What Looks Like Crazy On An Ordinary Day

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Summary: Favorite Christmas Gift!
Review: I received this book as a Christmas gift from my husband and let me tell you it was a great choice. I liked it so much that I am purchasing the hardback and passing on the paperback to friends. The characters were entertaining and came alive. The story was uplifting and enjoyable. I could not put it down! I recommended it highly.

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Summary: Not An Ordinary Book!
Review: I kept looking at the eye catching cover of the novel on the shelves of various bookstore. I read the jacket cover and decided the topic would be too depressing to read. As with many people, we know of relatives and friends that have contracted this horrible disease. But the cover and imput from friends convinced to read the book. The title fits the contents of the book. I found the main characters Ava, Joyce and Eddie very believable. The story included valuable information about AIDS, the reaction of Ava upon learning she was HIV positive and the reality of learning to really live with this disease. Joyce and her ablity to cope with the lost of beloved husband, Mitch,and her two children. And Eddie dealing with his past and his ability to create a new lifestyle for himself. I found myself rooting for each of these characters. I know I wished for a happy everafter life for each of the main characters but I knew that the real world does not operate in the fashion. I am very thankful for Pearl Cleage writing style. It allowed me to deal with the realities of the various societal problems facing any town in this country. I am glad she choose an all black town,Idlewild as the setting of the novel. I applaud Pearl Cleage for telling the story in a straight forward manner and her efforts in dealing with serious topics on a very human level. I will recommend this book to my book club and to anyone who has an interest in good literature with a mesaage we all can use and appreciate. I am looking forward to reading more of literary efforts in the future.

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Summary: Eye Opening
Review: Cleage takes on heavy subjects such as HIV and child abuse while writing a sharp, witty, and entertaining novel. The book opens the reader's eyes to the current-day problems of many African Americans, yet is able to also write a thoroughly enjoyable novel. Ada Johnson is a likable character who has learned to live with HIV instead of letting it control her life.

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Summary: Enjoyable, quick read.
Review: Easy read, down to earth and to the point book. A book about family interaction and love. A good book for imagery. Highly recommend to women.

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Summary: Pure garbage. Depressing. I found very little humor.
Review: When is Oprah going to recommend an uplifting story? Sorry. This book was boring, sad and empty.

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Summary: A MUST READ FOR ANYONE WHO HAS LOST FAITH IN LOVE.
Review: THIS WAS A WONDERFUL BOOK.THIS IS A BOOK THAT SHOULD BE GIVEN YOUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION.THE CHARACTERS IN THIS BOOK SEEM SO REAL AND THE SITUATIONS THE MAIN CHARACTER DEALS WITH AND HOW SHE DEALS WITH THEM IS SUPRISING.I HOPE PEARL CLEAGE WRITES ANOTHER NOVEL AND SOON.

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Summary: This would make a great movie
Review: I loved this book and read it in one day. Cleage tells an engrossing story in modern style. It would make a great movie. Perhaps Oprah could play Joyce?

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Summary: Surprisingly uplifting and an enjoyable read!
Review: I picked up this book without knowing anything about it. When I began to read it and realized it was about someone who was HIV positive, I was sure that it would be a sad tale. The magic of this book, besides the excellent and engaging narrative, is that despite the tragic and difficult events in the book it leaves the reader with an overwhelmingly positive and hopeful feeling. I can't wait to read more of the author's work. I loved this!

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Summary: Great eyeopener for closed minds.
Review: This book is a great eyeopener for individuals whom only judge others by what they hear. The twist and turns in this novel brings the reader into the storyline. I was touched by the passion the author gave the characters. I recommend this book to all.

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Summary: The best novel I have read in a long time.
Review: I was completely absorbed by lives of these people--their quirks, their joy, their sorrows--their overall humaness that transcended race or economic status . This book reaffirmed my belief that literature teaches us about who we are and where we are going, as well as what it means to live, love and be happy. It shows that each one of us, if given the place to stand, can move the world. What Looks Like Crazy... is a wonderful first novel for Pearl Cleage and I can't wait to see what comes next.