♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: AP/SAT II US History in a Flash by Larry Krieger

AP/SAT II US History in a Flash
Larry Krieger

Release Date: February 7th, 2011

Publisher: Direct Hits

Page Count: 348

Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher, via LibraryThing Member Giveaways, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you both!)

US History in a Flash is the definitive prep book for both the AP US History exam and the SAT II US History subject test. The book is based upon a bold new approach.

Instead of trying to be a mini-textbook that covers everything, US History in a Flash uses the Direct Hits’s selective approach of only focusing on topics that have generated clusters of questions.

What Stephanie Thinks: As someone who takes standardized tests for school, an AP "crash course" is helpful. I obviously am not preparing for the US History Subject Test (not my strongest point), but I am taking an American History course right now which goes well with this book. We don't have a standardized test for it, but we do have in-class tests that need the material found in a review like this.

More recently, I had to write a history synthesis paper, and this book that has a little bit of all sorts of information was fantastic for it because I didn't have to lug my entire textbook around.

What's great, is that each of the topics are organized into chapters throughout the book. From there, subtopics are branched off, thoroughly explaining all the possible details, in a format that's convenient to search through.

My only disappointment is that it does not coordinate with the course textbook. Most history textbooks (and I know, from high school social studies classes, as well) aren't ordered chronologically because in history, that sometimes mixes things up. AP/SAT II US History in a Flash is set up that way, so it makes it harder to read and use when attempting to study.

In the long run, this guide is a concise, ever-so-facile book to review an entire double-semester course from, and I recommend it for anyone studying for finals or writing up term essays.

Radical Rating: 8 hearts: An engaging read; highly recommended. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: Teen Cuisine by Matthew Locricchio

Teen Cuisine
Matthew Locricchio

Release Date: October 1st, 2010

Publisher: Marshall Cavendish

Page Count: 207

Source: Complimentary copy provided by FSB Media in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!!)

Renowned chef Matthew Locricchio's Teen Cuisine is a one-of-a-kind cookbook that introduces adolescents to more than 50 mouthwatering recipes. For beginning cooks and seasoned chefs, its step-by-step instructions feature fresh, nutritious ingredients and show-stopping dishes made from scratch.

What Stephanie Thought: When it comes to food, most of my experiences go like this:

Somebody: Hey Stephanie, you like to eat, right? Are you good at cooking?
Me: No, no. I can't be good in every room of the house!

But seriously. Considering I'm the kind of person who could burn a caesar salad, most people would not come to me first (or at all) for food catering needs. Which is why when I saw this cookbook that clearly states it is for neophytes, I knew it was perfect for me.

Many of the recipes featured in Teen Cuisine are indeed a very innovative way to get kids to enjoy their time in the kitchen. The four recipes I tried out (California-style pizza, Alabama Festival Shrimp, Po-Boy Sandwich, and Slow Cakes) ended up fantastic: easy-to-follow, orderly, and most importantly, tasty. 

I wish the recipe instructions would have had more pictures. For a beginner's cookbook, this one isn't as effortless as it leads on to. I would have loved progressive images to keep track of where I was while cooking, sort of like in origami or other craft books. 

Also, easy cooking does not necessarily mean healthy cooking. Though a lot of the recipes call for "whole-grain" and "fresh" ingredients, it is evident by the foods themselves, such as the Max Mac and Cheese and Chicago-style Deep Dish Pizza, that these are not exactly heart-healthy selections. I'll admit I'm sort of a nut about these kinds of things. The recipes are super, yes, and even better, simple, but if you closely watch what you eat, Teen Cuisine's greasy choices may not be ideal for you.

Stephanie Loves: The recipe for California-style pizza (link courtesy of the amazing Pioneerwoman). Think California Pizza Kitchen or what I like to call sun pizzas! Yummm.

Radical Rating: 8 hearts: An engaging read; highly recommended. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

♥♥♥♥♥♥: Kama Sutra of Sexual Positions: The Tantric Art of Love by Kenneth Ray Stubbs

Kama Sutra of Sexual Positions: The Tantric Art of Love
Kenneth Ray Stubbs, Ph.D.

Page Count: 64
Release Date: July 2001
Publisher: Secret Garden Publishing
Source: Vibrator.com is an online store that sells not only sex toys, but also other sensual products such as massage oils, love games, and lingerie. I received The Kama Sutra of Sexual Positions from its adult bookstore for free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!). Check out Vibrator.com's blog for exclusive deals, tips, and information!

Over 100 images of lovers in sexual embrace—the best from:

• Kama Sutra

• Ananga-Ranga

• The Perfumed Garden

• Ishimpo

• Song of Songs

• other traditions and other times

Kama Sutra comes to us from fourth-century India. Written by a holy man, this "love scripture" has become known in the West as a "bible of sex". As such, Kama Sutra of Sexual Positions presents many facets of sexual embrace from many cultures where the sexual and the scared together are the weaver of the tapestry of life.

What Stephanie Thought: A variety of  illustrations as well as vivid descriptions of each of the positions are both demonstrated in Kenneth Ray Stubbs's full-color depicted sex guide. Combining the Indian Kama Sutra and Ananga-Ranga, Arabic The Perfumed Garden of Sensual Delight, Japanese Ishimpo, and Hebrew Song of Songs, this book covers an expanse selection of sex positions that any and all lovers can try.

It was wonderful how all of the ancient expert advice was combined into one book, facilitating the search for an ideal position to try. I only wish the descriptions were illustrated accordingly, rather than just being placed on random pages throughout the book. Some of the positions are worded strangely, making it hard to imagine what they should look like.

The pictures are well-drawn, I'll admit, but many of them are ancient drawings or just modern sketches: a bit awkward. Rather than turning me on while reading, they sort of decreased my libido—you can't really be aroused by looking at unattractive pictures. 
I didn't dislike reading this one, but I definitely have seen better Kama Sutra guides. If you want variety, this one is perfect. If you want more detail (and are actually looking into trying new things in the bedroom with a partner), Kama Sutra of Sexual Positions may not be the best for you.

And though the positions are diverse, not many of them seem very conceivable or possible, for that matter. Here's a ridiculous example that made me laugh a bit: 

Stephanie Loves: "'The camel's hump: The woman, who is standing, bends forward till her fingers touch the floor; the man gets behind and copulates, at the same time grasping her thighs. If the man withdraws while the woman is still bending down, the vagina emits a sound like a bleating of a calf, and for that reason some women object to the posture.'"

Radical Rating: 6 hearts: Satisfying for a first read, but I'm not going back. ♥♥♥♥♥♥

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: Take Charge of Parkinson's Disease by Anne Cutter Mikkelsen

Take Charge of Parkinson's Disease
Anne Cutter Mikkelsen with Carolyn Stinson

Page Count: 192
Release Date:
Publisher: DiaMedica
Source: Complimentary copy provided by LibraryThing in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!)

Guidelines to Taking Charge of YOUR Parkinson's Disease

Take Charge of Parkinson’s Disease: Dynamic Lifestyle Changes to Put YOU in the Driver's Seat is for everyone affected by PD—those with the disease, families, and caregivers. With its focus on a healthy lifestyle that emphasizes nutrition and exercise as a way of maintaining optimal health, the book will appeal to readers who want to emphasize wellness and healthy aging while living with Parkinson’s disease.

Motivated by her husband Mike’s PD, Anne Mikkelsen developed a cooking style that blends her training in traditional French cooking and love of plants with emerging science on the importance of brain-healthy fruits, vegetables, spices, and herbs. Mike, an award-winning potter and sculptor, has skillfully adapted his art to accommodate the advancing stages of PD. Together, over nearly three decades, they have overcome the obstacles of living with Parkinson’s disease in a fashion that will be an inspiration to readers.

Healthy lifestyle recommendations and an extensive recipe section are interspersed with Anne’s memoir of her journey with her husband as they discover how to live well with Parkinson’s disease. A chapter on issues of caregiving and the challenges it presents to a relationship enhances the comprehensive coverage of living with PD.

Half memoir and half health guide, Take Charge of Parkinson's Disease is a thoughtful, easy-to-follow book stuffed with information about Parkinson's Disease, uplifting personal stories, and many clever recipes to help you through a healthy-as-possible lifestyle. With a history of Parkinson's Disease on my father's side, I thought this book would be useful to keep on hand. Although Parkinson's Disease affects mainly middle-aged and elderly adults and is very rare in individuals less than thirty years of age, it's still important to be informed on such topics. I'm obviously too young to be concerned about Parkinson's in myself, but the book was extremely descriptive, and is one of those books I should keep for the future (for my dad, uncles, and aunts).

Parkinson's Disease has no known cure, which is why a book to facilitate a lifestyle with the disease is a godsend. I especially loved all the recipes to promote a healthy lifestyle that were included at the end of the book. Even though Mikkelsen is not a doctor, she has studied French cooking, owns restaurants, and hosts cooking shows; she clearly knows what she's doing. I am eager to start using the foods recommended and incorporating them into my diet. Like I said, I'm too young to be concerned with PD, but with these things, you can never be too early.

Stephanie Loves: "Foods Tools to Keep Stocked in Your Pantry: olive oil, lemons and limes, teas and coffee, pepper, sea salts, cucumbers, onions, rosemary, nutmeg, kidney beans, nutrient-dense legumes, black beans, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, canola oil, chickpeas, raspberries, fava beans, and edadame."

Radical Rating: 8 hearts: An engaging read; highly recommended. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥: Living Life in the Zone by Kyle Rote Jr. and Dr. Joe Pettigrew

Living Life in the Zone
Kyle Rote Jr. and Dr. Joe Pettigrew

Page Count: 352
Release Date: 29 December, 2009
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Source: Complimentary copy provided by BookSneeze in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!)

Power. Grace. Strength. Fearlessness. That's living life in The Zone. For many men, there's nothing more exciting than seeing an athlete elevate his game to another realm. Quarterbacks thread passes through impossibly tight creases. Golfers sink pressure-packed putts. Sluggers park baseballs ten rows deep in the cheap seats. Afterward, these athletes all say one thing: The dominance was easy. Everything came into focus. Against all reason, time slowed down.

If only we mortals were so lucky. Between the stresses of work and the pressures of parenthood and marriage, our time—our life—flies by faster than a major league heater. Can we hope to elevate our game and enter The Zone?

Living Life in The Zone is a 40-day spiritual journey for discovering abundant life. Filled with inspirational scriptures and real-life stories of playmakers such as Tony Dungy, Allan Houston, Kurt Warner, and John Wooden, this game plan will teach you what God has in store for men living In His Zone.

This is the book for men. Not just a book, but the book. Though I am not a man by any means, I was able to get through it and enjoy it immensely—I honestly cannot say I've ever read a book quite like it. It captures forty days of a man's life—your life—connecting one to both God and sports.

Starting from Day One, it accounts you to your spiritual and mental well-being. Included, are uplifting quotes and scriptures to help you through your own self-identity and self-preservation, and fantastic stories from athletes we all know and look up to. The connection to the celebrity sports figures is really want helped me realize the potential of the motive of this book: to discover "The Secret" for happiness in life, and to lead a successful one.

What I found difficult is some of the concepts used—naturally, I didn't completely comprehend the "male" aspects of the narrations. But the overall message was universal and it was this: You can be greater than you think you are; you can aspire and attain higher goals thank you think to be; and the world around you can be helped to achieve a higher degree of perfection.

Rote uses a combination of inspiring words and concepts that are easily related to, to advocate spending more time with God and finding connections within oneself in sports. The 40-day game plan is very step-by-step and self-explanatory; it doesn't feel like reading an overwhelming self-help book... it feels like reading your own journal. It is not one of those books where you can read it and voilà, your life is perfect; it's one of those books you read over and over again to tweak and orient your life as you know it until you achieve that satisfying perfection. Keep this one close to your heart because the more you read it, the more improvement you'll see. 

Radical Rating: 7 hearts: Not without flaws, but overall enjoyable. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥