A Good Book about Really Bad Girls

Once again, Liz Curtis Higgs explores the possibilities of what some of bad girls of the Bible would look like in modern day times.  While much of her thoughts are speculation and opinions (mostly because we don't know FOR SURE all the actual historic details), I appreciate the author's attempt to ponder the possibilities and offer some questions for thought.  More times than a few, I have considered details about the story that I wouldn't have otherwise.  

This book certainly could be used as the beginning of a more in-depth study if desired.  There are even study questions available at the end of the book for those might want to create a discussion group.  This book also functions as a great quick-read with many short stories to keep you turning the pages for more.

God Gave Us Thankful Hearts

My 3 year-old daughter and my 7 year-old son LOVED this book!  They were able to follow along and easily grasp the moral of the story.  This book is considered a religious book, and it references thankfulness to a creator for blessings in our life as well as ways to look for the positive in all situations--even the challenging ones!

This is a new favorite book to read at night time before going to bed.  My kids will also bring this book to me during the day when they are wanting some snuggles & reading time.  The book is a considered a quick read--something that can be read cover-to-cover in less than 10 minutes.  The kids enjoy it because while it is a quick read, it is longer than a picture book or a book that takes less than a minute to read.  After reading this book, they usually feel 'fulfilled' and do not ask for more books.  They will run off to go play a game or activity.

As a parent, I enjoy that the pages turn quickly since there is an average-sized paragraph on most pages. The kids have time to look at the details in the illustrations while I am reading the content, and then it is time to turn the page to new pictures!  We love to also detour from the story and talk about the pictures and the details as well--like that the Mom wears the same vest so it is easy to recognize her, and the kids love naming the different animals throughout the story.

We really enjoyed this book, and we hope to add some of the other books to our collection in the near future.


Note:  I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

PLATED--A gorgeous cook book for all occassions!

This is a gorgeous book with more than 125 amazing recipes that will inspire even the shyest home cook to get in the kitchen and try something new!

There is a wide variety of recipes from many different culinary styles and cuisines.  Most of the recipes require common market ingredients with an occasional speciality ingredient added in that might require going to a specialized or ethnic market.

The recipes are divided into time-themed categories which is a fun change!  For example, 'weeknight dinners' are quicker and faster than 'weekend feasts'.  And if you are pressed for time, there is even a 'make ahead' recipe section that allows you to create the recipe a day or two before you actually need it.

This is certainly a favorite recipe book!  I had never heard of the Plated company before (a company that offers a service of pre-selected, pre-portioned ingredients available for purchase so that anyone can be an instant home chef no matter which night of the week it is! I am now curious about this company and am interested in the other cookbooks that the company has published.

Note:  I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

The Whole Coconut Cookbook--Your Complete Coconut Resource Guide

This book is fantastic!  Whether you are just now beginning to experience all that coconuts have to offer, or whether you have been a coconut lover for many years, this book will have some treats for you!

In the beginning of the book, the author spends some time explaining and teaching about the many different parts of the coconut and various other coconut products made from different parts of the tree (like the nectar as a sweetener).  This is a wonderful treat and I appreciated learning new things that I did not know before.

Then, the delicious recipes follow. And YUM, YUM, YUM!  We made several of the recipes and each one that we made turned out to be a delicious new addition to our growing list of family favorites.  I love the versatility of coconut itself, and that it can be on the dessert menus but also on the savory menus.

I also wrongly thought that I would have to purchase whole coconuts and tear them apart in order to use this book, but that is not the case. The author gives you the information that you would need to know if you did want to use whole coconuts (in other words, the author teaches you how to prepare a whole coconut to use in these recipes), but these recipes also work well if incorporating coconut items purchased separately such as coconut oil or coconut flakes.

So if you are curious about coconuts, or even if you are already a coconut lover and are wanting some new, fresh ideas on coconut recipe creations, this book is for you!

Note:  I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

The Rooftop Growing Guide--A Great Place to Start!

This book was so intriguing that I read the entire book, cover-to-cover, in one day!  This book demonstrates that it can be very interesting to learn new things, and you don't have to be an expert to begin! 

The Rooftop Growing Guide walks you through the entire gardening process from building codes and structural support, to weather and wind conditions.  It even covers concepts like watering, composting, and plant selection.  The book certainly focuses specific details for consideration of a roof-top environment, but the large selection of topics certainly would benefit any person beginning a garden.  

We have been gathering materials this past weekend, and in the next week we will begin our new gardening project.  I am confident that I will not only have a successful garden, thanks to the tips that I have learned, but that I will also continue to be able to reference this guide for many years to come!

Note:  I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.    

The Water-Saving Garden

I originally was hoping that this book would cover ideas for a food or vegetable garden, but the focus tended to be more on water-saving techniques for landscaping vs. gardening. The book also presents concepts to apply vs. a 'how-to-guide' like I was hoping it would be.

As a plus, this book is beautiful from cover to cover. The photos are very rich and dynamic, and can stand alone as a benefit to this book.  It was also written in a more complex language structure than I was expecting.  
This book was very difficult and challenging for me to be interested in while reading it, and I am also struggling to write my thoughts about this book.  I would have liked to see it written in a more simple language structure with concise points along with tips and techniques. 

Overall, this book just wasn't for me.


Note:  I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Spark Joy

I absolutely love this book! It's the companion guide to the author's best seller (The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up), and this book gives illustrations for many of the folding and organizing techniques for some of her tips.

I have heard about this author, and I have seen many of the inspiring things people have had to say about her technique, but I have not read any of her previous materials.  This book certainly inspires me to read her other book, but I also appreciated that I could still utilize this book regardless.  She sums up various points that helps to explain the concepts that she believes when it comes to tidying and organizing.  I am not sure if this would be redundant (if you had previously read her other book), but for me, it was a nice way to catch up and feel like I was on track.

As with any topic like this, the results really are in whether or not the person reading is willing to actually apply the knowledge in their life, or if they will just leave the knowledge in their head.  I am not in a place in my life where I feel that I can purposefully dedicate time to tidying up, and so I am tempted to just keep this knowledge 'in my head'.  But, surprisingly, even though I am not trying to actively tidy up, I am finding that I AM beginning to apply several of her suggestions and techniques.  I am beginning to build awareness for myself concerning the items in my home. I am beginning to ask myself if these items spark joy, and I have been able to eliminate several items just by asking myself this question.

I have been inspired enough by this companion guide to actually buy her other book, and I am making plans now to set apart a season this year to really tidy up.  No more clutter. No more constant organizing and re-organizing all the clutter.  

As a side note, I really appreciate the author's grateful and positive attitude.  You won't find any condemnation or judgement in this book! She has so much grace, compassion, and patience to help us learn what we do not know.  

One thing is for sure:  this book sparked joy for me. 

Note:  I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.