When Your Kid Is Hurting by Dr Kevin Leman

When Your Kid Is Hurting by Dr Kevin Leman ISBN-13: 9780800723064 Hardcover: 273 pages Publisher: Revell Released: Sept. 4, 2018

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Children today live in an unpredictable, disruptive, and often violent world. Whether your child is dealing with a difficult family situation, bullies, the loss of friends, the death of a loved one, discrimination, abuse, a teen pregnancy, or even just trying to make sense of what they see in the news, this compassionate and practical book will help parents equip them to process, learn from, and rise above their situation.

Rather than seek to save them from the hard things, parents must teach their kids how to cope with and rise above their problems. Internationally known psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Kevin Leman shows parents how to be good listeners, tell the truth even when it's difficult, find balance between being protective and being overprotective, approach hurt and injustice as a learning experience rather than fostering a victim mentality, and much more.


My Review:
When Your Kid Is Hurting is a parenting advice book. The first half of the book looked at some things that parents should and shouldn't do when their kids are facing tough situations. The author also briefly covered issues that your child might hear and worry about (like a school shooting, rape, gang violence, discrimination, etc.) or might face (like divorce, adoption, abuse, pregnancy, bullying and cyber bullying, betrayal by a best friend, grief, etc.) and suggested some things you might say to help your child.

The second half of the book was Q&A: questions that people have asked the author regarding their specific situations and his responses. They were about common situations that you may also deal with. If you've read some of the author's other books, the advice might sound familiar, or at least similar. The advice was generally was good.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Painting with Bob Ross by Bob Ross Inc

Painting with Bob Ross by Bob Ross Inc. ISBN-13: 9781633226524 Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing Released: Oct. 9, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In 1982, The Joy of Painting made its debut on public television. The unrehearsed, unedited show soon became a favorite among aspiring artists and painters. Almost 40 years and 403 episodes after his on-air debut, and decades after his untimely passing, Bob Ross still has enormous global popularity.

Painting with Bob Ross introduces you to the tools and materials you need to paint beautiful landscapes, as well as basic painting techniques, such as how to load your brush and how to paint with a knife. Following the introduction are 16 painting projects, each with a complete list of tools and materials needed and instructions for preparing the canvas. Jump into painting with step one, then follow the full-color painting progressions and clearly written instructions until you’ve reached the final step. This is the only Bob Ross book with all-color images.

Throughout this book, Bob’s quotes encourage you to keep going. You can paint graceful mountains, ocean waves crashing onto rocks, a winter cabin, a lakeside path, a deep forest river, and many more breathtaking views.


My Review:
I grew up watching The Joy of Painting. Bob Ross made oil painting look so magical. His encouraging words have stuck with me. He's the reason that I started painting (though not just oil painting) as an adult. I'd highly recommend his videos, though I'll mention his system requires that you buy his brand of paint and tools if you want to follow his methods exactly.

Painting with Bob Ross shows how to paint 16 of Bob Ross' paintings. The book started by describing the basic techniques of how to load the brush and such and then how to paint a basic tree, mountain, etc. This section was clearly explained, though it's even easier to follow if you can watch Bob Ross do it on a video. The 16 paintings are signed Bob Ross paintings, which suggested to me that there might be videos showing Ross painting them. Yup. I put several of the painting's titles into YouTube (like "Bob Ross Forest River") and it pulled up the original PBS video showing Bob Ross painting the scene. You can watch every step fully explained and demonstrated in real time on the video. Happiness!

So is the book still useful? It tended to have steps like, "Use these colors to make a dark green and follow the tree technique to create a line of trees at the base of the mountain." The accompanying illustration showed what the end result should approximately look like. Basically, if you're familiar with Bob Ross' method, this book should be fairly easy to follow and will help you produce a wide variety of landscapes. If you're a complete beginner or have no idea who Bob Ross is, you might be better off watching the videos.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Kumihimo Wirework Made Easy by Christina Larsen

Kumihimo Wirework Made Easy by Christina Larsen ISBN-13: 9781632506351 Paperback: 114 pages Publisher: Interweave Released: Sept. 11, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Whether new to kumihimo or looking to take your skill to the next level, Kumihimo Wirework Made Easy is the companion you need. Author Christina Larsen will show you how easy it can be to transition from traditional kumihimo materials to wirework with her expert guidance, comprehensive instruction, and inspiring designs. In this must-have resource, you'll find:

A complete guide to understanding wireworking tools and materials specific to kumihimo wirework.

Full step-by-step tutorials for 3 basic kumihimo braid structures perfect for wirework jewelry designs.

Project instructions for 20 inspiring kumihimo wirework designs including earrings, bracelets, and pendants.


My Review:
Kumihimo Wirework Made Easy describes how to create wirework jewelry using a kumihimo square. I've done kumihimo using thread or cords, and the beautiful pictures tempted me into reading this book. However, I think the actual weaving of the wire will be too hard on my arthritic hand...though there's one beginner project I intend to try.

The author described the basic equipment you need--basically, a kumihimo foam square, some soft, thinner wire, and some jewelry making tools and materials. She described her method of making the wire weave neatly and how to do the three basic braid patterns that she uses in the 21 projects. She also described how to finish the jewelry when you complete the wire weaving.

The projects detail what materials you need and the steps you take to make the project. There were pictures demonstrating each step. There were 7 beginner projects, 12 intermediate projects, and 2 advanced projects. The projects were mainly for making bracelets and earrings. There were 9 projects for making bracelets, 7 for making earrings, 4 for necklaces, and 1 ring. Seven of the projects used beads (plus some "variations" on other projects also added beads), and four projects wove leather as well as wire into the braid.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Foundations of Classical Oil Painting by Lea Colie Wight

Foundations of Classical Oil Painting by Lea Colie Wight ISBN-13: 9781440352423 Paperback: 144 pages Publisher: North Light Books Released: Sept. 25, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Professional painting instructor Lea Colie Wight demystifies the formulaic process of oil painting into a simple approach to help you paint confidently and accurately in full color. Develop a core foundational skill set to develop your paintings and discover a signature way of working from life that can be applied to figure painting, portraits, landscapes and still life. Though the focus is on oils, the methods in this book can be applied to all painting mediums including as acrylic, pastel and watercolor.

Informative lessons and simple exercises help to build confidence and lay the foundations for successful oil painting

Learn a straightforward system for painting realistically with a focus on accurate color.

4 full-length step-by-step demonstrations show how to paint a figure, a portrait, a still life and a landscape


My Review:
Foundations of Classical Oil Painting covered some basic, foundational principles behind painting that can be used to create still lifes, landscapes, and portraits. The author worked in oils, but the focus was more on the principles than specifically how to paint using oils. Also, she talked a lot about painting live scenes and how to work with models or changing light for stills and landscapes.

She first explained value and composition. She briefly covered anatomy and how to use it to draw people accurately. She also talked about three basic steps to get the proportions right and the values on the objects correct. She then talked about a way to add color to the scene so that the colors are accurate and so you don't gray out colors that need to be vibrant. She ended with some step-by-step demonstrations on how to do this entire process for figures, portraits, landscapes, and still lifes. I would recommend this book to painters who have trouble with these basics.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

How to Grow Mushrooms from Scratch by Magdalena Wurth; Herbert Wurth

How to Grow Mushrooms from Scratch by Magdalena Wurth; Herbert Wurth ISBN-13: 9781615194919 Hardcover: 144 pages Publisher: The Experiment Released: Sept. 18, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Yes, you can grow mushrooms from scratch! How to Grow Mushrooms from Scratch covers 19 varieties, from button (always versatile) to reishi (a medicinal powerhouse). Plus, here are delicious recipes, preserving methods, and more. Mushrooms will thrive in your garden, on your windowsill, and even in your basement. The key is to pick the right growing medium for your mushroom—a log, a bale of hay, or a simple pot of dirt—and give it a little shade.

Experts Magdalena and Herbert Wurth explain every step of cultivation—whether starting from a kit, a culture, or a grown mushroom you’d like to propagate. From protecting mushrooms in extreme weather, to troubleshooting pests, here is expert advice for beginners and experienced growers alike!


My Review:
How to Grow Mushrooms from Scratch explains how to grow 19 varieties of mushrooms, like button, several types of oyster, reishi, lion's mane, and more. The authors started by explaining how to grow mushrooms outside on logs or on straw bales. They explained what mushrooms do best with each method. They provided step-by-step instructions and photographs on how to use grain or plug spawn and logs or straw bales.

They also talked about how to grow mushrooms indoors on mushroom kits, use straw pellets, grow truffles in woodlands, grow mushrooms outdoors on a bed of hardwood chips or on freshly-made tree stumps (still in the ground). They talked about growing mushrooms on your patio in containers with companion plants or creating mushroom greenhouses. They discussed how to prevent or deal with various pests or diseases that might trouble your mushrooms. They explained how even amateurs can grow spore to spawn to propagate mushrooms.

They talked about 8 mushrooms that have known medicinal uses. They also included several recipes each for the most common mushroom types. The recipes were for things like breaded mushrooms, mushroom sauces, or powdering dried mushrooms for use as a tea. They also talked about selling your mushrooms at a farmer's market. Overall, this book was very informative, but I was left feeling overwhelmed by the process. It sounds more labor intensive than I'd thought.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Thomas W. Schaller, Architect of Light by Thomas Schaller

Thomas W. Schaller, Architect of Light by Thomas Schaller ISBN-13: 9781440350726 Hardcover: 208 pages Publisher: North Light Books Released: Sept. 11, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Twenty years into a career as architect and architectural illustrator, Thomas Schaller embarked upon a bold new path as a fine artist. Today he is one of the world's most accomplished watercolor artists, celebrated for his poignant treatment of light and its dynamic interplay with the natural and manmade landscape.

The first and only collection of work from this popular contemporary artist, Thomas W. Schaller: Architect of Light features 150 of his finest paintings--buildings, bridges, boats, people and other scenes from around the world. In a series of essays, Schaller ruminates on his journey as an artist, what drives him, and the "truths" he's discovered along the way. He offers not only sage insight on composition, color and other technical aspects of painting, but also provocative perspective on more fundamental struggles for the artist, such as overcoming self-doubt and honing one's own, unique voice.


My Review:
This book is mainly a large collection of watercolor paintings by the artist. Each chapter had some text where the artist explained how he got into watercolor painting and his journey as an artist. He did explain how he composed his paintings and how he developed his unique style. He encouraged the reader to find your own style and pursue what you enjoy painting. This book is not about watercolor techniques, but I did learn some things about composition that I hadn't thought about before. I enjoyed studying his paintings. I'd recommend this book to those interested in Schaller's paintings and style, especially if you're looking for insights into his work.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Natural Antibiotics and Antivirals by Christopher Vasey

Natural Antibiotics and Antivirals by Christopher Vasey ISBN-13: 9781620557358 Paperback: 208 pages Publisher: Healing Arts Press Released: Sept. 11, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In this practical guide, Christopher Vasey presents 18 of the most potent antibiotic and antiviral herbs from around the world and one beehive remedy, propolis. He details how to use them effectively as mother tinctures and essential oils as well as what illnesses each is best suited to treat. Drawing on the latest research, he explains how microbes can’t build resistance against these natural substances due to the many molecules in their make-up and their large spectrum of action in the body, which makes them effective against viruses as well.

He reveals that, unlike pharmaceutical antibiotics and antivirals whose list of side effects grows in proportion to their strength, natural antibiotics generally lack any malignant side effects and have no adverse effects on non-targeted bacteria, such as intestinal flora. The author also includes information on probiotics to restore gut health after the use of pharmaceutical antibiotics, ways to strengthen your immune system and become less receptive to infections, and guidance on detox treatments to support the natural antibiotics as they work. He also provides an index of more than 50 common ailments and diseases with the most effective medicinal plants and essential oils to use in each case.


My Review:
Natural Antibiotics and Antivirals talked about the history of natural and pharmaceutical antibiotics, what germs are and how your immune system fights them, and 18 natural antibiotics and how to use them to treat 50 common illnesses.

The author did a good job of explaining complex biological processes (the immune system, etc.) at a level that I think most adults can understand. Some scientific terms were used, though. The author explained how the essential oils, mother tinctures, etc., work to support your body, stop the germs, and not harm the beneficial bacteria. He also talked about detoxing and things you can do to support your beneficial microbiome. Overall, I felt that this was an informative and useful guide.

He talked about the essential oils of basil, English lavender, eucalyptus, niaouli, oregano, palmrosa, ravintsara, savory, tea tree, and thyme. He talked about the mother tinctures of bearberry, burdock, common barberry, mouse-ear hawkweed, and purple coneflower. Also, grapefruit seed extract, lapacho, and bee propolis.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.