The Growing Up Book For Boys by David Hartman explains all of the fun of puberty for boys on the Autism Spectrum. Puberty for young men is difficult to navigate on it's own but when you add in the unique characteristics of being on the spectrum there are plenty of things that need to be explained. David Hartman explains the ins and outs of this trying time in a very straightforward manner using direct language and visual tools.
I requested this book because my 8 (soon to be 9) year old son is on the Spectrum and this will soon be something I have to deal with. I found that this book was definitely up front with the details and didn't really hold anything back at all. I was at first a little taken aback at the frank manner of the book but as I kept reading I began to realize that it's needed to clearly paint the picture for our special kids. I'm still going through parts of the book and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. I really appreciate this book and the fact that I'm now going to be able to really address this issue with my son instead of trying to navigate it in the dark.
This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Beautiful Broken Promises by Kimberly Lauren
Beautiful Broken Promises was about Lane Parker and the secret he has been keeping for far too long from his closest friends. It's been four years since Lane has felt whole again and now this is his journey to getting his life back.
This book starts out with the loveable man-whore Lane we knew from Beautiful Broken Mess but quickly delves into pieces of himself that he hasn't really shared with anyone. Lane has been doing everything he can to find his long lost Kate when he finally finds her. Raegan was once upon a time a nanny for Lane and his wife when tragedy struck. Raegan has spent the last four years trying to survive and keep two children with as normal of a childhood as possible. When re-united Raegan and Lane have a lot to learn about themselves and life together.
I loved to see the gang again and how everyone fit. Raegan just came across as a great mother because although she had been beaten down by life and rose to the occasion when her children needed her. There were a few twists and turns I didn't expect and that just kept me hooked. I loved this whole series and wish there was more!
This book starts out with the loveable man-whore Lane we knew from Beautiful Broken Mess but quickly delves into pieces of himself that he hasn't really shared with anyone. Lane has been doing everything he can to find his long lost Kate when he finally finds her. Raegan was once upon a time a nanny for Lane and his wife when tragedy struck. Raegan has spent the last four years trying to survive and keep two children with as normal of a childhood as possible. When re-united Raegan and Lane have a lot to learn about themselves and life together.
I loved to see the gang again and how everyone fit. Raegan just came across as a great mother because although she had been beaten down by life and rose to the occasion when her children needed her. There were a few twists and turns I didn't expect and that just kept me hooked. I loved this whole series and wish there was more!
This book was provided to me by my local Library!
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Improve Your Memory by Robert Allen
Improving your memory can help you in your everyday life and is extremely important to everyone. Your brain is a muscle and you need to exercise it. With this book you CAN improve your memory.
I know that was a super short intro but it pretty much summed up this awesome book. Even from the start I appreciated that the book didn't talk 'down' to me but rather approached this topic as an equal. There was also a lot of good advice on things that I wouldn't normally think had anything to do with your memory but really (when I actually think about it) would effect your entire life so duh that would include your memory.
Taking the tests included in this book was both interesting and frustrating because I need work on my memory (hence my desire to read this book lol). I do have to say that I did better on them than I thought I would so I guess that's something right? I really liked the metaphor of memory being like glue and then going through the different "strengths" of glues. Throughout the book there were some cute quotes sprinkled in and I enjoyed them. I also really liked that the author fully admitted that some of the techniques were just plain wacky but that is what made them work! In the back of this there are plenty of memory tests and I liked the variety and content. I also really liked that this author didn't go into a bunch of medical stuff about your brain and memory it was more of a peer talking to you.
There was one example used in the first part of the book that I didn't appreciate at all. The author mentioned how the Army uses rituals to teach "a youngster who has little formal education (and may not be too bright) to strip down a complicated device.." and I really think this could have been worded differently to try not coming off like recruits are all stupid young kids. There are plenty of veterans in my family (young and old) and I just found the example left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm sure it wasn't really meant to be rude but it bothered me none the less.
Overall I liked the book and found it very easy to read and hopefully it will help me with my long and short term memory!
I got the opportunity to read this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I know that was a super short intro but it pretty much summed up this awesome book. Even from the start I appreciated that the book didn't talk 'down' to me but rather approached this topic as an equal. There was also a lot of good advice on things that I wouldn't normally think had anything to do with your memory but really (when I actually think about it) would effect your entire life so duh that would include your memory.
Taking the tests included in this book was both interesting and frustrating because I need work on my memory (hence my desire to read this book lol). I do have to say that I did better on them than I thought I would so I guess that's something right? I really liked the metaphor of memory being like glue and then going through the different "strengths" of glues. Throughout the book there were some cute quotes sprinkled in and I enjoyed them. I also really liked that the author fully admitted that some of the techniques were just plain wacky but that is what made them work! In the back of this there are plenty of memory tests and I liked the variety and content. I also really liked that this author didn't go into a bunch of medical stuff about your brain and memory it was more of a peer talking to you.
There was one example used in the first part of the book that I didn't appreciate at all. The author mentioned how the Army uses rituals to teach "a youngster who has little formal education (and may not be too bright) to strip down a complicated device.." and I really think this could have been worded differently to try not coming off like recruits are all stupid young kids. There are plenty of veterans in my family (young and old) and I just found the example left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm sure it wasn't really meant to be rude but it bothered me none the less.
Overall I liked the book and found it very easy to read and hopefully it will help me with my long and short term memory!
I got the opportunity to read this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Fix You by Beck Anderson
Fix you by Beck Anderson brings us a story about a widow, Kelly, who is trying her best to raise her two sons after losing her husband. Kelly quite literally runs into Andrew one morning and it instantly changes her life. One would think that Andy Pettigrew has it all with his movie star status but really he is heading towards a dark path when he meets Kelly. Andy pursues Kelly even though she has reservations about disrupting her families lives and fitting into his world. Andy has been having trouble coping with his fame and even though his efforts are great even Kelly might not be able to help him.
I did enjoy this book a great deal. It was a very quick read and I liked the journey the two characters had to go through to find their own happiness. I think that Kelly went into this relationship with equal measures of reluctance and pure blindness. Andrew clearly threw out clear warnings that his world wasn't exactly stable but Kelly ignored it until she couldn't anymore. Andrew needed help for far to long and shame on the people in his life for not trying harder to get him to want it. I don't really like the way Kelly handled after the scene on the beach, even if I understand some of her reasons. Throughout the book Kelly mentions his young age and maturity level compared to hers but I don't think she really was as mature as she touted she was. Overall this was a good book showing that you really need to fix yourself and that although that's your job it can't hurt to have someone else there for support. Life is hard and sooo many things can complicate it but it's all in how you choose to handle it.
I did enjoy this book a great deal. It was a very quick read and I liked the journey the two characters had to go through to find their own happiness. I think that Kelly went into this relationship with equal measures of reluctance and pure blindness. Andrew clearly threw out clear warnings that his world wasn't exactly stable but Kelly ignored it until she couldn't anymore. Andrew needed help for far to long and shame on the people in his life for not trying harder to get him to want it. I don't really like the way Kelly handled after the scene on the beach, even if I understand some of her reasons. Throughout the book Kelly mentions his young age and maturity level compared to hers but I don't think she really was as mature as she touted she was. Overall this was a good book showing that you really need to fix yourself and that although that's your job it can't hurt to have someone else there for support. Life is hard and sooo many things can complicate it but it's all in how you choose to handle it.
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Beautiful Broken Mess by Kimberly Lauren
Beautiful Broken Mess shows us the story of Jace and Audrey and the history they share. Jace can't let go of feelings he developed four years ago for a girl that eventually tried to ruin his twin brother's life. Audrey has been handed horrible circumstances her entire life but just refuses to give in. Audrey leaves Texas to go to college in California and crosses path with the only man she has ever really loved. The past that Audrey and Jace share is twisted and trying but love can overcome almost anything...can't it?
This book revisits the Riley twins and brings back a blast from Jaxon Riley's past they would rather leave there...or is that really true? As the saying goes there are always two sides to every story. In Beautiful Broken Mess we get to hear Audrey's and what we find isn't exactly what you would expect. I love the relationship between Audrey and Lane. I also like that the other girls and eventually the Riley twins give Audrey a chance to explain. Her life has been one bad thing after another so the girl really deserves a break. Loved this book and the series in general!
This book was provided to me by my local Library. Support your Libraries!
This book revisits the Riley twins and brings back a blast from Jaxon Riley's past they would rather leave there...or is that really true? As the saying goes there are always two sides to every story. In Beautiful Broken Mess we get to hear Audrey's and what we find isn't exactly what you would expect. I love the relationship between Audrey and Lane. I also like that the other girls and eventually the Riley twins give Audrey a chance to explain. Her life has been one bad thing after another so the girl really deserves a break. Loved this book and the series in general!
This book was provided to me by my local Library. Support your Libraries!
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Shelter Me by Catherine Mann
Shelter Me is the story of a special pooch, Trooper, and his journey to bring together a family. Staff Sergeant Mike Kowalski brings back his fallen commander's dog Trooper from overseas for the MacDaniel Family. Little do they know but the MacDaniel family are getting Trooper just in time to mend themselves. Sierra MacDaniel is doing her best to help out with her mother's Second Change Ranch, her brother and their grandfather all while going to school. Sierra's life is a little crazy right now so the last thing she thinks she needs is another dog and Mike walking back into her life.
I really adored ALL of these characters and didn't want it to be over when the book ended. I liked the chapters narrated by Trooper and his perspective on what was going on with the family and his mission. This book did a pretty good job of explaining some of the stresses a military family goes through while supporting their service member. I was very drawn to that aspect and appreciated the way Ms. Mann handled it. The epilogue just made me want to run out for the next book. I will certainly be reading more from Catherine Mann!
I really adored ALL of these characters and didn't want it to be over when the book ended. I liked the chapters narrated by Trooper and his perspective on what was going on with the family and his mission. This book did a pretty good job of explaining some of the stresses a military family goes through while supporting their service member. I was very drawn to that aspect and appreciated the way Ms. Mann handled it. The epilogue just made me want to run out for the next book. I will certainly be reading more from Catherine Mann!
I was provided this book by my local Library :)
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
50 Shades of Pink by KT Grant
50 Shades of Pink is a lesbian version of the best selling 50 Shades of Grey. In this book we have Lindsay Pinke who is working at a women's magazine as a researcher while hoping to move up within the company. Lindsay finally gets an opportunity to advance by doing an article for Colette who is the editor of the magazine. Lindsay is set to interview Victoria Nox, CEO of Nox Holdings, but finds more than she bargained for. Victoria and Colette have a past shrouded in mystery that will effect Lindsay more than she can ever know.
This book definitely tried to follow along the path of 50 SoG minus the red room of pain. I very much enjoyed 50 SoG so I was excited to read this book to see a different take on it. I also really liked the cover. There seemed like a bunch of drama here that happened in this book and was implied for the future books. The one thing I would have liked to change about SoG I would have also liked to change here. The fact that Lindsay is just so naive and awe shucks is utterly annoying. Clear signs that stuff is all likes of messed up are blatantly ignored and turned into a good thing because she wants Victoria. Even when Lindsay acknowledges that there is something wrong happening she brushes it aside. I'm hoping that Lindsay grows more of a backbone in the next book. The book really should be called 50 Shades of Nox because that girl has some serious baggage - like going on a world tour type of baggage. I'm interested to see how this story plays out.
This is my first F/F book, I've read plenty of M/M books so I wanted to see how this compared. I plan to check out some more options in this category before I determine if these are for me or not.
This book definitely tried to follow along the path of 50 SoG minus the red room of pain. I very much enjoyed 50 SoG so I was excited to read this book to see a different take on it. I also really liked the cover. There seemed like a bunch of drama here that happened in this book and was implied for the future books. The one thing I would have liked to change about SoG I would have also liked to change here. The fact that Lindsay is just so naive and awe shucks is utterly annoying. Clear signs that stuff is all likes of messed up are blatantly ignored and turned into a good thing because she wants Victoria. Even when Lindsay acknowledges that there is something wrong happening she brushes it aside. I'm hoping that Lindsay grows more of a backbone in the next book. The book really should be called 50 Shades of Nox because that girl has some serious baggage - like going on a world tour type of baggage. I'm interested to see how this story plays out.
This is my first F/F book, I've read plenty of M/M books so I wanted to see how this compared. I plan to check out some more options in this category before I determine if these are for me or not.
This book was kindly provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
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