Rating: 
Summary: boring
Review: This book was extremely short, relying on large type and large margins to fill the book. It was devoid of any real plot and left me with a better taste. It was typical of "Oprah Book Club" books in that it is very depressing. I think this could have been a great book had the author expanded on the topics and built out the characters more fully. You did get a sense of the main character, but with such a short book, the rest were very weak.
Rating: 
Summary: A short, sweet read.
Review: This is the first novel I've read by Elizabeth Berg and it won't be the last. Her writing style makes you feel you know the characters even with the little background information given about them. "Durable Goods" is a simple and short story about pre-teen Katie who is presently living on an army base in Texas with her abusive father and older sister Diane. We are introduced to the characters in the middle of their lives after something terrible has happened, recently, in the family. Katie feels alone in her world. Her older sister doesn't pay much attention to her unless it's necessary and her best friend and neighbor, 14-year-old Cherylanne only spends time with her outside of school because of the age difference between them. Cherylanne teaches Katie about "grown up" things like boys, make-up, hair, and dating tips. They are close friends and spend much of their time together. This helps Katie escape from her world of torment for brief moments in her life. This story is wonderful but sad. The reader wishes they could take Katie out of her present home conditions and put her someplace where she can be happy all the time. Elizabeth Berg makes us care about the characters that we know so little about. "Durable Goods" and the sequel "Joy School" leaves the reader wondering what will happen to Katie and her family.
Rating:
Summary: Read Aloud
Review: When I heard the first few words of the audio book I wondered if I could bear to listen to such a dramatic childish voice for hours. After the first few minutes, however, I got used to the voice and actually found the story believable and endearing. It did remind me of times when I was 12 with friends, with siblings, and alone, and made me both happy and sad.
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