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BOOK REVIEWS

HOW TO TIE A TIE
HOW TO TIE A TIE is a handbook/guide on men's fashion. The book goes through shoes, cuff links, jacket styles, and of course ties. It fits in my one hand! I would say the book is more of a reference guide then a book because there are lots of descriptive pictures. I think everyone should have this reference guide in their library in case your brother, son, husband, or father needs a little help getting dressed up. My favorite part is the color guide showing which color shoes/pants/shirt goes with what. I will pass it onto my son once he gets older because it has many good tips.
 
I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
I absolutely love reading through the recipes in Everyday Detox. However, the title was a turn off. The recipes are all healthy and seem easy to prepare, but the word detox to me does not seem appetizing. The recipes are appetizing though! I like that the author Megan Gilmore uses similar condiments throughout the recipes so that you do not need to have a million different items in the pantry. The first recipe I want to try is zucchini lasagna. She has plenty of pictures in the book and they make the food look delicious.
 
I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
 
For further information on the author please go to:
http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/222456/megan-gilmore/
 

After reading a couple of homilies in the book I am looking forward to continuing. I do not attend church regularly, but I am a fan of Pope Francis and reading his homilies allow me to open my heart to his take on the readings. I wish they put the reading number before each text instead of at the end, along with the calendar date as well (but that is my only gripe). I think if you are a practicing Catholic, or simply a spiritual person the book would be a good read for you.

 

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

 

For further information on the author please go to:

http://www.randomhouse.com/author/2018233/pope-francis-edited-by-antonio-spadaro-with-a-preface-by-federico-lombardi

Michael Symon's 5 in 5 for Every Season

Michael Symon's 5 in 5 for Every Season is chock-full of recipes and pictures. The idea behind the book is that he uses 5 fresh ingredients and 5 minutes of heat. He packed 165 recipes in the book. The recipes seem easy and a friend who looked at the book with me agreed. I enjoy how the recipes use seasonal produce.

 

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

 

For further information on the author please go to:

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/92231/michael-symon/

The Longevity Kitchen

The Longevity Kitchen by Rebecca Katz with Mat Edelson is a beautiful cookbook. The pictures make all the recipes look so good. Rebecca's knowledge about food relating to health is very interesting.The book caught my eye when I saw the foreword was by Andrew Weil, MD as I am a firm supporter of his teachings. When my preschooler gets a little older I will definitely be using these recipes all the time. Right now he has a very limited palette. 

 

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

 

For further information on the author please go to:

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/105276/rebecca-katz/

 

 

 

 

Becky Thompson suddenly became a close confidant to me! Well, not acutually, but it felt that way as I was reading Hope Unfolding. She writes as if she was talking to you - discussing life, love, and raising children. Some stories had me laughing out loud and there were other parts that saddened me (as any friend would feel towards another). One chapter I read aloud regarding keeping a clean house had my husband laughing and saying "We need to give a copy of this book to your parents and mine!" Becky puts her strong faith behind her writing which adds a beautiful and inspiring touch. 

 

I did find one error in the Table of Contents not matching the actual chapter.

 

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

 

For further information on the author please go to:

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/306666/becky-thompson/

 

 

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Jesus Speaks is a book I was looking forward to receiving, but I was disappointed. I immediately was put off as this is not a self contained book. Each day references another reading in the Authors other book - seems like a ploy to benefit the author's pocket. The author writes as if he is speaking as Jesus and I was not a huge fan of that either. I thought it would have scriptures and then explain/interpret in a positive way for our daily lives, not have the author act as Jesus. I was not a fan.

 

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

 

For more information on the author please go to:

http://www.randomhouse.com/author/68668/steven-k-scott

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Pop Painting by Camilla d'Errico is such an inspiring book! Generally I would not paint in the pop surrealism style, but Camilla provides insight, ideas, and shares her technique so that it makes the reader want to try the style! Camilla is not pretentious in any way and she really lets the User feel welcome into her genre. The photos of the artwork are very high quality. I was so happy to receive the book to add to my art book collection as my degree is in art and education.

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I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

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For more information on the author please go to:

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/77988/camilla-derrico/

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7 DAYS OF AWESOME is a beautifully illustrated children's story about creation written by Shawn Byous and illustrated by Colin Jack. More specifically, the story tells about the first seven days of creationism. The book itself is large, has bright illustrations (awesome work Colin!) and the images are whimsical. The story is easy to understand - my four year old really enjoyed the book. He especially enjoyed the flow as it rhymes (as did I). I would recommend this book to be in every household as it is easy to read, understand, and very enjoyable. Some children’s books are more thoughtful like Eric Carle style and I believe this one should be right alongside in the bookshelf.

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 I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers http://booklookbloggers.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Do Hard Things by twins Alex and Brett Harris is an eye opening book. Put simply, the book explains how teenagers need to rebel against the low expectations that society has placed on them. Before reading Do Hard Things I had never thought about how adolescence is a time in a persons’ life where expectations are low and the mentality is suppressed. We are so conditioned seeing the age group party, play video games, delve into watching movies and television, be addicted to cell phones, etc. that we forget that in this age range is where there is no impossible and we need to promote that in positive doings. If we take the strong will and energy that the age group has and put it to use positively then great things can be accomplished. If we raise the bar on what is expected of teens, they can rise to the occasion and they can surpass it! Alex and Brett’s book references the Bible and has a Christian viewpoint in order to show how with God you can achieve large things as an adolescent; however, this book can be appreciated in all age groups. Reading this book has made me want to do hard things myself, and push to keep moving and not be stagnant in my life.

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I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

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For more information on the authors please go to:

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/authors/80007/alex-harris/

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Jesus Calling My First Bible Storybook by Sarah Young is a retelling of stories in the Bible for children. Let me begin with, I was unsure of who the book was aimed at because the book itself is a board book with a padded cover (which would make me think three year old), but some of the stories I had to rephrase for my (about to turn) 5 year old. The section ‘The Cross’ was so blunt I had to rephrase the whole page. I also felt that the stories could have allowed the children to experience more empathy by explaining Moses, David, and Daniel in as simple as an extra sentence. The pictures were great! When I asked my son if he liked the book after we read it he responded, “it was good.” When I asked him if he liked the pictures he said “yes.”

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 I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers http://booklookbloggers.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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pure delicious is a cookbook which contains recipes free of gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, or cane sugar. You would think that with all these restrictions the recipes would be bland – absolutely not. The beet hummus and various salads look amazing. My family does not suffer from any food allergies, but we believe these recipes could help us become healthier in our daily lives. The desserts look phenomenal as well: blackberry scones with vanilla glaze and the sweet potato granola – YUM! I cannot say enough good things about this book especially the following: photos, ease of the recipes, information about the authors’ family transformation, freezing hints, and everything in between! Thank you Heather for these recipes!

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I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

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I have only begun reading Unlock Your Dream, but I am looking forward to all the positive insights that Philip Wagner has to share. Throughout what I have read he sets the tone in begin grateful and positive with yourself and your life. The book has scripture throughout and is easily read. I feel like I am listening to a welcoming friend give me positive advice, versus some preachers who can come across condescending. I am looking forward to finishing the text.

 

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review. For more information on the author Philip Wagner please go to http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/authors/2134093/philip-wagner/. For more information on the book go to http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/books/535444/unlock-your-dream-by-philip-wagner/.

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Eat Beautiful by Wendy Rowe is a very informative natural style cookbook/beauty book. It has recipes and information on super foods sorted by season. My favorite part is that the recipes are sorted by season and use many delicious ingredients. The only negative I would say about the book is the photographs; I feel, cheapen the overall look of the book. The pictures display like a zine then the feel I believe the book is trying to impart on its’ readers. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review. For more information on the author Wendy Rowe please go to http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2144344/wendy-rowe/ .

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Harvest by Stefani Bittner and Alethea Harampolis was a book I excitedly awaited receiving. When I received the book I was very under the weather. Looking through the book has me highly anticipating spring and summer when I can grow the different ingredients and look forward to creating the awesome results. The pictures are beautiful – probably some of the best I have seen, and the recipes are interesting – in a good way I swear! I would recommend this book to any home gardener and creative cook. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review. For more information on the author please go to http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/149486/stefani-bittner/. For more information on the book go tohttp://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/537989/harvest-by-stefani-bittner-and-alethea-harampolis/

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What an amazing collection of stories! I had never heard of The Moth before reviewing the book. This book is fantastic, the stories are so well presented – storytelling is what The Moth is known for. The Moth Presents All These Wonders is a book I pick up when I have five minutes to myself. I always come away thinking ‘Wow.’ This collection of short stories would be great to review as Do Now activities for English classes! I am so happy that this book is now a part of my library. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

 

For Further information on the book please go to:

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/253725/the-moth-presents-all-these-wonders-by-edited-by-cath...

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TALKING WITH GOD is a wonderful book. I sat down with it and couldn’t tear myself away. As I read the book, I could not help but feel like I was having a conversation with the author Adam Weber. He makes prayer so simple, maybe times we feel like we need a formal time to sit and pray, but we do not. Just a simple sentence to God is worth it! This book made my heart and spirit grow. It is a positive must read! 

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

 

For further information on the book please go to:

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/books/539236/talking-with-god-by-adam-weber/

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Vibrant India: Fresh Vegetarian Recipes from Bangalore to Brooklyn is a beautiful cookbook. The pictures match the vibrant recipes. The author, a fellow New Jersey-ian, certainly knows how to create delicious Indian food. I will definitely be taking a trip to her restaurant Brooklyn Delhi. I am a vegetarian, so I always appreciate recipes that are different then the same foods that I am used to cooking. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Indian food. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

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God Gave Us Family by Lisa Tawn Bergren is such a cute book! I love how it explained all the different kinds of families. It was so sweet that I even got a little teary eyed. My six year old son enjoyed the book as well. The pictures are beautifully illustrated. Must read! I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

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How to SET A TABLE is a very useful guide for anyone who likes to entertain. This book fits a variety of readers; whether you are the entertainer who enjoys stocking your bar, or if you are someone who has house guests and want to make them feel like home. I enjoyed all the pictures in the book, which really inspire you to set the scene to enjoy the meal. The information on place settings is handy too. I would recommend having this book to reference in your home if you are even the slightest bit interested in making an enjoyable, memorable mealtime. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

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I am halfway through reading The Lost Art of Good Conversation and I think that everyone should read this book! Easy to read, it brings up good points about conversations and how certain words affect our health. Also, for someone who is not used to starting up a conversation with a random person, it presents ideas for how to approach starting one. There are many good points! I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

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The Longevity Kitchen
Hope Unfolding
Jesus Speaks
Pop Painting
7 Days of Awesome
Do Hard Things
Jesus Calling
My First Bible Storybook
pure delicious
UNLOCK YOUR DREAM
Eat Beautiful
Eat Beautiful
Harvest
The Moth Presents All These Wonders
TALKING WITH GOD
VIBRANT INDIA
God Gave Us Family
How to Set a Table
The Lost Art of Good Conversation
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