roaming in the forest. With Bluestar still struck by Tigercaw's sudden betrayal, Fireheart must do everything. Also an apprentice is breaking the warrior code double overtime! And in the story are 5 mysterious deaths. And for some odd reason, Fireheart is afraid of Bramblekit, Tigerclaw and Goldenflower's kit! Goldenflower is not afraid knowing that Bramblekit will never know his father. But the big question is will he? Bluestar is also on her last life and Fireheart and Yellowfang know! (well Bluestar also knows of course.) And with a disease spreading through the forest, how will the cats survive? And why is WindClan still mad even though ThunderClan killed Brokentail?

Warriors of the Storm (Rings of the Master, Book 3)

Average customer rating:

Fun but not as compelling as the first two in the series

Warriors of the Storm (Rings of the Master, Book 3)
Jack L. Chalker
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0345325621
Release Date: 1987-07-12

Book Description

Vulture is a shapechanger capable of absorbing the body and memories of any organic being. Without the information only Vulture can collect, the rebels will never succeed in gathering the five rings necessary to defeat Master System. Now an unknown entity seems to be giving Vulture an unseen hand. But the question is -- whose side is it on?

Customer Reviews:

Fun but not as compelling as the first two in the series.......2006-06-09

Hawks and his band of revolutionaries who call themselves pirates continue their plan to find the five rings and bring down Master System in this sci-fi thriller. They find two of the rings on the planets Janipur and Matriyeh, both of which present some really strange problems and solutions to stealing the rings. Chalker continues to reveal the pasts of his characters and takes us through some of the most bizzare situations I have read in all my years of reading sci-fi and fantasy. This book is definitely inventive.

However, despite the amazing situations the author puts his band of unlikely heroes through, I am starting to find the plot somewhat predictable; not the details. I won't spoil it for you so you'll have to read this to know what I mean. Hopefully this is just part of being a book that is a bridge to the climax awaiting us in the next book. Although a little slow at times and a tiny bit predictable this is a very fun read. I can't wait to see what weird things the crew of the Thunder has to do to get the last three rings and defeat Master System; if they defeat him.

Storm Warriors (The Orfeo Trilogy, Book 3)

Average customer rating:

The Bomb
Not just hack-n-slash

Storm Warriors (The Orfeo Trilogy, Book 3)
Brian Craig
Manufacturer: Games Workshop
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0743443217

Customer Reviews:

The Bomb.......2004-05-14

The book storm warriors deals with much racism and events that can happen to anyone, i would recommend that this becomew a summer reading book and not only that that anyone can fall in love with it within the first 20 pages.

Not just hack-n-slash.......2002-01-08

This is the third book in the Orfeo trilogy, the first two being _Zaragoz_ and _Plague Daemon_. While these books are called a trilogy they are only very slightly linked by the narrator being the same person. Orfeo is captured and forced to tell stories to earn his freedom. He does have his own story, but it is something that is never resolved. You only actually see Orfeo in action during the preludes and epilogues.

I liked this one at least as much as the first book and definitely better than the second book, so even if you were disappointed by _Plague Deamon_ I would still suggest this one.

_Storm Warriors_ is, rather obviously, set in the Warhammer fantasy world, on the Island of Morien. A young king and his best friend, the court bard (also an aspiring druid) must deal with a group of shipwrecked sea elves that have landed in their country. They know there is something wrong with the elves but their knightly code forbids them action until there is proof of their hostility. The land is plagued and the fealty to the king is at an all time low, as the smiling 'friendly' elves continue to gain favor among the people.

Amazon.com

The year is 1895 and young Nathan Williams wants nothing more than to be a "storm warrior," one of the brave men of the U.S. Lifesaving Service on Pea Island, off the North Carolina shore. Again and again, Nathan has helped the team rescue frightened sailors from floundering ships during the winter storm season. But Nathan's father is a fisherman, and he expects Nathan to be the same. After all, Pea Island is the single station open to African American surfmen, and the precious few jobs are passed from father to son. Still, Nathan is coached in lifesaving skills by the Pea Island crew and dares to hope that one day he may share in their ranks. But after helping with a particularly difficult rescue, Nathan is forced to face the truth: "In that moment I knew, without a shred of doubt, that I did not have the courage to risk my life that way. The dream, and all the months of hoping, blew away as quickly as the foam off the waves." After a close friend makes clear the obvious, Nathan realizes that there are other ways to save lives and discovers his true destiny.

With Storm Warriors, Elisa Carbone has illuminated a fascinating corner of history that is both exciting and meaningful. The novel, based on real people and actual shipwrecks, will be devoured by fans of true adventure stories such as Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild and Jennifer Armstrong's Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World. (Ages 11 and older) --Jennifer Hubert

Book Description

Driven from his home by the Ku Klux Klan and still reeling from the death of his mother, Nathan moves with his father and grandfather to the desolate Pea Island on the Outer Banks of North Carolina to start a new life. Fortunately, life on Pea Island at the end of the 19th century is far from quiet. The other island residents include the surfmen--the African American crew of the nearby U.S. Life-Saving Station--and soon Nathan is lending an extra hand to these men as they rescue sailors from sinking ships. Working and learning alongside the courageous surfmen, Nathan begins to dream of becoming one himself. But the reality of post-Civil War racism starts to show itself as he gradually realizes the futility of his dream. And then another dream begins to take shape, one that Nathan refuses to let anyone take from him.

From the Hardcover Library Binding edition.

Customer Reviews:

Best Book Ever!!!!.......2006-03-21

I totally disagree with the two reviews below! This was a wonderful book detailing an amazing part of history. The characters were well developed and the storyline was gripping. I felt connected to all of the characters in this book and I loved the fact that the story was historically accurate. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end and I will definitly look for other books written by this author. Her writing is refreshing.

Storm Warriors.......2005-10-31

The waves crashed up on the shore. We were the last hope for the boat stranded out in the waves. Storm Warriors is about a young boy who is growing up when there is much discrimination. He hopes to grow up to be a surfman, a person who is part of the all black Pea Island Life-Saving Station. He is repeatedly told by his father and others that he will never be able to achieve his dream. He borrows some medical books from one of the surfman and learns all that he can, memorizing every page. One day he is ordered to help treat a man who has frostbite and succeeds, saving the man's life. This is how he gets what he wants, but in a different way than he expects. This book was not very good because of the vocabulary and detail that was used.
The way this book was written makes it sound as if it were written by a caveman. Examples like "powerful good" or "powerful hungry" show the author does not know how to use those words. They make it very confusing to read, even though you know what he means. You sometimes have to read several of these sections over two or three times to comprehend.
This book also does not display emotions very well. It sometimes just says "I was mad" or "It made me happy" and those are not very descriptive words and could be changed. The author did not tie in the boy's emotions and just states the obvious. It makes it like you are talking to a two year old.
The way that the author makes the child behave doesn't really make sense. If he was a ten year old boy then why did they make him work with the injured? How many kids ten years old would not react at all to a man whose arm has a piece of wood sticking through it and has a concussion? The child would not have reacted this way in real life so the way that he was described in the book is very unrealistic.
This is a very bad book and you should not read it. If you can read bad language easily and comprehend it, then this book might be acceptable. It's principle was good and it might have originally been a good book, but the way it was written was not very good.
JDE

Storm Warriors Review.......2003-11-28

11/29/03

Storm Warriors
Elisa Carbone
ISBN 0-440-41879-8

The surfman motto: "You have to go out, but you don't have to come back."

Storm Warriors is about a kid Nathan who lives in Roanoke Island. One day he wants to become a surfman so he can row out in a boat with five other rowers and save sailors during a storm. This all takes place after the Civil War. It's a non-fiction book.
I found the book to be an okay book. It grabbed your attention most of the time but it didn't really seem all too interesting. The time that it'd grab your attention would be at the end of the chapter. It'd make you wonder what's going to happen next. The whole surfman thing was pretty cool. I'd never heard of surfmen before until I read this book. It was also a very short easy book though. It was only 158 pages long. It was in big letters and it was double spaced so it was short. I find short books like that to be boring because there weren't enough details. I recommend this book to people in like sixth grade. If you're older then in sixth grade and have a really slow reading level then this would be for you. Or if you like the sea and adventuress boat saving stories then you'd like this.

Historical Fiction.......2003-11-14

This is an interesting book because it is about an unfamiliar subject and time in history. Readers will learn a lot about the "surfmen" who rescue crews of crashed ships as they follow the story of Nathan, a boy who wants to someday be a part of it all. I purchased the book because it is nominated for the Rebecca Caudill Award this year, but I have yet to read it with or to any students. Due to some images and language I would recommend it for students older than 5th grade. As a read-aloud, it could be thoroughly discussed, which would be necessary for understanding for middle school children.

Informative and a good story.......2002-09-11

In the world of 1895, Nathan, a young Negro boy, dreams of becoming one of the black surfmen on Pea Island, saving the lives of sailors and passengers shipwrecked off the coast of North Carolina. When his father tells him the odds are against him, Nathan believes the problem is racism. However, in his first summer on the island, he learns there are other hindrances, and perhaps other dreams.

This book, inspired by real life characters, tells a part of American history many of us have never seen or heard. The men of the life-saving stations, both black and white, were brave and true to their professions. It's a good read for young and old.

The only thing that did not quite ring true was the language of the characters. Most spoke near perfect English and given their times and their backgrounds, there should have been at least a hint of a lack of education, perhaps even of their southernness.

Elisa Carbone has created a good read, a story for anyone interested in the dangerous North Carolina coast, American history in the late 19th century, or in the dreams of the young.

Average customer rating:

One of my favorite authors!

This book is Great!! Read it!!

Storm Caller (Island Warrior, Bk. 2)
Carol Severance
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Severance, Carol | ( S ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Sorcerous Sea (Island Warrior, Book 3)

ASIN: 0345374479
Release Date: 1993-03-22

Customer Reviews:

One of my favorite authors!.......2003-02-08

It's about time Ms. Serverance's books were re-released! I've read all four of her books and have been waiting years in vain for new ones to add to my library. She brings to life a vivid island world filled with magic and adventure and beautifully incorporates Hawaiian culture/mythology into her tales. Plus, she creates some of the strongest female protagonists in the genre--Iuti Mano [rocks]! Please give us more!

This book is Great!! Read it!!.......1998-07-17

I love this book! I read it 2 times already. I can't find any more at our library or anywhere else in the province so far. If These books were put back into print I'm sure they would be a big hit!! It is just that they are not new. If you have Storm caller or the 1st or 3rd book of this seris in your library get it or order an out of print thing from amazon. It is great I loved how Tarawe handled that landmaker. When I was reading I could hear the rain and thunder. The whole book was a treasure to read. It was in a tropical setting and I loved it. Now i always want to find Flying dolphin pics on the internet. This book Is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Carol is my favorite writer!!! In the World!! I liked this book because it had fantasy and magic in it. It wasn't just like all those other fantasy magic books. This book was better it was clear and you could accutally see the images all the time. Carol also made up another fantasy animal:-> The Flyi! ! ng Dolphin!!!! Cool EH! (Yeah I'm from Canada) Now I think people should start to make flying dolphin pics along with dragon and Unicorns. If you love tropical settings, Tropical magic, storms, warriors, once bad now good vs. Evil hating people. And the SEA of corse. This is a good book for you. I promise you will not be disapointed!! :) NIKKI (:

Riders of the Storm : A Photographic Tribute to America's Surface Warriors

Average customer rating:

RIDERS ROCKS
Getting it right

Riders of the Storm : A Photographic Tribute to America's Surface Warriors
Brian R. Wolff , and Scott C. Truver
Manufacturer: Intl Intellectual Property Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Naval | Military | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0967109701

Customer Reviews:

RIDERS ROCKS.......2000-12-15

If you love ships, the Sea, 21st century warfare and the men and women who serve aboard Navy surface ships around the world...then you'll want this book on your coffee table. Brian Wolff's photos actually make you feel like you're part of this great sea-born adventure. This book rocks the waves!

Getting it right.......2000-10-18

The book was able to convey a sense of what the 21st century Navy is up to, without being overly technical. The photography was excellent and covered a wide variety of jobs and missions that go into making the US Navy work. It is a pleasure to look at and read.

THE AMERICAN WARRIOR in combat from WWII to Desert Storm US soldiers Tell it as it Was

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THE AMERICAN WARRIOR in combat from WWII to Desert Storm US soldiers Tell it as it Was
Chris and Janet Morris
Manufacturer: 1992 Longmeadow Press, 1st edition
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000T41XU8

THE DEMON CROWN TRILOGY - Book (1) One: The Glass Warrior; Book (2) Two: Phantoms on the Wind; Book (3) Three: A Symphony of Storms

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THE DEMON CROWN TRILOGY - Book (1) One: The Glass Warrior; Book (2) Two: Phantoms on the Wind; Book (3) Three: A Symphony of Storms
Robert E. Vardeman
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NRRNQY

Johanna Lindsey Collection (Love Only Once (1985), Tender is the Storm (1985), When Love Awaits (1986), Savage Thunder (1989), A Heart So Wild (1986), Warrior's Woman (1990, Hearts A Flame (1987), Brave the Wild Wind (1984), Prisoner of My Desire (1991), and Gentle Rogue (1990))

Average customer rating:

Johanna Lindsey Collection (Love Only Once (1985), Tender is the Storm (1985), When Love Awaits (1986), Savage Thunder (1989), A Heart So Wild (1986), Warrior's Woman (1990, Hearts A Flame (1987), Brave the Wild Wind (1984), Prisoner of My Desire (1991), and Gentle Rogue (1990))
Johanna Lindsey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000QSO9TE

Product Description

A rare collection of historical romance novels

Storm Warrior: A Believers Strategy for Victory

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Storm Warrior: A Believers Strategy for Victory
Mahesh Chavda , and Bonnie Chavda
Manufacturer: Chosen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Prayer | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0800794397
Release Date: 2008-02-01

Book Description

Jesus’s authority over evil was revealed through the many signs and wonders he performed and through his victory over death. Mahesh and Bonnie Chavda believe that Christians today can experience the same victory since Jesus commissioned his disciples to spread the gospel and advance the kingdom with power. In Storm Warrior, the Chavdas equip believers to do battle with the enemies of God. They lead readers through biblical teaching about binding and loosing and into the realm of victory over the kingdom of darkness through signs and wonders. They offer prophetic insight into the Scriptures and share personal stories, showing readers how they too can walk in the power of God through all the circumstances of their lives.

Average customer rating:

Practical Advice

The best available as far as I know

How to Rescue Your Loved One from the Watchtower
David A. Reed
Manufacturer: Baker Pub Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Other Denominations & Sects | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Jehovahs Witnesses Answered Verse by Verse

The 10 Most Important Things You Can Say to a Jehovah's Witness (The 10 Most Important Things)

Crisis of Conscience

20 Questions Jehovah's Witnesses Cannot Answer

Index of Watchtower Errors 1879 to 1989

ASIN: 0801077524

Customer Reviews:

Practical Advice.......2000-04-08

As an ex JW, David knows the mental states that a person goes through when getting involved with this cult. Practical insight into how a person thinks at each stage of involvement helps to tailor the approach you take.

The best available as far as I know.......1998-02-16

David Reed has written a book that's really a revelation to every person who is genuinly interested in saving a loved one from the Watchtower, or is really interested in the subject. Not the Bible is authoritive for Jehovah's Witnesses, but the teachings of this organization, no matter how contrary they are to the doctrines found in the Holy Scriptures. Usefull strategies are in detail outlined in this book to rescue someone from the Watchtower. Very much worth reading and studying.

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