January 9, 2015

Book Review: Science For Her

Katie January 9, 2015 0Comment

As a female in a Science field, I was looking forward to reading this book.  It is a satirical teaching of science acting as though it is one of those girly magazines.  Unfortunately, I just didn’t get it. I didn’t even finish the book because I did not find it to be funny at all.  I wanted to like it, but the further I got into it, the less impressed I was with it, so I didn’t even finish reading it.

Don’t waste your time on this one!

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

About the Book

Megan Amram, one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30 in Hollywood & Entertainment,” Rolling Stone’s “25 Funniest People on Twitter,” and a writer for NBC’s hit show Parks and Recreation, delivers a politically, scientifically, and anatomically incorrect “textbook” that will have women screaming with laughter, and men dying to know what the noise is about.

In the vein of faux expert books by John Hodgman and Amy Sedaris, Science…for Her! is ostensibly a book of science written by a denizen of women’s magazines. Comedy writer and Twitter sensation Megan Amram showcases her fiendish wit with a pitch-perfect attack on everything from those insanely perky tips for self-improvement to our bizarre shopaholic dating culture to the socially mandated pursuit of mind-blowing sex to the cringe-worthy secret codes of food and body issues.

Part hilarious farce, part biting gender commentary, Amram blends Cosmo and science to highlight absurdities with a machine-gun of laugh-inducing lines that leave nothing and no one unscathed. Subjects include: this Spring’s ten most glamorous ways to die; tips for hosting your own big bang; what religion is right for your body type; and the most pressing issue facing women today: kale!!!

Be prepared to laugh about anything in this outrageous satirical gem.

Book Review: Unlocked

Katie January 9, 2015 0Comment

Unlocked is a novel about genetically engineered sex slaves who are modified to heal quickly and be unable to get diseases.  At first they were just supposed to be soldiers but they are now sex-addicted doms.  Doc is selling them to business investors to use for the night (or more) and has a business suit there when a fire breaks out.  A fireman comes in and rescues Chanze and believes that he is the business man instead – who actually was killed in the fire.  Chanze thinks that he is a prisoner, but as luck would have it, Delano, the firefighter who saved him, is also one of the Spcecial Op soldiers who has made it on his own and creates a plan to save not only Chanze, but all the other men who Doc has under his “care”.

Only one problem – they all have chips implanted and they don’t think there is any way to deactivate them without the Doc realizing giving them little time to escape.  Or is there another way?  Meanwhile, the nanos in Chanze and Delano have joined the two of them meaning they will mate for life and if one dies the other will die too.  This could make their plan even more dangerous if not properly executed!

Definitely an interesting approach to a romance novel, but I liked the bit of technology aspect to it.

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

About the Book

The Special Ops genetic experiments were designed to create super soldiers, not sex-addicted doms.

When Delano Briggs, BDSM club owner and volunteer firefighter, is called to aid in the evacuation of a burning New York hotel, he thinks it’s just another job.

But after rescuing the irresistibly sexy Chanze, he learns that behind the velvet curtains of the five-star hotel is one of the most exclusive, and immoral, prostitution rings in the country. For the men at the Cloister aren’t merely lovers for hire, but genetically enhanced sex slaves, created to provide the brothel’s rich clientele with the most insatiable doms and delicious subs.

Kept against his will by the doomsday chip implanted in his brain, Chanze sees no chance of escape. Until Delano and his three fellow super-enhanced operatives infiltrate the club for a walk on the wild side.

Book Review: Rewire Your Anxious Brain

Katie January 9, 2015 0Comment

I definitely have an anxious brain. I worry and panic over things that I shouldn’t need to worry about. A lot of times I have to tell myself to calm down because I fear I may make myself sick – worrying about the silliest things. I am always looking for ways to try and help myself deal with this, which is why I chose to check out the book Rewire Your Anxious Brain.  The book recommends that you not try anything alone and work with a professional while working on the ideas presented in the book.

The book contains a lot of information about the brain to help you figure out how and why these things are happening to you.  There are exercises throughout the book to help you figure out what is going on in your head and what your end goal is.

This book left me with a lot of new thoughts about myself and how I think. It was definitely an interesting read, and full of very detailed information about the brain.

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

About the Book

Do you ever wonder what is happening inside your brain when you feel anxious, panicked, and worried? In Rewire Your Anxious Brain, psychologist Catherine Pittman and author Elizabeth Karle offer a unique, evidence-based solution to overcoming anxiety based in cutting-edge neuroscience and research. In the book, you will learn how the amygdala and cortex (both important parts of the brain) are essential players in the neuropsychology of anxiety. The amygdala acts as a primal response, and oftentimes, when this part of the brain processes fear, you may not even understand why you are afraid. By comparison, the cortex is the center of “worry.” That is, obsessing, ruminating, and dwelling on things that may or may not happen. In the book, Pittman and Karle make it simple by offering specific examples of how to manage fear by tapping into both of these pathways in the brain. As you read, you’ll gain a greater understanding how anxiety is created in the brain, and as a result, you will feel empowered and motivated to overcome it. The brain is a powerful tool, and the more you work to change the way you respond to fear, the more resilient you will become. Using the practical self-assessments and proven-effective techniques in this book, you will learn to literally “rewire” the brain processes that lie at the root of your fears.

Book Review: Graffiti South Africa

Katie January 9, 2015 0Comment

Graffiti South Africa focuses on 3 of the areas in South Africa – Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg and their resident graffiti artists.  The book is filled with photography of beautiful graffiti. I always find graffiti to be fascinating because I know if I had a spray can I couldn’t do anything but maybe some drips from not knowing how to properly use it. The fact that these artists can use spray paint to paint what could be considered masterpieces is amazing. It was also interesting to read about the changes with graffiti over the years and how many artists (or “writers”) are still doing it. There are also interviews with the writers letting you know a little bit about their style and what got them into graffiti. (Graffiti is a weird word I am realizing, now that I’ve typed it so many times!)

Very interesting read and an even more interesting look at some of this art. So amazing!

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

About the book

In a visual feast, hundreds of vibrant images showcase the work of South Africa’s most influential graffiti artists, which will entertain and inspire graffiti enthusiasts and art fanatics all over the world. Selective interviews with major graffiti personalities reveal their passions and inspirations and cover all aspects of the movement, creating a true representation of its evolution. Initially unknown for its graffiti scene, South Africa has now become a prime destination for many renowned international graffiti writers. From underground tunnels and abandoned buildings to train yards and townships, local writers, each with their own distinct style, spread their work across the nation. Now, for the first time ever, the global spotlight can fall on these talented artists.