Book Review: How to Set a Table

Super cute book about how to set a table.

Pictures are beautiful. The examples given, and the text are super easy to read.

Great ideas from formal dining, to setting up for a movie night or camp out.

This book would be a great idea for someone that is having a housewarming. I would recommend giving to a college student as well, as these tips could be used on their meager living.

Book Review: God's Book of Prayers

I was expecting a book full of wonderful, devotional kinds of prayers.

What I received was something very different from the above.

The author explains that this book was something that he wanted to write for a long time - a book full of all the prayers in the Bible.

I thought, "Oh, this will be a wonderful piece and handy place so that I can read a prayer and have it right at my fingertips." I was very wrong.

To me, this book read more like college course book. And maybe that is a good thing in of itself - to be used as a supplemental book in a Theology/Biblical course.

On a daily reading book though - I found it very hard to follow.The beginning reads as an informational guide of what prayer is. The second part of the book is all the prayers listed out prayed by the people or God.

I have mixed feelings on this. As a stand alone just a lazy day read - not good for me. As a piece that could be used as a Biblical course - quite a nice addition.

Book Review: The Mediterranean Love Plan

I often see people so in love when I walk down the street and I smile. What really awes me is couples well into their golden years, still sneaking a kiss or holding hands, and showing genuine affection for each other. 

I am not married, but hope to be some day. But that doesn't mean that I can't prepare my heart for what is yet to come. 

Marriage isn't an easy thing. But sometimes, relationships, whether they be romantic or platonic, have moments of struggle and I think that we can learn a lot from couples who are deeply in love for years and year.

The Mediterranean Love Plan offers so many tips on intimacy can be found in the daily lives of those in Italy, Greece, Spain, France and Israel. There are such great ideology that can be integrated into our hustled lives here in America - which we forget just how busy we truly are to just sit and enjoy.

Some things I learned while reading this book:
1. A great marriage is possible for anyone who works at it. 
2. Healthy, passionate marriages develop from healthy, passionate individuals.
3. Specific (simple!) suggestions are needed because some of us are a little clueless. 

This book is a fun, light read on making marriage fun and passionate. I found that the tips weren't just effective for marriage, but for enjoying a passionate life in general. The author compares passionate marriage and sex to delicious food, and writes about how to enjoy both. 

I would recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a healthy relationship - no matter what kind!

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers for free in return for my honest, sincere opinion. No monies were exchanged.

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.

The Inkblots

I have always been fascinated how the mind works. People think it is such a simple thing. It is clearly not.

I remember doing the inkblots in school at one time, and in an actual counseling session. I remember my counselor asking: "What do you see?" Afraid to say what I was seeing, or lack thereof, whether I would be wrong or not, was something that always made me ponder.

While this book is very meaty in terms of the story behind Hermann Rorschach, it was very interesting to learn the history behind the man, and the reasoning behind the inkblots.

Some people will either find this work of literature boring, others too in-depth, and yet others completely overwhelmed. 

Those that have studied psychology will either agree, disagree, or agree to disagree.

Book Review: 5 Minutes with Jesus; Quiet Time for Your Soul

This was a short, super sweet book to read.

For those people who say they don't have time to sit down with Jesus, needs to read this book. Each daily devotional is 5 minutes or under (depend on fast you read, or how long you take to truly let it soak in). It was a perfect way to either start or end the day.

Honestly, every day seemed to fit just perfect with what was going on in my life at the moment. It seemed like it was written just for me, just for that moment in time. Truly like Jesus was with me knowing what I was going through.

I gifted this book to a friend after reading. I hope she enjoys it as much as I did.

Berenstain Bears: Bless our Pets - Book Review

I grew up reading the Berenstain Bears.

Who doesn't love them! Who doesn't love pets! Call me silly - but I read this to my cat...I believe he enjoyed it too.

This was a super cute, short book. A series that I loved as a kid. I thought it was cute how the animals come to church to be blessed.

This brings up the age old question: Do animals go to heaven? Do animals have souls that matter?

I honestly believe they do. God wouldn't have put these special companions in our lives they didn't. My kitty has been there for me when I needed a hug, when I felt alone, when I needed a good laugh. He has been there for me when I needed to talk to someone - and never judged me.

Animals are a true statement of what love is. And I wish we could take our animals to church with us too.

Oh what fun that would be!!