all you could ask for
I enjoyed reading this book but I would have liked it to be a little deeper. The characters are interesting but a little too cliche. All of them were beautiful, rich, and successful. On a story about breast cancer I would have liked at least one of them to have had money difficulty, been in a bad relationship, or at least had to struggle with kids and family. These women were all kind, smart, and the type of women I only see when I open the society page of the newspaper. Breast cancer hits all women and a lot of them don't have the resources that these women had. The book would have been greatly improved by the addition of someone who wasn't rich or beautiful.
Rated of 5
by Daniel A. (Naugatuck, CT)
All You Can Ask For
I enjoyed reading this book, but not at first. The story is told in two parts and part one was like a scene from a lost episode of "Sex in the City", and I'm not a fan of the show. The second part was the serious side of the story and was worth reading. Overall this is a must read for women.
Rated of 5
by MaryAnn W. (Northville, Michigan)
Warm-Hearted Fantasy
As a sports fan, I often listen to Mike Greenberg's sports talk show, "Mike and Mike in the Morning" and so I was curious to see how he tackled fiction that seemed pretty obviously "chick lit." Indeed, the first part of the book recalls the stories that as a teenager I used to read in women's magazines: impossibly beautiful, intelligent, accomplished women looking for love in all the wrong places. An interesting – if a bit odd – thread that runs through the three women's lives in this story is their reliance on sports and personal fitness to cope with emotional adversity. Their lives intersect in the second part of the book, expressed in epistolary style through email posts, and the plot gains a realistic measure of pathos. This story was surprisingly vivid and engaging, despite the obvious clichés, and often very funny. A quick read with few plot surprises.
Rated of 5
by ElenaMH
Wondering Why?
Having little information on the subject matter, I have a lot of respect for Mike Greenberg having listened to him on ESPN. My husband has enjoyed him for years as well. My primary reason to read this book was simply to generate a common interest in something with my husband, I.e. my love of books and his love of Mike & Mike.
As soon as I received the book in the mail I was intrigued. As I researched the book my intrigue turned to fascination. I have now completed the book and I find it was a good story that kept my interest. I'm still fascinated wondering how Mike Greenberg chose this subject matter...'chicklit' in its finest form.
Ok, I generally run from the genre like the plague. I find the books typically make high drama out of frivolous topics. I typically complete a chicklit book having learned nothing and grown little and wonder how ill ever get that time back. So my expectations dropped significantly. To my surprise, with Greenberg's book, I did walk away with something. The stories were entertaining and the characters were believable. The overall flow of narration was smooth.
I cannot say that Greenberg has a mastery for the written word, nor does he require the reader to work at all (I.e. think new thoughts, consider a world of new experiences, reach emotions not typically exposed, etc). I like when a book pushes me like that and think Greenberg's book would have been better if he had succeeded at it. However, the book was entertaining and I did walk away appreciating the value of a best friend and realizing the importance of figuring out what your life is meant to be for you.
Bottom line, I would say it fits squarely in the chicklit genre which isn't my favorite, but he scores points for telling very entertaining stories and reminding us of what is important.
Rated of 5
by Laura P. (Atlanta, GA)
Actually, you could ask for more....
Mike Greenberg's story of three Greenwich, CT, women (unconnected in the early part of the story) who link up through a common crisis left me lukewarm. i read all the hype on the back of the book about how surprising it was that a man could understand a woman's perspective so deeply - but what I found inside was some pretty conventional chick lit that didn't require lots of insight, The story is poignant, the tone is sensitive, and the characters have distinct and sympathetic personalities, but the book is also pretty cheesy - and there is absolutely NO dramatic tension. The story line, while an easy and pleasant read, provides no surprises, and that was disappointing.
Rated of 5
by Malinda N. (Wheeling, WV)
All You Could Ask For
This was a quick easy read. The subject matter lends to good discussion for a book club. I found the three different stories to be easy to read and digest but I never found myself relating to any of the three women on any deep level. Although the subject matter is one that all women can relate to I felt the characters were not that believable or real and for that reason I wasn't a huge fan of the book.
Rated of 5
by Anne D. (Westbrook, Maine)
Slightly predictable, though heartwarming
"All you Could Ask for" by Mike Greenberg was surprisingly insightful into the minds and hearts of 3 women , all undergoing change in their lives. The women, Brooke, Samantha and Katherine are all wealthy, beautiful and fit;all the ingredients of a good Lifetime movie . Their lives intertwine as adversity touches each of them , and brings them together as only women can understand. Women and Mike Greenberg that is ! It is definitely a side of the sportswriter that you have never seen .
A bold, mesmerizing novel about the woman known as "Typhoid Mary," the first known healthy carrier of typhoid fever in the burgeoning metropolis of early twentieth century New York.
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Although heavy on the scientific details, which slowed down the story for me (OK, I admit, I was one of those liberal arts majors who skipped out on...
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Loved this book. Magical, quirky, enchanting I could go on. All books do not have to be literary fiction, sometimes it is just so comforting to read...
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British Parliament asks Amazon to clarify why it pays $9 million in income tax on $23 billion of UK sales.(May 20 2013) Amazon will be called back to give further evidence to members of the British Parliament "to clarify how its activities in the U.K. justify its low corporate...
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by Marta M. (Santa Ana, CA)
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by Laura P. (Atlanta, GA)
