Non-Fiction Review: Herbalism at Home

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Herbalism at Home by Kristine Brown
Herbalism at Home: 125 Recipes for Everyday Health
by Kristine Brown

4 out of 5 stars


Part One of this book talks about the history and benefits of herbalism, equipment and basic ingredients that you need to make the herbal recipes, and an encyclopedia of common herbs and their uses. This includes instructions for drying your own herbs, and types of poultices, syrups, powders, and massage oils. There is an entire chapter with advice on making your own herbal teas, tinctures, tonics, elixirs, salves, ointments, and baths.

Part Two is the actual recipes for herbal mixtures, including remedies for cough, asthma, digestive troubles, nausea, eczema, bug bites, cuts and scrapes, acne, earache, lice, warts, chickenpox, bladder infections, menstrual cramps, hair loss, acid reflux, diabetes, tinnitus, and dozens more. There are also blends for emotional relief from anxiety, insomnia, stress, depression, and PTSD. Continue reading →

Non-Fiction Review: 50 Fearless Women

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50 Fearless Women Who Made History by Jenifer Bazzit
50 Fearless Women Who Made History: An American History Book for Kids
by Jenifer Bazzit

4 out of 5 stars

This book gives short 3-page biographies of famous women who changed American history. The bios range from Pocahontas all the way to modern-day women. Along with each biography there is a timeline at the bottom of each page showing major events of their era in history. There are also beautiful illustrations depicting each woman doing something that made her famous,whether it’s writing, nursing, giving speeches, flying a plane, dancing, traveling, reporting, painting, or protesting.

I really loved the timeline at the bottom of the pages. It adds something special to be able to see what was going on in history at that time. There is also a separate text box along with each bio, showcasing one of their major accomplishments. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: A Seeker’s Guide to the Yoga Sutras

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A Seeker's Guide to the Yoga Sutras by Ram Bhakt
A Seeker’s Guide to the Yoga Sutras: Modern Reflections on the Ancient Journey
by Ram Bhakt

4 out of 5 stars

This book teaches yoga philosophies and truths that will help the reader to slow down, stay calm, and find freedom. Each chapter features a modern translation of a sutra quote from the original Sanskrit, a few short paragraphs expanding on the teaching, and a meditation exercise or reflection for the reader to ponder.

I really like that this book is broken up into two page tidbits. It’s perfect for quick and thoughtful reading right before or after a yoga session, and then taking 5 minutes to meditate on the lesson or truth that is presented.
Continue reading →

MK Christmas Books!

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photo(2)This week I’ve sent out $400 worth of books to over 60 missionary kids in Israel, Ukraine, Mexico, Japan, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Malawi, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Romania, Philippines, Hungary, Thailand, Peru, Swaziland, and Argentina. 

Merry Christmas, kids!  I hope you love all the new books, and I know it will inspire you to read more and enjoy reading!

Want to get involved with this charity ministry?  You can donate to the Books for MKs charity at www.gofundme.com/booksformks   Every penny of your received donation goes straight to buying books for the missionary kids!

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Cookbook Review: Pastry for Beginners

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Pastry for Beginners Cookbook by Sharon Glascoe
Pastry for Beginners Cookbook: Step-by-Step Recipes for Sweet and Savory Treats
by Sharon Glascoe

4 out of 5 stars 

This cookbook begins with instructions for ingredients like yeast and tips on what equipment is needed in the kitchen. Each chapter focuses on recipes for different types of pastry dough, pies, tarts, puff pastries, yeast dough, and choux dough. Each recipe has special tips for making sure that your baking comes out perfectly each time, or how to repair mistakes. With variations on a master dough recipe, there are dozens of possibilities for flavors and decorations.

The instructions are clear and easy to follow, with instructions for prep time, rising time, and baking time.
I do wish that there were more photographs to show the finished recipe products, but the recipes all sound delicious. Raspberry tarts, pretzels, cinnamon rolls, strawberry danish, pecan sticky buns, and of course apple pie are some of the ones that I really want to try for myself! Continue reading →

Non-Fiction Review: 50 Things To Do In Baby’s First Year

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50 Things to Do in Baby's First Year by Amanda Rodriguez
50 Things to Do in Baby’s First Year: The First-Time Mom’s Guide for Your Baby, Yourself, and Your Sanity
by Amanda Rodriguez

4 out of 5 stars

This book has advice and tips for coping from baby’s birth right up to celebrating their first birthday. It includes things like dealing with inlaws and grandparents, sharing on social media, getting enough sleep, breastfeeding, teething, postpartum depression, getting support from friends and family, sleep and nap routines, keeping up with the photo book or memory journal, starting baby on solid foods, working out after birth, baby’s motor skills, weaning, nutrition for mom and child, and of course, how to throw the perfect first birthday party! Continue reading →

Book Review: Ben Archer and the Cosmic Fall

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Ben Archer and the Cosmic Fall by Rae Knightly
Ben Archer and the Cosmic Fall (Alien Skill, #1)
by Rae Knightly (Goodreads Author)

3 out of 5 stars


Ben has no memory of when a “meteor” fell near his Grampa’s home while Ben was visiting there. There are government agents snooping around the crash site, and Ben’s Grampa is trying to keep Ben’s name out of it by hiding him away with his mother in the city. An alien named Mesmo is on the run from dangerous government agents, and tries to protect the innocent human witnesses from the “meteor” crash site. A mysterious shape-shifter tracks down Ben as a witness to the crash, and Ben and his mother are both in terrible danger.

I enjoyed the writing style in this book. It’s concise and clear, with a lot of emotional scenes between characters. The writer shows us the inner feelings of each character, and there is some powerful dialogue. The characters are deep and complex with authentic relationships. Continue reading →

Non-Fiction Review: Soccer Stars on the Pitch

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Soccer Stars on the Pitch by Tanya Keith
Soccer Stars on the Pitch
by Tanya Keith

4 out of 5 stars

Soccer (or futbol) fans will love these biographies of today’s top players from around the world! There are chapters for each position, showcasing the top goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards in the game today.

Some of the bios are several pages long, detailing how the players overcame obstacles and practiced hard to be the best. Other spotlight or honorable mention bios are one page long with stats and the main features of that player’s career. There are also pages that give information about the rules and regulations of pro soccer, common terminology, fun facts, and diagrams that show the pitch and positions. Continue reading →

Non-Fiction Review: Ultimate Trivia, Vol. 2

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Ultimate Trivia, Volume 2 by Donna Hoke
Ultimate Trivia, Volume 2: 840 MORE Fun and Challenging Trivia Questions
by Donna Hoke

5 out of 5 stars


This book has Trivia Questions in categories for Pop Culture, Geography, Sports, and Science. They vary from multiple choice questions, true or false, or putting a group of words into the correct order. Some groups of questions have a word bank of possible answers that you can choose from.

In the beginning, there are instructions about using the book to play with teams or individually, how to keep score, or how to play with a quizmaster that shouts out the questions to any player quick enough to answer. The book can also be used for a two-person game, or as a solo challenge. Continue reading →