Showing posts with label Self Help. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Self Help. Show all posts

Monday 14 March 2022

Book Review: The Magical Girl's Guide to Life by Jacque Aye

The Magical Girl's Guide to Life
by
Jacque Aye 
 
Find your inner power, fight everyday evil & save the day with self-care.
 
Publisher: Ulysses Press
 
Publication date: 21st December 2021
 
Genre: Self Help
 
Pages: 192
 
RRP: $17.95US  $24.95CAN
 
Format read: Hardcover
 
Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Pacific & Court Publicity
 
My review
 
The Magical Girl's Guide to Life is a unique pocket sized book aimed at finding your inner magic and dispelling self-doubt. 

I originally thought this was a middle grade book, just going by the manga style cover, however the book is geared toward a young adult and older readership.
 
Jacque Aye uses scenarios from her favourite anime shows, such as Sailor Moon, Winx Club and cardcaptor Sakura, and explains how these magical girls handled different situations.
 
There are lots of fun exercises, journal prompts and personality tests throughout the book and sections on making friends, expelling self-doubt, caring for yourself, finding love and how to survive a broken heart. I found the book helpful to read a bit at a time, having fun with the quizzes, and learning more about my inner power.
 
Author Jacque Aye is an advocate and vocal supporter of mental health awareness and self-care. The Magical Girl's Guide to Life is a fun little book that will be especially loved by followers of anime and manga readers but will also find a special place on the shelf of any girl who wants their life to be a little less boring and a whole lot more magical.
 
My rating 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐
 
About the author
 
Jacque Aye is a therapist-in-training and “Head Magical Girl” of the Adorned by Chi lifestyle brand, Since launching Adorned by Chi in 2015 Jacque has grown her business tremendously, racking in 6-figure sales within the first two years of operation and a development deal within the first five. Adorned by Chi has also worked with the likes of Sanrio, collaborating on a collection for their Small Business, Big Smile initiative. As a leader in the manga and anime space, Jacque has grown her small tight knit community into one that boasts over 100,000 magical beings across social media. She is a vocal supporter of mental health awareness and self care amongst Black women, and advocates for those suffering from social anxiety. In 2020, Adorned by Chi was able to donate $10,000 to the Loveland Foundation. 
 

 
 
 

Wednesday 16 February 2022

Book Review: Butterflies In Me by Denisha Seals

Butterflies in Me
by
Denisha Seals
Illustrated by Gabhor Utomo
 

An anthology bringing awareness to mental health 
 
Publisher: Boys Town Press

Publication date: 14th May 2018 - rereleased 2022
 
Genre: Children's / Middle Grade 

Pages: 92

Format read: eBook

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Smith Publicity

My review
 
Butterflies in Me is a collection of short stories that focus on some common, yet challenging, mental health conditions in children.
 
The book covers an array of circumstances children may find themselves in; such as domestic abuse, PTSD, bullying, anxiety, ADHD and depression. Seals uses simple language and short stories making them child friendly.
 
Denisha Seals includes coping skills in her stories and avenues children can go through if they need help.
I liked that the happy endings came eventually but not immediately, as mental health issues take time to work through.
 
Each story is written in 1st person, narrated by the children, which gives a stronger connection to the child, making it more relatable to children reading the book.
 
Javier and his mother are abused by his stepfather. he is offered help from a trusted source (in this case a teacher) and he and his mother are directed to people trained to help in these situations.
Kenya is disfigured and bullied. Her anxiety becomes all consuming. When she opens up to her father he takes her to see a doctor who helps her.
Abbas has ADHD. He can't concentrate at school and his self worth is destroyed. He is helped with a simple explanation of his condition and tactics to employ to help him stay focused.
Lulu falls into a deep depression after her beloved grandmother dies. When she see a therapist she is given coping strategies to see her through this time of grief.
 
Each story ends with the catchphrase "I am special, strong, and I did nothing wrong." 
 
The stories are enhanced by Gabhor Utomo's vivid watercolour illustrations from each child's life and images from their imagination.
 
Butterflies in Me would be an ideal book to be used in schools and for child therapists. 
 
My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

DENISHA SEALS is an artist, filmmaker and author who uses the power of her pen to lift the voices of the marginalized and victimized. A survivor of childhood sexual abuse and trauma, she advocates for more awareness and understanding of the emotional toll abuse victims experience, particularly children of color. Her uplifting stories inspire readers to be strong, fearless and full of hope.

 
About the illustrator
 
GABHOR UTOMO was born in Indonesia. He moved to California in 1997 to become an artist. He received his degree from Academy of Art University in San Francisco, and now works as a freelance artist. Gabhor, his wife, Dina, and his twin daughters live in Portland, Oregon.




 
 

Friday 20 August 2021

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Luna Finds Love Everywhere by Dr. Shainna Ali

 Luna Finds Love Everywhere
by
Dr. Shainna Ali
illustrated by Catarina Oliveira

A self-love book for kids

Publisher: Ulysses Press
 
Publication date: 17th August 2021
 
Genre: Children's Picture Book
 
Pages: 32
 
RRP: $16.95US (hardcover)
 
Format read: Ebook 
 
Source: Courtesy of Pacific & Court PR 

 
About the book

Meet Luna, a little girl who loves playing outside, helping her family, and learning new things. As Luna goes through her regular daily routine, she realizes how much love there is to appreciate around her and within herself too. She learns kindness, sharing, and even what to do when things don’t go her way. With simple prompts and activities scattered throughout the story, children will be able to explore the principles of self-love into their own lives. Kids will have a blast learning along with Luna as they discover the importance of loving each other and oneself!
 
My review
 
Luna Finds Love Everywhere is such a gorgeous, happy book. From it’s glorious cover to the heartwarming prose Dr Shainna Ali has written a book that exudes love, family and kindness.
 
The story is narrated by five year old Luna as she goes through her day from waking in the morning, to the sun shining and birds singing, having breakfast with her family then getting ready to play in the park with her friends. Luna is excited to share her new ball with her friends but they are busy playing with Ryder’s scooter. Luna is upset by this but practises her breathing and calms herself down. She has lots of fun in the park and when it starts to rain Luna doesn’t want to go home. This causes a major melt down when she gets home but with help from her mother Luna works through her feelings and calms down with deep breathing. Luna then looks back on all the love that surrounded her during her day and they think of more things that make them happy.

As the story is narrated Luna asks the reader questions such as “Have you every felt this way’? And “Who helps you to do things you can’t do by yourself”? This brings the children into the story for a more immersive experience prompting them to connect the themes to their own lives.

 
The concept behind the story is to empower children to embrace self-love and see the love that surrounds them everyday. The leading questions are a good opportunity to talk about emotions, kindness, sharing and exploring the love in their everyday life.

The brightly coloured illustrations are sweet and heartwarming. I love that they feature Luna’s family, with her older brother and baby sister, and how they help each other. Luna’s older brother helps her to clean her teeth and Luna teaches her baby sister to crawl.

 
Luna Finds Love Everywhere is sure to be a favourite with it’s brilliantly illustrated pages and an endearing narrator. It is sure to bring love and joy to many families.  
 
Rated by Dot & Ditto  5/5   ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
 
About the author
 
Dr. Shainna Ali is a mental health clinician, educator, and advocate who is dedicated to highlighting the important role of mental health in fostering happiness, fulfillment, and overall wellness. She lives with her partner and her son in central Florida, where she owns Integrated Counseling Solutions, a counseling and consulting practice. In her practice, she uses a strengths-based approach that empowers clients on their journey of self-love. Within the field of mental health, her areas of expertise include exploring identity and culture, fostering
emotional intelligence, healing from trauma, and utilizing creative counseling methods. When she isn’t working, she invests in her self-love by practicing yoga, spending time with her loved ones, teaching dance, or exploring the world.
 
 
About the illustrator 

Catarina Oliveira is an illustrator from Portugal, based in Toronto, Canada. She graduated as a graphic de-signer in 2005 and embraced illustration as a full-time freelancer in 2014, specializing in children’s books since then. You can see her work at CatarinaOliveirasSudio.com and on Instagram (@catarinaoliveirastudio
 

 
Giveaway - US & Canada only
This giveaway is now closed and the winner was announced HERE

Friday 15 May 2020

Blog Tour Book Review: The Checklist Book by Alexandra Franzen


The Checklist Book
by
Alexandra Franzen

Set Realistic Goals, Celebrate Tiny Wins, Reduce Stress and Overwhelm, and Feel Calmer Every Day



Publisher: Mango Publishing Group
Publication date: 14th January 2020
Genre: Non-Fiction / Self Help
Pages: 160
Format read: eBook
Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Simplicity at its best: The checklist is one of the world’s oldest―and most effective―productivity systems. If anything, author and entrepreneur Alexandra Franzen shares, it is just as valuable now as it was during the days of the Roman Empire. Writing out a simple checklist allows us to tangibly plan our day and set in stone what we want to accomplish.

In the life-changing Checklist Book, learn:

The history of the checklist and why it remains to be relevant and effective today
The science behind the success of checklists, such as the instant satisfaction we feel when we put a check next to a finished task
How to create a basic daily checklist―and checklists for specific situations, like moving to a new city or navigating a divorce


I’ve always been a maker of lists. There is something satisfying about making a list and checking things off, and basking in the glow of accomplishment.

My lists have never gone further than a daily list of things I want to, or must, get done. However The Checklist Book is more than an organisational help book. It’s about making realistic goals and breaking them down to daily, weekly and long term goals. It’s about making the life you wish to live into the life you are actually living.

Alexandra explains the idea of checklists in a fun and informative way. Her checklist concept is broken down step by step so it is easy to start with the basics and build on this to achieve the goals you set for yourself.
This book goes beyond the daily “must do” checklist to things to do simply for well being. Think about what matters most to you each day, simple things, and live them.

Something that was a great help for me was the inclusion of Alexandra’s example checklists that you can tweak to suit your lifestyle and what you love.

There is no hard and fast set of rules. Alexandra understands that not everyone is the same so her personal list may not suit someone else. There is great flexibility throughout the book.




        "It’s not just writing down a bunch of stuff I need to do."


Through The Checklist book I discovered so much more to list making and a way to reduce stress and feel calmer every day.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This review is part of the Non-Fiction reader challenge   #2020ReadNonFic
 
ALEXANDRA FRANZEN is the author of several books, including SO THIS IS THE END: A LOVE STORY (2018), YOU'RE GOING TO SURVIVE (2017) and 50 WAYS TO SAY "YOU'RE AWESOME" (2013).

She has written articles for dozens of sites, including Time, Forbes, Newsweek, HuffPost, The Muse, and Lifehacker. She's been mentioned/quoted in The New York Times Small Business Blog, The Atlantic, USA Today, BuzzFeed, Brit+Co, and Inc.

Alexandra is best-known for writing about creativity, productivity, the power of setting tiny goals, how to develop more confidence in your writing skills, and how to stay motivated, keep working towards your personal and professional dreams, and never give up.

She also works as a copywriter, ghostwriter, writing teacher, and consultant. She helps her clients to develop podcasts, videos, websites, speeches, books, and other creative projects.

The Checklist Book is available to purchase online at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, or your favourite book retailer.


Please check the other posts on the WOW! Women on Writing blog tour 

Saturday 11 April 2020

10 Books to help you stay optimistic and motivated

STAY IN PLACE

 

The wonderful and well read people at Pan Macmillan Australia have compiled a list of books to help us Stay at Home and stay optimistic and motivated in this time of uncertainty. 

Below, is a list of works by some of Pan Macmillan’s most brilliant minds to help you navigate the coming months. 

Whether you’re looking to learn a new skill, seeking guidance around mental health, or simply looking for a distraction, there is a book for you. 

  

STAY...WELL FED FOR LESS

 

SIMPLICIOUS FLOW
Sarah Wilson 
In Simplicious Flow, Sarah blends the kitchen wisdom of generations past with her own stunningly fresh vision of how to be a conductor of good health and zero waste for every single meal you make.

 



STAY...CREATIVE IN THE KITCHEN 

 OSTRO
Julia Busuttil Nishimura 

Simple, delicious, generous food for every day, from salads and roasts to handmade pasta and pizza to simple bakes and show-stopping desserts all from the creator of inspirational website and Instagram feed, Ostro.

STAY...ECO
  A FAMILY GUIDE TO WASTE-FREE LIVING
Lauren and Oberon Carter

A Family Guide to Waste-free Living makes it simple and sustainable for families to eliminate waste in the home, at work and out in the world. This is a practical and inspiring resource for anyone wanting to live more sustainably.

STAY...AN ACTIVIST 
2040: A HANDBOOK FOR THE REGENERATION
Damon Gameau

Based on Damon Gameau's 2019 documentary, 2040: A Handbook for the Regeneration is a practical manual that provides you and your family with the tools and inspiration to live a more sustainable life - NOW.
 

 STAY...HEALTHY 
HEAL
Pete Evans

So many of us are looking for practical changes we can make to nourish our body, be more active and find meaningful connection - ways to be stronger, happier and healthier, in a fast-paced world. 
 

STAY...SELF SUFFICIENT 
 THIS CHICKEN LIFE

Fiona Scott-Norman & Ilana Rose
A heart-warming celebration of chickens and the Australians who love them, featuring striking photography and stories that will move, delight and inspire you.
 


STAY...STRESS FREE
STRESSLESS
Matthew Johnson & Michael Player
Fully illustrated, easy to follow and based on the latest medical science, StressLess is your go-to guide to identify and reduce your own stress and help others do the same.
 


STAY...PHILOSOPHICAL 
THE SUBTLE ART OF NOT GIVING A F*CK
Mark Manson
In this generation-defining self-help guide, a superstar blogger cuts through the crap to show us how to stop trying to be "positive" all the time so that we can truly become better, happier people.
  


STAY...SANE
FIRST, WE MAKE THE BEAST BEAUTIFUL
Sarah Wilson
Practical and poetic, wise and funny, this is a small book with a big heart. It will encourage the myriad sufferers of the world's most common mental illness to feel not just better about their condition, but delighted by the possibilities it offers for a richer, fuller life.
 


STAY...CONNECTED
 FAMILY, FOOD & FEELINGS
Kate Berry

Family, Food and Feelings charts the ebb and flow of family life around the four school terms, with recipes, activities and stories to keep you inspired throughout the year.


 Thank you to Pan Macmillan Australia for the above recommendations.
 
 
 

Saturday 7 July 2018

Book Review: 365 Days of Happiness by Jacqueline Pirtle


Title: 365 Days of Happiness
Author: Jacqueline Pirtle
Publisher: Self Published
Publication Date: 28th February 2018
Pages: 385
Format Read: eBook
Source: Copy courtesy of Book Publicity Services

      Blurb

Do you have fun with your own life?

How often do you really pay attention and choose things to improve your day?

In 365 Days of Happiness, author, energy healer, and mindfulness teacher Jacqueline Pirtle has created daily inspirations that help you mindfully work towards living a more vivid experience of daily happiness. Showing that you can put in work to change your life while having fun, the practices are full of whimsy and delight.

Jacqueline decided to spend every day of 2017 devoted to her own happiness. She wrote every single day about the things she does to honor her joy, and used these writings to create this 365 day step-by-step guide, so she could teach you how to shift to BE and live in a “high for life” frequency of happiness too—no matter where you are at in your life right now. She started writing these for herself, but has a little sneaky intent to touch your heart every day and initiate new learning, understanding, knowledge, and wisdom for you to get closer to your true, authentic happy self.

Through light, bubbly, cheerful passages, each day teaches you to find happiness, use those sour lemons, and shift yourself into a “high for life” frequency where you can reach happiness anywhere at any time.



          My thoughts


We find throughout our life there are times when we are always putting others’ happiness before our own. Tired, stressed and overworked? Happiness can be yours 365 days a year with this step by step guide to being truly happy. Every day!

Jacqueline Pirtle spent every day of 2017 devoted to her own happiness, writing down every single day things that honoured her joy.

365 Days of happiness is not a book to be read in one sitting (although I did just that so I could write my review) but to be used each and every day just like your morning coffee to get you going and perk you up to start each day on a positive note.

I’m such a cynic when it comes to self help books but hey, who doesn’t want to be happy each and every day. I actually really enjoyed this book and I hardly even did an eye roll. It espouses things we take for granted. Yes, I love my friends and family but expand that to love the food you eat, the sounds you hear and the ground under your feet.

The author uses the power of imagination to get her message across, each day imagining some wondrous new thing.
Each page is short, only about 2 minutes to read, an every day reminder about being happy, a new exercise and affirmation.

Can I never be angry again? You ask. Pirtle tells us to feel our anger, it is ok. Then let it go. Never stay long on a negative feeling.

I read this book a few weeks ago but it stuck in my mind. Situations arose that were difficult, disappointing and I immediately thought back to the book. How can I change my present state of mind and be happy? Having your mind set to being happy also has a roll-on effect to those around you.

365 Days of Happiness is a perfect bedside companion. Why not make this year your year of happiness.

*I received a review copy through Book Publicity Services

4/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟


       About the author






Jacqueline Pirtle is an energy healer, mindfulness teacher, and author of ‘365 Days of Happiness: Because happiness is a piece of cake!’