Getting Pregnant the Natural Way - Deborah Gordon, M.D

D.S Feingold and Deborah Gordon M.D

Pages: 272

Published: October 30th 2000 by John Wiley & Sons

Genre: Non-Fiction/ Health/ Conception

Format: Paperback

Finished: 20^th March 2012

Recommended: Yes – 5 star

Acquired: Local Library – Must buy.

Synopsis:

Natural and alternative methods women can use to become pregnant are explored in this guidebook that kicks off a series of new books on natural methods and therapies for women.

Review Thoughts:

This book was by far one of the most helpful and life altering Non-Fiction books I have ever read. Covering everything I needed to know with an approach that I am comfortable with this book was a bible with finding an alternative to my current health related ailments and how to get on top of them in the most natural ways that are both beneficial for pregnancy, but also beneficial for overall lasting health.

For anyone with Infertility or suffering from a reproductive illness, this book is definitely for you. Ranging in issues from Herbal remedies to vitamins, mind and body, information and exercise suggestions this was a gem right when I needed it and I will certainly be buying this book for myself. It was extensive, easy to understand; it has examples of programs used by professionals in several fields and had an overall positive message; You can get pregnant, and even those who cannot when medically declared infertile still have the chance and choices to mend that.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Pages: 366

Published: July 10th 2004 by Bloomsbury Publishing (1998)

Format: Paperback

Genre: Fantasy/ Y.A

Date Finished: 27^th February 2012

Synopsis:

Harry can't wait for his holidays with the dire Dursleys to end. But a small, self-punishing house-elf warns Harry of mortal danger awaiting him at Hogwarts School. Returning to the castle nevertheless, Harry hears a rumor about a chamber of secrets, holding unknown horrors for wizards of Muggle parentage. Now someone is casting spells that paralyze people, making them seem dead, and a terrible warning is found painted on the wall. The chief suspect - and always in the wrong place - is Harry. But something much darker has yet to be unleashed

Review/ Thoughts:

Flying cars, whopping willows, house elf’s, potions, ghosts, death and a the return of Voldemort what’s not to love about the second novel in the wonderful and famous Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. I remember carrying this book around [not the one I own now] with me everywhere and reading it till the point my mother had to double contact it so the cover wouldn’t fall to pieces. Then I lost it at school and it felt like death to me.

Now re-reading the series I could not wait to pick up one of my favorites, if not my favorite of the whole series. I still laugh and cry every time I read this book, especially during the end and Dobby is one of my favorite characters. Every time I read this book I am amazed at the strength in Rowling’s writing that I was able to maintain that same enjoyment that I experienced during the first book and I expect the following books in this series. If you haven’t already it is a no brainer to go pick it up and give it a try.

★★★★★

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Confessions of a Shopaholic - Sophie Kinsella # 1

· Pages: 450

· Published: August 8th 2005 by Dell

· Genre: Women’s Fiction/ Chick-lit

· Format: Mass Market Paperback

· Date Finished: 17^th February 2012

Synopsis:

MEET BECKY BLOOMWOOD, AN IRRESISTIBLE HEROINE WITH A BIG HEART, BIG DREAMS --- AND JUST ONE LITTLE WEAKNESS ...

Becky Bloomwood has what most twenty-five-year-olds only dream of: a flat in London's trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season's must-haves. The only trouble is, she can't actually afford it --- not any of it. Her job writing at Successful Saving magazine not only bores her to tears, it doesn't pay much at all. Still, how can she resist that perfect pair of shoes? Or the divine silk blouse in the window of that ultra-trendy boutique? But lately Becky's been chased by dismal letters from Visa and the Endwich Bank --- letters with large red sums she can't bear to read --- and they're getting ever harder to ignore. She tries cutting back; she even tries making more money. But none of her efforts succeeds. Her only consolation is to buy herself something ... just a little something ...

Finally, a story arises that Becky actually cares about, and her front-page article catalyzes a chain of events that will transform her life --- and the lives of those around her --- forever

Review/ Thoughts:

To kick start our book club over at my collaborative channel with Debra we decided to read the first book in the Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella. What a rollercoaster ride of emotions it has been for me, reformed kleptomaniac and self- confessed impulse shopper. Reading about Rebecca Bloomwood and her hilarious and outrageous story was like offering me a whole new world of shopping while teaching me some very important lessons as well- the biggest being; Never ever get a credit card.

Finally a character I can identify with to hilarious levels. The way she rationalizes and is impulsive is something I myself have had to deal with when it comes to shopping and this alone I can guarantee would resonate with all of us at some point in our lives. But she is not just wild and outrageous. Becky has a good heart and was for the most part always doing something that would benefit the people around her or at least trying to save them some pain. However there were times when she was downright selfish and I wanted to slap her or shake some sense into her and for this reason I highly enjoyed her character because she had me laughing, and crying and cringing and flipping the pages fast enough to give me paper cuts.

I loved everything about this novel from its characters to the situations Becky put herself into and of course the slow coming romance that draws you in. I was glad that the overall romance aspect of the novel did not saturate the rest of the story and I loved Becky’s journey through realizing that she has a problem till the end where we are not quite sure what is going to happen.

Sophie Kinsella’s writing is so easy to read and yet full of everything I look for in a chick-lit. I will admit there were times when I had to put the book down because it was stressful reading about the hole she was digging for herself and her shopping sprees [I scoured Amazon for a lot of free books while reading this book] However I loved every minute of it and I am eagerly awaiting time to read the next book in the series Shopaholic Abroad.I would certainly recommend this to anyone who loves a good chick-lit with a little more meat to it.

Check out our Collaborative Channel which is all about Women reading Women’s Fiction.

★★★★★

Brewing Tea Bag

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight- Jennifer E. Smith

. Pages: Hardcover, 215 pages

· Published: Published January 2nd 2012 by Poppy

· Genre: Contemporary/ Y.A

· Date Finished: 7^th January 2012

· Rating/ Recommendation: 5 Stars *****

Synopsis:

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

Review:

First of all let’s talk about the cover- OMG it is stunning it its simplicity and I could not leave this book on my shelf for less than 12 hours before I had to pick it up. Honestly I wasn’t anticipating it. I read about it briefly, ordered it and checked it of my list of contemporary books to read, but when I received it in the mail; I stared at it all day and could not wait to start reading it.

Let me tell you I was in dying need of this book, after reading such intense plot’s it was nice to read something a little lighter yet certainly not lacking in story at all. The situation Hadley put herself in is believable and almost fairytale like because I can certainly say the only time I ever met someone while travelling my air they took up more seats than need be and let me tell you there was no love lost there.

The perspective and writing style is not typical. Instead it’s almost a he said she said storyline. While it took a few pages to get comfortable it was refreshing and a really great change. I loved the humor, the quirkiness and emotion in Jennifer’s writing and for the most part I could not stop the goofy smile tugging at my lips. I was feel good.

The story also alternates between the past and the present as the reason for Hadley’s trip unravels and her story as well as Oliver’s build and blend together as they journey across to London. I was glad that these transitions were seamless and were packed with great character insight.

I loved this book from start to finish even though there were some slow parts. It was the perfect start to my contemporary reading challenge and I would certainly recommend you get your hands on a copy as soon as possible. As a believer in love at first sight I appreciated the romance elements of this novel, but for those who dislike that kind of romance you might have a hard time falling in love with the story. Still whatever you believe it is worth the read.