The Elemental Journal

Since I really enjoy any books dealing with crafts, scrapbooking, and decorating, I knew I would enjoy The Elemental Journal by Tammy Kushnir. The craft book looks at different elements that can be found around your house, outside, or at any location. These items range from wood and paper to plastic and fabric. Each chapter has 4 different types of journals to make, and contains a list of materials and tools necessary to make the particular journal. Then, step by step pictures, which are illustrated, lay out how the particular project is made.

If for nothing more than the photos, I loved this book. Sometimes I find myself drawn to artsy books, but unable to recreate the crafts within the book. This is not the case with The Elemental Journal. The items required to make the journals can be found anywhere, and the instructions clearly lay out how the project is made.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Please Stop Laughing at Me

Please Stop Laughing at Me…One Woman’s Inspirational Story tells of the childhood and teenage year of the book’s author, Jodee Blanco. Although I was never bullied in school, and I was never a student who did bullying, I was interested in reading this book. Jodee tells of her experiences in school and how she would fit in for a short amount of time by denying who she really was, and then when she began to stand up for what she believed to be right, she was in turn ridiculed and was the one becoming bullied.

I have to admit, at a few points throughout the book, I thought “that can’t really be what happened” because I, myself, never saw anything like this at my school. I am a high school student, and as I think to high school and elementary school experiences, I don’t think I can pinpoint a single time where I witnessed bullying. I never saw anyone throw someone’s books to the ground, spit or hit a student, or even call anyone else mean names. In the book, Jodee mentions how those who were physically and mentally handicapped were made fun of and taunted. This was exactly the opposite in my school, as everyone embraced those students in support classes, and it was the cool thing to do to volunteer in the Gateway Classroom.

Although I found the actions of the bullys hard to imagine, I believed what Jodee was saying because what would she gain from lying about her experiences? It made me concerned to think that this type of thing may be going on in schools around the country, and I would definitely recommend my high-school aged friends read this book to understand what some students may be facing. With that in mind, I understand why some people only gave this book 1 star…it’s hard to believe she was on the receiving end of such cruel pranks and taunting, but I tend to be very believing of what others say was their experience in life, even though it may be different than what happened to me so far in high school.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the booksneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

A Cowboy's Touch

A Cowboy’s Touch is the first story in A Big Sky Romance written by Denise Hunter. The story is set in the town of Moose Creek, Montana, and follows the story of Abigail Jones. Abigail is an investigative reporter, but when her editor (who also happens to be her mother) forces her to take a leave of absence to look after her aging great-aunt, she finds so much more than she ever imagined. In Montana she finds love, faces loss, and is able to remember past childhood relationships that have affected her life in a more profound way than she even knew. Overall, this was a great romance that looked at the ways individuals deceive one another, all the while making excuses for their actions, justifying what they are doing in order to appease their own guilty conscience.

I really enjoyed this book, and think it is a great summer read. The characters were all relatable, as Abigail, her love interest and employer Wade, and Wade’s young daughter Maddy all faced the loss of a loved one in their lives. Abigail lost her father at the age of 15, while Wade’s wife (also Maddy’s mother) died about 7 years before the story took place. The book shows the struggles they face many years later and their attempts to move on from the loss in their lives. There is also a strong element of faith in the book. Many times Abigail finds herself quoting verses her father taught her, even though she had not attended church in a relatively long time. This shows that how one is raised affects their future, and that even those words said to a young child can be remembered. Abigail also causes Wade to readjust his stance on dating, as she questions him if he has been seeking God’s will in his decision to no longer date. I really enjoyed this book, and the writing style of Denise Hunter. I will definitely add her other books to my reading list.   

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."