“The Bee-Friendly Garden” by Kate Frey and Gretchen Lebuhn

Thoroughly researched and well organized, this book is a must for any gardener.  From the full color pictures of flowers and bees to the helpful tips, this book is an excellent reference.  Most know that bees are good for the earth.  However, few may know the precise scientific reasons.  Both authors explain these concepts in a way that is accurate yet easy to follow.  There are also explanations on the different species of bee—I didn’t even know there was more than one type of bee!  The authors also distinguish between what type of greenery to have in geographic locations and seasons / temperatures.  Beyond flowers, there are sections on shrubbery and different types of trees.  Readers will learn how to keep their garden sustainable and how to attract the helpful flying workers.  For those scared of bees, they can plant greenery that will attract stinger-free bees.  Helping out bees will not only aid the world agricultural system but it will also help pollinate your garden to keep it looking its best!

“Little One, God Loves You” by Amy Warren Hilliker and Illustrated by Polona Lovsin

This little wooden book is simply adorable.  A baby rabbit (or bunny as my mother likes to say) skedaddles through the story.  This little soul learns how it is loved by God, family, and friends.  There is even the theme of sharing and helping others incorporated into this book.  Each set of left/right page has a simple two line where each line rhymes.  The pictures are full color and reminiscent of oil color painting.  My favorite image is of the bunny on its back in a bed of flowers with a butterfly hovering just above.  This book is perfect for right before bedtime or any time readers (young and old alike) could use a pick-me-up.  Who doesn't like feeling all warm and fuzzy while being reminded how much God loves them?

"Bride and Prejudice" directed by Gurinder Chadha

This witty comedy is sure to keep you laughing.  As any Bollywood inspired movie would do, it  starts off with extravagant singing and dancing.  Oh, and, there is plenty more theatrical outbreaks into song as the movie progresses.  This story is based off of the classic Pride and Prejudice but has an Indian twist.  Indian Lolita thinks that British Darcy is too privileged and that he looks down on common Indian women.  The characters have plenty of conflict and eventually come together at the end of the story in a marriage.  There is drama from other suitors and Lolita's sisters, as well.  This film has elements of romance but nothing graphic.  The story is sweet and hilarious all at the same time.  Personally, I loved all the colorful Indian costumes!

"Aircraft Safety" by Shari Stamford Krause, Ph.D

From bad weather to poor crew collaboration to improper communication with ATC to mechanical failures to spotty maintenance, this book explains how and why many airplanes throughout history have crashed.  Chapters begin by explaining key topics.   For example, what type of maintenance checks are there, and what is a runway excursion?  From there, there are plenty of case studies for analyze.  While this book is pretty exhaustive when it comes to data, my main complaint is that it was too text heavy.  There were lots of places in this book where pictures would have helped a lot more than words.  For example, when explaining different types of clouds, diagrams would have worked.   And for writing about accidents, a visual would have sufficed.  Perhaps I have been spoiled from my ground school textbook that is full color with plenty of pictures to explain concepts in 3D.  For those interested in aircraft safety, I would forgo  this book and go to http://lessonslearned.faa.gov that has more pictures and clarity when it comes to aviation accidents.

"The Martian" by Andy Weir

After a deadly storm messes up American's mission to Mars, Mark is left behind.  His crew thinks he is deceased when he was really just knocked unconscious.  When Mark comes to, he realizes he is alone.  After the shock wears off, Mark sets to calculating how long he can survive with his given supplies.  He also tries to communicate with earth and survive long enough until the next Mission to Mars arrives.  From using solar cells to manipulating satellite radios to coding space software and more, Mark has his hands full.  He even makes his own garden and uses chemical reactions to create water for sustenance.  While this story of survival has lots of adventure, I really did not like the protagonist.  He seemed too sarcastic and crude--qualities I do not enjoy in a character.  Not a choice pick from me.

"Emotional Freedom" by Judith Orloff, M.D.

Ever felt down and out?  Like you are stuck and want to get better?  This book will really help open your eyes to what emotional captivity and freedom look like.  What I really enjoyed about this book is not only how practical it is (using real world examples), but also that it combines science and spirituality.  In today's culture, most people who are upset get prescribed pills to make them better.  While that may be necessary on some of the population who truly have chemical brain imbalances, most people really need spirituality.  Spirituality can come from yoga, meditation, prayer, church, synagogue, counseling, therapy, tai chi, etc.  While Judith believes in God (so do I), she is not pushy in her book.  For those who are averse to spirituality, she encourages them to connect with a force of love and compassion--we can all benefit from doing this instead of mentally critiquing ourselves in our heads.  I think Judith is more convincing due to the medical background.  If she were not a licensed psychiatrist, some may not make all this stuff seriously.  However, given her credentials, readers have no reason not to take the advice in this book 100% serious.  And they will be glad they did!  Furthermore, different personality types are chronicled.  There are even quizzes in the book to help readers determine what situation they are in and what type of personality they [and others] have.  For me, I combined what I learned in Judith's book to understand that I am an empath (I absorb other people's emotions).  I was feeling tired and realized this only happened when I was around a victim emotional vampire (someone who is negative and complains a lot).  I realized that for my own emotional health that I had to distance myself from my negative friend and instead surround myself with positive energy (5Ks for example).  In the second half of the book, there are clear ways to switch negative emotions to positive ones.  Readers will learn how to transform vices such as jealousy, anger, and depression into hope, compassion, and self esteem.  This book also has a helpful index and list of references for those curious.  So, if someone wanted to read up on the mirror neuron science that Judith mentioned, they can easily find where to do that. 

"Beyond DRES" by DRES Stylists

This book is written by six personal stylists.  It discusses practical and easy ways to be more confident.  Confidence is the main objective.  There is no secret formula or must-buy outfit recommended.  Yes, there is a plug to consult one of the DRES stylists for personal help.  However, the underlying theme is for women to find what makes them beautiful and wear that.  Also, readers will find introspection as they are faced with the hard questions of: Who am I?  What is my style saying to the world?  How do I want to be portrayed?  From cleaning out closets to journaling to meditating to analyzing body types and more, this book has it all.  I also appreciate how it is mentioned that not every color and outfit is good on every complexion and body type.  There is also wonderful advice of buying clothes that fit you NOW.  Do not wait until you lose weight.  If you lose weight, great for you.  However, you deserve to look and feel beautiful NOW.  Great book and great stylists! 

"Arranged" directed by Stefan Schaefer and Diane Crespo

In this delightful film, an Orthodox Jew and Muslim become friends.  They both share experiences and bond over their arranged marriage experiences, which--surprisingly--are not too different.  Both girls are school teachers in New York City and learn how to be inclusive in their religious lives.  There is much comedy included in the film.  Most of the laughs come from the suitors.  The girls meet / go on dates with potential matches.  Some are significantly older than them, some are narcissistic, some can barely talk, some are very shy, and so forth.  What's great is that this film highlights the experience of an arranged marriage while being unbiased.  The women have a choice in who they marry (no one is forced), and they do become happy with the outcome.  The film is very well done and a classsic.

"Superfoods Every Day" by Sue Quinn

Every wondered what superfoods are and how to incorporate them into your diet?  This book uses scientific yet simple terms to explain all of that.  There are even helpful illustrations to illustrate what different superfoods do in the body.  As for the recipes, those are really nice.  The smoothies and salads are especially delicious...and easy to make!  What I love about this book is the pictures.  On the left page, there is a picture of all the ingredients you need for a recipe laid out.  On the right page, there is a picture of the final product.  The recipes also highlight which superfoods are used and how they aid the body in health.  The physical instructions are in paragraph from yet are kept short.  This book has a good balance.  The recipes aren't just normal food with superfoods mixed in.  Neither are the recipes just superfoods with nothing else.  From breakfast to sides to snacks to meals, this book will help you learn to cook and get more healthy food into your system!

"All Aboard the Ark" by Zondervan

This children's book is downright adorable.  Told from the point-of-view of animals, readers learn about Noah's ark.  While Noah himself is not really mentioned--or people in general--the animals take center stage.  They playfully board the ark, clean up, exercise, share, and hope in God.  The words in this book are very large font and following a rhyming pattern.  The illustrations are cute and look like watercolor art.  The pages are wooden and have a sturdy feel to them.  At the very end of the book, the animals go to sleep and have sweet dreams.

"I am Malala" by Malala Yousafzai

This girl is downright remarkable.  She stood up for women's education in Pakistan.  Faced with the Taliban--an extremist Muslim group that declared it illegal for girls to go to school--Malala stood her ground.  She never gave up, even after she was shot in the face by a Taliban terrorist.  Malala's dream is for education for girls...and boys.  Wherever schools close their doors, ignorance opens its own.  What was most touching was how Malala stood by her faith.  I am not a Muslim, but I admire how she kept praying to God even as other Muslims were being extremely violent towards her.  Regardless of how others portrayed religion, Malala knew there was a real God who loved her and cared about her.  That is really amazing.  At the end of the book, there is Malala's speech to the UN.

“Mockingjay” by Suzanne Collins

 This is the final book in the Hunger Games trilogy.  Like the two that came before it, this book was excellently written and kept me anxiously turning the pages.  Here, Katniss has thwarted the Capitol once again—this time by destroying the Hunger Games arena force field.  Taken up in a rebel hovercraft, however, she is separated from her partner Peeta who was captured by the Capitol.  Working with the rebels to overthrown the Capitol and trying to save Peeta begin to conflict.  Katniss’ personal struggles ensue when she must be the face of the rebellion as the Mockingjay and put on a front for camera that record her propaganda tapes.  The issue of who Katniss will choose—Peeta or Gale—as her boyfriend is not easily predicted, and the personality of all the characters does change a bit due to post traumatic stress syndrome of the Hunger Games and being in a war.  There is some violence and romance in this book, but it is not at all graphic.  I find this book suitable for youth but parents are suggested to use their own discretion.  All in all, this is an excellent read with a good twist at the end.  Well done, Suzanne Collins.  Well done.

"Fill the Void" directed by Rama Burshtein

This film is breathtakingly honest and the viewer will feel like they are in the living room of this Orthodox community.  Esther is Shira's sister.  Esther married Yochay and had a baby named Mordecai.  However, Esther died in childbirth.  Yochay is propositioned to marry a widow in Belguim, but Mordecai's grandmother doesn't want Yochay to move away.  So, an idea forms--for Shira to marry her late sister's widower.  Shira is eighteen but still considerably younger than Yochay.  She is torn between her personal interests and the desire to fulfill her family's wishes.  From the cover of the DVD, viewers already know that Shira married Yochay.  However, what is really worth watching is the emotion.  Viewers will be left with their own questions as they ruminate on this movie.  The film is rated PG and it is in Hebrew with English subtitles.

"Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

Book 2 in the Hunger Games trilogy is as fast paced and suspenseful as the first.  The story begins right where the previous one left off.  There is no time wasted explaining all of book 1, but the reader is able to catch on fairly quickly.  In this saga, the protagonist Katniss is forced to marry Peeta.  Both have professed love for each other on screen to aid in their survival of their first Hunger Games.  However, Katniss is confused as she weighs the feelings she has for Peeta with those of her male friend Gale at home.  When Katniss and Peeta think that violence is over for them, they are pulled once more into their second Hunger Games together.  Readers will discover how Peeta and Katniss make it out alive and what the Districts are doing or not doing to aid in a rebellion against the cruel Capitol.  Can't wait to read Book 3 next!   

"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

The popular book 1 trilogy that made history in the box office is a phenomenal read.  The book tells the story of Katniss in Panem.  The Hunger Games are a cruel show where the elite are entertianed when poor people literally fight to the death for extra food rations.  Worst of all, the games are for children.  When Katniss' younger sister is picked for the Hunger Games from the lottery, she volunteers in her place.  Katniss is not the only one from her area who goes.  Peeta, a baker's son, also attends from District 12.  Both play off a love story to win pledges.  With pledges, wealthy people send supplies like food and medicine to contestants in the Hunger Games.  Throughout the story, readers see Katniss fall for Peeta.  Katniss thinks it is all a show for the games but the reader is left wondering if Peeta really loves Katniss.  In the end, there is a huge twist that I will not give away.  All in all, this is an action-packed age-turner.  There is no graphic romance, and the violence in the book is kept to a minimum.

"My Name Is Mahtob" by Mahtob Mahmoody

It is in the early years of life that most people are shaped.  For Mahtob Mahmoody, she had the unfortunate experience of being kidnapped.  Her family was all smiles until her father became an extreme Muslim and brought the family to Iran.  Once in that foreign land, women were expected to cover and obey Sharia Law.  Sadly, Mahtob's mother was the victim of domestic abuse.  By the grace of God, Mahtob and her mother manage to escape to America.  But the story doesn't just end there.  Mahtob continues her tale by writing about her adolescence and adulthood.  The fact that this child could grow up to be so successful and optimistic is a miracle in and of itself.  This book shows how anyone can move on from their ugly past and not let the woes of yesterday affect the sunshine of tomorrow.  

"Instant Happy Journal: 365 Days of Inspiration, Gratitude, and Joy" by Karen Salmansohn

When I first got this journal, I was excited because I like writing.  However, I was a bit cautious from the title.  After all, how can a journal make somebody happy--I mean, truly happy?  But once I started to read and write, I realized this book isn't a one-all cure for those feeling down.  Rather, it is a guide to redirect one's thoughts from negativity to positivist.  Inspirational quotes and discussion prompts force the reader to change his or her frame of mind.  Those who journal in this book will learn how to look on the bright side.  There will be laughs, snickers, and some soul-searching journal entries.  Great gift for the new year.  

"5-Minute Bedtime Treasury" by Precious Moments

This full-color hardcover book is the perfect addition for any bedside bureau.  There is a section of stories on the Old Testament, the New Testament (for Christians), and a chunk of wisdom stories mostly from the books of Psalms / Proverbs.  The language is very simple in big font, so it is good for young readers.  The illustrations are simply adorable from well-known precious moments characters.  From little children praying together to adorable animals traipsing along, each image is too cute for words.  My favorite illustrations are those of the guardian angels.  Youngsters will learn about the parting of the sea, Joseph's multicolored coat, Solomon's wisdom, Christian parables from Jesus, and more.  Popular prayers such as the Our Father and The Lord is My Shepherd are adapted for young ones.  Overall, this is a nice book, and I would argue it is for readers of all ages.  

"The Knot: Outdoor Weddings" by Carley Roney

I am not married, engaged, or otherwise "taken."  So, why did I choose to review this book?  Quite honestly, because the cover had a beautiful flower arrangement...and I love flowers.  Reading through the pages of various outdoor wedding descriptions was great.  However, what I really enjoyed was the full-covered beautiful pictures.  From dresses to flowers to outdoor seating arrangements to food and more, everything is breathtakingly beautiful.  Also interesting is the fact that the author did not just design face, less weddings.  Rather, each theme of outdoor wedding has an actual couple attached to it.  Readers will see real-world examples of what other people did.  There are weddings on the waterfront, in tropical destinations, on country club properties, and more.  In terms of diversity, there are various examples of weddings.  There are interracial couples and even gay couples features.  Religion-wise, there are Christian weddings, Jewish weddings, and a mixed Hindi wedding.  This hefty hardcover book will make a great gift for your bride-to-be.  Best of all, in the back of the book, there is a timeline of advice for what to do 12 months before the wedding, 3 months before the wedding, and all the way to the day-of.

"He's Just Not That Into You" by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo

I got this book at a book swap, and it was a fun read.  The chapters are short and rather comical.  But, most of all, the advice it gives is spot on.  Too often, women can stress over whether or not a guy likes them or why a potential mate is acting a certain way.  This book gives the sad reality that most men are simply not interested and are too afraid to say so.  So, if a man does not make a blatant and concentrated effort to contact a woman, odds are he is "just not that into them."  This does not mean the woman is ugly or of poor character.  It just means the guy sees the woman more as a friend than a romantic interest.  I understand this.  I have a close male friend who I hear from once every few months.  This does not upset me in the least because we are just friends.  I am not attracted to him because I am not attracted to Asians; and he is not attracted to me because he likes plump women.  Neither of us are bad-looking or obnoxious--we simply only view the other as friends.  Since we are only friends, the sporadic contact is fine.  If we were romantically involved, it would be unacceptable.  And that's what this book advices.  If a guy is not going out of his way to contact a woman, he only views her as a friend.  However, if a guy has made romantic interests clear but is not going out of his way to contact the woman, the woman ought to dump him.  If I can sum up this book in a phrase, it is, "do not settle."