Review: The 4X4 Diet

Personal trainer Erin Oprea never set out to create a “diet” program or write a book, and she certainly never thought she’d have devoted celebrity clients.

But there’s a reason for her popularity. She helps clients–and now readers–develop a clean eating style using just four principles, and her simple workouts make exercise both fun and effective.

In The 4X4 Diet, Oprea lays out the basic principles that she uses to keep herself and her family fit, and which also keep her clients coming back for more. The book is separated into four sections. The first is a part introduction, part motivation. The second details Oprea’s rules for eating clean: no starchy carbs at night, less sugar, less salt, and less alcohol. These four rules are accompanied by explanations of why they’re necessary, and readers will appreciate Oprea’s straightforward and simple reasoning. She also provides a list of necessary kitchen items and a number of recipes that will help readers get started with healthier eating right away.

The third part focuses on the workouts. Oprea’s workout of choice is the tabata, which is essentially a mini-workout made up high-intensity exercises alternated with short rest periods. String a few of these together and the result is a workout that is still relatively short (following her advice means working out for less than 30 minutes) but surprisingly effective. Oprea provides three levels of tabatas, with numerous examples of each level; there are detailed instructions on how to do the moves, making them accessible even to fitness newbies, and there are plenty of pictures.

Part four puts it all together into an actual diet plan, although Oprea is quick to remind readers that this is a lifestyle change, not a temporary “diet.”

“All of this can be done in just four weeks. Each week, you’ll incorporate a new clean eating habit and slightly more challenging tabatas. And each week, you’ll feel cleaner, leaner, healthier, and stronger. That momentum will keep you going not just for four weeks straight but for the rest of your life.”

There are pros and cons to this book. Readers will love her simple rules, as well as the fact that she embraces “cheat” meals. At the same time, the meal ideas she offers are pretty heavy on eggs and meat, so readers who dislike those foods, or who choose not to eat them for other reasons, may find themselves struggling with how to make it work for them. Her rules are good ones, though, and a clean diet like hers could very well aid in weight loss, so long as readers actually stick with it over time (and minimize those “cheat” meals). The workouts are extremely challenging, and some readers will love jumping right in, while others might have a hard time staying motivated. It’s wonderful that she only uses very basic equipment; readers can either work out at home and have to buy only a few things, or do the workouts at their nearest gym.

Overall, the book is quite short, which will help those interested get started with their new lifestyle right away; a large chunk is devoted to the individual tabatas, which don’t all need to be read through before beginning the program.

For those who need help improving their diet in small ways and who want a simple–but challenging–workout plan to get started with, The 4X4 Diet is a great resource.

*****

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed within are completely my own.

Review: Boobin' All Day... Boobin' All Night

Every new mom has been there.

Baby sleep. That thorny, difficult issue.

We all want to know how to help our babies sleep longer. More. We want to know the best ways to soothe. We want to know the best place for baby to sleep. We want reassurance that nighttime waking is okay, and that we’re handling it correctly. Should we be night weaning? Sleep training? How much sleep is enough?

We want to know that our baby is, in fact, normal.

Meg Nagle, renowned IBCLC (lactation consultant) and blogger at The Milk Meg, is here to provide that much-needed reassurance. Her book, Boobin’ All Day… Boobin’ All Night is a short, sweet bit of sanity in a world that has way too many sleep trainers and baby whisperers.

This is not the bestest, most complete book on baby sleep ever. (My suggestion for that would be The Gentle Sleep Book by Sarah Ockwell-Smith. More complete, yes, but also a much longer read. It’s worth it, but don’t say you weren’t warned.)

Boobin’ All Day… Boobin’ All Night is a relatively short book, ideal for the sleep-deprived parent who just needs help NOW. Meg covers the essentials. She helps parents understand why it’s completely normal for breastfed babies and toddlers to wake up so much. She talks about why breastfeeding–or boobin’, as she prefers to call it–is often the most surefire way to soothe said baby or toddler, and how breastfeeding to sleep is absolutely not a bad habit. She talks about co-sleeping and bedsharing, and offers guidelines on how to bring baby into your bed–safely–so that everyone can get more sleep. She talks about how routines can work while nursing on-demand, caffeine, the breastfeeding-at-night-causes-cavities myth, and more. She has a relatively in-depth chapter all about night-weaning, for when it’s truly the best option or when it’s simply the right time. She provides all kinds of ideas and methods, tips and tricks that might help parents out with whatever challenge they happen to be facing at any given moment.

Through it all, Meg offers personal anecdotes, warmth, humor, adorable pictures, and plenty of encouragement, which we all need sometimes. Meg has a lot of experience with breastfeeding, both as a lactation consultant and as a mother, and her experience shines through in this lovely little book.

Feel confident in mothering through breastfeeding and cuddling during the day and at night, just as nature intended.

*****

I have been in no way compensated for this review. The opinions expressed within are completely my own.

Review: Birth Work As Care Work

These days, more and more pregnant people are starting to spend time researching birth before actually giving birth. They’re researching where they’ll give birth, who their care providers will be, who their support team will consist of.

And yet, as a society we still have a long way to go. A long, long way.

It’s easy for those of us who benefit from societal privileges to be completely blind to the advantages we have. It’s easy to forget that some birth givers don’t have access to the “good” hospitals because of location, insurance, or financial means. For some pregnant people, a higher risk of unwanted interventions or unnecessary surgery is unavoidable. For some, home birth is not an option. For some, hiring a doula is either impractical or impossible. For some, prejudice is faced at every turn due to skin color or gender identity.

For some, it’s a blessing simply to be able to give birth without being chained to the bed.

There are many issues that those who perform birth work need to be concerned with. Midwives, doulas, and childbirth educators are always learning, always reading. A new book to add to the “to read” pile is Alana Apfel‘s Birth Work as Care Work: Stories from Activist Birth Communities.
This anthology delves into a lot of sensitive ideas that are not often discussed in more mainstream birth communities, although there are certainly individuals and groups out there that are working in these areas.

“Ultimately the anthology is conceived as a platform through which to honor birth–in all its forms–as itself a profoundly radical act that holds the potential for deep transformative change.”

For example, many sections discuss the idea of white privilege with regards to birth, although those aren’t the exact words used. But there are discussions about how birth is experienced by racial minorities, and how marginalized groups have less options and less choice, and often face a certain amount of judgment simply for who they are. In addition, these people must sometimes deal with more affluent birth workers–because birth work often tends to draw in white, wealthier women–and the stigma of being “saved.”

“One such problematic narrative relates to the language of ‘choice’ within modern maternity care. The danger of celebrating the rise of choice within transactional birthing environments lies in masking ongoing forms of coercion that result in a denial of choice for marginalized communities and those with less access to the kinds of choice-making power enjoyed by more privileged counterparts.”

Also discussed is how birth is shaped by a person’s gender identity. Sure, plenty of white, hetero, cisgendered women give birth every day, but that doesn’t mean that birth is restricted only to straight women or even to those who identify as women. This book is sure to get readers thinking about ideas that some may have never encountered before.

And of course, Birth Work as Care Work talks about some of the issues that are widely known about among birth workers of all stripes, such as how the institutionalized medical model of care affects birth outcomes, the value of midwives, our society’s implicit (but not always well-deserved) trust in medical professionals.

“People see their doctors as authorities with complete control over their bodies and their babies–to the extent that they expect to be raped. The word rape might sound extreme, but I am quick to point out that when someone does something to your genitals without your consent, that is rape.”

Readers will get an overview of some basic herbal medicine–just a discussion of herbs, but no recipes–because of the importance of reclaiming medicine for ourselves. There is also a wonderful, straightforward glossary: the “Political Dictionary.” This gives readers an easy understanding of some terms they may be less familiar with, which makes this book even more accessible to everyone.

There are discussions of how doulas can serve different kinds of pregnant people, and readers will learn about groups they may not have heard about before: volunteer doulas, prison doulas, doula training programs, doulas that work in areas of reproductive health not normally associated with doulas at all (like abortion or adoption).

There are also a number of birth stories, which readers will love. Birth is beautiful, and these stories celebrate it in all of its messy, myriad forms. This is the kind of birth the author and others are fighting for, and readers will enjoy getting to experience it up close.

Overall, Birth Work as Care Work is a book that will leave readers thinking and questioning, and perhaps wanting to get involved (if they’re not already). This is a fascinating and thoughtful collection of stories, questions, and essays, and a book that any birth worker would benefit from picking up.

“Transformation happens when we come together and meet each other where we actually are, not where others perceive us to be.”

*****

I received this book from the publisher, PM Press, in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed within are completely my own.

Review: Harvest

Do you ever find yourself wondering what to do with some of those more obscure fruits or veggies that come in your weekly CSA box? What does one do with quince? How about huckleberries?

Or what if you decide to be a little adventurous in your own gardening endeavors? How do you harvest rhubarb? When is the best time to plant herbs like oregano, feverfew, or lemongrass? Where do poppy seeds even come from?

Or perhaps you're just looking for some unique ways to utilize nature's bounty. Did you know that you can make a lovely floral arrangement using artichokes? Or that you can make delightful seasonal salads composed entirely of herbs?

If any or all of the above describe you to some degree, be sure to check out Harvest, a gorgeous hardcover book by Stefani Bittner and Alethea Harampolis. This is not your standard cookbook, and it's definitely not a normal gardening book. Instead, it contains some basic growing info on a wide variety of plants that are harvestable in the early growing season, mid-season, and late season. Some are common garden plants, while others might be ones you've never even thought about adding to your own yard. Some, like lilac, are plants you may not have realized were edible at all.

The recipes, meanwhile, go beyond kitchen creations. There are also ideas for floral arrangements, teas, personal care products, and more.

Each plant is featured in a four-page spread. One page features a full-page, beautiful color photograph of the plant, while the second discusses growing instructions and how to harvest the usable parts. The final two pages include a recipe of sorts and a photograph of the recipe results.

What makes this book stand out is the uniqueness of the recipes. Everybody has heard of making rhubarb pie or rhubarb jam, but pickled rhubarb will be a new concept for many. We all know berries are delicious to munch on or turn into traditional preserves, but have you ever heard of a shrub? A shrub is a type of beverage made by preserving fruit with sugar and vinegar, and readers will learn how to make a delicious huckleberry shrub. Persimmons make a delicious snack, and the branches pruned every fall can be turned into a gorgeous wreath.

This book is just packed with ideas! Harvest is definitely a great addition to the library of any gardener, or anyone who is just looking for unique ways to work with plants.

***

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed within are completely my own.

Review: Healing Your Body Naturally After Childbirth

If you go to your nearest bookstore, you will no doubt find an extensive selection of pregnancy books: general guides, week-by-week or even day-by-day books, books geared towards "natural" mamas, books that appeal to "cool" mamas, books for dads, books that tell you what to expect if you're a beginner or going for a VBAC,books that tell you what to eat.

What you won't find are books that deal with the postpartum period.

Well, there will be plenty of books related to your baby during that period: breastfeeding, baby sleep, doctor's visits and vaccines, milestones, natural remedies, raising boys or raising girls, how to soothe your babies and what to do with them.

What's missing are books related to you during those first few postpartum months.

And just think about everything your body has been through in the past ten months. You've grown not only an entire human being, but also a brand new organ (your placenta) and an expanded blood supply. You've gained weight. You might have been through hours of intense labor. You might have a tear in your bottom area after pushing that baby out, or you might be recovering from major abdominal surgery.

Surely, you deserve to focus on yourself for a bit, too.

So pick up a copy of Healing Your Body Naturally After Childbirth, and start learning about the steps you can take to take care of yourself!

Jolene Brighten is a naturopathic doctor who truly knows what she's talking about. In particular, she has an extensive knowledge of how pregnancy can affect a woman's thyroid and adrenals, which is a subject that many care providers sadly know little about. She uses her knowledge about the topic to educate readers, providing information about both hyper- and hypothyroidism, as well as adrenal dysfunction. She talks about treatment options and provides effective--and safe--natural remedies to help women take control of their own health.

Dr. Brighten provides similar information on a whole host of postpartum topics. Breastfeeding mamas will appreciate ideas for natural ways for soothing hurting breasts, remedies for thrush, and recipes for making your own lactation tea. Mamas who gave birth vaginally will surely find comfort in an herbal sitz bath and appreciate knowing what supplements they can take to help ease postpartum discomfort. C-section mamas will be thankful for her recipe for an herbal wash to help keep infection away.

There are ideas for dealing with common postpartum complaints: constipation, "baby blues" (and information about how to distinguish between simple blues and actual depression), low energy, vaginal dryness, stress, and more. There are recipes for all kinds of teas, soups, and smoothies, and even body scrubs for self-care and delicious cookies. There supplements that will help with all manner of healing. There is information on postpartum nutrition, including how to support yourself through breastfeeding.

The information in Healing Your Body Naturally After Childbirth will make a tremendous difference in the postpartum experience of any new mama, and as such is highly recommended for both expecting mamas as well as those who have recently given birth. Midwives, doulas, lactation consultants, and anyone else who works with pregnant women will find great value in this book as well.

New mamas deserve to know how to take care of themselves while they heal from birth and adapt to new parenthood. This book helps fulfill that need. So do yourself--or your partner, or your clients--a favor and dive right in.

*****

I received a copy of this book as a gift from the author, although not with any expectation of a review, positive or otherwise. The opinions expressed within are completely my own.

Review: Happy, Healthy Pregnancy Cookbook

It's no secret that a healthy diet is extremely important during pregnancy. Every pregnancy book ever devotes a substantial section to food: how much, which nutrients, what to avoid.

Okay, but what should a pregnant mama be eating instead?

There are plenty of lists of pregnancy superfoods out there, but some readers want just a little bit more guidance. That's where a book like Healthy, Happy Pregnancy Cookbook can help!

This little book is a great guide to the best ways a woman can nourish her body during pregnancy. The beginning talks about basic stuff: weight gain, superfoods, vital nutrients, ways readers can encourage themselves to do more cooking. The real "meat," as it were, of this book lies in the recipe section.

Registered dietitians Stephanie Clarke and Willow Jarosh offer readers more than one hundred recipes that will nourish women during this important time. These are recipes that are well-balanced and include a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, grains, and meats, and thus plenty of nutrients for a growing baby.

Better yet, the chapters are organized by common pregnancy symptom. Feeling nauseous? Try some Avocado Toast with healthy fats and B vitamins, or Quinoa-Veggie "Cheeseburgers" with plenty of protein without the smell of cooking meat. Fighting off cravings? Satisfy your sweet tooth with Peanut Butter, Apple, and Chickpea Breakfast Cookies. Third-trimester heartburn got you down? Recipes like Confetti Sweet Potato Hash or Lentil and Pumpkin Soup will provide a hearty sense of satisfaction while avoiding common triggers like onion or tomatoes.

Healthy, Happy Pregnancy Cookbook has such a thoughtful, useful premise, and it's full of recipes that will appeal to the whole family. This book is sure to be enjoyed by anyone who is struggling with eating well during pregnancy, anyone who is hoping that some dietary changes might alleviate common pregnancy symptoms, and anyone who just wants some new ideas to pack in the nutrition.

Review: Tox-Sick

In this modern era, we are literally surrounded by poisons.

That's one of the primary messages that well-known author Suzanne Somers wants readers to take away from her new book, Tox-Sick: From Toxic to Not Sick. Not only are we surrounded by poisons, but our bodies are, quite simply, becoming overwhelmed by them. Decades of exposure to pesticides, genetically-modified food, chemicals in carpets and furniture and cars, fluoride in water, unnecessary medications, and more have taken a toll on the bodies of many once they reach the tipping point. People are feeling tired, bloated, foggy-headed, achy, and sick.

If you're ready for a change, like Somers was, read on.

Tox-Sick delves into many of the biggest health issues we face today, issues that many people aren't even aware of (unless they've been directly affected). Somers gets into some of the deeper causes of cancer, and discusses how detoxification is necessary to avoid (or beat) it. She talks about toxic mold, why it's become such a problem in recent years, and what to do if you encounter it. She talks about nutrition, and how the "low-fat" craze has not done us any favors. She talks about antibiotics, and how they wipe out the good alongside the bad. She talks about what supplements you should be taking to support your immune system, your liver, your thyroid, and the rest of your body.

Most readers will find themselves learning a lot, and there's a good chance that a number of book titles will be added to the "to read" list. The majority of the information in Tox-Sick is delivered via interviews between Somers and various health professionals, experts who have ventured off the beaten path and have found themselves specializing in true health care. Many of these doctors have written their own books, which will no doubt be sought out by readers who recognize themselves and their problems in these pages.

To be honest, though, the fact that so much is told through interviews is one of my biggest problems with the book. While the information in Tox-Sick is fascinating, the Q&A format makes for rather tedious reading at times. I understand that Somers wanted a lot of this information to be coming directly from the experts, but I still can't help but feel that there must have been a better way to accomplish this than through verbatim interviews. As a copyeditor, I'm also a little bothered by the lack of proper citations. There is a "Further Reading" section at the end, as well as a bibliography, but it would be nice to know which specific sources were used for each chapter.

Overall, this book doesn't quite live up to my expectations. Somers missed a lot of opportunities to educate readers on some big issues. Tox-Sick is written to be provocative, yes, but it also toes the line on a number of topics that readers would benefit from knowing more about. One example is fluoride. Somers makes a point of telling readers to avoid fluoridated water, but doesn't go into any detail why; the mainstream audience that this book is intended for likely doesn't know much of anything about fluoride except what their dentist has been telling them for years. Another example is vaccines. Several times, either Somers or her interviewees allude to the toxins within vaccines, at one point even talking about how "over-vaccinating" has made us sicker. That's as far as this book dares to go, but there is still a lot left unsaid here, a lot that readers might be curious to know.

"Within hours of emerging from the womb, a newborn is given a dollop of antibiotics in the eyes, injected with the hepatitis B vaccine, with known neurotoxic properties, and jabbed with a vitamin K shot, which contains 9 mg of benzyl alcohol. In 1992, Golding published concerns that vitamin K injections could be associated with a doubled risk of malignant disease in children, particularly leukemia. While there have been considerable doubts about whether the association is coincidental or casual, the controversy has never been completely resolved."

All three of those "standard" newborn procedures are quite controversial. In some circles, anyway. This is just another missed opportunity to dig deeper.

In the end, though, Tox-Sick is a good read, packed with great information that will hopefully get people thinking and inspire them to take charge of their own health. The personal stories that Somers presents from her own family are heartbreaking, and the case studies from some of the doctors will give readers hope for their future. This is a great introduction to a number of issues that many don't even realize they're affected by. Here's hoping that Somers can help turn the tide.

"It's time for us to grow up and realize that nobody's going to save us; we've got to save ourselves. It's up to each of us to control the amount of our individual toxic exposures. To live and thrive, we need to truly think about every product we use and every bite of food we take."

*****
 
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed within are completely my own.

Review: Against All Grain Celebrations

Paleo is a relatively new way of eating, and despite the abundance of blogs that have jumped on board with the idea, many who follow Paleo have a hard time with family get-togethers. This is all the more apparent at this time of year, with Thanksgiving and the winter holidays right around the corner.

 Blogger Danielle Walker has been there, and she knows exactly how you feel. Over the years that she's been running her blog, Against All Grain, Walker has shared all kinds of recipes that readers have utilized for birthdays, picnics, and holidays. In her new book, Danielle Walker's Against All Grain: Celebrations, she shares a diverse collection of tested and true recipes that are certain to help readers navigate any number of parties and, well, celebrations.

The book is organized by occasion, with each holiday or gathering offering a complete meal spread. Valentine's Day has ideas for fun, child-friendly foods (Cupid's Arrow Pancakes, Lunch Box Love) as well as a more adult dinner for two (Cabernet-Braised Short Ribs with Parsnip-Turnip Puree, Salted Caramel-Chocolate Panna Cotta). Baby showers, wedding showers, or other fun summer get-togethers can be celebrated with Lemon Lavender Bundt Cakes or Ahi Tartare on Taro Chips. There are plenty of different cake options for birthday parties, delicious BBQ recipes for a game-day cookout, and a Thanksgiving spread that features all the classics (Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Shallots; Smoky Candied Bacon Sweet Potatoes; Braised and Roasted Turkey; and, of course, three kinds of pie).

Every single recipe fits into a Paleo diet (although readers are always able to substitute ingredients as fits their individual eating habits). Every recipe is grain-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free; many are egg-free, nut-free, or nightshade-free, and a number of them can also be utilized by those who are following SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet) or GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet).

Readers are going to LOVE this cookbook! The instructions are all very straight-forward, there is extensive information about the ingredients Walker uses (for those who are unfamiliar), there is helpful information about ingredient substitution and making dishes ahead of time, and nutritional data is even available about every recipe on Walker's blog. Whether you are gluten-free, grain-free, or full-on Paleo, this book will make every holiday and family gathering so much easier.

*****
 
I received this game from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed within are completely my own.

2017 Reading Challenges

In 2017, I have decided to tackle three specific reading challenges, as well as one more open-ended option. I do a lot of reading, between reviewing for two websites (San Francisco Book Review and San Diego Book Review), writing for a digital magazine (Natural Mother Magazine), and occasionally writing about books here, on my personal blog.

Last year, I just assumed that the sheer number of books that I read would mean that all of the challenge categories would just line up for me. At the end of the year, I learned otherwise. So this year, I'll be making some more discerning choices when I select new review choices, and I may be seeking out some specific books at the library or for my Kindle.

This year, I also have the added challenge of an incoming newborn, who I am expecting in May or so. We'll see how much a new baby puts a damper on my reading aspirations.

Now, the challenges.

First off is Book Riot's 2017 Read Harder Challenge. (I didn't do too great on their 2016 challenge, so here's hoping I'm more successful this year!) This is only the third year of Book Riot's challenge, but it definitely promises to be the best one yet. There are 24 tasks on the list, with each one designed to help readers create a "perspective shift." With book spanning all kinds of genres and a wide variety of author categories, this one is sure to be fun... assuming I can fit more of the options into my reading list!

Second is the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2017, which I also attempted last year (see my 2016 challenge results here!). This year, there are 40 normal categories and 12 bonus categories, covering a wide variety of topics. Some have to do with authors, some with plot or genre, others with more fun things like what's on the cover. It's quite a list, though, so we'll see how far I get.

Then there's the Picture Book Reading Challenge, which I picked up from a book blog called Becky's Book Reviews. Seeing as my son is on a quest to read 1000 books in the next six months or so, this one was an obvious choice. Even when my son isn't in reading-machine mode, he still loves to read, so I imagine this one will be easily doable for us. I might need to use a little foresight and put some specific books on hold at the library, to make sure we hit specific authors and subjects, but that's easy enough, too.

The non-specific challenge I'm taking on is the Foodies Read 2017 challenge from SpiritBlog.net. This isn't an exact thing; instead of reading specific books, or even books that fit specific categories, readers/bloggers are to simply write and post reviews of books where food plays a major part. That can be cookbooks, novels set in restaurants or food-related settings, memoirs... anything where food is an important part of the book. And since I occasionally review cookbooks, I figure why not? Maybe it'll motivate me to get a cookbook review up here at least once a month; we'll see.


So that's my reading challenge agenda for 2017. What are you reading this year??

Review: Wake Up to the Joy of You

It's a new year, and January is a time when many people make resolutions to make some big changes. Author Agapi Stassinopoulos is all for change, but rather than making potentially unobtainable resolutions, she advocates that this year be one of self-discovery, a year when we look inward to learn more about ourselves and, in the process, create the kind of life we really want.

Her newest book is Wake Up to the Joy of You, and it's a collection of meditations, thought-provoking questions, and simple life practices that can help readers change themselves for the better.

There are 52 chapters in this book, and each focuses on a specific theme. Each features a short(ish) reading about the topic, followed by either a guided meditation, simple practices readers can take to truly hold that message in their hearts, or both.

For example, one chapter urges readers to focus on worries, and how chronically worrying about things--especially things outside of your control--can lead to anxiety and fear; this reading is followed by a guided meditation to help readers let go of worry about things they cannot influence or change. Another chapter inspires readers to find their calling, to think about the things in life they are there to learn or teach, the challenges they must overcome, and more; this is followed by a short list of simple suggestions, including a journal prompt and a writing project to help readers fully visualize what their lives would look like if they could truly follow their calling.

This book is not one to be rushed through. Readers would do best to savor each chapter, to read one per week (or so) as suggested in a time and/or place where they can focus on what Stassinopoulos has to say and to truly take her words to heart. Readers will get even more out of the book if they take the time to actually do the guided meditations and/or attempt the activities she suggests.

Really, this is a gorgeous book. It's small and compact; it'll fit nicely on your bedside table, or in your handbag or backpack for a trip to your local coffee shop. Each chapter, peppered with personal anecdotes and quotes, is long enough to get readers thinking but not so lengthy that readers will find their minds wandering. The author's warmth shines through, and readers will get the sense that she really does care about the personal progress they're making.

Wake Up to the Joy of You promises a "calmer, happier life," and readers who work through the whole book are sure to discover the truth in that!

***

I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own!

Raising a Bibliophile

Several months after moving to Virginia, I finally got around to getting a local library card.

Okay, to be fair, I got a card for the local city library months ago. Bug and I have hit story time there a few times, and it's a cute library with a decent set of books. But we hadn't made it to the county library yet. The closest branch is actually right across the street (almost literally), but it's currently closed for renovations (reopening next summer or autumn), and I didn't figure out that there's a temporary branch open a block away until just a few weeks ago. And since I did discover that, it's just been too cold to go.

I know. Whine, complain. I'm serious, though; it's been in the 20s and 30s lately, and most of the time we don't have a car during the day, and there's no way I'm walking even a few blocks when the temperature is at freezing or below.

So. Anyway. We finally got a library card to the county library a few days ago, and when we were there, we heard about a new program they just started called 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, which is exactly what it sounds like. The goal is to read kids 1000 books before they start kindergarten. They don't all have to be different books, and you don't have to track every individual title. Instead, the librarian gives you a series of coloring sheets, if you will, which each have a certain number of butterflies on them. Kid colors in a butterfly for each book, and once you fill in a sheet, you take it to the library for a reward. There are different milestones to aim for: 100 books, then 250, 500, 750, and finally 1000.

Almost done with this sheet!

Theoretically, you sign up for the program after first having read 25 books. Considering the amount Bug and I read every day, I just signed up same day, because we've obviously read way more books than that over the course of his life so far. Parents can sign up even their little babies, so I figured we're covered.

Once I explained the premise to Bug, he got very excited. Because: prizes. Actually he took it as a personal challenge of sorts (which is guess *is* technically the point).

The result? We read more than 75 books over the past three days. Bug claimed his first reward this morning.

It's a magnet!

And there's no slowdown in sight.

Bug has always been a big reader, just like his mama. He has an overstuffed bookshelf in his bedroom, plus there are always other books rotating in and out of the house: review books; library books; new arrivals from bookstores or book sales or Paperback Swap coming in, other books we weren't too thrilled with heading out.

While we lived in both San Diego and the Sacramento area we hit story times nearly every week. Bug has participated in the Summer Reading Program every summer he's been alive (again, because: prizes). When I request new review books from one of the outlets I write for, I almost always ask for a few picture books for his sake (and before too much longer, he'll be able to start reviewing books himself!). We frequently buy books from library book sales and I can't walk into a regular bookstore without picking up at least one new selection for him. Bug obviously can't actually read to himself yet, but he enjoys having even longer stories read to him, including ones meant for 2nd and 3rd graders. He's got a short attention span for most things, but he'll happily bring me book after book after book. We can read for hours on any given day.

So a challenge like this is really not pushing us to do anything new. We're already big fans of books. But it is bringing out Bug's competitive spirit, and it's giving us something specific to work for.

Just another way I'm working to raise a book lover, I suppose. Bug loves being active, playing board games, being wild outside, watching cartoons, and doing other normal almost-five-year-old things. But it's very important to me that he not only appreciates books, but that he love them. Books are amazing tools, and I dearly want my son to grow to love them the way I do. And programs like this are a fun way to motivate him to do something he already enjoys.

PopSugar Ultimate (2016 Reading Challenge)

Finally, challenge #3 for 2016. PopSugar's Reading Challenge 2016 aimed to help dedicated readers broaden their scopes and included an interesting variety of categories.With 40 different categories, this was definitely the most extensive of the ones I attempted.

Of course, I only managed to hit 22 of those 40 categories. Not a bad haul, but next year I aim to do better. 

The moral of this challenge? Well, I guess I kind of thought that by reading a ton of books as a reviewer, all of these categories would just sort of fall into place. Clearly, that's not the case. I tend to read a lot of non-fiction (specifically books on parenting, pregnancy, and natural living, as well as cookbooks), modern/popular fiction, and young adult novels (guilty pleasure). So when it comes to hitting specific marks like in this challenge and the other two I attempted in 2016, I fell short. 

In 2017, I plan to try a little harder to expand my horizons. Going to request some review books I otherwise might not have asked to read, and maybe pick up some others from the library or for my Kindle to read in between.

Anyway, here's PopSugar's list. Take a look!

[X] A book based on a fairy tale
Immortal's Spring - Molly Ringle (this is kind of a stretch, as it's loosely based on Greek mythology, but I'll run with it)

[  ] A National Book Award winner
Failed

[X] A YA bestseller
The Rest of Us Just Live Here - Patrick Ness

[  ] A book you haven’t read since high school
Failed

[  ] A book set in your home state
Failed. Maybe? There's a good chance I read a book set in California, but I can't remember which one.

[X] A book translated to English
Megalopolis - Cléa Dieudonné (yes, yes, I know, using a children's picture book for this category is a bit of a cop-out, but it is a translation!)

[  ] A romance set in the future
Failed

[X] A book set in Europe

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper - Phaedra Patrick

[X] A book that’s under 150 pages
My son started to get into early chapter books this year, books that took us hours to read aloud, and many of those were under 150 pages.

[X] A New York Times Bestseller
Career of Evil - Robert Galbraith

[  ] A book that’s becoming a movie this year
Failed

[X] A book recommended by someone you just met
The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern

[X] A self-improvement book
A Plant-Based Life - Micaela Cook-Karlsen

[X] A book you can finish in a day
Best Friends Forever - Kimberla Lawson Roby

[X] A book written by a celebrity
Tox-Sick - Suzanne Somers

[  ] A political memoir
Failed

[X] A book at least 100 years older than you
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

[X] A book that’s more than 600 pages
America's First Daughter - Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie

[  ] A book from Oprah’s Book Club
Failed

[X] A science-fiction novel
And Again - Jessica Chiarella

[  ] A book recommended by a family member
Failed... going to have to start asking around!

[X] A graphic novel

Something New - Lucy Knisley

[X] A book that is published in 2016
DONE - almost every book I read in 2016 was published in 2016!

[?] A book with a protagonist who has your occupation
 I'm *sure* that at least one of the books I read had a mother or a writer for a main character...

[X] A book that takes place during summer
Summer of Supernovas - Darcy Woods

[  ] A book and its prequel
Failed

[X] A murder mystery
Silent in the Grave - Deanna Raybourne

[  ] A book written by a comedian
Failed

[  ] A dystopian novel

I know I read at least one of these, but I already used it on another list. I think that for 2017, I may do away with my no-doubling-up-between-challenges rule.

[X] A book with a blue cover
The Opposite of Everyone - Joshilyn Jackson

[  ] A book of poetry
Failed - not much of a poetry fan

[  ] The first book you see in a bookstore
Failed - I usually don't buy books for myself. Weird.

[  ] A classic from the 20th century
Failed

[X] A book from the library

Ghost Boy - Martin Pistorius

[X] An autobiography
Laughing Through Life - Larry Moran

[  ] A book about a road trip
Failed

[X] A book about a culture you’re unfamiliar with
A Sworn Virgin - Kristopher Dukes

[  ] A satirical book
Failed

[  ] A book that takes place on an island
Failed

[X] A book that’s guaranteed to bring you joy
The Many Lives of Fitzwilliam Darcy - Beau North

Bustle Reads (2016 Reading Challenge)

On to reading challenge #2. The #BustleReads Challenge 2016 specifically focused on books by women and writers of color, something I apparently don't really pay any attention to when choosing new books.

Out of 20 book categories on the list, I managed to read 10. Not so good, me, not so good. Here's to better luck in 2017.

[  ] Read a book written by a woman under 25
Failed

[X] Read a book about non-Western history
The Red Tent -  Anita Diamant

[X] Read a book of essays
Movement Matters - Katy Bowman

[  ] Read a book about an indigenous culture
Failed

[  ] Read a book before you see the movie 
Failed - Me, see a movie?!

[X] Read a book by a YA author of color

Untwine – Edwidge Danticat

[  ] Read a book set in the Middle East
Failed - More or less. I did manage this in the Read Harder challenge, but I apparently only read one book set in the Middle East in 2016, and I didn't want my books to overlap.

[X] Read a book about women in war

Fall of Poppies - various

[X] Read a graphic novel written by a woman
Nimona - Noelle Stevenson

[  ] Read a book about an immigrant or refugee to the U.S.
Failed

[X] Read a children’s book aloud

I have a small child. I'm not going to list every children's book I read aloud in 2016.

[X] Reread your favorite book from your childhood
DONE

[X] Read a memoir by someone who identifies as LGBTQIA
Honor Girl - Maggie Thrash

[  ] Read a work of post-apocalyptic fiction written by a woman
Failed

[  ] Read a feminist sci-fi novel

Failed

[X] Read the first book in a series you’ve never read
Escaping Perfect - Emma Harrison

           

[  ] Read a book set in Africa, by an author from Africa
Failed

[X] Read a translated book
I read my son SO MANY books from the Geronimo Stilton and Thea Stilton series last year, and every single one of those is translated.

[  ] Read a contemporary collection of poetry
Failed

[  ] Read a book by a modernist woman writer
Failed

Read Harder (2016 Reading Challenge)

I am a prolific reader. Voracious. I read a lot of books every year; not only do I review books for two websites and write articles about books for Natural Mother Magazine, but I also enjoy reading for simple pleasure. According to my Goodreads account, I read over 250 books in 2016.
So you'd think I'd have a reading challenge like Book Riot's 2016 Read Harder Challenge in the bag, right? The answer: not so much.

I have favorite genres that I gravitate towards, so there are some selections on here that I simply didn't hit. And I also tend to read primarily new releases, so there were a few other categories I didn't quite manage. And on top of that, I decided to try to tackle three separate reading challenges in 2016, and I was determined not to have one book appear on multiple lists.

All that being said, I don't think I did half bad - I managed 14 out of 24 of the given categories. Take a look below to see what I hit and what I missed.

[  ] Read a horror book
Failed - not much of a horror fan

[X] Read a nonfiction book about science
A Mind of Your Own - Kelly Brogan

[X] Read a collection of essays
The Art of Waiting - Belle Boggs

[X] Read a book out loud to someone
I have a four-year-old son. I read at least a dozen books out loud on any given day.

[X] Read a middle grade novel
Stella by Starlight - Sharon M. Draper

[  ] Read a biography (not memoir or autobiography)
Failed - Not much of a biography person. I read the occasional memoir, though.

[X] Read a dystopian or post-apocalyptic novel
Marked - Laura Williams McCaffrey

[  ] Read a book originally published in the decade you were born
Failed

[  ] Listen to an audiobook that has won an Audie award
Failed - I don't really do audiobooks

[X] Read a book over 500 pages long
The Great Hunt - Robert Jordan

[X] Read a book under 100 pages long
Cheating this one just a little bit... I read so many books to my son, and this year we branched into some elementary- and middle-grade novels. Surely a kids' book that is more than a picture book but still less than 100 pages counts!

[  ] Read a book by or about a person that identifies as transgender
Failed

[X] Read a book that is set in the Middle East
When the Moon is Low - Nadia Hashimi

[X] Read a book that is by an author from Southeast Asia
Before We Visit the Goddess - Chitra Bannerjee Divakaruni

[X] Read a book of historical fiction set before 1900
The Forbidden Orchid - Sharon Biggs Waller

[  ] Read the first book in a series by a person of color 
Failed

[X] Read a non-superhero comic that debuted in the last three years 

Bitch Planet vol. 1: Extraordinary Machine -

[  ] Read a book that was adapted into a movie, then watch the movie. Debate which is better

Failed - I don't really see many movies these days. That's not to say that one or more of the books I read this year won't eventually be turned into a movie, but as of now, this one is incomplete.

[X] Read a nonfiction book about feminism or dealing with feminist themes

UnSlut - Emily Lindin

[  ] Read a book about religion (fiction or nonfiction)
Failed

[X] Read a book about politics, in your country or another (fiction or nonfiction)
Revolutionary Mothering - Alexis Pauline Gumbs

[  ] Read a food memoir
Failed

[  ] Read a play

Failed - I apparently am not into drama if it isn't Shakespeare

[X] Read a book with a main character that has a mental illness

Vanishing Girls – Lauren Oliver