7 Heart Review: The Facebook Diet by Gemini Adams

The Facebook Diet (Unplug)
Gemini Adams

Page Count: 146
Release Date: May 24th 2013
Publisher: Live Consciously Publishing
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Live Consciously!)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

A tongue-in-cheek look at our love of social media through 50 hilarious cartoons that complete the question, "You Know You're a Facebook Addict When...?"

Award-winning author and artist, Gemini Adams, offers a hilarious look at the most idiotic, embarrassing and cringe-worthy behaviors of our social media excess.


With over 1 billion people now on Facebook (that's 1 in every 7 of us) and over 30% checking their account before brushing their teeth or hair in the mornings, it seems most can confess to an addictive Facebook habit; whether it's stalking an ex, faking bathroom breaks to read news, checking-in wherever they go, or art-directing photo's for the perfect profile pic.


Packed with funny digital detox tips that gently 'poke' at readers to examine the health of their high-tech habits and unplug once in a while, this laugh-out-loud gift book is guaranteed to bring a smile of recognition to Facebook junkies everywhere!

Buy the book from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Books-A-Million | Kobo | Publisher

Review

Such an overly wired world like ours needs the occasional humorous reflection to prevent us from getting completely lost within the techosphere, and a simple solution is the Facebook Diet: a Facebook detox every once in a while. This may seem completely impossible for some (and if that's the case, you need this book NOW!!), while completely irrelevant to others, but regardless of the number of messages in your inbox, the urgency of your unread notifications, or how many friend requests you have pending, Gemini Adams's fully illustrated cartoon-style book is bound to entertain Facebook users of every kind.

Some of the "symptoms" of Facebook addiction will totally have you thinking That is so me, while others are just plain silly, but this variety and balance is what makes The Facebook Diet such a lighthearted, ironic read.

What I love is how Gemini Adams isn't just about being funny; she genuinely has a purpose with this book: to reveal to social media addicts (like yours truly) how much technology is taking over our lives. While this obviously isn't anything ground-breaking or extremely eye-opening, it's a comical, refreshing reminder of what matters and what really doesn't in life.

Pros

Accessible format; easy to skim and enjoy the "You know you're a Facebook addict when..." list // Relevant in today's tech-filled community // Great as a gag gift and for Facebook geeks

Cons

Chuckle-worthy, but not actually hysterical... // Illustrations aren't that cute

Love

Here's a sneak peek of what the book entails:

Verdict

Mostly amusing, a little vulgar, and completely modern, The Facebook Diet is a socially pertinent and yet still entertaining collection that will not only help you diagnose and cure your Facebook addiction, but also bring a smile to your face. I don't think this is exactly laugh-at-loud-worthy, but it's still a cute anecdote for our internet-dependent culture 

7 hearts: Not perfect, but overall enjoyable; borrow, don't buy! (x)

8 Heart Review: The Digest Diet Cookbook by Liz Vaccariello

The Digest Diet Cookbook
Liz Vaccariello

Page Count: 311
Release Date: December 27th 2012
Publisher: Reader's Digest
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publicist in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, FSB Media!)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Eat up and slim down with this companion to the phenomenally successful The Digest Diet.
In The Digest Diet, Liz Vaccariello and the editors of Reader's Digest sifted through the latest weight-loss science to develop a groundbreaking 21-day eating plan demonstrated to help you drop the pounds. Real-life men and women who tried the plan—and lost up to 26 pounds!

The Digest Diet Cookbook will give readers 150 all-new fat-releasing recipes so they can branch out with new foods but still maintain their weight loss results. In addition, the book will include:

• Buying and storing tips for the 13 amazing fat-releasing foods
• Guidelines on how to mix and match recipes to make your own menus
• Quick and easy tips on organizing your kitchen and pantry to make cooking easier, shopping for and storing fat releasers, and scaling recipes to feed just the right number of people
• More than 50 full-color photographs
• Daily Menus for vegetarians, cooks on a budget, and other special needs
• Inspirational stories from our testers

Whether you're new to The Digest Diet or looking to maintain your fabulous success, The Digest Diet Cookbook is all you need to get and stay thin and healthy for life.

Buy the book from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Books-A-Million | Sony eStore | Kobo | Publisher

Review

As a huge fan of both Reader's Digest and diet recipes, I knew I had to try this new companion cookbook to the New York Times-bestselling The Digest Diet. This book is a compilation of brand new recipes to go along with that diet, so it's less reading, and more recipe-enjoying! And boy, can I say how much I enjoyed sifting through this to get new ideas and even cook up some waistline-friendly food of my own!

I'm still skeptical about the actual diet plan itself; the "lose up to 26 pounds in 21 days" claim obviously does not speak to typical results. In fact, a lot of the diet plan doesn't settle well with me, as it involves lots of skipping meals and only one snack a day (not healthy!). It also emphasizes the importance of fat releasers (good!) and fat increasers (bad!) which can be helpful in selecting ingredients, but I feel it was a bit restrictive.

What I absolutely love love love however, is how there's such an expansive variety of recipes here. Recipes range from flank steak (!!!!) to chickpea-crust pizza to turkey milanese to frozen berry terrine. Good golly, that sounds tasty! It's not the typical layup you'd picture when you think "health food," which is great because most people—myself included—are turned off by the idea of diets that solely consist of salads-san-dressing and kale smoothies. Yeeuch.

Pros

Variety of recipes // Well organized into sections: Breakfasts, Soups, Main Dishes, One-Dish Mains, Salads, Side Dishes, and Desserts // Includes informational chapters about fat releasers // Helpful conversion charts for measurements and portions

Cons

Some recipes don't include pictures! // "26 pounds in 21 days" claim baffles me—anyone could do this, simple. Just starve yourself.

Love

Gorgeous full-color photographs for mouth-watering recipes such as Slow-Cooked Southwest Chicken:

And Italian Soup with Shrimp and Zucchini:

And...

Verdict

A fabulous collection of scrumptious-sounding recipes, The Digest Diet Cookbook is definitely something you want to invest in for getting on track with your diet with delicious sides, meals, and desserts that won't stretch your waistline. While I can't actually endorse the diet plan Liz Vaccariello recommends (it just doesn't sound nutritionally adequate!), the different recipe ideas presented are sure to be a hit among whole food lovers like yours truly, and will inspire healthful lifestyles among foodies of every breed 

8 hearts: An engaging read; highly recommended (x)

Special Recipes from Hello Hot Lunch, Hello Cool Lunch by Lisa Leconte and Giveaway!

It's my pleasure to share Lisa Leconte's adorable cookbook with you guys today...

Hello Hot Lunch, Hello Cool Lunch

Page Count: 138
Release Date: 16 April 2013
Publisher: Virtualbookworm Publishing

Hello Hot Lunch, Hello Cool Lunch by Lisa Leconte acts as two books in one, offering unique recipes to parents to make their children the coolest kid in school during lunch time.

Serving twice as many recipes, one side is full of entertaining and cute hot lunch ideas, tips, and recipes. Flip the book over and you’ll get fun cold lunch ideas with more tips and recipes. Sure to make your child the envy of every other kid, this book is a must for parents looking to brighten up lunch time. Your family and friends will crown you Royal Lady of Lunches after enjoying your new-found creative foodie genius.

Recipes include fun ways to use rice, cheese, eggs, pasta and much more. Using these every day foods, create your child’s favorite animal or make them smile with a silly face hand crafted with love.

Buy the book at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Books-A-Million | Publisher

Click "Read more" for three recipes straight from the book, as well as a giveaway for two finished print copies! These look gorgeous—you don't want to miss out!

"Paige" from Butterfly Tears Video Guest Post and Giveaway!

Brought to you by JKS Communications...

Butterfly Tears edited by Wil Drouin and Jennifer Thomas

From Entrapment...

Abuse. Assault. Abandonment. Addiction. These are the histories of the young women in the inspiring book Butterfly Tears.

Some found themselves in gangs. Others in prison. Some remained trapped in the confines of an abusive family or a painful addiction. Society had given up on many of them.

But they hadn’t given up on themselves. These women were ready to take a different path. And Pathways to Independence was there to guide them.

...to Empowerment

Therapy. Mentorship. Education. Support. These are the bywords of this ground-breaking organization founded and led by Dave Bishop—a man who first had to conquer his own internal demons.

The butterfly symbology is derived from the famous parable The Story of the Butterfly about utilizing life’s struggles to emerge a stronger person. Butterfly Tears chronicles the stories of nine young women who faced that struggle head-on and, with the help of Pathways, emerged victorious.

These women’s incredible journeys from darkness into light will elicit both tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

Pathways’s motto is to focus on what’s right in the world: Caring people. Pathways’s all-volunteer network of therapists, doctors, mentors, and even mechanics provides the support these girls have never experienced—and allows them to flourish.

Hope. Freedom. Success. Independence. These are the gifts of Pathways.

 
Buy the book at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Click "Read more" for an exclusive VIDEO guest post from one of the women featured in the book, and for a chance to win your own copy of Butterfly Tears!

8 Heart Review: Cooking with Flowers by Miche Bacher

Cooking with Flowers: Sweet and Savory Recipes with Rose Petals, Lilacs, Lavender, and Other Edible Flowers
Miche Bacher

Page Count: 191
Release Date: 2 April 2013
Publisher: Quirk Books
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!)
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Here are more than 100 recipes that will bring beautiful flower-filled dishes to your kitchen table! This easy-to-use cookbook is brimming with scrumptious botanical treats, from sweet violet cupcakes, pansy petal pancakes, daylily cheesecake, and rosemary flower margaritas to savory sunflower chickpea salad, chive blossom vinaigrette, herb flower pesto, and mango orchid sticky rice.

Alongside every recipe are tips and tricks for finding, cleaning, and preparing edible blossoms. You’ll also learn how to infuse vinegars, vodkas, sugars, frostings, jellies and jams, ice creams, and more with the color and flavor of your favorite flowers. Fresh from the farmers’ market or plucked from your very own garden, a world of delectable flowers awaits!

Buy the book at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Sony eStore | Kobo | Quirk Books

Review

Miche Bacher of the famed Mali B Sweets brings us this gorgeous, wonderfully written cookbook on the culinary usage of flowers. There are dozens of flowers mentioned in this collection, including ones I encounter regularly such as dandelions, geraniums, herbs, and roses, as well as a few I hadn't even heard of prior to reading Cooking with Flowers, such as nasturtiums, hollyhocks, and elderflowers.

Each flower has it's own "chapter," making finding recipes you want as easy as ever. I also love how each section has a brief background history of the flower, as well as its culinary uses, flavors, seasonality, preparation instructions, and proper units of measure. 

Now, my expectations of this book were a little different—I thought at first that it would show me how to actually use flowers as food, such as flower soups, casseroles, sautées, etc., but for the most part, they are not an integral part of the recipes in which they are featured. The majority of the recipes only use flowers as decor; otherwise, they can be easily replaced by a non-flower ingredient (e.g. the various flower jellies that are pretty much regular jellies but use flowers instead of fruits). I'm not disappointed, though! This was an unexpected, and rather aesthetically pleasing new experience.

My only reservation is how there are no step-by-step pictures. Maybe it's because I'm an awfully visual person, but the long chunks of text made it difficult for me to follow the steps for some of the recipes I tried out. Other than that, this book is a must for the natural food lover, and for gift-giving!

Pros

Magnificent photographs // Impressive number of diverse, colorful recipes // Sturdy, refreshing matte-cover hardbound book—great for the kitchen and the coffee table! // Beautiful graphics and text // Organized by flower, with so many to discover and try

Cons

No step-by-step pictures // Recipes aren't groundbreaking in uses for flowers; most of them use flowers as edible decoration, for seasoning, or for pigment

Love

Miana Jun's photography is amazing... here are some gorgeous pictures from some of the recipes from the book.

Chive Blossom Vinegar

Chamomile Apple Streusel Muffins

Excuse my ghetto cell phone photo-of-photos...

 Lilac Sorbet—LOVE the colors! And so easy to make, too!

Process of Tulip Ice Cream Bowls—adorable and delicious!

Verdict

Cooking with Flowers isn't terribly inventive in its recipes—for the most part, flowers have superfluous roles, serving as cake/cookie/bread toppings or just as flavoring, akin to the function of herbs—but that doesn't make Miche Bacher's new cookbook any less enjoyable. I love the stunning photographs and the organization of the types of flowers used. Do pick this one up when you get the chance; it's definitely a keeper! 

8 hearts: An engaging read; highly recommended (x)

The Happiness Handbook Excerpt and Giveaway!

Brought to you by...

The Happiness Handbook: A User's Manual For Living Your Extraordinary Life
Jenn Flaa

We arrive on this planet naked and without operating instructions. We live our lives and learn from trial and error (lots of errors) what works, what doesn't work, what makes us happy and what pisses us off.

Each new person that comes into our lives gets no user's manual and has to figure us out the hard way. But what if we changed the rules? What if we wrote our own user's manual, The Happiness Handbook, about what makes us tick and gave it to the people we love most?

Imagine how that would change our interactions and our lives. People would begin to do what makes us happy and... we would be happy! If someone received our Happiness Handbook and chose not to follow it, well then, we could choose not to hang out with them more quickly.

The Happiness Handbook is about empowering the reader to discover their own unique ways of being that lead to unlocking their full potential and becomes their guide for leading the extraordinary life they were born to fulfill.

The Happiness Handbook is written in a warm, friendly and informal tone; as if a girl friend were guiding the reader through their process of self discovery. Peppered with humbling, humorous anecdotes and stories; the reader has a practical, seasoned guide and partner in crime as they work the exercises and use the tools to move from unhappy to happy!

Buy the book at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

Author: Kori Miller Interview + Giveaway!

I'd like to welcome Kim Boykin to the blog today to celebrate and promote her recently released memoir! Welcome to Books à la Mode, Kori! Let's get this interview started.

Will you please share a brief bio with us?

I, like many writers, have spent my life writing. It's a way for me to clear my head, create, communicate, and have fun. As a child, I wrote plays for my friends, poetry (really bad poetry, actually)and short stories.

During college, it was my ability to write(under pressure, usually—I had a tendency to procrastinate)that frequently gave my grade a boost. I could write brilliant (I thought) BS at 3 a.m.

I'm thankful that my parents raised me to be a reader, and that my English teachers (especially in college) challenged me. (Except one—he always expected more from me. It was so annoying. Seriously though, he was the best English professor I had throughout my college career.)

Writing is challenging, and writing well is an art. Some writers make it look so easy. I strive to be one of those writers.

What is your debut memoir, My Life in Black and White: A Book of Experiences about?

Page Count: 68
Release Date: 15 September 2011
Publisher: CreateSpace (self-published)
Genre: Race Issues, Interracial, Memoir, Non-fiction

If you could be just one race, which one would you choose? How would you decide? Through a series of early life experiences, one woman made this choice, and she made it by the time she was twelve years old. Get ready for a few tears, a bit of anger, and a lot of laughter, as she offers glimpses into her experiences from grade school into adulthood. 

Buy the book at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

What was your inspiration to write it?

This may seem strange, but I had two reasons for writing my book. First, I thought my experiences could help other interracial people, especially young people, who may be struggling with identity formation. Second, I enjoy challenges and wanted to learn how to self-publish.

Tell us about your journey in self-publishing—the hardships, benefits, and things you picked up along the way.

I used KDP and CreateSpace. Both are user-friendly. The biggest challenges were figuring out how to format everything and how to create a cover. I ended up hiring someone to design the cover. She's the same person who created logos for our other two businesses, so I trusted her to come up with something I liked. I gave her the concept of the book, and she did the rest.

There are HUGE benefits to self-publishing, but you have to be willing to do all of the work, and hire others when necessary. The stigma once associated with self-publishing is quickly fading. As a self-publisher you control, marketing, pricing, and your profit. When people traditionally publish, they have a crew helping them get their book to market. Those people all need to get paid. That reduces your profit. Self-publishing is a way to have better control of your bottom line. I know, I know, people (writers) don't necessarily want to discuss that, but it's true. After the writing is completed, the writer has to "get about the business" of selling the book. This also is true for traditionally published authors, but they tend to have a little more help. The self-published author really needs to think "marketing strategy" before the book is printed, and can be as creative as she wants. There's a lot of freedom in self-publishing.

I agree with you that self-publishing is on the rise. It sounds like you've had a great experience with it, so far! What do you consider your biggest strengths and weaknesses as an author?

One of my strengths is that I'm not easily discouraged. My husband and I own two businesses—one for nearly ten years, and the other for just over three. You can't be an entrepreneur and get easily discouraged. Entrepreneurs are creative, forward-thinking, go-getter types.

I tend not to dwell on weaknesses unless I believe I can change them, but if I had to pick one, it's a lack of patience. It's something I've actively sought to improve, mostly through reading, and for a number of years, practicing yoga. Now, my martial arts training helps me with this.

Name some novels that have made the biggest impact on your life or on your writing.

Interesting question. I tend to focus on those books that fall within genres I write: children's, middle-grade, and cozy mysteries (I really like Janet Evanovich's style). I've read many creative non-fiction essays that I loved. One by Mohammed Ali titled, "I Am Still the Greatest" is very inspirational. As a young reader, I enjoyed Judy Bloom, and as an adult, one of my favorite stories still is The Sneetches.

My father has had the greatest influence on my writing. I've been fortunate to have a family filled with great role-models. There are people I admire, but they tend not to be those one might expect, and none of them have written a novel. So, the best answer is, experiencing life and observing others experiencing life, has had the biggest impact on my life and writing. Okay—I also love Harry Potter and The 39 Clues!

Give aspiring writers a piece of advice you wish you had known before getting published.

Get over your ego—quickly. Get out of your way. Rejection is part of the game, and it is a game. You're either in it for the long haul or you're not. It's your choice.

Very tough, very motivating! Now give us your best personal advice—something you wish you had known when you were younger and would offer to your own kids.

What you feel or think in this moment, isn't necessarily what you will feel or think 1, 5, or 10+ years from now. Always trust your instincts.

What would you say are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?

An ability to be like a duck. Water slides off of a duck's back, just like rejections should slide off yours. Get a duck whistle as a reminder. Many writers spend too much time thinking about rejections. Analyze them to determine if the problem is your writing, then fix your writing. If that's not why you're work is rejected, then you really don't know the answer. Be willing to let some stuff go.

Love that advice! So, what are some occupational hazards to being a writer?

Writer's cramp and the occasional brain freeze.

What are your goals as a writer?

My primary objective is to become a stronger writer; a better storyteller.

What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?

My book was picked up by Keene Memorial Library and I was invited to speak there. This was a big deal! Many librarians shy away from self-published authors. I was very fortunate.

That's incredible, and definitely a big deal! Congrats! What is the message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

What you do speaks volumes about who you are, and everyone is watching.

What’s next for you?



In March, I launched Back Porch Writer: The Show for Writers, About Writers and Writing on Blog Talk Radio. It airs, live, each Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. CST. I've chatted with a few great writers, and the archived listens for the show are increasing daily. Of course, I'm pursuing the publication of my writing. Many people asked if I'd write another book of essays, and I am, but it's not about race or being interracial. It's about fear.

Your radio show sounds great, Kori! I'm all the way across the world so I won't be able to tune in but I'll have to take a listen through the archives sometime. And I'm looking for your next book, too. Fear... should be interesting! Where can you be found on the web?

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Google+ | Back Porch Writer Blog | Back Porch Writer Radio

It was a real treat having you over at the blog today, Kori! Thank you so much for joining us, and good luck with your future endeavors.

Giveaway!

Here's a quick message from Kori about a fantastic giveaway she's generously hosting at Books à la Mode:

I'm going to copy something I heard recently on NPR. It's called "The race card project." Tell me a story in six words. Not more, not less. Just six words. Mine is: Interracial people create a peaceful world. The two best stories, as determined by Books à la Mode and me, receives a signed copy of my book. Thank you, Karielle, for hosting me at your blog!

Oooh, this is going to be a fun one! Here's mine: Darling, escaping individualism is escaping identity.

This will be an easy-peasy one-entry giveaway. All you have to do is comment with your six-word story and you're entered! Be sure to leave your email address or Twitter handle so I can contact you when you win.

Rules and Disclosure:

Giveaway ends 6 May 2013 at 11.59 PM (your time).

Open to US readers only. Sorry, rest of the world! Check out my sidebar for giveaways that ARE open internationally!

Winners have 48 hours to claim their prize once they are chosen, or else their prizes will be forfeited.
Although I will be selecting winners, I am in no way responsible for prizes, nor for shipping and handling.

As a reminder, you do not have to follow my blog to enter, though it is always very much appreciated ❤ Please follow Kori in some way, as she has been kind enough to provide the wonderful prizes!

Good luck!

The Message in Once Upon a Gypsy Moon by Michael Hurley + Giveaway!

Brought to you by Kelley and Hall Book Publicity and Promotion...

Once Upon a Gypsy Moon
Michael Hurley

Genre: Memoir, Non-fiction, Literary
Page Count: 272
Release Date: 16 April 2013
Publisher: Center Street (Hachette Book Group)

Michael Hurley watched his world unravel in the wake of infidelity, divorce and failure. In August 2009, he was short of money, out of a job, and seeking to salvage a life that had foundered. Deeply in need of perspective, he took to the open seas in a 32-foot sailboat, Gypsy Moon. The story of his 2-year outward odyssey, deterred by rough weather and mechanical troubles, combines keen observation, poignant thoughts, and deeper introspection with glorious prose.

Once Upon a Gypsy Moon also presents a rare and much-needed point of view on the familiar spiritual-journey narrative. It offers a star-crossed love story wrapped inside a rollicking good sea tale, but it also has something important to say to the reader about relationships, faith and disbelief, life and death, love and marriage, and what really matters.

7 Heart Review: Words of Love by Allen Klein

Words of Love: Quotations from the Heart
Allen Klein

Page Count: 140
Release Date: 11 December 2012
Publisher: Viva Editions
Source: Won from publisher for Valentine's Day contest
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

what makes the world go 'round?

Words of Love is filled with best things ever said on matters of the heart. A veritable book of love, this collection of over 500 bons mots features the wit, wisdom, and insight of everyone from Sophocles ("One word frees us of all the weight and pain in life: That words is love") to Cher ("If grass can grow through cement, love can find you at every time in your life.")

Allen Klein's volume of tender quotes and upbeat witticisms reminds us daily of our most powerful emotion. With quotes from sages Maya Angelou and marcus Aurelius to doyennes Drew Barrymore and Sophia Loren, these words will touch your heart, bring a smile to your face, and make you want to share the love!

Buy the book at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Kobo

Review

Perfect for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, birthdays, or just days to say "I love you," which really is any day, this collection of quotes—some tender, some hilarious, and some just spot-on—is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. I love how the quotes aren't saccharine and try too hard to make love look like a beautiful, ethereal thing; Words of Love shows the ugly and the difficult—often in sardonic and humorous ways—which strengthens the value and worthiness of love all the more. The negative light shined on foolish first loves and on marriage is amusing—it doesn't deceive us further into thinking everything about love is wondrous, and it keeps the book grounded.

There are way too many analogies that I tired of after a while. It seems like people have a penchant for comparing love to random things, e.g. "Love doesn't just sit there, like a stone; it has to be made, like bread, remade all the time, made new." If we're comparing loves to stones and bread, we might as well compare it to pencils ("Love is like a pencil; it always has to be sharpened and used") or bookshelves ("Love is like a bookshelf; it has to be filled or else your life will feel hollow and empty") or kiwis ("Love is as sweet and as sour as kiwifruit"). Some of them were just ridiculous.

I can't say I was highly touched by this book, but skimming through the quotes with a loved one is definitely a fun, meaningful way to spend time.

Pros

Vast array of different kinds of quotes // Witty, touching, and inspiring all at once // Doesn't idealize love // Well-organized into different categories, such as First Love, Romantic Love, and A Mother's Love that make it easy to find quotes

Cons

Some repetitive quotes // Overdone on analogies

Love

Well, this is a book of quotes... here are my favorites: 

Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition.

Alexander Smith

Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.

Peter Ustinov

Love is like an hourglass, with the heart filling up as the brain empties.

Jules Renard

Love is an infusion of intense feeling, a fine madness that makes you drunk, and when one is in love, life can be a succession of free falls while working without a net.

Merle Shain

Love is a fire. But whether it is going to warm your hearth or burn down your house, you can never tell.

Joan Crawford

A first sigh of love is the last of wisdom.

Antoin Bret

When a young man complains that a young lady has no heart, it is pretty certain that she has his.

George Dennison Prentice

A kiss can be a comma, a question mark, or an explamation point. That's basic spelling that every woman ought to know.

Mistinguett

There isn't anyone you couldn't love once you've heard their story.

Mary Lou Kownacki

Verdict

As wise at it is wonderful, Allen Klein's pocket-sized Words of Love will capture your heart and bring you back to your first kiss, first touch, and first time. This eclectic compilation of quotes on every type of love—defining love, falling in love, first love, romantic love, loving couples, motherly love, self-love, physical affection, the overbearing power of love, and unconditional love—is perfect for gift-giving or just to keep close for inspiration. Add this one to your bookshelf! 

7 hearts: Not perfect, but overall enjoyable (x)

Heartbreakers in History that Were Homely... or Let's Face it, Ugly by Betsy Prioleau + Giveaway!

TLC Book Tours presents...

Swoon by Betsy Prioleau

Swoon is a glittering pageant of charismatic ladies’ men from Casanova to Lord Byron to Camus to Ashton Kutcher. It challenges every preconceived idea about great lovers and answers one of history’s most vexing questions: what do women want?

Contrary to popular myth and dogma, the men who consistently beguile women belie the familiar stereotypes: satanic rake, alpha stud, slick player, Mr. Nice, or big-money mogul. As Betsy Prioleau, author of Seductress, points out in this surprising, insightful study, legendary ladies’ men are a different, complex species altogether, often without looks or money. They fit no known template and possess a cache of powerful erotic secrets.

With wit and erudition, Prioleau cuts through the cultural lore and reveals who these master lovers really are and the arts they practice to enswoon women. What she discovers is revolutionary. Using evidence from science, popular culture, fiction, anthropology, and history, and from interviews with colorful real-world ladykillers, Prioleau finds that great seducers share a constellation of unusual traits.

While these men run the gamut, they radiate joie de vivre, intensity, and sex appeal; above all, they adore women. They listen, praise, amuse, and delight, and they know their way around the bedroom. And they’ve finessed the hardest part: locking in and revving desire. Women never tire of these fascinators and often, like Casanova’s conquests, remain besotted for life.

Finally, Prioleau takes stock of the contemporary culture and asks: where are the Casanovas of today? After a critique of the twenty-first-century sexual malaise—the gulf between the sexes and women’s record discontent—she compellingly argues that society needs ladies’ men more than ever. Groundbreaking and provocative, Swoon is underpinned with sharp analysis, brilliant research, and served up with seductive verve.

 

Buy the book at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | Sony eStore

Giveaway: Before You Say I Do Again by Benjamin Berkley

Brought to you by...

Before You Say I Do Again
Benjamin Berkley

Page Count: 240
Release Date: 15 September, 2009
Publisher: Frederick Fell Publishers

Learning from the mistakes of a failed first marriage and telling yourself you will do better the next time around is like saying if you lose a football game you’ll win the next one. You will but only if you learn some new plays before you go back on the field. Presented by an attorney who has seen all the warning signs, Before You Say I Do Again will teach those new plays to avoid coming up on the losing side again.

Note, bookshelves are filled with warm and fuzzy titles authored by psychologists and family counselors. Their message is to teach how to listen to each other and improve the relationship. Before You Say I Do Again is not a how to book to get back together or to stay together. Instead, it takes the gloves off and provides insight as to the issues one must consider before walking down the aisle a second time. Tackling a serious subject, but presented in a sometimes whimsical fashion, Before You Say I Do Again puts the brakes on the wedding ceremony and provides the reader with the questions that must be answered before she drives down the path of destruction.

In addition, it provides information regarding the legal consequences of a failed second marriage. Before You Say I Do Again is a “tell it is like it is guide” to avoid an impending disaster.

Author: Kersten Kelly Interview and Giveaway!

We've got the fabulous Kersten Kelly with her new memoir, Paper Airplane, to Books à la Mode today!

Welcome to the site, Kersten! Would you share a brief introduction with us?

Kersten L. Kelly is a self-published author of narrative non-fiction and semi-fiction books. She grew up in Munster, Indiana, and currently works in a sales role based out of Chicago, Illinois. She started writing at an early age and graduated from Indiana University with a dual Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Communication & Culture. She then went on to earn a Master’s in Business Administration from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. She has a passion for learning, teaching, and writing as well as international travel in her spare time.

Tell us a little bit about your newest book.

In this tumultuous, distinctive memoir, Kersten L. Kelly looks back on the most influential individuals that she encountered while flying through the clouds. Confined in a small vestibule for hours, Kelly identified an opportunity for learning and growth by chatting with the fellow passengers around her. After a few life changing conversations and unforgettable emergencies, she put the in-flight magazines to rest and never looked back. She recalls life lessons from perfect strangers about love, family, perseverance of dreams, and humility through a series of brief anecdotes all taking place on airplanes. Selfless philanthropy was discovered, long-term friendships bonded, and talents unveiled. The book proves the phrase “you never know what you will learn on an airplane” over and over again. Every chapter will capture the mind and sometimes the heart of anyone who jumps into this collection of humanity at its best. The personalities present in this book assimilate with the intrinsic characteristics all readers can relate to. With a raw authenticity stemming from old notes in a ragged journal, Kelly delivers a personal reflection of unique tales from a mile high.

How did you choose the title?
 

The title is based off of a funny anecdote that happened when I was a kid. In the first chapter of the book, I explain it as an introduction to the rest of the story. With the premise being "things you learn on an airplane," it is very fitting. I don't want to give too much away because I think it will take away from the first chapter in the book, but it ties directly into the theme of the book.

That intrigues me! Can't wait to try the book, myself. How did you first get published? Share your journey into self-publishing with our readers.

After writing my first book, I interviewed a few authors that I knew personally. I wanted to get a feel for how the process worked as far as publishing. After doing a little research, I knew that self-publishing was the way for me to go. I wanted to make a footprint in the publishing industry, and I believe that the way to do that is to pave my own path so I started my own publishing company. I didn’t want to just accept something “normal”. I read a lot of literature on how some of the rights to a book are forfeited if you use ISBN numbers or other identifiers linking you to other companies. By starting my own, everything is linked back to me.

What do you consider your biggest strengths and weaknesses as an author?

My biggest strength as an author is definitely my perseverance to stick with a project. A lot of authors that I know tend to deviate from their original goals if time persists for longer than they originally anticipated. My strength is to bounce back from a delay and keep at it. The only way to get the word out about my book is to spread it myself.

My biggest weakness is not having the amount of time that I prefer to write. I would love to spend countless hours writing books, but my full time job, commitment to my family, and wedding planning have made it more difficult to put as much time into it.

That is an impressive strength! I found sticking to one project and finishing strong is the hardest thing for me, as a writer. How would you describe your writing style and tone?

My writing style and tone is very conversational. I’ve heard feedback from a lot of people that they feel like they are having a simple conversation with me. I try to keep it easy to read for most people.

I'm sure many readers appreciate that... after all, it's not easy to write a book that's easy to read. How do you react to harsh or negative reviews to your books?

Similar to any other author, I am not happy when I receive a harsh review, but I like to use the review to improve my writing. Many times I will take the feedback and apply it to myself to make it better. Negative reviews are always going to exist. I think they make the great ones that much more worth it. It’s all a learning process for me.

What's the most difficult aspect of being an author?

The most difficult aspect of being an author is marketing. I think writing the book, coming up with ideas, and putting it all together is relatively straightforward. Marketing is difficult. You have to seek out your audience and relentlessly sell your book. It’s hard to get the word out and make an impact on readers—definitely a challenge.

Having worked with book publicity through this blog, I definitely agree with you—marketing can be tough! Give aspiring writers a piece of advice you wish you'd known before getting published.

Every up and coming author should interview authors about their “best practices” before attempting to try it on their own. I did this, and I think it was the single most valuable piece of time/effort that I put into the process. Authors will be able to share the less known secrets and tricks of the publishing world. Once you get connected to a mentor author as well, it is much easier to have a resource for questions that come up along the way.

Now give us your best personal advice—something you wish you had known when you were younger and would offer to your kids.

Pursue what you are happy doing. Don’t let others influence the path you take in life. Find what you love and stick with it. No one can fault you for that!

What's next for you?

I am planning to work on a book about how relationships work/don’t work. I don’t have all that much information to provide, but it should be pretty interesting. Also, I am going to finalize and reformat my first book, Economics to make a second enhanced edition.

I'm so happy for you!!!! Congrats on the upcoming releases, and the very best of luck to you. I'll keep my eye out for them! Where can you be found on the web?

Publisher | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Purchase

Giveaway!

Kersten is generously giving away a print copy of Paper Airplane to one lucky Books à la Mode reader. To enter, all you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rules and Disclosure:

Giveaway ends 24 February 2013 at 11.59 PM (your time).

Open to US residents only. Sorry, international! Check out my international giveaways on the sidebar.

Winners have 48 hours to claim their prize once they are chosen, or else their prizes will be forfeited.
Although I will be selecting winners, I am in no way responsible for the prize, nor for shipping and handling.

As a reminder, you do not have to follow my blog to enter, though it is always very much appreciated ❤ Plus you get extra entries ;)

Good luck!