INGREDIENTS OF YOUNG OUTLIERS by John Shufeldt

This is written for teens and young adults to encourage them to develop character qualities that will help them stand out from the crowd. These qualities are highlighted to help students maximize their potential and become "an outlier" - someone who can achieve "extreme success." Qualities include integrity, gratitude, perseverance, guts, etc. Really, readers of any age could read this and find something for personal growth.

This was well done! It has a friendly tone and is story-based. Lots of inspirational quotes - I jotted a bunch of those down! The chapters are short which would make this a great small group or classroom resource. This would make a great graduation gift or a tool to use in a mentoring relationship or between parent and child.

4 out of 5 stars

* I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher for free in the hope that I would review it honestly on my blog. Regardless, I only review books I enjoyed. I don’t believe in passing on negative reviews. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

EAT Q by Dr. Susan Albers

A weight loss book with a twist. There's no diet or eating plan emphasis. The focus is on (1) building your emotional awareness and emotional skills and (2) using those skills to help you make better eating choices. The goal is to use your emotional awareness to get at what is underlying your food choices and food issues. After just one reading, this book gave me new insight into some of my food choices and that awareness has stayed with me every day since I finished the book.

If you are looking for some encouragement and new insights for building your health, I recommend checking this book out. See if there are some emotional cues that can help you meet your goals.

4 out of 5 stars

*I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher for free in the hope that I would review it honestly on my blog. Regardless, I only review books I enjoyed. I don’t believe in passing on negative reviews. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

NONFICTION for ADULTS: The 100 by Jorge Cruise

The basic premise of this book is that our over reliance on carbohydrates in our diets has caused the insulin system in our bodies to get out of whack. The theory is that excess sugars/carbohydrates have caused insulin resistance - and the body produces more insulin when we eat more carbs. Then, the insulin levels stay too high. And insulin enhances the storage of fats in fat cells (and in some research it looks like insulin feeds cancer cells - not good).

The book gives plenty of research and history for this view of healthy eating. I may not fully understand all the medical pieces of the research, but I still found it compelling enough to give it a try. 

If you are looking for some inspiration and suggestions for healthy living, check out this book. You can go to the author's website here for more information. I am especially interested in his upcoming book, Slim, Happy Belly which is going to talk about his system specifically for women over 40 addressing women's special hormonal needs in regard to diet. That will release in December 2013.

4 out of 5 stars

Only time will tell if this eating and nutrition plan will work - that will be the greatest recommendation a book like this could hope for.

NON-FICTION: PassPorter's Disney Cruise Line and Its Ports of Call

Having thoroughly enjoyed a trip to Disney World last year, I decided the PassPorter (our go-to resource when we plan a Disney vacation) Cruise Line book would be a great introduction to the Cruise Line - a vacation we would love to take in the future.

As always, the PassPorter covers everything you might want to know about taking a Disney Cruise - staterooms, activities on board, things to expect from every possible port of call, dining options, etc. In my first read through, I was pretty overwhelmed, but that's more about the fact that I read through the whole book as quickly as I could because I am pretty desperate for a vacation!

I would highly recommend the PassPorter for any Disney Vacation. When we are ready to plan a Disney Cruise, this book will be by my side for every step of the process.

4 out of 5 stars

NON-FICTION for ADULTS: Quitter by Jon Acuff

When I bought this book, I was working a job I didn't adore as a favor to a friend, and I knew I wouldn't be there for much longer. I loved the author's blog and loved the idea of pursuing a "dream" job instead of the one I had.

I actually got around to reading the book this year, when I am essentially working in my dream job - a job that found me instead of vice-versa. But I was still interested in reading this book. It is a wise and encouraging volume for those who are hoping there is more to their work life than what they are living. The author's advice, in summary, is to make the most of the job you have (use it to gain discipline and business skills) while you prepare for the job you want.

I enjoyed the book so much, I bought a copy for a friend who is searching for what God might have her do next with the skills and passions He has given her. For me, the book was a great inspiration to think about the parts of my job that I love and use those parts to off-set the parts I don't like as much. If I ever determine that there is another dream I would like to pursue, I think this would be a resource I would want to read regularly - maybe once a year or so - in order to keep perspective on the dream and not get ahead of myself in the pursuit of that dream.

4 out of 5 stars

FRIDAY: A Family Guide to Paris

Another fun travel guide geared to families with tips for safe travel, navigating cultural differences, and seeing some of the lesser known sites around Paris.

Great resource for families planning a trip. Could also be a fun addition to a library for those who aren't planning a trip, but who want to do a little dreaming.

FRIDAY: Family Guide London

Barnes and Noble offered a deal on travel guides recently, so I picked up this guide to London for families. It's pretty great. I am not very familiar with London spots to visit, so this is a great, clear overview of the options for families. The guide highlights security considerations, budgetary considerations, and has a great understanding of the limits of kids when traveling.

If you are interested in planning some family travel opportunities, check out this series. I'll be looking at another one next week.

4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for: families and students planning trips to Europe, folks who like to dream of travel

Cautions: none

FRIDAY: Jesus Calling/Heaven Calling

A year ago I started hearing about a book called Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. It's a devotional written as though Jesus is speaking to the reader. It's beautifully done.


A few months ago I came across Heaven Calling. It's not written by Ms. Young, but the premise is the same. In this book, the pieces are written as messages from God.


Both have been nice resources for devotional times. 


Jesus Calling - 5 out of 5 stars
Heaven Calling - 4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: The Me Project

Yesterday I posted the Blog Tour for The Me Project. Today I want to focus on my personal thoughts on the book.

You can read yesterday's post containing information on the book. 


I love the premise of this book. I have a passion for helping people find their passions and then incorporating them into every day life. This book has you start by making a "bucket list" - a list of goals or activities or accomplishments for your life. Fifty things you want to do in the next fifty years. After composing your list, you prayerfully choose one item and do the 21 projects in the book related to that goal. 




I am still in the process of choosing a goal to work on. This would have been an easy book to read through,  post the tour, and move on. But I really want to engage with this material. I have started reading through the projects to get a feel for them. They seem interesting and do-able. The author shares great personal information and stories. The writing style is easy to read.

If you are looking for a change in your life - looking for "what's next" - invest a month in reading through this book, doing the projects for one of your goals, and see how your life is enhanced and changed in the process.

4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for: Christian women, accountability partners, Sunday School classes, small groups, Bible study groups.

Cautions: none

[I am an Amazon Associate. If you link to Amazon from one of my blogs and buy something, I receive a small portion of the purchase price.]

FRIDAY: Bound and Determined

Summary
Received as a review copy from Abilene Christian University Press.


Addresses relationships between men and women - generally regarding non-romantic relationships, but also dating/marriage. Includes discussion of Biblical passages about the role of women in leadership and ministry, and Bible personalities that demonstrates God's design for partnerships between men and women.



Review

Great food for thought about relationships. I think it would be interesting for church groups to work through. Direct about the ways that we talk to or about one another that perpetuate relationship problems.



3 out of 5 stars

Recommended for: Seminary students/work groups, church committes, church leadership, engaged couples.


Cautions:none