if you haven't read ME BEFORE YOU, do not read this.

ME BEFORE YOU SPOILERS WILL BE FOUND HERE.

 

 

 

 

I was feeling pretty discouraged after reading and crying through Me Before You by Jojo Moyes as Will decided to take the plunge and go with the assisted suicide even though Lou was totally in love with him and him with her. It broke my heart into a million itty bitty pieces.

It took me a full week to recover before I could begin the sequel, After You which followed Lou's life after Will ended his. It was REALLY hard to see Lou so low. I didn't even recognize her on the page, if that makes any sense. After traveling to Paris to be able to read the letter Will wrote to her (those were the rules), receiving some money so that she could really start to live, Lou ended up in London, living in a flat she barely furnished because she felt funny using Will's money even though it was given to her with love. She was working a crappy job. On the outs with her family because they disagreed with her decision to be there for Will in Switzerland. And then, she fell off the roof. Now, I'm not going to spoil this one.

 

It took me a minute to adjust to the new Lou, but I'm glad that I gave Moyes a chance because I really did end up loving the book, and who Lou became after Will. 

kombucha brewer's bible.

I am currently on Day 27 of my very first Whole30! I know, so exciting, for me more so than you. Once I got into the swing of things, I started to get more confident in spicing things up a bit. When I received The Big Book of Kombucha to review, I knew it was meant to be.

Whole30 guidelines state that kombuch is allowed, even encouraged if you are careful to read your labels. At $3-$6 a bottle retail, HI, I CAN JUST MAKE IT MYSELF because it's actually easier than you'd think if you have a detailed resource like this one. Kombucha is known for it's amazing health benefits, and can be used in your cooking as well as cocktails. Obviously I'll refrain from the cocktails for a few more days, but this book really does have everything.

We like the probiotic benefits of ‘booch, and we think it makes a fine addition to your Whole30 menu. Just read your labels carefully—sugar listed in the ingredients generally means that it was added after fermentation, and that’s a no-go.  Some varieties, like GT Dave’s Enlightened flavors, have fruits and fruit juices added, which are just fine. - See more at: http://whole30.com/2013/06/the-official-can-i-have-guide-to-the-whole30/#sthash.OMntr6dj.dpuf

We like the probiotic benefits of ‘booch, and we think it makes a fine addition to your Whole30 menu. Just read your labels carefully—sugar listed in the ingredients generally means that it was added after fermentation, and that’s a no-go.  Some varieties, like GT Dave’s Enlightened flavors, have fruits and fruit juices added, which are just fine. - See more at: http://whole30.com/2013/06/the-official-can-i-have-guide-to-the-whole30/#sthash.OMntr6dj.dpuf

We like the probiotic benefits of ‘booch, and we think it makes a fine addition to your Whole30 menu. Just read your labels carefully—sugar listed in the ingredients generally means that it was added after fermentation, and that’s a no-go.  Some varieties, like GT Dave’s Enlightened flavors, have fruits and fruit juices added, which are just fine. - See more at: http://whole30.com/2013/06/the-official-can-i-have-guide-to-the-whole30/#sthash.OMntr6dj.dpuf

We like the probiotic benefits of ‘booch, and we think it makes a fine addition to your Whole30 menu. Just read your labels carefully—sugar listed in the ingredients generally means that it was added after fermentation, and that’s a no-go.  Some varieties, like GT Dave’s Enlightened flavors, have fruits and fruit juices added, which are just fine. - See more at: http://whole30.com/2013/06/the-official-can-i-have-guide-to-the-whole30/#sthash.OMntr6dj.dpuf

We like the probiotic benefits of ‘booch, and we think it makes a fine addition to your Whole30 menu. Just read your labels carefully—sugar listed in the ingredients generally means that it was added after fermentation, and that’s a no-go.  Some varieties, like GT Dave’s Enlightened flavors, have fruits and fruit juices added, which are just fine. - See more at: http://whole30.com/2013/06/the-official-can-i-have-guide-to-the-whole30/#sthash.OMntr6dj.dpuf

We like the probiotic benefits of ‘booch, and we think it makes a fine addition to your Whole30 menu. Just read your labels carefully—sugar listed in the ingredients generally means that it was added after fermentation, and that’s a no-go.  Some varieties, like GT Dave’s Enlightened flavors, have fruits and fruit juices added, which are just fine. - See more at: http://whole30.com/2013/06/the-official-can-i-have-guide-to-the-whole30/#sthash.OMntr6dj.dpuf

Kombucha: Read your labels
We like the probiotic benefits of ‘booch, and we think it makes a fine addition to your Whole30 menu. Just read your labels carefully—sugar listed in the ingredients generally means that it was added after fermentation, and that’s a no-go.  Some varieties, like GT Dave’s Enlightened flavors, have fruits and fruit juices added, which are just fine.
- See more at: http://whole30.com/2013/06/the-official-can-i-have-guide-to-the-whole30/#sthash.OMntr6dj.dpuf

Kombucha: Read your labels
We like the probiotic benefits of ‘booch, and we think it makes a fine addition to your Whole30 menu. Just read your labels carefully—sugar listed in the ingredients generally means that it was added after fermentation, and that’s a no-go.  Some varieties, like GT Dave’s Enlightened flavors, have fruits and fruit juices added, which are just fine.
- See more at: http://whole30.com/2013/06/the-official-can-i-have-guide-to-the-whole30/#sthash.OMntr6dj.dpuf

Kombucha: Read your labels
We like the probiotic benefits of ‘booch, and we think it makes a fine addition to your Whole30 menu. Just read your labels carefully—sugar listed in the ingredients generally means that it was added after fermentation, and that’s a no-go.  Some varieties, like GT Dave’s Enlightened flavors, have fruits and fruit juices added, which are just fine.
- See more at: http://whole30.com/2013/06/the-official-can-i-have-guide-to-the-whole30/#sthash.OMntr6dj.dpuf

enjoyable read.

There are two terrific storylines in Mary Higgins Clark's latest mystery novel, As Time Goes By. The main plot is a murder trial that involves the socialite wife of an Alzheimer’s victim who is being charged for his murder. Betsy Grant refuses to take a plea deal for the murder of her husband, and is determined to prove her innocence in a trial. The television journalist assigned to the trial, Delaney Wright believes Betsy is innocent and is determined to help, while also juggling her own personal life. She wants to find her birthmother and enlisted her friends Alvirah and Willy (sound familiar?) to help.

It was all a little predictable, but after watching Narcos on Netflix and being scarred for life, I needed a novel that was interesting but didn't give me nightmares, and this was definitely the one.

hi, can i work for netflix?

Attention all bosses, supervisors, and managers! When your employees feel supported and respected, they are more productive, engaged, and achieve MORE at work. In case you didn't know. If your goal is to create a more positive workplace you MUST read David Burkus' latest, Under New Management which includes quotes and tips from companies that are totally killing it.

Chapters are dedicated to concepts such as no longer tracking vacation days (hi Netflix), better focus in the workforce by taking away email distractions, and making salaries transparent. A huge part of this book is taking what you thought were best practices, and changing them. What works for your company may not work for another. What worked in the past, may not work today. You need to take your employees into consideration. Put them first, and watch your business improve and your profits increase. “Great leaders don’t innovate the product, they innovate the factory.”

smith at her finest.

Many of you know Lee Smith from her novels set in Appalachia. This popular author has thrown away fiction for real life, HER real life, in her very first collection of personal essays titled Dimestore: A Writer's Life which came out last month.

These 15 essays are very intimate, very candid, and unlike anything Smith has ever shared with readers. Born in Grundy, Virginia, Smith had an idyllic childhood spending a lot of time in her father’s dimestore from which the book gets its name. She writes of how she became a storyteller in that store, of her loving parents, and of the small town she adored. Getting to know Lee Smith is just as enjoyable as getting to know the characters in her novels.

very motivating.

How cute is Gary Vaynerchuk? Hi, I'm married. Okay, his book #AskGaryVe is perfect for the small business owners, like me, who are almost-maybe-are-thinking-about being ready to go big. It is also perfect for ANY entrepreneur, those of you who want to start your own business, work in digital media, or even have decided to work for someone else. Included is advice on working hard, marketing, social media, personal branding, entrepreneurship, public speaking, things you are afraid to ask someone else about for whatever the reason. If you have questions about how to use social media to expand your business (which I do), the chances of the answer being in this book are super high (and they were). My advice to you, if there is one professional development book you read this year, make it this one.

This is not your average professional development book. Although the world is changing every second, a lot of Gary's advice is timeless. Those of you who listen to his radio show will especially enjoy the audiobook. 12 hours of Gary all to yourself.

lots of feels.

We live in a world where it's not that uncommon to establish friendships without ever meeting. I follow blogs of women around the country that I am positive would be my best friends if we lived in the same area. Social media allows us to get to know people fast. But author Leah Thomas takes us back to the days of pen pals and letter writing in her debut YA novel, Because You'll Never Meet Me.

The entire novel is made up of letters between two boys, Oliver and Mortiz. Ollie is allergic to electricity. He lives in a secluded cabin in the woods because he literally cannot be around it. No cell phones, computers, no Facebook. Ollie's doctor recommended a pen pal relationship with a German teenager, Mortiz who has a pacemaker, among other ailments. They are both lonely, secluded from society in their own ways. And the boys can never actually meet, even if they wanted to. or they could both die. Sounds a little outlandish, but bare with me because this is such a soul-baring remarkable story.

secrets and politics.

America is wildly political all of the sudden, so I thought now's the time to read Tiny Little Thing by Beatriz Williams which follows Christina “Tiny” Hardcastle and her husband, Frank as he runs for a Massachusetts seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. It's 1966, and Tiny has been groomed for this moment, to be the wife of someone great. The perfect young political wife to the perfect young up-and-coming politician. But we all know, no one is as perfect as they seem.

Both Tiny and Frank have their secrets, and if they get out, the picture they have worked so hard to maintain, will shatter. But will that be the worst thing for Tiny?

li'l rip.

There are SO many amazing middle grade novels and graphic novels coming out this year. 12-year-olds are tough customers when it comes to reading, so I am pretty ecstatic to feature the Li'l Rip Haywire Adventures: Escape from Camp Cooties which came out last month. Author, Dan Thompson writes the Rip Haywire graphic novels and I love that he took this popular character back to his childhood to gear his talents toward kids.

Rip isn't your average kid. He gets to join his dad on dangerous international missions, this one being at an all-girls summer camp, where strange things are happening. Following Rip (and his sidekick who is also his dog) as he tries to solve the mystery is hilarious. Your kid will love the story and the illustrations.

clever novel that stands alone.

I never thought I would ever get into Norwegian crime novels until I read The Lion's Mouth by Anne Holt, which is part of her Hanne Wilhelmsen Series that was first published in 1997. Personally I love novels sans smart phones, they are a real treat.

When the prime minister of Norway is found shot in the head, Hanne Wilhelmsen, Chief Inspector of the Norwegian Police must travel back from her leave in California to solve such a shocking crime. And it turns out, more shocking than the crime is the past of the prime minister that starts unraveling once Hanne begins digging.

I love the format of this novel. It's very SVU. Dates, times, locations are documented, which definitely helps readers follow along.

you are what you think.

I believe I mentioned a few months ago that I joined a "bossy lady" group at my church for women entrepreneurs. We meet once a month and read a professional development book each month. March's book, discussed at Friday's meeting was Successful Women Think Differently: 9 Habits to Make You Happier, Healthier, and More Resilient by Valerie Burton.

There was a lot I liked about this book. I do believe that success in anything is mental over physical. If you think you can't do something, you're right. Burton developed 9 attainable habits to help you believe in yourself and achieve your goals, whether in relationships, your health, or your career. There were parts of the book that spoke to me more than others:

• A story about a girl named Meredith who found herself working in such a pessimistic/toxic environment that she started questioning her talents made me think about my first year as a teacher. Meredith changed her environment, and so did I, and we are both better for it.

• "Sometimes sticking it out is not the best option. Sometimes you need to push the resent button and start again."

• Know your WHY.

• "Take a step forward and use the resources that God has already put in your hands." USE YOUR TALENTS. God gave them to you for a reason. Those of you who are wondering if you should take the next step, if it feels right, if you're good at it, that's no coincidence.

• Build a career based on your strengths. Surround yourself with positive people. Happy women are more successful. And most of all, DON'T LET FEAR KEEP YOU FROM BEING WHO YOU WANT TO BE.

There is so much more packed into this book. I highly recommend you read it to find the strategies and habits that speak to you.

if you're considering adoption.

You know that saying, God gave you this life because you are strong enough to live it? Well, what if you're not? Teen suicides are becoming terrifyingly common, and no one really wants to talk about it. Except for John Brooks who lost his teenage daughter to suicide. She was seventeen and jumped off a bridge, leaving her family to wonder why. She wasn't bullied. She was loved. What did everyone miss? That's what The Girl Behind the Door: A Father's Quest to Understand His Daughter's Suicide is all about. 

Casey Brooks, before she was Casey Brooks was abandoned at birth in Poland. She was in an orphanage for 14 months before John and his wife, Erika adopted her. The rest of her life seemed fine, but she was suffering from attachment disorder. Although it's unlikely she fully remembered those early years, Casey never felt secure because she began her life neglected, abused, with no primary caregiver. As she grew up, she couldn't accept the love she was given because that part of her was broken. This is a very real story that honors Casey, her struggle, and will now help others going through the same.