Reading Fanatic Reviews
All Nonfiction ReviewsLucid Dreaming by Patricia Smith
Available at Amazon only
Free with Kindle Unlimited
Lucid Dreaming*
Elementary, Too-Short Guide
Lucid dreaming is a fascinating concept. Like the author, I had experience with it when I was a teenager, although I didn’t know what to call it at the time. I was having the same bad dream over and over, and at one point, I decided to turn the tables on my attackers in the dream; the dreams ended at that point. The book is rather short, and the subjects listed in the table of contents are not explored in any true depth. I feel like this subject actually needs more exploration to be fully understood and practiced by the reader. The book needed to be more tightly focused on lucid dreaming. At the beginning, there are sections on some of the history of sleep science and psychology that relates to lucid dreaming. In a book meant to help one explore lucid dreaming, that may be interesting information (though it wasn’t necessarily presented so here), but it really doesn’t feel relevant to the main thrust of the book. This book may do as an elementary introduction to lucid dreaming, but I am sure other books explore the subject more fully.
Writing to Heal the Pain by Mateja Klaric
Available at Amazon only
Free with Kindle Unlimited
Writing to Heal the Pain*
Too Intensely Personal
When I read the blurb for this book, I mistakenly thought that it was at least partially about how to do what the title says. Instead, this is a book that contains the author’s writings as she herself was healing from what she perceived as trauma when she lost her job, and perhaps, her identity. The writing reveals her anger. Indeed, she strikes out at the world that has done her wrong. I found the writing to be a little too intense for my own liking. I understand that some of the book is from her blog. I understand the concept of writing as a way into your emotions and as a way to give clarity into your world, but I don’t necessarily believe that such mental musings, especially when they express such anger and bitterness, need to be shared with a greater world. I found this book to be a bit too much.
UPDATE July 16, 2019: It has been brought to my attention that Mateja Klaric has taken my review and posted it on her blog with commentary, ripping it to shreds and making personal attacks. She has done shared my review without my permission and in clear violation of the Goodreads TOS and my personal copyright. I have also heard that she is slandering me personally on at least one authors’ group.
I am a book reviewer, and I firmly believe in my right to give my opinions about a book. My opinions are just that–one person’s thoughts. If an author cannot handle criticism, then I suggest they not make their works public. Clearly, the author does not understand the purpose of consumer reviews.
I have heard that she harassed another reviewer enough to make that reviewer take the negative review down. I, however, will never be cowed. Perhaps it’s my American nature to believe in free speech… and never to be silenced by a bully.
If you want to read more about my thoughts on this, please see my July 16, 2019, post on my Facebook page.
Become an Essentialist by Bill Andrews
Available at Amazon
Free with Kindle Unlimited
Paperback also available at Barnes & Noble
Become an Essentialist*
Tone of the Book is Off-Putting
For a book with a subtitle that starts with “how to,” the bulk of this book talks about the author’s philosophy on essentialism—what it is, why you should do it, how it can make a difference, essential qualities—not the practicalities. The “how to” part takes up only a fraction of the book. When I saw this book on one of my favorite book review sites, I was intrigued by it because the blurb suggested that this book would give information about how to not run yourself ragged (as we tend to do in modern life) and instead focus on what’s important. The blurb itself is somewhat encouraging and inviting. However, I found the tone of the book itself was actually completely different. Throughout all of the book, the author seems to be blaming and shaming the reader for his or her past actions (and possible future ones) in the choices they’ve made in their lives if they don’t follow his concept of essentialism. Honestly, I don’t think people learn the best that way. People should be gently encouraged to try a new system if their old one isn’t working for them, not insulted and belittled as the author often does in this book. In places, too, the author uses some outrageous examples. One of his concepts is that we need to place more value on time so that we will be compelled to use it wisely. In one place, he says something along the lines of, why do something that only pays you $10 a minute if you could be paid $100 for that minute? Who among his readership would be getting paid $10 a minute anyway? It just was an absurd example that jumped out at me. I believe some concepts here are valuable, but I didn’t appreciate the authors strident and belittling tone.
Be Love by Pete Brigham
Available at Amazon
Paperback only
Be Love*
One Man’s Spiritual Journey and Insights
I typically find books about people’s individual spiritual quests to be fascinating, and this book was no exception. In this book, the author weaves in both his understanding of A Course of Miracles and his insights gained through life-between-lives hypnotherapy. He states that a voice who called itself Phaedron and its Council of Elders passed on insights from the spiritual realm to him. The first section of the book goes into more detail about the hypnotherapy aspect as well as A Course in Miracles. The longer second section details the wisdom that the author believes he has gained from both of these, mostly about an all-encompassing love for humanity and oneness. This is not a quick or easy read, but it does provide interesting food for thought if you’re on your own spiritual journey.
Diary of a Psychic by Laura Powers
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Scribd, 24 Symbols, Thalia, Mondadori, Angus & Robertson, Indigo (Chapters), and Bol.de
Diary of a Psychic*
Interesting Look into the Life and Mind of a Psychic
While not a diary in the truest sense, in this book, a psychic shares both her insights about her experience of the psychic world and her experience of the everyday realm as seen by a person who considers herself a psychic. In the first part of the book, she explains what the psychic world is to her, how she experiences it, and the beings and entities that she has interacted with. Then she goes on to give her opinion about a variety of topics, from narcissism to psychic attacks to what we eat. The book isn’t quite what I expected, but I still found it an interesting look into the psychic world from someone who states she is an empath and psychic. There are definitely a few surprises and little-known concepts in here as well as more well-known ideas about the psychic world. The book is a relatively quick and easy read, and it certainly has the potential to open up your mind to think about how much there could be to the world beyond what can be readily seen, heard, and felt.
Living Off the Grid by Gary Collins
Available at Amazon, iBooks, Kobo, 24 Symbols, Thalia, Mondadori, Indigo (Chapters), and Bol.de
Living Off the Grid*
Over 50% is from RV Book
Having now read several of this author’s books, I am surprised at how much repetition there is between them. Over half of this book is the exact same as his book on living in an RV. There are additional chapters on things like using solar panels, setting up sanitation, and protecting your property. But this really isn’t that much more than that other book. Though I have never done it, I would think that living off the grid isn’t just about living in a tiny space, getting rid of most of your stuff, and the details like sewage and water. it seems like there could be so much for this author to explore that hasn’t been looked at in his other books.
The Happy Balance by Megan Hallett and Nicole Jardim
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, Thalia, Mondadori, Angus & Robertson, Indigo, and Bol.de
The Happy Balance*
Can Food Affect Your Hormones?
In this intriguing vegetarian cookbook, the authors posit that women can eat in a way that helps keep their hormones in balance, whether they are still menstruating or are in perimenopause or menopause. They even have a section in the book where she described the endocrine system and the hormones that can affect us cyclically or after we are no longer having cycles. Some of the general advice about eating healthy is just that, general—the type that you see in many books or on websites about carbs, sugars, etc. The recipes themselves look creative and fun for those who eat a vegetarian diet. There is quite a lengthy section on breakfast ideas, including juices, smoothies, and breakfast bowls. There are also sections on lunch and dinner (of course), salads (including a lovely one on jarred salads), sides, desserts, and DIY (like making your own nondairy milks and nut butters). Quite a lot of the recipes seem to be involved or time consuming. Most of the recipes have common ingredients, though some do have some offbeat ones that you would need to order online or get from your favorite local health food store.
Gluten-Free Vegan Baking for Every Occasion
Available at Amazon (KU), Barnes & Noble, Thalia, and Bol.de
Gluten-Free Baking for Every Occasion*
Baking Tips and Tasty Recipes for a “Free” Lifestyle
This book is ideal for vegans and people who must eat gluten free but still love their baked goods. The book starts with the author’s own journey into gluten-free vegan baking, and she follows this up with a solid section of information including tips and pantry essentials. The recipe chapters themselves are divided much like you would probably think they should be, with sections on each major type of sweet or savory baked good, like bread, cakes and cupcakes, pies and tarts, and cookies and brownies. There’s even a chapter on breakfast baking. Some recipe goes beyond just gluten free and vegan; some area also oil, nut, soy, or grain free; these are clearly marked. The recipes themselves look pretty straightforward, and some of them are derived from classics, like hummingbird cake and key lime pie. Others are just plain yummy sounding, like Apple Cinnamon Donuts with Maple Glaze and Salted Caramel Cupcakes. The only downside I see is that there aren’t enough photos of the recipes. While not every cookbook needs to show a picture of every recipe, I think it is more important for gluten-free cookbooks to have pictures because success is often elusive in gluten-free baking, so it would be good to know what success looks like for each recipe. That said, I still think this is a fantastic collection of a variety of recipes that would interest those who must eat gluten free or who choose to be vegan.
Celestial Watercolor by Elise Mahan
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Google Play, Thalia, Mondadori, Angus & Robertson, Indigo (Chapters), and Bol.de
Celestial Watercolor*
Beautifully Illustrated, But a Little Light on Instruction
In this beautifully illustrated book, the author gives tips and insights on how to make watercolors of the constellations of the signs of the zodiac, the moons of the year, and the seasonal night sky. While she does have a brief section going over tools and techniques and more detailed information about how to each different celestial painting type, you will most likely need to be already well-versed in watercolor before attempting what she suggests. The sections on the signs of the zodiac and types of moons themselves not only show her lovely paintings of each sign, but you also get brief lessons about astrology and the moons! If watercolor interests you, or if you want to paint the night sky, or if you love astrology, you will most likely find inspiration in this charming art book.
Raffia Crochet by Wool and The Gang
Only available in paperback
Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Raffia Crochet*
Ten Basic Crochet Projects Using Raffia
In this book, designers for Wool and the Gang have gathered ten patterns that use their yarn Ra-ra-raffia. Most of the designs are for accessories and things for around the house, like a placemat, backpack, or shopping bag. The first pattern is for a hat that actually does look like it would be perfect for summer. I’ve been a crocheter and a knitter for a long time, but I had never heard of raffia being used like yarn to make projects. Other than the plant hanger, I actually liked the projects in this book; they seem very functional (although I wish the placemat was rectangular and not round). I could see how for specific items, especially the bags, raffia could be a good material from which to make them. The patterns are mostly simple and straightforward. For a few of them, there are instructions given how to jazz them up a little with some applique. If you’ve done much crocheting, there’s little here that’s beyond your reach. There is a section in the back that does give some description of technique, like how to do a magic loop. The book is limited with only ten projects. I also felt that there was some inconsistency in how the patterns were written. But if you are interested in some basic raffia crochet projects, you might enjoy this book.
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