Review: The Stephen King Illustrated Companion by Bev Vincent

The Stephen King Illustrated Companion by Bev Vincent

Link to buy The Stephen King Illustrated Companion Manuscripts, Correspondence, Drawings, and Memorabilia

Story Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Blurb:

This book takes a critical look at Stephen King's most iconic works and reads between the lines to uncover the personal influences and demons as reflected in each monster, epidemic, and depraved character. Unseen family photographs and 16 pieces of previously unpublished ephemera - such as handwritten manuscript notes, typed early drafts, lengthy journal entries, and doodles for King's college newspaper - complete this tangible tour. Packed with fascinating biographical details, literary interpretations, and personal memorabilia, The Stephen King Illustrated Companion is a must-have addition to any true fan's library.

Review:

The Stephen King Illustrated Companion is a fantastic addition to any King fan's collection. It was neat to see the handwritten notes and book covers that I remember seeing as a kid years ago. This book will appeal to any Stephen King fan of any age. There is so much information here that you can tackle this book as a read in order type of book or skip around to your personal favorites. One thing is for sure and that is once you get your hands on this you will immediately put it on your "keeper shelf" to be able to look at it again and again.

Reviewed by Catherine

Review: Love, Life, & God: Getting Past the Pain by Renee Atler

Title: Love, Life, & God: Getting Past the Pain by Renee Atler 

Link to buy Love, Life, & God: Getting Past the Pain

Story Rating: 3 out of 5 

Review:

Love, Life & God is a collection of the author's personal life experiences, interspersed with poems and occasional song lyrics. It's written in a chronological memoir style with a great deal of detail in the names, times, and places recollected in the stories. The level of detail suggests that Alter had been painstakingly recording her experiences over the course of many years, as opposed to simply recalling events when she sat down to write a book.

A substantial portion of this book focuses on Alter's health challenges, which are extensive. She describes how they all came about, how they evolved, and the measures she and her doctors took to address them. Those measures include myriad prescription drugs, which she discusses as alternately helpful and harmful. Throughout all these circumstances, she makes an attempt to show how God was looking out for her or teaching her or guiding her. In that way, the book has an emphasis on spirituality.

There are many books out there that detail authors' struggles with all manner of ailments, including cancer, drug addiction, and mental illness. Frankly, this reviewer doesn't usually have much interest in those types of books. I get the impression that they're primarily cathartic exercises designed to help the authors work out their own personal demons, which is fine. 

The place where Alter's book shines is in the chapters where she temporarily forgets her various ailments (and allows the reader to forget them, too) and concentrates on telling stories about people she's encountered throughout her life. She describes many fascinating individuals who lead unusual lives. For instance, Allen lives in the country, keeps chickens, feeds zillions of cats, and works a newspaper route to support himself. Alter offers vivid descriptions of her life with Allen, including funny and informative details about chicken behavior and how someone can feed and care for that many cats. Their concern for all those animals was touching.

This book is a mixed bag. I was depressed by parts (chronic illness) but enjoyed other parts (chickens giving themselves dirt baths). Overall, the message that potential readers should get from this review is "Enter at your own risk." Which, by the way, is also the message that should be posted at the entrance to Allen's chicken/cat farm.

Reviewed by Peter 

Review: Love's True Second Chance by Jeff Dawson

Love's True Second Chance by Jeff Dawson

Link to buy Love's True Second Chance
Story Rating: 4 out of 5

Review:

This is a non-fiction account of one man's history and relationship with the woman of his youth whom he was always loved. It begins in early life as they meet, then as a couple later in high school and eventual breakup shortly after finishing school. Each move on and create lives for themselves only to meet again later in life.

This story seems like it was written by the author for the author. There are many times you read a book and ask the question for whom was this intended? This book seems like it was written as a cathartic process for the author himself.  

While reading you feel that you are being allowed a small viewing into the writer's feelings as he shares his history, joy, love, anguish, fear and loss. There are moments in the story when I questioned why some parts were included because they felt so personal. The author is sharing not just his story, but also his love's and both their families’ stories too. I’m leaving out actual details of the story because of the spoiler factor.

So, who would enjoy this book? If you enjoy romance novels then this is a story you should read. It doesn't read with the flair of these novels, but authenticity is stronger than fiction. Possibly another audience would be those who have lived through or contemplating exploring a lost or path not chosen.

Reviewed by ronni

Low carb life

Many people want to take off extra pounds for summer, but diets are notoriously prone to failure. It's hard to cut calories and be subjected to a rumbling stomach, plus intense exercise is unpleasant and time-consuming. So what are we supposed to do when we know we're skinny people trapped in not-so-skinny bodies?

Fortunately there are zillions of diet experts out there who promise quick, foolproof results if you follow their eating plans. One particularly popular option is low carbohydrate. Low carb diets essentially mean no sugar or grain. So, no sweets or bread or cereal. That's the downside. The upside is you can eat all the meat and fat and veggies you like, which typically means a cheeseburger without the bun is fine. 

There are plenty of variations on the low carb theme, which are outlined in books that offer meal plans, recipes, and benefits of the low carb lifestyle. If you're looking for basic low carb information, you can check out something like Living Low Carb: Controlled Carbohydrate Eating for Long-term Weight Loss.

A popular variation on the low carb theme is the low glycemic diet. These diets don't just dictate "NO CARBS!" Instead, they consider how quickly different types of carbs are metabolized by the body and provide guidance about good and bad foods using that criteria. Glycemic Index Diet for Dummies offers help with this type of eating, and you can also find plenty of low glycemic recipe books. Some people adopt this type of diet because it might help manage diabetes. If this includes you, consult your doctor before starting any diet. Needless to say, a book review blog written by a pair of cousins who have absolutely no medical training shouldn't be used as a substitute for medical advice.

"Eat like a caveman" describes yet another type of low carb diet. It's commonly known as the Paleolithic Diet. Supporters of Paleo believe that our bodies are designed to eat lots of fresh meat and veggies and avoid carbs and processed foods, just the way our ancestors did when they were wearing animal skins to hunt and gather thousands of years ago. Want to eat like a caveman? Get more information from books like Paleo for Beginners: Essentials to Get Started.

So if you're looking to shed a few pounds this summer to look better in your bikini, or just so your kids stop yelling at you for displacing all the water in their kiddie pool, check out the low carb option. Good luck!

Review: A People's History of the Peculiar:A Freak Show of Facts, Random Obsessions and Astounding Truths by Nick Belardes

A People's History of the Peculiar: A Freak Show of Facts, Random Obsessions and Astounding Truths by Nick Belardes

Link to buy A People's History of the Peculiar: A Freak Show of Facts, Random Obsessions and Astounding Truths

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review:

This is a really interesting book. It is full of fun and intriguing facts about almost everyone and everything. From the random to the obscure there is something to catch everyone’s attention. Young and old will be entertained with this book. Not only did I enjoy it but my sons also liked thumbing through it as well. We all had fun picking facts out and asking each other questions like “ Did you know that…..? “  and “ Guess what…?”

These are quick and easy facts that let the reader skip around to find what interests them. I would find something that caught my eye and then continue to read and before I knew it I had read numerous pages of facts, never getting bored, only more curious about so many different subjects. Whether you are a trivia buff or not this book will keep you entertained. Young and old will enjoy the variety of subjects in this book.

Reviewed by Gabrielle