In All Things

I really enjoyed this devotional. It was really thought provoking and made me really think of a book of the bible I hadn't really spent much time on before. This 9 week devotional (with devotional group questions as well, if you have a bible study) focused on the book of Ephesians and the journey of Paul. It opened my eyes and I really enjoyed it. I also liked how each week had a few different "homework" assignments, so you really took the time bit by bit to study the entire book. I loved it and look forward to more devotions by Melissa B Kruger.

Ninth City Burning

I was SUPER excited to get this book from Blogging For Books because I absolutely love dystopian type novels. Also, aliens are awesome and it's hard these days to find a good science fiction book. I found the world building to be totally great but did have a hard time jumping from narrative to narrative. I think knocking off a few of them could have made the book more cohesive and easier to follow. Regardless it was an amazing debut from J. Patrick Black. I definitely think it was worth reading though, and will definitely pick up a book two if that's in the cards. I want to give thanks to Blogging For Books for sending me this book for my honest review, they're the best!!!

The IBS Elimination Diet and Cookbook

I was really looking forward to reading this book when I ordered it from Blogging For Books (for FREE, for my honest review). It's actually a revised and expanded edition of the earlier book, "IBS-Free At Last" (also by Patsy Catsos). I really enjoyed that it is a comprehensive book on IBS. It tells the different types (with different symptoms), the scientific causes, and why avoiding FODMAPS can help your IBS. It has a great list of foods to avoid, recipes and sample meal plans both for the elimination phase and beyond. If you are an IBS sufferer this is the book for you! The only downside I found was that as a vegetarian who avoid dairy, I wouldn't be able to eat any of the recipes in the book which was a bummer. Otherwise it's a great book for learning more about IBS.

Everything you need, you have

What is success? How can you feel successful? How often do you enjoy yourself in the moment? These are all things I struggle with so I was really looking forward to reading this book. This was a quick and simple read, with the main points broken in to 3 sections (Mind, Body, Home). I really enjoyed the way the author combined a lot of different philosophies and teachings in the book. It wasn't the best self-help book I've read but I enjoyed the mindfulness techniques and it was a good reminder to stay true to self when everything in the world around you is yelling at you to be something you're not. Thanks of course to Blogging For Books who sent me this book to review for free!

A Boy Called Christmas

Thank you to Blogging for Books for sending me "A Boy Called Christmas" by Matt Haig to review (for free)! I really loved this cute Holiday kids book. I actually received an audio book, which I wasn't expecting, but was a pleasant surprise! It has all the trappings of a classic fable book. They had me at animal-as-a-best-friend. I really recommend it for a gift at the holidays for the little one in your life. It's a very cute story and I really loved the theme of keeping your kindness even when bad things seem to happen at every turn. It's a life lesson that rings true especially in these times we live in.

Besties

Besties by Leah Reena Goren is part comic book, part ode to friendship. I loved all the relate able topics (like your 6th grade boyfriend, or how hanging out with your besties means pizza and sweatpants). There is just something about having a long time best friend and this book hits it on the mark. The only downside is many of the pages are specific to Leah's best friend. It's a cute little book, especially the artwork, that would make a cute little gift for your "bestie". Honestly though, I'm glad I got this book free from Blogging For Books for my opinion because I would've been disappointed if I'd used my own money on it. 

David Bowie Retrospective and coloring book

I ordered this book from Blogging for Books (free for my honest review!) as a gift for my music (and coloring) obsessed auntie. The quality of paper is great, pictures are awesome, and I love the little addition of a placeholder ribbon. The only downside is it's a little on the small side, as far as coloring books go, which may make it a bit harder to color. Either way I'm sure she'll love it, and I bet it would make a great gift for the Bowie lover in your life. :)

Power Vegetables!

A book all about veggies? I thought it couldn't go wrong; as a vegetarian I would love it! With all the bright colors on the covers and inside plus lots of pictures...just my kind of cookbook! But sadly...I am not a big fan. The recipes are either ho-hum (quiche lorraine) or totally out of left field using ingredients I personally wouldn't have around (vignarola). I was also kinda bummed the recipes are "mostly vegetarian" because I was expecting that with a book named "Power Vegetables" all the recipes would be only veggies. Also, not many vegan recipes. By no means is this a terrible cookbook...just nothing that really grabs me. Thank you as always to Blogging For Books who sent me this book fo' free for my honest review. :)

Mindfulness : A journal Review

Are you someone who loves to journal, or is looking for a bit of quiet introspection in your life? This journal is a great addition to your self-care arsenal. It's gorgeous and feels great in your hand, and I love the empowering quotes to ponder on the pages. The layout is great too, especially the little spot to jot down the date. I would recommend this Mindfulness journal for yourself or as a great gift for the person in your life who needs a little reminder to slow down. Thanks to Blogging For Books for letting me have this journal free for my honest review!

Spinster

Even as a married woman, I like to read all sorts of feminist books about other's journeys. I found "Spinster" to be an interesting look at what has influenced our generations to decide to forgo marriage, and instead live a life for yourself, and ONLY yourself. I recommend giving it a read woman or not! Thanks to Blogging for Books for a free copy in exchange for my review. :)

Doodletopia : Manga ... A Review!!

I was really excited to see this Doodletopia : Manga book offered on Blogging For Books! I'm a bit of an anime fan (as is my little cousin who is getting this book ;) ). There are tons of activities to help your manga drawing abilities. Some have the character basically already drawn and you just fill in with their clothing or perhaps their facial expressions. There are also some pull out items (like bookmarks) that you can draw on and then use. It's pretty big for an activity book (159 pages to be exact) and each page has something on the back and front. Definitely a great gift for the doodlers in your life, especially the ones fond of anime and manga! Thanks again to Blogging For Books for giving me this book for free for my honest review! :)

The More of Less

"The More of Less" by Joshua Becker is a book I had been longing to read! I have been a long time fan of his blog, Becoming Minimalist, and am a bit of a minimalist myself! I really enjoyed how the book was broken down into different parts to guide you along your journey to minimalism. I also really enjoyed the personal stories he told about his own journey as well as some other minimalist's. I really recommend both this book and Josh's blog to anyone who is curious or wants to learn more about minimalism!
As always, a big thank you goes to Blogging for Books who sent me this book for free for my honest review!

Brain Freeze Journal

I was so excited to get to try this cute journal! I'm a bit of a stationary nerd and I really love notebooks. What sets this one apart is that it looks like a little neapolitan ice cream sandwich! I really like that it has a lay flat binding as well, making it super easy to write it. My only gripe is that the pages are set up a big odd; the "chocolate" and "strawberry" parts of the page are lined (top and bottom sections) and the middle "vanilla" isn't. So it breaks up the page weirdly. It's a cute size, great for stashing in luggage or a purse. I think it would make a great gift for the journal-er in your life (but be aware about the page oddity).
Thanks as always to Blogging For Books for sending me this journal to try out for my honest review!

F*ck That : A Review

So originally I picked this book because I KNEW it would make an awesome gift for my aunt. It's totally hilarious (lots of swearing) with little bits of mantra like, "breathe it, let out all the bullshit", and stuff like that. Would make a great gift if you knew someone with the right sense of humor. Thanks to Blogging For Books for another great free book!

Around The Fire : A Review

Can you tell I have a penchant for cookbooks? "Around The Fire" is a great one, too! It's a quality hardcover with breathtaking photos. All the foods are made on the grill (yum!) and this would make a great gift for the griller in your life. As a vegetarian I especially enjoyed the grilled vegetable chapter. Some of the recipes are a bit over the top, not an everyday type recipe but something more for a foodie (grilled leg of goat, and some of the seafood dishes especially) but definitely a good inspiration for trying different things on the grill. Thanks as always to Blogging For Books for sending me this book for free for my honest review.

Fast Metabolism Food RX

I decided to read this book because I've seen the author, Haylie Pomroy, on Dr. Oz quite a bit and I always liked her advice. In this book she uses food as medicine to help with many different issues that all stem from metabolism upset. For example, GI issues (bloating, constipation, gas) and constant fatigue. Basically you eat certain foods at certain times of the day (her "prescription") to heal the metabolic pathways so you can digest and break down foods more effectively and feel better. The first bit of the book describes the way she fixed her own medical issues with diet. The chapters then go on to describe the food "prescriptions" (complete with recipes) and how to use them. I am glad to see she only recommends whole healthy foods but for me personally I would have a hard time following the prescriptions to a T. Definitely an interesting read if you are interested at all in how the body works or nutrition! Thanks again to Blogging for Books for sending me this book free to review!

Every Little Thing

Okay, I am hooked on these adult coloring books. I really loved the cover, and the pages are crisp and of great quality. The pictures are definitely less detailed than the other books I've used and there is a lot of repetition. Not my favorite but any means but would make a solid, quality gift for someone you know who likes these.

 Thanks as always to Blogging For Books for giving me this book for my honest review!

The Homemade Kitchen

I was actually SUPER EXCITED for this book to come out! I am a huge fan of Alana Chernila, and I've used her first cookbook, "The Homemade Pantry" quite a bit. I also really love her blog, Eating From The Ground Up! Needless to say, I love it! It starts with some basics in the "Be A Beginner" section like making jam and things like that. As always there are beautiful pictures!!! I especially am obsessed with the plum tart on the cover...how could you NOT want to eat that up!? As always she writes about cooking for the JOY of it...feeding loved ones and relaxing in the kitchen. Another hit! Thanks to Blogging for Books for hooking me up with this book FOR FREE for my honest opinion. :)

The Time Chamber

I know 'adult coloring books' are all the rage right now but after getting this book from Blogging For Books, I TOTALLY GET IT. This isn't just a coloring book, but a story with pages you can color. At first I thought it might be more geared towards kids but when I breezed through the pages it's definitely more for adults with the small spaces to color. I'm sure a little one could color as well I just think there would be a lot in and out of the lines. It's an absolutely beautiful book and thank you so much to Blogging For Books for letting me try it for free for my honest review. :)

Food52 Vegan

First of all, what a gorgeous book this is! Hardcover with a pretty binding, and gorgeous pictures to boot. This book is awesome (not only because yay, veggies) but because it is focused on veggies and whole foods and not on making things taste like meat. I can't wait to try the smoky tempeh and lentil sloppy joes. YUM! This book had me at the get-go since all the recipes have a picture (I'm a sucker for pictures!). I would highly recommend this cookbook for vegans, vegetarians, and veggie lovers alike. Thanks again to Blogging For Books for sending me this book for my honest review.