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.