non fiction

Puzzle Book Review: Ocean Life!

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Ocean Life! by Jill Richardson
Ocean Life!: A Coloring and Activity Book for Kids
by Jill Richardson

4 out of 5 stars

This book has word searches, coloring pages, mazes, spot-the-difference puzzles, and dot-to-dot activities all with an ocean theme. Dozens of different ocean creatures are featured with some interesting facts about each kind of wildlife, including many endangered species.

Did you know that a stingray doesn’t have bones? Or that squid swim backwards? And the sunfish is the heaviest fish in the ocean? There are so many cool facts in this book! Continue reading →

Journal Review: Holistic Self-Care Guided Journal

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Holistic Self-Care Guided Journal by Carley Schweet
Holistic Self-Care Guided Journal: Nurture Yourself, Expand Your Mind, Embrace Who You Are
by Carley Schweet

5 out of 5 stars

This book helps you to reconnect with your core self, grow in your courage and creativity, and engage in your relationships, all in baby steps that remind you to take care of yourself and reflect on what you truly need. This book has sections to “Nurture Yourself, Expand Your Mind, Get Creative, Move Your Body, Get Organized, and Embrace Your Community.” Each section has insightful journal prompts, affirmations, meditations, gentle activities, and inspirational quotes to get you motivated.

I’m truly impressed at how this book uses thoughtful prompts and deep themes to sweetly guide the reader into a better understanding of the many aspects of self-care. And yet it never feels too heavy! Each activity is a simple little thing, a cup of tea, a walk in the sunshine, listening to a favorite song. And yet the impact is immense because of the introspection that is happening. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Positive Thinking

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Positive Thinking by Katherine Flannery
Positive Thinking: A 52-Week Journal of Profound Prompts, Inspiring Quotes, and Bold Affirmations
by Katherine Flannery

4 out of 5 stars


This guided journal gives prompts for maintaining a positive attitude and managing difficult emotions. It is full encouraging quotes that are thoughtful and uplifting!

The layout of this book is not quite what I expected. It is laid out with one section for each of the 52 weeks, with one activity, journal prompt, or meditation to do each week. Week 1 is a journal prompt with some space for writing in a list of attributes and characteristics about yourself, and the encouragement to re-frame any negative thoughts about yourself into positive and compassionate thoughts. Week 2 is a prompt to draw a decorative mantra or affirmation of your choosing, and there is a breathing exercise to try. Continue reading →

Journal Review: True You

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True You by Dr. Kelly Vincent
True You: A Self-Discovery Journal of Prompts and Exercises to Inspire Reflection and Growth
by Dr. Kelly Vincent,  Jacinta Kay (Illustrator)

4 out of 5 stars

This journal gives prompts for writing about certain themes including, self-awareness, values, identity, confidence, emotions, spirituality, health, family, relationships, community, career, passions, goals, life purpose, and dreams.

The most basic prompts say things like, “Today I’m grateful for…”, “Today I learned….”, “My biggest fear is…” But the journal quickly gets into more deep questions and more complex prompts about times when you had the confidence to stand up yourself, how you felt when you solved a difficult problem, and what relationships give your life meaning. Continue reading →

Nonfiction Book Review: A Parent’s Guide to Manners for Kids

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A Parent's Guide to Manners for Kids by Katie McVeigh
A Parent’s Guide to Manners for Kids: Lessons, Games, and Activities for Home, School, and Beyond
by Katie McVeigh

4 out of 5 stars

This book gives fun games, activities, and lessons to teach children ages 6-13 about how to have good manners. There are chapters about “Everyday Etiquette, Good Impressions, Eating with Manners, Playing Nice, and Technology Etiquette.”

The lessons include basic things like opening the door for someone, receiving and giving gifts, getting into a car with a friend’s family, and observing elevator etiquette to not push all the buttons. The all-important thank you note is, of course, included! Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: 5-Minute Happiness Journal

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The 5-Minute Happiness Journal by Leslie Marchand LCSW
The 5-Minute Happiness Journal: Practices to Help You Tap Into Joy Every Day
by Leslie Marchand LCSW

4 out of 5 stars


This guided journal explores the meaning of happiness and how it can be unique to each individual. The journal prompts you to write down the things that make you happy, to re-imagine difficult situations in a more pleasant light, and to go after your own style of joy.

The journal questions include things like:
“What is a hobby you’ve always wanted to try?”
“Write about a time when a closed door led to a new opportunity that brought more happiness into your life.”
“Write about a time when you used your imagination to solve a problem.”
“Write down one thing you do regularly that makes you happy.”

Some of the prompts are simple, and others are more complex, leading to deeper reflection. Each page builds on the previous lesson, guiding you further on a journey toward understanding and embracing happiness. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Extreme Ocean

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Extreme Ocean by Sylvia A Earle
Extreme Ocean: Amazing Animals, High-Tech Gear, Record-Breaking Depths, and More
by Sylvia A Earle,  Glen Phelan 

5 out of 5 stars


With stunning photographs, this book chronicles the ocean explorations of the author, a marine biologist. Along with personal stories and anecdotes, this book includes the facts and science about everything in the ocean from currents to sharks.

The first section explores waves, tsunamis, and currents, ice shelves, and answers why the ocean is blue and why it contains salt water.

The second chapter focuses on the fish and animals that live in the ocean. There are articles and facts about seals, whales, and other mammals, as well as fish and creatures that live in the deepest parts of the ocean. The photographs of these fish are absolutely gorgeous, showcasing their bright colors and delicate fins. There are also facts about sea plants like kelp forests, and a whole page about coral reefs. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Meditation for Kids

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Meditation for Kids by Tejal V Patel
Meditation for Kids: 40 Activities to Manage Emotions, Ease Anxiety, and Stay Focused
by Tejal V Patel

5 out of 5 stars


This book has easy and fun meditations for children that helps them to navigate tough emotions, calm their impatience, and learn to listen. The meditations are grouped in categories for increasing your positive energy, improving concentration and creativity, and opening your heart to kindness and compassion. There is an entire chapter of meditations just for bedtime, to soothe and calm the mind and body. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Trigger Point Therapy Made Simple

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Trigger Point Therapy Made Simple by Richard Finn LMT CMTPT
Trigger Point Therapy Made Simple: Serious Pain Relief in 4 Easy Steps
by Richard Finn, LMT CMTPT
5 out of 5 stars


This book outlines where trigger points are located in our muscles, and how massage, pressure, and other therapies can help to alleviate that pain. The self-therapy techniques include self-massage, breathing exercises, stretching exercises designed to alleviate nerve tension, massaging or compressing a trigger point in your muscle, and Swedish movements for stretching your range of motion.

I really like the attitudes in this book, putting the power of healing back into the hands of the patient, instead of relying on doctors who don’t give any answers or solutions other than prescription pain medication. The writing is so encouraging and gives good information about using techniques to heal yourself and find relief from pain and tension. Continue reading →

Non Fiction Review: Joy at Work

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Joy at Work by Marie Kondō
Joy at Work: Organizing Your Professional Life
by Marie Kondō ,Scott Sonenshein 

4 out of 5 stars


Marie Kondo and Scott Sonenshein give some wonderful guidelines in this book for tidying up your work. They focus on not just your desk and workspace, but also your time, contacts, email and digital documents, and decision-making process. They give advice on team-building, evaluating tasks, and how to run an effective meeting.

I liked the chapters that Marie wrote the best. Her voice is so inspirational and clear. The advice given by Scott is also good, but I didn’t connect with his voice as much.

I really liked that the circumstances and examples of each job could apply to almost any job or field of work, no matter your level or profession.

Continue reading →