reading

Non Fiction Review: Too Pregnant to Move Journal

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Too Pregnant to Move by Conz Preti
Too Pregnant to Move: A Pregnancy Journal
by Conz Preti

2 out of 5 stars


I was shocked and unhappy to see the F-word and the S-word within the first pages. There are five quotes throughout the book that include profanity, and I think it’s very out of place in this type of book.

This journal has mostly blank-lined pages with funny quotes about parenting. There are quotes from famous people about being pregnant, and journaling prompts that ask questions like who was the first person you told that you were pregnant, and what weird food cravings you are having.
There is a place to paste in your sonogram, write in questions you want to ask your doctor, and of course chronicle your thoughts and feelings. Continue reading →

Picture Book Review: With All My Heart

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With All My Heart by Stephanie Stansbie
With All My Heart
by Stephanie Stansbie, Richard Smythe

5 out of 5 stars

This sweet picture book features die-cut openings in the pages that showcase an element in the illustrations or a word on the next opposing page of the book. The way the openings are set up is really clever, so that no matter which way you look through them, there is something lovely that adds to the words and illustrations.
The die-cuts also vary between heart shapes, flowers, clouds, leaves, and stars. The openings highlight shooting stars, the pitter-patter of rain, the shining moon, and lovely falling leaves. Continue reading →

Non-Fiction Review: I Brushed My Hair Today: A Mom Journal

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I Brushed My Hair Today by Karen Johnson
I Brushed My Hair Today: A Mom Journal for Mostly Together Moms
by Karen Johnson

1 star

I was shocked and unhappy to see the F-word and the S-word on the very first page. You would think that a journal about parenting would at least be PG. There is profanity found in many other places as well. I think I counted over 25 nasty words in the whole book. I did not appreciate that, and I think it’s very out of place in this type of book.

This journal has mostly blank-lined pages with funny quotes about parenting. There are quotes from famous people about being a mother, as well as funny stories about parenting mishaps. There are also journaling prompts that ask questions about your favorite thing your child does to make you laugh, or the worst mess your child has made. Continue reading →

Non-Fiction Review: An Introduction to Crystal Grids

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An Introduction to Crystal Grids by Karen Frazier
An Introduction to Crystal Grids: Daily Rituals for Your Heart, Health, and Happiness
by Karen Frazier (Goodreads Author)

2 out of 5 stars

This book is not what I was looking for. I wanted a more scientific book about how different minerals and crystals have chemical properties that can change the flow of air, remove impurities, react with other stones to improve energy, or react with electrons in healing ways.
But this book is more spiritual and wishy-washy that I wanted.

The author says in the introduction, “I believe crystals are conscious entities that come from the planet…”
Okay, that just sounds ridiculous. Rocks are not conscious. That is idiotic. Continue reading →

Non-Fiction Review: Spies, Code Breakers, and Secret Agents

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Spies, Code Breakers, and Secret Agents by Carole P. Roman
Spies, Code Breakers, and Secret Agents: A World War II Book for Kids
by Carole P. Roman (Goodreads Author)

5 stars

This book begins with an overview of WWII and which countries were at war at that time. It details the names of different government spy agencies like the Soviet’s NKVD, Germany’s Abwehr, and Polish Intelligence, Britain’s MI6, and gives a general idea of how British and French Resistance would work behind the scenes to confuse the enemy.

Chapter 2 talks about various requirements for being a spy, where and how agencies would recruit their spies, and the ordinary jobs that spies would use as their cover.
Chapter 3 is all about spy gear and special gadgets! There are pistols hidden in gloves, maps hidden in playing cards, grenades disguised to look like lumps of coal, radio transmitters, invisible ink, and even the classic ring with poison hidden in a secret compartment. Continue reading →

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 →

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 →

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 →