3 Outstanding Picture Book Stories to Win Little Hearts

Three Outstanding Picture Books to Win Little Hearts (A Review)

Today we will look at three books written by Pat Furstenberg

Everyone knows that children love Pictures and Picture books with lots of interesting words and sounds.  Part of every childs' development comes from those times when they are snuggled up with mom or dad, Grammie or Grandpa listening to the words and looking at the pictures.  It's also a wonderful time to bond with our children and grandchildren in a way that will bring fond memories back to them one day.

From my own experience, there is nothing quite like the quiet time spent with my little ones telling a story, listening to them describe how they see the pictures and teaching them some great life lessons all at the same time.  Books and the words they contain are stepping stones that children love to learn and hear.  So when you come across some books that you know children will love, it's only fair to share what you have found.

Rhyming and word-play are an important part of every child's verbal development.  There are word rhymes that are still taught to children today that go back at least 60 to 70 years and we are still teaching these same rhymes with their sing song rythms.  The kids just love them all.

These three books by Pat Furstenberg are all written in this way.  The pictures are delightful and the stories themselves are ones that will resonate with big and  little hearts.  Children will enjoy the stories of unlikely friends, while parents and grandparents can tell little side stories too. 

The Cheetah and the Dog are an unlikely pair, yet they become and remain good friends even though no on thought this was possible.  Too many differences don't matter when your hearts are in the same place.  How many times does that happen in real life?  Do you have a friendship that is still as strong as the Cheetah's and the Dog's? 

The Elephant and the Sheep is an endearing story too!  How often we make friends but don't think beyond what we see right in front of us.  Each of our lives are different, but, the one thing we all need is a friend.  A friend that can see beyond our hardships and differences. Only when we try really hard do we sometimes find out the truth.  Little sheep learns a valuable lesson about friendship,  love, and family.  Elephant learns something too,  family can be much more than living with other elephants.  Family can be living with those who love us!

The Lion and the Dog is another story about our differences and how they really don't matter.  What matters is how we care and treat each other.  Lion is so sad, yet the little dog Milo doesn't give up on Leo, even when he is less than friendly.  Milo knows what every good dog knows,  everyone needs a friend!  

If you have children, reading them stories about friendship and caring for others is a great way to encourage empathy at a young age.  The world needs more of that!  Word play and stories with great illustrations makes it easy for parents and grandparents to instill little life lessons in a very heart-warming way.  

If you are a member of Amazon Prime, you can get these books and so many more by Patricia and other authors as well, delivered right to your Kindle device and some are free with Prime Membership.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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The Art of Racing in the Rain Book Review

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein was the latest book for my book club. As usual in the weeks leading up to my book club's meeting, my husband could be heard uttering his usual reminder, "Have you finished the book?" This time, however, he was particularly interested in the book because the main character is a dog named Enzo Ferrari. Yes, Ferrari as in the car.

The story is told from Enzo's perspective. The idea of reading a book from the point of view of a dog might seem weird but it worked. It doesn't actually seem like a dog talking although the narration definitely looks at the world from the Enzo's point of view.

Enzo believes in reincarnation and really wants to be reincarnated as a human being so that he can voice his views (and so that he can have thumbs.) He understands everything that people say and wants to add his thoughts to the conversation.

Did I say that the story is about a race car driver, too? Enzo's master is a driver and Enzo is therefore often immersed in the world of race car driving. Don't let that put you off though. If you are not into race car driving, you will still enjoy this book. Race car driving is simply the world that the characters in this book live in though if you are like me, you might also learn a bit about race car driving. There is never anything wrong with learning about another world.

Enzo is not like other dogs. He is a philosopher and is almost human in a number of ways. He is self-educated with the help of his television and his master, Danny Swift. In the story, Enzo reflects back on his life, the life of the Swift family, on what he has learned about being human and, as the book says, "how life, like racing, is about so much more than simply going fast."

I expected my book club to analyze this book. However, they did not. Instead, they pretty much unanimously agreed that it was a pleasant book and a nice read. Some questioned a few life-changing decisions on the part of the main characters and some including myself particularly enjoyed the comical moments in the book.

So is it recommended? Yes. The Art of Racing in the Rain was a New York Times best seller for many weeks. It is a good story. It is lighthearted though sometimes sad and there are definitely some things between the covers to think about. I think the book is perfect for dog lovers and enjoyable for the rest of us, too.

By the way, the image that I think most reflects what Enzo looks like is at the top of the page. That image just seems to capture Enzo's spirit. You don't have to agree with me on that point but you can see all of the artwork available on the covers of The Art of Racing in the Rain on Amazon by clicking right here. Of course, you can also order yourself a copy of the book at that location, too.

This book is set to become a movie though originally Universal Studios picked up the rights and then did not follow through. However, The Hollywood Reporter says that Walt Disney Studios has picked up the rights so now all we have to do is wait and see what Disney puts together for us. Disney has made a lot of successful dog movies; let's hope they do this one properly.

Have you read The Art of Racing in the Rain? Would you recommend it? What else have you read lately?

See you at the bookstore!

Brenda
Treasures by Brenda

Quick Link:

Order your copy of The Art of Racing in the Rain on Amazon here.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Stephen King's Mr. Mercedes Book Review

It’s been literally decades since I read a Stephen King novel. I believe that the last one that I read was Misery in 1987, before my grown up children were born. That book was simply too horrible for me. Later, for whatever reason, I watched or tried to watch the movie version of that story and that cinched the deal for me. I have not read a Stephen King book since then and not seen many of his movies either.

That is, until the 2014 book Mr. Mercedes was chosen this year as one of the reads for our book club. Now I am wondering what I have missed in all of the books since 1987 as I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Mercedes. It was not too horror-ible at all though horrible things do happen in the book. However, it is a fast paced crime or detective story rather than a horror story. It is riveting; another book that I could not put down. A race-against-time thriller.

It is very well written with well-developed characters that include a retired police detective and a psychopath.

The police detective is not enjoying his retirement and is pulled back into one of his last, unsolved cases, that of the Mercedes killer.

The psychopath is, as The Globe and Mail says, “one of King’s great creations, twisted and deranged, but cringingly human.” On the outside, he is ordinary and could be one of your neighbours. However, on the inside he has many issues.

What results when the detective and the psychopath collide is a riveting story with two men ‘fighting’ to the end.

Mr. Mercedes is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me and by the Globe and Mail, too, LOL.

It is exciting that I just discovered that Mr. Mercedes is a trilogy so I (we) have two more books to read in the series, including Finders Keepers and End of Watch. I only hope that they live up to Mr. Mercedes.

There is also an AT&T Original mini series that has just started as I write this in August, 2017. I watched the trailer just now on Youtube and cannot decide if I will be watching the program or not. I have prematurely made up my mind that it cannot live up to the excellent book but I will be waiting to see what people think of the mini-series. As always, I recommend reading the book first.

You can learn more about Mr. Mercedes or order your copy of the book from Amazon by clicking here.

According to Wikipedia, Mr. Mercedes is King’s 62nd novel, though only 44 feature his name. He says that this book is based on a real incident in which a woman drove her car into a McDonald’s restaurant.

Will you be reading Mr. Mercedes?

See you at
the book store!
Brenda

Quick Link:

Buy your copy of Stephen King’s Mr. Mercedes from Amazon.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Hallmark's A Century of Caring Book Review

Hallmark's History: Celebrate A Hundred Years With Hallmark

Hallmark: A Century of Caring by Patrick Regan is truly a magnificent book about a company which was shaped by and which helped shape America. It covers everything from the very beginnings of the company with a young man and some picture postcards in a box to the third generation, which runs this company today. This ample-sized coffee table-style book features plenty of interesting information, is packed with amazing photographs and features a bonus DVD with a full length Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, The Magic of Ordinary Days.

Any fan or collector of Hallmark would thoroughly enjoy this beautiful book as would those with a simple curiosity of how Hallmark came to be the company that it is today. On this page, you will find more information about the book and a quick video peek into Hallmark's 100 year history.

The Hallmark family were really the Halls and a hundred years ago, they lived in poverty and tried to eek out a living in a small town in Nebraska. Move forward a hundred years and you find the family has created a once truly unique company. The book, Hallmark: A Century of Caring, tells the story of this American institution and how it came to life because of dedication to hard work, good values and caring for employees and customers.

It features a lovely introduction from poet Maya Angelou and takes you on a trip from Norfolk, Nebraska to Kansas City, Missouri, the town in which Hallmark finally settled. Learn about the company in good times and in bad, with the bad times including both war and depression through which the company continued to grow.

A hundred years after its inception, the company looks forward to a different future. This book celebrates what is an "iconic American company."

Founder

This short video is an interesting one minute of Hallmark history with the company's founder, J.C. Hall.

Contents

Hallmark: A Century of Caring marked Hallmark's 100 years and shares the history of the company including the Hall family and its employees and how they created a brand with world-wide renown. It is broken down into ten sections or chapters, each of which tells how Hallmark was a reflection on what was happening in America at certain time periods, how those events helped Hallmark become what it has become and the effect that Hallmark had on the country. It is a large hardcover book and it is beautiful. The chapters include:

Starting From Scratch (1891-1909)
That Kansas City Spirit (1910-1915)
Building Business and Breaking Ground (1915-1932)
Hanging Tough in Hard Times (1933-1951)
The Power of Association
Coming of Age (1951-1966)
The Hallmark Hall of Fame
The Modernist (1966-1980)
Traditions, Transitions, Expansion and Explorations (1981-2002)
A Second Century, A Third Generation (2002 and Beyond)

Review

Dr. Maya Angelou said, "I have read few biographies that have moved me as much as the Hall family saga."

It comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by buyers and also by me.  There's nothing to object to in this book, in terms of sex and violence anyway, and it is a peek into an iconic American company.

It is my understanding that this book was initially given as a gift to the employees of Hallmark on the company's 100th birthday but that some of these books were also made available through Hallmark Gold Crown stores and Andrews McMeel Publishing. Fortunately for Hallmark fans and collectors, it is now available here from Amazon, too.

The Magic Of Ordinary Days

The Magic of Ordinary Days caught me off guard. That is, I found it in the back of this book and put it in the DVD player when I was expecting to putter around and get a few other jobs done. Unfortunately, that was not the case as I was quickly absorbed into this beautiful story of a man who takes in a woman from a faraway town in order to have a wife and provide a stable home for both the woman and her unborn child.

When I looked at the Amazon customer reviews, I discovered that I was not the only one who enjoyed this movie. If you enjoy Hallmark movies, you will, no doubt, enjoy this one and, if you buy the book Hallmark: A Century of Caring, you receive a free copy of this excellent movie, too.


You can order your copy of Hallmark's A Century of Caring by clicking right here.

How has Hallmark touched your life?


See you at the bookstore!
Brenda

More Hallmark Reading

Christmas in Conway (2013) 
Remember Sunday (2013)


Author's Note: Originally published elsewhere in 2010.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Ken Follett’s The Century Trilogy Books Reviewed

I am thoroughly enjoying Ken Follett’s the Century Trilogy and totally unable to put it down.

The three books are based on what happened in world history between the years of 1911 and 2008. Those story lines include the Russian Revolution, the suffrage movement, the rise of Nazi Germany, World War II, the atomic age, the Cold War, civil rights, assassinations, mass political movements, Vietnam, the Berlin Wall, the Cuban Missile Crisis, presidential impeachment, revolution, rock and roll and of course both good and bad from all of those time periods.

To tell this story, Follett skillfully weaved together generations of five families from America, Russia, Germany, England and Wales.

I picked up the first book, FALL OF GIANTS, as a good long read for our recent Panama Canal cruise and I have been steadily working my way through the series for a couple of months. I am often pulled away kicking and screaming from books in order to turn my attention to an “assigned” book club book. Leaving the second book, WINTER OF THE WORLD, for a grumpy old geezer in A MAN CALLED OVE was downright difficult although worthwhile in the end.

Currently, I have had to put the third book, EDGE OF ETERNITY, down to read LEAN IN, a book about women, work, and the will to lead, which is not compulsive reading for me and definitely not middle-of-the-night when-you-cannot-sleep reading.

Anyway, in case you cannot tell from my enthusiasm, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Ken Follett’s Century trilogy. I caution that as a world history book it definitely has violence and it also has sexual content. However, I believe that most of the violence and some of the sexual content was required to tell this realistic story.

The three-book series contains 2,991 pages and each book is encyclopedic in length so for ease of reading I highly recommend purchasing it as an eBook or if not an eBook, then as a paperback book. We own the hardcover version and each I just weighed them and discovered that each one weighs an average of just over 3 pounds. They are heavy. Ordinarily, I prefer to read physical books because I spend much of my working life using a computer but in this case because of the sheer weight of these books I really, truly preferred to read them on my cellphone.

You can find the Century Trilogy in hardcover, paperback and electronic versions on Amazon by clicking right here. I looked for and with some difficulty eventually found a boxed set both in paperback and hardcover editions. You can find the gift sets here. I believe that this series would make an absolutely brilliant gift idea for anyone male or female who likes a good historical novel. Of course, gifting the first volume alone would be a good idea, too.

Is there a movie? No, there is not and Follett himself says in this Washington Post interview, that if they were to make a mini-series that it would be the longest mini-series ever made, that it would be very expensive to make at least partly because he would not allow it to be done cheaply and that a mini-series was therefore, not likely to happen.

Have you read Ken Follett’s Century Trilogy? Are there any other Follett books that you have read, thoroughly loved and would recommend to us?

See you at the bookstore!

Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

Quick Link:

Buy Ken Follett's Century Trilogy books on Amazon.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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While We Were Watching Downton Abbey Book Review

While We Were Watching Downton Abbey is a light and easy read designed for those of us who were addicted to the highly popular PBS mini-series Downton Abbey. I will readily admit that I am one of those addicts and that I enjoyed this lightweight book. I bonded with the characters and at moments laughed out loud.

While We Were Watching tells the story of a group of women discovering not just Downton Abbey but friendship, too. Written by Wendy Wax, it shares their modern day struggles and how they support each other through the ups and the downs that life has thrown at them.

Set in The Alexander, a historic Atlanta apartment building that sounds absolutely lovely, this story features three main female characters:

Samantha Davis, a wealthy woman who married for money for herself and her younger siblings.

Claire Walker, a struggling author now also struggling to be happy on her own as an empty nester in a new environment.

Brooke MacKenzie, a woman married to an unfaithful husband and a decidedly un-nice husband.

Author Wendy Wax pictured George Clooney
playing butler Edward. What do you think?
Picture available on Amazon.

All three are brought together inadvertently by the male concierge, Edward when he decides to host a Downton Abbey night once a week in the building's movie room. Of course, he does so brilliantly and you will wish you could watch the series with this cast of characters. You will want to join them for a glass of wine and you will want some of the Downton-style British-themed treats, too.

The story unfolds with both drama and humour. You will find yourself cheering the ladies on. The story will quickly draw you in and, unfortunately, be over far too soon.

If you are looking for something fun to read that harks back to Downton Abbey, you might want to pick up While We Were Watching Downton Abbey. It would of course make an excellent gift choice for someone who is enthralled with the series. You can order your copy of While We Were Watching Downton Abbey from Amazon by clicking right here.

Are you a Downton Abbey fan?

Happy Reading!
Brenda

MORE BOOKS BY WENDY WAX

Wendy Wax set aside other projects in order to write about Downton Abbey since she and the rest of the world were so keen on that series. Her other books include the Ten Beach Road four-book series shown here. You can check out all of Wax's books for yourself on Amazon by clicking right here.

MORE DOWNTON ABBEY

Downton Abbey Tea Cups 
A page from the 31 Days of Coffee Mugs; a great set of teacups.

Downton Abbey Christmas Video Parodies 
Did you see the Downton Abbey Christmas parody videos? They feature all of the original cast members and a few surprises.

MORE PERIOD BOOKS

Writing Jane Austen Book Review 
Imagine if you were given a chapter of a seventh Jane Austen novel. A novel, that is, which she never finished. Then imagine being asked to finish the book for her and you will have a basic understanding of what this book is all about.

Mildred Pierce: The Book, The Movie & The Mini-Series 
After first thoroughly enjoying the book Mildred Pierce, I went on to watch and enjoy the 1945 Joan Crawford movie and the 2011 HBO mini-series that stars Kate Winslet. 

Austenland Book Review 
As a huge fan of Jane Austen movies and books, my antennae perked up when I heard of the new movie, Austenland. I would love to have a vacation there.

The Pink Dress by Anne Alexander
A 1950s story of teenage life. Written for high school aged girls, who fondly remember the book and want to share it with their female children and grand children.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Austenland Book Review

Visit Jane Austen's world via Austenland the book by Shannon Hale

As a huge fan of Jane Austen movies and books, my antennae perked up when I heard of the movie, Austenland. When I discovered that the movie is based on a book written in 2007 by Shannon Hale, I decided to check out the book before taking in the movie. This became doubly important when I saw a crushing review for the movie, which I had really been looking forward to.

The book was a pleasure to read. All right, it was a light and fluffy read but sometimes that is exactly what you want. Reading, along with movies and okay, I'll admit it, food, are two of my escapes and I bet they are for you, too.

Within the covers, Jane Hayes escapes the ordinary world in which she has been unsuccessful in finding a man and travels to an English resort where she trades her modern conveniences and clothing for period items and enters the world of Jane Austen. She is hoping to rid herself of her obsessions with the world of Pride and Prejudice and, in particular, the handsome Mr. Darcy as played by Colin Firth whose image has kept her from finding her own Mr. Right.

From the back cover of the book:

"Enter our doors as a house guest come to stay three weeks, enjoying the country manners and hospitality - a tea visit, a dance or two, a turn in the park, an unexpected meeting with a certain gentleman, all culminating with a ball and perhaps something more..."

If you have enjoyed previous contemporary books and movies from Jane Austen, you will enjoy the charming and funny story found within the covers.  I read the hardcover edition as shown here and, given the choices, I think this is the version I would pick if I were buying one as a gift for a "Janeite." However, the book is also available in trade paperback, as a movie tie-in and for your Kindle or other eReader. You can find your copy in whatever format you prefer on Amazon by clicking right here. The book features 197 pages of what can only be called pure escapism.

If you are curious about the movie version, be sure to visit my Austenland movie review.

Will you read Austenland?

Happy Reading!
Brenda

More Jane Austen and Period Drama Reading:

Which Is The Best Emma Movie?
Are you taken in by every Jane Austen movie? Have you seen all of the versions of Emma? Which one is the best? Do you know or would you like to find out?

Writing Jane Austen Book Review
Imagine if you were given a chapter of a seventh Jane Austen novel. A novel, that is, which she never finished. Then imagine being asked to finish the book for her and you will have a basic understanding of what this book is all about. Georgina...

Downton Abbey on Pinterest
I discovered Downton Abbey seasons 1, 2 and 3 after the fact. That meant I watched each one almost without pause...

Grantchester: A New Period Drama Mini-Series
A minister and murder. An unlikely mix, perhaps but I'm really enjoying Grantchester.

Author's Note: Originally published on another website in 2014.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Christmas Cookies Bite-Size Holiday Lessons Children's Book Review

SIMPLE CHRISTMAS LESSONS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

Beautifully put together, Christmas Cookies: Bite-Size Holiday Lessons was written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Jane Dyer. It is the perfect addition to your holiday library and will allow you to introduce your young children to vocabulary words like 'tradition' and 'celebrate' and provide a basic guide to good manners in certain social situations. Savor the wisdom along with the illustrations that will have you and your children dreaming of sugarplums!

This book includes twenty-two simple lessons that are appropriate for all ages...

TRADITION means each year at the same time we make the same cookies and wear our special matching aprons. GRACIOUS means putting out a plate for our special guest.

CELEBRATE means time to get out the sprinkles!

While appropriate for all, this book is really aimed at children in preschool up to Grade 2.

Each page or two-page spread is illustrated with children demonstrating the word and/or lesson and each page features added characters for an extra touch of whimsy. I love the mice that the book opens with, the bunnies at the kitchen table, the lion in the dining room and the elves lending a helping hand. I have no doubt that you and your children will also love this book, too.

Amazon reviewer Cherry Ames says:

"If you have ever grappled with explaining an abstract concept to children, like tradition, disappointed or the all-important sharing, then Amy Rosenthal and Jane Dyer's cookie books are for you. Through the simple analogies of baking and eating cookies, which is something children can easily relate to, Rosenthal explains those sometimes difficult-to-understand ideas/values like gratitude, appreciative, gracious, and many more."

"Jane Dyer's soft, expressive child/animal illustrations complement and illustrate the concepts. The 'Christmas Cookies' book includes holiday-related words like joy, believe, celebrate and peace. Both of these titles are excellent choices for a child 3-6 years of age."

WHO IS AMY KROUSE ROSENTHAL?

Amy Krouse Rosenthal is perhaps most well known for her memoir called Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life which was very well received everywhere because of its unusual format and its wit with regard to the ordinary stuff of daily life. It was one of Amazon's top 10 memoirs in 2005. She has also published 11 children's books with plans for many more.

What Christmas lessons will you share with your children this year? Or what were the important lessons you taught your children when they were young? Do you think this book would be helpful?

See you
in the book aisle!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Order your copy of Christmas Cookies from Amazon.
See all of Amy Krouse Rosenthal's books here.

More Christmas Reading:

Rose Levy's Christmas Cookies Cookbook.
The Farm Chicks Book Reviews (in the Kitchen and Christmas).
A Very Brady Christmas Movie Review.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit Book Review

I'm not sure that I have ever written a review of a book that I did not like. That I struggled to read. That I forced myself through.

Why? Well, because in the first place I likely would not read a book all the way through that I did not like unless it was assigned reading for school or, in my case, for a book club reading selection and secondly, I would be unlikely to want to write about a book that I did not particularly enjoy.

So why am I writing about a book that I did not like?  I am doing so because sometimes you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone, because Ishmael offers up a lot to think about and because the fact that I did not care for a book does not mean that others will not.

In the case of Ishmael, 67 percent of Amazon's readers gave Ishmael a 5 star rating and only about 18 percent gave it three stars or less. Unless, of course, more people are likely to leave a good book review than a bad review. (Like me.) Anyway, I guess I fit in the 3 stars or less portion since I would give it 3 stars at least in terms of how much enjoyment I received from the book. Maybe I would give it more stars because of the thought provoking subject matter...

Ishmael: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit was written by Daniel Quinn and was winner of the Turner Tomorrow Fellowship.

Here's the storyline, straight from the book:

“The narrator of this extraordinary tale is a man in search for truth. He answers an ad in a local newspaper from a teacher looking for serious pupils, only to find himself alone in an abandoned office with a full-grown gorilla who is nibbling delicately on a slender branch. “You are the teacher?” he asks incredulously. “I am the teacher,” the gorilla replies…”

Ishmael shares his wisdom about and knowledge of the life of the earth from the very beginning to the end. He makes that lesson difficult and he asks the questions, “Is it man’s destiny to rule the world? Or is it a higher destiny possible for him—one more wonderful than he has ever imagined?”

This simple short, two-minute video, well presented by a reader on a typewriter, sums up the book Ishamel quite nicely:

Ishmael definitely provides a lot to think about though maybe no answers. It's a book to be read carefully. It's not a light read, which is normally what I prefer. I usually use reading as relaxation time and therefore choose something that is more entertaining. Sometimes, however, it is good to have something that makes you stop and think, like Ishmael.

So, is Ishmael recommended by me? I guess it is. If you are looking for a thinking book and not an entertaining book.

How about it then? Are you up for the challenge? If you read Ishmael, be sure to come back and let us know down below in the comment section what YOU think.

See you
in the book aisle!
Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

Quick Link:

Buy Ishamel on Amazon in whatever form you read your books.
Discover fascinating new, used and vintage books in my eBay store.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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How to Remove Scratches from Auto Paint

                           Mequiar's Car Care Kit

The Preferred Scratch Removal Compound and Polisher to Remove Scratches from Auto Paint - A Personal Review

There is no doubt that in our house, my husband is the 'car cleaning go-to-guy'. If there's a car to be cleaned, he's probably outside doing just that! It's no exaggeration to say that he's an expert. He's spent years mastering his craft and is very proficient at auto detailing to the point that the car looks like showroom condition when he's done with it!

One of the areas he's learned a lot about is how to remove scratches from auto-paint. Personally, I had no idea that this was doable right from home, until I actually watched him do it.

Here you'll read about my husbands favorite products for scratch removal and how to properly apply them. These products are not chosen on a whim either, he's extensively researched them and

Ultimate Compound

personally loves the results he gets. Of course, it's certainly up to you what you ultimately decide to use, these are just suggestion based on personal choice and experience.

Meguiar's G17216 Ultimate Compound - 15.2 oz.

He loves working with this compound because he says it gives him great results. It has a diminishing abrasive, so he doesn't have to worry about damaging the paint finish. He'll give the bottle a good shake before he uses it as well.

The video below gives you a good explanation of the product - it's one he's watched a few times.

The Car Polisher That Gives Excellent Results

The Porter Cable 7434XP is his favorite. Tips on how to use it:

First thing is to choose the proper cutting pad; it's usually identified by the manufacturer. If you happen to use the wrong pad, you'll probably notice that it's very porous and that the compound will deeply embed itself and will not remain on the surface to do it's job. The cutting pads are more dense and the cutting compound should stay on the surface to do it's work.

PORTER-CABLE 7424XP 6-Inch Variable-Speed Polisher

Porter-Cable Polisher

This is his first choice for a polisher. It turns out to also be a best seller on Amazon. He says it's a terrific tool that's given him great results.

He's used it all day long to remove swirl marks and scratches and the machine showed no signs of slowing down or heating up. He feels it's good value for the money too.

Additional Tips Regarding the Porter Polisher

Be sure to prime the pad with a lubricant so it's not dry when you are about to use it. In regards to the polishing pattern to use; first use a small diameter pad for small areas - he says he uses an up and down pattern with a 50% overlap and a side to side motion with a 50% overlap. He only does an 18inch by 18inch section at a time.

As mentioned above, the product has a diminishing abrasive that will break down within minutes of use and you will see the product turn to a shiny finish. After a minute or two you can wipe it off with a micro fiber cloth. Continue to prime the pad before adding more product. Also, clean your pads after each use.

A Helpful Video on Polishing Your Car

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How to Successfully Clean Grout

How to Clean Grout - A Review of the Products & Methods We Used

The best way we found to clean the grout was to paint and seal it. Forget trying to scrub the dirt out of the grout lines 'til your arms fall off. We used this Colorfast Grout Colorant. Below you can see the before and after picture of our kitchen floor.

Get Grout Colorant Here

We've tried a few different ways to clean the grout on our ceramic floors - We've used a steamer (maybe you've seen that method advertised on the shopping channel), and we've even gotten down on our hands and knees and tried to bleach out those ugly dark lines with a toothbrush.

Guess what? The steamer and hard-labor scrubbing methods worked as well, but they were far from what this product did for our floors. Look at the before and after pictures to see the final result.

Our kitchen tile floor was white, but the grout that was initially used by the builder of our house (19 years ago) was a light greyish color. I've always disliked that look - you know, where you see a square.

After researching numerous product options for cleaning our grout, my husband decided to try tile grout paint/sealer. It was a wise choice.

He selected the white grout colorant and carefully followed the instructions that came with the product. 

He put the colorant directly on the light grey grout but prepped the tile grout first according to the instructions. 

He put two coats and applied them until the tile grout color was nice, white, and clean-looking. Note: you may not need two coats; we just decided to do it.

Also, we had a couple of chips in the white tile squares, and we HATED that look! So, instead of replacing tiles, he simply dabbed the chipped areas with this grout paint.

It also seals the grout simultaneously so that dirt and grime have a harder time penetrating the surface, thus dirtying it up again. 

We've had it on our floors for four months, and it still looks great.

I'm not naive enough to think that this grout paint and sealer will last forever, and I'm sure at some point my husband will have to do a reapplication...but...so far, so good - and YES, my house has a lot of traffic - 6 people! (four boys!)

So, if you decide to go this route to clean your tile floor grout, select the color you want and follow the directions on the package.

Using a grout colorant close to the actual tile's overall color aids in the tile appearing more like one continuous piece.

In a smaller space, having tiles appear as individual squares can make the room seem even smaller. So the more you can get the floor to look like it flows as one piece, the better the size impression.

by Barbara Tremblay Cipak
Funkthishouse.com

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A Personal Double Oven Review - What's Good and Not So Good About It!

If You're Thinking About Getting a Double Oven Stove - Here's some Feedback

For years, I insisted that once we were in the market for a new stove, we would get a stove with a double oven. We have a large family, and a double oven is necessary to handle the large meals required when everyone gets together for a celebration - especially Christmas!

Double Oven on Amazon

Finally, a new stove was required; finally, we got that Double Oven Stove.

Since then, I have learned a few things about double ovens and decided to share them with those looking for the same type of stove.

What I Like About the Double Oven Stove

1. It's convenient when you have to prepare a large meal. The second oven is handy, especially for warming up pre-made dishes.
2. It looks imposing and modern.
3. Love not having to clean stovetop inserts like we had to with the old stove.
4. We've had it for a few years, and so far, there's been no problem with it
5. We took the extra step of getting a double oven stove with a convection oven - that's handy once in a while
6. It's self-clean (which I really appreciate)
7. Cooks the food nicely
8. Easy to use

What I Don't Like About a Double Oven Stove

1. There are two types of Double Oven Stoves I could have selected - One with the smaller oven on top and the larger oven on the bottom and the other with two ovens the same size (The two different choices are featured on this page) - I went with the former: The smaller oven on the top, although very convenient, it has a few limitations: Because the heating elements are so close to the food, the food can burn, so you have to oversee it. In fact, I do not put cakes and pies in the top oven to bake anymore - The first time in my life that I ever burnt a homemade chocolate cake was by placing the cake in the smaller oven to bake! The element is too close to the cake, so I suspect that was the problem. The stoves with the two ovens the same size likely wouldn't produce this result!
2. I'm not a fan of flat-tops (so I discovered). Yes, they have advantages (they look good, and there are no grills to clean). However, it is too easy for my liking. We keep it clean, but it could be better than when we bought it.
3. Our old stove had an electrical outlet built into it, this newer model oven doesn't
4. Although the convection oven is handy occasionally, it's a waste of money for our family. So, if I had to choose another one, I would select one without a convection oven built-in. We just need to use it more to justify the added cost.

In Summary, would I invest in a Double Oven Range again?

The answer to that is yes. I say yes because it's in an affordable price range for us, and although point number 1 in the 'don't like' column above bothers me, the convenience of having two ovens without doing a significant renovation is worth it.

If I were doing a complete kitchen reno, then no, I wouldn't get this double oven stove; I would have two separate ovens installed, one above the other, and get a stand-alone stovetop installed on the counter.

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Review: Omron BP742 Blood Pressure Monitor

I was recently chatting with an acquaintance who was concerned about her husband's health and high blood pressure.  I was stunned when she said that the doctor had told him to use an old fashioned blood pressure cup and a stethoscope at home to monitor his pressure daily. The doctor reportedly told him this because the "electronic" ones aren't reliable.  

Manual Blood Pressure Cuff

I am sure the electronic blood pressure monitors that can be used in public places such as pharmacies and some big box stores are not accurate. Maybe those were the monitors the doctor was referring to. You've probably seen them, the big machines that look like a quarter pony ride, you sit down, slide your arm in the contraption and get your blood pressure taken.  I am aware that those are not accurate.  But for home monitoring, I'm surprised that the old fashioned pump up cuff with the stethoscope was what was recommended.

I am not a doctor. Please follow your doctor's instructions. Especially when it comes to something as critical as high blood pressure.  However, I have my own opinion about monitoring my own troublesome blood pressure.

I have some pre-hypertension problems.  My frequent migraines have a large role in causing my high blood pressure.  Out of concern about my migraine medication changes and potential blood pressure problems, I began trying to monitor my pressure at home a few years ago.  I started with the regular manual cuff and stethoscope.  It was miserable.  I had a horrible time getting the cuff on myself, with one free hand. I had a very hard time of knowing what my blood pressure was. Trying to remember when I first heard the blood pump sound in the stethoscope and when I last heard the pump, while trying to unscrew the screw to let the air escape slowly. I just wasn't coordinated enough.  I gave up.

Omron BP742

I finally broke down and bought the Omron BP742 Blood Pressure Monitor.  I was skeptical. Thought I was throwing away good money on yet one more gadget that wouldn't get used more than a few times then left to gather dust.

But that wasn't the case. The Omron BP742 is GREAT.  I can easily place the cuff on my arm by using one hand. There is something about how the little metal bracket and the velcro works together that keeps the cuff mostly tight and yet loose enough to slide up my arm.  There are pictures and arrows on the cuff. A sort of "placement guide for dummies".  Something I definitely need.  The start and stop buttons are easy. The digital screen is large and easy to read.  The unit stores the numbers for not only one user, but two.

As far as reliability, the Omron seems very accurate. For a period of time, I had a nurse friend at work use the professional blood pressure machine in the health office to help me monitor. I even took my Omron to work a few times. I'd compare the Omron results with the results she'd get.  Of course, there was some difference based on what I was doing just before I went to her office. But overall, the readouts were very close.

Before long I was able to stop interrupting my friend in order to have her check my blood pressure.  And I am confident that my readings on my Omron are accurate.  I continue to monitor at home on a regular basis.  I've used this machine for over a year and haven't had an problems, nor have I had to replace the battery.

Omron BP742N Series 5

My Omron is an older model. The newer model, nearly same unit, is very popular and highly recommended.  

If you are having any hypertension concerns, I hope you are working with a doctor and closely tracking your numbers.  If you need a way to monitor at home, I highly recommend the Omron brand.

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