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Stitch It Simple, by Beth Sheard (book review) – whimsical home decor for you to sew

Mar7

book cover of Stitch It Simple by Beth Sheard published by Taunton PressYour favorite colors
plus easy-to-personalize patterns
equals fabulous new home items sewn by you!

You will be able to beautifully Stitch It Simple  with sharp scissors, fusible interfacing, and the designer’s step-by-step instructions.

Choose complementary colors and designs for the Patchwork Chairpad, then finger-knit a cord for the Flower Garland made with its fabric scraps.

Beth has free alphabet templates for the pennant bunting here on her website, too.

Look for this late 2014 paperback at your local library or independent bookstore so you can be inspired to stitch your own fun home accessories.

Which project from the cover would you start with?
**kmm

Book info: Stitch It Simple: 25 Hand Sewn Projects to Make and Share / Beth Sheard. Taunton Press, 2014.  [author site]  [publisher site] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk:  Colorful designs for pillow covers, wall hangings, aprons – it’s easy to Stitch It Simple  and add your own personal touches to your home.

After covering the basics of sewing, appliques, and finishing, this young British designer presents patterns and helpful hints for 25 projects to brighten up your bedroom, study, and kitchen.

Charming gift ideas include a Butterfly Mobile, Bird Tote Bag, and Kit and Kat stuffed cats which can double as bookends if you add weights before stitching shut.

Use the assembly method for the Owl and Pussycat Wall Tidy to create a hanging organizer with your favorite fabrics and colors, echoing what you chose for the Balloon Cushion or Tree Pillow Cover (small or large).

Whether you begin with the Mini Quilt, Hanging Elephants, or the Cupcake Apron, you’ll be inspired to brighten up your home with personalized accessories using this book filled with clear instructions, whimsical designs, and proven sewing techniques.  (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

Doable: The Girl’s Guide to Accomplishing Just About Anything, by Deborah Reber (book review)

Feb28

book cover of Doable by Deborah Reber published by Beyond WordsA new project – yay!
New goals – hurrah!
Roadmap outlining how to do it all… umm?

Frame it right and your goal is indeed do-able IF you have some guidance that’s based on tested practice.

Peruse chapter 1 of Doable on the publisher’s site free here, then grab a copy at your local library or independent bookstore – you’ll refer to it often!

And be sure to check out the free resources on the author’s website, including your own personal Doable workbook and an ebook of career tips.

So…what do you want to do?
**kmm

Book info: Doable: The Girl’s Guide to Accomplishing Just About Anything / Deborah Reber. Beyond Words/Simon Pulse, 2015. [author site]  [publisher site]  [book trailer] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: If you’ve ever begun a great project or set an important goal, then lost enthusiasm partway, take heart and reach for Doable, which will help you get where you want to go in life.

Step-by-step, the author outlines the 8 stages of doing what you deem important:

  • Define Your To-Do
  • Detail the Little Tasks
  • Defend Against Obstacles
  • Develop Support Systems
  • Determine What Success Looks Like
  • Do the Work
  • Deal with Setbacks
  • Deliver the Goods

Common pitfalls, workarounds for stalled projects, and examples from young women who’ve accomplished much are provided with each stage so that you can go from almost to all done on your own timeframe.

Whether you want to change yourself, change your school, or change the world, you can use the steps, worksheets, and good advice in this book to create a goal that you can control and a plan for reaching it. (One of 7,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

Undecided, by Genevieve Morgan (book review) – getting ready for life beyond high school

Feb21

book cover of Undecided by Genevieve Morgan published Zest BooksSome time left in high school…
What about the future?
What are your choices?
How to decide?!

Figuring out now what you don’t want to do later can keep you from spending money, time, and your dreams on the wrong opportunities.

Even if you have your post-high-school track planned out as a freshman or sophomore, it’ll be worth your while to work through the options available with this clear and helpful guide.

While you can check out Undecided at your local library, better that you buy your own copy (choose an independent bookstore, please) because you will use it so much.

What path are you envisioning for life after high school?
**kmm

Book info: Undecided: Navigating Life and Learning After High School / Genevieve Morgan. Zest Books, 2014.  [author site]  [publisher site]  [TEDx talk by author] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: Your required /exciting/ mind-numbing high school years will eventually end – what next? Time to dig into your personality, dreams, and motivations to determine what you should try after graduation day.

Before jumping into all the options available, first assess your temperament, personality traits, and operating mode, then work through some questions to help you solidify your own vision of what you might want to do and in what style – the big picture.

Along with the section which helps you clarify intentions and create plans, you’ll find ways to research the education/work pathways you might take, how to compare college programs, insight into civil service and military training, and tips on talking to your parents about your choices.

Profiles of successful folks are included in each chapter, as are reflections by people who have tried the different school and work paths noted.

Whether you expect life after high school to be entrepreneurship, traveling during a gap year, service to your country, or traditional college years, the questions to consider and resources included in this book will take you from Undecided to prepared and excited.  (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

Displacement, by Lucy Knisley (book review) – cruising with grandparents, dry-docked by aging

Feb17

book cover of Displacement A Travelogue by Lucy Knisley published by FantagraphicsCaribbean cruise during winter – yay!
Being with long-lived grandparents – good!
Traveling with them on the cruise – ummm…

Yes, Lucy did volunteer to go with her grandparents on the cruise, but dealing with dementia, body control problems, and boredom at sea weren’t quite what she’d planned on.

Enjoy an excerpt of this autobiographical travel graphic novel at the publisher’s site here. Get your copy soon – you won’t want to miss her grandfather’s actual WWII memoir which Lucy includes as she reads it during their unusual journey.

Lucy chronicled her growing-up years in Relish (my review here) and has written/illustrated other travelogues of her recent years, too.

**kmm

Book info: Displacement: A Travelogue / Lucy Knisley. Fantagraphics, 2015.  [author site]  [publisher site]  [video preview] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: When Lucy volunteers to travel with her 90-year-old grandparents on a cruise, she encounters much more than a change from winter weather as she deals with failing memory, family history, hope, and mortality in this graphic novel autobiography continuing the Relish artist/author’s life story.

Why her grandparents signed up for the cruise is a mystery as they have limited mobility, bad hearing, and no interest in gambling, swimming, or tours. But someone must go with them on planes and shuttles, through TSA security, and aboard the gigantic ship, so away the young woman goes, carrying her granddad’s memoir of WWII along.

Yes, flying with multiple connections, dealing with her grandmother’s dementia and grandfather’s failing health, and trying to find something to do for a week at sea are very difficult for Lucy, as every day brings more glimpses of mortality and the infirmities no one can control. Each day, the chapter title shows the sea level rising and rising, like Lucy’s stress and worry levels.

No, it wasn’t time wasted, as reading the memoir, coaxing her grandmother into the warm pool, and learning how folks stay married for over 65 years are gems that she will treasure. “Good or bad, it’s important to feel connected sometimes. Even if that connection can be painful,” Lucy writes, as she phones to check on how her grandparents are settling in after the trip is over.

 

When you need to know How To Survive a Sharknado… (book review)

Nov6

book cover of How to Survive a Sharknado by Andrew ShafferMongolian Death Worm? Not my continent.
Sharktopus? Ain’t near the beach.
Firenado? Uh-oh, we’re in a high-risk area!

Whether you’re a fan of the Syfy TV-movie or just want to be prepared for every possible (or improbable) emergency, you will find plenty to chuckle about in How to Survive a Sharknado.

If you can’t find this tongue-in-cheek survival manual at your local library, check the Humor shelves of your favorite independent bookstore.

Which disaster – real or fictitious – worries you most?
**kmm

Book info: How to Survive a Sharknado and Other Unnatural Disasters: Fight Back When Monsters and Mother Nature Strike Back / Andrew Shaffer, with contributions from Fin Shepard and April Wexler. Three Rivers Press, 2014. [author site]  [publisher site]  Review copy provided by BloggingForBooks/Crown Publishing; cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: As Mother Nature strikes back and epic disasters loom large, your best defense against Mega Pythons or a Polar Storm is to be well-prepared, using advice from those who know.

“Study – Avoid – Survive” – Sharknado expert Fin Shepard’s mantra for dealing with disasters is at the core of this clever guide by Andrew Shaffer, with info on the Unnatural Disaster Kit you should keep on hand, as well as Emergency Supplies list for your vehicle.  Preparation for dealing with more traditional danger is also highlighted.

Unnatural Disasters include perils created by Mother Nature like the venomous Beeclipse and sea+land SwampVolcano. Among the Monsters are super-sized Mega Pythons and labwork run amok like RoboCrocs. Each entry includes ratings for Threat to Humanity, Risk of Encounter, and Fin’s Wow That’s Freaky Factor.

Be a Changemaker: How to Start Something That Matters, by Laurie Ann Thompson (book review)

Sep30

book cover of Be a Changemaker by Laurie Ann Thompson published by Beyond Words Simon PulseUnfair things bother you, a lot.
It’s time to do something about it!
But how to make it happen?

If you have an idea for fixing the world, jumpstart it by getting this book at your local library or favorite independent bookstore, and visit the Be a Changemaker website to share your stories and questions.

How are YOU going to change our world for the better?
**kmm

Book info: Be a Changemaker: How to Start Something That Matters / Laurie Ann Thompson. Beyond Words/Simon Pulse, 2014.  [author site]  [publisher site]  Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: Ever gotten so angry about something that you vowed to make it right? Started a great helping project, but run out of ideas or enthusiasm? Get good advice on making a difference in the world from those who’ve tried, failed, and then succeeded so that you can devote your energies to your cause.

Each chapter begins by profiling a youth-led nonprofit group along with their challenges and successes. Be sure that you think through your passions, skills, and the problem that’s bothering you before jumping into your venture. Learn how to work the media, plan a stellar event, and avoid burnout so that your idea goes the distance.

With good research, a dream team and adult mentor who share your vision, and savvy planning, you can truly Be a Changemaker  and make positive things happen with the tools and tips in this book.  (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

Green Teen Cookbook Winner!

Sep2

book cover of Green Teen Cookbook published by Zest BooksThanks to everyone who entered the drawing for a free autographed copy of The Green Teen Cookbook. Reading all the summer things that y’all like to cook with made me so hungry!

I numbered the comments (excluding my responses) from 1 to 17, entered 1-17 into the random sequence generator at random.org , and it gave me this list:

screenshot of random.org showing winner is number 16

 

 

So commenter #16 is our winner! Jenna, watch your email for my note from Katy@BooksYALove.com to get your mailing address so that Zest Books can send your Green Teen Cookbook directly to you.

Update: because Jenna lives out of the USA, the autographed copy will be sent to commenter #8 (next on the random list): Connie Burke!

Happy, healthy cooking to all – and watch BooksYALove for more YA books beyond bestsellers (with no spoilers)!
**kmm

Giveaway deadline soon!

Aug29

book cover of Green Teen Cookbook published by Zest BooksJust a quick reminder that Sunday is your last day to enter the giveaway for autographed copy of The Green Teen Cookbook by commenting over here on my recommendation for this yummy title.

After these chilly nights in Moscow for #IASL2014, my fellow school librarians and I are ready to warm up with some Chicken Noodle Soup with Cheese Muffins like Roscoe shows in the book. Does your weather have you longing for hot food or for cool treats?

See y’all Stateside soon, and I’ll rev up the Randomizer and see which comment number comes out as the winner!

**kmm

Green Teen Cookbook – book review & giveaway!

Aug16

book cover of Green Teen Cookbook published by Zest BooksOrganic? Fair trade?
Bechamel? Vinaigrette?
Food! Fabulous! Yum!

The People’s Book Prize winner Green Teen Cookbook: Recipes for All Seasons has finally arrived in the USA, filled with luscious food photography and refreshed with measurements in tablespoons, cups, and quarts.

Also named the Best Sustainable Food Book in the UK, this cookbook features over 70 teen-created recipes, plus articles about key issues from eating seasonally to maintaining a vegetarian lifestyle.

GIVEAWAY! Zest Books will send one lucky BooksYALove reader (US addresses only, please) an autographed copy of The Green Teen Cookbook  since I joined their blog tour for this title. Of course, y’all know that I wouldn’t post a recommendation here if I didn’t love the book!

The Giveaway is closed. Super easy to enter – just comment below with your favorite summer ingredient to cook with by 11:59 pm Central Daylight Time on Sunday, 31 August 2014. Please include your email address (you can format like katy at BooksYALove dot com) so I can contact the winner for your mailing address.

I’ll number the entries sequentially and use Random.org to pick the winner. The nice folks at Zest hinted that a little extra something might appear in the winner’s package!

Ready, set, enter! Pass the Rose Petal Sweets, please.
**kmm

Book info: The Green Teen Cookbook: Recipes for All Seasons — Written by Teens, For Teens / edited by Laurane Marchive & Pam McElroy. Zest Books, 2014.  [about the editors]  [publisher site]  Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.

My book talk: Travel the globe by bowl and plate with fresh and clever recipes celebrating seasonal food, sustainable farming, and happy taste buds. These teen-crafted recipes will please vegetarians, carnivores, eat-local champions, and fans of tastes from around the world.

Start the day with Pumpkin Pancakes or Huevos Rancheros. Offer Flower Prawn Soup and Chicken Noodle Soup with Cheese Muffins for lunch, then plan Hummus or Scallion Pancakes as a snack.

Family and friends will enjoy Green Pesto Tagliatelle or traditional Sancocho from the Dominican Republic for the evening meal, followed by scrumptious Crepes with Orange Sauce or Oreo Cupcakes for dessert.

The Green Teen Cookbook is a one-stop resource for information on many issues of interest to thoughtful consumers, from eating locally to fair trade. Especially useful are the instructions for seasonal variations of tasty favorites like lasagna, fruit salad, and mini-fritattas.  (One of 6,000 books recommended on www.abookandahug.com)

Stories from the Holocaust in final AudioSYNC books of summer 2014

Aug7

The last week of summer 2014 to download free audiobooks from SYNC so you can read with your ears!

As long as you keep them on your computer or electronic device, you can listen to either or both of these complete audiobooks, if you download them by Wednesday, August 13, 2014.

CD cover of Living a Life That Matters: From Nazi Nightmare to American Dream By: Ben Lesser Read by: Jonathan Silverman and Ben Lesser Published by: Remembrance PublishingLiving a Life That Matters: from Nazi Nightmare to American Dream  (download here)
By: Ben Lesser
Read by:  Jonathan Silverman and Ben Lesser
Published by: Remembrance Publishing

A Holocaust survivor urges us to stand up for our neighbors, not stand idly by and allow violence to injure anyone.
The Shawl CD cover of The Shawl By Cynthia Ozick Read by Yelena Shmulenson Published by HighBridge Audio
By Cynthia Ozick
Read by  Yelena Shmulenson
Published by HighBridge Audio

In this award-winning short story, an anguished mother in a Nazi concentration camp searches for the shawl which could bring her just-murdered child back to life.
Many thanks to the publishers who allowed free downloads of their noteworthy audiobooks this summer through AudioSYNC.

Thirteen weeks, 26 great audiobooks – which was your favorite title?
**kmm