People will comment endlessly on this book, but you have to read it to understand it. This is not a political book, it's a character study of a very human woman. It stands alone without Laura Bush comparison, but that does add an interesting level.

I agree with almost all RainBirdReader said. It's a page-turner with rich characters that will definitely provoke thought and discussion. You won't know until the last page whether you find Alice Lindgren Blackwell or Laura Bush a sympathetic character or not. I've already talked my bookgroup into reading it!

Shop at a locally-owned independent store. If malls weren't filled with chain stores and food courts, then I'd shop in them.

You're right, it's more than a fad but that doesn't make it immune to pricing. I wonder if the farmers who sell their products locally are switching to non-organic or is those who have to ship it all over creation to be in a Whole Foods or wherever.

I like to buy local produce because it's fresher, tastes better and supports the local economy. Organic isn't even the first priority for me. But there's only so much more I'm able to pay. My pockets are not endless deep. So sometimes I buy at the Farmer's Market or the food co-op but sometimes I don't.

While I feel sorry for these two political pawns, er, I mean, poor teenagers, I can't help thanking John McCain for the pure entertainment he is providing.

I live in a town (city, technically) of 8200 and I can tell you unequivocally that our mayor is not ready to be vice president or president. Not because she (or we) are stupid hicks, far from it. Governing a town of 8200 compares in no way with being second in command of the USA. Do you really think small-town Alaska is just a microcosm of the US and it's foreign policy affairs?

Perfect example: Palin has been quoted as saying she doesn't have much of an opinion on the war and the surge in Iraq. Maybe you can get away with that as a small-town mayor, but not as VP.

These are funny if you're sitting around with your just-dumped friend, trying to cheer her up and thinking up elaborate revenge plots. Actually acting on them is not so funny.

This article was interesting and informative. Sey should stick to reporting and skip the bitter opinion pieces about her childhood.

While I definitely criticize the Chinese and their underage "athletes", it's important to remember what some Americans have to put up with as well. But I can't help but notice that the Americans have a choice in the matter.

So at least we can give Sey some credit for self-awareness.

But what I really want to say to her is, yes, Jennifer, we armchair sports fans do realize that what Olympians do is not the same as what we did in high school or do on the weekends. That's why we watch the Olympics - it's impressive. I suggest you work out your issues with your parents and stop taking out your horrible childhood on your friends and co-workers. 'Cuz you still got some issues there.

I'm glad we've come up with a name for Manic Pixie Dream Girls, but sometimes the character works. Kate Hudson's character in Almost Famous was perfect for the the place, the time, and the other characters. She wasn't just the MPDG thrown in to save the sad sack, there was much more to it than that. Plus, I loved that movie to pieces, don't dis my movie!

Ms. Streep says that she always imagines some secret about her characters, thus fleshing out an inner life.

Well then I'm dying to know what secret inner life she imagined for her Mamma Mia character. She's got a lot of 'splaining to do!

But I hate articles like this because they ridicule something I have spent time on and value; because they don't acknowledge the joy of community that inspired me to want to gather people

And exactly what do raw silk dresses and overconsumption have to do with this, tesstay?

As many people have posted, lots of women manage to throw a nice wedding without turning into an evil bitch and treating her friends like serfs. The bridal industry has somehow given license to jerks to act out their worst instincts. But there are plenty of us who don't have those worst instincts and actually have a nice day that guests and bridesmaids can enjoy.

I've seen many friends get married and been in a few weddings and I've never experienced any of these bridezillas. Maybe because I don't hang out with assholes as a general rule. My sister in law did request pearl earrings at her wedding, but I thought it was so silly that she'd tell me what jewelry to wear that I ignored it. Hmm, maybe that's why were not close.

Maybe rather than calling 20-somethings the hook-up generation, they should be called the "willing to tell whatever personal stories required in order to get published". Maybe Tracy's story is worth sharing, but sometimes I wonder if the bloggers of the world act only in order to have something to write about.

Every word out of McCain's mouth and every action out of his campaign lately screams "grasping at straws". He needs to get rid of his new campaign manager and start over.

I got to see Frozen River at a film festival (not sundance!) and meet Courtney Hunt and Melissa Leo. The movie is very very good. It's dramatic but quiet, with excellent acting. I highly recommend it. I don't know about box office appeal, it's certainly not a Hollywood movie and the typical movie goer will not be grabbed by the plot line. But if it comes to your town, don't miss it.