Season of Fire

If you are a fan of the Hunger Games, City of Bones, and Divergent, then you will surely like this series. Remnants: Season of Fire is the second book in the Remnants series by Lisa Bergren.

While I started reading the Hunger Games books a long time ago, I much prefer to watch the movies for some reason. While waiting for Season of Fire to come, I picked up the first book, Season of Wonder. It got me hooked and ready to read this book.

This is the continuing the story of Andrei and her knight Duncan, two teens trained since birth to restore peace and order to a world in chaos. For some reason, I was picturing them to look like Katniss and Gale. But that's just me. It took me a little bit to get into the first book, but once it got going, I couldn't wait for the second one to get here. This book is full of action. It's well worth the read. 

meQuilibrium...

I have been under a lot of stress lately. Getting diagnosed with cancer, going back into Spring Sememster for school full time, and being able to work part time while I'm doing treatment. Needless to say, my body has been going through a lot.

When I saw this book on Blogging for Books for review, I decided to give it a try. I mean, I'd do anything to find a little bit of happiness in my crazy life right now.

I was a bit skeptical at first because I was always under the impression that it takes 21 days to form a habit. How can it be any different in 14 days to become happier? I've read books like the Secret and the Power. This book reminds me of that. I also visited the website and you can take one of those tests that "examine" your stress in your life. I've tried a few of the things in the book and I feel a little lighter. I'm hoping that it continues!

The Burn

I don't know why I continue to read "diet" books. I know what I need to do to help lose weight. To me, this book was just like any other diet book out there. It didn't offer any cool, new, special ideas to help lose weight healthy. I tried some of the recipes and they weren't all that great. I love my green smoothies and these made me gag. I'm all for trying new stuff but this was just the worse. I can see why you would drop 3 in 3, 5 in 5, 10 in 10. Wasn't my favorite book.

For the Right Reasons

I normally don't read biographies and authobiographies. They are not my cup of tea. I guess I was in for a little bit of a "brain mush" kind of reading, so I decided I'd give it a try. I have watched the last few seasons of the Bachelor and Bachelorette, and I think I actually started watching when Sean was the Bachelor. I'm glad that he chose Catherine. She didn't cause any drama like some of the girls and she seemed to be under the radar for most of the show. I can see how happy they are when they are together. Overall, I think that this book was like any other biography that I would expect. It was nice to see a different side though of the Sean that you only saw on the Bachelor.

Believe, NIV

When I first got this book, I thought that I was going to be getting another Bible. I opened it and went to the first chapter. I was a bit confused because I didn't know what I was reading at first. I finally figured it out.

These were stories from the Bible that help us to understand how to be more like Jesus.

The "regular" font  parts of the book are the selections from the Bible. The text that is italicized is what the author wrote about that particular text.

I was thoroughly confused at first. I had to stop reading for a little bit. I finally finished the book. It took me longer than I had planned because I had to remember what I was reading, between the author's writing and the biblical selections.

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. 

Daily Painting

Daily Painting by Carol Marine

Age Range: Anyone that wants to broaden their artistic design

Genre: Painting and creativity

Paperback: 192 pages

Publisher: Watson-Guptill (November 4, 2014)

Source: From publisher via Blogging for Books

My Rating: 5 of 5 stars

About the Book:

A unique system for jump-starting artistic creativity, encouraging experimentation and growth, and increasing sales for artists of all levels, from novices to professionals.

Do you want to bring the joy back into your art? Have you landed in a frustrating rut? Are you having trouble selling paintings in galleries, getting bogged down by projects you can’t seem to finish or abandon, or finding excuses to avoid working in the studio? Author Carol Marine knows exactly how you feel—she herself suffered from painter’s block, until she discovered “daily painting.” The idea is simple: do art (usually small) often (how often is up to you), and if you’d like, post and sell it online. Soon you’ll find that your block dissolves and you’re painting work you love—and more of it than you ever thought possible!

With her encouraging tone and useful exercises, Marine teaches you to:

• Master composition and value
• Become confident in any medium
• Choose subjects wisely
• Stay fresh and loose
• Photograph, post, and sell your art online
• Become connected to the growing movement of daily painters around the world.

About the Author:

CAROL MARINE is an artist and the creator of the popular blog A Painting a Day (or Almost). She is a member of Daily Paintworks, a distinguished group of daily painters, and she teaches daily painting workshops around the country. Marine lives in Eugene, Oregon. Visit www.dailypaintworks.com.  

My Thoughts:
   
I have read my fair share of art books beacuse I've wanted to branch out more into different mediums. I have to say, I really liked the style that Carol used in order to bring this book to life. This book is great for any artist that is just budding or an expert. She goes over some great content. I think I thought like a lot of artists and thought you had to paint BIG in order to "make it". I love how she helps you bring out different things in yourself and your medium, whatever it is. This is a great how-to to experiment with different mediums. 

I never really thought about blogging and selilng my art before. I just did it for fun. But, after reading her steps, and how easy it seems to get things going (mind you, she DOES specify that things don't happen over night....) on a blog to sell your work. I think this is something that I'd like to venture in to.

I highly recommend reading through this book and take up some of the techniques for yourself!

I received this book for Blogging for Books in return for my honest review.