Szen Zone by Gary Szenderski

Goodreads Summary

Szen Zone: Reaching a State of Positive Change, by Gary Szenderski, is a compilation of stand-alone short stories and observations that celebrate the power in each of us to create positive change in our lives, to be what we want to be. 

Where ZEN is of the moment and what is, SZEN celebrates what could be. 

Szen Zone contains lighthearted and positive narrative on life and its possibilities, with stories that cover the gamut from interesting to profound. 

The general overarching theme of the book is change and all of the aspects of it - creating, surviving, and managing change with the goal to recognize the power we have to create positive change in our lives and be what we want to be. 

If you are a fan of short inspirational stories like those in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, then this is a book you would certainly enjoy. Wherever you may find yourself in life, you will discover an insight or example in this book to help you change course and take charge of your life.


My Thoughts

When I was contacted about reading this book I was pretty excited, to say the least.  Reading other reviews and simply reading about the book itself had me checking the PO Box daily looking for this gem in the mail.  I wasn't disappointed.

This was exactly what I was looking for.  Something to read nightly, just before bed, that was uplifting and didn't consume a lot of my time.  One, or sometimes two, short stories a night.  I just loved it!  And the Szenippets were my favorite parts!

Thank you, Book Publicity Services, for sending this gem of a book to me!

*Note: I received a copy of this book from Book Publicity Services in exchange for an honest review.

The Other Side Of Courage

Goodreads Summary

Elizabeth Blackwell was a brave and persistent pioneer who overcame all adversities to earn a degree in medicine, becoming the first woman doctor in the world. Her path was not without suffering the constant throes of anger and antipathy from the all-male medical profession. However, despite this bitter and harsh treatment, Elizabeth was determined to prevail through stubborn courage and an iron-clad will and triumphed for the good of all society.


My Thoughts

Although I am sure that I have heard her name before, I can't remember learning much about Elizabeth Blackwell.  That is, at least, not until now.  The Other Side of Courage didn't really feel much like a fiction novel, but more like I was reading a biography of her life.  Those words may turn people away from reading this book if you're not really into reading biographies but, let me tell you, don't let it scare you.  While there were a few times when it felt a bit slow, it would soon turn and peak my interest again.  It is very well written and I really do recommend it.

Thank you, CyPress Publications, for sending it my way!

*Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Kena the Good Hyena: Left Out by Gabriela Arellano and Gustavo Mazali

Goodreads Summary

Kena's birthday is coming. The cub invites all his classmates to his party, except one: Bako. Kena's mom intervenes to have Bako invited as well.
At the end, Kena realizes that a single act of friendship can lead to a beautiful outcome.


My Thoughts

This was a cute little book with a great message.  As an elementary teacher, I am always trying to get the children to be kind and be friends with each other.  This book was a great tool in helping them to understand a little better why excluding each other can hurt feelings. I read it to my class and they didn't see it as a "lesson" but instead just a fun time of classroom reading.

Thank you, Gabriela Arellano, for sending this book to me!  I love having new books to read to my class!

*Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

The Ravenstone: The Secret of Ninham Mountain by Diane Solomon and Mark Carey

Goodreads Summary

"You were born to this path! This quest is your fate."

Imagine a raven appearing out of thin air and guiding you to an exquisitely carved icon that glows with ancient light and pulses with shamanic power.

This is how the adventure begins for Nadia and Aidan Shaw, thirteen-year-old twins, who live in idyllic Cold Spring, New York, on the banks of the Hudson River.  Armed with the power of the Ravenstone and their own special gifts, they embark on a harrowing quest across centuries, at the bidding of a mysterious old shaman. They must depend on their courage, their faith in their friends, and luck. Or is it destiny?

If they succeed, what they bring back could change the course of human existence.


My Thoughts

The Ravenstone: The Secret of Ninham Mountain may have been written for children/middle grade readers but I loved it!  When asked to read and review this book I figured it would be a cute little book and that if I wasn't able to get into it (since it is a children's/middle grade book) I would consider having my daughter read and review it for me.  Well, that clearly wasn't an issue at all!  I will tell her that she should read it, but only because it was so good!

I don't recall reading many, if any, books about twins so that was interesting in itself.  There were honestly so many interesting things in this book!  It kept me wanting to read and I found myself trying to sneak in extra times to read a chapter or two.  As a matter of fact, I "went to bed" early so that I could finish it last night!

I will certainly be recommending this book!  Not just to children or middle graders, but to anyone who enjoys reading science fiction, fantasy, action, magical type genres.  Thank you, Mark Carey, for sending this book to me!

*Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

The Game by Angie West

Goodreads Summary

Do you want to play a game? 

Lei Guthrie and her best friend, Iris, have a tradition. Every Friday night after work they play a game, preferably vintage, the weirder the better. So when Lei finds a romance novel trivia game rumored to be cursed, she couldn’t be happier. Until she and Iris become trapped in the game. The rules are simple. Make it through three romance novel scenes gone horribly wrong and retrieve a silver key from each. Oh yeah, and stay alive. 

My Thoughts

I went into this book somewhat blind.  I get so many review requests a day so I couldn't exactly remember which one this was.  Once I started reading it I vaguely remembered the synopsis but still wasn't completely sure what it was going to be about.  It had me pulled in pretty quick.

First of all, I love the idea of having a weekly game night where you play games you pick up at a thrift store!  Sounds so fun!  Now, with that being said, I don't like the idea of a cursed or haunted game! Lol!

The Game is a very entertaining novella with a storyline that I've never read anything even close to before.  There were times when it was funny and other times intense.  I did want a bit more to the story.  It was very open ended and left me wanting more.

Thank you, Angie West, for sending this book to me!

*Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Elimination by Marina Epley

Goodreads Summary

ELIMINATION is the first novel in THE MIND BREAKER trilogy, set in a violent dystopian world where governmental forces hunt down, imprison and even kill those with psychic abilities.
Rex is an eighteen-year-old mind breaker hoping to keep a low profile. Unfortunately, he was forced to use hypnosis on criminals during an attempted bank robbery, revealing his abilities. Now considered a national threat to society, he has to flee through devastated countryside in order to remain alive. Even worse, by going on the run, he’s endangering his one and only friend Kitty, another strong hypnotist.
Rex soon realizes that together they make a vulnerable target. And the only way to save Kitty is to allow himself to be captured, thus diverting attention while his friend escapes. But nothing goes as planned, as his actions only serve to push Kitty into an even worse situation than a life sentence in prison. With his world falling apart, Rex must figure out how to fix his accumulating mistakes and regain their freedom before it’s too late.
What Rex doesn’t yet understand, is that he may soon play a major role in preventing all-out war between ordinary humans and mind breakers, a war which could lead to total extinction of the entire human race.


My Thoughts

So.  Good.  SO GOOD!  I really, really enjoyed this book!  It's been a while since I enjoyed a YA book this much.  Don't get me wrong, I have liked a lot of books, but this one... I didn't want to put it down.  I had to since I'm an adult with a job and a family and all, but I really didn't want to!

Here's a little tidbit about me, I prefer to read books where the protagonist is female.  I think it's just because I can relate to them more.  However, Elimination was the kind of book where I didn't care at all that the protagonist was male.  And let me add that Rex was a very good character.  Seriously, all of the characters were great.  Some were great in an 'I love this guy/girl!' kind of way and some were great in an 'Oh, I hate this guy/girl!' kind of way.  Both show great writing and a really great book.

Thank you to the author, Marina Epley, for sending this wonderful book to me!  It is on the top of my recommendations list!

*Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Lesson in Classical Painting by Juliette Aristides

Goodreads Summary

A companion volume to Lessons in Classical Drawing and an atelier in book form, Lessons in Classical Painting breaks down the foundational skills and techniques of painting in a format that is accessible and manageable for all readers. 

With the same direct, easy-to-follow approach of Juliette Aristides's previous books, Lessons in Classical Painting presents aspiring artists with the fundamental skills and tools needed to master painting in the atelier style. With more than 25 years of experience in ateliers and as an art instructor, Aristides pairs personal examples and insights with theory, assignments and demonstrations for readers, discussions of technical issues, and inspirational quotes. After taking a bird's eye look at painting as a whole, Aristides breaks down painting into big picture topics like grisaille, temperature, and color, demonstrating how these key subjects can be applied by all painters.


My Thoughts

One thing you may not know about me is that I love to paint.  When I was younger I used to draw all the time.  I would pick up a paintbrush and would feel too intimidated to actually paint anything.  Just in the last few years I have learned to really love painting.  I'd say it's a pretty good tie to reading!

When I saw this book on the list of choices to review I knew it was the one for me.  I have enjoyed leaning new techniques and practicing the different paintings in the book.  This book taught me a lot and refreshed my memory on things that I had previously learned.

*Note: I received a copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.