Reviews with TLC

I took my time reading Pursuing the Good Life: 100 Reflections on Positive Psychology by Christopher Peterson because it felt like the best way to read it. I even read some of the reflections more than once. Peterson explores what positive psychology is and what people think positive psychology is. I think of myself as a positive person, so I thought I'd just be reinforcing what I already believe; however, I found some surprises hidden within the short reflections. I really want to try what he describes as a "but-free" day. Pursuing the Good Life: 100 Reflections on Positive Psychology is a great book to read one or two reflections a day allowing the words to sink in before moving on to the next reflection(s). Anyone interested in living a life based on positivity will enjoy reading Pursuing the Good Life . While I didn't always agree with Peterson's opinions, his overall message of focusing on positive psychology rather than always focusing on the psychology...

I really enjoyed reading A Wedding in December. Shreve's writing feels engaging and almost voyeuristic at times. A Wedding in December is filled with nostalgia, longing, and emotional context. Shreve explores the idea of what could've been if only... in a way that feels all too real. When a group of former classmates and their spouses reunite for a wedding, secrets are revealed, emotional histories are confronted, and the future however fleeting it may be is examined as the past is re-examined by the guests at the wedding. A Wedding in December is a great read for anyone who has ever wondered "what if" when thinking about the past!

All I Did Was Ask by Terry Gross is filled with interviews Terry Gross did with artists, usually about their latest work at the time. She interviewed painters, sculptors, musicians, writers, actors, and actresses among others. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the interviews. She didn't hold back, even including portions of the interviews where things went awry. Gross's book makes a great resource for anyone studying the way to handle being interviewed, but is also entertaining for anyone who enjoys reading artists' thoughts on how their artistic process works.

SpiritChili: Recipes for Life by Tony Haynes feeds the reader's spirit with poetic vision. The beautifully written poems explore the myriad aspects of life that guide people toward growing into their best selves. Haynes shares his faith through his poetry that is thought provoking and inspiring. Haynes plays with words in twists and turns that surprise, delight, and enthrall while bringing the reader to new understanding of self and others. With its focus on love, hope, and the shared human experience, SpiritChili adds a little spice to life.

Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr. M.D. provides an interesting take on the effect of diet on health. Esselstyn presents his theory and backs it up in an easy to read book. Dr. Esselstyn's conclusions make a lot of sense even if the reader questions some aspects of the study he conducted to find his results. He presents the evidence for a plant-based diet in clear and convincing language even if at times his presentation feels heavy handed. The recipes I've tried in Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease aren't particularly exciting but are easy to follow, tasty and provide guidelines for adapting one's own favorite recipes to meet the guidelines of the diet. I read Dr. Esselstyn's book because I have a strong interest in how food can be used to promote good health, so I found much of what he had to say interesting and worth giving serious thought. I've read several such books, and this one made me want to read more on the subject. For a...

A Knight of Love by David Vahlberg transports the reader into a world built on chivalry and old-fashioned romance. Vahlberg explores myriad aspects of both love and romance weaving a connection between nature, spirituality, and humanity in the poems in this collection. While many of the poems feel fantastical in their storylines, the emotions ring true throughout. Vahlberg provides a collection of poems for the romantic who enjoys the idea of the knight in shining armor.

I bought The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone because it contains several recipes I want to try. I didn't plan to read Silverstone's story of her journey to becoming vegan. I've been vegetarian for a while and have dabbled with becoming vegan for a while, so I didn't need convinced. I was pleasantly surprised with her story. She lines out her reasons and supports her decisions with both fact and emotion. I even learned a few things I didn't know about being vegan. The Kind Diet is engaging and interesting. Silverstone leaves no doubt how important she considers her mission to encourage the world to both become vegan and to treat animals with kindness in The Kind Diet. Now, I just need to try some of her recipes and hope they're as good as they sound...