REVIEW FOR A GOOD TALK BY DANIEL MENAKER

About the book
In A Good Talk, Daniel Menaker one of America's most accomplished and personable literary figures, helps navigate the shallows, reefs, and open seas of conversation.  After discussing the origins of language and social talk, this concise and often hilariouus take on the most exclusively human of all activities (alonng with calculus) explains how good conversations work.  Focusing on first encounters and a single recorded exchange, the author shows that such talks have four stages: Survey, Discovery, Risk, and Roles.  He then addressed the deeper concerns that underlie conversations and their common social dilemmas and opportunities, from insults to instant messaging, from dating to dinner-ordering, from the value of humor to the handling of hubris.

Finally, A Good Talk - which is above all a really good read - connsiders the physical benefits of conversation and its indispensable place in our social, moral and political lives.  It's a book to enjoy, learn from, and - yes- talk about.

About the Author

Daniel Menaker has written for many publications including the New York Times, The New Yorker, and Slate.com, and he has authored several works of fiction - two o them New York Times notable books.  Well known inn the literary community for his career in magazine and book publishing, he is widely read and well versed in psychological theories and practices.  You can visit his website at danielmenaker.com.

My Review

I actually feel quite terrible about this but I wasn't able to get past the first chapter of this book.  When I had originally seen this book available to review I was very excited to get a copy and dive in, unfortunately the book did not turn out to be what I expected.  I found it very serious and I didn't get to the part where there were humorous parts.  It didn't hold my attention.  I do believe that the topic is very interesting and studying language is a very important topic.  I believe with all of the forms of electronic communication people have lost the ability to have small talk and even lost social graces. 

I would like to thank Hatchette Book Group for providing me a complimentary copy of this book to read for my honest review.

# Hardcover: 230 pages

# Publisher: Twelve - Hatchette Book Group
# Language: English
# First Edition: January 2010
# ISBN 978-0-446-54002-5

REVIEW FOR The S.T.A.R. Powered Twins by Dorothy A. Lecours

About the Book:   The S.T.A.R. Powered Twins is a CONCEPT BOOK.  This book is intended for young children and focused on the educational value of the "Law of Attraction."  The developmment of this concept requires an overflowing of strategies for each child to master during small reading increments of time daily.  It is designed to be used by adults to stimulate an early reader's interest, vocabulary, and reading skills.  In kindergarted each child is given the Development Reading Assessment (DRA) in the winter and spring.  Using the following guidelinnes to improve readinng scores.

About the Author:  Dorothy Lecours, the only child of Dorothy and William Goggins, was born in Waterbury, Connecticut and blessed with a mother who was an avid reader. Dorothy's father, William, graced her life with laughter and enormous fun. She treasures sailing at Lake Quassapaug most of all. As Dorothy reflects on the many inspirational steps leading to the creation of S.T.A.R. Powered Twins, she still recalls the fond memories of weekly trips to the Silas Bronson Library where she experienced the joy of reading in her early years.

Dorothy graduated from Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts. A love of teaching compelled her to continue exploring the crucial building blocks that make the joys of reading an integral part of every child's life. She received her Master's Degree in Reading from Central Connecticut State University and a sixth Year Degree in Reading from Western Connecticut State University. Dorothy went back to further her education for those children who needed a multi-sensory approach and achieved her 6TH Year+15 Teaching Development Degree, from Trinity College.

Dorothy taught first grade at B.W. Tinker School for thirty-five years in Waterbury, Connecticut. She loved this magnificent opportunity of looking at the world through the eyes of a first grader and holds dear the incredible joy that their infectious enthusiasm brought to her daily life.

Dorothy retired from teaching in 2004 and began taking Law of Attraction courses, which ignited her lifelong passion to write a children's book.

My Review

I shared this book with my oldest daughter who is five and she enjoyed reading the book.  We did not follow the suggestion of reading 10 pages and them discussing it we just read it like a normal story book.  I think my daughter mostly related to the senses annd then gift giving at Christmas.  I really believe that the concepts in this book can not be taught or practiced by children unless the parents live there life like this and follow the practices in their life.  As I said earlier I read this book as a story book and would probably do that again and if my children have questions I would answer them at that time.  Because we don't practice these concepts in our home I don't think that we would follow the practices in this book.

I believe that there alot of people who practice new age who would love a book like this to read to their children but more mainstream traditional religious followers may not be as receptive to the concepts in this book. And I think if I was discussing this with anyone that is what I would bring up before I recommended them reading this book as some traditionalists may be offended.

I would like to thank Paula Krapf of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. for me a complimentary copy of this book for my honest review.

# Hardcover: 95 pages
# Publisher: Big Tent Books with the assistance of Dragon Pencil
# Language: English
# ISBN-13:978-I-60131-063-7



 

Is There a Monster Over There? by Sally O. Lee (Kids Book Review)

Is there a monster over there?” tells the story of Mabel who is afraid of monsters. She thinks they are lurking under her bed or behind the door. One day she decides to face the monster and learns some wonderful lessons about facing her fears.

About The Author

Sally O. Lee earned her BA in Studio Art and Art History (with Distinction) from Colby College and then went on to study graphic design and painting in Boston (Art Institute of Boston) and in New York
City (New York Studio School). She has had several shows of her work and received an art grant from The Massachusetts Institute of Technology to conceive and create a series of paintings, and from this came her 2002 exhibition- A Journey Into Abstraction. Some of Ms. Lee's paintings are in various private collections in the US.

In recent years, Ms. Lee has begun to write and illustrate children's books. Some of them deal with the struggles of living with some form of handicap...or, as the author prefers to call it, imperfection. Many of her illustrations have been published and she has earned both academic and public recognition for her important work in children's books. She has had illustrations published in Worldlink Magazine, IEEE Magazine, and several other publications.

Sally lives and works in Massachusetts.

Sally Lee writes "My children's books are an extension of my work as a painter. Writing is a new addition for me, and I am enjoying it very much. And creating the illustrations is a perfect way to continue my painting in a new direction and a nice way to complement my writing. I hope to write and illustrate many more".

For more information about her books, visit her web site at
http://www.leepublishing.net./

MY REVIEW

I thought that is was a absolutely charming book that taught kids to face their fears and really sometimes what you are most afraid really isn't that scary.  And sometimes if you confront what you are most afraid of makes you a bigger and better person and that some things  or someone that you dislike might actually become a friend and even a good friend.  I loved readinng this  book to my little girls and they really liked the pictures.  This book was definately geared to the ages of 2-5 year olds.

I would definately recommend this book and give it a 5 out of 5.  I look forward to finding more of Sally O. Lee's books to read and share with my children.

Thank you to Sally O. Lee and Bostick Communications for sending a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of my honest review.


# Paperback: 36 pages
# Publisher: CreateSpace (February 13, 2010)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 1450531024
# ISBN-13: 978-1450531023

At my book club meeting last Sunday the book that we discussed was the 5 People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom.  I actually didn't read the book I am just doing that now but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to visit with some girls and have some mommy time.  One of the interesting things that came from our discussion is do you let people know that you value them and why you value them?  Do you share with someone if they have made an impact in your life, done a good deed for you, gave you a hand up when you were down?

I know I have had moments when I have done this but not consistently, but I would really like too.  Really we don't know how long our time is on earth and when we won't be in our loved ones lives.  I have been thinking about people who have made an impact on me and how I could express my gratitude to them. 

I feel really blessed my oldest daughter Abbey is generous by nature she would probably give away all of her special things to her friends.  She is constantly making things to give away as gifts to her friends.  I am very proud of her I hope that she keeps this up even as she gets older, I hope that she is learning that giving is more important than getting and that fostering a relationship with others and building bonds is more important than possessions.

Winners for Foxy, Simply Stacie, Book Wanderer and Wise Owl. I have sent an email to the winners confirming your win. Congratulations check back I am hoping to have some more giveaway's soon.

Have a great day.

It is blog hop central today, I am participating in three blog hop's today. New Friend Friday hosted by The Girl Creative, Friday Follow by Midday Escapades and Follow Me Friday's at Trendy Treehouse.

I am a Mom of three and my passion is raising my kids and having fun along the way. My newest venture in life has been creating this blog and making jewelry, which you can find samples of some of the stuff that I have designed. Please check back for Blogmania because I will be designing a special piece to giveaway on that day. You just may be the lucky winner!

Happy Friday!

BlogMania is Coming April 30

WOW! Aren’t you the lucky one! You’ve arrived at exactly the right time to explore lots of new blogs, all of which, ARE GIVING AWAY A VERY SPECIAL BLOGMANIA GIVEAWAY (For One Day Only) .

You literally have the chance to win hundreds of prizes. We’ve done all the work for you. No hunting or surfing for just the right blogs. Every blog you visit will have more links for you to follow, all of them with a special BLOGMANIA giveaway and just waiting for you to drop by.

Each blog will have a number similar to this (25 of 83) and each new blog link will have a number. These numbers will allow you to keep track of which blogs you’ve visited and how many are left to visit. Now really, isn’t this the easiest thing ever! AND SO MUCH FUN…

I know you’ll want to visit as many blogs today as you can. So, if you see something that interests you on any of our participating blogs, why not bookmark their site. Later, when you have more time, you can discover all its fabulous treasures.

Remember! The special Blogmania prizes are only available for one day, April 30th. The number of prizes you could win is only limited by the NUMBER of blogs you visit.

Get Ready—Set —Go !

I have a giveaway ending on April 11th and only have four entries and three copies to give away so please enter you will have a good chance at winning.

I have been feeling so overwhelmed lately I just can't keep up with all the goings on in my life.  Really I think I would like to have a few weeks off maybe one complete week by myself and then the family could come back.  Do you ever feel that way?

Right now it seems like I am holding all the strings of my life together by the seams, I wish sometimes I didn't have to sleep so I could get everything accomplished but I really like sleep.