Feline Behaviour and Psychology (audio book) by Centre of Excellence (Author), Brian Greyson (Narrator)

September 26, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Feline Behaviour and Psychology (audio book) by Centre of Excellence (Author), Brian Greyson (Narrator)
Publisher: Author’s Republic
Genre: Non-Fiction
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

The Feline Behaviour and Psychology audiobook provides a greater understanding of what is going on in the mind of your cat(s), why they do certain things, and how to improve your and your other pets’ relationship with them.

For cat lovers, part of the attraction to their feline friends is the very thing that sets them apart from other pets: their intelligence and behaviors, though this can also be an avenue of confusion, leaving you with unanswered questions:

“Why is my cat constantly spraying my curtains, even though he’s been neutered?”
“Why does my cat chew my plants?”
“Why does my cat sometimes bite me when I stroke her?”
Written by our feline psychology expert who has more than 12 years of experience in this fascinating field, this audiobook aims to give you the latest comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge that can help you answer many of you cat-related questions, aiding you to build stronger relationships with your feline companions.

Have you ever wondered why your cat does such strange things? It’s certainly amusing to watch cats in action.

This book gives us an inside view into cat behavior. We learn things such as: are certain personality traits of cats linked to certain breeds? What are the signs that your cat is unhappy? What are cats trying to express to us? Can cats ever be social creatures, and if so, how? Can they be trained?

Even people who don’t have cats might find this book interesting. It has many good points that are not so commonly known. Why not give this short book a quick listen and learn something while being entertained?

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

Beyond Codependency and Getting Better All the Time by Melody Beattie

September 15, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Beyond Codependency and Getting Better All the Time by Melody Beattie
Publisher: Hazeldon
Genre: Self-Help, Contemporary, Non-Fiction
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

In simple, straightforward terms, Beattie takes you into the territory beyond codependency, into the realm of recovery and relapse, family-of-origin work and relationships, surrender and spirituality.

You’re learning to let go, to live your life free of the grip of someone else’s problems. And yet you find you’ve just started on the long journey of recovery. Let Melody Beattie, author of the classic Codependent No More, help you along your way. A guided tour past the pitfalls of recovery, Beyond Codependency is dedicated to those struggling to master the art of self-care. It is a book about what to do once the pain has stopped and you’ve begun to suspect that you have a life to live. It is about what happens next.

In simple, straightforward terms, Beattie takes you into the territory beyond codependency, into the realm of recovery and relapse, family-of-origin work and relationships, surrender and spirituality. With personal stories, hard-won insights, and activities, her book teaches the lessons of dealing with shame, growing in self-esteem, overcoming deprivation, and getting past fatal attractions long enough to find relationships that work.

IF you’ve ever been in a toxic relationship, this might be the book you’re looking for.

I picked this book up because I’d read others by Beattie and liked them. This one helped a lot because it’s about getting beyond the point of codependency. What happens next? What about the rest of your life? This book talks about that. How we get into patterns, how we let others in and allow them to do what’s been done before, how we need to move forward but with kindness for ourselves.

This book isn’t easy to read, but it is. There are parts that are emotional and will make the reader well up. There are also points of light that can give the reader lots of hope. There is something bigger out there and it’s up to the reader to decide what or let the path be shown to them.

I liked this book and recommend it if you’re in need of a help when dealing with codependency.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

All Up in Your Bizness by Julianna Newland

September 7, 2023 By Leave a Comment


All Up in Your Bizness by Julianna Newland
Publisher: Fulton Books
Genre: Non-Fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

All up in Your Bizness is my first book (not counting my diary). Although I have written dozens of speeches, testimonials, newsletters, and talking points, they do not contain the wit and whimsy of this book. I have been employed for more than thirty years in several jobs, where I have seen hilarious shenanigans of the men and women who worked with me and the processes and programs that often befuddled us.

A labor of love and giggles, this book is to be enjoyed as a tongue-in-cheek look at many business circumstances, such as the interview, office kiss-ups, performance reviews, working from home, and working in the open office. Practical and useful advice is also provided.

Unspoken rules can be the hardest ones of all to follow.

As soon as the blurb mentioned this was going to be a tongue-in-cheek book, I knew I had to read it. The author had a fabulous sense of humor, and I chuckled my way through her various anecdotes about what Human Resources may claim a business is like versus what it’s actually like to work there. This is a fun choice for anyone who has ever silently wished they could add a few pages to their employee handbook about what it’s actually like to work for their company.

I loved Ms. Newland’s observations about how life has improved for women in the workplace over the past few decades. It would have been wonderful to also have sections on how things have evolved for people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, disabled workers, and other minority groups over time. I was surprised that none of these topics were covered and would have happily gone for a full five-star rating if they were.

With that being said, I was pleased to see the comparisons between various generations in the workplace. Not everyone from the same generation will behave the same way, of course, but there have been some cultural shifts over time when it comes to things like what an appropriate outfit for work looks like or how much overtime a worker is or isn’t willing to do on a regular basis. Bringing these assumptions out into the open is an important part of making sure everyone is on the same page, and it can also add extra humor to the mix if finding common ground is harder than expected.

All Up in Your Bizness made me smile.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Dozer’s Run – A True Story of a Dog and His Race by Debbie Levy and Rosana Panza

August 28, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Dozer’s Run – A True Story of a Dog and His Race by Debbie Levy and Rosana Panza
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Non-Fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Dozer the Goldendoodle has a wonderful life! He and his best friend, Chica, belong to a loving family. They have warm beds to sleep in, enough food to eat, and plenty of room in their yard to play and investigate. What more could a good dog want? As it turns out, Dozer wants an adventure. And when a runner runs past his yard, followed by another, and another, and another, Dozer decides to follow and see what is happening. In May 2011, unbeknownst to his owner, Dozer slipped out of his yard in Highland, Maryland, enticed by the sight of people running past. The runners were participating in the Maryland Half Marathon, a race benefitting the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center. Dozer joined the 2,000 runners in the race, inspiring everyone along the 13-mile race course. By the time his adventure was over and he was reunited with his family, Dozer’s “Run” encouraged thousands of pledges in support of the Greenebaum Cancer Center. This true story of a playful dog that actually runs a half marathon entertains as well as inspires.

There’s more than one way to win a marathon.

I loved the gentle humor of this picture book. Some of the funniest scenes were the ones that tried to explain Dozer’s explanation of what those mysterious humans were doing when he found so many of them running past his yard. Surely they must have been chasing something amazing, right? I grinned as he made the sudden decision to join them in their race to see if his assumption was correct.

It would have been helpful to have a better explanation of how this dog escaped from his yard, especially since Chica, the other dog in their family, stayed put. Did he find a hole in a fence or slip out of his leash, for example? If this question had been answered, I would have gone for a full five star rating.

There’s a chapter of this tale that nobody except Dozer will ever know the true details of that involves where he went and what he did after the marathon ended and he was relatively far away from home. The authors did a wonderful job of sharing what the humans were able to figure out about how he spent that night while still keeping everything factual. That must have been a tricky balance to maintain, so I’m glad they pulled it off so nicely.

Dozer’s Run – A True Story of a Dog and His Race was a thrilling adventure.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Memories of John Lennon by Yoko Ono, editor

August 22, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Memories of John Lennon by Yoko Ono, editor
Publisher: It Books
Genre: Non-Fiction, Biography
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

John Lennon . . . as much a part of our world today as he ever was

He touched many lives in his brief forty years, and continues to move and inspire millions more to this day. Now, invited by Yoko Ono, friends, family, and fans from all walks of life—including some of the great artists of our day—reminisce about Lennon as a visionary and friend, musician and performer, husband and father, activist and jokester.

In their own words and drawings, poems and photos, Lennon’s life from his childhood through the Beatles years to the happiness and tragedy of his final days become stunningly vivid.

Intimate glimpses gathered from musicians who knew John, such as Pete Townshend, Sir Elton John, Billy Preston, and Joan Baez; friends and relatives such as producer David Geffen, publicist Elliot Mintz, and cousin Mike Cadwallader; and artists who followed him such as Bono, Alicia Keys, Steve Earle, Jello Biafra, and Carlos Santana.

And, for the first time, renowned photographer Annie Liebovitz presents every frame of the historic last session with John and Yoko.

Memories of John Lennon is a rich and deeply felt appreciation of a truly great man.

How do you speak about a legend?

I picked up this book because I wanted to read what others had said about John Lennon. I know how I felt about him and his music, but what about his peers? This is a good way to see how they felt and what they thought. Ono adds her own special touches and the little drawings really added to the stories.

I liked the stories about how Lennon affected their lives, but also the court paperwork and the paperwork from the FBI. Lennon was a complicated man and it shows in these pages.

If you’re a fan of the Beatles, then you need to read this. If you like John Lennon, then you really need to read this.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Stop Being Mean to Yourself: A Story About Finding The True Meaning of Self-Love by Melody Beattie

August 21, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Stop Being Mean to Yourself: A Story About Finding The True Meaning of Self-Love by Melody Beattie
Publisher: Hazeldon Publishing
Genre: Self-Help, Contemporary, Non-Fiction
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Beckoning readers toward a spiritual territory beyond even that of her revolutionary best-seller Codependent No More, Melody Beattie conducts us through teeming Casablanca, war-torn Algeria, and the caverns of Egypt’s great pyramids as she embarks on a new kind of journey of the soul.

An enlightening blend of travel adventure and spiritual discovery, filled with new ideas for overcoming the pitfalls of guilt and self-doubt, Stop Being Mean to Yourself is a compassionate tour guide for the troubled and the heartsick, for those who seek a happier place in the world. A tale that is at once modern and timeless, rich with the promise of personal discovery, it is a book about learning the art of living and of loving others — and ourselves. As full of suspense and excitement as it is of hope and encouragement, it is as rewarding for its pure reading pleasure as for the wisdom it imparts.

It seems so easy, but the title isn’t so easy after all.

Stop Being Mean to Yourself. Like I said, it should be easy, but it’s not. We’re all mean to ourselves in one way or another. In this book, Beattie talks about how to stop, but this isn’t the usual self-help story. This is her story and how she learned the biggest lesson of all – you’ve only got yourself and if you beat yourself up, you’re the one who has to pick you up. You’re all you’ve got.

Seems like a huge thing to understand, but it’s not. We all tear ourselves down in one way or another and it’s high time we stopped. We put too much pressure on ourselves. This book doesn’t necessarily show how to overcome being mean to yourself, but it shows that giving yourself some self-love and compassion will help.

If you’re interesting reading a story that involves a personal journey, then this one will be good for you.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Dance of Anger: A Woman’s Guide to Changing the Patterns of Intimate Relationships by Harriet Lerner

August 17, 2023 By Leave a Comment


The Dance of Anger: A Woman’s Guide to Changing the Patterns of Intimate Relationships by Harriet Lerner
Publisher: Perennial Library
Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

The renowned classic and New York Times bestseller that has transformed the lives of millions of readers, dramatically changing how women and men view relationships.

Anger is something we feel. It exists for a reason and always deserves our respect and attention. We all have a right to everything we feel—and certainly our anger is no exception.

“Anger is a signal and one worth listening to,” writes Dr. Harriet Lerner in her renowned classic that has transformed the lives of millions of readers. While anger deserves our attention and respect, women still learn to silence our anger, to deny it entirely, or to vent it in a way that leaves us feeling helpless and powerless. In this engaging and eminently wise book, Dr. Lerner teaches both women and men to identify the true sources of anger and to use it as a powerful vehicle for creating lasting change.

For decades, this book has helped millions of readers learn how to turn their anger into a constructive force for reshaping their lives. With a new introduction by the author, The Dance of Anger is ready to lead the next generation.

Want to tackle your anger and be a better listener? Then this book is for you.

I picked up this book because I went on a self-help binge and wanted tips as to how to manage my anger better as well as be a better listener. This book did help with that. I liked that the author encourages the reader to be their own self. Be yourself. That’s huge. Many people disappear into relationships or into what they have with the other person, so this bit of information did help. In some ways, this book is a bit sexist, but it’s also empowering. Women are taught to say no, taught to not want things and this book shows that that doesn’t have to be the case. I liked the tips and suggestions. One doesn’t have to suffer in silence and can stand up for themselves.

If you’re wanting to be a better listener, then give this book a try. You’ll learn a lot. It’ll also give you tips about dealing with anger. Give it a chance.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

From Stressed To Best — A Proven Program For Reducing Everyday Stress by by Ruth E Schneider and David S Prudhomme

August 15, 2023 By Leave a Comment


From Stressed To Best — A Proven Program For Reducing Everyday Stress by by Ruth E Schneider and David S Prudhomme
Publisher: Lulu
Genre: Self-Help, Non-Fiction
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

A proven program for reducing everyday stress that produces remarkable results! Because people are different, a “one-size-fits-all” approach to stress reduction simply will not work. Instead, From Stressed to Best uses definable personality differences to pinpoint specific, individualized steps to reduce your stress.

Want to learn how to handle your stress better? Then check this book out.

I picked up this book because I wanted to know how to better handle my stress. This book certainly did help. It showed me my personality and my traits, but also how to look at the stress once it happens. I learned about my personality – extroverted, sensing, thinking, perceiving. Now I know that when I get stressed, I revert to being an introvert. I try to get away from people. I pull inside myself. Now it makes sense. Now I can figure out how to better deal.

I liked that this book showed me a bit about myself.

If you’re looking for a book that’s going to give a bit of insight about your personality and how to deal with stress, then this might be the book for you.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Mario and the Hole in the Sky – How a Chemist Saved Our Planet by Elizabeth Rusch

August 14, 2023 By Leave a Comment


Mario and the Hole in the Sky – How a Chemist Saved Our Planet by Elizabeth Rusch
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Non-Fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

The true story of how a scientist saved the planet from environmental disaster.

Mexican American Mario Molina is a modern-day hero who helped solve the ozone crisis of the 1980s. Growing up in Mexico City, Mario was a curious boy who studied hidden worlds through a microscope. As a young man in California, he discovered that CFCs, used in millions of refrigerators and spray cans, were tearing a hole in the earth’s protective ozone layer. Mario knew the world had to be warned–and quickly. Today Mario is a Nobel laureate and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His inspiring story gives hope in the fight against global warming.

Science is full of possibilities.

Mario had such a loving and supportive family. They even cleared out an unused bathroom in their house so he could perform science experiments when he was a kid! I smiled as I read about the many other ways they supported his interest in science even when it led to a few unpleasant mixtures of chemicals. That’s exactly the sort of home every child should grow up in!

This picture book didn’t seem to be written with a clear audience in mind. Some portions were lighthearted, playful, and seemed to be meant for preschoolers. Other sections were much more serious and complex and probably would be more appealing to middle schoolers or even adults. As much as I enjoyed learning about Mario Molina’s life and scientific achievements, I’d struggle to figure out who to share this with and how to simplify the science in it for kids who haven’t studied chemistry yet.

With that being said, it was so interesting to learn the history of who discovered that humans were causing the destruction of the ozone layer around Earth back in the 1980s and how he convinced the world to stop using products that were making this problem worse. It was inspiring to learn how everyone pulled together to solve this crisis, and it gave me a lot of hope for all of the current efforts to reduce pollution and slow down or maybe even figure out how to reverse climate change today.

Mario and the Hole in the Sky – How a Chemist Saved Our Planet was exciting.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

On Duck Pond by Jane Yolen

August 9, 2023 By 1 Comment


On Duck Pond by Jane Yolen
Publisher: The Cornell Lab Publishing Group
Genre: Children’s (0-8 yrs), Animals, Non-Fiction
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

ON BIRD HILL took readers on a surreal journey with a boy and his dog, as they stopped, looked, and noticed things along their path, ultimately discovering the miracle a hatching baby bird.ON DUCK POND continues their journey, this time in a new place―a serene pond, filled with birds, frogs, turtles, and other creatures going about their quiet business. Their intrusion stirs the pond into a cacophony of activity, reaching a climactic chaos before slowly settling back to a quiet equilibrium.

This beautiful and enchanting sequel is sure to delight ON BIRD HILL fans and millions of readers of Jane’s popular classics.

Beautiful story about a day at the pond.

I’ve never thought about a day at the pond this way. This is a beautiful story about a man watching the ducks come to the pond. It’s a great story of realizing what’s happening, taking a moment to take it all in and observing what’s around us. I loved it and will look at time at the pond or out in nature a little differently.

If you’re interested in a story about nature and observing, then this is the book for you.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,
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