Bea-utiful! Inspiring and engaging...
593577
Well written saga of the life of Jimmy Wayne. His journey through an abused childhood, the trauma and tragedy of the foster care system and the grace of God to find Bea and Russell Costner had my husband and I in tears. Such an insightful story about a man who finds himself in a successful country music career after a lifetime of hardship, tempted to just sit back and enjoy his success. The one day when he finds it impossible to forget those who are still trapped in the tragedy of homelessness since having "aged out" of the foster care system at 18 years old. Thank you for your sacrifice Mr Wayne to bring awareness to the nation of the plight of homeless teens who have been kicked out of foster homes due to being too old for funding. I want to Bea-some-body!
1112345
What a sheer delight this book is.  The warm, colorful illustrations immediately engaged me and will engage all readers  or those to whom we read.  The style of this book is so inviting with its friendly introduction.  This leads right into an easy-to-follow style where the reader is delightfully drawn into the beautiful world of yoga.  One cant help but say aloud  Hello Sun!  while simply trying out the easy-to-do Extended Mountain Pose!  This book is so captivating.  In no time at all, readers will be delighted in the beautiful illustrations and will find themselves turning page into page and trying each little pose.  Along with the names of yoga poses are real-life associations with each pose -- to which any reader can relate.  For example, there is the little happy surfer leading us right into the classic Warrior yoga pose.  And what about the sailboat?  That leads us easily into the Triangle pose.  We just cant help but love yoga and want to assume a pose.

This is not only a fabulous introduction  or review  of yoga, but the author also leads us into the world of Indonesian language of basic phrases and numbers.  How delightful.  There is also of list of kids yoga poses, all in one easy place along with a parent-teacher guide, yet all presented in a delightfully simple and engaging way.

Looking back after reading this yesterday, the book is still making me smile.  I cant wait to recommend it!
2086218
I've always enjoyed Babbie Mason as a well-accomplished inspirational singer and songwriter!  Therefore, it does not surprise me that she has put together some of the most inspiring stories that I have come across in recent years (and I absolutely love reading biographies and true stories).  If you enjoyed reading stories from the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series, then you'll absolutely love Babbie's biographical-styled book.  It is truly a treasure worth keeping.
  The only complaint I have concerning this book is that I can not put it down...(then again, that's not a complaint but a compliment towards Babbies wonderful wit, humor, and down-to-earth way with words).  I've read "Treasures of Heaven, Stuff of Earth" several times and have given several away as birthday and Christmas gifts.  You will relate to the "stuff of earth" and learn to treasure it once you read this book.
1024184
I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book at first, never having been one to read 'self help' books, but I have found this both fascinating and inspiring. Part memoir, part inspirational, Sylvia Valevicus tells of her life as an immigrant child in a large, largely careless family in Canada. In her early life, she and her brothers had to fend for themselves, working and earning money to help the family prosper, but later life improved materially, although not emotionally. Sylvia starts adult life with the handicaps of lack of education, teenage pregnancy and emotional starvation. With these crosses, she slowly learns how to deal with life and become full of hope, resilience and inspiration by her change in attitude. Ultimately an academic with a great teaching career, she shows how even as a late bloomer, it can be done. As she says, you can dip in and out of this book, but it is never dull. Full of photos of her life, quotes from literature and her own wisdom, it is a compelling read that I too have found inspiring. I just wish I'd read it earlier!
4628612
As a big fan of visual thinking and visual communication, I love this beautiful, thought-provoking, innovative, interactive, and inspirational book by award-winning designer Ayse Birsel! Written in her unique voice and warm, caring, conversational style, Ayse takes us on a journey of "Deconstruction & Reconstruction" as she shows us how to apply her patented design thinking methodology to our own lives. Unlike many books that are read once and end up on a shelf, I will be keeping this one close by my side for many years to come as I continue to design -- and redesign -- a life I love. My main piece of advice: Just follow the playful little rabbit! (To know what that means, you'll have to read the book. :) And if you ever have a chance to attend one of her inspirational workshops, I would highly recommend that as well!
975179
This book is a delightful mix of stories about the artists and their inspiration to their art: beadwork.  While I probably will not make many of the pieces in the book (honestly, has anyone ever made every piece in a book?); I do look to many of them as inspiration and a "jumping off" spot to work through many pieces that I make.

I was honoured to be selected as the artist from Michigan - and I am very grateful for that experience!

I can't wait for book #2 with the rest of the states and US territories represented!
2519912
Absolutely stunning, groundbreaking book, its not just a spiral bound book of uber pretty pictures, for me its been a part of my life for the past 4 years, from its conception I took a basic triangle peyote stitch pattern (as a complete beginner to beadwork), progressed through Kate & her teams amazing updates, both via Facebook, the blog, the book and youtube to know that I can create a piece of beadwork as inspirational as the many featured in the book. On a practical side, the size is excellent as its small enough to fit on your beading tray, the spiral binding is super practical so no bent spines for me, no frustrating pages flipping over as I am trying out a technique. I am confident that a complete beginner with a desire to learn could easily pick up the basics of geometric beadwork. The book is like a story, its not a pure teaching manual to me, Kate is speaking to you through the pages - she actively encourages you to learn the techniques and then evolve them, without a doubt this is one of my favourite beady books.
646185
Jessica Berger Gross explores what is means to apply yogic principles to her own life and encourages the reader to do the same in an honest, humble, humorous and inspiring book.  It is easy to get engrossed in this book :)- I read most of it within the first three days of opening it.  I found Jessica's story extremely relatable, and as I read it felt that I was listening to a close friend share her experience. Many of the questions Jessica asks herself over the course of the book encouraged me to ask the same questions of myself  (ie are my really practicing "Brahmacharya" - or moderation- when it comes to my eating?).  The book includes tips that will be helpful to those who are seeking support in lifestyle changes such as recipes for simple healthy meals (I haven't tried the chili yet but I intend to!), and yoga postures that are supportive to physical and psychological well-being.  Highly recommend!
488580
This is a fascinating book for anyone wanting to learn with greater effectiveness and even joy. The author shares her own life story and offers a lot of encouragement, intriguing ideas, and very practical suggestions. Her writing is light, readable, and compelling...could appeal to students as well as adults at all stages of life.

Highly recommended!
3297725
This book is very thoughtful, inspiring, convicting, and entertaining all in one!  Bri has poured out her heart in this book, and many of us are enriched for it. It is challenging for me as an extreme introvert to relate to some of Bri's longings and experiences, but her stories inspired me to continue to step out of my comfort zone to experience the richness of relationship.
1188786
I was so happy to share this inspirational story of Nadia with my sons.  We really enjoyed reading it over and over, and they were as excited by her success story as I had been while watching her perform decades ago.  I loved Nadia's energy and her youthful impatience to get things moving.  Reading this book makes you want to go out and play!  I like to share interesting biographies and life lessons about perseverance;  this story is perfect and the engaging colorful illustrations are delightful. This book is our new favorite and one I will share with friends and family - as well as my pick to read to my son's class as mystery reader :)
744902
Just received this book yesterday and can barely put it down. The photos are crisp, illustrating the details of each piece. It's refreshing to discover how an artist is inspired and not just what stitch or thread to use. Great gift for a beader!
704665
This sweet little book has brought me to my knees. I sat down to start reading it, and wound up reading it straight through in one sitting. Author Denise Voccola's voice shines. She is engaging, humorous, wise, candid, vulnerable, and uplifting. Her stories about her "ordinary" family and their "ordinary" life will leave you inspired and challenged to appreciate the tender moments God gives you with your own family, and to seek opportunities to create lasting memoriesnot by striving to do more, or be more, but to rest in God's all-sufficiency and His divine appointments. Buy this bookyou won't be disappointed.
4305782
genuine, relatable, and emotionally stirring-this is a wonderful read!
4796134
Hooked!

Bead Crochet Jewelry is extremely well presented and informative.  The photographs are clear and the instructions leaves nothing to chance.  Beautiful examples and projects for all bead enthusiasts to (oh! and ah! about.)  Great resource list provided in case one does not have a stash of these materials in their goody box.  I definitely was hooked as I perused this book.  Great source of reference for anybody interested in creating beaded crochet jewelry.

Razine Wenneker
2781701
Looking for inspiration? This is a great read!
4122457
I was not sure what I was expecting when I started this book, but found it engaging with its real life stories, inspiring in its message and helpful to me personally. I don't think I have highlighted a book so much! Highly recommended for those of you who feel a niggle that there is something 'more' out there for you in this life. Read this book and get to it.