Bless This Food by Adrian Butash

Bless This Food by Adrian Butash is a collection of prayers and blessings to say at mealtime. It features 160 such blessings from a variety of cultures and religions. If you enjoy saying mealtime blessings for your family, this is a book you’ll want to read!

Book Description

“Grace before meals is the prayer said most often in homes around the world, an act of worship common to every known society. The universal experience of sharing food fundamentally connects people to one another, to nature, and to the infinite. Expressing thanks for food represents a wonderful tradition that acknowledges bounty and our daily sustenance as gifts from the divine.

Bless This Food presents 160 timeless mealtime blessings in an easy-to-use format. The eloquent prayers and poems have been carefully selected from the world’s major religions, ancient traditions, and the work of great poets and thinkers, with sources ranging from Shakespeare to Starhawk, Tecumseh to the Tamil tradition, the North American plains to Pakistan. Each grace is introduced with cultural context and details about its history and evolution. Also included are two prayers in American Sign Language and the short prayer “bless this food” in nineteen languages. The result is a unique kind of soul food — and a recipe for gratitude at any mealtime gathering.” – Bless This Food

My Thoughts

Bless This Food is a beautifully gathered collection of prayers of gratitude for the food we eat. If you and your family say a blessing before meals, this is definitely a book that you would enjoy reading and incorporating some of the blessings into mealtimes in the future. The explanations on the blessings are also great mealtime conversation that will help everyone learn more about the different cultures covered in the book.

Overall, this is a fun and educational read. I especially liked reading about the history of the different blessings. I enjoyed reading this book and learning more about the other cultures that differ from my own when it comes to these mealtime blessings. I definitely recommend this book, and I also think it would make a great present for someone you know who enjoys saying mealtime blessings, too.

* Thank you to the publisher of Bless This Food, New World Library, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Grace, Under Pressure by Sophie Walker

Grace, Under Pressure by Sophie Walker is the story of the author’s experience raising a child with Asperger’s syndrome. To help deal with it, she trained for the London Marathon, and found courage and determination in herself, and her daughter, Grace.

Book Description

“By the time her daughter Grace was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, Sophie Walker’s life had unraveled. Her career was in disarray. She couldn’t sleep. She and her husband had divorced. All the while, Grace, whom Sophie had once hoped was merely shy, was withdrawn and sullen — and suffering. When Sophie remarried and had another daughter, the baby’s development forced Sophie to recognize how much Grace needed — everything from advocacy for her educational rights and protection from bullying to help with homework and making friends. When Sophie realized she was neglecting her own health and well-being — common among caregivers — she decided to train for the London Marathon. At the same time, she started the Grace Under Pressure blog to document her and her daughter’s trials and triumphs. The blog captivated readers with its honesty and real-world inspiration, as will this book of the same name.” – Grace, Under Pressure

My Thoughts

Grace, Under Pressure is such an uplifting and motivational book for people who are raising children with autism, or any other special need. As the author discovered, dealing with the situation makes you feel alone, filled with worries, and depressed. However, you aren’t alone! The author does an excellent job of really sharing her story with those who read this book, to inspire them to keep moving and be the best they can be in the situation.

I love that the author shares so much of her story and her daughter’s story with her readers. She is very honest and this honesty is what makes this book so valuable to people going through struggles in life. Her suggestions and examples can be used in many different situations in life, and for many different types of struggles people face. Her courage is an exemplary force that is inspiring. I admire her for everything she has done and continues to do to help this cause, and of course, her daughter.

This is the perfect book for someone who is going through similar struggles, and for anyone who needs some courage or motivation in their life. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Grace, Under Pressure, New World Library, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Fairest of Them All by Carolyn Turgeon

The Fairest of Them All by Carolyn Turgeon is a completely new version of the fairy tale “Rapunzel” and “Snow White.” See the characters and stories weaved together in a creative and captivating new way in this novel.

Book Description

“In an enchanted forest, the maiden Rapunzel’s beautiful voice captivates a young prince hunting nearby. Overcome, he climbs her long golden hair to her tower and they spend an afternoon of passion together, but by nightfall the prince must return to his kingdom, and his betrothed.

Now king, he weds his intended and the kingdom rejoices when a daughter named Snow White is born. Beyond the castle walls, Rapunzel waits in her crumbling tower, gathering news of her beloved from those who come to her seeking wisdom. She tries to mend her broken heart but her love lingers, pulsing in the magic tendrils of her hair.

The king, too, is haunted by his memories, but after his queen’s mysterious death, he is finally able to follow his heart into the darkness of the forest. But can Rapunzel trade the shadows of the forest for the castle and be the innocent beauty he remembers?” – The Fairest of Them All

My Thoughts

The Fairest of Them All is a book that takes my love of fairy tales and creative retelling of classics to the next level. I really enjoyed this version of the stories, and if you are a fan of fairy tales, I think you’d enjoy this novel, too.

Carolyn Turgeon is a very creative writer to take these stories and show how Rapunzel becomes Snow White’s evil stepmother. I never would have thought of doing so, but how she explains it, it really does make sense, and it just works. Her passion for the stories and her new spin on them really shines through in her writing.

The characters were mostly already known, but this novel goes into much more depth with them and really brings them to life. Personally, I enjoyed how the character worked with these popular fairy tale characters and gave them different qualities than we are used to seeing them with.

The author writes in a smooth and crisp way that makes for a very easy and enjoyable read. It isn’t too overly wordy or full of pages or paragraphs that don’t really matter. I didn’t find myself wanting to skim over anything, or thinking about how many pages were left in it. I just became involved in the story and read it like a good novel should be enjoyed.

This novel is one of my favorite new takes on classic fairy tales, and I can’t wait to read more from this very talented author. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of The Fairest of Them All, Touchstone, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Logitech Speaker System Z906 Review

Looking for a high quality speaker system for your home entertainment? The Logitech Speaker System Z906 features amazing surround sound, satellite speakers that are mountable, and a wireless remote to control it all effortlessly. Read this review of the Logitech Speaker System Z906 to find out more!

Logitech Speaker System Z906 Features

“This THX-Certified 5.1 system delivers 500 watts (RMS) of theater-quality sound. Digital and analog inputs, an easy-to-read-and-stack control console and a wireless remote let you take charge of your entertainment.

 

500-watts (RMS) of power – Make any night opening night. You get thunderous audio that can shake your house—and your whole neighborhood.

 

THX Certified - You’ve got quality you can count on—these speakers have met strict performance standards to achieve THX certification.

 

Digital Decoding - Hear every detail all around you—from the roar of the crowd to the footsteps right behind you—in your Dolby digital or DTS encoded soundtracks.

 

Digital and Analog Inputs - You’ve got the flexibility to set up your system the way you want to. Connect up to six audio sources, including your TV, Blu-ray™/DVD player, DVR, Xbox 360®, PLAYSTATION®3, Wii®, iPod®, PC and more.

 

Easy to Read Control Console - The stackable, easy-to-read design fits in with your home-entertainment system and gives you control of your audio—change the volume on all your speakers, turn the power on or off, set inputs and more.

 

Wireless Remote - You can control your listening experience without ever getting off the couch.

 

Ported, Side-firing Subwoofer - 165 watts of deep bass brings your music, movies and games to life.

 

Wall-mountable Satellites - Let you transform any room into a home theater.

 

Surround Sound with 3D Stereo - Your speakers convert two-channel stereo into an immersive surround sound experience.” – Logitech Speaker System Z906

My Thoughts

This is a serious speaker system that is perfect for the home theater or big-time gamers. If you are looking for high quality speakers for your at home theater experience, or for your favorite video games, this is definitely a system you need to check out.

The cable that comes with the product is designed for computer use. However, it can also be used with TVs, Blu-ray and DVD players, gaming consoles, music players, and other audio devices. To do so though, you need to use a digital optical, digital coaxial, RCA audio, or 3.5 mm out.

Setting up the speaker system was a little bit intimidating for me at first. I hadn’t ever set up a system quite like this before, so I made sure that everything was placed right, and was able to hookup to the subwoofer before I started. The user documentation guide that came with it explained how to set it up, and this really does help – if you read it. Once I started hooking it up, it all worked out like how it was supposed to.

I haven’t hooked it up to anything other than my computer as of right now. I would like to add my TV to this great speaker system soon though. I’ve used these speakers for playing video games, listening to music, and watching movies with. All of the media I’ve tested this out with have sounded extremely clear and is of very high quality. The sound can also be very loud without distorting. I’m very pleased with the audio output on these speakers!

The control console is easy to read and understand what is being used. The remote is simple and again, easy to use. Nothing too fancy is really needed for these, so it works well.

The only thing I didn’t really like about them is that they aren’t wireless. Having the wires everywhere is a little bit of an eyesore, but it is worth it for this kind of sound quality. There could also be some design improvements and the components could be smaller and consume less electricity. Maybe a future system from Logitech will improve on these, but until then, this is an amazing speaker system. I highly recommend it.

Disclosure: Thank you to Logitech for providing me with the product for review. All opinions, experiences, and thoughts about the product being reviewed are my own.

Speak of the Devil by Allison Leotta

Speak of the Devil by Allison Leotta is a legal thriller starring the series heroine, Anna Curtis, the federal sex-crimes prosecutor in Washington D.C. Dealing with dark themes that are inspired closely by real crimes the author prosecuted, this is one truly worthy read for fans of this genre.

Book Description

“On the very night she gets engaged to the man she loves, sex-crimes prosecutor Anna Curtis’s professional life takes a shocking turn that threatens everything she holds dear.

While Anna is enjoying a romantic dinner capped off by a marriage proposal, a few miles away two separate groups are gearing up to raid a brothel. A vicious killer known as Diablo—the Devil—leads one group. A few minutes later, Anna’s own investigative team heads in to search the brothel, as part of the fight against human trafficking in D.C. Both groups are caught off guard, with deadly results.

As Anna investigates the bloody face-off, the boundaries between her work and home life begin to blur. Though eager to focus on her new fiancé, the chief homicide prosecutor Jack Bailey, and her soon-to-be stepdaughter, Olivia, this case and the search for Diablo are never far from her mind.

When Anna discovers a web of long-buried secrets and official lies leading straight to her doorstep, the truth about this case threatens to rob her of the happiness she seemed so close to securing. And everything Anna counted on becomes a question mark as Diablo moves in for yet another kill.” – Speak of the Devil

My Thoughts

Speak of the Devil is a crime story that surrounds the life of Anna Curtis, a young prosecutor in Washington D.C. She is at a good place in her life now, but when she realizes that the very scary criminal world is coming too close to her personal life, everything can change.

I really enjoy reading the stories that the author writes about Anna Curtis. She is strong, smart, and the kind of woman we need more of in the world. In this book, you see her more vulnerable, but that only made me like her character more.

The author’s personal experiences working as a real life sex-crimes prosecutor in Washington D.C. definitely shines through in her writing. She writes with precision on the topic that goes beyond what someone merely researching the subject to write about could dream of doing. She is a star in her field of work, and I will definitely be reading more books by her in the future.

Speak of the Devil is an intense story that fans of this genre will appreciate. If you enjoy a good crime story, be sure to read this book! I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Speak of the Devil, Touchstone, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Multiple Exposure by Ellen Crosby

Multiple Exposure by Ellen Crosby is the author’s first novel in the new “Sophie Medina Mystery” series. The main character is Sophie Medina who is a photojournalist who finds herself in the middle of conspiracies, international politics, and much more.

Book Description

“When photojournalist Sophie Medina returns to London from an overseas assignment, she discovers that her husband, Nick, a geologist and covert CIA operative, has been abducted. Three months later she is shocked when a friend in the British government says Nick has been spotted in Moscow and is not only a suspect in his boss’s murder but also potentially involved in illicit Russian oil deals. With her every step now closely watched, Sophie moves to Washington, D.C., to be with her family and friends. 

There, Sophie is drawn deeper into Nick’s shadowy world. While photographing an exhibit of two never-before-seen Fabergé imperial eggs at the National Gallery of Art, Sophie is confronted by a Russian oil tycoon, implicating her husband in an international energy scheme. On the run from Nick’s enemies, Sophie plays a high-stakes game of Russian roulette as she tries to determine friend from foe and prove her husband’s innocence. 

Weaving together political intrigue, art history, and international espionage, the fast-paced Multiple Exposure is the thrilling first installment in an exciting new series.” – Multiple Exposure

My Thoughts

Multiple Exposure is a suspenseful mystery novel that I really enjoyed reading. The author did a really fabulous job with her character crafting, and I absolutely want more from Sophie Medina. Thankfully, this is a new series, so we can continue to read more about her. Her missing husband is also a big part of the story, but his working for the CIA is of course a big part of the political drama that Sophie ends up having to face as well.

The backstory to the character, and essentially, the series, is a little bit slow. However, I think that it works out well overall and includes essential information that the reader needs to fully engross themselves in the series. After the backstory melds into the current situations, it moves quickly and is a breeze to read through. The pace is just right, and at least for me, kept me up late to finish.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel. The author writes in a very flowing manner that makes it an easy and fun read. I can’t wait to read more from this series, and the author. I definitely recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Multiple Exposure, Scribner, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A Walk Through the Dark by Eva Piper

A Walk Through the Dark by Eva Piper is an account of the author’s experience of being a caretaker for her husband after he had an accident, and was dead for a short time before being brought back to life.

Book Description

“One day Eva Piper was an elementary school teacher, the mother of three, the beloved wife of a strong, protective husband.

 The next day she stood at the bedside of a broken man who could do nothing but moan in agony and turn his head away from her.

 Later she would learn that he had died and actually experienced heaven before being prayed back to life—a true miracle. Don Piper’s testimony, told in the New York Times bestseller 90 Minutes in Heaven, would one day bring hope to thousands. But all that was in the future. Despite family and friends who kept vigil with her, Eva Piper found herself essentially alone. Walking in the dark. And she had always hated the dark.

 Though it parallels that of her husband, Eva Piper’s account is quite different from his. It takes readers not to heavenly places but through a very earthly maze of hospital corridors, insurance forms, tiring commutes from home to workplace and hospital, and lonely hours of waiting and worrying. This is the story of a woman learning, step by darkened step, to go places she never thought she could go and growing into a person she never thought she could be. Packed with hard-earned wisdom about what it means to be a caregiver, to open yourself to the care of others, and to rest in God’s provision, this book provides a dependable source of light to help you walk through the dark.” – A Walk Through the Dark

My Thoughts

A Walk Through the Dark is a detailed account about the author’s experience with her husband’s accident and (short) death. It details her life going through the experience and being a caretaker, but also how with the help of others, she got through this very difficult time in her life.

The author writes factually, and to the point. There isn’t as much emotion and expression as I thought there would have been for someone who went through such an experience. You can tell that this co-author (Cecil Murphey) had an influence over the book, and it isn’t really a good thing. I didn’t feel like it flowed very well and somewhere in the editing, the passion of the story was lost.

I thought that this book would have covered more about the author’s husband’s journey to heaven. He subtitle does say “How my husband’s 90 minutes in heaven deepended my faith for a lifetime.” However, not much is covered at all about this, maybe two pages, and it is detailed very plainly. I guess the story is more about the author’s personal journey through being a caretaker, but it was still a little bit misleading based on the subtitle.

Overall, this is an okay book. If you or someone you know is a caregiver, they may enjoy this book. However, someone going through a similar experience, probably wouldn’t have the time to read it.

* Thank you to the publisher of A Walk Through the Dark, Thomas Nelson, for providing me with a copy of this book for review as part of their Book Sneeze program. All opinions expressed are my own.

Do Cool Sh*t by Miki Agrawal

Do Cool Sh*t by Miki Agrawal is the book to kick your motivation into gear to start that business you have always dreamed of. If you don’t know what you could do, this book can help focus your interests into something you could possibly turn into a business, if you are inspired enough to do so.

Book Description

“Have you ever wondered if it's possible to make a career out of something you love? Or how to march through life with a purpose and get the most out of every second? Miki Agrawal, entrepreneur, angel investor, and cool-sh*t-doer, has figured it out. Here Miki shares her own adventures in entrepreneurship and life, from learning to step out of her comfort zone in a foreign country to achieving her dream of playing soccer for the New York Magic to partnering with Tony Hsieh of Zappos.com to launch her dream business.

In Do Cool Sh*t, Miki shows you how to start your own business, fund it on a shoestring budget, convene the perfect group to brainstorm your business plan, test your product, get great (free) press coverage, and more—all while living a life you're proud of.

Miki pulls back the curtain to reveal how you can live out loud, honor your hunches, and leave nothing on the table. She reminds you that it's cool to care and be excited about ideas and to be proactive; it's cool to mess up; it's cool to work your ass off on something that is meaningful to you; and it's cool to keep trying when the odds are stacked against you. Whether you're about to graduate from college and are wondering what the heck you want to do with your life, or you are in a dead-end job, dreaming about starting your own business, Do Cool Sh*t will make you open your eyes, laugh out loud, and shout, "I can do that!"” – Do Cool Sh*t

My Thoughts

Do Cool Sh*t is a very good motivational tool for people who want to start a business of any type. Although the author’s experiences are detailed often throughout the book, she also does an excellent job of giving advice, tips, and more to help the readers learn how to do it for themselves too.

Miki Agrawal’s experience in the business world can teach us beginners a lot about it – without having to make the mistakes some people do. Learn how to talk to new people, and make real connections with people besides blindly networking with professionals. Find out how you can start your business on a small budget, and then expand it with investors who have a real interest in seeing you and your company succeed.

Consider this book your personal invitation to start the career you’ve always wanted. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Do Cool Sh*t, Harper, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Shoot the Dog by Brad Smith

Shoot the Dog by Brad Smith is a novel about the film industry, the people who work in it, and the people who accidentally become involved in it. This is more of a satirical novel than a mystery, but could definitely be enjoyed by people who like both styles of writing.

Book Description

“In upstate New York, Virgil Cain is drawing hay behind his team of massive Percherons when two movie scouts show up and offer $500 a day to use the horses in a film to be shot in the area. Virgil, in need of cash, reluctantly pockets the money, but he soon finds the chaotic set of Frontier Woman to be more trouble than it’s worth. Savvy producer Sam Sawchuk is in over her head; when she’s not propping up her talent-challenged husband-cum-director, she’s trying to keep tabs on a new inves­tor, the Native American casino owner Ronnie Red Hawk, a rambling egomaniac with designs on an infamous starlet. When the film’s leading lady turns up dead, Virgil discovers that more is at stake than the carnal interests of a casino magnate and the production of a major motion picture. And although he’d rather leave the whole bunch to stew in their own juices, he realizes he needs to step in before a charming ten-year-old actress named Georgia becomes the next victim.” – Shoot the Dog

My Thoughts

Shoot the Dog is the type of novel that is more character driven and satirical than most books I read. However, I did enjoy reading this one. It is smartly written and above all else, entertaining.

The characters are developed very well. I especially enjoyed reading about the horse Bob, who wasn’t camera shy at all. I would have loved to have seen more of this in the book. I also really liked the ten year old actress, Georgia who reminded me of Dakota Fanning at that age. There are other sleazy movie producer types in there, but I don’t really want to waste this review on them because I didn’t personally like any of them.

The movie being filmed in the book is a period piece set in the 1840s. It is very stereotypical and the actual experience of it all seemed a bit draining. It definitely wasn’t the highlight of the book for me like it should have been. I mean, I like movies, and I like books, so it should have been a sure thing. Somehow it just didn’t quite click like it could have for me. Although I did like the story, it could have been better.

Overall, this is a good novel. It is a nice slow read that really delves into the characters. It could have been more action packed and more to the point, but it is still worth reading.

* Thank you to the publisher of Shoot the Dog, Scribner, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Age of Ice by J.M. Sidorova

The Age of Ice by J.M. Sidorova is a novel that weaves in science, supernatural, history, and fantasy together brilliantly. It spans a long period of time, and includes memorable characters that could perhaps chill you to the core. If you are looking for a good novel to read by a debut author, be sure to read this book!

Book Description

“The Empress Anna Ioannovna has issued her latest eccentric order: construct a palace out of ice blocks. Inside its walls her slaves build a wedding chamber, a canopy bed on a dais, heavy drapes cascading to the floor—all made of ice. Sealed inside are a disgraced nobleman and a deformed female jester. On the empress’s command—for her entertainment—these two are to be married, the relationship consummated inside this frozen prison. In the morning, guards enter to find them half-dead. Nine months later, two boys are born.

Surrounded by servants and animals, Prince Alexander Velitzyn and his twin brother, Andrei, have an idyllic childhood on the family’s large country estate. But as they approach manhood, stark differences coalesce. Andrei is daring and ambitious; Alexander is tentative and adrift. One frigid winter night on the road between St. Petersburg and Moscow, as he flees his army post, Alexander comes to a horrifying revelation: his body is immune to cold.” – The Age of Ice

My Thoughts

The Age of Ice is a hauntingly beautiful novel. I am very surprised that such a good book is the debut novel by the author. I honestly cannot wait to read more from this author in the years to come. This is definitely one author to watch.

The main character, Alexander, has a condition with cold which makes him a very unique character to read about. His personality is icy, but so is he, literally. When his emotions are too much (for the good or bad), his body temperature drops so low that he won’t even melt snow. His relationships suffer from this, and his character’s journey is a long and icy one.

I really enjoyed how Sidorova was able to weave into this novel historical fact while still keeping the supernatural element very much alive throughout the story. This novel will consume you like a blizzard, so be prepared to have some time off when reading this novel. I definitely recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of The Age of Ice, Scribner, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.