Part One of this book talks about the history and benefits of herbalism, equipment and basic ingredients that you need to make the herbal recipes, and an encyclopedia of common herbs and their uses. This includes instructions for drying your own herbs, and types of poultices, syrups, powders, and massage oils. There is an entire chapter with advice on making your own herbal teas, tinctures, tonics, elixirs, salves, ointments, and baths.

Part Two is the actual recipes for herbal mixtures, including remedies for cough, asthma, digestive troubles, nausea, eczema, bug bites, cuts and scrapes, acne, earache, lice, warts, chickenpox, bladder infections, menstrual cramps, hair loss, acid reflux, diabetes, tinnitus, and dozens more. There are also blends for emotional relief from anxiety, insomnia, stress, depression, and PTSD.

There are chapters with recipes for Women's Health, Men's Health, Childhood Conditions, Emotional Well-Being, and Aging. There is even a chapter with Personal Care recipes for bath oils, shaving cream, bug repellent, sun care cream, facial cleansers, beard oil, mouthwash, and tooth powder.

There is a glossary at the end for some of the more specific terms and chemicals, as well as a Resource section with other books, magazines, websites, and shops where ingredients can be purchased.

I appreciated that the recipes give clear instructions, and there is a lot of good information in this book. Even if the reader knows nothing about herbs or how to prepare them, anyone would be able to start with this book and find it simple to get started!

I really love the colorful photos and illustrations of the different herbs. The book has beautiful green endpapers with plants and flowers on them.

I can't wait to try some of these luxurious recipes!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

This book teaches yoga philosophies and truths that will help the reader to slow down, stay calm, and find freedom. Each chapter features a modern translation of a sutra quote from the original Sanskrit, a few short paragraphs expanding on the teaching, and a meditation exercise or reflection for the reader to ponder.

I really like that this book is broken up into two page tidbits. It's perfect for quick and thoughtful reading right before or after a yoga session, and then taking 5 minutes to meditate on the lesson or truth that is presented.

The lessons include things like calming the mind, harnessing our emotions, identifying the energies in our body, practicing non-attachment to material things, controlling our habits, showing compassion and patience to others and ourselves, and of course focusing on the breath.

There were very few lessons that had any religious overtones. Most of the lessons are general philosophy and universal truths that apply to any person. There are a few mentions of "karma", but I didn't see any major deities mentioned.

I think I will use this book to enhance my yoga practice and help me to meditate and focus as I do yoga. The layout and design of the pages is really beautiful, with lovely mandala designs on each page.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

Tai discovers the power of the Green Lantern when his grandmother passes on her jade ring to him. With very little training from the other Green Lanterns, Tai tries to stop vandalism in his neighborhood. But there is an even bigger threat hiding right under his nose, and Tai will need his friends support while he learns to harness his new powers.

I loved this comic from start to finish!
Tai is such a deep and complex character. His close relationship with his family is at the heart of everything he does, and there is a huge emotional aspect to his story that really drew me in. Tai is Vietnamese-American, and his family heritage is important to him. I loved seeing the rich Vietnamese culture, and the traditions of kindness and generosity in his family.

The artwork is vibrant and colorful, with that signature green standing out in contrast to the other colors. I like the sharp lines and clear panels, with lots of expressive reactions from the characters.

The plot has plenty of action, backstory, mystery, and even comedy. Tai and his friends are a hilarious trio, and I loved their fun dynamic. There are some very serious and tragic scenes, some heart-warming happy moments, and some funny one-liners that had me chuckling as I read. It's an excellent blend with a strong story-telling style!

I really enjoyed this comic/graphic novel! It's perfect for middle grade or teen readers, but adults will enjoy it too!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

When Pippa Park gets a basketball scholarship to a fancy private school, she feels pressured to pretend like she's rich and cool so that she can fit in with her elite classmates. But how long can she keep up the farce, when her Korean family owns a laundromat and Pippa barely has money to buy a slice of pizza at the school cafeteria? With her grades slipping and her relationships in turmoil, Pippa begins to realize that some of her new friends have family secrets of their own.

This retelling of Dicken's "Great Expectations" is utterly brilliant from start to finish!

Instead of "Pip", the main character is Pippa. And most of the main characters found in "Great Expectations" have their counterparts in Pippa's story. Not all of them make an appearance, and many are changed in significant ways, but play similar roles in the plot. Various characters are also gender-swapped, and I loved that! I had so much fun reading along, and suddenly realizing, "Oh! This character is supposed to be so-and-so from Great Expectations!" It's not always obvious from the start who each character represents. Many of the new characters names begin with the same letter as the original characters, like a little clue to their alternate identities.

However, although many plot points and character roles are similar to "Great Expectations", this book has its own voice, its own story, and its own delightful style!
It was especially interesting to see how the author took some basic plot points from Dickens and reimagined them in a modern setting with cell phones, school books, basketball, and the rich Korean-American culture that Pippa enjoys.

Speaking of basketball and Korea, I had a unique experience with this book that affected me very closely from the very first page.
(Personal story time... I was forced to attend a basketball camp for a week when I was in 6th grade, and I hated it. I have never been good at sports, and I spent the entire week just learning how to dribble. The other campers laughed at me because I had no skills at all, and it was one of the most embarrassing situations of my entire life. Needless to say, I hate basketball now, and you might be wondering... Why would I pick up a MG novel about basketball? Surely, the traumatic memories of my childhood would make me hate this book.)

This is where the genius of this book begins to make MAGIC happen!

The very first scene is of Pippa playing hoops by herself in a deserted playground. She describes how she loves playing basketball. She feels at home on the court, like she belongs, like all her problems just melt away when she feels the basketball between her fingertips.
The writing does such a genius job of describing her passion for this sport, and it reminded me of my passion for music. I'm a professional pianist, and when I sit at the piano I feel at home, like I belong, and all the world just melts away.

The writing uses a universal theme of having a passion for an activity, whether it is sports, or music, or art, or anything, so that I can understand that Pippa loves basketball. I can relate to her very closely, even though I don't like the same thing she likes. I understand her as a character because the writing drew me into her world.

The writing does the same thing for Pippa's Korean-American family culture. I don't know the first thing about Korea, but I loved learning about it in this book! And I clearly understood Pippa's feeling different from other people, because her family celebrates different holidays and does things in their own way. We all feel different sometimes, and the author uses that universal theme to bring Pippa's story home to each of us.

That is why classics remain popular for hundreds of years. They touch on universal ideas that transcend time and apply to any reader of any age anywhere. This book does an excellent job of capturing those deep themes and bringing them to life in a modern setting with a fresh voice.

I loved reading this story and seeing which plot points stayed similar to "Great Expectations" and which things were changed. Pippa lives with her sister and brother-in-law, while her mother has stayed in Korea.

One of my favorite characters in "Great Expectations" is Joe. He is so sweet and kind, and I loved seeing him reimagined in the character of Jung-Hwa, Pippa's brother-in-law. He really functions like a father figure in her life, encouraging her and working hard to support the family. Each of these characters are quickly given vibrant life in the first few scenes of book. For instance, Jung-Hwa has a little affectionate ritual that he does with Pippa where he boops her nose with his finger each day. Such a small detail with a world of meaning for this sweet family relationship.

I loved the complexity of Pippa's relationship with her sister, Mina. Mina is tough on Pippa, nagging her about her grades, her chores, and making her work at the laundromat to earn her allowance. The two sisters argue and fight, but obviously love each other very much. They just aren't always the best at expressing that love to one another. Their character development and the growth of their relationship is one of the best things about this book.

Of course, (in true Pip tradition) Pippa gets a crush on some rich boy who barely knows she's alive. The descriptions of how she feels, what she thinks, how she worries about her appearance, and wants to be cool to impress the guy... all these things are so spot on and expressive. We've all had that impossible crush at one time or another.

I was so intrigued to read about the "cool" girls at Pippa's new school, The Royals. They seem to befriend Pippa, but we are always wondering what their agenda must be. Are they going to turn on her when they find out the truth about her being poor? Those girls are a mystery, and I loved reading about them right up to the last page when their true colors are revealed.

I was delighted with how serious, comedic, and wild this plot ended up being. It starts out with some fairly tame school drama, but went into some intense tragedy and redemption near the end.

If you like classics, you will love this Dickens retelling! If you like basketball, Korean-American culture, or just excellent story-telling, you will love this book. It's not just for middle-grade readers either. I'm 37, and I adore everything about Pippa Park!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Media Master Publicity in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

This sweet book defines what "hygge" (pronouned "hoo-gah") is and give advice on promoting a cozy hygge feeling in your everyday life. Finding joy in small things and celebrating each moment is the way to embrace happiness with hygge. Doing everyday tasks with mindfulness and gratitude is hygge.

The illustrations show cute little drawings of a fireplace, candles, family photos, a warm cup of tea, or a book, a cat sleeping on an armchair, a plant on a windowsill, warm mittens, a bike, a picnic, a piece of cake, and a hundred other little things that embody the spirit of hygge. The pastels colors are muted and calm.

There are chapters about using hygge in self-care, in your home, with your family, at your workplace, and in daily life. Covering topics like sharing meals with family, hosting parties, expressing yourself through art, choosing hygge clothing, eating mindfully, lighting candles, arranging furniture, your work atmosphere at your desk, and keeping a good work-life balance.

With gentle advice and suggestions for a more peaceful life, this book is perfect for anyone who wants a little more joy in their life. Making small changes can have a big impact on your life, your relationships, and your home environment.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

This guided journal begins each 3-page chapter with a few paragraphs on yoga sutras, philosophies of peace, or a proverb of wisdom for the reader to contemplate. Then the reader is encouraged to set an intention for their yoga practice to apply the wisdom to their own lives and reflect on their own spirit. And a few prompts are provided with a blank page where the reader can record their thoughts and introspection about the topic.

The first section of daily meditations focuses on tuning in to yourself and recognizing your own energy, and then there are sections for tapping into the observing witness within yourself, letting go of worries and embracing truth, practicing self-care and compassion, and finally extending grace to yourself and others.

I really liked how the meditations gradually take you deeper into a more positive mind-set, opening up your inner thoughts and providing healing. This is a great companion to a yoga practice!

The teachings are rooted in Sankrit words and ideas, but most of them could apply to anyone of any religion or philosophy. There is only one lesson that I found which describes Brahma as god and says that god is in everything including inside ourselves. That teaching I do not agree with. However, most of the lessons are not really religious but philosophical, using universal truths that do not include religious beliefs.

The lessons include things like telling the truth, releasing fear, showing compassion and generosity to others, not letting your emotions bully you, and not relying on physical things to bring you happiness, but instead finding joy in your inner soul.

I would just skip over those couple of lessons that have a religious message, and only read the ones that are more general philosophy.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

This cookbook begins with instructions for ingredients like yeast and tips on what equipment is needed in the kitchen. Each chapter focuses on recipes for different types of pastry dough, pies, tarts, puff pastries, yeast dough, and choux dough. Each recipe has special tips for making sure that your baking comes out perfectly each time, or how to repair mistakes. With variations on a master dough recipe, there are dozens of possibilities for flavors and decorations.

The instructions are clear and easy to follow, with instructions for prep time, rising time, and baking time.
I do wish that there were more photographs to show the finished recipe products, but the recipes all sound delicious. Raspberry tarts, pretzels, cinnamon rolls, strawberry danish, pecan sticky buns, and of course apple pie are some of the ones that I really want to try for myself!

And they aren't all sweet recipes for desserts or breakfast breads either. There are sausage rolls, chicken potpie, and cheese bread too.
I can't wait to try some of these wonderful recipes!


Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

This book begins with an explanation of the restorative yoga style, and how it affects the body, calms the mind, and provides stress relief. Then some general information with Do's and Don'ts about props, clothing, and how much time a restorative yoga practice should take.

The second section of the book gives details and instructions on performing each individual yoga pose. Each pose is listed with the benefits of the pose, and precautions for the elderly, injured, or pregnant women. There are also suggested time limits to hold the pose, and lovely illustrations in calm pastel colors demonstrating the pose.

The yoga poses are divided into chapters: The Basics, Stress Relief, Pain Relief, and Healing Poses. Then there is a chapter with sequences of poses to be practiced in order, with instructions and benefits of the sequence listed along with needed props and small illustrations showing the main poses in the sequence. There are sequences for opening the hips, finding grounding, opening the heart with gentle back bends, moving the spine freely, back pain and sciatic pain relief, for headaches, asthma, menstrual discomfort, pregnancy, anxiety, and grief.

There is even a sequence designed to be done together with your children! There are also instructions about how to create your own sequence.

The last chapter includes breathing exercises and meditations on gratitude and loving-kindness.

I have been doing yoga for several years, and love doing restorative yoga whenever I'm stressed, ill, or anxious. I appreciate the excellent information in this book, and it is presented with such simple and lovely designs. It's perfect for beginners or experienced yogis alike!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review.

This book begins with an overview of WWII and which countries were at war at that time. It details the names of different government spy agencies like the Soviet's NKVD, Germany's Abwehr, and Polish Intelligence, Britain's MI6, and gives a general idea of how British and French Resistance would work behind the scenes to confuse the enemy.

Chapter 2 talks about various requirements for being a spy, where and how agencies would recruit their spies, and the ordinary jobs that spies would use as their cover.
Chapter 3 is all about spy gear and special gadgets! There are pistols hidden in gloves, maps hidden in playing cards, grenades disguised to look like lumps of coal, radio transmitters, invisible ink, and even the classic ring with poison hidden in a secret compartment.

The next chapters give stories about individual spies, their adventures, and how they served their countries. There are illustrated portraits of each spy, telling about their work, and how they were recruited into covert operations, and about their special skills or position that made them so effective. These bios include names like Julia Child, Roald Dahl, and Ian Fleming who became famous for their cooking and writing careers after their spy work was finished.

The last chapter features codebreakers with the stories of typing machines that would encode messages and how those algorithms were broken by mathematicians and cryptanalysts. I always love the story of the Native American Code Talkers who so successfully encrypted messages that were never decrypted by the enemy.

I loved the writing style in this book! It's concise with lots of interesting information packed into each page. There are some very cool illustrations showing secret weapons and maps. The print is quite large, and the pages have a patina to them as though it was old paper from 1940.

This is the perfect book for middle grade or teens who are interested in history! It is sure to spark their curiosity!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

This book is not what I was looking for. I wanted a more scientific book about how different minerals and crystals have chemical properties that can change the flow of air, remove impurities, react with other stones to improve energy, or react with electrons in healing ways.
But this book is more spiritual and wishy-washy that I wanted.

The author says in the introduction, "I believe crystals are conscious entities that come from the planet..."
Okay, that just sounds ridiculous. Rocks are not conscious. That is idiotic.

The book starts with some general information about crystal vibrations and how placing them in patterns together will make those vibrations resonate together. There are a lot of details about the types of crystals and patterns to use for different effects.

Then there are grids of suggested patterns and crystals to set up (almost like a recipe) depending on if you want to focus on work, sleep better, relieve allergies, enhance your willpower, relieve depression and anxiety, get creative, or attract wealth with the Law of Attraction.

There is even a buying guide for how to choose crystals to purchase, but it is based on unscientific criteria like holding the crystal in your non-dominant hand and listening to your intuition about the crystal. If you feel it "belongs" with you, then purchase it.

The reader is also given advice on how to "cleanse" the crystals by leaving them in the moonlight or holding them over sage smoke.

I'm so disappointed in this book. I know that there are real scientific studies about the properties of stones and crystals, like salt rock that purifies air by releasing negative ions, but this book is full of nonsense. I'm not a skeptic, I just need some more solid information.

The author has no explanations for WHY these crystal grids would do what they say they ought to do, or WHY crystals should be "cleansed" over sage smoke. I'm not saying I need ten scientific studies to be done, but I would like some kind of reliable information other than your "spirit guide" told you so.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.