Book Towns by Alex Johnson

Book Towns by Alex Johnson details 40+ book loving towns from the world over. Full of gorgeous photos, each town entry provides history, as well as practical advice for those wishing to visit the locales. From the UK and Norway, to Japan and India, thirty countries are covered, each known for their love of literature.

I loved flipping through, looking at the pictures, and reading the history of each town. I’m not a huge travel fan, but now I’d really like to visit some of these lovely cities. This is the perfect coffee table book, especially for the travel loving bookworm!  

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

Reiki Insights by Frans Stiene

Reiki Insights by Frans Stiene is divided into many short chapters. Each can be read independently, offering food for meditation. Rather than covering the how-to of Reiki, this book covers the why and what of this distinctive energy system. Here you will find no technique, no using such symbol when, and the manner of drawing them. You will find the important lessons of trusting in yourself, of not falling into strict dogma, but learning your own flow. I especially loved this analogy with the notion of trees swaying in the wind.

It did seem rather repetitive at times, with the same topic or issue threading through several chapters, saying the same things over and over. Or in repeating the precepts in most every chapter making it feel it is for beginners, yet it clearly wasn’t a beginner book. As a person who knows Reiki, it became tiresome after a while. However, part of this is that, in reviewing it, I read straight through. This is a book meant to be read piecemeal, and not necessarily in order. Great addition to any energy healer’s library.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and John Hunt Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

The New Social Story Book, Revised & Expanded by Carol Gray

The New Social Story Book, Revised & Expanded by Carol Gray is geared towards children on the autism spectrum, their family and caregivers, and their peers. There is a tutorial section at the beginning, going over each of the criteria of what makes a Social Story™, and how to create new ones for your own child, or class. Sections follow that cover a variety of ages, and/or skill sets. These stories may be tailored to fit your own childrens’ needs, and that is encouraged since each child is different. So, consider them templates or guidelines. There are sections on self-care, coping with change, dealing with feelings, among many others. This would be great to have in every classroom that works with kids in the spectrum.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Future Horizons for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

 

Improper Cross-stitch (Sampler II) by Haley Pierson-Cox

With clear instructions to guide both fledgling and advanced cross-stitchers, Pierson-Cox’s Improper Cross-stitch provides plenty of snark and hilarity. Find the perfect piece to express your true feelings in humourous fashion! While I myself do not cross-stitch, it requiring greater vision than I can provide, I enjoyed flipping through the designs. My sister does cross-stitch, and I plan to get her a copy. I loved the cover, with its mooning gnome. My favourite, though, was the cat lady design.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.