Advantages: great read
Disadvantages: none

...I have read quite a few of Jodi Picoult's novels before, but having just finished 'Plain Truth' I feel that this was the most moving and compelling by far. In 'Plain Truth' we are taken right into the heart of the Amish (Plain) Community in America, where an eighteen year old girl, katie Fisher, is accused of murdering her new born baby. Katie claims not to remember what happened on July 10th, when in the middle of the night in the family barn she gave birth silently and secretly, only later, after falling asleep, to discover that her newborn has died. Once the baby's body is discovered, there is a police investigation and Katie stands accused of first degree murder. There is a great deal of evidenve to incriminate her, not least is the fact that she concealed her pregnancy from everyone. Meanwhile, the reader has also met Ellie... Read review

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Advantages: High academic standards, reputation, university can be the best years of your life
Disadvantages: Can be seen as stuffy and old-fashioned, a lot of work, may not suit all

...Oxford University is one of the most prestigious in the world. It may be second to Cambridge in the Times league table, but really this is relatively insignificant. The truth is that there are many top quality universities, and I shall not pretend that Oxbridge is automatically superior, when in reality places like York, Durham, etc can all offer at least as good facilities in certain subjects. As a current student of Oxford University (just finished first year PPE at Jesus), however, I feel qualified to write a guide for those that may be thinking of applying, and anyone who’s just interested. I shan’t write everything here – there are separate categories on Dooyoo concerning the interview, courses, etc so I shall just try to give a broad overview here (and probably write in more detail on the other aspects later... Read review

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Advantages: cheap and chearful
Disadvantages: no one will understand you

...on whether 'Free Will was Compatible with the Truth of Determinism'. I left there six years ago now but have continued studies as it was of a general interest to me anyway as a personal search for enlightenment. It has not a way into a job as has been said many times a philosophy major is a one way trip to the dole queue. Being over 40 employers are not interested in me joining there graduate training programs. I spoke to one whom even thought it a joke university. So only go to university to study philosophy if generally interested in subject as it seems nihilism is promoted. Back to the anonymous buildings they are a mix of prefab 60's some very old and some new all mixed up on the same site. The IT facilities were first rate just been built when I was there in 2000. I studied English and Philosophy which was surprisingly... Read review

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Advantages: Persuasive proofs; humour, wit, intelligence, lucidity of presentation.
Disadvantages: None.

...You've read about and seen the strange weather changes in the news (some have even experienced it): Hurricane Katrina's devastating effects. Drought in Darfur. Flooding in Germany. Unprecedented heat wave in France. Just 'cyclical changes'? 'Random weather alterations'? Well, I'm fully convinced that these unusual major disturbances in the global weather patterns are not, as claimed by global warming critics, 'random' or 'cyclical'. See Al Gore's documentary film and you'll be startled at the weight of evidence out there that supports this position. Early in 'An Inconvenient Truth', Al Gore introduces himself to the audience during one of his PowerPoint presentations thus: 'I'm Al Gore. I used to be the next President of the United States.' The audience breaks out in cathartic laughter. He counters... Read review

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Advantages: It's another Discworld story
Disadvantages: It's too short!!...:o(

...OK, by now anyone who has been reading my ops will probably have gathered I like reading. It’s one of my favourite ways to spend quiet time and I even read when I’m chillin in the bath. I read almost anything (Not Mills & Boon though…lol) but tend to stick with Authors once I have read something I like by them. You may also have noticed that I don’t tend to read anything heavy (except LOTR) and there is no way Terry Pratchett could be called heavy. Apparently, The Truth is the 25th in his Discworld series and it’s not a let down. Firstly, the techie stuff for those that want/need to know: ISBN – 0552 14768 0 (P/back) 0385 60102 6 (H/back) Price - £6.99 and £16.99 respectively Publishers – Paperback is Corgi Press and Hardback is Transworld Publishers Ltd (All info from www.whsmith.co.uk) This book... Read review

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Advantages: Something of the universe about it
Disadvantages: May cause nightmares

...UNIVERSAL TRUTHS THAT WE CANNOT FIGHT AGAINST After much time away - I return to this little corner of Ciao. Welcome to you all and make yourselves comfortable - for I have a story so unnerving; so stupefying immense in its implications that you will be thinking about the meaning until the day you die and on that day you die you will suddenly realise that this story has come back to you and everything you have ever done in your life has been leading up to this moment - a moment of complete realisation. Yes, you may raise an eyebrow right now, but continue on dear reader, for you know you wish to. Read on and prepare to be unsettled, chilled or maybe a little comforted with the knowledge that someone up there is either watching over you or is screwing with you; I shall let you decide... Read review

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Advantages: Clever witty story, Spot on characters
Disadvantages: Some may find the lead character a bit ordinary

...Pages 319 ISBN 0-385-60102-6 (c) Terry Pratchett and Lyn Pratchett 2000 'Zat vich does not kill us makes us stronk'- Otto (Vampire) Iconographer of the AP Times 'A Lie can run around the world before the truth has got its boots on' - Unknown PATRICIAN ON TRIAL FOR MURDER Shock today as Patrian Ventari (42) was arrested by the Watch for attempted murder of a loyal servant. Two maids and the recovering victim himself witnessed the Patricaian. The watch arrested Ventari as he was trying to escape with $70000 AD. Vimes (45), Commander of the Watch was unavailable for comment, though he did make a rude gesture, and threaten us with a blunt instrument (a 10 foot troll to be precise). THE TRUTH - A NEW NOVEL BY TERRY PRATCHETT Review by MVWMAIL I have always been a great fan of Terry Pratchett ever... Read review

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Advantages: Thrilling book about a murder in an Amish town
Disadvantages: May be upsetting

...Have you ever stayed in a place where there is no electricity? That means no television, music, and computers. A place where people don’t have a telephone, don’t use cars. Hard to imagine nowadays, but for some people this is still the case and life is very different for them, although many are very happy and it could be argued that we are the losers not them! This is about the Plain Truth. The Book *********** I must be a Christian child Gentle, patient, meek and mild; Must be honest, simple, true In my words and actions too…. Must remember, God can view All I think, and all I do. After the acknowledgements the book starts with this Amish school verse. The story itself begins with 18year old Katie Fisher dreaming of her little sister Hannah who had died previously , when suddenly she wakes and leaves her bedroom... Read review

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Advantages: A fresh and clean scent, light and long lasting.
Disadvantages: May be a bit pricey for some.

...A while back I was in need of a new aftershave and my wife kindly bought me a gift of Calvin Klein Truth Eau De Toilette. I had not been expecting the gift so was obviously greatly pleased to have received it, and having never heard of it before was intrigued as to what the scent of the fragrance would be. I knew that I would not be disappointed, and having sprayed myself for the first time with it was greatly impressed with its smell. Calvin Klein fragrances never fail to impress me and Truth is no exception to this rule, it is a fantastic fragrance and is one that I have used most days for the last few months. Although I had not previously heard of it, Truth has actually been in production since 2002 for the male market. The bottle I was bought is of the 50ml size, it is contained within an interestingly shaped sloped bottle... Read review

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Advantages: Subtle and sensual perfume
Disadvantages: Bottle is tall - may be too large for some handbags

...I first bought the perfume, Truth by Calvin Klein in 2001 in an airport shop (well you have to buy something at the airport, don’t you). After sampling the range of perfumes available, I settled on this one. It had a subtle fresh perfume which both myself and my husband like (not often that happens). Truth was introduced by Calvin Klein in 2000. Accomanying its debut was the statement, “Its about taking the tome to slow down and experience the sensuality in everyday life. That’s the essence of truth; it’s about following your instincts, being true to yourself, your sensuality – and that’s sexy”. Agreeing wholeheartedly with the sentiment, the perfume seemed ideal. The Company Created for Calvin Klein by perfumer Anne Gottlieb. Price. £54.00 for 100 ml £38.00 for 50 ml £23.50 for 30 ml Packaging. The Truth bottle... Read review

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