50 Books in 2015: 16-20

I think it's quite obvious that I have neglected this blog for far too long. I am 94% of the way through with my 50 books in 2015 challenge, yet here I am only posting reviews for books 16-20.....

It's time for me to get to work, and bring this blog back up into something I'm proud of!

Now for the reviews for this batch of 5 books:



The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had a love-hate (mostly love) relationship with this novel. I'm pretty sure it is a sign of a brilliant novel when you can hate it and love it at the same time, and that it can make you sad, uncomfortable, joyous, and so many other emotions within the one week that you did nothing but read the book. In the end, the book came full circle in a truly splendid way. Not only was the storyline well-written, but I found the poetic verses to be captivating. Each line was a story in its own. It is well worth a read.


Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World's Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself by Rich Roll
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As someone who already follows a plant-based diet, I found this story fascinating and inspiring. It is the memoir of Rich Roll, a man in his middle ages, who finds inspiration to switch to a plant-based diet, and become an elite athlete. It follows him along his journey, through both his triumphs and challenges.




The Power of Trees by Gretchen Daily
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I did really enjoy the blurbs written about trees that were throughout the book, but I was not pleased at all about how irrelevant the photography was (except, of course, that the subject was trees). Sure the pictures are beautiful, but if I'm reading about a magnificent African tree, I do not want to see a scenery of a coniferous forest.




Goodnight Mind: Turn Off Your Noisy Thoughts and Get a Good Night's Sleep by Colleen E. Carney
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Most books about sleep tend to repeat the same information that all other books have already mentioned. Yes, this book did that, but it also had some bits of information that I had not thought of before. With that being said, I felt that the book jumped around from topic to topic (and then back to another already visited topic) very frequently.




Church of Marvels by Leslie Parry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pardon my pun, but I thought this book was marvelous. I found myself not being able to put the book down at some points. There are many surprising twists and turns throughout the book that the reader would never expect (yet they somehow all end up making perfect sense),






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50 Books in 2015: 11-15

So I'm behind on posting my book reviews, since I am already through 25 books, but they are on the way! Here's numbers 11-15.

 

1. Three Bird Summer, by Sara St. Antoine

average GoodReads rating: 3.92/5 - my rating: 4/5

my review: This was a cute middle-grade book about a summer of adventure at a lonely summer cabin between two unexpected friends, Adam and Alice. The storyline took me by surprise, and would be a thrill for children to enjoy.  

 2. Some Kind of Fairy Tale, by Graham Joyce

average GoodReads rating: 3.56/5 - my rating: 4/5

my review: A women mysteriously reappears after being missing for twenty years, convinced that she was away in a 'fairyland' of sorts. This story is captivating and leaves you guessing throughout the story (and afterwards!). 

 

 3. Hell-Bent: Obsession, Pain, and the Search for Something Like Transcendence in Competitive Yoga, by Benjamin Lorr

average GoodReads rating: 3.96/5 - my rating: 4/5

my review: This book was an interesting look at a side of yoga that vastly differs from the peaceful 'om' yoga such as Vinyasa, that many people think of when it comes to yoga. Exploring the controversial Bikram and his following, this book proves just how far people will go to turn just about everything into a sport.

 4. The Forks Over Knives Plan: How to Transition to the Life-Saving, Whole-Food, Plant-Based Diet, by Alona Pulde and Matthew Lederman

average GoodReads rating: 4.08/5 - my rating: 4/5
my review: This book takes the valuable lessons learned in the Forks Over Knives documentary and expands on the importance and how-to's of following a plant-based diet. The only information I found questionable was the lack of healthy fats in the lifestyle plan. It also includes recipes, many of which I cannot wait to try out.

5. Organic Manifesto: How Organic Farming Can Heal Our Planet, Feed the World, and Keep Us Safe, by Maria Rodale
average GoodReads rating: 3.92/5 - my rating: 4/5
my review: Maria Rodale, of the renowned Rodale Institute, shows us in this book just how essential it is to eat organic whenever possible for a variety of resons, including for our health and the health of the planet that we so desperately need to work to mend. This book read a bit slow for me, but as an environmental professional, I already knew a lot of this information (but rereading it doesn't hurt!).



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50 Books in 2015: 6-10

As with all of my posts, I've fallen behind with updating my book challenge (in part because I've managed to mess up my blog coding and cannot make the pictures smaller).
I am currently at 15 books read, so expect another update soon!



Tiny Buddha's Guide to Loving Yourself: 40 Ways to Transform Your Inner Critic and Your Life by Lori Deschene
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is a collection of various stories, articles, and insights that help motivate the reader to appreciate life and all the lessons it brings. I felt inspired after reading Tiny Buddha's Guide to Loving Yourself: 40 Ways to Transform Your Inner Critic and Your Life to address some of the challenges I was facing, and to share this information with friends. It was a quick read, and I particularly enjoyed the style of it being broken up into 40 different lessons.



The Raw Food Lifestyle: The Philosophy and Nutrition Behind Raw and Live Foods by Ruthann Russo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have been a vegan for 3 years now, but I only knew the basics of what a raw food lifestyle was about before reading this book. I found this book to be a great introduction to the principles of raw veganism. The author quotes many different doctors and authors, which I found to be beneficial because it only helped to back up what the author was saying. Ruthann Russo also includes some very valuable resources for continuing researching the raw lifestyle. After reading this book, I have been including much more raw food into my already vegan diet.




Fruit of All Evil by Paige Shelton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The only negative thing about this book was that I could not put it down. Paige Shelton delivers again with the second book in her Farmers Market Mystery series. I am particularly fond of the farmers market setting off the series, and I am growing very fond of the characters (despite the overly persistent nature of the heroine).




Starting Seeds: Vegetables * Herbs * Flowers by Barbara Ellis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a very comprehensive resource for anyone who is new to gardening, or at least to growing from seeds. I found a lot of useful information that I will be using this growing season. I would also suggest this to seasoned gardeners because there is always more to learn!





Year of No Sugar by Eve O. Schaub
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

While I certainly enjoyed and appreciated the premise of the book, as well as the author's writing style, I do not agree with how the family played out their 'year without sugar'. The author was constantly referring to fructose as "bad sugar", and would use other sweeteners such as xylitol (which is a sugar alcohol) since it does not contain fructose. This and some other rules that the family had created for their experiment did not make sense to me, which made the book less interesting.




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50 Books in 2015: 1-5

Sorry I have been slacking a bit on getting posts out there. I promise that I'm going to get better at this soon!!
Until then, enjoy the reviews of the first five books I have read this year.


1. A Girl Named Faithful Plum: A True Story of a Dancer from China and How She Achieved Her Dream, by Richard Bernstein



GoodReads says: "In 1977, when Zhongmei Lei was eleven years old, she learned that the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy was having open auditions. She'd already taken dance lessons, but everyone said a poor country girl would never get into the academy, especially without any connections in the Communist Party of the 1970s. But Zhongmei, whose name means Faithful Plum, persisted, even going on a hunger strike, until her parents agreed to allow her to go. She traveled for three   days and two nights to get to Beijing and eventually beat out 60,000 other girls for one of 12 coveted spots. But getting in was easy compared to staying in, as Zhongmei soon learned. Without those all-important connections she was just a little girl on her own, far away from family. But her determination, talent, and sheer force of will were not something the teachers or other students expected, and soon it was apparent that Zhongmei was not to be underestimated."
Average Rating: 4.03

I said: 4/5 stars, "This was an uplifting and inspiring book about a young Chinese dancer from the country who managed to succeed despite the fact that the odds were stacked against her. As someone who dances and knows how hard the dance world can be, I found this book to be a different perspective on the world of dance."


2. Skinny, by Diana Spechler

 

GoodReads says: "After her father’s death, twenty-six-year-old Gray Lachmann findsherself compulsively eating. Desperate to stop bingeing, she abandonsher life in New York City for a job at a southern weight-losscamp. There, caught among the warring egos of her devious co-counselor,Sheena; the self-aggrandizing camp director, Lewis; his attractive assistant,Bennett; and a throng of combative teenage campers, she is confronted by acaptivating mystery: her teenage half-sister, Eden, whom Gray never knewexisted. Now, while unraveling her father’s lies, Gray must tackle her ownself-deceptions and take control of her body and her life."
Average Rating: 2.97

I said: 3/5 stars, "This book was a quick-read, standard YA fiction story about a young woman dealing with what else, but her weight. The main character proves to be a bit superficial and self-centered throughout the story. It was a decent read, but it did not blow me out of the water by any means."


3. Sisterland, by Curtis Sittenfeld



GoodReads says: "From an early age, Kate and her identical twin sister, Violet, knew that they were unlike everyone else. Kate and Vi were born with peculiar “senses”—innate psychic abilities concerning future events and other people’s secrets. Though Vi embraced her visions, Kate did her best to hide them. Now, years later, their different paths have led them both back to their hometown of St. Louis. Vi has pursued an eccentric career as a psychic medium, while Kate, a devoted wife and mother, has settled down in the suburbs to raise her two young children. But when a minor earthquake hits in the middle of the night, the normal life Kate has always wished for begins to shift. After Vi goes on television to share a premonition that another, more devastating earthquake will soon hit the St. Louis area, Kate is mortified. Equally troubling, however, is her fear that Vi may be right. As the date of the predicted earthquake quickly approaches, Kate is forced to reconcile her fraught relationship with her sister and to face truths about herself she’s long tried to deny."
Average rating: 3.35

I said: 4/5 stars, "I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This is probably in part due to my love for all things new age and spiritual (the two main characters are psychics, but the new age-ness of this is extremely downplayed). I also found the story line addicting, and the writing wonderfully executed. I may have not personally been pleased with the ending, but I could not put this book down."


4. No Experience Necessary: The Culinary Odyssey of Chef Norman Van Aken, by Norman Van Aken

GoodReads says: "No Experience Necessary is Chef Norman Van Aken s joyride of a memoir. In it he spans twenty-plus years and nearly as many jobs including the fateful job advertisement in the local paper for a short-order cook with no experience necessary. Long considered a culinary renegade and a pioneering chef, Van Aken is an American original who chopped and charred, sweated and seared his way to cooking stardom with no formal training, but with extra helpings of energy, creativity, and faith. After landing on the deceptively breezy shores of Key West, Van Aken faced hurricanes, economic downturns, and mercurial moneymen during the decades when a restaurant could open and close faster than you can type haute cuisine. From a graveyard shift grunt at an all-night barbeque joint to a James Beard award finalist for best restaurant in America, Van Aken put his trusting heart, poetic soul, natural talent, and ever-expanding experience into every venture and helped transform the American culinary landscape along the way. In the irreverent tradition of Anthony Bourdain s Kitchen Confidential, and populated by a rogues gallery of colorful characters including movie stars, legendary musicians, and culinary giants Julia Child, Emeril Lagasse, and Charlie Trotter No Experience Necessary offers a uniquely personal, highly-entertaining under-the-tablecloth view of the high-stakes world of American cuisine told with wit, insight, and great affection by a natural storyteller."
Average rating: 3.54

I said: 3/5 stars, "There were times when this 'zero to hero' chef memoir seemed to read slowly and drag on. Despite this, I still enjoyed reading about how the chef's passion for cooking grew through time. There were times when I really enjoyed this book, and there were times when I just wanted to "finish it already"."


5. Farm Fresh Murder, Paige Shelton

GoodReads says: "Becca Robins leads a simple life, making jams and preserves on her very own farm. But when there's a murder in her quaint little town, she puts herself in the line of fire to defend her friend's innocence-and goes from making jam to being in one."
Average Rating: 3.66

I said: 5/5 stars, "I read this entire book in a day in part because it was a quick read, but also because I couldn't put it down. I am very passionate about farming/homesteading/etc., so the background that the story is set against was particularly enjoyable for me. I've never considered myself much of a murder mystery fan, but I can't wait to read the next book in the series."



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My Year in Books: 2014

Well, I did it! I exceeded my goal of reading at least 50 books in the year 2014, and I am very excited to be doing this challenge again in 2015. Take a look at my year in books below. You can also view all of the reviews on GoodReads here. [Insert shameless plug to be my friend on GoodReads: goodreads.com/wildflowerchild]

50 Books in 2014: 51-56

So I made it through 56 books in 2014! I'm super stoked that I exceeded my goal. Tomorrow I will be posting all of the books I've read, but here are the reviews for the last 6 books. I am considering a different (and quicker) layout for reviews in 2015, but we will see how that plays out.


1.  The Fifth Agreement: A Practical Guide to Self-Mastery, by Miguel Ruiz & Jose Luis Ruiz

GoodReads says: "The Four Agreements provides the foundation for breaking thousands of agreements that create needless suffering and with The Fifth Agreementyou recover all the power of your authenticity, which is who you really are when you are born."
Average Rating: 4.21

I said: 4/5 stars, "While a lot of people might suggest skipping reading The Four Agreements and heading straight to this book, I disagree. I think a lot of valuable insight can be gained from relearning the four agreements. Part II of the book, which focused on the fifth agreement, confused me at first. It wasn't until the end of the book that I started to grasp the point the authors were trying to get across, so after I finished, I went back and reread the first half of Part II. Doing so helped me understand the message immensely."


2. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs

GoodReads says: "Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive."
Average Rating: 3.79

I said: 5/5 stars, "This book was a fascinating, fast-paced fantasy story that I could not put down. The plot of the story is so unique and really draws the reader in. It is considered a YA book, but I would argue that even adults would love it. As soon as I finished, I ran out to find the second book in the series at the library right away."


3. The Girls' Book of Success: Winning Wisdom, Stars' Secrets, Tales of Triumph, and More, by Catherine Dee & Ali Douglass

GoodReads says: "A collection of true stories, quotations, poems, and personal advice on how to set and achieve goals, divided into such categories as "Self-Confidence," "Perseverance," "Leadership," and "A Winning Image"."
Average Rating: 3.50

I said: 4./5 stars, "This was a really cute book providing inspiration to teen girls on growing towards success. I liked how each chapter was set up with a main topic and quotes and true stories related to the topic. This would be a great book for teen or tween girls."


4. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, by Eckhart Tolle

GoodReads says: "Ekhart Tolle's message is simple: living in the now is the truest path to happiness and enlightenment. And while this message may not seem stunningly original or fresh, Tolle's clear writing, supportive voice and enthusiasm make this an excellent manual for anyone who's ever wondered what exactly "living in the now" means. Foremost, Tolle is a world-class teacher, able to explain complicated concepts in concrete language. More importantly, within a chapter of reading this book, readers are already holding the world in a different container--more conscious of how thoughts and emotions get in the way of their ability to live in genuine peace and happiness."
Average Rating: 4.06

I said: 3/5 stars, "It wasn't until towards the end of the book that I really started to pick up the message. The book is great, but bound to go over the heads of the casual reader. I am looking forward to reading it again for a more in-depth insight that I may have missed the first time around."


5. Bargain Junkie: Living the Good Life on the Cheap, by Annie Korzen

GoodReads says: "In Bargain Junkie, Korzen shares her hilarious tales from the trenches--the garage sales, estate sales, thrift stores, rummage sales, and online auctions. Korzen haggles, scrimps, saves, and stretches her dollars and her imagination so she can afford to travel, dress well, and eat out whenever possible."
Average Rating: 2.55

I said: 2/5 stars, "While this book did have some good tips to point out on thrifting and finding a bargain, I found a lot of the "humor" offensive and/or not funny."


6. Skinny Bitch Book of Vegan Swaps, by Kim Barnouin

GoodReads says: "A vegan lifestyle is the newest hot health trend—thanks in no small part to the smart, fearless, and number one New York Times bestselling Skinny Bitch books. But with so much conflicting information out there, it's not always easy to make the best choices. Now Skinny Bitch coauthor Kim Barnouin is back with a book that makes making the right vegan choice easy. In Skinny Bitch Book of Vegan Swaps, Kim Barnouin takes the mystery out of following a plant-based diet. It's a comprehensive, user-friendly guide that tells you what foods look healthy, but actually aren't, and explains how to avoid the stuff you don't want. And because Kim knows that the concerns of today's savvy eaters run the gamut from calories to carbon footprints, she explains it all."
Average Rating: 3.69

I said: 2/5 stars, "This book focused primarily on showcasing brands that sell vegan 'cheat' food, such as faux chicken nuggets, pizza, ice cream, and more. While these foods are fun to eat every once in a while, the author seems to forget that whole foods (fruits, veggies, etc.) are the healthiest way to live vegan. Not to mention, a lot of the swaps are not readily available in all supermarkets and can be quite expensive. It is a good resource for an occasional indulgence, though."

50 Books in 2014: 46-50

I did it!! I am so excited to be able to say that I have completed my goal of reading 50 books this year, with over an entire month to spare! Of course, I am going to keep reading and reviewing books, both here and on GoodReads (https://www.goodreads.com/wildflowerchild).
Here are the reviews for the last five books I have read.


1. The Forest Unseen: A Year's Watch in Nature, by David George Haskell

GoodReads says: "In this wholly original book, biologist David Haskell uses a one- square-meter patch of old-growth Tennessee forest as a window onto the entire natural world. Visiting it almost daily for one year to trace nature's path through the seasons, he brings the forest and its inhabitants to vivid life.Each of this book's short chapters begins with a simple observation: a salamander scuttling across the leaf litter; the first blossom of spring wildflowers. From these, Haskell spins a brilliant web of biology and ecology, explaining the science that binds together the tiniest microbes and the largest mammals and describing the ecosystems that have cycled for thousands- sometimes millions-of years. Each visit to the forest presents a nature story in miniature as Haskell elegantly teases out the intricate relationships that order the creatures and plants that call it home."
Average Rating: 4.25/5

I said: 4/5 stars, "This book is an incredible reflection on nature. Each chapter/entry focuses on a new ecological concept that is brought up in the author's meditative focus while studying the same area of forest over the course of a year. It is very in-depth and focused on each topic covered."


2. Creative Block: Get Unstuck, Discover New Ideas. Advice & Projects from 50 Successful Artists, by Danielle Krysa

GoodReads says: "Creative block presents the most crippling—and unfortunately universal—challenge for artists. No longer! This chunky blockbuster of a book is chock-full of solutions for overcoming all manner of artistic impediment. The blogger behind The Jealous Curator interviews 50 successful international artists working in different mediums and mines their insights on how to conquer self-doubt, stay motivated, and get new ideas to flow. Each artist offers a tried-and-true exercise—from road trips to 30-day challenges to cataloging the medicine cabinet— that will kick-start the creative process. Abundantly visual with more than 300 images showcasing these artists' resulting work, Creative Block is a vital ally to students, artists, and creative professionals."
Average Rating: 4.29/5 stars

I said: 5/5 stars, "I really loved this book - the author interviewed fifty artists of varied craft and mediums about their creative processes, included their original artwork, and then each artist can up with an 'unblocking' project to help the reader work on their own creative process. I found it fascinating and incredibly inspiring."


3. Powerful Plant-Based Superfoods: The Best Way to Eat for Maximum Health, Energy, and Weight Loss, by Lauri Boone

GoodReads says: "Powerful Plant-Based Superfoods features 50 top superfoods and discusses their unique benefits and how they can be integrated into your diet for incredible health and amazing taste.  From local superfoods—like greens, berries, and garlic—to more exotic superfoods—like maca, cacao, and yacon—Powerful Plant-Based Superfoods also includes 50 nutrient-rich recipes that are all naturally vegan and gluten free."
Average Rating: 3.67/5

I said: 4/5 stars, "This book was split into sections based on type of foods, and then each superfood in these sections was described. Each superfood also included a recipe. All the superfoods were plant-based and the recipes were all vegan. This is a great resource, and it introduced me to several foods I have not heard of."


4. The Last Animal, by Abby Geni

GoodReads says: "The Last Animal by Abby Geni is that rare literary find — a remarkable series of stories unified around one theme: people who use the interface between the human and the natural world to contend with their modern challenges in love, loss, and family life. These are vibrant, weighty stories that herald the arrival of a young writer of surprising feeling and depth."
Average Rating: 3.79/5

I said: 4/5 stars, "Although a few of the short stories in this book did not contain as much as a link to animals and nature as I had hoped, they were all incredibly well-written and intersting. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of short stories. I can't even pick a favorite because I loved so many of them. I couldn't put this book down."


5. Playing with Books: The Art of Upcycling, Deconstructing, and Reimagining the Book, by Jason Thompson

GoodReads says: "In these pages, Jason Thompson has curated an extensive and artistic range of both achievable upcycled crafts made from books and book pages and an amazing gallery that contains thought-provoking and beautiful works that transform books into art. The content encompasses a wide range of techniques and step-by-step projects that deconstruct and rebuild books and their parts into unique, upcycled objects. The book combines in equal measure bookbinding, woodworking, paper crafting, origami, and textile and decorative arts techniques, along with a healthy dose of experimentation and fun.The beautiful high-end presentation and stunning photography make this book a delightful, must-have volume for any book-loving artist or art-loving book collector."
Average Rating: 3.98-5

I said: 3/5 stars, "This book contained some great information about paper crafts, including techniques and tools to use. It also included some family-friendly craft ideas, as well as information about artists that use books as their medium."

50 Books in 2014: 41-45

I'm so excited that I only have five more books to finish to reach my goal of reading 50 books in 2014! I'm already in the middle of a few books, so this goal should be met soon. If you want to keep up with what I am reading, feel free to add me as a friend on GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/wildflowerchild



1. Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention, by Mihaly Csikzentmihalyi

 GoodReads says: "Creativity is about capturing those moments that make life worth living. The author's objective is to offer an understanding of what leads to these moments, be it the excitement of the artist at the easel or the scientist in the lab, so that knowledge can be used to enrich people's lives. Drawing on 100 interviews with exceptional people, from biologists and physicists to politicians and business leaders, poets and artists, as well as his 30 years of research on the subject, Csikszentmihalyi uses his famous theory to explore the creative process. He discusses such ideas as why creative individuals are often seen as selfish and arrogant, and why the tortured genius is largely a myth. Most important, he clearly explains why creativity needs to be cultivated and is necessary for the future of our country, if not the world."
Average Rating: 4.07/5

I said: 3/5 stars, " This book read like an extremely in-depth research paper. It provided fascinating information of the lives of people who are known as some of the greatest creative geniuses of the 20th century. If anything, I would recommend reading part 3. I found it very interesting."


2.  Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living, by Tsh Oxenreider

 GoodReads says: "Remove the Mess, Add Meaning. Simplicity isn't about what you give up. It's about what you gain. When you remove the things that don't matter to you, you are free to focus on only the things that are meaningful to you. Imagine your home, your time, your finances, and your belongings all filling you with positive energy and helping you achieve your dreams. It can happen, and "Organized Simplicity" can show you how."
Average Rating: 3.73/5

I said: 2/5 stars, "This book was very focused on supporting the stay-at-home mom with children and a working husband, which is not everyone's situation. A lot of the projects required a time line much greater than the author suggested. Also, the book seemed to focus primarily on living simply by getting rid of possessions (which is a good start, but not all there is)."


3. An Apple a Day: A Memoir of Love and Recovery From Anorexia, by Emma Woolf

 GoodReads says: "At the age of 32, after ten years of hiding from the truth, Emma Woolf finally decided it was time to face the biggest challenge of her life. Addicted to hunger, exercise and control, she was juggling a full-blown eating disorder with a successful career, functioning on an apple a day. Having met the man of her dreams (and wanting a future and a baby together), she decided it was time to stop starving and start living. And as if that wasn’t enough pressure, Emma also agreed to chart her progress in a weekly column for The Times. Honest, hard-hitting and yet romantic, An Apple a Day is a manifesto for the modern generation to stop starving and start living. This compelling, life-affirming true story is essential reading for anyone affected by eating disorders (whether as a sufferer or ally), anyone interested in health and social issues – and for medical and health professionals."
Average Rating: 3.62/5

I said: 3/5 stars, "This book was a very upfront and honest confrontation of a battle against anorexia that had lasted over a decade. I was not personally a fan of how it was written in chapters that were written as it was happening. They seemed to lack the proper editing or point of view for my taste. I felt that the author could have provided more insight by writing it all afterwards. On the other hand, this book inspired me to start writing more, in hopes of helping myself cope with and recover from my own issues with depression and anxiety."


4. Eat Move Sleep: How Small Choices Lead to Big Changes, by Tom Roth

 

 GoodReads says: "From the author of StrengthsFinder 2.0, How Full Is Your Bucket?, Strengths Based Leadership, and Wellbeing comes a transformative book and online application that will improve your health for years to come. While Tom's bestsellers on strengths and well-being have inspired more than 5 million people in the last decade, Eat Move Sleep reveals his greatest passion and expertise. Quietly managing a serious illness for more than 20 years, Tom has assembled a wide range of information on the impact of eating, moving, and sleeping. Written in his classic conversational style, Eat Move Sleep features the most proven and practical ideas from his research. This remarkably quick read offers advice that is comprehensive yet simple and often counterintuitive but always credible. Eat Move Sleep will help you make good decisions automatic -- in all three of these interconnected areas. With every bite you take, you will make better choices. You will move a lot more than you do today. And you will sleep better than you have in years. More than a book, Eat Move Sleep is a new way to live."
Average Rating: 3.53/5

I said: 3/5 stars, " This book was loaded with information from studies, journals, etc. regarding exactly what the title says: eating, moving, and sleeping. In under 200 pages, there were 30 chapters, each with 3 tips. It read more like a collection of snippets from magazines. I did gain quite a bit of tips to use in my daily life, though."


5. The Nest Home Design Handbook, by Carley Roney

 

 GoodReads says: "Decorating for the first time can be completely overwhelming. How do you find your style? How do you keep expenses under control? What essential pieces does every home need for maximum functionality and flair? How will you merge tastes—and stuff—to create a space that feels like home to you both? Here to take the guesswork out of decorating is The Nest Home Design Handbook, a practical, gorgeous, room-by-room guide to giving your place unique and affordable style."
Average Rating: 3.64/5

I said: 3/5 stars, "This book was extremely in-depth, and looked at room-by-room design solutions for creating a sophisticated home." 

50 Books in 2014: 36-40

I have recently realized that I do most of my reading outside of my house, rather than when I am at home. I love reading on the bus, after I've put the girls to sleep, when the studio is quiet, etc. Perhaps this is because once I get home, I am exhausted and about ready for bed. I know that I should read before bed (rather than scroll through tumblr on my phone), but it's a habit I haven't managed to break. I'm sure I would get a much better night's sleep if I fell asleep to a book rather than my phone. I'll have to start to try doing this more and see if I notice any difference.
I have another update of books that I have read towards my 50 in 2014 goal. According to GoodReads, I am ahead of schedule for this goal. I'm really excited by the thought of reaching this goal. Only ten more books from now until December 31? That sounds so easy!
Here are reviews of my five most recent reads.


1. Wicca for Beginners: Fundamentals of Philosophy & Practice by Thea Sabin

GoodReads says: "Due to the sheer number of Wicca 101 books on the market, many newcomers to the Craft find themselves piecing together their Wiccan education by reading a chapter from one book, a few pages from another. Rather than depending on snippets of wisdom to build a new faith, Wicca for Beginners provides a solid foundation to Wicca without limiting the reader to one tradition or path. Embracing both the spiritual and the practical, Wicca for Beginners is a primer on the philosophies, culture, and beliefs behind the religion, without losing the mystery that draws many students to want to learn. Detailing practices such as grounding, raising energy, visualization, and meditation, this book offers exercises for core techniques before launching into more complicated rituals and spellwork."

Average Rating: 4.09

I said: 4/5 stars, " This book is a great introduction to Wicca (which I knew very little about prior to reading). I would highly suggest this book to anyone who is interesting in learning about Wicca."

2. Design Bloggers at Home: Fresh Interiors Inspiration from Leading Online Trend Setters by Ellie Tennant

 GoodReads says: "A digital revolution is underway. A global network of creative, interior design bloggers has emerged, publishing fresh and inspiring content online every day. With diverse backgrounds and lifestyles, these individual bloggers combine to create a thriving online community of trend-setters and style gurus. In her first book, interiors journalist and stylist Ellie Tennant meets the characters and creative forces behind leading design blogs, exploring their online realms, their beautiful homes and their clever styling ideas."

Average Rating: 3.63

I said: 5/5 stars, "This book contained so many inspiring photos of homes, as well as great interviews and blogging tips. I really enjoyed reading it."

3. Craftivism: The Art of Craft and Activism by Betsy Greer

 

GoodReads says: "Craftivism is a worldwide movement that operates at the intersection where craft and activism meet; Craftivism the book is full of inspiration for crafters who want to create works that add to the greater good. With interviews and profiles of craftivists who are changing the world with their art, and through examples that range from community embroidery projects, stitching in prisons, revolutionary ceramics, AIDS activism, yarn bombing, and crafts that facilitate personal growth, Craftivism provides imaginative examples of how crafters can be creative and altruistic at the same time."

Average Rating: 4.12

I said: 4/5 stars, "This book opened me up to an entirely different view of what it means to be an activist. It also provided some very inspiring interviews and artist bios that drive the meaning of craftivism deeper. I do wish it had provided concrete ideas for how to incorporate craftivism into one's daily life rather than expecting one to use the inspiration of what has already been done from the essays in the book."

4.   Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

 

 GoodReads says: "Libby Day was just seven years old when her evidence put her fifteen-year-old brother behind bars. Since then, she had been drifting. But when she is contacted by a group who are convinced of Ben's innocence, Libby starts to ask questions she never dared to before. Was the voice she heard her brother's? Ben was a misfit in their small town, but was he capable of murder? Are there secrets to uncover at the family farm or is Libby deluding herself because she wants her brother back? She begins to realise that everyone in her family had something to hide that day... especially Ben. Now, twenty-four years later, the truth is going to be even harder to find. Who did massacre the Day family?"

Average Rating: 3.89 

I said: 4/5 stars, "This book was so hard to put down (although I'll admit that I did put it down for a few weeks because it was a bit scary for me). The book is dark, but certainly worth reading. It has many unexpected twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed it, despite some explicit dark content. "

5. The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Miguel Ruiz

 

GoodReads says: "In The Four Agreements shamanic teacher and healer Don Miguel Ruiz exposes self-limiting beliefs and presents a simple yet effective code of personal conduct learned from his Toltec ancestors. Full of grace and simple truth, this handsomely designed book makes a lovely gift for anyone making an elementary change in life, and it reads in a voice that you would expect from an indigenous shaman."

Average Rating: 4.07

I said: 5/5 stars, "This book was short, but filled with vast wisdom. I am incredibly grateful that I have read this book. I really think that everyone should read it, and be inspired to live a life full of love and intent."

 

50 Books in 2014: 31-35

I am finally ahead of schedule (by 2 books) of my goal of reading 50 books in 2014. I am up to 35 books now! I really enjoy reading this much - it feels great to be reading as much as I used to. It was really hard to keep up reading for pleasure while I was in college, so now it feels so great to get to read whatever I want. Here are my reviews of my most recent five reads (p.s. become my friend on GoodReads!: goodreads.com/wildflowerchild)

Also, if anyone is wondering why I didn't post a Tumblr Tuesday today, it is because my computer is hardly working anymore and wouldn't let me copy the pictures...so if I randomly disappear, you can assume that my laptop has finally crashed entirely on me. :(


1. Clutter Rehab: 101 Tips and Tricks to Become an Organization Junkie by Laura Wittman

GoodReads says: "With 101 quick-and-easy projects for organizing your bathroom, kitchen, closet and more, Clutter Rehab takes the stress out of home organizing. As you painlessly tackle piles of toys, stacks of paper and over-spilling drawers, you’ll discover how to make de-cluttering your home an addictive pleasure."
Average Rating: 3.36/5

I said: 4/5 stars, "It was nothing extraordinary, but this book shared plenty of great ideas to simplify the home and reduce clutter."






2. Bhakti: The Art of Eternal Love by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda

 

GoodReads says: "Hare Krishna shows love."

Average Rating: 3.36/5

I said: 2/5 stars, " As someone who is new to learning about Hinduism, this book was far too complicated and intense for me to understand. It also seems to be excerpts from a book, and is trying to sell you that other book. Perhaps this would be a resource better for someone who has a greater understanding of Hinduism than I do."

 

3.  The Cove by Ron Rash

 GoodReads says: "Deep in the rugged Appalachians of North Carolina lies the cove, a dark, forbidding place where spirits and fetches wander, and even the light fears to travel. Or so the townsfolk of Mars Hill believe–just as they know that Laurel Shelton, the lonely young woman who lives within its shadows, is a witch. Alone except for her brother, Hank, newly returned from the trenches of France, she aches for her life to begin..."

Average Rating: 3.63/5

I said: 4/5 stars, "This book started off a bit confusing to me because each chapter switches between characters, and it took me a while to catch on. Once I caught on, I became fully immersed in the story. The last half of the book was mesmerizing - I couldn't put it down until I had finished."

4. Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

 

GoodReads says: "This is a story for people who follow their hearts and make their own rules...people who get special pleasure out of doing something well, even if only for themselves...people who know there's more to this living than meets the eye: they'll be right there with Jonathan, flying higher and faster than ever they dreamed."

Average Rating: 3.74/5

I said: 4/5 stars, " I was quite thrown off by this book at first (it's about a seagull), but as I continued to read it, I was able to get past it and enjoy the story for the many messages it contained."

5. Almost Amish by Kathryn Cushman

 

 GoodReads says: "Julie Charlton is at the breaking point. She's overwhelmed and burned out, and in today's unrelenting society, her kids are, too. When her sister-in-law Susan, a Martha Stewart-in-training, lands the chance to participate in a reality TV series promoting simple living, and needs another family to join her, it seems like the perfect opportunity. The location is an idyllic farm outside an Amish community in Tennessee. Julie, with her two children, joins Susan and her teenage daughter for a summer adventure. Susan needs to succeed in order to become self-sufficient after an ugly divorce, Julie needs to slow down long enough to remember what her priorities are and regain a sense of purpose and meaning. It becomes clear from the start that "living simple" is no simple matter. With the camera watching every move, Susan's drive for perfection feels a lot like what they left behind, while Julie suddenly finds herself needing to stand up for slowing down. With each new challenge, their season of "going Amish" gets more and more complicated, as each woman learns unexpected lessons about herself and her family."

Average Rating: 3.72/5

I said: 3/5 stars, " This book had a very interesting premise, but I was often overwhelmed at the drama that was created (as it is in real life) due to the reality tv aspect. I would have loved less of that reality show drama and more acknowledgement of simplicity. This book definitely explored simple living and included some important realizations about that lifestyle, but I would have liked to see more of it."

50 Books in 2014: 26-30

As I promised last week, here are my reviews and ratings for books 26-30 of my 50 Books in 2014 goal.
As always, become my friend on GoodReads to see what I'm reading: goodreads.com/wildflowerchild


1. The 50 Best Ways to Simplify Your Life, by Patrick Fanning and Heather Garnos Mitchener

 

GoodReads says: "In The 50 Best Ways to Simplify Your Life, proven cognitive methods do what religious ideology, radical ecology, or just plain marketing fluff can't do: help readers understand what matters most to them and achieve lasting balance. Using the kinds of practical techniques that can lead to real personal change, author Patrick Fanning and self-help editor and writer Heather Garnos Mitchener first help readers examine their values and prioritize meaning. Then, through a series of short chapters containing exercises that run the gamut from simple tasks to soul-searching moral inventories, they introduce readers to an array of interactive, do-able strategies will help readers find a true center of focus midway between work and home, pleasure and discipline, television and conversation."

Average Rating: 3.55/5

I said: 4/5 stars, "This book was a nice quick read that gave fifty ways to simplify in various ways in life including home, work, money, relationships, and spirit."

2. Farmacology:What Innovative Family Farming can Teach Us About Health and Healing, by Daphne Miller

   

GoodReads says: "Family physician Daphne Miller long suspected that farming and medicine were intimately linked. Increasingly disillusioned by mainstream medicine's mechanistic approach to healing and fascinated by the farming revolution that is changing the way we think about our relationship to the earth, Miller left her medical office and traveled to seven innovative family farms around the country, on a quest to discover the hidden connections between how we care for our bodies and how we grow our food. Farmacology, the remarkable book that emerged from her travels, offers us a compelling new vision for sustainable health and healing—and a wealth of farm-to-body lessons with immense value in our daily lives."
Average Rating: 4.14

I said: 5/5 stars, " I loved this book! It is so important for doctors to follow the path of Dr. Miller here and look for alternatives to shoving big pharma down their patients' throats. Health is so deeply tied to how we eat and go about our daily lives, and Dr. Miller does a wonderful job of explaining this in a book that is simple enough for anyone to understand."

3.  Edible Plants of Atlantic Canada: Field Guide by Peter Scott

 

GoodReads says: In an era before supermarkets became our main source of food, most people knew which wild plants were edible and how to prepare them for delicious meals. The woods, clearings, heaths, and seashores of Atlantic Canada are home to a wide variety of edible plants. In this book, author Peter Scott provides a wealth of information on more than sixty wild edible plant species. This easy-to-use guide includes important details about identification, habitats in which the plants are found, basic recipes, a glossary, and references, so that everybody can enjoy the bounty that exists outsides our doors. 

Average Rating: 3/5

I said: 3/5 stars, " I read this book while I was on vacation in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and while this book certainly serves it's purpose and showcases a variety of the edible plants in Atlantic Canada, I wish each individual plant page had been arranged better. There is no way to flip to a page on a plant and find a quick ref about it without having to read the entire page. Also I wish there had been more diagrams relating to leaves, plant structure, etc."

4. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, by Cheryl Strayed

 

GoodReads says: "A powerful, blazingly honest memoir: the story of an eleven-hundred-mile solo hike that broke down a young woman reeling from catastrophe—and built her back up again."
Average Rating: 3.91/5

I said: 5/5 stars, " I was sucked into this book from the second I started reading. This book is an honest look into the life of an errant young woman who starts on a life-changing, yet ill-prepared journey of a lifetime."

5. A Tine to Live, A Tine to Die, by Edith Maxwell

 

GoodReads says: "It’s harvest time in Westbury, Massachusetts, and novice farmer Cameron Flaherty hopes to make a killing selling organic produce. But when a killer strikes on her property, her first foray into the world of organic farming yields a bumper crop of locally sourced murder…
Cam’s first growing season has gotten off to a slow start, but her CSA is flourishing thanks to a colorful group of subscribers led by Lucinda DaSilva, an enthusiastic Brazilian volunteer who’s vowed to eat nothing but locally produced food for one year. When Cam fires her only employee, local handyman Mike Montgomery, because he won’t follow organic growing practices, it seems like just another day at the office—until she finds him with a pitchfork sticking out of his neck.The police suspect Cam of Mike’s murder, but when their investigation goes nowhere, Lucinda joins Cam in the hunt for the real killer. In a small New England town full of eccentric locavores, there’s no shortage of possibilities—from a neighboring farmer who competes with Cam for customers to a Swedish chef whose romantic designs on her have recently taken a turn for the odd. And then there’s the local militia group with its decidedly nonlocal agenda…To clear her name, Cam will have to dig up secrets buried deep beneath the soil of Produce Plus Plus Farm. And she’ll have to catch a murderer whose motto seems to be “Eat local. Kill local.” "

Average Rating: 3.54/5

I said: 4/5 stars, " This book was a pretty standard mediocre-written mystery novel, BUT I absolutely loved the farming aspect thrown in. It made the book for me. Plus who doesn't love a cheesy mystery? I couldn't put the book down!"