A Little Bit of Everything!
Showing posts with label reviews linky. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reviews linky. Show all posts
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Super Sunday Reviews -- Thinking Anew
Thinking Anew Harnessing the Power of Belief by Eugene F. Moynihan, Jr. and Richard F. Quis is one of the best things that's happened to me in a long time.
This book is 200 pages of awesomeness.
Ok, there are only 36 pages of total reading, including the 2 author pages in the back of the book, but those pages are mighty powerful.
In Thinking Anew, the authors teach you to think anew, change your life for the positive by not only positive thinking, but writing those positives out as well.
The rest of the book are notebook pages just like a composition notebook would have. They do have the words Thinking Anew at the top of each page.
This book has made such a difference in my life in only a short time. I've always been a positive person, but recently that's become harder for me.
It's pretty awesome the way they have the book set up too. I love that you have your pages for writing right there with the book, and plenty of them as well.
I started writing February 20th. Several times already I have gone back to specific sections of the "instructions" to renew my mind of what I am doing this for.
Eight pages of the 36 are writing prompts to get you started and keep you going. You don't have to only use those as you will think of your own the more you write. I have truly appreciated the prompts.
I also like the suggestion in the book that if you have a picture of something you are writing about, then glue that in to the notebook as well. This makes it like a vision board in a way, although it's already a vision by seeing what you are writing. As of yet I've not done that, but I sure plan to!
I highly recommend this book to everyone, no matter where you are in your life!
These excerpts from some of the information that they sent me with the book will help you understand it more:
"Some people feel like they've totally lost control of their mind and body. They are addicted to drugs, alcohol or food, or operate entirely at other people's bidding. Many feel they've hit a brick wall trying to change their lifestyle. Some people are frustrated that no one finds them attractive or enjoyable to be with anymore. Others are so frustrated by life they feel that nothing they want is attainable.
If you feel like you on cruise control to nowhere is there any way for you to stop?"
Sure there is!
"You start each day by getting out a piece of paper, and writing down what you want to happen. Their new book, Thinking Anew, explains how writing things down can be the simplest and most powerful thing you can do to get yourself moving towards your goals, regain your direction and your confidence, and place you in control over what happens to you."
"Writing down what you intentions are each day focuses your mind on what you want. The act of writing helps you achieve clarity and frees your mind to use your imagination. You decide what is important and you put away what is not. Your subconscious mind then goes to work and helps you achieve what you want for the entire rest of the day."
It doesn't matter what you want to change, whether it's losing weight, changing your behavior, making more money, rid yourself of an addiction, have a better relationship, or any other challenges, Thinking Anew will help you!
As I said, I see and feel such a positive difference in my life just since starting to write February 20th. I missed one day writing first thing in the morning as I over slept. The rest of that day was nothing bu chaos. The power of positive thinking and writing is real!
Again, I can't recommend this book enough.
Disclaimer: I rec'd a copy of Thinking Anew along with promotional materials for the purpose of this review. I was not compensated in any other way and all opinions are my own. This post does include affiliate links.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Super Sunday Reviews -- The Funeral Dress
The Funeral Dress by Susan Gregg Gilmore
ISBN 978-0-307-88621-7
Published by Broadway Books
The Funeral Dress starts in the year 1974. Emmalee has decided to quit school and is hoping to get a job at the local shirt factory. She does get the job.
The next chapter skips to 3 years later. Emmalee is now 19 and has a baby.
The book skips from chapter to chapter going back to the past and then back to the present. At first I didn't like this. I wanted to know what was happening in the present. I soon figured out that the past tied to the present and was important to the story.
See, Emmalee lost her mother years before to sickness. She was raised by her alcoholic father in nothing more than a shack. They had no running water and barely any food. Now she is trying to take care of a baby with little no-how and still no running water, and barely any food....also barely any heat!
I don't want to tell much else about the book or it will give away most of the story, but a lot of the book revolves around Emmalee making the funeral dress. Emmalee just can't seem to catch a break for a better life.
Below is a picture of the copy of the book that I was sent for this review. You will notice that they also sent me a package of tissues as well.
There are definitely tear shed moments throughout the book. You can't help it. You want to scream at the same time and ask why?
Here is what I was sent about the book:
" The Funeral Dress is a deeply touching Southern story filled with struggle and hope. Emmalee Bullard and her new baby are on their own. Or so she thinks, until Leona Lane, the older seamstress who sat by her side at the local shirt factory where both women worked as collar makers, insists Emmalee come and live with her. Just as Emmalee prepares to escape her hardscrabble life in Red Chert holler, Leona dies tragically. Grief-stricken, Emmalee decides she’ll make Leona’s burying dress, but there are plenty of people who don't think the unmarried Emmalee should design a dress for a Christian woman - or care for a child on her own. But with every stitch, Emmalee struggles to do what is right for her daughter and to honor Leona the best way she can, finding unlikely support among an indomitable group of seamstresses and the town’s funeral director. In a moving tale exploring Southern spirit and camaraderie among working women, a young mother will compel a town to become a community."
I don't have the time (or should say take the time) to read books anymore like I should. The majority of my reading is done in bed with my nightstand lamp. This book kept me up rather late for many nights. I wanted to stop reading and get to sleep, but I also wanted more to know what was going to happen next in the book. Very good read! I highly recommend it.
They suggest this to be a good book for your reading club and I do agree. In fact, you can go to SusanGreggGilmore.com for more information and for extra book club materials like a hash brown casserole recipe, a reading group guide, and a Q&A with the author.
Disclosure: I rec'd a copy of The Funeral Dress and further information for the purpose of this review. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are my own. This post does contain affiliate links.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Super Sunday Reviews --Pigments of Your Imagination
I have seen art such as what is in this book and have always thought it was so cool and pretty. I had never heard of alcohol inks until receiving the book.
I immediately thought of my 2 youngest daughters. One who loves to draw and is good at it. The other is very craftsy, always finding projects on pinterest to do with her children.
Pigments of Your Imagination is set up into 6 sections: Simply Start, Special Effects, Ink-Scapes, Flora and Fauna-Scapes, Fabric Effects, and Everything Else.
Also included are dedication, foreward, introduction, finding your muse, materials and tools, about alcohol inks, gallery, glossary, resources, guest artists, acknowledgements, and about the authour sections.
Here is one of the pages from the Flora and Fauna-Scapes section:
Each section is full of vibrant illustrations and well written, clear instructions.
As a quilter, the Fabric Effects section interests me the most. I look forward to being able to buy the supplies needed and give designing my own fabrics a try!
Enjoy this video by the author, Cathy Taylor.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Super Sunday Reviews--Go For It!
With the new year upon us, this book that I just finished is perfect to start the new year.
It's Go For It! A Practical Guide to Success for Everyone by John J. Tassone.
I was sent this book some time ago to read and review. Once I started reading it I sure wished I had read it right away over letting it sit on my shelf so long.
I have read many motivational type books over the years...I've taken something from each of them.
What I took away from this book is that when I make goals to not tell myself that I hope I will do this, or that I will try to do this, but instead always tell myself that I WILL do it.
Along with the motivational chapters of the book are chapters that give practical advice on actually starting your own business. It's to the point.
The entire book is only 161 pages. I felt pumped while reading this book.
From information sent me for the purpose of my review:
John J. Tassone's stories and insights are very timely. Some of these little nuggets may hold the key to solving problems both small and large all across the nation. Here are just some of what he offers up in the book, Go For It! :
Believe in yourself since if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will either.
Yes you must have goals, but take the accidental goals that fall in your lap along the way.
Decide what you are going to do and do it, do it do it.
Stories are included in the book for each of these, and more.
John started working as a child with a paper route and then shining shoes. Through high school he worked at his father's hardware store. He was introduced to the world of selling insurance while working for a steel mill. He started selling insurance part time, but soon quit his job and went full time. In 1976 he opened his own insurance company.
John says that "Today's world is characterized by negativity. Too many people have lost sight of the positive." The focus of his book is to teach people how to refocus, stay positive, and to reach out for a better life. He wants everyone who reads his book to feel better about themselves and the world around them.
I know that reading it made me feel better about myself right from the start. I can honestly recommend reading this book.
Disclaimer: I was sent a copy of Go For It! for the purpose of this review. I was not compensated in any other way and all opinions are my own. Author's mugshot (as he calls it) as well as additional information is used with permission for the purpose of my review. Post does include affiliate links.
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