Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Washington, Legacy of Leadership

Authors: Paul Vickery and Stephen Mansfield
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 19, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595552804

My thoughts:

Once the most popular man in America, General Washington was great in many ways-- “Father of Our Country”; a statesman, a hero and a gentleman. Serving for many years in the service of his country, he was a man of courage and principle. He was a man that went far above and beyond what would be required of or expected of a soldier and leader. Although, he was flawed, he was a man of honor who stood up for what he believed to be right. Washington, A Legacy of Leadership is an intimate look into his life and the decisions that made him so loved by his country.

It is well-written and packed with information about George Washinton‘s life. The reader will come away with a new, enhanced regard for the man who fought so diligently for America. If you love biography and history, this is definitely for you. I personally enjoyed the way the author helped the reader travel back in time, to meet and understand this American hero and genius.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Georgia Bottoms / Review

Author: Mark Childress
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
1 edition (February 23, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780316033046

Book Description:
Georgia Bottoms is known in her small community of Six Points, Alabama, as a beautiful, well-to-do, and devoutly Baptist Southern belle.

Nobody realizes that the family fortune has long since disappeared, and a determinedly single woman like Georgia needs an alternative, and discreet, means of income. In Georgia's case it is six well-heeled lovers-one for each day of the week, with Mondays off-none of whom knows about the others.

But when the married preacher who has been coming to call (Saturdays) decides to confess their affair in front of the whole congregation, Georgia must take drastic measures to stop him. In GEORGIA BOTTOMS, Mark Childress proves once again his unmistakable skill for combining the hilarious and the absurd to reveal the inner workings of the rebellious human heart.

My thoughts:
I'm not going to do a book report here since you can find that above in the Book Description, but I will say I loved the small town feel of the book. A charming southern read!

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

The Language God Talks (On Science and Religion)

Author: Herman Wouk
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Back Bay Books (May 30, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316078441

Book Description:

"More years ago than I care to reckon up, I met Richard Feynman." So begins Herman Wouk's trenchant and exhilarating book on navigating the divide between science and religion.

Told by Feynman in that first meeting that he must learn "the language God talks"-calculus-Wouk set in motion the lifelong inquiry that has culminated in this rich, compact volume. Wouk draws on stories from his own life, on key events from the twentieth century, and on encounters not just with Feynman but with other masters of science and religion to address the eternal questions of why we are here, what purpose faith serves, and how scientific facts fit into the picture.

About the author:
Herman Wouk's acclaimed books include The Will to Live On, This Is My God, Pulitzer Prize winner The Caine Mutiny, The Winds of War, and War and Remembrance.

My thoughts:
TLGT is a thought-provoking work by one of our great authors. Although, more for the intellectual than for the casual reader like myself, The Language God Talks is a humble, wise, and contemplative readI did not come away with anything earth shaking, but I did feel I had just had a personal visit with the legendary Mr. Wouk.

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Garden Poetry Book Giveaway

Spring is here and it's time for a giveaway! The Serenity Gate is giving away one brand new copy of "The Bouquet" by A Lady. If you love gardens and gardening you will love this beautiful book of poetry, featuring the hidden language of flowers. Our giveaway will take place on June 1st, so be sure to enter. It's easy! Enter now!!

Easy rules:
1. Must be a follower of The Serenity Room or Everything Victorian and More.
2. Must leave a comment telling us about your favorite flower and leaving your email address

Book Description:

A beautiful collection of 117 flower meanings, each accompanied by poems, that will inspire you in your garden. The crocus, lily, rose, jasmine, geranium, daisy, and many more are included in this beautiful book. It would be a wonderful addition to your library or an excellent gift. If you enjoy flowers and gardening, you will delight in the language of flowers revealed in, The Bouquet. This is an all new edition of the book published in 1844. It is not a photocopy or OCR. It has been meticulously edited and reformatted to meet modern standards.

My Review:
I received my book today and I'm thrilled with all the beautiful poetry relating to flowers! Did you know that once there were secret meanings connected to various flowers and that family, friends, and lovers understood those meanings? I've read many times about the Gilly Flower in Victorian literature, but didn't know it means "bonds of affection." To understand those non-verbal expressions is one thing that makes this book so beautifully intriguing.  It not only unlocks those secrets, but also acquaints us with the poetry surrounding it.  Reading "historical romance" will never be the same with this helpful book on my nightstand.

With the onset of Spring, what perfect timing for the entrance of this new edition of the first copy published in 1844. THE BOUQUET would make the perfect gift or addition to any gardener's library. And again, don't forget how helpful it is to understanding the floral aspects of Victorian literature. What a treat!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway and good luck to all!!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Fearless Baker / Review

Authors: Emily Luchetti
and Lisa Weiss
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (May 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316074284

Book Description:

What could be more satisfying than presenting friends and family with a perfectly crafted homemade dessert, fresh out of the oven? Yet for many, the idea of baking is intimidating; rolling out pie dough or making a cake from scratch is akin to climbing Mount Everest.

THE FEARLESS BAKER is a beginner's baking guide written to empower home cooks with spot-on advice and a cache of go-to recipes. Renowned pastry chef Emily Luchetti guides novice bakers through her amazing recipes to troubleshoot their most common pitfalls. Charming color illustrations and photographs of real-life beginning bakers in action complete the instruction, turning even the most tentative baker into a fearless one.

My thoughts:

Written for the beginner-cook, The Fearless Baker is packed with easy, yummy recipes: cookies, bars, and bites; cakes; pies and tarts; fruit; no baking required; dessert sauces; and breakfast treats. I especially like the 3:00 PM Chocolate Pick-Me-Up Cookies that are made with chopped pecans and dark chocolate. Each recipe also comes with question and answers for the cook who may be just a bit lost in the kitchen setting. I definitely give this one 5 stars*****

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

A Crowded Marriage

Author: Catherine Alliott
Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (May 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402253192

Book Description:

'Til death do us part jut might cause you to wring someone's neck...

Imogen Cameron can't quite figure out how she and her husband, Alex, have plummeted from living in their beloved London townhouse to scraping by in his exgirlfriend's guest cottage. But although the scenic pastures might inspire her flagging artistic career, and getting out of the city might do their son good, Imogen wonders if all the country air in the world could calm the crowds that are invading her marriage.

There's a gaggle of psychotic chickens, an infuriatingly bossy vet, that oh-so-sweet ex-girlfriend-and the feeling that her husband is preoccupied with more than just his job. International bestselling author Catherine Alliott delivers an "intelligent, acutely drawn picture of a difficult marriage" (Daily Telegraph), crafting a witty, sophisticated, and poignant exploration of relationships and family.

My thoughts:

Just in time for a light, summer beach read. The book starts off a bit slow, but it does pick up speed and becomes quite hilarious in time.

(thanks to Sourcebooks for my review copy.)

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Join Us On FaceBook

We are now on facebook under the "community" title "Books, so many books"....

Join us by typing the title into the fb search program and hitting "like".  Please join us so we can talk about the books and authors we like!

Friday, May 13, 2011

Only You Can Save Your Kids: Teen Drug Use and How to Stop It

Author: Dr. Michael J. Reznicek
Paperback: 46 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace
(February 16, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1460924177

Book Description:

Dr. Reznicek is a clinical psychiatrist who offers radical advice for parents who want to keep their teens away from drugs: take complete control of your child’s life. He says parents have all the tools they need to keep kids drug-free: clear expectations, close supervision, home drug-testing and swift consequences for drug use. He is a harsh critic of the disease model of substance abuse and drug rehab, which he says enables drug use. Rehab teaches teens that drug abuse is a brain disease and that quitting is so complicated it requires trained experts. Neither is true. The disease model also makes parents think they are inadequate for the job. This is an iconoclastic, thought-provoking 9600-word essay that will unsettle anyone who thinks the medical profession holds the keys to solving the drug problem. It is full of common sense and hope—it shows that real help for teens is much closer to home, and much less complicated than many think.

My thoughts:

Drug use among teenagers is epidemic. This 40+ page booklet may very well be the most important literature a parent, grandparent, teacher, minister, or mental health professional will ever read. It gives concise, easy to understand, surefire ways to prevent drug abuse before it starts.  A copy should be given to each new parent as they leave the hospital with their infant (it's never too early to start). It should also be available through ministers and other community leaders.

 
Only You Can Save Your Kids is a must read for those who wish to prevent problems before they start. It is definitely the best I have read on the subject. I agree with Dr. Reznicek's advice and will give copies to my friends and family. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars*****


About the author:

Dr. Michael J. Reznicek is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience. He has practiced in the military, in hospital-based community settings, in prisons, and in state hospitals. He currently practices in the Department of Corrections in Washington state. Dr. Reznicek has extensive experience in the field of substance abuse. He has written for The Weekly Standard, the Omaha World Herald and has had letters in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other publications. He has been a guest on numerous talk-radio shows at the local, national and international levels where he has discussed drug abuse. He is an outspoken critic of the way psychiatry over-medicalizes human behavior.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

The Bouquet (Containing the Poetry and Language of Flowers)


Author: A Lady
Paperback: 132 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (May 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1461094577

Book Description:
A beautiful collection of 117 flower meanings, each accompanied by poems, that will inspire you in your garden. The crocus, lily, rose, jasmine, geranium, daisy, and many more are included in this beautiful book. It would be a wonderful addition to your library or an excellent gift. If you enjoy flowers and gardening, you will delight in the language of flowers revealed in, The Bouquet. This is an all new edition of the book published in 1844. It is not a photocopy or OCR. It has been meticulously edited and reformatted to meet modern standards.

My Thoughts:
I received my book today and I'm thrilled with all the beautiful poetry relating to flowers! Did you know that once there were secret meanings connected to various flowers and that family, friends, and lovers understood those meanings? I've read many times about the Gilly Flower in Victorian literature, but didn't know it means "bonds of affection." To understand those non-verbal expressions is one thing that makes this book so beautifully intriguing.  It not only unlocks those secrets, but also acquaints us with the poetry surrounding it.  Reading "historical romance" will never be the same with this helpful book on my nightstand.

With the onset of Spring and Mother's Day, what perfect timing for the entrance of this new edition of the first copy published in 1844. THE BOUQUET would make the perfect Mother's Day gift or addition to any gardener's library. And again, don't forget how helpful it is to understanding the floral aspects of Victorian literature. What a treat! 5 stars*****

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Nerve

Author: Taylor Clark
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
(March 6, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316042897

Book Description:

Nerves make us bomb job interviews, first dates, and SATs. With a presentation looming at work, fear robs us of sleep for days. It paralyzes seasoned concert musicians and freezes rookie cops in tight situations. And yet not everyone cracks. Soldiers keep their heads in combat; firemen rush into burning buildings; unflappable trauma doctors juggle patient after patient. It's not that these people feel no fear; often, in fact, they're riddled with it.

In Nerve, Taylor Clark draws upon cutting-edge science and painstaking reporting to explore the very heart of panic and poise. Using a wide range of case studies, Clark overturns the popular myths about anxiety and fear to explain why some people thrive under pressure, while others falter-and how we can go forward with steadier nerves and increased confidence.

My Thoughts:

Although fear and anxiety can be appreciated by every human and is a part of our nature, I thought the book would be a bit boring. But the author has written this with skill and humor, giving mere mortals the tools and insight to navigate life with confidence and success. It is well-written, bringing understandable science to the layman's table. Finding serenity in a world of stress can bring joy into our lives--this book helps find a way to achieve that state of being.

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Mothers and Daughters


Author: Rae Meadows
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
(March 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780805093834

Book Description:

A rich and luminous novel about three generations of women in one family: the love they share, the dreams they refuse to surrender, and the secrets they hold...
Samantha is lost in the joys of new motherhood—the softness of her eight-month-old daughter's skin, the lovely weight of her child in her arms—but in trading her artistic dreams to care for her child, Sam worries she's lost something of herself. And she is still mourning another loss: her mother, Iris, died just one year ago.

When a box of Iris's belongings arrives on Sam's doorstep, she discovers links to pieces of her family history but is puzzled by much of the information the box contains. She learns that her grandmother Violet left New York City as an eleven-year-old girl, traveling by herself to the Midwest in search of a better life. But what was Violet's real reason for leaving? And how could she have made that trip alone at such a tender age?

In confronting secrets from her family's past, Sam comes to terms with deep secrets from her own. Moving back and forth in time between the stories of Sam, Violet, and Iris, Mothers and Daughters is the spellbinding tale of three remarkable women connected across a century by the complex wonder of motherhood.

About the Author

Rae Meadows is the author of Calling Out, which received the 2006 Utah Book Award for fiction, and No One Tells Everything, a Poets & Writers Notable Novel. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Visit Rae Meadows' website at www.RaeMeadows.com.

My thoughts:

As a mother and daughter, I loved how Rae Meadows wove together the story of three generations of women. It is rich in character development and story line. Very well-written. I enjoyed it very much.

(Thank you to Henry Holt and Company for my review copy.)

Hawks Mountain

Author: Elizabeth Sinclair
Paperback: 188 pages
Publisher: Bell Bridge Books (January 31, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9781611940107

Book Description:

Rebecca Hawks has come home to remember who she was before the lure of life as a social worker in a big city nearly destroyed her-and might, still. She's moved back to her family's namesake mountain in West Virginia, where Granny Jo Hawks can help her forget the horrors she'd seen and been unable to prevent.

Ex-Navy Corpsman, Nicholas Hart, has moved to Hawks Mountain in hope that its timeless Appalachian serenity will help him overcome his painful war memories.

Now Rebecca and Nicholas must find each other-and their chances of a life together after putting the past to rest-on Hawks Mountain.

Elizabeth Sinclair is the award-winning, bestselling author of numerous romance novels and two acclaimed instructional books for writers. Her novels have been translated into seven languages and are sold in seventeen countries. She lives in St. Augustine, Florida, with her husband and two dogs.

My thoughts:

Since one of my favorite settings is the West Virginia hills and the Appalachian area, I found Hawks Mountain serene and enchanting--romance at it's best. The writing is clear and flows with ease. I was taken by the down-to-earth characters. Hawks Mountain left me begging for more! Ms. Sinclair is a superb writer.

(Thank you to Bell Bridge Books for my review copy.)

Monday, May 2, 2011

Once In A Lifetime Dog

Author: Chantelle Hildreth
Paperback: 318 pages
Publisher: Outskirts Press
(November 26, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1432754599

Book Description:

For anyone who has ever loved, and lost, a dog.

Once In A Lifetime Dog, My Borisangel, is the true, heartwarming story of Chantelle Hildreth's journey into adulthood with her dog, Boris, a massive, elegant white beast with more personality, grace and charm than most people you'll ever meet. He was her companion, best friend and, at her side, every step of the way. Boris was Chantelle's study partner through the rigors of law school, her backbone in her first teaching position, the inspiration for the purchase of her first home, the first child of her marriage and an infallible source of comfort and strength through the trials of her pregnancy.

Boris was all-things good. He was the embodiment of love, friendship, happiness and hope. He was gentle and kind, but strong. Boris possessed the keen ability to know a person's true character. He was her protector always, even when she did not think she needed it. And, he was always right.

Once In A Lifetime Dog, My Borisangel, is a true story of unconditional love, the heartache of loss and the astonishing and uncanny ability of the special animals in our lives to teach some of the most profound life lessons.

It is a love story. A story of how much a dog loved his owner and just how much she loved him, a love that changed her forever.

Boris stood by the one he loved, so in the end, when he left her, she could stand-alone.

For anyone who has ever had that one special dog, this touching story will rekindle both the joy and the heartache we experienced and take us back to the unconditional love we felt for that ever so special friend, the one who truly was, a once in a lifetime dog.

My thoughts:
If you have ever loved a dog, you will love this true story. It will touch the heart--a story of unconditional love and loyality, friendship and heartache, loss and hope. It is a story that gave me some sadness and much joy. Highly recommended.

(thank you to the author for my review copy)