non fiction book

Non-Fiction Review: To the Moon and Back

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To the Moon and Back by Buzz Aldrin
To the Moon and Back: My Apollo 11 Adventure 
by Buzz Aldrin ,Marianne Dyson, Bruce Foster (Illustrations)
5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
This incredible book about Apollo 11, features the most amazing pop-ups I have ever seen in my life!!!
Every time I turned the page, I was oohing and aahing over the beautiful graphics and the intricacy of the pop-ups. There is a pop-up of the Apollo 11 rocket that is at least a foot long, and it blasts up from the page!

 

As if the gorgeous pictures and pop-ups weren’t enough, the story of the moon landing is also marvelous and full of interesting details. If you can tear your eyeballs away from the exquisite photos long enough to actually read the story, it is a delightful and easy to read history of the entire moon landing journey from start to finish. I loved how Buzz Aldrin tells the story from his own perspective!

And as if the interesting story AND pictures AND pop-ups weren’t enough, there is ALSO an insert with a paper model of the Eagle lunar module complete with assembly instructions for putting it together!

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Book Review: Yin Yoga

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Yin Yoga by Kassandra Reinhardt
Yin Yoga: Stretch the mindful way 
by Kassandra Reinhardt

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


This beautiful book gives practical meditation tips, breathing exercises, and yin yoga postures for beginner through intermediate yogis. It includes yoga sequences for 30-90 minute yoga practices, and instructions on how to modify each yoga pose to make it easier if you need a gentler posture, or to make it harder if you are ready for a deeper stretch.

I adore the gorgeous photos of each pose. The serene ocean in the background of each photo makes me feel soothed and calm. The golden light and beautiful seaside landscapes really enhance every yoga posture. Continue reading →

Book Review: Nat Geo Kids Almanac 2019

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National Geographic Kids Almanac 2019 by National Geographic Kids
National Geographic Kids Almanac 2019 
by National Geographic Kids

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


I love weird facts and details about history, space, science, ecosystems, geography, and nature. So of course, I devoured this book and enjoyed every colorful page!

With beautiful photos and maps, this book gives a quick look into fascinating places, amazing explorers, strange animals, and dazzling planets and stars all over the galaxy.
I especially loved the section about history that features short bios and photos of influential and celebrated people from world history, including Martin Luther King, Jr., Sacagawea, and Lucille Ball.

There is a comprehensive list of the world’s countries and continents, featuring stats about mountains, oceans, deserts, and other fun facts.
There is even a page about the myth of Atlantis, and the secrets of Stonehenge!
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Book Review: The H.L. Hunley Submarine

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The H. L. Hunley Submarine by Fran Hawk
The H. L. Hunley Submarine: History and Mystery from the Civil War 
by Fran Hawk, Monica Wyrick (Contributor)
5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

The mysteries of the Hunley submarine are finally being answered! But even more mysteries remain to be discovered in connection with this Civil War submarine wrecked outside of Charleston, South Carolina. Starting with the story of Lt. George Dixon and his miraculous survival at the Battle of Shiloh, and including the innovative vision of Horace Hunley, this book covers the history of the men who designed and commanded the H. L. Hunley “fish boat” until she sank in 1864.

This book is wonderfully written in a way that engages the reader, and keeps your interest through every chapter. I loved the colorful illustrations, photos, and diagrams in this book, which really brought the story to life.

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Book Review: A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War

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A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War by Joseph Loconte
A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship, and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914-18 
by Joseph Loconte

5 out of 5 stars of GoodReads
I thoroughly enjoyed this book about the effect that WWI had on two of my favorite authors, how their experiences translated into the stories they wrote, and how their faith in God was strengthened and established despite the horrors of war.

This is heartbreaking to read, because it gives such detailed personal accounts of the war, the suffering and fear they went through, and the terrible losses of friends and family. But it is also wonderfully interesting to learn about the history of that time, and the misguided Utopian philosophies that were shattered by the war.

I was impressed with the scholarly yet accessible writing style, and the way in which the historical and personal information was organized and presented in each chapter. This clearly explained how Tolkien’s and Lewis’ personal experiences were entwined in the larger story of the war, and the popular philosophies and political thinking of the time.

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Book Review: Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls

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Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Tales of Extraordinary Women 
by Elena Favilli, Francesca Cavallo

 

1 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
This is difficult to review because, while I loved the artwork and the lovely cover, some of the historic people that were featured in this book are very controversial. Many of them are not fit to be held up as role models for young girls!

Pirates, shady politicians, drug addicts, tyrants from Ancient History, and downright gross people; I counted 19 bios out of 100 that I had serious problems with, and which I would never allow a child to read about.

I liked the bios of the decent people, like Helen Keller, the Bronte sisters, Amelia Earhart, Ada Lovelace, Rosa Parks, and others. However, I felt that some of those bios left out points that ought to have been emphasized, or emphasized points that I thought were inconsequential, or portrayed a mixed message of the person’s life.

Most of the writing was skewed to a certain political viewpoint that doesn’t give a complete picture of the person’s achievements or what their life meant in influencing history. I could barely enjoy the good parts of this book because of so many misdirections and illusions about what these good people stood for and what made them famous. And I really didn’t enjoy the bios of the people I don’t admire, because the writing covered up the true nature of their corrupt lives.  Continue reading →

Book Review: The Everything Guide to Meditation

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The Everything Guide to Meditation for Healthy Living: Reduce Stress, Improve Health, and Increase Longevity
The Everything Guide to Meditation for Healthy Living: Reduce Stress, Improve Health, and Increase Longevity by David R. Dillard-Wright

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A comprehensive look at many different meditation traditions and styles from different religions and beliefs, along with their development, prominent figures in history, and explanations of how to practice each meditation style. It includes easy meditation for beginners all the way up to more advanced techniques.

I found a lot of good ideas about how to deepen my meditation practice, and I was inspired by many of the concepts and quotes, but some of the religious and mystical practices were way too creepy and/or strange.

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Book Review: Eating with the King

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Eating with the King
Eating with the King by Terri Rockwell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was so impressed with this little book, especially because every page quotes Scripture! There are so many positive messages of encouragement in this book. Instead of making people feel guilty about their cravings, and their eating habits, or how their body looks, this book offers healing, positive attitudes, triumphant freedom, and constantly points the reader to Christ.

I think this book could apply to any craving or addiction, not just eating food. The messages in this book would help with anything that draws us away from God, forms a bad habit, or entices us to harm our health in some way. Continue reading →