A great book can be a great friend & this one is a kindred spirit!
595110
Oscar Wilde said it best, "Be yourself. Everyone else is taken." This book is a delightful, yet realistic account of a girl becoming a woman. The pages are filled with delicious food & places, not to mention the emotion & insight into people. Awareness that people are not always who they seem to be, even oneself. It was truly a joy to read this. Do so with your favorite treat by your side. While reading, you shall certainly hunger for something delightful to eat & a wonderful person to share it with. Whether that someone be a lover, a friend or even yourself. Let us not lose the comfort & peace of ourselves.
4305703
The Friendship Project

After meeting Emily and Michelle in their first book "Divine Mercy for Mom's" I was in awe by their friendship. I thoroughly enjoyed their first book and wanted to know more about their friendship.
I am thrilled that they have written a book focused on friendship!  In "The Friendship Project" you won't read a how to, but rather enjoy a journey of self-discovery. Readers will journey alongside Emily and Michelle as they share their own friendships and highlight notable saint friendships. Discovering the friendship bonds among the saints was an exciting element to convey themed virtues in action. Michelle and Emily write in such a way that encourages introspective reflection of the various virtues of friendship. I felt I gained a better appreciation of what it means to be a friend, and what it takes to cultivate the true nature of virtuous friendships across all relationships (including my own relationship with myself)
3172779
Right from the start, this book was welcoming and friendly, like visiting with a dear friend.  Ellen Dugans "Garden Witchery" was the first of her books I read, and now, we can visit some more in her pages!

"Cottage Witchery" is full of great ideas for creating a magickal home.  While my home is quite magickal, Dugan reminds us to remain ever vigilant in keeping that sacred environment strong and pulsing with positive energy, and she has so many great ideas for doing just that.  I have already implemented several suggestions from this book.  She keeps her spells simple and easy to do with common household items.  As any experienced witch knows, sometimes "simple" has the most power! She has great suggestions for warding, blessing, and removing bad vibes in the home, and unlike some books, she is constantly reminding the reader that none of it needs to be pricey, it's what you put into it that counts.

Her conversational style of writing is very enjoyable, as well as her personal stories that always bring a smile, as well as a lesson.  Her lists are very helpful, such as the section on Spice Rack Sorcery and the daily correspondences.  She even has a section on magickal porches!  Dugan hasn't forgotten anything in this lovely book.  I have a new favorite!
477730
Not enough books, movies and television shows are about friendship, in my opinion, so I enjoyed this tale of three life-long pals who were truly there for one another, in both personal and professional ways. I even felt a bit jealous! What a gift to have friends like that. And what a nice thing to read about. I also enjoyed the scenes of what I think of as "old" NYC---all those iconic venues. Yes, perhaps the male characters were a bit *too* good-to-be-true, but this is a book by and about and for women so it's normal that the men take second place. Have fun with it. You may even feel inspired to start your own business!
134081
I just finished reading My Best Friend's Funeral and I will be reading it and sharing it again and again.  It is funny, charming, and so genuine and heart-felt.  I was walking through life with Roger, and related to so many of his experiences and feelings.  I tucked away phrases and lessons as i went, often reading out loud to my family.  It warmed my heart and encouraged me to live life with depth and the raw honesty that makes it worth living.  This is one of my new favorite reads!
4176147
This is a GREAT read if you enjoy having the characters in your books as FRIENDS. Ann Caldwell and the people in this book are people any of us might know, even people we might be. I cared for Ann and was intrigued by her dilemma from the very first page because the story is REAL, not like some perfect Hollywood movie. Yet within the pages there are moments of magic, just like any of has in our lives. And those are the moments that make our lives worth living, as they are with Ann. The author obviously cares very much about the people that live on her pages . A great book for anyone who needs to know there is hope and joy in the most unexpected places and friendship from people who just happen to be in our way on this path we call LIFE. Definitely worth your reading time!
2922073
What a wonderful book. Inspiring for us all!  Inspires and encourages more kindness for oneself and definitely for others.  You don't have to be deaf to relate to this book. But I'm sure if you are, this would be a wonderful book to feel connected and understood.  But those who are hearing, and take the chance and opportunity to read this wonderful book, you will be pleased and entertained.  I hope Cece writes more!
3422043
Loved it!  A friend had loaned me a copy and I just had to order a couple copies for me-- since I like to share good books too!!
1934977
In this book and all around you there are friends to be had.  There are young friends, old friends.  In these pages you can see very different kinds of people who are friends.  They are laughing, they are smiling, and they are good friends. There are new friends, best friends, family friends and more.  What kind of friends do you have?  There are two girls hugging and smiling.  I think they are best friends, do you?  If you have a best friend you are a very lucky person!

Perhaps you have friends at school.  You can share a book with them, laugh, or play with them.  Of course, animals can be friends too.  There are furry friends and feathered friends too.  In this book youll get to take a look at all kinds of friends, including friends with different ways to walk and friends with different ways to talk.  What kind of friends do you have?  I bet you have all kinds of friendships, including some of the kinds youll read about in this book.

This is a fabulously fun and engaging book about friends that young children will enjoy.  The layout pops with pictures of all kinds of friendships that children encounter in their lives.  Theres also one interesting two-page spread that briefly shows us that sometimes friends can make you sad or even mad!  I do love the realism and most certainly can appreciate the fact that even best friends don't always get along.  The layout of the book pops with full color photographs of friendship in action.  This is the perfect book to have on hand, one that shows the diversity and joys of friendship.

Nonfiction
Social Studies
Grades K - 2

This book courtesy of the publisher (to library).
1815773
Random Acts of Kindness is a wonderfully uplifting book. I don't have much time to read so I was glad it was a quick read. The touching stories from everyone, including the author Rosalyn Kahn were filled with warmth and loving kindness. Truly an inspiring book that could be read by any age. I would love to see this book turned into a children's book. Because of it's loving inspiration.
2621708
I just finished reading Shannon Tobin's lovely book,"Transformation: Discover your own Flight Pattern".  This book reads easily, with a warmth and kindness that creates the feeling that you are having a coffee with a dear and trusted friend.  Shannon bravely shares her vulnerability by sharing her very real personal story.  The book builds around Shannon's story, without becoming self centred.  Shannon shares, with the purpose of helping the reader to feel validated and supported.  I have marked a few pages to reread each day for the daily affirmation that I need and love.  This book is kind, as is Shannon.
1868796
A chance encounter between Witch Betsi and Fairy Sultana is the start of a beautiful story about friendship, persistence, accepting ourselves as we are and seeing only the best in others. The text is crafted in a lovely manner. This book is a real joy to read out loud. The full page colourful illustrations are just great. At first I was a bit surprised because the book is a paperback in a larger format than most children's books. But in the end I like it,it makes reading with two kids a lot easier and they love searching the illustrations for all the little details. A great heart-warming read!
883108
It's interesting how things/situations "speak" to some people and don't to others.  Books are this way.  Some reviewers found Stop Being Mean to Yourself a waste of time, but I found it an inspiration and an adventure that made me WANT to stop feeling sorry for myself, to KNOW that I should listen to my higher self and to BEGIN being good to myself.  I felt I was led to this book - I read it in one day, with verve!  It's true that it seems to be a "story" about Beattie's adventures and her personal quest for enlightenment, but that's what I liked about it!  I was looking for something different, something interesting - a "story" about life and what others have experienced that I want and need (whether it is fact or fiction!).  Plain and simple, it touched me with its simplicity.  I related to Melody's struggles - her questioning and searching and uncertainty. ...  I've read plenty of spiritual awareness and self-help books with daily affirmations, etc., (from wealthy, educated doctor types! - does it make a difference who's actually doing the writing if it speaks to you?!) but they have gotten old - Melody intrigued me.  She re-engaged my creativity and my interest in myself - not necessarily on fixing myself, but in being loving and nurturing to myself.  I felt understood reading this book, because I felt that Melody is "one of us."  She's on the same spirtual path (but maybe farther ahead ;-)) as the rest of us who read this book and any of the thousands of others that exist on similar subjects.  I was brought to this book - as other people may have come upon it for their own personal reasons - if you weren't touched by this one, there will be another book out there that WILL get to you.  As Melody makes clear, we all have our own journey - no two are the same - and that's what stood out to me.  I may feel comfort in hearing about someone else's journey or struggle, but mine is my own and I will forge my own path.  Thank you Melody for putting me back on that path and helping me to realize that no one guru or doctor or person can tell me what's right for me!  That's for me to find out in my own way.
3398820
I loved Bobs first book so much I wasn't sure his second could be as good, but it definitely is.  Its full of uplifting& funny stories that challenge & encourage you to love anybody and everybody around you.  Its a book that you just find yourself with a big smile on your face as you read it.  It gives me hope in humanity & makes me want to be a better person at the same time.  But I never feel like Bob is preaching to me.  Its just like hearing stories from an old friend.
1663707
Our protagonist earned her genuine friendships through good character, positive attitude and faith.  These same friends blossomed into earth angels as she succumbed to years of medical failures and chemotherapy.  This book is a smart gift for cancer patients and families supporting them, but also any disillusioned folks who may wonder if traditional American neighborhood values have been lost in these busy me-first times.  The reader gains insights to how a real community of friends maintain a strong sorority and support system that uplifts their friend back to health and significantly improves her emotional and social well-being when family life struggled as much as her physical & mental health.  Good to know solid American communities exist these transient days in our culture.  By writing her book, Christine Handy not only reveals her inner turmoil but shines the light upon humble humans rallying together for one person's battle. Handy pays it forward when each reader finishes her book or when she speaks to groups nationwide. I am grateful to have met and befriended the author and expect readers will feel the same upon buying her books.
1764613
I absolutely loved this book and wish there were more written on this level of warmth and understanding.  I especially like the way that humor was mixed throughout the book, along with deep love and understanding for animals and the wonderful joy they are able to bring into our lives.
  I just lost my Doxie companion to kidney failure,  and this book was touching and comforting to me at this particular time.  I would recommend this for anyone who loves animals, and even those people who are not as animal friendly as some of us.  The author shows in this book just how animals and humans relate, and how very much we all have in common.
Read this book---you will not be sorry you did!
213222
I have been so happily impressed by this book.  It is friendly, arrpoachable, and it allows people to see their "brain problems" in a whole new light, which happens to be a much more accepting and manageable light.  The reader comes to understand how to work WITH rather than against his or her own troublesome thoughts, realizing that they are part of human evolution and not as hard to escape as it often seems.  It is nice not to feel alone in our seemingly crazy anxiety ridden worlds.  We are all human and all have the brains that work this way, but some people have learned to live more harmoniously with their brains, and we can too!  My only negative comment about the book is about the title, since I do not feel it does justice to the book's unique take on the problem of troublesome brains and imprisoning thoughts.  It sounds like just another book about human cognition, but it is anything but; it is a well written, warm book full of well chosen anecdotes that can help you and/or your patients learn something really new!