✰✰✰✰½ How many times do we overlook the simplest things in life? If you are like me, all too often. By learning to stop and record the ordinary things in life, journaling can bring about feelings of contentment, a sense of personal well-being, gratitude, and appreciation. Before you know it, recognizing and writing down gratitudes will become a natural part of your daily life.
While there are many gratitude journals out there, this one is different from others. With a unique blend of Deborah Perdue's personal gratitudes and Tara Thelen's beautiful and bold watercolor illustrations, even beginning journalers will find ample inspiration. Let the spiritual practice of expressing gratitude bring feelings of peace and contentment into your life.
The Bottom Line: Whether you are new to journaling or have be keeping one for years, the beautiful illustrations will inspire you to commit to jotting down as many gratitudes per day as you notice. There is plenty of space to include several days on one page, especially if you write small like I do. All it takes is a few moments per day, and you, too, can discover the power of gratitude. This journal has broad appeal and would make a great gift for just about anyone including new graduates. Highly recommended for anyone interested in journaling. More pages to write on (or blank pages to include my own drawings and doodles) would be appreciated.
Details: Grace of Gratitude Journal by Deborah Perdue & illustrated by Tara Thelen. Hardcover published by Applegate Valley Publishing in 2015. 112 p. ISBN: 978-0-9827759-5-0 NOTE: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible by the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.
✰✰✰✰½ The most peculiar children you have ever met are back in the next installment of the series. As Jacob Portman struggles to understand and control his newfound peculiar ability, the group continues to London on a quest to restore Miss Peregrine to human form. With time running out, the group makes their way through the war-torn city in search of another time loop that will take them to the last free ymbryne. Only Miss Wren can help them save their beloved headmistress. Along the way the peculiar kids encounter other peculiars and fantastical beasts while trying to stay clear of hollowgasts and wights. The second adventure will leave you wanting more as Jacob comes face-to-face with the most difficult decision of his young life.
The Bottom Line: The second novel picks up exactly where the first novel left off. Once again the intriguing vintage photos and text work well together to provide the reader with a unique experience. This book is a fantastically dark page-turner. The peculiar children demonstrate teamwork, friendship, and loyalty. Enthusiastically recommended for teens and adults who enjoy books with supernatural and time travel twists. For the best reading experience, be sure to pick up and read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children first.
Details: Hollow City: The Second Novel of Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. Paperback published by Quirk Books in 2015. 416 p. ISBN: 978-1-59474-735-9 NOTE: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible by the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.
