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Monday, December 30, 2013

Best Books of 2013 and Year-end Wrap-Up

I read so many good books this year that I had a hard time making this list short! I've read more books than last year too. My reading tastes are still very much eclectic. Two things have changed in my reading habits this year:

1) I bought a Kindle. I like it better than my Kobo. Although I have accumulated a lot of free Kindle books, I still prefer my review copies to be in print format. I just find it a lot easier to rifle through the pages and note things down as I'm writing my reviews, especially for non-fiction books.

2) I'm reading a lot more audiobooks! I read a total of 22 audiobooks this year in comparison to the 8 of last year when I first discovered them. I think I will continue to listen to more and more audio in 2014. I'm hooked!

This year I read a total of 137 books (24 children's, 23 middle-grade, 18 YA, and 72 adult books, of which 22 were non-fiction). You can view my complete list here: Books Read in 2013

Here are my favorite reads of 2013. It doesn't mean they were published this year, only that I read them this year:

In Children's Books
This touching wordless picture book about a young Southern farm girl who discovers a runaway slave hiding behind the corn crib in the barn and decides to help him is sure to become a classic. 


Tweezle into Everything by Stefanie McLellan
This adorable and heartwarming story celebrates the youngest member of a family beautifully and with fun creative language.


In Middle-Grade:
Silverwing by Kenneth Cole
Full of adventure, plots with twists and turns, great cast of full-fledged characters and wonderful imagery and world-building—that's what a reader can expect from this book. My son and I really got swept away.


The Silver Six by AJ Lieberman & Darren Rawlings
This graphic novel has good messages about family and friendship, encouraging kids to work together  and to understand that even bad people can change.


Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Botswana by Patti Wheeler & Keith Hemstreet
The first book in a new series for middle-graders about twin brothers Gannon and Wyatt who travel around the world and log their fun adventures in journal format. The books are based on their real-life adventures. 


I was surprised by how much I liked this book. I couldn't put it down. It's packed with Wild West action and adventure and plenty of emotions. The story starts with a bang and doesn't let up until the last page.


In Young Adult:
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Refreshing, heartbreaking, intelligent, funny, tragic...This novel is all this and more. A truly anomalous and exceptional book that made me shed quite a few tears.


The False Prince: Book 1 by Jennifer A. Nielsen
An action-adventure YA novel, smartly written, with taut suspense and fantastic twists and turns leading to a breathless ending.


The Runaway King: Book 2 by Jennifer A. Nielsen
This is the second book in the Ascendance trilogy and the sequel to The False Prince, which my daughter and I absolutely loved. Once again, we dove into this book and couldn't put it down!


Trash by Andy Mulligan
Trash is one of those books you read that stays with you for a long time. I read this with my daughter and we both loved its intensity and powerful message of hope and determination in the face of staggering poverty.


Shadows of Glass by Kassy Taylor
I thought this was a great sequel to the first book, Ashes of Twilight. Once again, Tayler is a great storyteller and I loved this book just as much as the first book for all the same reasons. This is one of the best dystopian steampunk trilogies I've read, and I can't wait to read the third book.


In Adult Fiction:
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
This book was different, thought-provoking, deep, funny, serious and, oh-so-captivating. I read for hours non-stop; something I don't usually do with my frenetic schedule.


Oh, this book was so much fun! What a great mix of the old with the new, whether it was code breaking techniques both ancient and contemporary, or dusty book researches versus Google's mighty search engine and geeky technological savoir faire.


Beautifully written, and filled with the warmth of comfort food, spices and herbs, gardens and orchards, and a loving but conflicted mother-and-daughter relationship, this debut novel is simply a delicious and feel-good read.


Just Ella by Annette K. Larsen
The story of a young girl finding her way in life, of standing up for what she feels is right, a coming of age story. It reminded me of Shannon Hale's YA books. A fairytale with heart and substance. Unputdownable.


There’s no question about it; Moyes is a talented writer who creates believable and unforgettable characters. She knows how to immerse us so fully into a story we don’t want to retreat. She’s a brilliant author and storyteller.


In Non-Fiction:
Frozen in Time by Mitchell Zuckoff
Have you ever read a thriller novel where extraordinary and harrowing things happen to the characters but somehow they get through it against all odds? Well, that's what it was like reading Frozen in Time, except that it's not fiction; a true-life thrilling story.


However Long the Night by Aimee Molloy
This book was such an inspirational read! There were moments when I was in tears and others when I wanted to whoop for joy. It is a book that every person, but especially women, can appreciate because it is the amazing story of Molly Melching, a fearless woman, known as one of the "most powerful women in women's rights".


The real reason I loved this book? It is foremost a communication book. It is a tool that adults of any age and gender can use to communicate who they are and what makes them happy. In my line of work, communication is key. In marriage communication is key. In the family dynamic communication is key. Which is why I think this book is great.


The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
I really enjoyed reading Rubin's journey, her research on the topic of happiness and applying little ways to bring sunshine into my life. Thanks Rubin! This is a book that I will re-visit again and again.


Switch on Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf
I love neuroscience. I also love the Holy Scriptures. So what a surprise when Dr. Caroline Leaf, a communication pathologist in the field of cognitive neuroscience links scientific principles to Scripture. An empowering and fascinating book!

But enough about me.
Here is Sandra's list of faves for 2013:

The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani
The Tudor Secret by C.W. Gortner
The Trilogy of the Life of Josephine Bonaparte  by Sandra Gulland
Mr. Penumbra's  24-hour Book Store by Robin Sloan
The Little Princes by Conor Grennan
The Midwife of Venice by Roberta Rich
Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan
419 by Will Ferguson
Outlaw Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
The Wolves of Andover by Kathleen Kent
Bride of New France by Suzanne Desrochers
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter & Sweet by Jamie Ford
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Tell The Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt

Finally, I want to thank all my readers and blogger friends who have supported Sandra and me with your heartfelt comments. A big thank you to all the authors, publicists, book tour organizers and publishers who trust us with their books and allow us wonderful hours of reading!

Switch on Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf

Switch on Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health by Dr. Caroline Leaf
BakerBooks
ISBN: 978-0801016240
Published: Sept 1, 2013
Trade paperback, 240 pages

I love neuroscience. I also love the Holy Scriptures. So what a surprise when Dr. Caroline Leaf, a communication pathologist in the field of cognitive neuroscience, summarizes in this book a large part of her research in recent years to link scientific principles to Scripture. Oh my word, I LOVED this book! It blends two of my favorite subjects. 

I always trusted and believed God’s Word to contain wisdom and accurate statements about human behaviour and psychology. Finally, a scientist who recognizes this! Dr. Leaf states: Science is catching up with the Bible daily. How true, because God is THE greatest scientist. He created the heavens, the earth and us in it, including all the laws that govern nature, such as the law of gravity and quantum physics.

Dr. Leaf had devoted her life work, since the 1990s, in helping people see that they can renew their minds in a tangible way by learning to control their thoughts and emotions. She says that by doing this through conscious effort, we can actually change the programming and chemistry of our brain, even in the most challenging neurological situations. In other words, we are not victims of our biology or circumstances. How empowering! How hopeful and enlightening. How totally fascinating! The concept of neuroplasticity was always supported by God as stated in Romans 12:2. I knew this because of my studying the Bible for years now, but having a scientist explain the science behind Biblical principles is so gratifying. It makes me appreciate my Creator all the more.

What I also appreciated about this book is that it’s easy to read. Dr. Leaf explains neuroscience in simple terms and her use of repetition of the concepts only served to make me appreciate their value. The more I dug into this book, with highlighter and pen, jotting down notes, looking up Scriptures, the more I realized that my Bible studies have made me wiser and more intelligent because of the time I spent in deep study and meditation. In the last few years, however, because of my busy schedule I have not had the same kind of contemplative studies, and I have seen the difference in how I handle stress.

In the first part of the book, Dr. Leaf explains the science of thought and what it means to switch on your brain. In part two, Dr. Leaf has developed a 21-Day Brain Detox Plan, a practical and detailed plan that helps an individual get rid of toxic thoughts. This non-traditional therapeutic approach has helped her patients who suffered a TBI (traumatic brain injury) make remarkable progress. I’ve read through the program, and I figure it won’t be easy to implement, but I plan to use it because I know I could use help getting rid of some toxic thoughts that trigger my depression and mood swings. 

I have to say that if you are an individual who does not read the Bible, this book may be a little overwhelming, especially those who believe that the Bible and science don’t mix. I knew all the Scriptures she mentions in her book so I was super comfortable with her applications. Also, Dr. Leaf includes in the back of the book 10 full pages of notes and references, as well as 19 full pages of recommended reading of books and scientific articles. This is perfect for me! I highly recommend this book to anyone who calls themselves a Christian (or appreciates the Bible) and wants to explore the potential of their minds to change their lives for the better.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product. Available at your favourite bookseller from BakerBooks, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday, What are You Reading? Dec 30 Edition

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia who now blogs at To Be Continued. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. The host for December is Gilian at Rose City Reader. You can also view the touring blog list here for the upcoming months.

No review books this week!

 Free Kindle Book:

 This came highly recommended by another blogger who included it in her best reads for 2013 list, so when I saw it was free I grabbed it.
Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can scarcely believe it when he's forced off the train by a retired outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the minister she requested for her birthday. Worried this unfortunate detour will ruin his chances of finally serving a congregation of his own, Crockett is determined to escape. But when he finally gets away, he's haunted by the memory of the young woman he left behind--a woman whose dreams now hinge on him.

For months, Joanna Robbins prayed for a preacher. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. A man to help her discover answers to the questions that have been on her heart for so long. But just when it seems God has answered her prayers, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett to stay in her little backwoods community? And does the attraction between them have any chance of blossoming when Joanna's outlaw father is dead set against his daughter courting a preacher?



This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. This is where we keep track of what we are currently reading and plan to read.  The kidlit version is hosted by Jen at Teach Mentor Texts.

Read and reviewed:
Camelot & Vine by Petrea Burchard (great time-travel)
Love Anthony by Lisa Genova (touching)
Brava Valentine by Adriana Trigiani (great audiobook - fantastic sequel to the first book)
Trash by Andy Mulligan (one of the best YA books I've read!)
The Deception by Marion Chesney (great audiobook, best of the series so far!)

Currently Reading:
The Splendour Falls by Susanna Kearsley (very good so far)
The Stowaways by Meghan Marentette (reading with my son: we're half-way through but my son's getting bored)
The Riddle of Prague by Laura DeBruce (reading with my daughter: not as exciting as we thought)

Hope you all have a great reading week!

The Deception by Marion Chesney (Audiobook Review)

The Deception: The Daughters of Mannerling Book 3 by Marion Chesney
AudioGo
Released October 2013
Narrator: Charlotte Anne Dore
Length: 6 hours
Unabridged

This is the third book in the Daughters of Mannerling series and so far the best one. The first book was The Banishment and the second The Intrigue. In this installment, the focus is on Abigail Beverley. The two eldest sisters have been married and, according to their other four sisters, have failed to secure back their precious home Mannerling that was lost in a gambling match by their father who has since died.

Abigail meets Lord Burfield who is back from the army and now in search of a wife. He finds Abigail intelligent and easy to talk with even in matters of politics, thanks to the efficient education from their governess, Mrs. Trumble. But the plot takes many twists and turns in this novel as Harry Devers (the villain from the previous novel) suffers an injury from a riding accident and circumstances have him recuperating in the Beverley home, where he catches the attention of sweet Rachel, the twin sister of Abigail. And another character, Prudence Makepeace has her eyes on Lord Burfield and wants him as a husband for herself. She will connive to get him to forget Abigail. So much plotting going on!

In this story, we see a sister who is the feistiest heroine so far. Abigail has a temper and she is fearless sometimes, making her do foolish things. I loved this story because it made me laugh as the characters got into all sorts of mishaps. Chesney sure knows how the ton think and react in Regency England, and she creates situations that get solved in ways unexpected that made me want to cheer.

Once again, I liked Mrs. Trumble’s character very much. Only a little more is disclosed about who she really is and I can’t wait to find out what her story is. She is definitely a woman ahead of her time, independent, intelligent and quick-witted. She understands the Beverley sisters and does everything in her power to help them forget Mannerling, their former home that now is also haunted because its previous owner committed suicide by hanging off the chandelier.

Charlotte Anne Dore, once again, does a great job with the narration. She brings the characters and the story to life. I have a weakness for British narrators, and I have grown fond of her narration. Up next is the fourth book in this series, and I eagerly await to see what else the Beverley sisters will get themselves embroiled with. So glad I started this series!

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: Thanks to AudioGo and Audiobook Jukebox for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Kid Konnection: Trash by Andy Mulligan

Trash by Andy Mulligan
Ember (Random House)
ISBN: 978-0385752169
Published Oct 11, 2011
Paperback, 240 pages

Trash is one of those books you read that stays with you for a long time. My daughter and I read this one together for her Battle of the Books competition at school. I had never heard of it and was very happy to have discovered it. We both loved its intensity and powerful message of hope and determination in the face of staggering poverty.

Fourteen-year-old Raphael and his friend Gardo are trash boys. They live in boxes on a dumpsite in a third world country that remains unnamed throughout the novel. Raphael is an orphan who lives with his aunt and every day they sift through the city’s disgusting trash to look for items that can be sold such as plastic, paper, tin cans and glass bottles. Then one day, Raphael finds a bag containing cash, a letter and identity papers. When the hard-nosed authorities come around to see if any of them have found anything, Raphael keeps quiet. Things get dangerous when he and Gardo team up with a younger boy named Rat to try to discover the mystery surrounding these documents.

The boys finally end up on the run from the police and corrupt politicians. They experience terrifying situations but also joy and satisfaction trying to outwit the authorities who will stop at nothing to get the information they have. They know from their investigation that they are doing the right thing and display great courage to solve the mystery.

Trash is told from multiple point-of-views but mainly that of the three characters Raphael, Gardo and Rat. We experienced various emotions reading this novel: heartbreak, shock, justice, triumph and satisfaction. These boys have nothing and yet they can experience happiness in the simplest of things. They are dirt poor with no education, no parents, no home and no money and yet they stand up for what they believe to be right even at great danger to themselves. My heart ached constantly for them, especially knowing there are children who actually do live like that.

Reading from the boy’s point-of-view was brilliant because we got to know them and their dreams for a better life. If one has hope, he can survive the direst of circumstances. These boys were funny, honest and forthright. They laid it all out for the reader to experience. And yet underneath all that, they were vulnerable and scared. They laughed, they cried, they outwitted the authorities and we couldn’t help but cheer them on as they raced toward a finale that was astounding.

The plot was full of twists and turns and my daughter and I were enthralled, wondering where it would all lead and how these poor boys could possibly win against trained men. Trash is a powerful story and I’m glad I read it with my daughter. It is one of the best YA books I’ve read this year. It would make an amazing movie.

Note: This book is rated V = violence for a scene when the authorities beat up on a boy to get him to talk.

Reviewed by Laura & Daughter

Disclosure: We borrowed this book from the library and were not told how to rate or review this product.
Every Saturday, Booking Mama hosts a feature called Kid Konnection—a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, visit Booking Mama.


Friday, December 27, 2013

Brava Valentine by Adriana Trigiani (Audiobook Review)

Brava Valentine by Adriana Trigiani
Harper Audio
Released: February 9, 2010
Narrator: Cassandra Campbell
Length: 11 hrs 24 mins
Unabridged

 After reading Very Valentine a few years ago (read my review), I knew I wanted to read Brava Valentine, the second book in the trilogy. However, I never got around to it. But then Trigiani herself sends me the third book and I knew I just HAD to read the second before I dug into The Supreme Macaroni Company. So I borrowed the audiobook at the library. I loved this second book!

Brava Valentine continues the story of Valentine and her Italian-American family. Teodora, the grandmother, is now newly married and has left the Angelini Shoe Company to Valentine and her brother. Valentine, who does not get along with her brother isn’t happy about this but several life lessons are learned on both their parts as they work to expand the company. Gianluca is back in the picture and Valentine has to decide if she wants to pursue a relationship or not. And then, there is the surprising discovery of relatives from her grandfather’s side that grew apart years ago because of a family rift.

This book had it all: family drama, friendships, romance and self-discovery. Once again, Trigiani had me roaring with laughter at the beginning of this novel with her reintroduction to Valentine’s family. The beginning of her first book had the same effect on me. Trigiani explores family faults, quirks and relationships so well. Every family, of course, has crazy moments and situations, and I can certainly relate to Italian families and their drama. Valentine misses her grandmother who now lives in Italy, and she must deal with serious family issues. She is independent and smart but also kind and devoted to her family and friends.

I liked how Valentine grew as a character in this book. She knows how to make good friends and keep them, but she has trouble with the love department. Gianluca is older than Valentine, a mature man who is in love with Valentine but who allows her to discover what she wants. He was so swoon worthy! Now that brings me to Cassandra Campbell, the narrator of this book. She was awesome! She was able to do all the different voices of both men and women, the distinct New York accent and of course, the Italian accent that was so sexy on Gianluca. I also loved the Italian phrases throughout the story, and Campbell pronounced them well.

I’m so glad I decided to listen to this book because it really brought the characters alive for me. Now I’m ready to delve into the third book to see how it all continues and comes to an end. Trigiani truly knows how to create interesting, flawed, and honest characters we come to care about. I didn’t feel this so much in the first book, even though I liked it, so I was very pleased this story gripped me more. I can’t wait to see how Valentine handles the upcoming challenges in her life with the next book!

Note: This book is rated P = Profanity for some mild religious expletives.

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: I borrowed this audiobook from the library and was not told how to rate or review this product.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Love Anthony by Lisa Genova

Love Anthony by Lisa Genova
Gallery Books
ISBN: 978-1439164693
Published April 2, 2013
Trade Paperback, 336 pages

After reading Lisa Genova’s previous two books--Still Alice that deals with Alzheimer’s Disease and Left Neglected that deals with traumatic brain injury--I knew I wanted to read Love Anthony, a story that deals with an autistic boy. Neuroscience is a topic I’m fascinated with, and Genova, a Harvard-trained neuroscientist, writes fiction inspired by her field of work.

Love Anthony is essentially a story about two women, each at crossroards in their life, whose lives change because of the connection to an autistic boy. Olivia is mourning the loss of her son Anthony, a boy who had autism. She retreats to Nantucket Island alone, desperate to find the meaning of her son’s life. Beth, also living in Nantucket, is a wife and mother of three girls, who just discovered her husband Jimmy is cheating on her.

The chapters alternates between the stories of both women. Both stories had elements that appealed to me as a woman and mother. I could empathize with Olivia and my heart broke for her as she relives some of her best and worst moments with Anthony. I felt terrible for Beth because of her situation. I liked reading about Anthony and learning about what it might feel like to have autism. The book’s beginning and ending were very good, but I felt the story dragged at time somewhere in the middle. I felt Beth’s story was too detailed and there could have been less of it and more of Anthony.

Also, the ending left me with mixed feelings. Beth begins to write a book and it’s written from the perspective of an autistic boy. It’s strongly suggested that it’s actually Anthony communicating to his mother through Beth, you know, channeling. I really wish this hadn’t been implied. Why add a paranormal element to a story that was fine without it? However, this is mentioned at the very end of the novel, and is a short scene. It’s really the story of Anthony that made me enjoy this book. I was touched by him and was crying at one point when Olivia recalls how he dies. I have a son who is ten and could not imagine losing him.

The setting on the island of Nantucket is so prominent that it becomes a character, making the reader truly feel the isolation and bleakness of winters there. Genova’s description of island life is beautiful and I could imagine it so clearly in my mind.

This story truly made me more empathetic toward families who have children with autism. It made me understand the difficulties and challenges that come with raising children who are different and may not speak, give eye contact or want to be touched. I look forward to seeing what else Genova chooses to write about that will make her readers more compassionate.

Note: This book is rated P = Profanity (mild) for a few f-words and S = sexual content for a brief sex scene (not explicit).

Reviewed by Laura

Disclosure: I bought this book and was not told how to rate or review this product.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Camelot & Vine by Petrea Burchard

Sandra and I both read this one (we love time travel) and decided to write a double review of it. You will find Sandra's review followed by mine. We both agreed this was a fun read!


Camelot & Vine by Petrea Burchard
Boz Books
ISBN: 978-0985883713
Published: March 2013
Trade Paperback, 282 pages

Sandra's Review:

I loved this historical fiction/time travel novel.

Forty-year-old Casey Clemens has lost her boyfriend and her acting job on the same day. Wanting to escape her life, she hops a plane to England. While sightseeing in rural Wiltshire she decides to rent a horse called Lucy, who upon being startled by the bright headlights of a car during a rainstorm, skids on the slick pavement throwing Casey into 6th-century Arthurian England...along with Lucy. Who knew that horses can time travel?

Casey is soon smitten by middle-aged King Arthur, at odds with Lancelot and befriended by Guinevere. Everyone believes her to be a wizard who has come to save Arthur. Can Merlin help her return to the future?

This is a funny, interesting twist on the traditional King Arthur stories of swords, battles, love triangles, Camelot and Knights of the Round Table. It’s curious to contemplate Arthur as scholar. Casey relates, “what I didn’t expect were the stacks and stacks of vellum sheets, bolted between slabs of wood, piled on the desk and floor. Books. Everywhere. But with shoulders hunched and shirt draping open, King Arthur wore the look not of a scholar, but of an aging prize-fighter.” We recognize all of the characters but they somehow seem different.

This is a light-hearted, easy read, well researched with descriptions of armor, long-haired men, smells of battle, chain metal, swords, and customs of the day. It sounds authentic. It’s a brilliant fresh take on the legend of Camelot. The ending is perfect.

Apart from a couple of expletives, it is a clean read and will appeal to fans of the Arthurian legends.

Laura's Review:

When I received this book for review it came with its own bookmark sporting the words, "Intelligent escapism for those days when you just need to live in another millennium." How true! For me, time travel books help me escape into the past, into another world.

Casey realizes she's not happy with her life, especially after she loses her job and her married boyfriend. On a whim, she boards a plane and heads to England. She needs time away to sort out her life full of lies and loneliness. She ends up in a small town where King Arthur, her childhood hero, once fought his battles with the Saxons in the 6th century. What a surprise then when she falls through a gap in time and ends up saving King Arthur during one of his battles.

From that moment on Casey is on an adventure that tests her loyalty, self-confidence and courage. Her time in the Dark Ages makes her realize that if she wants a better life, it's really up to her. She can start over even at the age of forty.

Burchard brings us a tale of King Arthur that is a little different from the Hollywood versions. Her descriptions of life in the 6th century are not romanticized but came across as very realistic, from the lack of washing to the crude behaviour of the men. We saw things through Casey's eyes, which was enlightening both because of the differences between centuries and also because she liked her life in King Arthur's court.

I was constantly surprised by this book. It was not predictable and kept me wondering how it would all end. Even though it was a light read, I appreciated the changes that took place in Casey. I initially thought her too weak, but as the story progressed I came to see that she just needed to come to terms with her past and realize her true self was not incapable of true friendship and honesty. She was a good flawed character and I loved the ending. It was perfect and satisfying.

This was a fun book to escape with. I recommend it to fans of time travel and medieval tales.

Note: This book contains some mild religious expletives.


Disclosure: Thanks to Petrea Burchard for sending us this book for review. We were not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday, What Are You Reading? Dec 23 Edition

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia who now blogs at To Be Continued. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. The host for December is Gilian at Rose City Reader. You can also view the touring blog list here for the upcoming months.

Review Books:
These books should make for interesting reading! Health and Beauty is my theme for January.

My Hormones: A Simple Guide to Better and Longer Living by Mark Weis, MD and Douglas Ginter

My Hormones: A Simple Guide to Better and Longer Living teaches readers in simple, easy to understand language about the harmful health effects of hormone imbalance and how these issues can be corrected with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Readers from all walks of life will discover a shocking new truth: the reason a great many of us feel poorly, age quickly, and die prematurely is that our hormones are out of balance! And the best part of this truth is that diagnosis of hormone balance is simple, and treatment is safe and effective.



Organic Beauty with Essential Oil by Rebecca Park Totilo

Looking for that perfect all-natural aromatherapy bath product? One that will keep your skin looking great, is appealing to smell, has actual therapeutic benefits, and doesn't break the bank? Well, here it is! Sweep aside all those harmful chemically-based cosmetics and make your own organic bath and body products at home with the magic of potent essential oils!

In this book, you'll find a luxurious array of over 400 Eco-friendly recipes for skin care and hair care such as Exotic Patchouli Massage Oil, Zesty Banana-Lemon Foot Cream and Jasmine Bath Bombs filled with breathtaking fragrances and soothing, rich organic ingredients satisfying you head to toe.

Designed with the naturalist in mind, each formula draws from essential oils' well-known skin rejuvenating effects, showing youhow to best care for your unique skin and hair type using all-natural botanicals. Included you'll find helpful tips and customizable recipes - all with step-by-step instructions - so you can have the confidence knowing which essential oil to use and how much when creating your own body scrub, lip butter, or lotion bar!

Discover how easy it is to make bath treats like fragrant shower gels, dreamy bubble baths, luscious creams and lotions, deep cleansing masks and facials for literally pennies using only a few essential oils and ingredients from your own kitchen with Organic Beauty with Essential Oil.




This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. This is where we keep track of what we are currently reading and plan to read.  The kidlit version is hosted by Jen at Teach Mentor Texts.

Read and reviewed:
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin (inspiring)
Tweezle into Everything by Stephanie McLellan, illustrated by Dean Griffiths (adorable!)

Bookish Post:
Dear Friend by Cheri DeGroot Book Spotlight and $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

Currently Reading:
The Splendour Falls by Susanna KearsleySwitch on Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf (learning more on one of my favorite topics)
The Stowaways by Meghan Marentette (with my son)
The Riddle of Prague by Laura DeBruce (with my daughter)

Hope you all have a great reading week!

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Kid Konnection: Tweezle Into Everything by Stephanie McLellan

Tweezle Into Everything by Stephanie McLellan, illustrated by Dean Griffiths
Pajama Press
ISBN: 978-1927485477
Published: August 15, 2013
Hardcover, 32 pages
Ages: 3-7

My 9 year-old son and I thought this book was absolutely adorable! And for several good reasons. Firstly, the author deftly uses metaphors and creative language to bring alive a time in a child's life that signifies growing up changes. Tweezle is the youngest of three, a toddler, in the cute and colorful monster family. His family think he can be annoying sometimes--"You're the lint at the bottom of my pocket!" Pumpkin yells--but mischievous Tweezle has a mind of his own and proves he is growing up when his idea to help a small friend in need succeeds.

Secondly, the portraits of family life in this book, from sibling spats to moments of parental affection are realistic, endearing and attractive to youngsters, including my son who is a middle-grader but was enchanted when reviewing this book with me. We read it twice, pointing to things we loved and laughing at the comical situations and illustrations of Tweezle's troublemaking.

We also loved the illustrations by Dean Griffiths. My son likes to look at the facial expressions of characters, and there are plenty in this book. They are so well portrayed, from the look of older sibling know-it-all to the mother's not-again look of frustration, this book is a delight to read and peruse for little ones and older ones alike. The second time we looked through the book, my son noticed little clues in the pictures that led to Tweezle's actions. Kids always seem to notice things grown-ups miss!

This heartwarming story celebrates the youngest member of a family beautifully. It's a story that every child with an older or younger sibling can relate to. Highly recommended!

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Laura & Son

Disclosure: Thanks to Erin Woods from Pajama Press for sending us this book for review. We were not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Every Saturday, Booking Mama hosts a feature called Kid Konnection—a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, visit Booking Mama.


Friday, December 20, 2013

Dear Friend by Cheri DeGroot Book Spotlight and $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

About the Book:
Title: Dear Friend

Genre: Non-fiction humanities

Author: Cheri DeGroot

Publisher: iUniverse

Pages: 60

Language: English

ISBN – 978-1-44016-146-9

Are you looking for a way to meet new people from all over the world, make new friends, and help others? The solution is simple and affordable—become a pen pal. In Dear Friend, author Cheri DeGroot shares the joys and rewards of becoming a pen pal and provides tips on sharing friendships through handwritten letters.

Based on fifty-three years of personal experience as a pen pal, DeGroot details how her lifelong passion for pen palling began and how her friendships with people from all over the United States have helped her through life’s good and bad times. This guide demonstrates the positive aspects of pen palling—from sharing news of family, hobbies and emotions to expanding their knowledge by learning about different cultures and different people.

Stressing the importance of communication, Dear Friend reveals how becoming a pen pal can help those who are lonely to find friendship, love, and happiness through the power of the written word.

About the Author:

Cheri DeGroot loves writing letters and journals of her life. Pen palling helps her make new friendships by reaching out through written letters and by computer. DeGroot has initiated several pen pal clubs. She has three grown children and seven grandchildren and lives in Milverton, Ontario, with her husband, Joe.

Purchase a copy at iUniverse.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
Harper
ISBN: 978-006158325
Published January 2010
Trade paperback, 320 pages

I decided to take a year to read my personal copy of The Happiness Project by reading each month and applying what motivated me from it. Right off the bat, I could see that I could relate to the author. As Rubin would expound on her tasks, projects, home life and the reasons behind the Happiness Project, I found myself nodding in agreement or understanding. It was an easy and fun book to read.

In January I was motivated to get more sleep, keep up my exercise routine, declutter and accomplish my tasks. In February, I was encouraged to focus on my relationships. I paid more attention to how I reacted when my hubby said things I disagreed with and how I dealt with it. I worked on being more kind and telling my family how much I appreciated them. In March, the topic was finding happiness with one's career. So I made a schedule and started reading books on the illnesses and conditions I encountered most at work so as to be more knowledgeable and confident in dealing with them.

April, ah spring. This time the focus was on parenthood and lightening up when it came to dealing with the kids. It was such a busy month for me and my family that I focused on them and kind of neglected my spring cleaning. I decided it could wait.

In May, Rubin encouraged the reader to have fun, rediscover a hobby, do things you really like to do for fun as opposed to things you think you have to do for fun because everyone else is doing them. So I decided to create a rock garden and beautify my backyard. I also spent more leisure time back there enjoying the sun and the chirping of the birds. In June, the author focused on friendships. I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter and it made me realize I have great friends! It also gave me more incentive to work at keeping those friendships and building new ones.

In July and August I was in Europe so I didn't have much time for contemplation, although Rubin's suggestion of keeping a gratitude notebook is perfect for me. September was about pursuing a passion and I'm doing that with my book blogging, and increasing my knowledge of neuroscience. October's topic was on mindfulness. Now that chapter I would reread again because I think I could do with being more mindful and less harried. Her suggestion of stimulating the mind in new ways is right up my alley! It's everything I learned about keeping the brain young and active.

November was about attitude, and since this is the hardest month for me (less sun, more cold) I appreciated her advice about laughter. I realized I don't laugh enough! So now I make it a point to watch funny sitcoms with my kids. And finally in December, Rubin gives an overview of what she learned about happiness.

Some have criticized the author of not having enough reason to write such a motivational book since she hadn't survived cancer, for example, or a dysfunctional childhood. But I personally preferred that she was just an ordinary gal looking to be more happy in all aspects of her life, setting off on a personal quest to do so. I think that's great. And I could relate. I really enjoyed reading Rubin's journey, her research on the topic of happiness and applying little ways to bring sunshine into my life. Thanks Rubin! And now that the new year is just around the corner, I will revisit the monthly chapters from time to time and work at applying the things she suggested and that I thought were brilliant.

To find out how you can start your own happiness project, visit www.happinessprojecttoolbox.com.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Laura 

Disclosure: I bought this book. I was not told how to rate or review this product.

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday, What Are You Reading? Dec 16 Edition

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia who now blogs at To Be Continued. It is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. The host for December is Gilian at Rose City Reader. You can also view the touring blog list here for the upcoming months.

Review Books:

Porcelain Keys by Sarah Beard (from author)

Aria s life is full of secrets--secrets about her mother's death, her father's cruelty, and her dream to go to Juilliard. When Aria meets Thomas, he draws out her secrets, captures her heart, and gives her the courage to defy her father. But when tragedy strikes and Thomas disappears, Aria is left alone to transform her broken heart s melody into something beautiful. Porcelain Keys is a captivating love story that will resonate long after the last page is turned.
A Star for Mrs. Blake by April Smith (Random House for TLC book tour)

The United States Congress in 1929 passed legislation to fund travel for mothers of the fallen soldiers of World War I to visit their sons’ graves in France. Over the next three years, 6,693 Gold Star Mothers made the trip. In this emotionally charged, brilliantly realized novel, April Smith breathes life into a unique moment in American history, imagining the experience of five of these women.

They are strangers at the start, but their lives will become inextricably intertwined, altered in indelible ways. These very different Gold Star Mothers travel to the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery to say final good-byes to their sons and come together along the way to face the unexpected: a death, a scandal, and a secret revealed.

None of these pilgrims will be as affected as Cora Blake, who has lived almost her entire life in a small fishing village off the coast of Maine, caring for her late sister’s three daughters, hoping to fill the void left by the death of her son, Sammy, who was killed on a scouting mission during the final days of the war. Cora believes she is managing as well as can be expected in the midst of the Depression, but nothing has prepared her for what lies ahead on this unpredictable journey, including an extraordinary encounter with an expatriate American journalist, Griffin Reed, who was wounded in the trenches and hides behind a metal mask, one of hundreds of “tin noses” who became symbols of the war.

With expert storytelling, memorable characters, and beautiful prose, April Smith gives us a timeless story, by turns heartwarming and heartbreaking, set against a footnote of history––little known, yet unforgettable.


Fielder's Choice by J. Mark Hart

Fielder's Choice takes back to Birmingham Alabama in 1968. We take a Southern Journey with Brad Williams a 18 year old boy that loves to play baseball. That would be too easy. He struggles with racism on his team and how he should handle it. The Vietnam draft is approaching and he desperately wants to get away from the steel mills of Birmingham. So many choices for a young ball player. We are introduced in a very descriptive manner to his family, his teammates and how the attitude of the times affects him. What shapes his character. Should he just take the easy route and put blinders on? Fortunately, Brad has a conscience and we follow this struggle within the teen.

Bought: 

The Complete Fibromyalgia Health, Diet Guide & Cookbook by Dr. Louise S. McCrindle and Dr. Alison C. Bested

According to the 2010 Canadian Community Health Survey there are 450,000 people in Canada who have fibromyalgia. In the United States, there are an estimated 5 million adults.

This book, written by leading experts in fibromyalgia, gives common sense tools that will help fibromyalgia patients help themselves on to a road to improvement and perhaps recovery. There are few books on fibromyalgia that provide a program for recovery and a cache of antifibromyalgia foods and recipes as successfully as this book. It uses The SEEDS of health approach (Support, Environment, Exercise/Pacing, Diet/Drugs, Sleep) and has shown significant success rates in patients.

The goal of this book is to help patients improve their ability to function and their quality of life. The treatment approach is centered around rebuilding: helping to decrease pain, control inflammation, improve sleep, improve cognitive function (reduce brain fog) and improve energy levels. The book is also a source of support for family and friends.




This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. This is where we keep track of what we are currently reading and plan to read.  The kidlit version is hosted by Jen at Teach Mentor Texts.

Read and reviewed:
Mary Elizabeth the Spotless Cow by Salvatore Barbera (cute with a great message!)
Broken by C.J. Lyons (YA medical thriller - very good!)
In the Hall of the Mountain King by Allison Flannery (excellent to instill music appreciation in kids)

Bookish Post:
Josh and Me Book Spotlight and $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

Currently Reading:
Camelot & Vine by Petrea Burchard (loving it so far!)
Switch on Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf (learning more on one of my favorite topics)
The Stowaways by Meghan Marentette (with my son)
The Riddle of Prague by Laura DeBruce (with my daughter)

Hope you all have a great reading week!

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