Instant Happy Journal Makes Journaling a Snap!

I love Karen Salmansohn's whimsical Happy Books so there was no doubt in my mind that her new guided journal, Instant Happy Journal: 365 Days of Inspiration, Gratitude and Joy was a must-have for me.

Instant Happy Journal

I really like guided journals because it helps me to think outside the box of the usual ideas to write about. This one focused nicely on the idea of creating happiness which is something everyone is seeking. The pages are not incredibly long which makes it incredibly un-intimidating and writer friendly, especially for someone who is a beginner journaler.

This is perfect for keeping on your nightstand as a way to think back over your day or to meditate on the day ahead, or it's also a great gift for just about anyone.

Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.

Boy Meets Depression Hit All the Right Emotional Places

Writing a about depression usually falls into two categories: 1) writing about it from a medical/scientific standpoint or 2) memoir form. So when I read Boy Meets Depression: Or Life Sucks and Then You Die Live by Kevin Breel, I knew it was a first person account of a young man's struggle with depression but wasn't sure how it would be different from any of the other memoirs on depression I have read.

Boy Meets Depression by Kevin Breel

I quickly discovered a few things while reading this book. First of all, it was honest. I mean you could feel the experiences drip off the page and believe them. Second of all, it was easy to identify with Breel. His story described depression in a way that you have to stop yourself as you are reading it and say to yourself "YES! I can relate to this".  And when you are in the midst of a depression, being able to relate to someone else on that particularly dark/intense way is a comfort.

After I read this book, I quickly Googled Breel's TED talk on depression and was not disappointed. He comes off, both on the page and via video, as a young man who can put into words what it's like to live with the demons of depression. Again, it was refreshing because I felt like I knew a part of his story from having read the book, and his experience made mine easier to digest.

Depression is not a topic that lends itself well to light-hearted discussions, so keep in mind that this is an emotionally intense book. It could also trigger some people, so that is worth mentioning as well.

Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.

The Time Garden is a Fun Way to Lose Youself in the Trend of Adult Coloring Books

Adult Coloring Books. Simply put, the artful trend of the moment that is more like a way for adults to reconnect with their childhoods. The Time Garden by Daria Song is a gorgeous adult coloring book that is incredibly well-illustrated and tells a charming tale. It was easy and enjoyable for me to sit down with this book, some colored pencils, and a cup of tea and just lose myself in another world for a little while.

Have fun with this adult coloring book, The Time Garden by Daria Song.

This coloring book experience allowed me to relax and just enjoy the simple pleasures of coloring. Added bonus: I instituted "coloring time" in my home and my son and I both colored our respective coloring books side by side. Peaceful, stress relieving and a great way to unwind. I definitely recommend this book for anyone who wants to play with coloring books all over again!

Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.

Do You Have a Camera? You Need Learning to See Creatively

Calling all newbie photographers (or really anyone who wants to get better at taking pictures), you must get your hands on the newly released Third Edition of Learning to See Creatively by Bryan Peterson. Anyone who has even dabbled with their DSLR in non-automatic mode knows Mr. Peterson (you have to have had "the bible" of photography: Understanding Exposure). 

This book is really a gem for everyone who owns a camera. It's non-intimidating enough for beginners yet thorough enough for those with some more experience. Peterson deeply immerses the reader in information and tips certain to bring a fresh perspective to your photos, not to mention his own photos included in the book are gorgeous to look at. 

Bundle this one up along side Understanding Exposure and you've got all you need to creatively "see" a picture and capture it on camera. 

Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.

Bad Doctor Makes for the Best Narrator in Summer House with Swimming Pool

If I were to judge this book by it's cover, I'd say it was the perfect summer beach read. I mean it's called Summer House with Swimming Pool (by Herman Koch), which doesn't get a whole lot more summer-sounding. However, my immediate reaction while reading this book was "wow, this narrator sounds a lot like that one friend we all have that is too honest about things". You know the person: they have no filter and say exactly what they are thinking at all times even when you find yourself cringing and wishing they would just be quiet already.

Summer House with Swimming Pool by Herman Koch

This novel centers around Marc Schlosser, a family doctor who gets himself into some trouble when a patient of his dies. That's the plot but really this book is about Marc the maybe not so reliable narrator and his disturbingly honest insight into all things. From his family life, to what he really thinks of his patients, this book is one big very dark comedy wrapped up inside a not-so-thrilling thriller.

Read this book if you like to analyze the characters in the novels you read. You are guaranteed to be thinking about Marc long after you finish.

Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.

A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing isn't for Everyone, But Give it a Shot for More Ambitious Summer Reading

This book. What can I say about this book (A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing by Eimear McBride) ? I WANTED to like it. The reviews and the stellar ratings and ravings made me certain that it would fall in line with the kind of literature that I devour like ice cream on a hot day.

A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing by Eimear McBride. 

But, in keeping with the whole summer ice cream analogy, it melted before I could really appreciate what it had to offer. I just couldn't get into it. I tried. I gave it several attempts but I just couldn't stick it out. Which is unfortunate because I am not usually a book quitter.

I'm all for experimental style writing and stream of consciousness story-telling. I thought this book would be a more substantial summer read for me, but I had to abandon it. Even though it didn't work for me, I wouldn't rule it out. It won a slew of book prizes, so clearly I may be the one not getting this book. In the meantime, I'm putting it on my "to read again" shelf for another day. Maybe Winter is a better suited season for me to indulge in this one.

Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.

Poor Little Holly Madison: A Disgruntled Bunny Explains Why Her Time at the Playboy Mansion Sucked

Dear Holly Madison,

I was so excited to read your newly-released tell all memoir, Down The Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny, about life at the Playboy Mansion. I used to binge watch episodes of The Girls Next Door while I was pregnant and I couldn't wait to get an even more intimate glimpse into all the hijinks and shenanigans, the glamor and of course the drama that pervaded life at the Mansion.

Well you got the drama right. LOTS of drama. Between all the cattiness with you and the "Mean Girls" to all the backhanded comments you make alongside the name-dropping, I had to double check the cover to make sure I was reading the right book! This book read more like an attempt at explaining why everything bad or unfavorable that ever happened to you at the Mansion wasn't your fault. I mean the whole "I was there for a chance at making something bigger for myself" story got old fast.

A lot of people claim you are a gold digger and I didn't get that vibe after reading this book. However, I did walk away feeling bad for you. Instead of walking away when you could have salvaged relationships and saved face you proceeded to stick it out for seven years and then seemingly burn a lot of bridges when you left and with this book. I feel like this was your revenge to Hef and yourself for not having used Playboy as the stepping stone for what you wanted.

I wanted more juiciness! More celebrity encounters! More tales of how fairytale princess you felt while rocking the iconic bunny costume! I don't know what I was looking for exactly, but I walked away from this book feeling sad for you. Clearly your time affiliated with Playboy wasn't what I imagined it was like. That makes me wonder what else in life isn't all it's cracked up to be? Sigh.

I am glad your story has a happy ending and that you have the family you have always desired. I am sorry that you had to suffer through seven years of unhappiness to get there.

Sincerely,

a bummed out reader