Word of the Day: halcyon

halcyon

•  noun - mythical bird; identified with the kingfisher; possessed power to calm the wind and the waves during the winter solstice
• adjective - calm; peaceful; tranquil; prosperous; golden

*Use halcyon in a sentence.

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Books in the month of July

I haven't written a book review in a long time, but I have been reading. I finished the following books in July. I have not finished any this month, but I have a few weeks to catch up. Have you read any of these books? I will post reviews of these books at a later time. I am just trying to get back in the habit of blogging and writing again.

• You'll See It When You Believe It: The Way to Your Personal Transformation by Wayne Dyer
  
• Family by J. California Cooper

Love is Never Painless by Zane

• Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg

• Peace from Broken Pieces: How to Get Through What You're Going Through

• The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Now here is what you can do since you have read thus far!!! You can click on the link and order the book I have just shared with you. If you really enjoyed reading about this book, share this post on Twitter or Facebook. Don't forget to share you thoughts and comments below.

Book Teaser: Zane Presents: Love is Never Painless (Three Novellas)

Here are the rules:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Page 93: 

• "Are those cheese grits I smell?" he asked as he took a seat at the table, the very table that she'd nearly jumped over a few hours ago in her attempt to escape him."
• "Next time you decide to hit a woman, make sure you pick one that won't strike back."

Now here is what you can do since you have read thus far!!! You can click on the link and order the book I have just shared with you. If you really enjoyed reading about this book, share this post on Twitter or Facebook. Don't forget to share you thoughts and comments below.

Turn: Remembering Our Foundations by Max Lucado

Turn: Remembering Our Foundations by Max Lucado was an interesting book.  Disregarding the separation of church and state, Lucado discusses how America should return to a biblical foundation. Extremely short, this book was definitely not what I expected nor was it the kind of book I would normally read.  I did enjoy the various scriptures highlighted throughout the text.  Have you ever read a book by Max Lucado? What is your take on this books?

Now here is what you can do since you have read thus far!!! You can click on the link and order the book I have just shared with you. If you really enjoyed reading about this book, share this post on Twitter or Facebook. Don't forget to share you thoughts and comments below.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Today, I finished reading "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. Based in the city, where I currently reside, this historical fictional novel is amazing. Perhaps, this novel appeals to me because the various landmarks mentioned I know where they are or where they were. Perhaps, the novel appeals to me because of the evident triumph one can have, if one keeps steadfast to defined beliefs and values.  I am really not sure what appeals the most.  This book highlighted a time in Mississippi's history, which many want to forget forever. However, the fictional reality of the book enforces a silent appreciation of that history and the progress which has been made.  In addition, Stockett leaves you longing for the details of the new lives for the three main characters: Skeeter, Minny, and Aibileen.  Each character's demeanor and personality is finely tailored to bring the character life and add to the plot of the novel.  I would highly recommend this book. So many lessons/themes can be retrieved from this novel including: thinking on your own is better than doing what someone tells you, live your life for you not for others, love yourself to not allow anyone to devalue you, and etc... You can gain so much for this book. I am looking forward to the movie!

Movie Tie-In

Now here is what you can do since you have read thus far!!! You can click on the link and order the book I have just shared with you. If you really enjoyed reading about this book, share this post on Twitter or Facebook. Don't forget to share you thoughts and comments below.

Camilla's Roses by Bernice McFadden

Listening to this book, while cooking dinner and fidgeting around my home, was surreal and felt like the characters were a part of my life, a part of my family. "Camilla's Roses" by Bernice McFadden starts off so seductive that you almost think you are reading a book by Zane (nothing against Zane, but you get my point).  However, the seductiveness comes to an abrupt halt with the statement, "What's this?"  Touching close to home, Camilla is only 30 years old. I am a few months shy of the BIG 30, so immediately this book caught my attention.  As the plot unfolded from the point of view of the other characters, I was really thinking what's the point.  Why am I having to get through all of this to get to what's going on with Camilla? Yet, as I get closer to the end, McFadden does a superb job of making it all fall in place.  Everyone has a dysfunctional family member, whether they have a cognition problem, they have a drug/alcohol problem, and etc... No family is perfect. "Camilla's Roses" proves that regardless of how you feel about your family and the unforgettable dysfunction your family"s roots keep it all together and holds you together, especially during situations dealing with cheating spouses and illnesses.  I really enjoyed this book.  McFadden is a wonderful author.  I also have read "The Warmest December" this week. Next on the "To Be Read" list by McFadden is "Sugar". I can't wait.

Now here is what you can do since you have read thus far!!! You can click on the link and order the book I have just shared with you. If you really enjoyed reading about this book, share this post on Twitter or Facebook. Don't forget to share you thoughts and comments below.

The Warmest December by Bernice McFadden

"The Warmest December" was a book filled with pain.  The prevalence of emotional, mental, physical abuse swallowed the plot of this book.  The predictable uncertain cycles, living in abuse, bearing down on the victims, is amazingly portrayed in this book. McFadden illustrates how from one generation to the next the abuse keeps going and the bottles keep being the soother of the pain.

The surreal pain present makes you feel sorry, makes you cringe, makes you shake your head, makes you want to help, makes you want to intervene, and makes you want to slap some sense into someone. However, the ending of the book proves that the cycle can be broken. Pain comes and goes. Circumstances change. McFadden proves that you don't have to let it control you life. Slowly you can take charge and stop the cycle. This book was phenomenal. My second book to finish by McFadden this week, "The Warmest December" was just too good to put down.

Now here is what you can do since you have read thus far!!! You can click on the link and order the book I have just shared with you. If you really enjoyed reading about this book, share this post on Twitter or Facebook. Don't forget to share you thoughts and comments below.

Some Love, Some Pain, Sometime by J. California Cooper

Some Love, Some Pain, Sometime  leaves you evaluating friendships, relationships, and life. I love the storytelling technique J. California Cooper uses to draw you into each story.  A compilation of stories, Some Love, Some Pain, Sometime are not as short as the stories in A Piece of Mine, but the stories are somewhat similar.

J. California Cooper  is a wonderful author, who exposes you to life lessons of others, which you can apply. Thanks to this book I evaluated my own life. Striving to change some things, I can credit J. California Cooper with making it real for me!

What life lessons have you learned that had a huge impact on your life?

Now here is what you can do since you have read thus far!!! You can click on the link and order the book I have just shared with you. If you really enjoyed reading about this book, share this post on Twitter or Facebook. Don't forget to share you thoughts and comments below.

Master Your Sleep - Proven Methods Simplified by Tracey I. Marks MD

Having been dealing with sleep problems for while, when I found this book on NetGalley, I was overly excited. Not only does Master Your Sleep explains sleep and its importance in your life, but Dr. Marks shares proven strategies to improve your sleep and your children sleep.  Interestingly enough, one important fact, which I did not know, was that ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is linked to inadequate sleep in children. Since reading this, I have made a more conscious effort to calculate the hours my children spend sleeping. Dr. Marks makes it clear that having a sleep routine increases the likelihood of improving your ability to sleep.  Ironically, my children have a sleep routine, but I am yet to actually create one for myself.  However, I have gone to her book website and printed out the sheets available to improve my sleeping habits.  With the abundance of information available on her website, in the book, and the book website, I can assume that Dr. Marks is an expert to be reckon with. If you are having problems sleeping, I would highly recommend this book.

Now here is what you can do since you have read thus far!!! You can click on the link and order the book I have just shared with you. If you really enjoyed reading about this book, share this post on Twitter or Facebook. Don't forget to share you thoughts and comments below.

Single Again by Victoria Jaycox

As you can see, I devoured Victoria Jaycox's book, "Single Again: A Guide for Women Starting Over," with sticky notes. Sadly, I do not own this book. This book is a library book. I am definitely going to purchase this book. Now the task remains to keep all my sticky notes for future reference. Any ideas?

This book is phenomenal. Designed for women, who are single due to being divorced or being a widow,  this book covers every single aspect of being single. From financial to sex, every relevant topic is address. I was so surprised that through my own transition, I had done some of the things suggested. What was more overwhelming was the presence of resources, life lessons from actual women, and the "matter-of-fact" writing style. 

Some of the stories shared gave me so much hope. I am not alone. My situation is not as bad as it could have been. However, I am making the best of it. Thanks to the information provided in this book I am so inspired and motivated.

Honestly, I think women, who have not been married, can benefit from this book as well.  I think that can take the suggestions, resources shared, and they can use it to inspire and motivate them. 

Addressing sexual relations, I especially liked the chart that presented the various types of sexual relationships you can engage. The chart identified advantages and disadvantages for each type. Some of the advantages and disadvantages I would never have considered at first. Celibacy was even addressed.

This book is definitely a must read, as well as one of my favorite books now. Are you single? How are you dealing with being single?

Now here is what you can do since you have read thus far!!! You can click on the link and order the book I have just shared with you. If you really enjoyed reading about this book, share this post on Twitter or Facebook. Don't forget to share you thoughts and comments below.

Cinnamon Kiss by Walter Mosley

On today, I returned the audiobook, "Cinnamon Kiss," by Walter Mosley. This book taught me that I probably should have read the Easy Rawlings's books in order. I definitely should have read this one before reading "Blonde Faith." I found myself constantly mentally referring back to what happened in "Blonde Faith," and I was comparing it to "Cinnamon Kiss." Thanks to this book, I can connect Feather's sickness, Black's relationship with Easy, Mouse's demeanor, Easy's relationship with Bonnie, and so much.

One of the things I did not like about this book was the sexual scenes. Somehow hearing them instead of reading them made the scenes appear extra vulgar and too graphic. I can't remember if "Blonde Faith" had sexual scenes. The middle of the book and close to the end was filled with those scenes. Perhaps external influences from my own life played a part in recognizing them and not being pleased. I did not think they actually added to the plot of the book.

The plot was filled with so many twists and turns. I felt like  I was on a roller coaster. I never could predict the direction. Ever time when I thought I had it figured out, turns out I was far away.

Now, the question that needs to be answered: Would I recommend this book? Yes, I would recommend this book. Why? I would recommend it because over all it was really good. The audiobook version to me made the book appear long. I listened to 6 CDs.  I have not seen the actually book, so I cannot say if it is long enough. This audiobook made me aware of Mosley's ability to draw you into the plot. Have you read this book?

Now here is what you can do since you have read thus far!!! You can click on the link and order the book I have just shared with you. If you really enjoyed reading about this book, share this post on Twitter or Facebook. Don't forget to share you thoughts and comments below.

Walking Wisdom by Gotham Chopra

Yesterday, I signed up for a library card in Madison County. That was long overdue. I really don't know why it has taken me so long to go to the library. I also picked up my first audiobook, "Cinnamon Kiss," written by Walter Mosley.

I finished my first audiobook today. The name of the book was "Walking Wisdom," written by Gotham Chopra. He is the son of a "guru," Deepak Chopra. I did not know this before checking out the audiobook and downloading the audiobook from the Madison County Library. Yet, I am really glad I read the book.

Listening throughout my day, during two workouts, running errands, unpacking at my apartment, and cleaning my apartment, I have developed a new found love for audiobooks. My mind was focused on listening and the second task at hand. I was no longer thinking of all I could be doing or the problems I have going on. Amazingly, I did not wake up with a headache/migraine. I enjoyed fully my day.

Now back to the book...

Based on the relationship dogs have with humans and other dogs, this books sheds light on many profound lessons. This book was really interesting and almost made me want to consider owning a dog in my house. Mark my words...ALMOST considered.  I know my children would probably be elated, but I don't see that happening anytime soon. Yet, I did learn that caressing and stroking a dog reduces your blood pressure. I found that extremely interesting.The lessons learned from the two family dogs are really profound. Applying life lessons like being please with just loving instead of being the one loved leaves an everlasting imprint on how you view your own life.

I was really intrigued by the examples and the rawness the author displayed in the various  images, describing the two family pets and the family interactions. for a clearer understanding.  I truly appreciated the emphasis and the importance of family in this book.  Even though he did not follow the similar path of his father, Deepak, his writing has a flow similar to what I would expect from his father.  I picked up "The Path to Love" by Deepak Chopra to get a clearer understanding of who his father is and his philosophy. I also followed his father on twitter.

This book is definitely a must read for pet owners, particularly dog lovers. They will truly be intrigued by this book, as well as appreciate their pets even more.

Now here is what you can do since you have read thus far!!! You can click on the link and order the book I have just shared with you. If you really enjoyed reading about this book, share this post on Twitter or Facebook. Don't forget to share you thoughts and comments below.