June 2021

Book Review: Festivals

Katie June 29, 2021 No Comments

While I am not made for music festivals, I really enjoy reading about them and pretending that they are something that I can attend.  Festivals is a music lovers’ guide to the festivals you need to know.  It starts in the 60s and chronologically talks about some of the biggest music festivals around the world and there are a TON of really awesome photos throughout this book. (And I just love the throwback 60s./70s vibe to the font used for the title!)  There is a page or so about each festival with how it started, if it’s still happening, where it’s located and then a few photos.  If you’re a festival go-er, definitely check this book out to see what ones you might want to hit up next!

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

About the Book

I was first introduced to Justin Baldoni when he was on Jane the Virgin.  When I saw that he had a book out, I had to check it out.  I was actually very surprised by how open he was in this book, called “Man Enough” which is an exploration of masculinity.  You always hear about how growing up as a young girl is difficult due to all the media pressure on the perfect body, perfect makeup looks, etc and I never really thought that young boys also had similar things to face when they were growing up as well.  I think Justin did a great job explaining difficulties that he and other men will face growing up, sometimes coming out of his comfort zone and being quite vulnerable and telling stories from his youth that may be considered embarrassing.  But I think that it is important to share these stories – so if a young boy going through similar situations picks up this book he will know he is not alone.  I think reading it as a female also opened my eyes a bit as well because I definitely thought guys had it so much easier and after finishing the book I am not sure that is so true anymore!  He touches on a lot of great subject and even if you don’t know him from an actor, I think it would be a beneficial read!

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

Book Review: You’re Not Crazy – It’s Your Mother

Katie June 21, 2021 No Comments

I’m not saying for sure my mother is narcissistic, but dang if things aren’t toxic right now.  In looking for ways to help cope, understand, get my point across, I came across the book “You’re not Crazy, it’s your mother” and decided to check it out.  I was immediately drawn in just by the foreward of the book – “The information in this book will give you freedom in a way you can’t even imagine right now. The exact shape of this freedom will be down to you. This book does not impose any decisions. Rather, it gives you information, perspective and opinions to allow you to choose your own freedom.  Know this too: You are not broken and in need of fixing. You are, rather, wounded and in need of healing.”  It is also worth noting that this book doesn’t need to just be for the Mother/Daughter dynamic and can be helpful for any parent/child dynamic.

For anyone else that may be going through this – say it with me – You are not crazy. You are perfectly sane. Your perceptions are valid and right. You can trust your own reality. Some days this is much, much easier said than done, but I am hoping what I have learned in this book will help me confront, understand and heal from this toxic bullshit that has been going on since last year. (And perhaps my whole life, but it’s only magnified itself recently.)  This book also helped explain why I may have some of the anxiety issues that I have. Still working through getting those under control, but understanding where they may have stemmed from has been helpful.

The book ends with some tapping techniques I’ll certainly be trying out to see if they can help.  I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

A comprehensively revised and expanded new edition of Danu Morrigan’s #1 bestselling book, which has helped tens of thousands of daughters of narcissistic mothers around the world.

Do you find yourself emotionally bruised, upset and confused after being in touch with your mother? Do you somehow feel like you’re not a real person in her company? If so, you are far from alone. Millions of daughters experience the same hall-of-mirrors dizziness. Many of them have come to the conclusion that their mother has Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and that explains all that they have suffered. This book explores this – maybe it will resonate for you the same way and make you feel understood and validated as never before.

This new edition includes a wealth of new insight and understanding learned by Danu over the last ten years, including: Clarity about escaping the toxic dynamic, through The Four Steps to Freedom; managing our fear of regretting our decisions; how Stories steer us without us realising; the NM’s performative kindness and performative love; overcoming the trap of The Silent Treatment; distinguishing narcissistic ‘niceness’ from genuine decency; how to recognise, get, and contribute to healthy relationships.

Danu Morrigan lives in Ireland and runs the phenomenally popular website daughtersofnarcissisticmothers.com. She has also written Dear Daughter of a Narcissistic Mother and To the Unloved Daughter.

Book Review: Home Sweet Road

Katie June 9, 2021 No Comments

I had first heard of Johnnyswim somewhere in passing at some point, I’m sure.  I first saw them perform at the Basilica Block Party in Minneapolis when I went to see Hanson and was absolutely blown away by their talent and harmony.  Really good harmony is usually for siblings, not a husband and wife duo so I found it kind of amusing when Amanda mentioned in the book that she thought Abner had looked like her brother.  Maybe there was some higher power pushing them together somewhere along the way.

The book tells the story of how they met and their backgrounds (I had not realized that Amanda’s mother is Donna Summer!) and I got a kick out of how they both went back over what was going through their heads and their plans to try and get each other’s attention (which ended up taking 4 years!) But Amanda’s plan had a few different ideas, “since being a normal human wasn’t an option.”  What is it about these guys that we are interested in that makes us forget how to be a normal human, anyway?

The book may also tell you the real reason behind the name Johnnyswim.  Or maybe it won’t.  Just know every story you may have heard previously is a lie – and they tend to not repeat the same stories twice. I guess use your best judgement if you believe what they actually included to be published!

Abner and Amanda are also all about community with their friends and so they decided to include some recipes from their friends as well and they told about how they used to have community dinners.  It was nice to feel like I was part of their world even if it was just for an afternoon.

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

About the Book

The hugely popular singer/songwriter duo Johnnyswim share their story like never before, showing readers how to find home wherever they are in this visually stunning debut.

Foreword by Chip and Joanna Gaines

Work and life partners Amanda Sudano Ramirez and Abner Ramirez are known for translating the memories and milestones of their journey, as well as the honest realities of marriage, into their spirited and soulful songs. With this beautifully designed, visually stunning book, the duo shares never-before-told stories, beautiful photos, recipes, poetry, and more from their life in a deeply engaging experience as they travel on tour around the country with their three young kids, capturing the family’s raw, intimate, and behind-the-scenes life on the road and embracing home no matter where they are.