Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Book Review: How Music Works

We all know that music moves us in some way or another. We also know that there are times a catchy tune (whether it's a song you love, or that jingle you just can't get out of your head) will make it's mark on us at some point. We laugh, cry, reminisce. 

But why does music it do that? How is it that something can change drastically over thousands of years, but still evoke something in us? 

How Music Works by David Byrne dives into that .

There is a lot of information about musical roots and how musicians worked to perfect their sound according to what worked best with their style. 

Byrne gives us his take on music in a style that is very pleasant, straightforward, and conversational. He comes across as someone whose wide-ranging, collaborative experience and creative intelligence combine with an everyday kind of modesty.

Byrne simply goes through the music creation process (ideation, performance, recording, manufacturing, promotion, etc.) piece by piece and explains them to the best of his ability. Those with little to no music experience, would better understand what goes on in an musician's head when they are creating a masterpiece. 



The book would be a great gift or recommendation for someone--especially a young person--who's passionate about listening to music but who hasn't really thought about it in any structured way, or alternatively for someone who has *only* had formal instruction.

I was given this book for free in return for my honest, open opinion. No monies have been paid.

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Note Takers Bible

NASB Note-Taker's Bible


Age Range: Anyone 

Genre: Bibles

Hardcover: 1072 pages

Publisher: Zondervan

Source: From publisher via Booklook Bloggers

My Rating: 3 of 5 stars


About the Book:


Finally, a hardcover Bible that has plenty of room for taking notes during public or private worship, small group fellowships, or any other time or place readers feel the need to make comments in their Bible. No more cramped writing in tiny margins—the NASB Note-Taker’s Bible makes it easy to stay organized and neat. Readers will be able to personalize the text of God’s Word to their lives like never before and will treasure it as a record of their spiritual journey. Includes the complete text of the popular New American Standard translation.
Features:
  • Deluxe wide margins for note takers
  • Complete NASB text
  • Double column text for easy reading
  • Words of Christ in red letter


My Thoughts:
    
I have read many different kinds of Bibles all through my life. I have at least three that I use on a regular basis. That is becuase they are different  versions. I gravitate towards NLT, NIV, and ESV versions. When Book Look Bloggers had the NASB Note-Taker's Bible available for review, I decided to give it a shot. One reason is because I have been taking more and more notes in my Bible and found the Bible Journaling Community, and the other reason is to see how different it is compared to the other versions I have.

I found that the margins in the Bible, each page had at least 1.5 inches of space for notes. The space is on the left, right and bottom of the pages. The pages are thin, like a normal Bible and I was worried that if I started drawing and scribbling, painting, and gluing,  the pages would rip. 

The other thing I found was that I didn't really like the style of the wording in the Bible. I may be biased beacuse I use the the other versions, but this version of the Scripture was not to my liking. If you like NASB and like note taking then this Bible is for you. 

I recieved this Bible from Book Look Bloggers for free in return for my honest review. 

Monday, October 6, 2014

Pink Bible

I have read many versions of the Bible. I happened to be thinking the other day, "What if I run out of room with all the notes that I put in my Bible???" Low and behold, I was able to request a copy of this Bible.

This is an NIV version, with devotionals spread out across to help those that are going through breast cancer or are a survivor. I am neither,  but my mother passed away from Kidney Cancer, so this is partly the reason that I got it. I really liked reading the little devos that were included. It spoke right to my heart about things that I have had to deal with while mom was going for treatments.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

I Just Graduated...Now What?

"I just graduated...now what?" I'm sure that is a question a lot of graduates ask after they complete college. They are stepping into a new world and unforeseen territory. So...what happens next?

Katherine Schwarzenegger has brought to us a collection of stories. This was not was I was expecting. I thought it was going to be some manual on how to look for, get, and keep a career. Instead I got something surprisingly different.

Can I just be honest for one second?

I was kind of disappointed in this book. Not going to sugar coat it. We all can't be pleased with things we read, or feel personally attacked because someone doesn't like what we say. Aren't we entitled to an opinion?

It is a collection of people; from celebrities to politicians. It shows their stories from where they graduated and with what major and how that stepping stone moved them into their lives they have now. A lot of them took VERY different paths than what they originally graduated with.

While that's all well and good, I could have found very similar stories with people that I know in my own community. I didn't need "famous" people to tell me how they "got famous".

I'm not saying that's bad either. Some people will feel encouraged by these stories. I just personally didn't.

**NOTE: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in return for my honest review. All thoughts are mine.***

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Child of Mine

I have always loved Beverly Lewis. This book is slightly different of hers from what she normally writes.

Instead of taking place in an Amish community, this book takes place in the "Englischer" world. It was a nice variation of hers.

I don't want to give too much away. This book has twists and turns all through it. It kept me guessing. It was a little slow to start for me, but once it got going, then I whizzed right through it. Normally, I can tell what is going to happen in the end with her books. I kept making the wrong guesses though.

Good, clean reading. Romance, suspense, and light hearted laughter from a little girl. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes to read about those things.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Butterfly and the Violin

This story has two stories that meet together: one from the past and one from present day. The past is about a promising violinist that helped smuggle Jews during the Holocaust and she too is taken to a prison camp. The other, is about a woman who is in the search of a rare painting of this promising violinist. 

The Butterfly and the Violin, is the first book in Kristy Cambron’s debut series "A Hidden Masterpiece". This book is about the story the painting tells, and the impact the story has on Sera James.

The book switches between both time periods with ease. I was never confused as to which era I was in. Kristy Cambron writes with a clarity and authority on her subject matter. Even though this book is classified as Historical Christian Romance, anyone, regardless of their reading preference, will certainly love this story. I am looking forward to the second book in the series when it releases.

**NOTE** I received this book for free in return for my honest review from BookLook Bloggers

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Urban Watercolor

I love art. I love to paint. I am new to watercolor and I was excited to get this book.

Urban Watercolor Sketching is a great instructional for anyone who is just beginning to learn watercolor to the person that is a seasoned artist looking for a new angle on how to approach the medium.

I love the beginning on how watercolor was birthed. I didn't know this and I have a better appreciation for the medium.

The text is visually paired with colorful images. This book is not a how-to paint a picture with instruction. It is a guide on the materials used- from paper to brushes. It is a book that helps you expand on your imagination, changing the perspective of a view, and helping the artist grow. It is a about the art of storytelling through painting.

I putzed around with some of the guides and found it very easy and understood more about watercolors versus watching a video. Which is not like me....I'm a very visual learner, and this book helped me dig into myself and pull out feelings and expressions that I didn't know I had.

I received this book from Blogging for Books in return for my honest review of the product. I did not get paid for my review, but got a free copy of the product. 

Thursday, June 5, 2014

I Quit Sugar

Where do I begin? I happen to love sugar. I sympathize with you, Sarah, I really do. However....can I completely give up sugar all together?

When I first started reading this book, I thought I'd give it a shot. Now, I'm not so convinced that  I could ever do it. I love fruit and I adore honey (both of which have, you guessed it, sugar.) But I dug in and took a deep breath.

I like her honesty in the beginning. She was a sugar addict. I can't say that I am a sugar addict. I don't eat a lot of sweets, but I love fruit (as I said) as a snack. I never really ate a lot of candy, but there are lots of foods that have hidden sugars in them, and if you can make it yourself (almond milk...I love almond milk, and there can be lots of hidden sugars in almond milk from store bought brands. If you make it yourself, so much better. She includes a recipe in the book that seems fairly simple....)

The book starts out with stats about sugar and then goes in to an 8 week "sugar free detox". While there are lots of great tips, I don't think I'd EVER make it past day two without wanting a strawberry. I'm obsessed....I love strawberries. Sorry, Sarah.

Then, there are the 108 recipes. Oh my goodness, I want to try so many of these. I made a few and they are extremely simple. Sarah explains in the beginning of the book that she does not like to waste, likes simplicity, and doesn't consider herself much of a "cook". So the recipes have very few ingredients and are quick and easy. While I do this already, she shows you how the freezer will become your new best friend for stocking up on things. While people may feel it's more time consuming or expensive, in the long run, it's going to save you time and money when you freeze your own stocks and sauces.

I don't think I could quit sugar. While I'm going to incorporate a lot of these recipes in to my cooking and life to have a healthier body, mind, and spirit, I could never ever turn my back on my fruits and honey. But if you have the willpower and stamina, GO FOR IT! I'd love to hear your results. Sarah also has a website: I Quit Sugar that you can check out as a companion with the book.

**NOTE: All my views are mine alone. I am receieved this book from Blogging for Books in return for a fair and honest review of the product shown. I am not getting paid to review this book. **

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Capturing Love


Now....some of you might be thinking, "Oh my goodness, what is this she is posting..." because this is not my typical book that I would blog about. HOWEVER, I am SO SO SO grateful for Blogging for Books for their new opportunity for bloggers to branch out and try different genres of books. It makes blogging SO much more fun!

When I first saw this book, I saw it was about photography. Now, I am in so shape or form a professional photographer, but I'm a sucker for a good photograph that captures the essence of a moment. That was what drew me to this book. 

I thought it was going to be about all pretty pictures....that was what I was excited about. But this book was so much more than that. While this book is geared toward the photographer and helping capture the special moment between the same sex couple (this is what they refer to the couple as throughout the book) with amazing images that took my breath away, it is a great in depth "instructional" if you will. There are so many great tips and techniques for any photographer. It's chock full of different ideas. Whether you are shooting gay or straight sessions....anyone can learn from and gain from this book. Focusing on different angles, settings and emotions for the couples is an important part of creating the mood and capturing the couple in any photography session. This gives added advice on "general" portraits.

I also had a new perspective on the same sex marriage. I think they are beautiful and this book captures the moment for each couple beautifully. 

Martie Maguire (formally of the Dixie Chicks) states it wonderfully in her Forward about what this book is really about: "...this book not only offers an amazing collection of images of love between two people, their families, and friends, it also offers a practical and insightful step-by-step instruction for photographers on how to capture these unique wedding moments. It breaks down a million and one reasons why approaching a nontraditional wedding may require a different set of skills and considerations, and in the this book lie many ideas and solutions."

I hope you take the time to look at the amazing pictures and maybe learn something in the process. 

***This review was done solely off my own views of the subject matter. I received this book free from Blogging for Books in return for an honest review of the product. I am not getting paid to review these books.***

Friday, May 23, 2014

Silenced

When I first got this book, I was intrigued. I started reading it and the first sentence got me hooked. However, I started the second chapter......looked at the spine of the book, and didn't realize it was the fourth book of a series....

The only downfall to being a book blogger, is the company's don't always tell you that a book is part of a series...or silly human error on my part that I didn't bother to read more in to it before I started reading it.

But...I kept on hoping that I would understand. And honestly...the book did a good job of doing that for me. I may not have known who all the characters were at first, but like meeting new people, you eventually get to know them.

Now I'm almost tempted to go back and read the other books to learn more about everyone...from the beginning.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

10 Days Without....

What would you do if you went 10 days without something you thought to be essential? Would you be able to survive without your phone, iPad, computer...? What about shoes? Or a coat?

Daniel Ryan Day did just that...amongst many other things. He went 10 days without shoes, 10 days without furniture, 10 days without a coat....to help raise awareness for many of the world's problems. Things we take for granted. He shared his story with us and he challenges the reader to take that step and go 10 days without something.

Sounds pretty simple doesn't? I tried it and I didn't even make it one day without my shoes. JUST THE FIRST CHAPTER ALONE! It's not as easy as it sounds. In the 1st World...we are spoiled. We take so much for granted....we are so dependent on so many things.

This book should be a regular in churches, businesses, etc....to challenge people to open their eyes and help humanity.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Veggie Tales: Pirates, Mess Detectives, and a Superhero

ARGH!!!!

So, if you are a kid, or a big kid like me, you might have heard of a crazy group of veggies that love to sing, dance, and tell amazing stories of life and the Bible.

This book is no exception to the rule. I LOVE Veggie tales. This is a Beginner's Reading #1 in the Zonderkidz I Can Read Series. There are 5 levels: My first, and 1-4. This book is a one.

The font is very big and easy to read for the newest of readers. The pictures are vibrant and add a great aid to the reading. The stories are fun and have the timeless Veggie Tale themes. It was great to see all the same smiling faces that I grew up on when Veggie Tales firs came out many ions ago!



 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Saturday, February 1, 2014

The Daniel Plan

Without God’s power in your life, you are just running on your own energy. God never meant for you to do that. It’s like having a laptop that’s unplugged; the battery will eventually drain and shut down the computer. Why would you live like that when God created you for so much more?

This is an excerpt from the book "The Daniel Plan" by RickWarren, Daniel Amen, and Mark Hyman. I have read "The Purpose Driven Life" and "40 Days in the Word" by Rick, so I was looking forward to reading this.

For the most part, it's very similar to other healthy "plan" books. The exercises and diet regulations and advice are all very similar to so many other books out there. But it adds another element: God. God created us, God created food we eat. He did not create all the trash that most American's put in their bodies. So having this parallel with a lifestyle plan helps. I liked some the recipes that were in the book and I'm looking forward to trying it. The plan seems overall pretty easy to follow.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Andi Unexpected

This was a cute book. Very short read for me. I was able to read this in one night.

I know I'm an adult, and this is a children's novel, but sometimes, you just have to let the brain rest. And this was just what I needed.

Andi and her sister Bethany move in with their aunt. Andi (or Andora as we find out) is named after someone in her family. While living with her aunt, her new friend, Collin, and her spend time together cleaning out her aunt's attic to make room for Andi's new room up there. They end up going on an adventure after finding an old box. What's in it? Why is her name on it?

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a new book for their child to read. It's a wonderful little tale. One that I could even see being made into a movie.

Lovology

What does love really mean?

"Love is a noun and a verb."
"'Love' is a junk drawer we dump all sorts of ideas into, just because we don't have anywhere else to put them. Example, I 'love' God, I 'love' fish tacos. See the problem?"

John Mark Comer has a way to reach the human heart and mind. Some might find some of the things he says as crass (example would be when talking about the desire for porn he says "jacking off"), but honestly, he is using lingo that many people use in every day talk.

He helps us see what love is. From God coming to Earth as a human, to gay relationships. And everything else in between during a relationship about a man and his wife. They are your friend, partner, and lover.

I love when "Christian" authors aren't afraid to talk about sex and marriage and how they are so important and entwined. GOD MADE IT. It's NOT a taboo. After all, Song of Songs is a love poem dedicated to a man and a woman and their romance and desire for each other. I grew up in a home where sex was NOT talked about and was told how 'bad' it really is. I have a very open relationship with a man that has become my best friend and we have a long distance relationship. While we may not have the physical implication between us, we do have very intimate talks about sex. He is the only one that I have felt safe talking about things like that. I don't feel embarrassed. I think that is what God wants for us when we find our mate.

Also, I love how John Mark talks about singleness as being a gift. I remember for the longest time wanting to get married and have children. I still do, but at the same time, that intense waiting was the WORST! But, the waiting brought a very special man in my life as well a stronger relationship with God.

This book is for everyone: single, engaged, married, gay/straight. We are all in need of love. And this book reminds us what it is to love and be loved.

On the down note, the only thing that I had a hard time with was the pink pages with white writing. once my eyes adjusted to it, it was a shock to switch from the pink to a plain page! But over all, this was a very quick read and suggest it to everyone.

Friday, January 17, 2014

Burning Sky

Based during the 1700's, Willa Obenchain was a fourteen year old girl abducted by Mohawks and taken as a captive and was given the name Burning Sky. She married a warrior, has children. When her husband and children die, she decides to return to her family. But will they remember her?

Burning sky is a stunning story about heartache, struggle, and love. It is a story of real hurts and pains and you relate well with the characters. The visualization of the land and the people draw you in and create a story around you. There is beauty in knowing that from the ashes we can rise again.

Friday, December 27, 2013

Rebellious Heart

What does one do on a Christmas holiday? Catch up on reading, that's what I do at least.

I finally got around to reading Rebellious Heart. When I first got the book I was excited to read it. Then school started, and other things happened in the family that I had to put it off for months. I finally was able to catch up and read it.

I read a lot of reviews saying that they couldn't put this book down, and that it was an amazing read. While it wasn't the worst storyline I could have ever read, it wasn't on my top 10 reading list though. For me, the beginning was slow moving and I had a hard time getting in to it. The book is loosely based on the story of John Adams and I loved the HBO movie. When I first got the book, I had no idea that it was based on that. I don't know much about historical events, as in details, so I do not know how closely this story was really related to the story of John Adams. It was a pleasant read once I got into the book.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Doon

Scootish Moors, fancy dresses, medieval like town, fantasy, tales, mystery.

A boy in a kilt.

Everything your heart could want in a fantasy-like setting....

I'm a sucker for Young Adult collections...however, I'm starting to realize my obsession has gotten a little crazy and it's taken over my reading time a little too much. But I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with this one.

While I thought that the book was going to be based solely on Veronica, Makenna's best friend, I was glad to see that it wasn't just about her. The book is broken up in to chapters for each girl and I had to remind myself that the POV was from one of the two girls.

Makenna inherits her Aunt Gracie's estate in Scotland and she takes Veronica with her. Veronica, on the other hand, has been seeing a mysterious boy in a kilt, and thinks she's gone mad. ENTER: a trip to Scotland with Makenna to see her Aunt's house. They find Gracie's journal about stories that Makenna had grown up listening to and it all goes on from there.

I don't want to say too much considering it will give stuff away. I think this would be a great movie (MUCH BETTER THAN TWILIGHT!!!!!) I think it's kind of funny that it's labeled as "Christian" young adult, only due to some minor language and some more intimate relationship settings. Other than that, I can totally see the two girls talking. The use of "teen" language is heavy through the book and you can feel the teenage atmostphere. Which is fine for me, because teenagers are an interesting species. :)

Now...of to find me MY boy in a kilt....(my boyfriend is of Scottish/Irish ancestry, and he's HOT in a kilt!!)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com®  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Samson

I'm not normally one to read books on the Holocaust, or boxing, or anything that sound remotely like a "guy's" kind of read. However, something drew me to this book.

Based on true events, Shawn Hoffman weaves a wonderful tale about a man named Samson and what he must do to save his family. He is found out that he was a previous boxing champion and is ordered to box for entertainment of those that run the concentration camp he is in. However, there's a catch. Winner gets extra rations, loser gets death in the gas chamber. An unlikely friendship between Samson and a Polish Catholic priest begins to blossom. Samson is down on his faith and wonders where is God when he needs him the most.

This is a great story. A part of history is being retold and you can't help but feel like you are part of the story. Shawn did an excellent job at having the story unfold. It's a tough story to read, but worth every minute.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Dear Mr. Knightley

I've always been a Jane Austen fan. There was always something about her writing that intrigued me. Maybe it was because I was always in love with times gone past and am a romantic at heart.

When I first read the book, I was hoping it was going to be something like the book "Austenland" (which is actually mentioned in the storyline a few times, along with other Jane Austen tales and classics of the time). The story is written in a series of letters to a man named Mr. Knightley. It took me a little bit to get into it, but as the story started to develop, I found it easier to follow along. I was almost ready to throw the towel in. Then...Alex came along. And it was much better from there. A little slow starting (for me at least) but over all a good read.