Rating: 
Summary: A GOOD BOOK!
Review: Easy to read, easy to relate, I couldn't put it down, I even read it at the office sometimes (OO;).
Rating: 
Summary: Not an ordinary book but not extraordinary either!
Review: A fun read but VERY predictable. However the author does have tucked throughout some very insightful observations of human behavior.I also found the book to be surprisingly positive considering some of the issues: AIDS, teen pregancy, abuse(just about every kind) etc.
Rating: 
Summary: eduacational and disturbingly realistic; an easy read
Review: This is a very educational, exciting novel. Not only did it teach its readers about living with AIDS, it also taught about life's lessons, falling in love late in life, and overcoming prejudice. Ava Johnson led an extravagant life until she was overcome with the news that hse had somehow contracted the HIV virus. She goes to stay with her long-time friend, joyce, who is also dealing with a life-changing event - the death of her husband Mitch. Ava decides to spend the summer with Joyce in her hometown. Her plans, however, change when she meets and falls in love with Eddie, a spiritual man that has as much to share with the world as Ava does. Eddie is a Vietnam vet who has been convicted of a heinous crime, so now he is living life after being given a second chance. Joyce is one of those people who work so hard to help others even if there is no reward. Currently she is working with young mothers and their children in a group called the Sewing Circus. the group has set up a nursery at their church so that the women need not worry of their children while n services. However, Joyce is teach ing these women the hard truths of life and the reverend's wife doesn't approve. In one scene, Joyce is teahcing the girls the correct way to apply a condom, using hot dogs and latex. The reverend mrs. walks in and misinterprets the exercise. She manages to cut off all funding for Joyce's group. Now because of loss of funding, Joyce must find a new location for the Sewing Circle to meet. So Ava decides to take all of her maoney she has saved up to buy Joyce a house to use as a meeting place. Another obstacle for the girls is raising a young baby. Joyce takes in a crack baby after it is abandoned by its mother. they care for the child from the time it gets out of the hospital until the custody battle for it begins between Joyce and none other than the reverend mrs. Nearing the end of the novel, after Joyce loses custody, the baby (named Imani) is severly injured while in teh care of its new family and Joyce is granted permanent custody. During te whole custody battle, the town is in an uproar b/c many of the elderly citizens are being robbed and their houses are being vandalized. Joyce and Ava make it their job, along with Eddie's help to solve these crimes, and they are successful. they figure out it is the reverends grandson and his crack pheen friends. and to add to the soap opera, Ava uncovers a serious problem in their reverends past. It turns out that he is a raging alcoholic and a child molester. He has even been touching his grandson in unappropriate ways. Onece this info is uncovered and revealed to the reverend mrs., the war is over. This novel is extremely descriptive in telling of Ava discovering masturbation b/c of AIDS. But it is also enlightening b/c it tells of the spiritual steps she takes with Eddie (yoga, health foods, long walks) to be completely made over into a person she can finally live to respect and love, and fall in love again after spendin gmany years hating the men who put her in the predicament she is in. I hope there is a sequel to this novel, telling about Ava's life after September. I'd like to know if and when she gets AIDS, how Imani turns out, and what happends to many of the girls in the Circus. A second novel would be greatly appreciated.
Rating:
Summary: I hope there's a sequel!
Review: An absolutely excellent read. The characters come into your heart and home. Great writing abilities making this "can't put it down til your done" reading material. Thank-you, Ms. Cleage, for sharing your characters and their story. I recommend a Part II. This is truly a well told piece that deals with so well with the harsh issues in today's society.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!!!!!
Review: This book was great. I could not put it down. It gives people hope. Hope to the people with HIV, they can see that life is not over it can just begin and get better. I finished the book in 2 days because it was just sooo good.
Rating:
Summary: REALITY BITES...
Review: Here I am a professional, good-looking, go-getting, educated, Washington, D.C. african-american woman struggling with the same thing... HIV. Life does go on. Love does go on. This book made me realize that I am not a bad person. I just happened upon a bad situation.
Rating:
Summary: IT WAS BEAUTIFUL AND MOVING AND SO MANY EMOTIONS
Review: I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF THE BOOK I MEAN SHE WAS SO DETAILED IN HER WRITING.I REALLY FELT THE CHARACTERS AS IF IT WAS A TRUE EVENT I JUST WANT TO SAY IF YOUR LOOKING FOR A GOOD NOVEL TO READ THIS IS IT....
Rating:
Summary: positive role models for those with aids
Review: I could not put this book down, for one momment. Yes, my Mother was right, What Looks Like crazy on An Ordinary day was uplifting. This book gives those with AIDS or those that want to understand peoples lives after they are diagnosed a positive outlook. Ava found found a new start in life, where she started life,at home. She did a full cicrle in life all to find what she was looking for, love and peace of mind.
Rating:
Summary: CAPTIVATING -- FROM COVER TO COVER!!
Review: I could not put this book down until I had read every word. It grabs your attention and holds on tight! Without some of the language, I would have rated it five (5) stars!!
Rating:
Summary: IT'S ALL ABOUT C * R * A * Z * Y IN AN "ORDINARY DAY"
Review: This story was a great read because the writing style was concise, entertaining and engaging. I've read several of Oprah's picks and so far this is my favorite one. Check this one out if you're looking for an entertaining glimpse into another world. Also check out Joseph Green's PSEUDO COOL for another quick and powerful read! I'm definitely looking foward to Cleage's next effort!
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