REVIEW: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Matters

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

101 Unforgettable Stories about Our Nutty but Lovable Families

Nearly everyone thinks their own family is "nutty" or has at least one or two nuts. With 101 stories of wacky yet lovable relatives, funny foibles, and holiday meltdowns along with more serious stories about abuse and outbursts, this book is usually hilarious and occasionally poignant. Readers will feel comforted, amused, and encouraged by these unforgettable stories about "nutty" families just like their own. This book shows readers that we all have the same family matters and what really matters is families. It is a quirky and fun holiday book, and a great bridal shower or wedding gift!

MY REVIEW

The joys of family... can't live with 'em... can't live without 'em!

This book is full of laughs! If you haven't laughed in a while, then this book is one you need to read. It is full of encouraging, funny, heart-warming and some crazy stories.  After reading some stories you will be grateful for the family you got!

One of my favorite quotes from Family Matters can be found with story #68:

"The tooth fairy teaches children that they can sell body parts for money." 

                                                           -David Richerby

There are so many cute stories in this book.  What I love most about the Chicken Soup for the Soul series is that they are perfect bathroom reading!  The stories are short enough that you can read one or two in the time you are in the restroom.  So if you have a bathroom in your home you need to have a Chicken Soup for the Soul book in there!

Let me help you get one!

Shelton Interactive has generously given me three copies of Family Matters to giveaway!

On Monday Feb. 21, three (3) lucky winners will be picked at random to receive a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul ~Family Matters.

To enter, leave a comment telling me a favorite fun, funny, sweet or extremely memorable family time in your life!

Good luck and Happy Reading!!


 

 The Legal Stuff: This book was provided by Shelton Interactive.

REVIEW: Chicken Soup for the Soul ~ Shaping a New You

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

101 Encouraging Stories about Dieting and Fitness... and Finding What Works for You

No one likes to diet, but the personal stories in this book will encourage and inspire readers with its positive, practical, and purposeful tales of dieting and fitness. Readers will find hope, help, and hints on getting fit and staying healthy in these 101 stories from those who have been there, done that, and maintained it. Stories about wake-up calls and realizations, moving more and eating better, self-esteem and support, and lifestyle changes, big and small, will motivate any reader looking to start fresh or needing a boost. This is a great book for anyone embarking on a healthier lifestyle.

MY REVIEW

Every one needs a little encouragement, especially when it comes to our fitness and diet goals!

My favorite story is #56: Taking Control of my Body Image.

Especially as a women, I compare myself often to the girl next door, my best friend, the lady in front of me at the grocery store.  In this story Christine Junge tells of how she stop comparing herself to her best friend, how she looked at many pictures of herself and could find something to complain about in each of them, but how  now she has come to grips with herself and her body and realizes she has better things to think about.

I love it!

I, too, have found myself doing the exact same thing Christine did for many years, and now at age 30 (Oh My Gosh! I just announced my age to all of you!) I have come to grips with myself too.  Do I long to still lose the baby weight that I am still carrying from my first child (who is turning nine next week by the way!)? Yes!  Do I want to pull out that bag of clothes that I have hidden in the back of the storage room that is a size down from what I am currently wearing? Yes!  Do I want to fit back into my wedding dress, just to say that I fit back into my wedding dress? YES!

Do I have to look like the 19 year old model who eats nothing but carrots the day before her Vogue magazine shot and has had liposuction and lifts to look like she does? NO WAY!

(I never will look like that! And I am okay with that now!!)

 


 The Legal Stuff: This book was provided by Shelton Interactive.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Dad

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 
This book gives fathers the pat on the back they deserve. Children of all ages share their heartfelt words of thanks and loving memories in this collection of 101 stories. Personal accounts of learning from Dad's example and lasting lessons, special moments and memorable outings, encouragement and expectations will bring any father joy, inspiration, and laughs. Whether the reader is a new dad, a father of teens, a father of grown children, or a grandfather, these heartwarming and humorous stories will resonate with him. He may even find that his kids did pay attention after all!


MY REVIEW
In my personal opinion I have not read a Chicken Soup for the Soul book that I didn't like. The titles "Chicken Soup for the Soul" really does it's content justice and this one is not different!

My most favorite story in this book can be found on page 163 and is titled, Dad's Secret Ritual. I love this story because it reminds me of my own dad. Though my dad's time on his knees was first thing in the morning before he left for work, he would kneel down at the couch in the living room and I would step over his bent legs on my way out the door to school as a teenager.

I remember him whispering our each of our names, my brother, my sister and mine and I remember him with his handkerchief waded between the palms of hi hand, his fingers tightly intertwined, his head resting on his wrists.

I love that the Chicken Soup for the Soul include stories of faith and hope and love and inspiration. I love that they are short, light-hearted and thought-provoking.

My dad will receive a copy for Father's Day this weekend, with a bookmark marking my favorite story in the book.

Enter to win one of THREE copies of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Dad.

(Courtesy of Phenix and Phenix)

Here's how to win:

(You MUST be a follower to be eligible!)

1. Leave a comment!
2. Become a fan of Chicken Soup on Facebook.
3. Follow ChickenSoupSoul on Twitter.
4. Follow me on Twitter.
5. Tweet, blog or share this giveaway on FB! Share the link!

Leave a separate comment for each for the entry to count! Don't forget to leave an email address!

Enter by midnight on June 31!

Good Luck!

 
 The Legal Stuff: This book was provided by Merritt Talbott at Phenix and Phenix.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: True Love by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Amy Newmark

Product Description

Everyone loves a good love story.  And we all love stories about how the love started and blossomed.  This fun new book about dating, romance, love, and marriage, will make you laugh and make you cry, and is guaranteed to inspire you to renew that search for your soul mate or open your heart a little more to the one you already have.  Read about how couples met, when "they knew", good and bad dates, proposals, maintaining the relationship, second chances, and all the other ups and downs of love, romance and marriage.

About Jack Canfield

While Jack Canfield himself may not necessarily be a household name, it's very likely that you have heard of his famed Chicken Soup for the Soul series and nearly as likely that you have at least one of them sitting on your very own bookshelf! Having got his start as an inspirational speaker, Canfield's own story is nothing less than inspirational.

Jack Canfield had been traveling around delivering key note speeches and organizing workshops to help audiences build their self-esteem and maximize their potential when he had an inht brainstorm that changed his life. While flying home from a gig, Canfield realized that the very same advice he had been delivering during his in-person addresses could potentially form the basis of a book. Canfield used inspirational stories he'd gleaned over the years as the basis of his speeches, and he thought it would be a terrific idea to gather together 101 inspirational stories and anthologize them in a single volume. Upon returning home, Canfield approached friend and author Mark Victor Hansen about his concept. Hansen agreed it was a great idea, and the two men set about finding a publisher. Believe it or not, the mega-selling series was not an easy sell to publishers. "We were rejected by 123 publishers all told," Canfield told Shareguide.com. "The first time we went to New York, we visited with about a dozen publishers in a two day period with our agent, and nobody wanted it. They all said it was a stupid title, that nobody bought collections of short stories, that there was no edge -- no sex, no violence. Why would anyone read it?"

Canfield wisely practiced what he preached -- and persisted. Ultimately, he and Hansen sold the first Chicken Soup for the Soul book to a small press based in Deerfield Beach, Florida, called Health Communications. The rest, as they say, is history. There are currently 80 million copies of the Chicken Soup books in print, with subjects as varied as Chicken Soup For the Horse Lover's Soul and Chicken Soup For the Prisoner's Soul. Canfield and Hansen ranked as the top-selling authors of 1997 and are multiple New York Times bestsellers. Most important of all, the inspirational stories they have gathered in their many volumes have improved the lives of countless readers.

This year, expect to see Canfield's name gracing the covers of such titles as Chicken Soup For the Scrapbooker's Soul, Chicken Soup For the Mother and Son Soul, and Chicken Soup For the African American Woman's Soul. He and Hansen have also launched the all-new "Healthy Living" series and 8 titles in that series have already been released this year. There is also the fascinating You've GOT to Read This Book!, in which Canfield compiles personal accounts by 55 people each discussing a book that has changed his or her life. The most compelling of these may be the story of young entrepreneur Farrah Gray, who read Deepak Chopra's The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success at the age of 11 and made his first million dollars at the age of 14!

With no sign of slowing down, Canfield continues to be an inspiration to millions, who fortunately refused to give up when it seemed as though he would never even get his first book published. "Mark and I are big believers in perseverance," he said. "If you have a vision and a life purpose, and you believe in it, then you do not let external events tell you what is so. You follow your internal guidance and follow your bliss, as Joseph Campbell used to say."

My Review

I laughed. I cried. It moved my, Bob. 

(Line from Veggies Tales, Larry the Cucumber says it to Bob the Tomato.... what can I say, I'm a mom to young ones! LOL!)

Seriously though, I did laugh, cry and I was inspired that love is out there. I am very blessed to have a great husband by my side. Though I do not have an Eiffel Tower proposal to share, or love at first sight story, I have a great hubby nonetheless and have been blessed with... 

With Chicken Soup for the Soul books you can never go wrong. 

Whether it is the book left in the bathroom, um, for your reading pleasure. Or a gift for that hard to buy for someone in your life... you can't go wrong with Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

Any women will love Chicken Soup for the Soul: True Love.

Other Chicken Soup books I'm looking forward to reading:

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Power Moms

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Twins and More

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christian Kids

I get the pleasure to offer three winners each a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: True Love!

(Thanks Phenix & Phenix!)

Here's how to win:

(You MUST be a follower to be eligible!)

1. Leave a comment!
2. Become a fan of Chicken Soup on Facebook.
3. Follow ChickenSoupSoul on Twitter.
4. Follow me on Twitter.
5. Tweet, blog or share this giveaway on FB! 

Leave a separate comment for each for the entry to count! Don't forget to leave an email address!

Enter by midnight on April 9!

Good Luck!

Legal Stuff: This book was provided by Phenix & Phenix for review purposes. 
The review is truly mine, and was not swayed in any way.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teacher Tales by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Amy Newmark

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

There's always that one special teacher or student, and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teacher Tales regales all educators with its heartfelt, inspiring, and humorous stories from inside and outside the classroom. Stories from teachers and students about their favorite memories, lasting lessons, and unforgettable moments will uplift and encourage any teacher. A foreword by Anthony Mullen, 2009 National Teacher of the Year, and stories from all the 2009 State Teachers of the Year.



About Jack Canfield

While Jack Canfield himself may not necessarily be a household name, it's very likely that you have heard of his famed Chicken Soup for the Soul series and nearly as likely that you have at least one of them sitting on your very own bookshelf! Having got his start as an inspirational speaker, Canfield's own story is nothing less than inspirational.

Jack Canfield had been traveling around delivering key note speeches and organizing workshops to help audiences build their self-esteem and maximize their potential when he had an in-flight brainstorm that changed his life. While flying home from a gig, Canfield realized that the very same advice he had been delivering during his in-person addresses could potentially form the basis of a book. Canfield used inspirational stories he'd gleaned over the years as the basis of his speeches, and he thought it would be a terrific idea to gather together 101 inspirational stories and anthologize them in a single volume. Upon returning home, Canfield approached friend and author Mark Victor Hansen about his concept. Hansen agreed it was a great idea, and the two men set about finding a publisher. Believe it or not, the mega-selling series was not an easy sell to publishers. "We were rejected by 123 publishers all told," Canfield told Shareguide.com. "The first time we went to New York, we visited with about a dozen publishers in a two day period with our agent, and nobody wanted it. They all said it was a stupid title, that nobody bought collections of short stories, that there was no edge -- no sex, no violence. Why would anyone read it?"

Canfield wisely practiced what he preached -- and persisted. Ultimately, he and Hansen sold the first Chicken Soup for the Soul book to a small press based in Deerfield Beach, Florida, called Health Communications. The rest, as they say, is history. There are currently 80 million copies of the Chicken Soup books in print, with subjects as varied as Chicken Soup For the Horse Lover's Soul and Chicken Soup For the Prisoner's Soul. Canfield and Hansen ranked as the top-selling authors of 1997 and are multiple New York Times bestsellers. Most important of all, the inspirational stories they have gathered in their many volumes have improved the lives of countless readers.
This year, expect to see Canfield's name gracing the covers of such titles as Chicken Soup For the Scrapbooker's Soul, Chicken Soup For the Mother and Son Soul, and Chicken Soup For the African American Woman's Soul. He and Hansen have also launched the all-new "Healthy Living" series and 8 titles in that series have already been released this year. There is also the fascinating You've GOT to Read This Book!, in which Canfield compiles personal accounts by 55 people each discussing a book that has changed his or her life. The most compelling of these may be the story of young entrepreneur Farrah Gray, who read Deepak Chopra's The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success at the age of 11 and made his first million dollars at the age of 14!

With no sign of slowing down, Canfield continues to be an inspiration to millions, who fortunately refused to give up when it seemed as though he would never even get his first book published. "Mark and I are big believers in perseverance," he said. "If you have a vision and a life purpose, and you believe in it, then you do not let external events tell you what is so. You follow your internal guidance and follow your bliss, as Joseph Campbell used to say."

MY REVIEW

I truly love the Chicken Soup series. I have had the opportunity to read many stories from many different books in the series. I've received many as gift, and even given a few as gifts.

Though I am not the traditional teacher who goes to a school building each morning and shares insight and inspires 30 children who are not my own, I still am a teacher nonetheless.

I found the stories inspiring, hilarious, uplifting, insightful and so much more.

One of my favorite stories can be found on page 155, 2009 Missouri State Teacher of the Year, Margaret Williams shares a touching story of her retirement. After 38 1/2 years of teaching, she finally got to sleep in on the first day of school. She shares of a student who returned, 10 years later to tell her how she had touched, even changed, his life. To see how, you gotta read the book!

One of the saddest stories in this collect can be found on page 214, 2009 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year, Deborah Hohn Yonguis, shares a touching post Hurricane Trina story that will bring tears to your eyes. To find out why, you gotta read the book.

*This book was provided free of charge by Phenix & Phenix in exchange for my honest opinion.