Stephon

I'll bluntly start by saying how much I detest the majority of all self help books. This one one by no means falls into that category. Dr. Chapman delivers effective and sound advice on how to love others through using what he calls that 5 love languages. These love language are discussed in detail and he provides the best ways to properly fill the “love tank” of a person's love language. The practical application provided in the book really allows for one to do some soul searching and helps to really put long lasting changes into place rather than promising the sort of instant change that other books promote. Dr. Chapman by no means says that this book is the end all be all to issues one may be having with being loved and loving others, but he does instead offer steps one may take to address these issues.

What I like most about this book is that Dr. Chapman shoots straight from the hip. Even while reading it I noticed things that I didn't like, but I knew applied to me. When helping someone it is of course important to be mindful of their feelings, but not so much so that they are only told what they want to hear. That more than anything is what drove me to pick this up and read it in the first place. Personally for me it confirmed some things I already knew about myself and helped me to see others who I interact with regularly in a different light. If you choose to pick this book up, it will definitely require effort on your part to make a change and see a difference. For me it w has been and continues to be worth it. 

One thing I will point out is the last quarter of the book does get quite repetitive. I'm sure the intent was to drive the point home for those who may struggle with emotional interact, but for me it was slightly annoying. Another thing to note is that the book is written in respect to marriages, but the knowledge contained can easily be applied to any relationship. Other than that I really enjoyed this book and suggest it to anyone who wants to enhance the way they love others.  

This book is definitely for anyone who is single, dating, married, or looking to enhance the way they express their love to others. It is without a doubt worth the time it takes to read the book. A link to the author's bio and to the book are both provided above. Thank you Dr. Chapman for the wealth of information provided here. I look forward to reading your other work. 

I rated this book a 4/5.

“I have never understood how people can blithely disregard the damage they do by following their hearts.”

Holy crap! I started this book awhile ago and only read about half of it before I put it down. Now I have no idea why I did that. This book is thriller through and through right to the very end. This haunting tale is about a women who destroyed her life and struggled to deal with the repercussions of that. In the course of all this she becomes tangled in a web of lies and betrayal that stems farther back than the book's timeline covers. This is quite an enjoyable that will keep you on the edge of your seat. With the turn of each page I found myself with more questions than I had answers. In the end the entire tale is wrapped up in a neat little bow that left me with the question of do we really know people as well as we believe we do? We all know that people live and conduct themselves differently behind close doors than they do in the eye of the public. How far down is that change and what will someone do to hide it?
I was impressed with the story overall except I was thrown for a loop based on the way the story was told. Imagine reading the diary of someone and in the middle of their thought they jump back six months from the current log. Now take that and have them telling the story from six months ago from another person's point of view. It took me a few changes to fully understand what was going on and personally I'm not the biggest fan of that writing style. Other wise the book is amazing and would suggest it to anyone who enjoys mysteries and trillers.

THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

For the first book in her series I'm mildly impressed with the overall quality of the story. I've decided to break my review up into three sections: the good, the bad, and what I'd like to see next.

The Good: Overall the story developed really well once it got into the swing of things. I liked to see the development of the main characters and their relationships towards one another. I really like the idea of witchery and the different classification of witches. I feel like while I was reading I could almost see Susan becoming and developing as an author. The progression of the story shows he growth.

The Bad: The first 50 pages were brutal and almost unbearable. I'm pretty sure Safi's name was printed every other word (no really) and it made that part of the book really hard to get through. I was left wanting when it came to the end as well. I know it is going to be a series, but the ending didn't really leave me excited for the next book. I also think that there were some concepts that Susan wrote about that she didn't fully address such as threadsisters/brother, heart threads, or heretic witches. I hope to see more in the next book because I feel like I'm assuming a lot about this world she created.

Next: I really want to see more character development, I feel like certain things were rushed to tie up the end of the book. I really want to see this world expanded upon so I can feel a deeper connection to it and the characters in it.

Again not a bad book by any means and I'll definitely read the next one when it comes out.

Author:Charlie N. Holmberg Published: September, 1st 2014 by 47North Series: The Paper Magician Trilogy #1 Length: 224 pages Genre: YA fantasy ISBN:9781477823835)  Source: AmazonCeony Twill arrives at the cottage of Magician Emery Thane with a broken heart. Having graduated at the top of her class from the Tagis Praff School for the Magically Inclined, Ceony is assigned an apprenticeship in paper magic despite her dreams of bespelling metal. And once she's bonded to paper, that will be her only magic... forever.Yet the spells Ceony learns under the strange yet kind Thane turn out to be more marvelous than she could have ever imagined — animating paper creatures, bringing stories to life via ghostly images, even reading fortunes. But as she discovers these wonders, Ceony also learns of the extraordinary dangers of forbidden magic.An Excisioner — a practitioner of dark, flesh magic — invades the cottage and rips Thane's heart from his chest. To save her teacher's life, Ceony must face the evil magician and embark on an unbelievable adventure that will take her into the chambers of Thane's still-beating heart—and reveal the very soul of the man.The story revolves around Ceony Twill and her absolute distaste for the magic that she is assigned too. The setting of the story begins somewhere on the outskirts of London, England where she is being shown to the door of the man who will be teaching her paper magic. I noticed very quickly in the beginning that the writer choose to harp over and over on the fact that paper magic was not something the protagonist had any resolve to do. In her mind it was just short of a death sentence, but he talked about it so much that even after finishing the book I have very little care for paper magic myself. It also make the first five chapters incredibly hard get through. In saying that the story definitely starts to pick up after Magician Thane is attacked and Ceony goes after the heart thief. I will say that the wording used throughout the book is definitely easy to follow while still providing a challenge to the more advanced reader. If I had to pick one line that really sums up the book it would be “What about my mistakes? I think about them, too, but where would I be if I thought of nothing else? What sort of person would I be if I drowned in them?” The two major protagonist both carry dark secrets with them and has an affect on how they choose to interact with others and each other.As I approached the end of this book I was left wanting. There was a lot of filler material that I felt could have been left out and instead replaced with something else. There was a lot of opportunity to develop Ceony which I felt was not done very well. The story was very dry and repetitive at times which really disappointed me because I felt that there was so much potential for this book to really take off. I was happy with how the book ended because it definitely set the sequel up to be very engaging. I hope that it does not disappoint. It is definitely worth a read if you can forge through the dry material and repetition.I rated this book a 3/5. The ending really saved it.  

I was really put off by the voice in the story at first because it is so unlike Sarah's Throng of Glass series. Almost to the point where I stopped reading it. So glad I didn't. When I found out the story was inspired by Beauty and The Beast it caused me to dive into the story even more to a world that I would not at all mind getting lost in. All the characters seem to fit and have a purpose, not a single word or page is wasted on nonsense.

I was most impressed with Feyre's development through the story...that's it! I have no words to really describe how impressed I am with her. At the beginning I was pissed of with her and even wished the down fall of these crappy High Fae. By the end of the book I wanted to be a Fae with all the powers that would come with it. Nice job Sarah and I can't want to read A Court of Mist and Fury. I may or may not have already pre-ordered it.

“Life, with its rules, its obligations, and its freedoms, is like a sonnet: You're given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself.”

I love this book! When reading this it's so easy to get lost in the story. Meg can be such an annoying character at times due to her level of immaturity at times. Reading this as an adult I think might be the reason I feel this way. She, her brother, and a new friend end up making a journey to rescue Meg's Father after learning that they are the only ones who can save him. On this journey all three characters end up learning lessons about themselves and their special gifts that they develop and use to continue on their path. In the end each character finds out what their calling and purpose in the grand scheme of the universe. This is a must read for anyone who loves a good adventure with a few lumps and bumps along the way.

First things first, this book touches me in a very special way because I know the battle that Conner had to face. This tale challenges is to the very core of what it means to live a human existence and deal with the experiences and consequences of pain. I cried when I finished the story reflecting on my own personal pain.

This is a beautifully illustrated tale that may offer some perspective on what it's like to have family members who must battle cancer. I love the presence of the walking tree. He personifies the very lack of true honesty that we as people sometimes avoid. He is pure truth. Nothing more, nothing less. The nightmare that he forces Conner to face is simply the pain of everyday life. This is quite possibly one of the best books I've ever read

“Do you know, I always thought unicorns were fabulous monsters, too? I never saw one alive before!”
“Well, now that we have seen each other,” said the unicorn, “if you'll believe in me, I'll believe in you.”

I am quite ashamed to admit this is only second time ever reading this tale. I think a younger less dignified version of myself assumed this book was not worth reading due to its whimsical nature. Carroll's tale take quite a different tone when the ability exists to comprehend on a deeper level the tales of little Alice.

I am a huge fan of the way the that Carroll plays on the elements of speech throughout Alice's interactions in Wonderland. She to be so young has quite a high intellect and awareness that could only be created in such a fantasy realm. Quite a few times Alice's sanity is called into question while challenging her perception of the events around her. While some attribute her adventures to drugs, sickness, mental health, and dreaming, I believe that Alice simply had the imagination to bring whatever world she wanted to life. Not only that, but to travel back and forth as she pleased between them. Her travels show that Alice at 7 years old had a pretty high awareness of who she was and what her level of understanding was for what went on around her.

“Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night, seven times cursed and seven times sealed....Never shall I forget those moments which murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to dust. Never shall I forget these things, even if I am condemned to live as long as God Himself. Never.”

This is not the first time I've read this book nor will it be the last. This is the very definition of human suffering. Here driven to the brink and losing what defines us as human did one man find the will to live on. The moral challenges presented during the path Elie was forced to walk are ones that I can barely begin to comprehend. Even more so the challenges that were brought against his faith in God who he felt had abandoned him and his people. Suffering by its very definition is a state of existence that I'm not sure Elie was removed from until his death. This is a must read for anyone who examines or has interest in the human condition.

“No one knows for certain how much impact they have on the lives of other people. Oftentimes, we have no clue. Yet we push it just the same.”

I am aware that this is sensitive topic and that my review may very well upset some people. If you feel that this may apply to you, please just skip reading this.

Where to begin? Let's start with the book itself because there are two tales really being told here. First and foremost we get the tale of Hannah who left tapes for Clay and others to listen to in order to find out the part they played in her death. What Clay hears on the tapes not only gives him greater insight in the situation at hand, which leads us to our second tale...Clay's story. Clay the emotionally insecure teenager who does not appear to be confident in himself. Not even enough to talk to the girl he claims to love. This is not Clay hate by any means, but is stating the obvious fact the Clay does seem to be battling some things himself. Overall the story hits many great points and opens the door to discuss issues with rape culture, sexual harassment, and suicide. I do think it missed the mark with discussing victim shaming and survivors guilt. I do have an issue with the idea of “loving” someone through the situation. While one can love someone as much as humanly possible and do whatever they need, I do think the book presents the idea that everyone who chooses to commit suicide could've been saved if they were loved more. I'm not sure this is the message the book is attempting to send, but nevertheless it is a message that is out there. Again while I think the book opens the door to having the discussion if you see someone you think is in need the best thing you can do is attempt to help them get professional help. I'm not saying that is the end all be all, but it is a start.

Author:J. K. Rowling (Bio) Publication:July 2 1998 byA. Levine Books Series: Harry Potter Series #2 Length: 341 pages Genre: Young Adult/Teen, Fiction, Magic, ISBN:9780439064866 Source: Barnes and Noble Book: Amazon (here)The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.The scene opens to Harry getting yelled at as usual by his Uncle Vernon. This time over the awful racket Hedwig is making due to being locked up since Harry returned from Hogwarts. After excusing himself from breakfast he goes outside to dwell on the fact that he has not heard from any of his Hogwarts friends since the end of last term. As the Durley's prepare to host a new client for Uncle Vernon's company Harry finds himself being remanded to his room and told to act as if he doesn't exist. During the visit a house elf shows up and gives Harry a cryptic warning not to return to Hogwarts. After ruining the deal for Harry's uncle and with the arrival of an official warning from the Ministry of Magic, Harry is placed on a prison like sentence until he is rescued by the Wesley's. Harry spends the rest of his summer holiday with them completely carefree until they leave for Diagon Alley. Harry gets lost and overhears Mr. Malfoy selling some items that he does not want discovered in a Ministry raid. After a harrowing ride where the Wesley's flying car is destroyed and Harry barely escapes getting expelled he starts to hear voices around the school as students are attacked. Harry and Ron have to solve the mystery of the attacks on their own after Hermione is also attacked. Harry comes faces to face with Voldemort's memory preserved in a diary that was draining the life out of Ginny Wesley. Harry defeats the Basilisk and destroy the diary of Voldemort ending the attacks and keeping Hogwarts open.Even though this is a re-read of the series I find myself with a childlike emotion listening to the book from start to finish. While I know that Harry is going to win out, I still find my heart racing at certain parts of the story. This book really increased my appreciation for the emotion that Hagrid adds to the overall tale. His reaction to being sent to Azkaban was one the most heart wrenching sections of the book. Even more so finding out the lengths that Voldemort will go through to get what he wants just increased my dislike for a character who is intentionally written not to be liked. Hagrid on the other hand has a very lovable nature and reminds me of a close friend of mine who is quite famous being bringing stray animals in off the street. He expresses a pure love for those around him and for the creatures he takes care of. This is evident in the way that he still takes care of Aragog even after all the trouble owning the creature caused him. It was my favorite thing about this book. The story itself outside of that I felt was dull in many areas and drawn out when it didn't need to be. I also was not fully committed to the plot.  This was my first time listening to this on audiobook and Stephen Fry made this a reading exciting read. While the Chamber of Secrets is my least favorite Harry Potter book it still provides the amazing story that I have come to expect from the series.If you could not get enough of the wizarding world then book two in the series is for you. Harry and the gang returns with even more to investigate and discover than the first book. And Harry once again is fighting to save his life. Although this is not one of my favorite books in the series it's still wonderful to read this book again. There is a link to the author's bio account at the top of the page. Thank you J.K for the second book in the series. On to the third. I rated this book a 4/5.

“All right,” said Deep Thought. “The Answer to the Great Question...“
“Yes..!”
“Of Life, the Universe and Everything...” said Deep Thought.
“Yes...!”
“Is...” said Deep Thought, and paused.
“Yes...!”
“Is...“
“Yes...!!!...?”
“Forty-two,” said Deep Thought, with infinite majesty and calm.”

So my review of this book is a mixture of the two very different places I was in life when I read it. My first read was about five years ago when I was really going through a lot in life. Reading it now five years later while I'm not a huge fan of how the book is written, the message contained has a different meaning. The wily characters in this story in my opinion provide different views of our walk through life. As such we grow and evolve to our next stages and at times have to be reminded that nothing in life is absolute except death. Which in and of itself may really seem morbid, but in the long run not so much. The theme of spontaneity is one that in general a touch of has never hurt anyone and reading this has reminded me to hold on to. While the Great Question that we all have (because we all have one) my deliver to us an answer that we may not understand in that moment, we should not stop searching. All in all great read and wonderful book to pick up anytime.