The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner: Worksheets, Checklists, Etiquette, Calendars, and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Amazon.com

This practical companion to The Knot Complete Guide to Weddings in the Real World acts as a stand-alone guide to the nuts and bolts of planning a wedding. The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner is where the bride and groom can record wedding ideas, create budget guidelines, check items off their to-do list, generate the guest list, store contact information for their wedding vendors, and get tips and advice on the best way to plan their big day.

Chapter by chapter, the planner walks the bridal couple through each major step: for example, choosing the reception site, picking a photographer, and deciding on a menu. Author Carley Roney and the editors of The Knot Web site have talked with both wedding professionals and hundreds of thousands of brides and grooms, and have a good idea of the necessary ingredients for a successful wedding. Most helpful and thorough are each chapter's "Questions to Ask" checklists and the "Knot Knowledge" tips, which include money-saving ideas. The book also contains a gift log, a budget tracker, and a wedding-day phone contacts sheet.

Roney offers loads of helpful advice, such as recommending that the bride and groom declare "wedding free zones" where the couple makes time for activities together that have nothing to do with planning the wedding. Each chapter also includes her down-to-earth answers to commonly asked questions, such as whether it's appropriate for a relative to host a shower or if the wedding couple should pay for guests' travel expenses. With all of its tips, advice, and organizers, The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner may just be, next to a wedding coordinator, the best way for modern couples to ensure their wedding is a smoothly run, stress-free affair. --Kris Law

Book Description

From the author of The Knot Complete Guide to Weddings in the Real World, a thoroughly modern, must-have workbook to help you pull off the perfect wedding.

With so many nerve-wracking details to tend to, planning the perfect wedding can seem an impossible task. Now The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner guides you step-by-step through the countless stages of planning your big day. Packed with easy-to-follow checklists and worksheets, and the hip, insightful wisdom that has made theknot.com an indispensable resource for millions of couples worldwide, The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner provides:

A one-year calendar with monthly and weekly to-do lists leading up to the moment of marriage
Worksheets to help you:

Organize the attendants, the guest list, and the invitations
Design the ceremony--from the site and officiant to the dress
Arrange the reception--from the cake and caterer to the music and the photographer

Checklists to keep track of finances, contracts, and post-marriage legalities
Money-saving tips and answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews:

The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner.......2007-09-24

I thought this book was very good. It has a list of things that I never thought of and the worksheets are great. The only thing that would have been an added bonus was a place to keep documents within the book. However, for first time brides as myself this book was much needed.

not pleased.......2007-08-24

I was not pleased with this - the inside was black and white - very text heavy. Who has time to read all those annoying lists when they're getting married? They want to look at pretty things and keep things organized. I ended up giving it away.

a good first choice.......2007-08-23

I liked this book but bought the 3 ring binder and didnt have much use for it.

My Favorite Wedding Helper!.......2007-07-31

While this book wasn't the "end all" to planning my wedding, it gave a great basic overview that helped me not to forget things. It is full of wonderful worksheets that proved more helpful than I realized at the time; without them I wouldn't have been able to remain on budget. I really recomend it, because it helps you know what percentage of your budget you should spend on different parts of your wedding (for example, if you have a budget of $15,000, and flowers should be 5% of your budget, then you know that you can plan to spend $750 on flowers and still be in budget.) They even broke it down further so that you knew what expenses fell into the "flower" category (alter flowers, boquets, corsages, decorative flowers for the reception hall, etc.) I loved it!

Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful.......2007-05-04

This was the best wedding book yet which I'm still using it I loved all of the worksheet I even copyed them onto my scanner and printed them in different colors so I could keep better organized.

Average customer rating:

Comprehensive, well illustrated, and fascinating
Get knotting...
THE One Source for Knots
Try the square knot first
The Final Authority on Knots

Ashley Book of Knots
Clifford Ashley
Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0385040253
Release Date: 1944-06-21

Amazon.com

The Ashley Book of Knots takes us back to a time when knots saved lives and put dinner on the table. Whether out at sea or in a pioneer cabin, knots were a part of daily life, one that is nearly lost today. But in this attractive, well-organized archive of more than 3,900 different knots--presented through 7,000 illustrations--the art of knot tying lives on, both as a historical reference and a reservoir of handy knowledge.

Customer Reviews:

Comprehensive, well illustrated, and fascinating.......2007-09-21

This is an excellent book for flipping through. It is well illustrated, and the descriptions of the knots are full of great information. I have encountered a few knots that I couldn't tie based on the words and pictures, but the vast majority of them are clear and can be mastered with a few minutes' effort.

My only real complaint is that, with the book alone, it is difficult to look up a particular knot by name. However, since the Ashley Book of Knots is the standard reference, Google is extremely well suited to overcoming this limitation. For example, the index doesn't mention Monkey's Fist, so I googled "monkey's fist ABOK" and didn't even have click any links before I found the correct number (2200).

All told, this is a great book and I'd recommend it highly.

Get knotting..........2007-09-05

As a self proclaimed 'knot enthusiast', I'll challenge that you're not a REAL knotter till the 'Ashley Book of Knots' is on your shelf! I've had hour apon hour of fun reading up and then trying all but the most difficult knots shown in this veritable encyclopaedia.. It makes a great talking point with dinner guests too!

THE One Source for Knots.......2007-08-29

I do decorative knotting and collect knotting books. This should have been one of my first purchases. This book has amazing historical and useage information as well as excellent drawings. The 620 pages are almost totally covered with how-to drawings and explanations of the knots. All the knots are numbered. When a new knot is introduced that is similar to a previous one, it references that number. Some of the names of knots are not what I've seen in other books, but I don't see that as a problem. If I could only buy one knot book, this would be it.

Try the square knot first.......2007-06-27

This is a fantastic book of knots. I would caution though that it is not an unstructional book with step by step details on how to tie the knots. If you have a basic understanding of knots you can figure out how to tie most of the knots in the book and with some practice and research you could get to where you could manage to tie anything I'm sure. This is a book that I thought I would add to my library but it seems I take it everywhere with me as I am fascinated with the different knots that I can continue to learn and teach to others.

The Final Authority on Knots.......2007-06-27

This is the ONE. The bible to sailors. The final authority to marlinspike seamanship and knot work. Worth every penny!

Average customer rating:

Good book - easy vacation read
Pure Fluff
Shopaholic ties a slip knot
Good but not as funny as Takes Manhattan
no more love for becky

Shopaholic Ties the Knot
Sophie Kinsella
Manufacturer: Dial Press Trade Paperback
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Accessories:

ASIN: 0385336179
Release Date: 2003-03-04

Book Description

There’s never been a better excuse to buy a new dress...or two.

The irresistible heroine of Confessions of a Shopaholic and Shopaholic Takes Manhattan is back!—in a hilarious tale of mothers and daughters, mothers and sons, and one blushing bride who just can’t say no to saying “I do.”

Life has been good for Becky Bloomwood: She’s become the best personal shopper at Barneys, she and her successful entrepreneurial boyfriend, Luke, are living happily in Manhattan’s West Village, and her new next door neighbor is a fashion designer! But with her best friend, Suze, engaged, how can Becky fail to notice that her own ring finger is bare? Not that she’s been thinking of marriage (or diamonds) or anything...

Then Luke proposes! Bridal registries dance in Becky’s head. Problem is, two other people are planning her wedding: Becky’s overjoyed mother has been waiting forever to host a backyard wedding, with the bride resplendent in Mum’s frilly old gown. While Luke’s high-society mother is insisting on a glamorous, all-expenses-paid affair at the Plaza. Both weddings for the same day. And Becky can’t seem to turn down either one. Can everyone’s favorite shopaholic tie the knot before everything unravels?

Download Description

There's never been a better excuse to buy a new dress... or two.

The irresistible heroine of Confessions of a Shopaholic and Shopaholic Takes Manhattan is back! -- in a hilarious tale of mothers and daughters, mothers and sons, and one blushing bride who just can't say no to saying "I do."

Life has been good for Becky Bloomwood: She's become the best personal shopper at Barneys, she and her successful entrepreneurial boyfriend, Luke, are living happily in Manhattan's West Village, and her new next door neighbor is a fashion designer! But with her best friend, Suze, engaged, how can Becky fail to notice that her own ring finger is bare? Not that she's been thinking of marriage (or diamonds) or anything...

Then Luke proposes! Bridal registries dance in Becky's head. Problem is, two other people are planning her wedding: Becky's overjoyed mother has been waiting forever to host a backyard wedding, with the bride resplendent in Mum's frilly old gown. While Luke's high-society mother is insisting on a glamorous, all-expenses-paid affair at the Plaza. Both weddings for the same day. And Becky can't seem to turn down either one. Can everyone's favorite shopaholic tie the knot before everything unravels?

Customer Reviews:

Good book - easy vacation read.......2007-09-23

This one is easy to read, put down and pick up again and continue. Fun and light - good reading for the gym! One of the best in the series.

Pure Fluff.......2007-09-09

Before anyone discredits what I say, I'm over 14, so don't think I have no clue what this book is about. I totally knew what this was about-not much! (It's just waaaay easier to use this than the main review feature)

The book has a simple plot-girl gets engaged, girl starts planning wedding, conflict, solution, et cetera.

Becky Bloomwood gets engaged to her boyfriend of about two years, Luke. Apparently, his mother's a jerk. Becky's parents begin to plan a white-trash wedding, Luke's mother plans a 'high-class' wedding as she calls it. Trust me, the way it sounds, it's just a way to make a bogan appear to have class. Both weddings are being planned for June 22nd. Becky is so entranced by the Bogan Party she can't tell her future mother-in-law no. And her friend Suze (who, quite grossly, likes to keep it in the family-she marries her cousin and gets pregnant) keeps telling her about the White-Trash Nuptuals, and Becky feels so bad that Mum is going to all this trouble, she can't bring herself to tell her it's canceled. What's a spoiled, poor little rich girl to do?

First, what grown woman is incapable of planning her own wedding? I've never had a wedding, but I do know many girls who don't need their mom to do all the planning, nor their fiancees. In the book, 'Bex' as she's called, is given every opportunity to tell both women, "No, I don't want this." And yet she never does. Her favorite part of getting married is registering-at about four different shops.

Becky was cute in the first book, I was practically laughing every page. Now I just think, "Wow...what an irresponsible bimbo. Can't she do anything right?"

This is a library book, definately. It's also very light, so if you need a book to do a report on or something to choose for book-club, this isn't it. This is more like a, "Oh, yeah, I needed somethin' fluffy to read by the pool!" Frankly, if you choose this for book-club, the only thing you'll be discussing is Rebecca Bloomwood's immaturity.
~Kinga

Shopaholic ties a slip knot.......2007-08-14

This was my first and last Shopahilic book I have read. The plot was dim. The only reason I read the book all the way to the end is because I was hopping something bad would happen to Becky. I really hope other Shopahilic book aren't' dim as this one, but I am not reading any other Shopahilic books to find out.

Good but not as funny as Takes Manhattan.......2007-07-26

Although this is a good book and fun to read, with all the wedding planning and goof-up's, it's not as funny at Shopaholic takes Manhattan. Now I have to read ALL of them, oh what a problem to have.

no more love for becky.......2007-07-23

i adored the character of becky in the first books but now, oh my god, what a mess, she is very immature, and sorry to say this but plain stupid, she does not deserve luke, shes lucky she got herself a rich husband, i was hoping to see something else, not this, big dissapoinment, sorry.

Surgical Knots and Suturing Techniques, second edition

Average customer rating:

good book, need to have
Usefull guide to learn suturing technics & surgical knot tying.
You get what you pay for...

Surgical Knots and Suturing Techniques, second edition
Dennis Giddings , and F. Giddings
Manufacturer: Giddings Studio Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

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ASIN: 1889326011

Book Description

A guide explaining and demonstration the principle maneuvers of knot tying along with step by step descriptions of each maneuver. Extensive information on suture materials, surgical needles and the instruments used for knot tying are included. The most commonly used suture patterns and knots are described and illustrated.

A new section describing basic sterile technique is included in this second edition of this book. In this section techniques used in sterilizing instruments, surgeon's hands, patient's skin, wound irrigation, debridement and the effectiveness of chemical sterilizing solutions are described.

Customer Reviews:

good book, need to have.......2007-05-31

Ideal for those who need to be familiar with suturing techniques and are not doctors (like nurse practioners and ocean going mates and captains).

Usefull guide to learn suturing technics & surgical knot tying........2006-08-05

In times of technological surgery this manual is of great value. Somebody may forget hand suturing technics.
It will be usefull for medical,nurse practitioners, paramedical and veterinary students and surgery and G-O residents in order to learn the basic maneuvers of suturing and surgical knot tying.
The drawings are clears and understandables.
In adition there are some information about suture materials surgery instrumental and sterile technique.

You get what you pay for..........2005-12-16

I was surprised to find that the book was only 40 pages long. The illustrations are good and the information is presented in a concise and efficient manner. The book covers roughly 8 types of knots and 9 different suturing methods. So obviously it is ideal for someone looking to get a quick hands-on start on basic suturing.[update 4-5-07] I think I may have underestimated this book. It is actually a nice and concise primer that I have referenced again and again. It is small enough to fit in a white coat or lab jacket pocket. Here is a summarized Table of Contents: One and two-handed square knot, Instrument tie square knot, Miller's and Modified Miller's knot; Suture materials, needles, methods, and patterns(appositional, tension, and inverting); Removing sutures and Basic Sterile Technique.

Knots and Crosses (Inspector Rebus Novels)

Average customer rating:

Nice intro to Rebus and the series
Couldn't get through it
First Rebus novel...x 2
Good, But Not Very
Excellent start to the series

Knots and Crosses (Inspector Rebus Novels)
Ian Rankin
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0312956738

Book Description

Detective John Rebus: His city is being terrorized by a baffling series of murders...and he's tied to a maniac by an invisible knot of blood. Once John Rebus served in Britain's elite SAS. Now he's an Edinburgh cop who hides from his memories, misses promotions and ignores a series of crank letters. But as the ghoulish killings mount and the tabloid headlines scream, Rebus cannot stop the feverish shrieks from within his own mind. Because he isn't just one cop trying to catch a killer, he's the man who's got all the pieces to the puzzle...

Knots and Crosses introduces a gifted mystery novelist, a fascinating locale and the most compellingly complex detective hero at work today.

Customer Reviews:

Nice intro to Rebus and the series.......2007-07-16

This detective/mystery novel is a great intro to the detective Rebus series. This books moves along quickly and Rankin develops interesting characters and a sense of urgency along the way. I'm glad I heard about Rankin and this Rebus series.

Couldn't get through it.......2007-06-16

I would give it zero stars but 1 is the minimum.

I was horrified and sickened by the unnnecessary descriptions of the murders, and could not make it past the first third of the book.
I felt no empathy with the main character Rebus.

I won't be reading any more by this author.

First Rebus novel...x 2.......2007-06-11

I first heard of Rankin on an NPR interview a few weeks ago and decided to read one of the Rebus novels. I decided to start at the beginning, as Rankin said his character aged in "real time." The book is short and simple with excellent prose and a very realistic conversational tone in the characters' voices. Rebus is human, flawed and believable as someone who holds the most important piece of the puzzle but cannot see it through his damage psyche. A good read...I am looking forward to the second.

Good, But Not Very.......2007-06-11

There's a scene in this book where Detective John Rebus' boss says that Rebus is "not a very good policeman, just a good one." Well, this book is not a very good book, just a good one. And barely that. Rebus is not a very well-developed character, in my estimation. He's not very credible and, as his boss says, he's barely a good cop. The plot of this novel is uneven and unexceptional. About half way through the book you know where it's going and the ending is unexciting and pedestrian. This is my second try at Rankin. I stopped reading the first one half way through, and I wished I hadn't wasted my time on this one. Adieu, Detective Rebus.

Excellent start to the series.......2007-02-16

This was a top start to the Inspector Rebus series. Ian Rankin wrote an excellent little book that I found to be highly interesting and readable.

It was the kind of book that one can read and while you know it isn't a masterpiece in the vein of a Michael Connelly or James Lee Burke, you can see that the author has all the makings of being a top writer.

Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

awkward and painful
Farah must have had amnesia
Much potential - not realized
likable character in ponderous novel
Insight into living in Mogadiscio (Mogadishu)

Knots
Nuruddin Farah
Manufacturer: Riverhead Hardcover
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1594489246
Release Date: 2007-02-01

Amazon.com

Nuruddin Farah's native country, Somalia, is shown in all its war-ravaged sadness in his harrowing novel, Knots. Cambara is a young Somalian-born woman who has spent most of her life in Toronto. Through the carelessness of her husband and his mistress, Cambara's son has drowned there and she is devastated by her grief. On a sudden impulse, she decides to go to Mogadiscio (Mogadishu) to properly grieve for her son and to try to wrest her family property from the warlords who seized it. Her journey is frightening and what she finds when she gets there is appalling, but she perseveres and accomplishes much of what she sets out to do.

Along the way she is helped by many people, without whom her goals could never have been reached. Despite squalor, poverty, sexual depravity, petty meanness, and the constant threat of violence, Cambara and a small cadre of good people continue to make progress against daunting odds. Much of the activity centers around ousting the thugs in Cambara's house, making it habitable again and mounting a play there that will showcase the solidarity and civilizing influence women have, even in the direst circumstances imaginable. Cambara is an inspiring woman, filled with zeal to make her world a better place. The other women, and several men, who help her, are Somalis grieving for their once beautiful city, now a landscape of tumbled buildings, potholed streets, gunfire everywhere, and very little hope. Cambara and her friends try to renew that hope in people very near despair by showing them that cooperating against evil may sometimes prevail.

Despite Cambara's inspirational behavior, Farah has drawn her as a character difficult to like. She seems by turns a friend and a manipulative user. In one instance, as she describes it, "she sees nothing wrong in relying on Dajaal's bravery to do the dirty work as long as she does not have to witness or have firsthand knowledge of the perpetration of the violence." There are also problems with Farah's style, by turns arch and stilted and then, in the same sentence, slangy and idiomatic. It is off-putting to the reader, but the harrowing story does come through. --Valerie Ryan

Book Description

A new novel from one of the world's great writers-an extraordinary work set in Mogadiscio, Somalia-that both breaks new ground and brings him back to his literary roots.

A strong, self-reliant woman who was born in Somalia but brought up in North America, Cambara returns to Mogadiscio to escape a failed marriage and an overweening mother. Her journey back to her native home is a desperate attempt to find herself on her own terms-however ironically, in a country where women are expected to wear veils. And she has given herself a mission to reclaim her family's home from the warlord who has taken it as his own.

Cambara finds emotional refuge and practical support with a group of Somali women activists working to broker peace in a country that has been savagely riven by its drug-addled, power-hungry men. Farah's novels have been famous for their unique African feminism since his debut, From a Crooked Rib (just reissued by Penguin); Knots represents his most powerful return to that legacy.

Knots also presents a penetrating portrayal of Somalia's capital city-a city that's changed from the city Westerners saw on CNN and in 'Black Hawk Down,' transformed into a state of violent anarchy and psychological disrepair that has never been more important to understand. An especially intimate portrait of Mogadiscio, it's informed by Farah's own recent efforts to reclaim his family's property there, as well as his experiences trying to negotiate peace among the city's warlords.

Now more than ever, Farah's deeply wise and worldly inside look at the Muslim world is valuable and necessary.

Customer Reviews:

awkward and painful.......2007-08-31

I had to force myself to finish this book; somehow I felt that if I made it through the entire thing, something about the plot, the characters, or the subject matter would help it redeem itself. I was sorely wrong. The plot is incredibly contrived, the author (a man) presumably has a very skewed idea of what a woman's thought process might be, and what could have been a very interesting social commentary about civil war-torn Somalia fell short into platitudes and generalities. But the worst thing, by far, about Knots was the writing style. I felt like it had actually been translated into English from another language -- which is not a bad thing in itself -- but had then been scoured by someone looking to replace every other word with something from a thesaurus. The author mixed colloquial language and cliches with what he probably thought was very serious, "literary" passages -- extremely off-putting and jarring to read. The point of view of the book was also extremely distracting... second person omniscient? I felt like the whole story could have been more believable (and more of the horribly contorted and strained language contextualized) if the story had been told in the first person.

In short, this is an awkward and painful book to read; the prose made me cringe at least once every 5 pages. Yikes!

Farah must have had amnesia.......2007-07-31

"Knots" has tremendous potential and could have been a beautiful story of a grieving mother, main character Cambara, who travels to her war-torn homeland, Somalia, to find herself and create a new life after much tragedy. Instead of developing Cambara's personality and relationships, Farah tries to squeeze too many people and events into a book that has no sense of time. One cannot tell if the events of the book happen within a span of one day or one year. Cambara has high aspirations (such as reclaiming her family's property from a warlord) that end up being easy and quick and that seem to take only a few minutes to accomplish, though this is very unrealistic and difficult to believe. Furthermore, Farah's writing is inconsistent. In one sentence a character has one sentiment or reaction and in the following sentence, there is a completely contradictory description. Thus much of the book was very confusing.

Farah's writing is full of unpleasant typos and poorly built sentences, as well as long run-ons and complicated vocabulary. The attempt to write eloquently is forced and unnatural.
The book started out well and was very interesting, but the downhill slope was steep and quick. Less than 100 pages into the book it was already convoluted and messy. It was clear that Farah was rushing and pushing characters and events, leaving them superficial and unrealistic.
It was very disappointing to me that a book that started out fairly well could have taken such a sharp turn. I haven't read any of Farah's other books but I hope that they are much better than "Knots."

Much potential - not realized.......2007-07-29

I really wanted to like this book, especially since I had recommended it to my book club. But I'm afraid there is very little to recommend it. I appreciate that Mr. Farah is an important voice for Somalia - a country that has apparently completely devolved into anarchy - but this novel does very little to illuminate the causes or potential cures for what ails that desparate place. I found the characters to be two-dimensional and undeveloped, the voice and point-of-view to be muddled, and the English to be juvenile (I understand that English is not the author's first language - so the editor is to be faulted here). The story-line reads like a soap opera -- amazing coincidences save the main character at every turn. And for me, the greatest fault is that this is not really a novel at all. A novel tells a story through which we can learn about ourselves and others but here we are simply told what the main character is thinking or doing - rather having the action and context reveal possible motives. And even this expository style is inconsistent with abrupt shifts that have no grounding in what has gone before. There are so many potential and valuable themes here that are just never realized: the role of women in humanizing and civilizing a society, the value of the arts in redeeming otherwise de-humanized individuals, how violence begets violence and how to break that cycle, and so on. I finished the book because of my sense of loyalty to the Book Club but I'm afraid it is not really worth the time it takes to plod through it.

likable character in ponderous novel.......2007-07-26

Cambara is a grieving mother who is estranged from her husband and smothered by her loving but overbearing mother. She leaves Toronto for the city she grew up in, Mogadiscio, where she hopes to recover the family house from the warlord occupying it. Cambara is a likable character, a strong and determined woman. Her viewpoint is so sympathetic and her disgust at some of the ways of men, including the details of their slovenly personal habits, would lead one to believe that this novel was written by a woman if one didn't know better.

Farah's style of writing starts off effective but grows more ponderous as the book continues. He includes various literary references, sometimes interesting, and descriptions that contain rather visual similes that sometimes get a bit out there. He will sometimes describe the same detail or thought that a character has several times, almost as if he had written down every way he thought of wording something and then didn't go back to edit anything out. Every time Cambara takes an action, we are presented with her conflicting thoughts on what she is doing in a way that includes all the difficulties that every action can entail in the environment that she is in, such as a decision of whether or not to wear a veil. However, every thought and action is described in such detail that it slows the action of the book to a crawl in some places and dilutes the impact.

Insight into living in Mogadiscio (Mogadishu).......2007-07-20

Knots, by Nuruddin Farah, is a novel about a Somali-raised girl (Cambara) returning to Somalia as a mother grieving over the drowning of her only son and the unfaithfulness of her husband in Canada. It is an exceptional book about a woman, written by a man. Farah is Somali by birth, and the detail in his description of life in Mogadiscio (Mogadishu) shows.

In this novel, Farah doesn't share the true reasons for Cambara's trip to Mogadiscio until the midpoint of the novel, in chapter 17. Up to that point, the reader is kept wondering about Cambara's secrets. Thus, the story is slow to develop, but intriguing enough to keep your attention.

This was a fascinating story, but it slipped a point by having everything work in Cambara's favor throughout. Perhaps this is my bias, but I expected life in Mogadiscio to be more difficult than Farah portrayed. Regards, the rich tapestry in the writing made me stick to the end, which was very abrupt.

I understand some of the characters in Knots have appeared in at least one other of Farah's novels. This one didn't have the feel of a sequel, and I'm sure it wasn't meant to be one.

Average customer rating:

FABULOUS!!!!
Good stuff

The Knot Guide to Destination Weddings
Carley Roney , and Joann Gregoli
Manufacturer: Clarkson Potter
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0307341925
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Book Description

The biggest trend to hit weddings in the past decade is the destination wedding. Whether on a Caribbean beach or in the Italian countryside, more and more couples throw their weddings far from home. The idea is an exciting one, but planning long distance can be complicated . . . .

In The Knot Guide to Destination Weddings, Carley Roney and JoAnn Gregoli break down the unique process of planning from afar—from deciding on your destination to whether or not you should fly in your officiant—and all the legal and practical considerations in between. Armed with a variety of experts on the subject, tips, and lessons from couples who have been through the experience, this book is jam-packed with checklists and practical, insightful advice from wedding people in-the-know.

With so many intricacies to take care of, couples “wedding away” need a clear game plan. The Knot Guide to Destination Weddings ensures no detail, big or small, will fall through the cracks. The authors tackle:
•picking out and booking the perfect location
•listings of the top wedding spots worldwide
•establishing the wedding budgets
•hiring planners and/or vendors from a distance
•the etiquette of destination weddings
•countless ways to make your wedding unique
•legal marriage requirements for foreign locales
•planning a full weekend of events, including the reception, rehearsal dinner, and guest activities
•using the Internet to coordinate the event

Customer Reviews:

FABULOUS!!!!.......2007-09-19

THIS BOOK IS EXTREMLY HELPFUL. I AM MARRYING IN JAMAICA IN SEPTEMBER 2008 AND THE QUESTIONS WERE ALL ON POINT!!! A MUST HAVE FOR ALL YOU DESTINATION BRIDE'S OUT THERE!!!

Good stuff.......2007-05-07

The book has a lot of good suggestions and timelines for destination weddings. They have to be some of the toughest to plan, especially if you're worried about people understanding your vision, but the book makes it doable. Our wedding is in North Carolina, and I am sure everything will be wonderful, thanks in part to the book!

The Knot Guide to Wedding Vows and Traditions: Readings, Rituals, Music, Dances, and Toasts

Average customer rating:

GREAT!!! Do yourself a favor and just get it!
Unique readings for weddings
weddings
Spotlight on Ceremony
A Great Beginning

The Knot Guide to Wedding Vows and Traditions: Readings, Rituals, Music, Dances, and Toasts
Carley Roney , and Editors Of The Knot
Manufacturer: Broadway
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0767902483
Release Date: 2000-12-26

Amazon.com

When planning for the big day, it's very easy to get caught up in beaded white dresses, boutonnieres, and how many platters of mini crab cakes to order, but the most important part of the wedding is the most-often overlooked--the ceremony itself. A wedding ceremony can vary hugely depending on the religious (or not) beliefs of the couple, their cultural backgrounds, and their personal preferences. The Knot Guide to Wedding Vows and Traditions can help you sort through all the choices and come up with just the right vows and music for you and your intended.

Do you want the traditional "I, so and so, take thee, so and so, to be my lawfully wedding husband/wife before God" or do you want a looser style: "I love you. And I look forward to being your friend and companion, your wife/husband and lover for life"? Carley Roney, author and editor-in-chief of The Knot (www.theknot.com), strongly suggests taking a stab at writing your own vows, but if that's just too much, cull what you like from the many different styles--from Buddhist to Quaker--offered. Readings can be from the Bible or other spiritual writings, from poetry or even song lyrics. A diverse selection of writings and excerpts are included as are a lengthy lists of songs and music for before the ceremony, the processional, the recessional, and the first dance (everything from Bach's "Brandenberg Concerto No. 4" to Martina McBride's "I Love You").

Also included here are chapters on the wedding program, ring exchanges, and speeches and toasts. Interspersed are stories and pictures of real couples and how they arranged their wedding day. Meant as a jolt to your imagination, The Knot Guide to Wedding Vows and Traditions helps you to put a very personal touch on an age-old ceremony. --Dana Van Nest

Book Description

From the #1 wedding Web site and the author of The Knot Complete Guide To Weddings In The Real World, a comprehensive guide to choosing the perfect words and music for your wedding.

In her third book in The Knot series, Carley Roney has created a complete guide to wedding vows, toasts, and readings that is the perfect resource for wedding couples, bridesmaids, best men, and parents alike. Drawing on wedding traditions and customs from around the world, The Knot Complete Guide To Wedding Vows And Traditionsincludes real-world information on:

—Vows, from the traditional "to have and to hold" to creating your own
—Rituals from a variety of traditions–breaking the glass, cutting the cake–and their history and significance
—Toasts, from the classics to advice on writing your own, as well as toasting etiquette and tips on choosing your toastmaster
—Readings, spanning various customs and heritages, poetry and prose, plus sources for finding your own selections
—Music–complete lists of popular options to help you chose the perfect songs from the processional to the last dance

Customer Reviews:

GREAT!!! Do yourself a favor and just get it!.......2007-09-14

I'm planning a wedding and looking for different ideas for vows and readings - and this book was awesome! Great book with TONS of ideas - i earmarked a TON of pages. I was reluctant to get it at first just b/c it was "the knot" - even though they are the so called "wedding guru's"...you know....I just thought others might have other insightful advice....well, not so...trust me - just go buy the knot's guide - it was the best! (at least for me!)

Unique readings for weddings.......2006-11-10

The Knot Guide to Wedding Vows and Traditions has some unique passages that are not commonly used, as well as traditional readings. If you are planning an unique ceremony, this book is worth the purchase.

weddings.......2006-11-10

The knot guide to weddings was a wonderful purchase. We have used this book so much for the wedding.

Spotlight on Ceremony.......2006-11-06

It's great to see a book that focuses on what's clearly the most important part of a wedding - the ceremony itself. Ironically this is the part of wedding planning that's often missing from wedding magazines so a book like this can be useful. It takes you back to basics with a look at how you can personalise the pivotal part of your day with readings, vows and rituals to make your wedding as unique as your relationship.

A Great Beginning.......2006-11-06

This book provides a wide variety of traditions to look at when you are just beginning your wedding plans. It is great to focus on the choices you have in the ceremony amid all the choices you have to make for the reception.

Average customer rating:

The Shenandoah Album Series
Lover's Knot
Shenandoah lover's knot unraveled
This book has it all
Engrossing ...

Lover's Knot (Shenandoah Album)
Emilie Richards
Manufacturer: Mira
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0778323226

Book Description

In a cave in the Shenandoah National Park, two bodies are discovered, wrapped in the tattered remains of a lover's knot quilt.

In Washington, D.C., Isaac Taylor inherits a nearly identical quilt from a grandmother whose name he never even knew.

After narrowly escaping death, newspaper journalist Kendra Taylor retreats to a cabin nestled in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley to heal and sort out her feelings about her troubled marriage. The land was bequeathed to her husband by a maternal grandmother he never knew, and the cabin has been abandoned for years.

As she is welcomed into the rural community of Toms Brook, Kendra becomes curious about an heirloom lover's knot quilt, which is another piece of Isaac's unexplored past. The unusual quilt clearly has a story to tell, and Kendra is convinced that helping her husband connect with his roots might help him reconnect with her, as well.

At first Isaac's reluctant visits to the cabin only underscore the difficulties in their marriage. But as circumstances force them to piece together a new relationship, Isaac discovers that the history of a family he's never known might hold the key to his future.

As a passionate story of strength, loss and desperation unfolds, the secrets of two quilts are revealed and the threads of an unraveling marriage are secured. In the rich, evocative prose that earned high praise for Wedding Ring and Endless Chain, Emilie Richards crafts the third tale in the Shenandoah Album series, resonant with the power of love and family ties.

Customer Reviews:

The Shenandoah Album Series.......2007-09-27

Emilie Richards has quickly become one of my favorite authors. And this series ranks right up with her other books. If you are a quilter, I think you will enjoy the descriptions of quilting in the past and present, and how the art was woven into the fabric of individual's lives.

Lover's Knot.......2007-09-14

I bought the book for my elderly mother.I have not read it yet but she relly liked the Shenadoah series.

Shenandoah lover's knot unraveled.......2007-06-03

I always look forward to Emilie Richards return to Toms Brook and wasn't disappointed with this newest story. The old characters are here, but mingled in with the Toms Brook family is an intriquing story of a woman searching to find out an answer to her unhappy marriage. She is still in love with her husband but discover that they have gone their separate ways through work and self-absorption. Kendra has undergone a very traumatic event in her life and seeks solace in the isolation of the Toms Brook mountains. Richards weaves her story cleverly around a quilt her husband has inherited and the story it unfolds to effect both of their lives. I was especially intriqued by the history of the Shenandoah National Park and had never realized the heartaches and sorrows that families uprooted from their homes suffered. As always, Richards manages to bring her story to a satisfying end, but I will look forward to her next novel when I can again immerse myself in the lives of the Shenandoah Valley.

This book has it all.......2007-01-15

I loved this book. Having read the first two this one mixed in familiar characters just enough to make you feel like you are seeing another part of the community. The characters were very real to life and shows that misunderstandings happen between people. The storyline about the husband's family was very interesting and well told. It made me want to visit the area. All in all - you have a love story, a mystery, and a story of community. Terrific!

Engrossing ..........2006-10-04

I love quilting books (or books with quilting themes in it). I love Emilie Richard's books simply because she is a thorough writer and she always introduces a new character from a previous book, so you feel like you are among friends. Her books has a way of drawing you into the story ~~ or in this case, a story within a story.

It starts out with Kendra almost losing her life in an attempted carjacking attack. Six months later after extensive therapy, she decides that she needs to go and live in her husband's grandmother's cabin. She takes Isaac's quilt, called The Lover's Knot ~~ with her as well. Isaac remains behind in Washington D.C., and Kendra fearing the end of her marriage, decides to recuperate away from the city and in the mountains. Little did she know that she would find a new home among the citizens that live in the tiny town. And little did she know that she would discover Isaac's grandmother's deep secret.

Isaac was given up for adoption as a child. He didn't have an easy childhood as his adoptive father was mentally abusive. So he didn't want to know anything about his biological family because he thought they were just as bad for giving him up for adoption. Turns out his grandmother Leah had a story and that story haunted two of her friends for years. It talked about being relocated from their home which has been turned over to the government to make a park. It gives a bit of history as well and Leah shares her stories through letters.

It's a bittersweet novel and a very wonderful one. Kendra and Isaac find themselves through history and simple daily life in the country. It's a big contrast to the high-power living in a big city ~~ and very relaxing.

Only Richards can write like this ~~ full of warmth and sunshine and hope. Her novels have always made me curl up on the couch and relax with a cup of tea on hand. It's wonderful, cozy and engrossing. Always.

10-3-06

Shopaholic Gift Set (Shopaholic Ties the Knot / Shopaholic Takes Manhattan / Confessions of a Shopaholic)

Average customer rating:

Great brain candy!
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Funny Stuff
Thanks for the reviews!
FUN, LIGHT, ENJOYABLE!!!

Shopaholic Gift Set (Shopaholic Ties the Knot / Shopaholic Takes Manhattan / Confessions of a Shopaholic)
Sophie Kinsella
Manufacturer: Dial Press Trade Paperback
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0385395507
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Customer Reviews:

Great brain candy!.......2007-05-14

I've enjoyed every book written by Sophie Kinsella - these were the books that introduced me to her. The adventures of Becky Bloomwood are a quick and entertaining read - I found myself staying up far too late because I couldn't put them down! I was especially entertained by the letters spattered between chapters. We only see the responses to Becky's correspondence, and these additional glimpses into her mind just add to the books. Anyone can enjoy these books - I love them, my mom loves them, my husband even read a little bit of them! Highly recommended for anyone looking for a light, entertaining read.

Confessions of a Shopaholic.......2007-05-14

Gawd..It's only Chapter 7 and I felt I have known Becky all my life! It's hilarious, funny and oh so Me!

Funny Stuff.......2007-03-23

Sophie Kinsella does a good job of not repeating the same story line book after book with her Shopaholic series. This was the first set that I purchased by this author and after that I was hooked.

Thanks for the reviews!.......2006-11-17

I ordered these books and based my 4 stars on the other reviews...for now. I just received them and I hope these funny stories encourage my 17 year old step daughter to read! So far she is not interested in anything enough to read it all the way through!

Thank you all for the reviews of these books, you helped me make the choice to buy them!

FUN, LIGHT, ENJOYABLE!!!.......2006-03-03

This series of three books was a very good read. Perfect for reading on a plane or just relaxing in a bubble bath. Very well written. If you liked "Bridget Jones' Diary", you will love this author. It helps to be married to an Englishman, as there are many references and slang terms common to Great Britan. I enjoyed the books immensely and would like to see another in the series - I have also read "Can You Keep a Secret?" by Sophie Kinsella and would give that book a rating of 5 as well!!!

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