Writing my Wrongs

I won't lie when I say I wasn't one hundred percent sure on weather I wanted to read this book or not. But man I sure am glad I took a chance and picked this book up. From page one to the very end I was hooked. Shaka Senghor has a way of making you feel like you were actually there seeing the story come to life. 

I will admit I grew up a middle class white female in a loving home. Shaka's life is so far off how my experiences that I felt like I was reading a horror book. But the reality is that Shaka's story is the reality for many kids and adults these days. 

Reading this story taught me to be thankful for my surroundings and my loved ones. Also to be aware that people need help in our community. Sometimes one person can make a huge difference in someone's life. And that no matter how terrible your life may be always hold onto hope that one day things can turn around. 

I am so thankful that I received this book for free from bloggingforbooks.com for my honest review. It is a refreshing tell of street life, prison life, and then change. I love the fact we get to learn the whole story from start to finish and not just the prison side of his life. If you are looking for a story that grabs you and keeps you going to the end then I recommend this book. 

For More Information about Shaka Senghor visit shakasenghor.com. 

Inspiration and So Much More

"We see other people's faces more than we see our own. I think it is a beautiful gift for us to draw or paint someone and vice versa. When someone draws us we see an aspect of ourselves as seen through other people's eyes." Nini Teves Lapuz , USA . 

This quote really stuck with me after reading Portrait Revolution by Julia L. Kay. I have taken on an art challenge this year to draw daily. This challenge has improved my art, but also has shown me how easy it is to get into a single rhythm. 

What I enjoyed most about Portrait Revolution is the amount of reference and tips I gained from reading and absorbing the book. I gained inspiration and ideas of different paths to take with my art. I would say this book is a great reference book to explore different mediums of art. Also I enjoyed the section of the book where the artists got to speak about themselves and their art and share tips to the reader. 

If your looking for a more how to book then I would say this isn't the book for you. But if you are looking to branch out of your comfort zone and try new paths then I would for sure say grab this book and dig in. 

I am so happy to have received this book from blogging for books for free for my honest review. I will cherish this book and use it this year to push myself and my art skills daily. 

Open when. . .

I have never been a huge fan of inspirational books. I always found them over the top cheesy most of the time. But Open when. . . Letters to lift your spirits by Karen Salmansohn turned out to be a nice mix of cheese and laughter.

It was also a plus how creative the layout of the book is where it is a pop out book like your opening a real letter. It is laid out like your friend sent you decorative letters each day to open. And the artwork will leave you mind blown. I give this book five stars. My daughter who is eight even said it was a super cool book. Bonus points is that I actually shared a page or two with a friend that has been going though a tough couple of months and she said it gave her a well deserved laugh. This is a book I will definitely keep and look though when I need some smiles and laughter in my day. 

Here is some additional details written about the book:

ABOUT OPEN WHEN

Happiness expert Karen Salmansohn presents a unique interactive book that invites readers to literally open letters of encouragement, wit, and wisdom whenever they need a boost.

Inspired by the trend of “open when” letters sweeping the nation, Instant Happy author Karen Salmansohn has created a bound collection of 12 notes for readers to flip open whenever they need a pep talk. With categories like “Open when you need a laugh,” “Open when you’re feeling stressed out,” and “Open when you need courage,” these little happiness-boosters are based on Salmansohn’s viral posters that combine witty sayings with colorful graphics.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KAREN SALMANSOHN is a happiness and wellness expert who is the author of numerous best-selling self-improvement books including Instant Happy, Think Happy, Open When, and How to Be Happy, Dammit, with over one million copies sold. She has been featured on the Today show, The View, CNN, and Fox News; served as a columnist for Oprah.com, Psychology Today, CNN, MSN, Yahoo, AOL, Match, and Huffington Post; and been featured in the New York Times, Business Week, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Time, Marie Claire, Fast Company, InStyle, Self, ELLE, and the New Yorker.

I am thankful that I received a free copy of Open when... Letters to lift your spirits from Blogging with Books for my honest review.

So be You!

"So be you-fully you- a show-stopping revue. Live your life in full color, every tine, every hue." This is my favorite quote of the book When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner. It is a children's book that emphasizes that God made us all different and special. And that we should embrace that fact and stop trying to be someone else. 

Other then the powerful message that this book gives the artwork in the book is mind blowing. I found myself just sitting and browsing all the beautiful illustrations. My kids were mesmerized sitting beside me while I read the story to them. Virginia said she gives this book 5 million stars as the rating. I am so happy we received a free copy to review from BloggingForBooks.com. 

Bit Off to Much

I struggled with this book. I was only able to get though half the book. It was just to much for me. I was never grabbed by the story. I feel like it would be great for someone that has a passion for autism. I just found it very wordy and maybe to much detail. I believe I just went to far out of my favorite genre. I am happy to have received a free copy from blogging with books for my honest review. I believe next time I will stick in my favorite genre and keep to the shorter books.

Dancing in the Car Good

Every trip to the library my daughter requests me to get her any Junie B. Jones books that I can find. These are her favorite. I was super excited when I found this audio edition of Junie B. Jones First Ever Musical Edition. 

We listened to the CDs together in the car on the way to school and running errands. It was so much fun sharing this time together.

I really enjoyed the audio reading of the story on CD one. The voices for each character were wonderful. I found myself laughing as we listened to the CD. And I could tell my daughter could really relate to the story. Even brought up memories of my childhood.

The second CD consists of 16 songs from the musical. I love musicals so I completely enjoyed the songs. I was dancing and singing in the car much to the embarrassment of my daughter. My daughter enjoyed the songs but liked the audio telling of the story more.

Overall I would recommend all parents of kids in first or second grade to buy this musical edition of Junie B Jones. For more information on the author and the series visit http://juniebjones.com/author.

And in the comments below please tell me your favorite Junie B. Jones book?

***Thanks to bloggingforbooks.com for providing me a copy of the cds in exchange for my honest review