Tag Archive: non-fiction



Power Foods for the Brain: An Effective 3-Step Plan to Protect Your Mind and Strengthen Your Memory
Power Foods for the Brain: An Effective 3-Step Plan to Protect Your Mind and Strengthen Your Memory by Neal D. Barnard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Let me be honest. I didn’t read this word for word. I found myself overwhelmed with the science, and all. If you like to see why Dr. Barnard’s diet to reverse diabetes and protect your mind and memory then this is your book. I was already convinced by his more recent book about reversing diabetes: Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes: The Scientifically Proven System for Reversing Diabetes Without Drugs. But this particular book is more about Alzheimer’s and other diseases of the brain, something I worry about because of grandmothers that died of that dreaded disease. So I took note and will be more aware metals that are in my diet. Luckily, I eat no meat or animal products (most of the time). I drink filtered water which should help.

There are recipes in the back for those who are so inclined.

Dr. Barnard keeps his explanations simple enough for the average person to get through. He puts enough personal stories to keep it relevant. And I believe in his scientific research.

This was a library Kindle book. I couldn’t afford to buy my own. I did buy the Reverse Diabetes one after the borrow as I believe I will refer back to that one more often. Yay, for raw foods!

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Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison
Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison by Piper Kerman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have to admit that I picked up the hardback copy from the library after watching the series on Netflix. The tree version hurt my eyes to read so I went ahead and bought my own Kindle version. I’m glad I did. This book was worth every penny! I could listen to text-to-speech while I read. It might have been even better to have the audio-version with human voice but this was just fine.

The beginning was very satisfying as it mirrored the Netflix version. The book proceeded from there a little less raw. It did feel like Ms. Kerman was putting a good spin on her experience in prison. The Netflix version puts in a lot more drama. Which is the real version? I don’t know but I feel like it may fall somewhere in between. I think the Netflix may take other stories about prison life and show other things that may go on.

Piper Kerman’s writing kept me engaged and wanting to know what was happening next. I was impressed with her zen attitude and reserve while describing some of the horrid things that go on in prison life. Even though I am twice her age I could identify with feelings she eloquently expressed.

Everyone should read this book. Men and women alike, all ages and races. We can all appreciate the message and maybe help create a better world.

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Coconut Oil and Apple Cider Vinegar: How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar and Coconut Oil To Lose Weight, Prevent Allergies, And Boost Your Immune System
Coconut Oil and Apple Cider Vinegar: How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar and Coconut Oil To Lose Weight, Prevent Allergies, And Boost Your Immune System by Brian Night
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

If this were my first book on coconut oil and apple cider vinegar, I might have given the book four stars. The thing is, I found nothing new here. All the information is there along with a few recipes for food and topical applications. It did remind me to make sure to use these two gifts of nature. If you haven’t read about C. O. or A. C. V. this is a good start.

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Coconut Oil: How To Implement Coconut Oil In Your Diet For Weight Loss, Detox And Better Health (Coconut Oil Handbook
Coconut Oil: How To Implement Coconut Oil In Your Diet For Weight Loss, Detox And Better Health (Coconut Oil Handbook by Daniel Adam
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is mainly about the benefits of coconut oil. There are a few recipes including a way to use the oil in a cleanse diet. I doubt with my diabetes and fibromyalgia that I will do that fast, but I do feel encouraged to use the oil more often. I do already use it to cook my tofu and pour on GMO-free popcorn and, if I remember, I rub it into my skin or hair. I try to use only coconut oil an not other oils or spreads.

This is a quick read. I recommend it to anyone who is curious about coconut oil

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I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First of all, ten stars for Malala! Ten stars for her health, her stamina, her courage, and her brilliance!

But truth be known this was a difficult book to read. I think it needed better editing. I kept getting lost in the timeline. For example, the way I read it, Malala was fourteen when she was shot. I knew that wasn’t the case. Also, the first part of the book was so choppy that I almost gave up reading the book. I only continued because I wanted to learn about this fascinating teen.

History has never been my favorite subject. It wasn’t until a brilliant teacher in college did I begin paying attention. Let’s face it, history is about men and their wars. Women are rarely the stars. So when a book about a female who is making history, gets bogged down in the wars, I started losing interest. When the war affects Malala and her family, then I felt involved again. Then I was glad for the bit of a history lesson that was set up in the book. Wish there had been a smoother way to move from personal story to the region’s history.

I hope, hope, hope that Malala writes more books. I hope she finds friends. I hope her mother can get on with her own education and can stand and give a few speeches of her own. I hope the family becomes more feminist so that mother can have her own life. I wish the family all the goodness life can give.

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Richard Chamberlain as John Blackthorne with Y...

Richard Chamberlain as John Blackthorne with Yoko Shimada as Mariko (Lady Toda Buntaro) in the Shōgun television miniseries. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

 

 

 

 

Shattered Love: A Memoir
Shattered Love: A Memoir by Richard Chamberlain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

 

 

Let me tell you a story. There once was a young woman who was in junior high and high school who LOVED Dr. Kildare. Alas, it was on a school night. Her parents made her go to bed early. But this young lady was so clever that going to bed didn’t stop her from watching her favorite show. You see the television was at the far end of the living room and could be seen from the end of the hallway. Well, there was a bookshelf there, and she set up a mirror so as to watch Dr. K from her bed. When he was over she would slip out of bed and remove the mirror so her parents would be none the wiser. Yes, that clever girl was me. And that was only the start of my crush on Richard Chamberlain. For years I kept track of his birthday. I enjoyed all the miniseries that he did.

 

 

 

I think my favorite scene was that of Anjisan attempting to commit harikari. What passion he was able to show! Why didn’t he bring that moment into this memoir?

 

 

 

As a memoir this was less than what I wanted. As much as he told us his problem in life had been being aloof, I found that it remained in this book. And pride was still evident. I don’t mind that he has come out as gay, he is an actor, and it is none of our business what he needs in his bedroom. I still love his work on the tele or big screen.

 

 

 

Now, had this book been labeled as a metaphysical healing book, I would have enjoyed it better. I was reminded of a path I have left behind and plan to get back into meditation and opening my heart chakras. Then again, the title of the book is Shattered Love–oh yeah and A Memoir. So maybe I was cheated by my own expectations? I had set this to three stars but now that I think on it I think I must give it four. I may just read it again for the spiritual reminders.

 

 

 

Richard Chamberlain Sings

Richard Chamberlain Sings (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

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Blogging for Beginners - Answers to Your Frequently Asked Question

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Blogging for Beginners – Answers to Your Frequently Asked Question by Mark Reinert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you want to sell something. your books, ideas, or start a business, this book is for you. If you are like me and just want to learn how to blog, this book is quite helpful.

When I do decide I want to sell my novels, I will pull this one out of my archive and read it again.

On the other hand, it didn’t quite meet my needs as a new blogger. I am still left with more questions than answers. I know all new pursuits have a learning curve. I think I may be on the upward swing with mine, until WordPress changes the look of something I use on a daily basis, then I am back to ground level struggles.

In an attempt not to be negative, I think this may have enough information out there it is worth the try. It does have clickable links so read it on the Fire or a tablet to get best results.

It took me a while to read this, not because it is long, but because I wanted to absorb the information and see if I could apply it to my own blog. It would be a quick read straight through.

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The Busy Writer's Self-Editing Toolbox
The Busy Writer’s Self-Editing Toolbox by Marg McAlister
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was short but pack with a lot of reminders about editing. Probably not the best book to read during NaNoWriMo but I took notes so I’ll be able to edit all my novels later. 😀

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2k to 10k: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love
2k to 10k: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love by Rachel Aaron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a quick easy book to read! I came away with a lot of little nuggets that will be quite handy as of midnight tomorrow night. I have been sitting on an idea I started on during Camp NaNo. I managed about 19K but a whole lot of the story has resided in my head. Ms. Aaron’s book helped me feel there is hope for this little book. So, NaNoWriMo here I come, ready or not!

I am not sure that even with my Dragon Naturally Speaking I will be able to get that kind of word count the title implies but I will say that prep work before starting a book and daily prep work will help me get a better, faster, tighter story.

Now, on to editing. I had hoped for more. The author uses her own books to demonstrate what works and how to edit, but if you have never read her books it leaves one flat. Actually, that can be said of the writing faster part of the book, too. I would have loved to have a clickable link to charts or spreadsheets to aid the readers and other, commonly read novels as examples.

Still in all, it is worth the read.

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Professional Plot Outline Mini-Course
Professional Plot Outline Mini-Course by Holly Lisle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was an easy read. I took copious notes so that when I get ready to outline November’s NaNoWriMo I will be able to follow through. Though a lot of it feels like other books I have read on the subject, Holly Lisle’s personality shows through.

Ms. Lisle left plenty of examples off the top of her head. Because instruction given in other books don’t have examples, I find when I try what they present, it turns out to be quite a mess. Needless to say, I will not delete the book. I want it to be easy to refer back to in the next couple months.

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THE AVOERIA ARCHIVE

The Depth Behind The Ordinary

Life of Chaz

Books, games, music, and life — filtered through the mind of a writer, drummer, and philosopher who thinks too deeply about all of it. If it moves something in your chest, I'm interested.

Pieces Of My Heart

"Words & Wonders - Where thoughts meet art

💫The Afterlove Voice💫

Justice, Channeling,Spiritual,Astrology,Truth- Seeker.

Amin Academy

Education, Information, Motivation

Luso Loonie — Devin Meireles

Portuguese-Canadian Writing About This Portuguese Thing of Ours

UNDER THE WILL... OVER THE DRAMA...

Inheritance. Narcissism. Turf. Welcome to the family.

Selma

Finding the extra in the ordinary

Sip, Snack, See

A Blog About Food and Travels

Golu lodhi

I upload photos & videos Golu lodhi village pairakhedi

Creative

Travel,Tourism, Life style "Now in hundreds of languages for you."

intricate cantrips

twisted yarns, unraveled

Introverted Growth

The Introvert's Roadmap to Self Discovery and Growth

Histopedia

story telling from history