Inspirational/Self-help

Book Review: Dress Your Best

Author
Kelly, Clinton and London, Stacy
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

This was more of a 3.5 stars. It was very enlightening, but the clothes choices were pretty much way too dressy for my situation. I mean, a blazer for weekend wear? I live in Colorado. Jeans are the norm. But there was welcome advice on fit for my body type.

Reviewer's Name
vfranklyn

Book Review: The Truth About Style

Author
London, Stacy
Rating
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review

I'm not sure I got a lot out of this book. I did like that it had a list of stores in the back of the book that specialize in specific needs. I also liked Stacy's voice. It was warm and honest. It seemed like this book was aimed at city dwellers, which is fine. My style needs aren't that, though. Oh well, I'm still going to read her other book.

Reviewer's Name
vfranklyn

Book Review: The Power of Habit

Author
Duhigg, Charles
Rating
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review

I finished this book a couple of weeks ago. It was interesting, but I can't remember too much about it now, which is why it's only getting 3 stars. I do remember the cue -> action -> reward loop that makes up habit and am half-heartedly applying it to my nail-biting habit. Just knowledge of the cues has already helped me be aware that I'm biting or am about to bite my nails. We'll see what happens. I also plan to implement the habit loop in Zoe's violin practices.

Reviewer's Name
vfranklyn

Book Review: Assholes: A Theory

Author
James, Aaron
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

If language doesn't offend you, this is one of the more thought-out, funny and smart books about certain members of our society. While reading, it seems more like entertainment, but you catch yourself noticing patterns in reality that apply. It's both fun and educational!

Reviewer's Name
Cassie

Book Review: The Hole in our Holiness

Author
DeYoung, Kevin
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

Kevin DeYoung encourages, convicts, and motivates Christians to, by grace, conform themselves to be more like Christ. He urges Christians to become more holy without ignoring the Gospel grace nor embracing grace by works. DeYoung carefully balances legalism with total freedom to form a modest Christian liberty. This was an absolutely great read, and I recommend it everyone to read it.

Reviewer's Name
Abby

Book Review: Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year

Author
Lucado, Max
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

Max Lucado is one of my favorite authors. "Grace" is a wonderful read because of the examples given, easy reference and the way it is written. You will never go wrong with any of this author's books.

Reviewer's Name
Diana

Book Review: Proof Of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife

Author
Alexander, Eben
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

Written by neurosurgeon who contracted a very rare form of E Coli that shut down his brain for seven days. During that time, he experienced other worlds that seemed more real to him than this world. He writes about what he saw in very methodical and unemotional terms, subjecting his visions to a very scientific approach. This experience changed his whole worldview from a pragmatic verifiable scientific methodology to a certainty that the human spirit can experience something beyond what can be seen and that even though evil exists, love will eventually triumph. I think even the most skeptical person should read this book.

Reviewer's Name
Juli

Book Review: The Happiness Project

Author
Rubin, Gretchen
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

Even though I loved this book and wanted to eat it up as quickly as possible, I tried to take it slow, absorbing as much as I could. It is packed full of fascinating facts about happiness, and examples of how she improved her life through big and small changes. It inspired me to start my own small happiness project, tracking it daily as she and Benjamin Franklin did.

One of my favorite bits is her four stages of reveling in a moment of
happiness:
+ anticipate with pleasure,
+ savor the moment as I experience it,
+ express my happiness to myself or others, and reflect on a happy memory.

Reviewer's Name
Morgan