Mom's Tree House

Archive for the ‘Book Reviews’ Category

I just read the book, The Mothers of Reinvention; Reclaim Your Identity, Unleash Your Potential, Love Your Life, that ultimately needs be read by every woman. The book is written by the creators and host of the award-winning web series Jennifer Pate and Barbara Machen. These two women demonstrates how a mothers and wives could fulfill their dreams  by reinventing themselves  to reach their potential by simply keeping true  to who they were before becoming mothers.  This book serves as a testament that in order for a woman to take care of her family, she must also take care of herself.

The book starts off on how getting married and having  children impacts the lives of women, who become mothers and wives. The experience of loosing friends, not going out, spending time on a hobby, or developing a career may impact the happiness of a woman, as she is later only identified as wife and mother. The read includes narratives from many different women but, all that we could relate to. We all want to keep a piece of who we are once we get married and have kids and the Mothers of Reinvention teaches you how to do that.

Pate and Machen provides the reader with innovative ideas which allows freedom and alone-time for every mother and lifestyle.  The book includes ways of balancing your children’s schedules as to include time for yourself. It shows you how to manage conflict such as divorce and financial burdens but most of all, this book shows how to take control back of your  own life.

This book is a must-read for all as it touches the dynamics of every home.  The stories are heartfelt,  making the read one to motivate and inspire. Yes, we are mothers and we are wives but foremost, we are women. Becoming one or the other does not mean, letting go of one or the other. We could do it all because truly, that is how we are made.

About the Authors

Jennifer Pate, co-author of The Mothers of Reinvention: Reclaim Your Identity, Unleash Your Potential, Love Your Life,is the mother of two, Cooper and Lilah, and lives in Los Angeles with her husband Jonas. After retiring from a professional dance career that spanned ten years, Jennifer became a casting director for TV and film, and co-founded Colloff, Fishman, and Britt Casting. She then went on to her most interesting and challenging career of all: becoming a stay-at­-home mom. Currently, Jen is the co-creator and co-host of the award winning web series “Jen and Barb, Mom Life.”

Barbara Machen, co-author of The Mothers of Reinvention: Reclaim Your Identity, Unleash Your Potential, Love Your Life, is the mother of twins, India and Soraya, and lives in Los Angeles with her husband of twelve years, Shahrad. Raised by a single mother on government assistance, Barb received a full scholarship to the University of Southern California, graduating with a BA in Communications. By age twenty-five, Barb owned her own marketing company, but after becoming a mother, she quickly learned how it felt to go from a confident woman to a scared and insecure mother. This led her to co-create and co­host the award-winning web series “Jen and Barb, Mom Life.”

Disclosure: I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from FSB Media in exchange for my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own and may differ from others.

Every once in awhile, I come across a book in where I fall in love, head over heels for and  Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs made me fall  hard and fast. This book is timeless and bound to become a classic. There is nothing better than to read a book from beginning to end that keeps you captivated and absorbed to another place and time but furthermore, there is nothing better than to have a book stay with you long after reading it. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children has become  my ultimate favorite book this year and so far, no other book has come close  to taking that spot.

So, why is this book so special? Here is the official synopsis provided by the publisher; 

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. And a strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children who once lived here—one of whom was his own grandfather— were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a desolate island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

I picked up Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Childrenat a bookstore simply because the cover looked interesting. At home, I thumbed through a couple of pages and started reading and before I knew it, I was addicted to the book. I carried this book every where I went, including work. I snuck some reading time anywhere I could get it simply because I needed to know what happned next. Full of adventure, young love and time travel, this book will keep you engaged till the very last page and even when you finish, you’ll want more.  

Needless to say, this book has become a big deal as movie studios have been frighting for it’s right and just recentley, it was announced on Ransom Riggs’s blog,  that 20th Century Fox has indeed snatch up the rights. According to Cinemablend, Tim Burton may direct the movie and X-men screen writer, Jane Goldman has just signed on to write the script.

I don’t know if the movie will do the book any justice so, I do recommend reading it. You will not be disappointed. Ransom Riggs is already working on a sequel and I can’t wait. So check  out the book trailer below, just to get a peek.

This book is a sweet  story of a young boy who loves playing soccer, living  with his family in the mountains of Israel. Upon visiting his cousins in the city,  Itamar realizes he left hs soccer ball behind when leaving to go back home. When he went back to get the ball he met three city kids playing with his ball. When he asked for it back, they started teasing him and wouldn’t let him have it. They said he didn’t belong there. Itamar was hurt by this and as he tried to get his ball he fell and hurt himself. The boys feeling bad about the hurt they caused Itamar, they decided to help him. Later, the boys took a bus to visit Itamar at his small village in the mountains.

  Itamar Makes Friends, A Children’s Story of Jewish Brotherhood, is a wonderful book that teaches the young reader about cultural differences but that as people, they are all the same. The message is simple but powerful-accept people for who they are. It teaches the reader, that you cannot treat people badly because they are different.

I loved this book especially in the today’s time. My son listened as I read him the story and carefully, pointed to the beautiful pictures illustrated by S. Kim Glassman. I recommend this book to any young reader, the lessons learned will last a lifetime.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Librarything.com in exchange for my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own and may differ from others.

I just read a children’s book, Heaven is for Real for kids, which was told by Colton Burpo to his parents Todd and Sonja Burpo as he  made a trip to heaven and back, from his hospital bed.

In telling his story, Colton describes how beautiful Heaven is and how Jesus shows his loves to him and all those in heaven. Colton describes the happiness, the lack of boredom, how no one gets hurt and even goes to describe his visit to God’s throne. Wthn each page, you also fnd a Bible Verse that coincides with what he is describing.

The book is a light, simple read with a powerful message. The illustrations by Wilson Ong are simply beautiful, depicted with bright water colors that enhances the read. This book makes a perfect gift for any child and wll definitely be passed down the children in our family.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own and may differ from others

 I always look for books that will capture my son’s attention and  Bible Stories for Preschoolers by Monika Kustra did exactly that. Ths book was such a pleasant read and Franco enjoyed it so much. Bible Stories for Preschoolers will definitely be a favorite among reading time in our household.

 With 49 Bible stories fully detailed in bright, vibrant colored illustrations done by Andrzej Chalecki, Franco concentrated on the pictures while his Dad read the stories.  The stories themselves were not short as other children books but related important lessons within about 6-7 per each story. The stories were also interactive, which I really loved. The author includes interactions in the text such as, “Close your eyes. Now, what do you see? You don’t see anything, do you? Everything is dark.” Franco would quickly cover his eyes wth his little hands and giggle. 

 Another interactive part of this book was the 2-page Family Time section at the end of each story. Within ‘Family Time’ there are three sections: talk, remember and do. Talk includes about 5 questions to make sure that the children understood the story. Franco is too young for reading comprehension but my 7 year-old-niece Juju, really enjoyed this part of the book.  The remembersection includes a take-away verse from the story you just read. I loved this part as it helps with remebering scripture. With the Do section, we all got together to do “stuff”. When my niece and nephew comes to visit, they now ask to read the Bible-game book.  We all enjoyed this part of the book the most. It gave us the opportunity to get together to do things or eat things related to the stories we have read. 

This children’s bible just rocks and I recommended it to every child that simply wants to know about the bible and God !

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Tyndale Media in exchange for my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own and may differ from others.

After reveweing Caroline Taggart’s I Used to Know That, I knew  I also had to get my hands on I Used to Know That Geography by Will Williams. This book proved to be a wonderful reference for geographical information and cool facts.

This book will give you everything you need to know about Geography, including information you learned in school but, long since have forgotten.

The book itself is easy to read and understand with information broken down in charts, diagrams and maps. For instance, each chapter contains charts breaking down capitals, states, population statistics and so much more.  As I paged through this book, I also found text-box inserts “Geo Gem”, giving you facts you may not know. Totally loved this!  I  learned so  many new things while reading this book such as why the ocean is salty or what is the difference between a forest and a jungle?  These little facts are just fun to know.

This book is simply informative, interestng  and simple. Perfect for children and teens. My son is two, but this book is going away on his bookshelf  for when he becomes older.  I recommend this book for anyone studying Geography, it really is a must-have reference.   

About the Author

Will Williams, author of I Used to Know That: Geography: Stuff You Forgot From School, was born twenty-five yards from the Marston Brewery in Burton upon Trent. He always knew that places would be important in his life. After a good state school education at King Edward’s, Lichfield, he went on to Hertford College, Oxford, where he read Geography. Though secretly harboring a desire to be a stuntman, he is currently entrenched as the Head of Geography at St Paul’s School, London. The place he calls home, though, is near the banks of the Garonne in South West France, with his wife Christelle and daughter Fleuve.

For more information, view Will WilliamsW’s Web site.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from FSB Media in exchange for my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own and may differ from others.

B.J. Remington, a teacher and Cheerleader Coach who is killed on a bus coming home from a football game. Ten years later, her murder is yet to be solved and her death, still impact those on the bus that fateful night.    

In present time, Casio and Claudia are still haunted by the murder. Claudia husband, Victor, is the ADA who re-opens this ten-year murder case. Now, Victor, along with Claudia and Casio, embark an investigation leading to more what they bargained for. As the investigation unfolds, so does old memories and emotions, only to find in the end, that things are not awlays what they seem to be.

This is the first time reading a novel by Serita Jakes and I loved it. This book simply was outstanding with all the qualities I enjoy of mystery, suspense and love. The novel does not only concentrate on the ten-year old murder of B.J. Remington but also, on what B.J Remington expereienced  from sustaining the bullet until her last breath.

The Crossings gives you a look at God’s forgiveness and love with one’s sin. This book will literally bring into the pages of the story making you feel, you are watching everything from a little corner in that place and time.   The characters are well developed and you can’t help but feel for them.

 It is a compelling story of  death and life after death. It is a story of forgiveness and of letting go, of simply accepting tragedy and what you can take from it.   I recommend this book to everyone!! I look forward to reading more books Serita Jakes!! Simply, a wonderful and inspiring author.

About the Author

Serita Jakes has been involved in Christian ministry all of her adult life andhas served alongside her husband, Bishop T. D. Jakes, throughout their entire marriage of nearly 30 years. Together, they have touched the lives of millions around the globe through various humanitarian projects, relief efforts, community service initiatives and record-breaking conferences. As an insightful speaker, Serita draws heavily from her education and background in theater and mass communications. She is affectionately referred to as “First Lady Jakes” by The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, a global humanitarian organization and 30,000-member church, where her husband serves as Senior Pastor.

In addition to raising three sons and two daughters, she has assumed an active role at The Potter’s House as the Executive Director of Women’s Ministries. Serita’s heart for women is evident as she oversees Rahab International Ministries for survivors of domestic violence; as well as God’s Leading Ladies Life Enrichment Program (GLL) for women who seek to lead excellent spiritual, personal and professional lifestyles; and the Debutante Program for teenage girls. Her book, The Princess Within, is an autobiographical reflection of victory over pain, trauma, and abuse. She wrote the book as a vehicle of encouragement for hurting women who want to break the silence surrounding their secret pain and obtain healing from it.

That same year, Serita traveled extensively as co-executive producer with the Woman, Thou Art Loosedstage play. She also served as public spokesperson on the performance tour, addressing the critical issues of sexual abuse, alcoholism, abortion, and addictive relationships that were dramatized by the play. In 2000, Mrs. Jakes was co-executive producer of her husband’s stage play Behind Closed Doors, which addressed the critical issue of breast cancer among women. In 2009, she appeared in the movie, Not Easily Broken, which was released January of that same year by Sony Pictures. The movie ranked No. 9 nationally during opening week. Currently, Mrs. Jakes is intricately involved with her husband’s highly-anticipated sitcom, One Love.

Disclosure:I received a copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own and may differ from others.

 I just finished reading The Bone House by Stephen Lawhead’s and found myself surprised for not liking this book.   I guess maybe because I did not read the first installment of  the Bright Empires series (The Skin Map) which may have left me lost.

Now, I love my books and consider myself to be a quick reader but with the Bone House,  I found myself putting it down and coming back to it every couple of days. So, needless to say, the interest was just not there.  The story lines were are hard to keep up with as they constantly changed from one storyline to the next.  I was also not able to connect with any of the characters which left me longing to know more about them. With that being sad, I still found myself wanting to finish the book becuase the book dealt with time travel, alternate realities and events between different worlds. 

In The Bone House, the story still ties in with the  skin map introduced in book 1. This parchment of human skin contains symbols one traveler tattooed on himself to keep track of the pathways leading from one world to another.  The Bone House, the characters continue their search for the skin map in order to move from one reality to the next. The goal,  is to use the skin map is to find a hidden treasure, which continues to be a mystery as the contents of the treasure is still unknown.

The read itself  s quite good but, I felt like I cut myself short since  I did not read the first book in the seres, The Skin Map.  My suggestion, read book 1, before reading The Bone House, book 2.I think the story should come together nicely.

On my job, I am always writing up reports. yet, I can’t tell you how often I find myself questioning my grammar and writing style. So, when the opportunity to review My Grammar and I…Or Should That Be Me? How to Speak and Write It Right by Caroline Taggart and J.A. Wines, I jumped to it.

This book is a wonderful reference. It is divided into five easy to read and outlined chapters: Spelling and Confusables, Parts of Speech, Sentence Structure, Punctuation, and Odds and Ends (Or, Elements of Style). Each chapter gives you the information and basic rules you need in order  to recognize the most common errors.  

This book is perfect for improving your writing skills and re-learning your grammar. It helps with sentence structure, word order and even critiquing for misspelledwords. I also recommend this book to English speaking students as well as students in where English may not be their first language. This book can easily be used as a reference at all level schools.   This book simply rocks!

About the Authors

J. A. Wines, co-author of My Grammar and I . . . Or Should That Be Me? How to Speak and Write it Right,is a graduate of Oxford University and the author of several books on grammar and trivia. Caroline Taggart, co-author of My Grammar and I . . . Or Should That Be Me? How to Speak and Write it Right, has been an editor of non-fiction books for nearly 30 years and has covered nearly every subject from natural history and business to gardening and astronomy. She has written several books, includingI Used to Know That and was the editor of Writer’s Market UK 2009.Taggart lives in London.

 For more information, view J.A. Wines’s Web site.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from FSB Media in exchange for my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own and may differ from others.

The End of Molasses Classes by Ron Clark, is a book to be read and to be used  to educate. Those who are educators and really care about teaching need to pick this book up. It shows and proves that as teachers, we should not settle for less but rather strive for more. 

This book is  a must-have manual for every educator that refuses to settle for average results. Ron Clark inspires teachers and students to fight for their education, raising the bar for quality education and programming. The message is clear-In spite challenges educators face, students should be encouraged to become passionate life-long learners. Today, so many schools and educators fail our children. We have stressed, overworked, tired teachers, facing budget cuts with constant pressures to meet the needs of so many different children, resulting in many students being overlooked and passed. At the Ron Clark Academy, you set the goals, meet those goals, and get better results. Clark’s no nonsense attitude, funny but realistic views hits home. If you become a serious educator, your students will thrive.

I recommend this book to all educators. It will bring into light some of the issues we face in our programs and gives you the hope and techniques of making a change. This book is truly inspirational.

About the Author

Known to many as “America’s Educator,” Ron Clark is the 2000 Disney American Teacher of the Year, a New York Times Bestselling

 author, the subject of a television movie and the founder of The Ron Clark Academy. Ron is regularly featured on network and cable television (The Today Show, CNN and Oprah,) and was dubbed by Ms. Winfrey as her first “Phenomenal Man.”

Ron Clark brings charisma, energy and devotion to the education profession. Ron pioneered innovative projects in rural North Carolina working with minority students in a low wealth area. His highly effective programs garnered national attention and led to a White House invitation to be honored by the President of the United States.

Ron Clark’s personality is marked by a sense of challenge and adventure. Upon watching a television piece chronicling low test scores and the lack of teachers in inner-city New York, Ron packed his car and moved to Harlem. After being warned by the principal that his class was the least disciplined group she had seen in years, Ron prepared himself by visiting the home of each student before the first day of school. Ron Clark involved his students in projects in the city and state, and his “low achievers” soon began to excel; and by the end of the year, their scores were higher than the “gifted” classes in his district.

In 2003, Ron Clark released the New York Times Bestselling book “The Essential 55″ which includes his 55 expectations of students – as well as all individuals – young and old. Ron’s second book, “The Excellent 11,” was released in August 2004 and further captured the attention of parents, educators and students alike.

Most recently, Ron Clark has founded The Ron Clark Academy, an inner-city school serving students from across metro Atlanta. The privately-funded institution is unique for its innovative teaching methods and curriculum based on worldwide travel. Each year the students, grades 5 through 8, apply their in-class lessons to international adventures. And, by the time of graduation, each child will have visited six of the seven continents. Teachers from around the world visit the Academy to observe the innovative and “out-of-the-box” methods for achieving student success.

In addition to his many duties as an educator, Ron Clark is a much sought after keynote speaker. He shares the uncanny adventures he has had in the classroom and speaks of his experiences teaching in Harlem. Within his humorous and heartwarming stories, he delivers a message relevant to each of us. It is a message of hope, dedication and the never-say-never attitude required to achieve goals and dreams.

 Disclosure: I received a  copy of this book from FSB Media in exchange for my review.   No other compensation was received.  All opinions are 100% my own and may differ from others.