I have been trying to get a garden together for awhile now. Mainly I have just been lazy and have not done the proper research to see what I can grow in the space that I have. Basically, I need to have a container garden and so that can be a little more limiting. When I saw The Rooftop Growing Guide, I thought….this is going to be perfect for me! I was right!
Now, don’t let the title of the book fool you. This book is so much more than just rooftop growing. There is an entire section dedicated to container growing as well! Plus it gives you all kinds of tips and information on different types of containers and materials used for them. It talks about all different varieties of plants and where and when they thrive. You also learn about weather planning, pest control, soil choices, layouts for the garden, and the tools you need to be successful.
I would say that this isn’t just a beginners guide and that everyone could learn something from this book. Not to mention that there are gorgeous pictures in it! Yup, it is safe to say that I am ready to give this gardening thing a real try this spring!!!
My level of fitness and healthy eating has always been a struggle throughout my life. There are days, weeks, months where I am just on it all the time. Then there are days, weeks, months where I ride the struggle bus and fall off the wagon hard. It is something that I constantly have to work at.
Of course, I know the basics. Eat right and exercise. It isn’t mind blowing. There are no magic pills or fad diet that is going to get the weight off and keep it off. It is about lifestyle and commitment.
The 4×4 Diet by Erin Oprea is a wonderful book, no matter your fitness level or knowledge of nutrition. Are there mind blowing secrets in this book? If you know a good deal about health and fitness, then no. But what the book does provide is not only a simple plan to follow, but the why behind everything that she is telling you to do.
What I really liked about the book is that she talks to two groups of people, those who are completely inactive and unhealthy, and those who are giving some effort but could make some improvements.
Erin sets up a meal plan, tells you how to grocery shop and prep foods. She tells you what you need to cut back on, when to eat certain foods, and has a work out plan that fits in to anyone’s schedule. I MEAN ANYONE. You have four minute a day, right? Yes, yes you do!
There are recipes and detailed pictures of the high intensity four minute work outs. At the end of the book, there is a four week plan to follow to make these adjustments in your life to come out on the other side lean and healthy. All of the changes are lifestyle changes that you can carry with you forever, not just for four weeks.
Did I mention that Erin Oprea is the woman behind Carrie Underwood’s legs? Do I even need to say anything else?!
Basically, I cant say enough good things about this book so check it out!
After reading Me Before You, I had all the feels and couldn’t wait to get going on After You. I read some reviews that people were disappointed in After You, but I wasn’t. I went in with zero expectations because I knew it couldn’t be just like the first book. There were a few twists and I loved all the new characters that were introduced. Plus, I loved that you knew what you were getting with Trina and Lou’s parents.
Bottom Line: If you enjoyed Me Before You, I would certainly give this a go. You get some closure. I really suggest just going in not expecting anything so that you can just enjoy where the story leads. Don’t compare it to Me Before You.
This was a really quick read, but informative if you are interested in safer cleaning products for your home. Not only does this book provide tips and recipes for products that you can make at home, it gave you tips on how to keep your house clean in general. There were some great tips on working room by room, what to clean, what to use, how to manage your time, etc. There were some organization tips, purging tips, a little mix of everything.
Bottom Line: Great quick read if you are looking for natural cleaning basics. All the recipes are non-toxic alternatives and look simple to make.
The Naked Men is actually a blog written by a group of guys that covers all sorts of topics in a guys life. The group started it as a way to communicate openly with each other through letters/email and it morphed in to the blog for all guys around the world to relate to. So obviously I was instantly drawn to that aspect of the book since I am a blogger! I enjoyed reading about the tragic incidents in both Griffin and Chloe’s lives. I wish that the author wrote the whole book the way that she described those events. I felt like the book really fell flat for me in the characters. There was too much writing about what was going on in their heads (the same things over and over) and not enough development of things that actually mattered. There was too much focus on Chloe’s virginity at 27. Who cares about that? I want something more in depth!
Bottom Line: If you are looking for a fluffy romance novel with decent love story and a HEA, then this is worth the read. It wasn’t mind blowing or amazing, but it passed the time just fine.
Rating: 3/5
*I was provided a copy of Risking it All by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
So, I finished this book in two days. That is really fast for me! I literally spent most of Saturday reading it. I had to know what was going to happen! Aubrey’s husband disappears one evening and Aubrey is now the number one suspect. Five years later, after a trial and lots of struggle for Aubrey, her husband is declared dead by the state of Tennessee by the request of her mother-in-law who never liked her. Aubrey is trying to get her life together and meets a man that reminds her very much of her husband. She is not the only one who thinks this! But Aubrey still wants answers to what happened to Josh.
While reading this book, I had a few suspicions of what was going to happen but I was wrong. So very wrong!!! So I really appreciated the twists that kept me trying to guess what was going on. Aubrey is a complex, dark character. I found her interesting. When I got to the last chapter I was like ummmm what????? I am not sure I like how the book ended 100% but I can appreciate that it wasn’t wrapped in a perfect bow.
Bottom Line: If you like reading about mysteries, dark characters or plot twists…then this book is for you! I enjoyed it, even though I wasn’t 100% sold on the ending.
Rating:4/5
*I was provided a copy of Risking it All by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
I haven’t started a book since No One Knows, but I plan to hopefully do that tomorrow. Not sure what that will be. Have you read any good books lately?
Sometimes it is nice to read a book that inspires you. One that really gets you thinking. One that shares stories of people that give everything they have for their dream and come out winning on the other side. For me, that is The Power of Broke.
I won’t lie, this book initially stood out to me because it was written by Daymond John. Maybe you have heard of him? He is the founder of FUBU and “the peoples man” on Shark Tank. I love Shark Tank!!!
When I read the synopsis for the book, I thought that maybe it would inspire me. And it did! I love the way the book was written. Daymond starts out with his own history, how he grew up with a single mom and had a dream of catering his fashion sense to people in his neighborhood. He took that dream and made it a realty. Daymond claims that when you have nothing, no financial means…it forces you to be more creative.
Several chapters in the book were dedicated to different people who worked hard and now have amazing, thriving businesses. He speaks with:
DJ Aoki
Acacia Brinley-social media and the queen of selfies
Rob Dyrdek-skate boarde/realty tv
Christopher Gray -founded company that helps students find grant money, was on Shark Tank)
Gigi Butler -Gigi Cupcakes
Jay Abraham -marketing guru
Kevin Plank -founder of Under Armour
Moziah Bridges -founder of Mo’s Bows, was on Shark Tank
Tim Ferris -author of 4 hour work week
Josh Peck -actor
Linda Johansen-James -entrepreneur
Ryan Deiss-digital marketer
Loren Ridinger-fashion
Mark Burnette -TV producer
At the end of each of their chapters, there are Shark Points that review the highlights of the message. Also throughout the book there are Power Facts that are really interesting and inspiring.
Daymond shares wise tips like “rise and grind” and says instead of the power of broke is really that one reason you keep going.
If you are looking for some inspiration, or some interesting tales of entrepreneurs that had to work hard to get where they are…then this book is for you. If you are thinking about starting your own business, then this is for you.
Books, books, books!!! So this month, I didn’t read as many books as usual. I had a busy work month and having to stay late and work a little on weekends…..we had lots going on most weekends….and it took me forever to get through The Forgotten Room. Still, I had some winners this month so let’s take a look!
I found this book very fascinating. Sure, it is a bit morbid thinking about what happens to the body after death but this book really opened my eyes up to the idea of donating my body to science. I never really thought about the fact that even after you pass you can help the world by possibly curing a disease or making safety features in cars more successful in crash tests, helping authorities determine the time and reason of death, etc. I did this via audiobook, I tend to only enjoy nonfiction by listening over reading.
Bottom Line: If you are in to non-fiction, this is a great read!
I am going to be very honest and say that this book was very slow going for me. You have to keep up with three women in three different time periods. The chapters rotate between the three women and their time periods. There are a lot of similar last names and it can be a little confusing at first. It took me quite awhile to get through this book, much longer than usual. However, I was interested in the stories from each of the women and I wasn’t going to quit it. I figured out early on how the three women were connected and had ideas of how the men in their lives were connected but I wasn’t 100% right. I liked that the book was different, I have never read a book about a room in three different time periods.
Bottom Line: If you are looking for something different and a time jump sort of book, then this is for you! If you have a hard time keeping up with characters and enjoy fluffy reads, this would not be your cup of tea. I was glad I read it, but it won’t be making my list of top books of 2016. Not all books can, you know? It had a really good idea, and I wish it was executed better.
Rating: 3/5
*I was provided a copy of The Forgotten Room by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
I know a lot of you have already read this one and are like…about damn time!!! But you guys!!!! If ever a book were to break you, this would be it! I loved the characters and the way the story was written. It was beautiful and it really made me think about what I am doing with my life and what kind of person I am. When a book makes you think deep, it rates high on my list!
Bottom Line: Yes yes yes!!! You must read this book if you haven’t already. I absolutely adored this book. I can’t wait to dive in to After You. This is my first Moyes book and I can promise you it wont be my last.
Rating: 5/5
Zeke by Kelly Gendron (Breaking the Declan Brothers)
This is book three in the series. I didn’t realize that when I started but you don’t have to read the first two books to enjoy this one. So this book is basically your guarded bad boy MMA fighter who is really a sweet guy deep down but damaged…and the good girl that tries to break down all his walls. Zeke has 4 rules:
Rule #1 Don’t call him. He’ll call you.
Rule #2 He doesn’t date.
Rule #3 No sleepovers.
Rule #4 Absolutely, no virgins.
I wasn’t a fan of how many ridiculous names are in this book. Lurlene, Rayna, Emmie, Rusty (a girl), Nix, Jax, Slate, Token, Zeke. Meh. You can’t tell me that many weird names are in this little pocket of people, that isn’t realistic. What I was a fan of, is how Lurlene sticks to who she is the entire time. And I was not able to guess what happened to Zeke until the very end so it wasn’t as predictable as some books can be.
Bottom Line: This was a light, quick and easy read. I needed a break from the other books I had read this month. This wasn’t mind blowing, but I read it in 4 days so obviously it kept my interest. This book wouldn’t be for the prude. I mean, look at the cover. It passed the time just fine.
Rating: 3/5
*I was provided a copy of Zeke by the publisher and author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
My mom got me this book a year or two ago for my birthday and I can’t tell you how many times I have referenced to it for something. There are recipes, how to chapters on meal planning, streamlining your house, how to pick house plants and grow an herb garden outside, there is a how to on making your own front door mat, how to set a table for a party, so much information!!! I like looking through the decorating tip section also.
Bottom line: This makes a great coffee table book that you will actually use time and again!
Rating: 4/5
I haven’t started a new book yet, but I need to!!! What have you read lately?
