Chloe Flavor by Chloe Coscarelli

I am a huge Chloe Coscarelli fan. I was so excited to get this cookbook. It is full of flavor, spice, and everything I love about food. I particularly always enjoy Chloe's wonderful photographs of her food. I also really like that these are ingredients that are easy to find, cheap and they are easy to make meals. When I get home from work, the last thing I want to do is make quick meal. This book is perfect for that. 

I give this book 5 stars.

**I was given a free copy of this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.**

The Prayer Wheel: A Daily Guide to Renewing Your Faith with a Rediscovered Spiritual Practice by Patton Dodd

I really enjoyed flipping through this book. As someone who is part of a liturgical tradition and is accustomed praying in that fashion, I found this book to be familiar and comfortable, while introducing me to a new way of prayer. I have not had a chance to actually use the book yet, but can see myself incorporating it into my current (and future) Lenten practices. 

The simple, yet beautiful design of the cover really caught my eye, as well as the bright red. I rate this book a 4/5.

*I was given a free copy of this book by Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.*

Power Plates

I really enjoyed this cookbook. I like that the focus is only on one plate. As a single person, I love not having to drag out tons of pots and pans and dishes, just for one meal. Also, as a bit of junk/comfort food vegan, I really appreciated that the book focused on nutritious, healthy meals. I could definitely stand to add a few more to my weekly meal plan. I also really appreciate cookbooks that bright pictures that make the food look enticing. I love knowing what the end product will look like.  Overall, I thought this was a great cookbook.

I would give this cookbook 4.5 stars.

*I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Long Black Veil by Jennifer Finney Boylan

This was a complex, character-driven novel full of suspense. After 35 years, the body of a young woman, one of a large group of friends, is found in the East State Penitentiary. This finding brings out long buried secrets that will shake all the characters to their core.

I did not love this book, but I didn't hate it either. The chapters, often organized by character, or sometimes, multiple characters, go to be too much. There were too many story lines to follow, for my personal taste, but it wasn't all bad. It was just suspenseful to keep me coming back for more.

Overall, I would give this book 3/5 stars. The story was good, but not great.

**I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by Blogging for Books.**

The Daily Question

I am an avid journalist. I write something every day, whether that be all my thoughts and feelings or just a sentence or two. I loved The Daily Question, it was a great way to be asked something specific and have to think about it and have an answer. There are quite a few questions, ones I even asked my friends. It is a great way to add to your spiritual life and can provide deep introspection. I even struggled with some, like "How does God see you? How do you see yourself?" Let me tell you, those are two completely different answers.

I also really like that this is something that can be done over five years so you can see your progress. I also like that it comes with a ribbon so you can remember where you are, you don't need to flip through to find where you are. Each day has a date, so you can start at the beginning of the year, or in the middle.

Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

**I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by www.bloggingforbooks.com**

You Are The Beloved by Henri Nouwen

This wonderful book daily reflections drawn by the many works of Henri Nouwen provides a great way to begin, or end your day, focusing on God. The reflections seem timely and are quick to read. I have done a handful of a day's worth and have been more than pleased with what I have read. The little nuggets have often popped up in my thoughts throughout the day and have left me thinking pondering the happenings of my own spiritual life.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a quick way to integrate an easy spiritual practice into their every day lives. This hardback book will certainly last through many uses. The one thing I wish it had was a ribbon to place where you've stopped for the day, but it''s nothing a bookmark can't solve.

Overall, I give this book 4.5 stars.

**I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from BloggingforBooks.com**

Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith

I love a good sappy romance every once in a while and this one fit the bill. While it is not my favorite book of hers, I did thoroughly enjoy reading it. The plot, as usual for her books, was totally predictable, but it was just what I needed to cleanse my palate between the heavier stuff that I read. I would definitely recommend this book to someone who is looking for something quick and easy.

I would give this book 3/5 stars.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review from Blogging for Books*

Misfit Faith

As a fan of Nadia Bolz-Weber, Rachel Held Evans, and Sarah Miles, all people I consider off beat (in the best way!) theologians, I was a big fan of Misfit Faith: Confessions of a Drunk Ex-Pastor by Jason J. Stellman. I really enjoy reading about anyone’s struggle for true faith and their choice to stay or leave it. Faith is so much more than about specific beliefs, it is about finding your Truth. I loved his many experiences and how those experience his faith. Misfit Faith has also made me a fan of his podcast, The Liturgists. I recommend this book for anyone who doesn’t quite fit into a certain religious box, you won’t feel so alone after.

I give this book 4.5/5 stars.

*I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books for an honest review.*

"Holding Up the Universe" by Jennifer Niven

While I enjoyed Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven, I wasn’t overly impressed with the book. Much like her previous novel, All the Bright Places, this felt forced and contrived. There are lotsof great YA novels that deal with similar topics in much better ways. But, I didn’t totally hate this book either, there were a few quotes that really stuck out to me. And, I also realize that because I am nearly twice the age of any teen who would read this book, I can’t give a totally fair review.

I give this book 2.5 out of 5 stars.

*I was given a free copy of this book by Blogging for Books for an honest review.*

Hagseed by Margaret Atwood

I thought that this was a great adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. I have never read the original, but did read a quick overview so I would have a basic understanding of the story. Atwood deftly brings this story to the modern era. Her take on revenge, retribution, and a haunting past are mesmerizing and will leave readers in awe.  I also really enjoyed the cover.

3/5 stars.

 **I received a free copy of this book from www.bloggingforbooks.com  in exchange for an honest review.**

Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle

I have loved Madeleine L’Engle from the minute I first read A Wrinkle in Time. I, too, am Episcopalian and share many of her beliefs and understanding about faith, religion, and God. This set of essays focusing on art and artists and their duties to showcase the beauty of God’s creations. She often interwove many of the qualities of each and showed how beautifully they complement each other. This book inspired me to look at the world, and my faith, a little differently.

**I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

Rad Women Worldwide: Artists and Athletes, Pirates and Punks, and Other Revolutionaries Who Shaped History by Kristin Schatz

This is such an awesome book. It is a beautiful book with an excellent cover. I love the colors used and the fact the individual is in black and white. It looks very artistic. It's also a nice weight with good binding. The inside flap also features a map that shows where the women lived.

The content of this book is really good as well. It covers so many unique women throughout time and space that have changed the world. There were women I had heard of like Malala, Marie Curie, Venus and Serena Williams, and Frida Kahlo just to name a few. There were also several women with whom I was unfamiliar including: Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, Marta, and Poly Styrene just to name a few. Each section gave a brief overview of who the woman was and why she was important.

I think this is a great introduction to famous women. It would be great in a school library and would spark many discussions.

I give this book 5/5.

*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review from Blogging for Books.*

26 A to Z Postcards, from Angelfish to Zebra by Wee Alphas

I received these postcards from Blogging for Books in exchange for a review. These did not disappoint! They were adorable and whimsical. They were brightly colored and I enjoyed seeing the various animals chosen for each letter. I particularly liked the illustrations of the jellyfish and vulture. It made two semi-repulsive animals look totally adorable. I also enjoyed the nod to fantasy and every little girl’s fantasy by having the letter “U” be represented by a unicorn. These would be perfect to send to small child for any number of occasions. They would even be cute to frame and hang in a bedroom, library, or office.  

Overall, I would give them 5 stars.