Category: Uncategorized

A P and P story: The Other Bennet Sister A Novel by Janice Hadlow

Let me just say at the outset that I adore this book.  If you are a Jane Austen fan, definitely take a look at this title.

The other Bennet Sister is Mary.  If you have read P and P, you know how she is portrayed there.  In this title, readers will get to know Mary so much better.  I felt for her immediately as some of the first things to come up in the novel had to do with being a middle sister, bookish, needing glasses, not feeling pretty (enough) and not necessarily wanting to go to parties.  I could identify with these!  I also relate to Mary’s efforts at self improvement as she approaches the piano and her father’s library.  Watching Mary figure out her life while spending time with other members of the Bennet household made this a wonderful read for me.

I think that Ms. Hadlow has captured the tone of Jane Austen.  Mr. B is still sardonic, Mrs. B is a bit empty headed and the sisters are very much themselves.

Another plus of this title for me is its length.  At 480 pages it is a novel to sink into.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this most enjoyable title.  All opinions are my own.

#TheOtherBennetSister #NetGalley

We still need to grin: I Left the House Today! Comics by Cassandra Calin

This book may well make you smile.  The cartoonist seems to have a very good (and personal) understanding of what it is like to be in one’s 20s and navigating life.  There is gentle humor on topics like hair that doesn’t cooperate, not being very tall, and dealing with relationships, schools and many other aspects of life.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title that made me smile.  All opinions are my own.

Pub Date

#ILefttheHouseToday #NetGalley

For when it’s time: Keys to a Successful Retirement by Fritz Gilbert

Keys to a Successful Retirement: Staying Happy, Active, and Productive in Your Retired Years by [Fritz Gilbert]Most of us will retire at some point or perhaps just scale back at work.  Feeling ready and prepared for this life stage is so important and the factors to consider are many.  Finances are what often come first to mind but there are other important considerations including how to spend one’s retirement time, how retirement will impact relationships and more.

This book provides a lot of information to, as the author notes, “staying happy, active, and productive in your retired years.”  In addition to covering everything from depression to using one’s time as one wishes to feel as good as possible, this book also has an excellent section of resources.  These include things like financial websites, lists of retirement blogs, podcasts,  books and much more.

I recommend this book as an excellent resource.  Many thanks to Callisto publishing for this title in exchange for an honest review.

From the publisher:

Consider setting up a “bucket system,” whereby you allocate investments to one of three buckets based on how long it will be before you need to tap into the money.

Don’t retire without thinking about how it’s going to impact your relationships. You’ve never spent as much time together as you will in retirement. Plan for it.

Rather than thinking about seeking your passion, ask yourself, “What can I do with my time that’s important?” Committing your energy to something that matters to you is the true frosting on your retirement cake.

Some e book bargains for April 25, 2020

A variety once again.  I just purchased the short story collection and am excited about dipping into it.  The Paula Daly book was made in to a tv series that is available on one of the streaming networks (I forget if it is on Britbox or Acorn TV.)  The Fletcher mystery is free.  Kristin Hannah has written lots of good women’s fiction titles.  Also Chabon, a title by Delderfield and one on horses.  Hope there is something for you!

100 Years of the Best American Short StoriesBetween SistersCollected FictionJust What Kind of Mother Are You?The Middle Temple MurderChosen by a HorseLong Summer Day

Let’s go: Wilma Rudolph My First Wilma Rudolph by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

This title is a board book in the Little People, Big Dreams series. As is always true of Ms. Sanchez Vegara’s books, this title is beautifully illustrated and inspiring as it tells the story of athlete Wilma Rudolph. Young children will learn the amazing story of this girl with 19 siblings who went on to achieve great athletic feats, despite having been diagnosed with polio at the age of four.
In telling Wilma’s story, the author honestly and sensitively addresses the racism of Ms. Rudolph’s era. In acknowledging this the author opens the way for a good discussion with a child.
Get these books for a child you know; they will learn that life is full of amazing opportunities and will, hopefully, see that they can set their sights high. They will see too that obstacles can be overcome.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

Pub Date

#WilmaRudolph #NetGalley

Zzzzz…The Sleep Workbook: Easy Strategies to Break the Anxiety-Insomnia Cycle by Renata Alexandre, PhD.

The Sleep Workbook: Easy Strategies to Break the Anxiety-Insomnia Cycle by [Renata Alexandre PhD APRN]

The author of this book offers much helpful information and advice to those who have difficulty sleeping due to anxiety. The book offers guidance on the ways in which cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help people who are often awake at night. Along with the educative sections, which are detailed and useful, the book includes spaces for reflection where a reader can write journal entries within the book. There are also other helpful sections including a sleep assessment survey and an insomnia severity tool. Additional sections called try this offer useful ways to engage and improve one’s nights.
Many thanks to Callisto publishing for this title in exchange for providing an honest review. I have found this book to be a helpful resource. Four stars.

From the publisher:

A few of the helpful strategies to improve sleep:

sleep, baby gifts, baby sleep, baby sleep book, bedtime books

sleep, baby gifts, baby sleep, baby sleep book, bedtime books

sleep, baby gifts, baby sleep, baby sleep book, bedtime books

Working Through Anxious Thoughts

In order to change our thoughts, we must first identify those thoughts that cause discomfort and lower our self-confidence. Once we have identified them, we can begin the step-by-step process of challenging and altering them through reason, which may sometimes conflict with our core beliefs. This is a powerful coping skill and can help you deal with intrusive thoughts.

  • Become Aware of Your Thoughts
  • Identify Negative/Inaccurate Thinking
  • Reshape Negative/Inaccurate Thinking
  • Reread and Re-rate Your Thoughts

CBT-I: There is Help for Insomnia

Our behaviors around sleep have the potential of helping us get to sleep and stay asleep at night. These behaviors will also involve our daytime activities. When we make sleep a priority, we learn to balance those things that can reduce our ability to get to sleep and stay asleep with those activities that can promote good sleep. CBT-I works with the following factors.

  • Sleep Hygiene
  • Sleep Restriction
  • Stimulus Control
  • Sleep-Interfering Arousal/Activation
  • Food and Substances
  • Biological Clock

Committing to Change

One of the most common roadblocks to managing anxiety and insomnia is failure to admit your sleep need to yourself. It can take some time for your brain to adjust to the idea that you need less sleep than you’ve set as your goal. It seems very logical to conclude that being sleepy means you’re not getting enough sleep. But spending too much time in bed interrupts your sleep because you exhaust your sleep drive. The daytime symptoms of spending too much time in bed are the same as the symptoms of not spending enough time in bed (tiredness, sleepiness, lack of motivation). You’ll get better results if you adjust according to your sleep need.

Now out: You and Me Both by Mahtab Narsimhan

This is a picture book for young children. It tells of two friends who love being together and enjoy all of the same things. Each likes the same kind of jam, feeds the carrots that they are supposed to eat to the class rabbit instead, get haircuts at the same time, etc. To one another they feel like twins and they wonder if people can tell them apart. The reader may want to pay attention to the fact that they are shown in different colors, as they are of different races.

The charm of this book is that the children have not yet learned prejudice. It is based upon a real story. This would be a good book for a nursery/preschool child as it could open up discussion. The illustrations are bold and lively.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

#YouandMeBoth #NetGalley

A classic adapted for younger readers: A Scandal in Bohemia The Sherlock Holmes Children’s Collection (Easy Classics) by Sir Arthur Conan Dolye (original author), Stephanie Baudet (adapted by)

This publisher does an excellent job of adapting classics for younger readers. In this instance, the choice is one of the most well known of the Sherlock Holmes canon. Readers will become engaged in the story which is enhanced with cartoon like illustrations. Hopefully, young readers appetite for more stories of Holmes and Watson will follow.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review. Of note is that the adapter explains the meaning of some of the words that may be unfamiliar to the young, modern reader.

Pub Date

#kidsSherlock #NetGalley