Book Review: Eric Clapton FAQ

Katie April 11, 2013 0 Comments

When I first saw the title of this book, I thought it would just be a compiled list of “Frequently Asked Questions” about Eric Clapton.  It is not.  It is written in the typical biography format, but is attempting to be a book of facts.  The book does go in to great detail about many of the aspects of Eric’s life and his influences as well, so I am not exactly sure why it tries to write itself off as something that I didn’t really think it was. (It isn’t written as a definitive Clapton biography or tell all book – but it is right on par with many other musical artist biographies that I have read.)

If you ignore the semantics of what the book is trying to be and just take it for what it is, it is full of some great information about Eric Clapton and others that are related to Eric’s career in some way, shape or form.  I especially liked the photos of the records,  concert posters and tickets  – In 1969 a ticket to see Blind Faith was $4.50 in advance and $5 at the door!   They also played MSG at that tour and I don’t think you can even get a soda that cheap there these days! 😉

I found the book to be quite interesting and an easy read. I received a free e-copy of this book from the publisher in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Eric Clapton has been a rock god for half a century. From busking on street corners and in local pubs to the raw blues of the Yardbirds, the rock/blues fusion of Cream, the guitar brilliance of Derek and the Dominoes, and the unforgettable songs of his solo career, he has proven his incomparable talent in the music world.

His enduring presence has made him the subject of countless books, articles, reviews, websites, and gossip. Is there really anything new to learn about the man they call Slowhand?

Eric Clapton FAQ combines the obvious, the well-known, the obscure, and the unknown into one place. It was not written as a definitive Clapton biography or a tell-all book that has the final say. It is, as the title suggests, a book of facts.

Clapton is one of those public figures we know much about, but he still seems to be partially shrouded in mystery. Sometimes the stories and facts about his life change and evolve, which is all a part of his mystique. Eric Clapton FAQ uncovers some of that mystery and celebrates his talent in an entertaining style. Packed with dozens of rare images, this book is must for Slowhand fans.

Book Review: Patrick Patron Saint of Ireland

Katie April 4, 2013 0 Comments

Well, I was hoping that I’d be approved for this book before St Patrick’s day, but unfortunately I wasn’t.  I often find myself wondering just who exactly is St. Patrick and why is he so great that he gets his own day that EVERYONE seemingly celebrates – not only those who are Irish.  This book is by Tomie dePaola who actually also wrote one of my favorite books as a kid, Strega Nona.

The book is only 39 pages, and some of them don’t even have any text, they are just some wonderful illustrations – but that was really all that it took to tell the story of Patrick and why he is now a St. and why he was such a big deal that he deserves to have his own day and lots of parties and green things to celebrate.  (March 17 is significant because it was the day that he died.)

The end of the book also discusses some legends that are related to Patrick – that may or may not be true.  The one that I had heard before was about the snakes, but there were a couple other interesting ones listed that were new to me!

I received a free e-copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

The story of Patrick’s life, from his noble birth in Britain, to his being captured and taken to Ireland by a group of bandits, to the “dreams” that led him to convert the Irish people to the Christian faith. DePaola also retells several well-known legends, including the story of how Patrick got rid of all the snakes in Ireland. Full color.

Book Review:The Girl Guide

Katie April 3, 2013 0 Comments

The Girl Guide: Finding Your Place in a Mixed-Up World is a great book for young girls who are dealing with adolescence, peer pressure and everything else wild and crazy that comes with growing up. The book is geared towards middle school aged girls and is incredibly interactive.  It is split up into multiple parts and each chapter has activities, worksheets, quizzes, etc for the reader to fill out to really help bring home the topics that are being discussed.  They are encouraged to make gratitude journals to try and focus on the positive and other activities like that which I think are great.  I think a lot of girls are embarrassed to talk to their parents about things like this and this book can help them pinpoint maybe exactly what they may be struggling with to then talk to their parents or maybe a counselor at school if that my be who they are more comfortable with.

The book is broken up in to parts – The Journey Begins which contains 3 chapters, It’s All About Connections which contains 3 chapters, “I Think I Can” – The Power of Belief which also has 3 chapters, Finding Emotional Balance with 3 chapters and finally, Putting it All Into Practice which has 5 chapters.  Each part has the activities which I had mentioned above as well as some great advice to girls who may be struggling with all the changes going on to not only them, but those around them as well.

There is also a section which is called “Recommended Resources” in case the reader would like to find some additional material to read to help them out with what they may be struggling in.  Overall, I found this book to be really well thought out and incredibly interactive, which I think is a huge plus.  I wish there was something like this around when I was struggling with middle school and bullies and all that fun stuff!

I received a free e-copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Finding your unique voice in a noisy world can be hard. Very hard. But not if you have a great guide! “The Girl Guide: Finding Your Place in a Mixed-Up World” is a must read for girls in grades 6-8 as they enter the tumultuous world of adolescence. Packed with fun worksheets and quizzes, as well as stories from older girls and women, “The Girl Guide” covers everything a teenage girl needs to know on the journey toward her own identity. Proven strategies for dealing with stress management, confronting relational aggression, being safe online, navigating the changing mother-daughter relationship, and more make this the ultimate guide for any girl to get through the teen years and discover her unique point of view in the world.

Book Review: Tim Tebow

Katie April 2, 2013 0 Comments

If you have paid even a little bit of attention to football, you have probably heard of Tim Tebow.  Or if you pay attention to social media and things that go viral, you’ve probably heard of “Tebowing”.  Tim Tebow: Quarterback with Conviction is an indepth biography on Tim Tebow.  I pay only a little attention to football (but a lot of attention to social media) so I did know who Tim was, but didn’t know too much about him other than the fact that he is pretty religious and is now playing in Jersey for the Jets.

Since this bio is done by USA Today, there are some articles included in with the story and all of the pages look like they came from a newspaper or magazine (which you know I love.)  I learned a lot about Tim – like how he struggled with dyslexia as a kid and had to learn things differently and that while he grew up in Florida, he was actually born in the Philippines!

The biography chronicles his football teams throughout his life, growing up, college, and then on to the pros.

If you are a football fan, sports fan, Tebow fan or just are looking for something to read… check out Tim Tebow from USA Today Lifeline Biographies.

I received a free e-copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

“Tim Tebow is a one-man cultural blitz,” reports USA TODAY, The Nation’s No. 1 Newspaper. A celebrity in the football world and a pop culture phenomenon, Tebow has become a household name. He both “polarizes and mesmerizes” fans with his “unconventional playing style and outspoken commitment to his Christian faith.”

For twenty years, Tebow was told that he didn’t fit the quarterback mold. But fierce determination and an intense will to win earned him the coveted Heisman Trophy as a sophomore in college and a hard-won spot as a quarterback in the NFL. In a short time, Tebow has become a role model for millions of kids. Follow his rise to the NFL ranks in this exciting biography, and you’ll find out why Tebowmania is sweeping the nation.