"i won't eat anything that casts a shadow."

I have reviewed more than one vegan cookbook on here and I enjoy mixing things up with some of the recipes I have found in said cookbooks, but going full on vegan, that's extremely overwhelming. I mean, right? Give me all the recipes you want, but I need to know how I am going to eat on the road, out to dinner, while living a normal human being life. Elizabeth Castoria gets all sorts of realistic in her book titled How to Be Vegan: Tips, Tricks and Strategies for Cruelty Free Eating, Living, Dating, Travel, Decorating, and More!

Castoria somehow makes becoming a vegan sound fun as she goes through the motions in a nonjudgmental way, explaining her 159 strategies to living a life without animal products. She does begin by saying that it is impossible to live in today's world and not come in contact with animal products in some fashion. So don't waste your time being a crazy person, and focus on the changes that will make the biggest impact in your life, and those changes will help change our world. Every little bit helps. Still skeptical? Watch any factory farm video on YouTube and you'll have no issues dropping meat from your plate, and your life, and you'll probably begin having nightmares. OR you could just keep reading through the book and discover that you don't have to go full vegan to make a difference in your health and the planet.

short and hysterical.

Funny man/musician/author Todd Snider and I have a few things in common, We are both hilarious, we both sing like angels, and neither of us have met a story we didn't like. He even wrote a book about that last one. I Never Met A Story I Didn't Like: Mostly True Tall Tales by Todd Snider where he uses his gift of storytelling (is there anything this guy can't do?) to share tidbits about his life. Readers are taken behind the scenes into Snider's life as a musician. The drugs, the song writing, the concerts, and the hilariousness. It's honestly impossible to not be entertained, no matter who you are. Those who are familiar with Snider, this book reads like his between song banter. Those who aren't familiar with Snider, I assure you, you do not need to be on drugs to enjoy this read. Unless you want to. I'm not here to judge.

we could all use a little psychotherapy.

I could read about human behavior all day everyday. Whatever I can get my hands on, I devour it. My most recent gem is psychoanalyst Stephen Grosz's first book titled The Examined Life which is drawn from his day-to-day practice with real life patients. Every chapter is titled with a truth or a subject such as hate (for example) and every truth or subject is backed up by specific case histories. More examples, why parents envy their children and how the fear of loss can cause us to lose everything. And the most interesting one in my opinion, how praise can cause a loss of confidence. Whoa. I kind of feel like that one had a little bit of me in it.  

I enjoyed Grosz's storytelling about his patients and their unique situations. I've always been curious about why people do what they do. For example, why have I been eating like a savage two and a half weeks before my wedding when I know I have to fit into my wedding dress? Well because I'm an idiot, obviously. But there must be more to it than that. I need a therapist.

middle school smarts.

For those of you who's kids were huge fans of A.K.A. Genius, Marilee Haynes recently came out with the sequel to the popular faith-based middle school series, titled Genius Under Construction.

Gabe Carpenter is now in the eighth grade, moving past most of his problems as a seventh grader in the previous book and jumping right into new ones. His with relationship with one of his best friends, Maya is changing as most boy/girl friendships do at this age. He's having the worst luck with his community service project, a hyper 4th grader who is impossible to tutor. And Gabe's also trying to work his butt off to get into a special high school designed for students who excel in math and science, but is having second thoughts because the idea of a new high school with none of his friends by his side is a bit daunting.

What I love about Haynes is that each character she develops is different, and may have some quirks, but she always brings to the forefront their special gifts, showing middle schoolers that being different isn't always a bad thing.

another gift for your female grad.

Girls. When you turn 18, it's all over for you. Okay, not really. But you do have some choices to make. Like where to go to college and what passions to pursue. Finding your purpose can be a little overwhelming. Your life is no longer mommy and daddy's responsibility, it's your own.  And that can be fricken terrifying.

In 2008 Alexis Jones co-founded the National non-profit organization I AM THAT GIRL to address the growing need for community for girls and young women by helping to build self-esteem and realize their full potential. That is what her book, I Am That Girl: How to Speak Your Truth, Discover Your Purpose, and #bethatgirl is all about. I wish a book like this was around 10 years ago, I could have used it as I still don't really know what I want to be when I grow up, and I'm too scared to pursue my bigger dreams for real at this stage in the game. Alexis throws some tough love into this helpful guide revolved around discovering your purpose, and gives the type of advice that many high school grads NEED to hear.

finding peace in the city that never sleeps.

I love NY. I know, everyone says that, and wears t-shirts about it. But I really, really do. It's one of my favorite places to visit as manfriend and I have so many memories together there earlier on in our relationship doing the whole long distance thing. If you have to do long distance, one of you should be in NYC. It's common knowledge that NY is busy, busy. That's why so many people love it. There are times though when a little peace and quiet would be nice. Siobhan Wall has created a resource of over 120 quiet places to spend your time in Quiet New York.

Quiet New York could be useful to tourists, but it was really made for the frazzled New Yorkers who can't find a quiet place to just think, or read, or meet a friend, or have a date. Included are quiet museums, peaceful gardens, waterfront parks, libraries, cafes, etc. Places you wouldn't think to look to just sit and relax. Because, who relaxes in the liveliest city in the world? Siobhan Wall apparently, and her "travel resource" is such a treasure, and the photography is just gorgeous.

i just fell in love.

I am just going to come right out and say it. I fell in love with The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry and I don't care who knows it! No but really, author Gabrielle Zevin writes for readers, you can tell right away. And I adore an author who writes for me.

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry is a narrative about the love and life of books, and the magical story about a man who tended to them. A grumpy but lovable widower named A. J. Fikry who owns a bookstore called Island Books on Alice Island in New England. His life has been quite empty since the death of his wife, his sales are dwindling, but life is about to change for the man when his prized copy of a rare Poe book is stolen, a baby is abandoned in the store, and he is befriended by a publishing agent. All three of these events drastically turn a sad life into an enchanting one. The titles that A. J.  carries in his shop alone will result in a personal connection to you and this story. Promise.