Book Review: The Austen Escape

I love Jane Austen.

I love stories inspired by Jane Austen.

I was extremely excited to read this. However, this book fell short of what I was expecting.

The book started really slow for me, and I kept reading, hoping that it would get better. But...it didn't. At least not for me.

This review is going to be very short because I don't honestly don't know what to say about it. I tried hard to like it, I really did. Makes me sad because I really wanted to add this to my Austen collection.

Book Review: Keto Reset Diet

I don't like "diets". I have tried way too many different ones in the past.

I will be honest, that I didn't fully follow the 21 day reset. It wasn't my intention to do that when I requested the book.

I was, however, interested in learning more about the Keto lifestyle and how it would be good for me, as a cancer survivor. Right now, I am trying to be as alkaline as possible, and sometimes it is harder than it should be, when you have been living in a world full of meals on the run and fast food places on every corner.

I did like the explanation about what Keto is in the beginning part of the book. It was very informative and easy to read, not giving all the science behind everything. Let's face it...some people just aren't into all that kind of things - just want to learn how this lifestyle works, why it's good, and how it will benefit my health.

I read through the 21-day reset and it seemed like it would be fairly easy to follow. My only problem is I am on a budget and can't always afford to buy a good portion of the things in the books that I read, so I tailor it to my lifestyle.

I also don't like books that give you recipes and they have terribly long ingredients list, complex directions, and foods that are not easily accessible to my part of the world.

I did like a good portion of the meals - easy to follow, easy to find products, and great tasting...despite the fact that they were healthy!!

I will be trying to incorporate more keto in my diet and help my body heal from years of neglect. I only get this one body, and I need to take care of it so I can live to be 190. :)

Book Review: NIV Color Code Bible

I don't think that a person can ever have too many Bibles - especially if they are from different translations, or if you are like me, and do a lot of Bible journaling with highlighting and marking notes. You eventually will run out of room.

A couple years ago, I came across a well-known website where they do a lot of color coding in the Bible - different topics are given different colors (God, Jesus, Family, Love, etc...)

I came across this Bible and thought, wow, this is great! I read that it was for children. However, I am in my 30's and I loved the color coding of the different Bible passages. As a visual learner, the color coding really helps to remember the different verses and the symbolism and meaning to each one.

I believe that this Bible would be great for anyone....from the person picking up a Bible for the first time, to the person that has almost every verse written on their heart. What a great way to remember the story of God's love for us!

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.