Month in Review: May 2014

Kelli's Reviews:
The King (Black Dagger Brotherhood #12) by J.R. Ward
My Forever by Jolene Perry
Running on Empty by Colette Ballard
Press Here by Herve Tullet
The Same Sweet Girls' Guide to Life by Cassandra King
Miss Darcy Decides (Love at Pemberly #2) by Reina M. Williams
Baby Julia Feeds the Moon by Jason Sandberg
Brothers Forever: The Enduring Bond Between a Marine and a Navy SEAL That Transcended Their Ultimate Sacrifice by Thomas Manion
Life Lived Twice by Sherrie Wouters
The Redemption of Callie and Kayden (The Coincidence #2) by Jessica Sorenson

Madi's Reviews:
The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy by Kate Hattemer
Being Sloane Jacobs by Lauren Morrill

Book Spotlights/Blog Tours:
Puritan Witch by Peni Renner
Lost in Starlight by Sherry Soule
Curses and Smoke: A Novel of Pompeii by Vicky Alvear Shecter
Getting By: A Knight's Tale by Claudia Y. Burgoa
Bit Players, Bird Girls, and Fake Breakups by S.M. Stevens

Notes from Nat:
Kendra Falls in Love With Junie B. Jones
The Casquette Girls by Alys Arden
Book to Movie Review: Divergent

Books Read:
How To Be Sick by Toni Bernhard (read for the second and third times!)
The Same Sweet Girls' Guide to Life by Cassandra King
Baby Julia Feeds the Moon by Jason Sandberg
Life Lived Twice by Sherrie Wouters
Brothers Forever: The Enduring Bond Between a Marine and a Navy SEAL that Transcended Their Ultimate Sacrifice by Thomas Manion
Deeper We Fall (Fall and Rise #1) by Chelsea M. Cameron 
Plan Overboard (The Toronto series #15) by Heather Wardell
Camp Utopia and The Forgiveness Diet by Jenny Ruden
Children of the Most High by Anna Scanlon

Book of the Month

How To Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers by Toni Bernhard

Second Opinion Review:

Toni Bernhard's How To Be Sick was a life-changing read for me.  (Read my original review here).  I read this wonderful book twice more this month, and loved it even more than the first time around.  This book feels like it was written just for me. 
Toni's writes with such a practical, friendly delivery---that's what makes her book stand out from others in the genre.  The focus of How To Be Sick is alleviating the mental suffering that accompanies chronic illness. 
Toni uses the principles of Buddhism as a guide to being at peace with your circumstances, whatever they may be.  Toni gives examples of each Buddhist practice, along with the practical application of each step.  The real-life examples and application of the Buddhist practices are what made the principles I learned in How to Be Sick so easy to apply in my own life.  I've made some major life changes as a result of reading How To Be Sick, and it feels great!  I can't think of any other book that has inspired me to evoke such change and positive action.  
I'm now reading Toni's second book, How To Wake Up, which is meant for everyone, not just the chronically ill.  So far, it's just as great as How To Be Sick.  I rarely do this, but decided to email Toni to thank her for her life-changing book.  I had a great thrill when she wrote me back the next day!
Toni writes regular articles for Psychology Today: her blog there is called Turning Straw Into Gold.  If you'd like to get a feel for her writing, visit her online at Psychology Today hereI can't say enough good things about Toni Bernhard and her work!

1 comment:

  1. Awesome month for books. I really need to read The Redemption of C & K.... I liked the 1st book.
    Happy June reading!

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