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Hacked: The Secret Behind Cyber-Attacks by Dr Jessica Barker @KoganPage #NetGalley #technology #nonfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 2 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Hacked by Dr Jessica Barker. I was intrigued when I saw this one and for someone who doesn’t really understand technology that much, I found it interesting.

My huge thanks to the publisher Kogan Page for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.

Hacked by Dr Jessica Barker

When it comes to cyber attacks, everyone’s a potential victim. But you don’t have to be helpless against these threats.

Hacked offers the knowledge and strategies you need to protect yourself and your business. In this book, cybersecurity expert Jessica Barker uncovers how hackers are weaponizing cutting-edge tactics and technologies to target individuals and organizations, before showing how you can safeguard yourself against any potential attacks and how to react if you do become a target.

Featuring expert commentary from world-leading cybersecurity experts and ethical hackers, this book uncovers the fascinating stories of the most insidious and notorious cyber attacks, including how the Mirai malware almost took down the internet and how a supply chain attack infiltrated the US government and other global institutions.

From social engineering and data theft to ransomware and Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, there are numerous strategies that hackers use to target our finances and data. Uncover their secrets and learn how to safeguard your data with Hacked.

MY REVIEW

I am the first to admit I don’t know a huge amount about computers or how they can be used for hacking. When I saw this book I decided to give it a go and see if I could increase my knowledge so that I could understand more. I am aware of having strong passwords, not opening links in emails, if something is too good to be true then it is, and never giving details of PINs. As I said all very basic.

THis book was ideal for me as it gave the information and the facts in a basic way. I wasn’t left scratching my head and wondering what this was all about and feeling lost. The author gives the facts in a way that makes sense. So, yes, this is definitely aimed at the lower end of the tech-head ladder.

The author takes the reader through various things such as phishing, trojans, ransomware, worms, malware, cyber-attacks and a lot more. When she started to give numbers that were in the billions of dollars and how large companies could be held to ransom it was shocking.

From the very first bug to the latest attacks, the author explains the most significant ones and tells how criminals were able to get into systems. With the emergence of Bitcoin, this is a way of keeping things hidden.

The author has a great way of explaining her findings and the data citing various papers and articles all the way. This was an an eye-opener for sure and one that I also actually, really enjoyed reading.

If you have an interest in technology and how it can be misused and you don’t really have a tech background or understanding then this is one you may find useful I certainly did. Interesting and quite addictive, one I would happily recommend.

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

The Power of Ancient Wellness by Gill Thackray @GillThackAuthor @alisonmenziespr @OMaraBooks #nonfiction #selfhelp #nature #bookreview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for a fabulous book, The Power of Ancient Wellness by Gill Thackray is full of tips, advice, suggestions and recipes to aid in calming our busy minds. This book is due for publication on 28th December 2023 and can be pre-ordered HERE

My huge thanks to Alison Menzies for arranging my copy of the book from the publisher Michael O’Mara.

Do you want to reduce stress, ease burnout, boost your energy and immunity but don’t know where to start? Look no further than the power of ancient wellness.

The ancient world moved to a different rhythm. It was slower, more mindful and closely attuned to nature. The result? A harmonious connection between mind, body and spirit. Together with Gill Thackray, mindfulness teacher, coach and performance psychologist, learn the art of ancient healing: the perfect remedy for modern living.

Featuring over 25 nature-based activities, discover how to improve your sleep, boost your energy and treat everything from anxiety to the common cold and much more. Explaining the science behind what our ancestors knew intuitively, this essential companion will help you to create your own holistic toolkit to optimize your health and wellbeing, as well as overhaul your beauty regime.

Clear your mind with age-old breathwork techniques, restore balance in your body with the life-changing principles of Ayurveda and re-energise your soul with Reiki and more. From traditional tinctures to ancient superfoods, your healing journey starts now. Reconnect with the hidden secrets of our natural world and take care of yourself, the ancient way.

MY REVIEW

whether you believe in the power of therapy or holistic approaches to taking care of yourself or not, well it does not matter. But I do believe that in our chaotic world, we all need time to stop. I have mentioned this before with other meditation books I have read. Our heads are too busy and we forget to stop and just silence the business.

This book is a great read and it is full of tips, advice, activities and also these are backed up with some studies so you can see why they work and what the benefits are to yourself.

This book is 128 pages and it is broken down into three sections Mind, Body and Spirit. There is also an introduction explaining why our ancestors had a different pace of life due to their lifestyles being much slower. This is obvious, but there are things we can do to help slow our lives during the day.

There are simple things that can be done to help you connect with nature, taking off your shoes and walking barefoot in the grass or on a beach. Looking and listening to the surrounding area is a way of focusing beyond ourselves and instead on what is around us. There are meditation techniques, and while I know some will scoff at this, but, it is actually really helpful. Closing your eyes taking a deep breath focusing on your breathing and relaxing your shoulders, back, muscles and body is something so simple but it can give a wonderful sense of calm.

The message in this book is that we are always connected to some electronic device, not just smartphones and computers but now we have smartwatches that can notify you of messages and take phone calls. I have one of these devices and I made a conscious decision that I was going to use it as a device for my health and not as another way of me being contacted. I put my phone on silent at night and have the screen face down so that notifications don’t light the screen up. Simple things that allow me to focus on my own time and not be at the beck and call of others.

This book is a good way to make you realise how we have lost the connection to nature and ourselves, gives us ways to make time for ourselves and gives positive advice, tips and help. There is quite a lot in this book and there are recipes for balms and tinctures. I do use essential oils to help me relax.

This is a fabulous book and whether you partake in all or some of the things within it, there will be something that appeals to you or makes sense. A fabulous book that is not at all preachy or tells you that you must do so and so, but suggests and gives some ideas and inspiration.

This is a book for those who want to slow down their heads, to be calmer and less connected to technology and the busy bustling world around them. It is a book that I have found to be extremely useful and it is one I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gill Thackray is an author and ghostwriter. As well as writing over 8 books including “The Mindfulness Coach” “How to Manifest. Bring Your Goals into Alignment with the Alchemy of the Universe” and “The Positivity Coach” her work has been featured in several international media outlets including The Guardian, Success Magazine, Woman and Home and Glamour Magazine. Her books have been translated into several languages and she has been interviewed by international broadcasters on her areas of expertise.

Her next books,“The Power of Ancient Wellness: Traditional Remedies and Activities for Modern Living” will be published by Michael O’Mara Books London in December 2023. ‘The Wellbeing Journal. Mind, Body, Spirit” will be published May 2024

Gill is a PhD researcher, member of the British Neuroscience Association, British Psychological Society and Association of Business Pychologists. She has taught and lectured at several academic institutions, retreats and cultural centres around the world.

(Information taken from Amazon Author Bio)

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EVE – How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution by Cat Bohannon @penguinrandom #NetGalley #feminism #anthropology #nonfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution by Cat Bohannon. This was a fascinating book that tells how we have evolved over the millennia to the form we see today.

My huge thanks to Penguin Random House for approving my request to read this title via NetGalley.

ONE OF THE GUARDIAN’S BIGGEST BOOKS OF AUTUMN 2023

‘Funny and very important’ Chris van Tulleken, bestselling author of Ultra-Processed People

‘Educates and emboldens’ Bonnie Garmus, bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry

‘Should revolutionise our understanding of human life’ George Monbiot, bestselling author of Regenesis

How did wet nurses drive civilization? Are women always the weaker sex? Is sexism useful for evolution? And are our bodies at war with our babies?

In Eve, Cat Bohannon answers questions scientists should have been addressing for decades. With boundless curiosity and sharp wit, she covers the past 200 million years to explain the specific science behind the development of the female sex. Eve is not only a sweeping revision of human history, it’s an urgent and necessary corrective for a world that has focused primarily on the male body for far too long. Bohannon’s findings, including everything from the way C-sections in the industrialized world are rearranging women’s pelvic shape to the surprising similarities between pus and breast milk, will completely change what you think you know about evolution and why Homo sapiens have become such a successful and dominant species, from tool use to city building to the development of language.

MY REVIEW

I was intrigued when |I first saw this book and I was so glad I saw it as it was an amazing book to read. It is a non-fiction book but it is not dull and dreary, but instead, at times, humorous as the author takes the reader on a journey of the female body and how it has helped to shape the world.

I was already pretty hooked before I got to the first chapter after reading the introduction gave some great insight into the book and what was to potentially follow. If I had not read that, well the first chapter would have hooked me as I found out that medicines, trials and medical tests are conducted on males rather than females because it is easier. So if that is the case why are medicines made for the male sex and then used for everyone? Surely this makes medication generic rather than specific! With my mind blown at this point, I did have a quick look at the author. She is a researcher and author with a Ph.D. from Columbia University in the evolution of narrative and cognition.

The author brings so much more than science, biology and all that to this book. It has been done in such a way that it is like she is telling you what she has observed over time and how her research has brought her to her opinions in the book. When I say research, there have been many years of it, I think I read 10 years’ worth to produce this book. I have to say it shows because there are so many aspects that are covered that led from the first burrowing egg mammal to the form we see today as Humans. The author does focus on the female body, but she is actually telling the story of how homo sapiens have evolved over the millennia.

This is a fascinating book, addictive and really makes you think about your body and why things are as they are. If you like non-fiction that focuses on evolution, physiology, biology, anthropology and lots of other aspects then this is one for you. I thought it was very accessible as far as reading and understanding it went. Not too heavy on science. One I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cat Bohannon is a researcher and author with a PhD from Columbia University in the evolution of narrative and cognition. Her essays and poems have appeared in Scientific American, Mind, Science Magazine, The Best American Nonrequired Reading, The Georgia Review, The Story Collider and Poets Against the War. She lives in the US with her partner and two offspring.

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Everyday Folklore: An Almanac for the Ritual Year by Liza Frank @lilithepunk @RandomTTours @MurdochBooks_UK #almanac #folklore #bookreview

yvonnembee 4 Comments

I am delighted to be one of the Book Bloggers opening the Blog Tour today and share my review for Everyday Folklore by Liza Frank. This is a fabulous almanac that takes you through rituals, customs, traditions and much more from sources all around the world. I read this one on Kindle but have bought a copy as I enjoyed it so much.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for arranging my copy of this book from the publisher Murdoch Books UK.

For the curious and the adventurous! Turn to any date and you’ll find something to learn or do suggested by folklore of the day, the month, or the season.

Some suggestions will take no more effort than sticking your head out the window to look at the clouds, while others might involve knee pads and scouring giant chalk horses cut into hillsides. Taking inspiration from folklore found around the world, each daily entry is a tiny snapshot of what goes on – be it animal or plant lore, love predictions, the zodiac, the supernatural, food, festivals, divination, anniversaries, the weather or luck. By following the customs and traditions of the ritual year, you’ll find yourself becoming more engaged with what’s happening about you and discover how every month and season creates its own identity.

Dip into this fascinating book at any time of the year and discover something new and intriguing about the world around you. Just beware of the hare…

MY REVIEW

I read the Kindle version of this book and it was a wealth of information. A mix of folklore from around the world, traditions, customs and some right oddities. The book has some wonderful illustrations and prints adding to the overall charm of this almanac.

It includes so many different things that seem bizarre and quirky but also things that will have been passed down by older generations, the things we refer to as “old wives tales”, but as we know some of these do have usefulness to them.

Working through this book day by day and month by month you can if you so wish, try some of the activities or follow some of the suggestions. I do think I will be more inclined to try some of the planting advice rather than maybe trying fire jumping though!

If you are interested in how many sneezes you have and what this means on whatever day you happen to sneeze. How about joining in a tomato food fight, (which sounds like great fun)? Would you like to know when Nettle Day is, or Dotterel Day is?

The book brings together lore from around the world and this means you get a plethora of information and it makes you realise that customs and traditions are still practised based on lunar phases, star signs, weather lore, plant lore and also magical, supernatural and mystical dates. If you think this is all about things from the past, then you would be mistaken as the author has brought her research up to date with mentions of Twitter and one of my favourite days, Star Wars Day!

this is a fabulous book and it is one that you could try to dip in and out of but you will soon find yourself engrossed in it.

I would definitely recommend this book for those who like almanacs that are well-researched, full of information and unusual things.

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour…

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2023 by Lia Leendertz @lialeendertz @RandomTTours @Octopus_Books @nature #almanac #nonfiction #bookreview

yvonnembee 7 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2023 by Lia Leendertz. This is a fabulous little book that I adored picking through and if you are a fan of nature, the natural world and planning for gardening, then this is a gorgeous book to have.

My huge thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my Hardback copy of this book from the publisher Octopus Books

Reconnect with the seasons in Britain and Ireland with this month-by-month guide to the world around us – including key dates, tide tables and garden tasks; constellations and moon phases; sunrises, folk songs, seasonal recipes plus a ‘bun of the month’; and – because 2023 will be a good year for planet spotting – the solar system and the zodiac.

The Almanac: A Seasonal Guide to 2023 gives you the tools and inspiration you need to celebrate, mark and appreciate each month of the year in your own particular way. Divided into the 12 months, a set of tables each month gives it the feel and weight of a traditional almanac, providing practical information that gives access to the outdoors and the seasons, perfect for expeditions, meteor-spotting nights and beach holidays. There are also features on each month’s unique nature, with this instalment following the swirling micro world of the garden pond through the year.

You will find yourself referring to The Almanac all year long, revisiting it again and again, and looking forward to the next edition as the year draws to a close.

This year’s edition is illustrated by artist Whooli Chen. 

MY REVIEW

This is a fabulous little pocket-sized Almanac. I love books like this and while a diary often gives you basic information, an Almanac goes into a lot more detail. This one is no exception.

After a basic introduction, this book then starts at the beginning of the year. January – there are important dates for this month followed by a wonderful page of what January represents, it is a time of reflection as the daylight hours are not as long as we would like. But the author does encourage you to look at what is happening outside, are there buds or bees starting to emerge.

Carrying on the author then takes a look at the sky, the moon phases, sunrise/set, tide times and then onto Lunar planting. Plants used to be set according to the moon phases and I really liked to see this included. There are also a couple of paragraphs about what shrubs, plants and trees are starting to flower as well as what you can harvest from your veg garden.

If you do have a veg garden or access to locally grown produce then what better than a couple of recipes? How about an orange glazed yeast bun or boiled suet and sausage pudding? Both of these sound amazing.

An Almanac also gives information about the Zodiac, here the author includes an introduction to the zodiac and gives information for Capricorn followed by a folk song. This then leads on nicely to what we can see in nature.

This is a wonderful book and has loads of detail and information. It is littered with black-lined illustrations and images that correspond perfectly to the item they accompany.

The book is easy to use as the pages have been sprayed on the corner and then gradually work down so it is easy to see at a glance roughly where you need to be. There is also a nice little ribbon that acts as a bookmark.

If you are a fan of the seasons and nature then this is a fabulous little book to have. It is great for leaving on a table for a reference book and takes no space up at all. It is a book that would make a wonderful gift for a family member or friend because I know I was delighted to receive my copy.

Educational and informative, wonderful to peruse through and one I would definitely recommend.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Almanac 2023 by Lia Leendertz is out 1st September 2022.

Lia Leendertz’s reinvention of the traditional, rural almanac has become an annual must-have for readers keen to reconnect with the seasons, appreciate the outdoors, and discover ways to mark and celebrate each month, and the ideal stocking filler. The 2023 edition is the sixth in the series, and has a theme of the solar system and zodiac, with beautiful illustrations by artist Whooli Chen.

CHECK OUT THE OTHER STOPS ON THE BLOG TOUR…

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

Go Here Instead – The Alternative Travel List by D. K. Eyewitness #nonfiction #travel #bookreview

yvonnembee 7 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for Go Here Instead – The Alternative Travel List by D. K. Eyewitness. D. K. Witness are a well-known publisher of travel guides, and D.K is known for their many other non-fiction books. Their titles are often found in most non-fiction genres and are a good intro to topics and interests.

Bursting with beautiful photography, this alternative bucket list takes some of the world’s best-known sights, experiences and destinations – everything from over-visited national parks to crowded museums – and reveals more than 100 fascinating alternatives.

Planning a trip to Rome’s Colosseum? Why not try the ancient amphitheatre in Nimes instead. A visit to the Grand Canyon is on everyone’s bucket list – but how about adding Namibia’s spectacular Fish River Canyon to yours? And while Japan’s cherry blossoms are hard to beat, the seasonal display of hydrangeas in the Azores is just as beautiful.

Featuring expert advice and practical tips, Go Here Instead will open your eyes to a wealth of new, and more sustainable, travel ideas. We’ve organized the book by types of trip, so whether you’re a wannabe art critic, an outdoor adventurer or you’re into your history, this epic bucket list has an alternative adventure for you. So, why not give Machu Picchu a break and travel beyond the crowds. Go Here Instead: The Alternative Travel List is your ticket to the trip of a lifetime.

Inside Go Here Instead: The Alternative Travel List you will find:

– 100 entries each focusing on an alternative to a well-known destination/sight/experience
– Stunning photography throughout with colour-coded maps and chapters
– Stylized locator maps pinpointing the alternative sights, experiences and destinations.
– A beautifully designed gift book that showcases inspiring alternatives to the world’s most popular sights, experiences and destinations.

MY REVIEW

I love to travel vicariously and especially to other countries. I don’t have a passport so reading books and looking at photos is the next best thing. I know it isn’t the same as actually being there in person though.

This is a lovely hardback book and it is great for perusing through, discovering new places and learning new things. This book is laid out in sections after a brief introduction it then goes on to the sections –

Ancient & Historical Sights
Festivals & Parties
Great Journeys
Architectural Marvels
Natural Wonders
Art & Culture
Captivating Cities

This is then followed by the INdex and the Acknowledgements.

Let me give you a couple of examples –
The alternative to Everest Base Camp in Nepal is to visit Annapurna in Nepal.
The alternative to the Sagrada Familia in Spain is to visit the Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro.

From these two examples, you can see that not all the alternatives are in the same country. Now for some who are planning visits to certain countries, I could see this being a bit annoying, but for me, it makes it really interesting. It is showing me other places that have similar features, conditions, terrains or architecture.

Each page has a photo that shows a particular feature of the place mentioned. These are clear and look great as they are accompanied by basic information about the area, region or history. There are suggestions for other similar things for further research or reading as well.

I really like how this is laid out and it makes a great book for flicking through. I think this is more of a coffee table book and it would make a great talking point for people that have actually travelled or those that want to compile a wish list. While I may not have a passport I do have a bucket list of places I would like to see if money were no object.

Lovely book, with loads of information and one I would happily recommend.

ABOUT D.K. EYEWITNESS

At DK Eyewitness, we believe in the power of discovery. We make it easy for you to explore your dream destinations. DK Eyewitness travel guides have been helping travellers to make the most of their breaks since 1993. Filled with expert advice, striking photography and detailed illustrations, our highly visual DK Eyewitness guides will get you closer to your next adventure. We publish guides to more than 200 destinations, from pocket-sized city guides to comprehensive country guides. Named Top Guidebook Series at the 2020 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, we know that wherever you go next, your DK Eyewitness travel guides are the perfect companion. 

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The Secret Life of Fungi by Aliya Whiteley @aliyawhiteleypr @alisonmenziespr @eandtbooks #nature #nonfiction #autumn #bookreview

yvonnembee 6 Comments

I am delighted to share my review today for The Secret Life of Fungi by Aliya Whiteley. Autumn is a wonderful season and it is ideal for those of us who like to go foraging for mushrooms. I only ever pick the ones that I know are safe, so tend to stick to puffball or field mushrooms.

My huge thanks to Alison Menzies for getting in touch about this book and sending me a wonder paperback copy from the publisher Elliott & Thompson.

Displaying Secret Life of Fungi Jacket.jpg

Fungi are unlike any other living thing—they are almost magically unique. Welcome to this astonishing world. . . 

Fungi can appear anywhere, from desert dunes to frozen tundra. They can invade our bodies and live between our toes or our floorboards.  They are unwelcome intruders or vastly expensive treats, and symbols of both death and eternal life. But despite their familiar presence, there’s still much to learn about the eruption, growth, and decay of their secret, interconnected, world.

Aliya Whiteley has always been in love with fungi—from her childhood taking blurry photographs of strange fungal eruptions on Exmoor to a career as a writer inspired by their surreal and alien beauty. This love for fungi is a love for life, from single-cell spores to the largest living organism on the planet; a story stretching from Aliya’s lawn into orbit and back again via every continent.

From fields, feasts and fairy rings to death caps, puffballs and ambrosia beetles, this is an intoxicating journey into the life of an extraordinary organism, one that we have barely begun to understand.

MY REVIEW

This is a brilliant little book that delves into the murky world of Fungi. The author has a wonderful way of expressing her interest in this subject and it makes it very interesting reading. Last year I read a book by Suzanne Simard, Finding the Mother Tree, this book went into a lot of detail about the way fungi connect the trees. In The Secret Life of Fungi, the author, Aliya Whitely explains how fungi are part of our everything. It survives in the most surprising of conditions and environments. There is a lot more to fungi than the mushrooms we see in fields, on trees or on decomposing vegetation.

This book is set out in quick sub-chapters, with three main chapters entitled – Erupt, Spread and Decay. A simplified version of a lifecycle.

As the author makes her way through the chapters and subchapters she gives examples of research, observations and discoveries over the years. This introduces the reader to the basics of this far-reaching and unstoppable organism and follows it to the ends of the earth and beyond.

This would fall into the Science and Nature genre and to some extent, this is what it is. But rather than being all science, symbols, maths and other undecipherable, this book keeps to the basics. It makes sit a very easy-to-read book and the journey the author guides the reader on is like an adventure of discovery.

There are dangers to foraging and there is a section that describes some of the symptoms. Also going into details about how harmful spores can be spread and nature’s own way of dealing with them. Often the strands of fungi, or mycelia, have a symbiotic relationship with another plant and so it continues its lifecycle. It can be easily spread and there has been evidence of fungi in the International Space Station.

Not just confined to being eaten, this can be used for health and medicinal cures and treatments, just think of penicillin as an example. The other side of this can also be the strain that can cause pneumonia or Valley Fever and have devastating results.

Wherever you are in the world you will be near some type of fungi. You probably won’t even notice it, you may not see it, but it’s there.

This was a really interesting book and the author has a real passion for her field and this is evident in her writing. A cracking read that took me by surprise in a very good way. This is a relatively quick read at just over 200 pages, and if you like nature, the natural world and being outside then this is one that you would probably really enjoy. Very accessible and totally absorbing I soon discovered time had passed by as I was busy reading this one. I would definitely recommend it.

After finishing this book I decided to go out into the garden and explore. I knew there were some fungi and I hunted for more. This is what I found.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

(www.aliyawhiteley.wordpress.com / @aliyawhiteley)
Aliya Whiteley is inspired by how fungi and humanity share the world. She grew up
in North Devon where she developed an early passion for walking and observing
nature. She writes novels, short stories and non-fiction and has been published in
places such as The Guardian, Interzone, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, and in
several anthologies. Previously a magazine editor, she has written about the natural
world for Mental Floss and in her fiction. Her novella, The Beauty, was shortlisted for
both Shirley Jackson and Sabotage Awards, and depicts a future world in which a
fungus interacts with humanity to create a new form of life, leading readers all over
the world to send her photographs and articles relating to mushrooms.
She walks with her dog through the woods and fields around her home in West
Sussex every day, taking inspiration from the hidden worlds around her.

Displaying SLF graphic 5.jpg

Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx

The Migraine Relief Plan by Stephanie Weaver @sweavermph @rararesources #review

yvonnembee 6 Comments

Today I have something a little different to share with you. The Migraine Relief Plan by Stephanie Weaver is a book that I definitely wanted to read as part of the Birthday Blog Tour with Rachel’s Random Resources. My huge thanks to Rachel for accepting my request to be on the tour and also to Stephanie for the book.

Let’s have a look and see what the book is about…

The Migraine Relief Plan: An 8-Week Transition to Better Eating, Fewer Headaches, and Optimal Health

In The Migraine Relief Plan, certified health and wellness coach Stephanie Weaver outlines a new, step-by-step lifestyle approach to reducing migraine frequency and severity.

Using the latest research, her own migraine diagnosis, and extensive testing, Weaver has designed an accessible plan to help those living with migraine, headaches, or Meniere’s disease. Over the course of eight weeks, the plan gradually transitions readers into a healthier lifestyle, including key behaviors such as regular sleep, trigger-free eating, gentle exercise, and relaxation techniques. The book also collects resources—shopping lists, meal plans, symptom tracking charts, and kitchen-tested recipes for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner—to provide readers with the tools they need to be successful.

The Migraine Relief Plan encourages readers to eat within the guidelines while still helping them follow personal dietary choices, like vegan or Paleo, and navigate challenges, such as parties, work, and travel. A must-have resource for anyone who lives with head pain, this book will inspire you to rethink your attitude toward health and wellness.

Purchase Link – Click Here

As a hereditary sufferer of migraines, I was eager to read this book. My father found that acupuncture worked for him as well as having an allergy test to see what foods were his triggers. I found some of the same foods triggered my migraines, but I also discovered that hormones had a part to play as well. In some respects I am very lucky as I don’t suffer from them often, but when I do…

This book is a lifestyle guide, it has a great introduction about the authors’ experiences. I think that knowing the author had first-hand experiences made me more willing to pay attention. I am a believer that you don’t truly know what someone experiences until you experience it yourself, you can empathise and offer support but it’s never quite the same.

The book is quite intensive and packed full of so many useful advice, tips and ideas. Taking small steps rather than jumping in at the deep end and ditching the stuff in cupboards and fridge seems to me to be a very sensible approach. The focus is on building up a regime that is manageable and more importantly maintainable. Often diets and lifestyle changes fail as there is too much too soon and the novelty wears off.

There are lots of tips throughout this book, and while I did find some that were useful there were some that did not really apply to me. This is not a criticism in any way, as each sufferer is different, therefore there will be things that are more relevant to some.

Now to the recipes, they have an American feel to them as I would expect given the author is herself an American. There is a range of snacks, lunches, desserts, dressings, and sauces, some of these have a budget rating.

The book is a guide, it is about a change to not only your diet but also the lifestyle. It starts as an 8-week plan but encourages a longer period for better results. This is a well laid out book. It is not a cure-all, and it does not report to do that, it is a guide of things that can help people to manage and maintain a lifestyle. It looks at a whole-body approach rather than just pinpointing one specific area, so health, fitness, sleep as well as diet are dealt with.

I think if you are looking for this sort of approach that could help with reducing symptoms and works alongside your already prescribed medications then I think this book will be beneficial. I found it interesting and I did take quite a lot of things from it that I can easily work into my own lifestyle. It is a book I would recommend.

Stephanie Weaver, MPH, CWHC, is an author, blogger, and certified wellness and health coach. Her recipes have been featured in Cosmopolitan, Bon Appetit, Cooking Light, Parade, and more. She lives in San Diego, CA. 

Social Media Links – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

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#BookReview : The Garden In Every Sense and Season by Tovah Martin @timberpress #NetGalley

yvonnembee

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I am delighted to be sharing “The Garden in Every Sense and Season” by Tovah Martin, the photography is by Kindra Clineff.  This is due to be published on 4th April 2018 by Timber Press.  I recieved an eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley, my thoughts are my own and are unbiased.

Synopsis:

So much of gardening is focused on the monthly checklists, seasonal to-do lists, and daily upkeep—weed this area, plant these seeds, prune this tree, rake these leaves, dig this hole—frantically done all year long. But what about taking the time to truly enjoy the garden in every sense? In The Garden in Every Sense and Season does just that. Beginning the heady blooms of spring and closing with putting the garden to bed in winter, Tovah Martin mindfully explores her garden through sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste. She sees the bright yellow daffodils of spring, smells summer’s pungent roses, hears the crows in autumn, and tastes winter’s juicy citrus. In 100 evocative essays, Martin shares sage garden advice and intimate reflections on her own garden. The Garden in Every Sense and Season, from one of the greatest garden writers of our time, urges gardeners to inhale, savor, and become more attuned with their gardens.

My Thoughts:

Tovah reminds you that flowers, your garden and the wildlife are not just for looking at, rushing past, quickly weeding, instead she focuses on the five senses touch, sight, sound, smell and taste and explores each one of these for each of the seasons.  It all about relaxing, appreciating, enjoying and exploring what we have in out gardens.

She has a very natural way of explaining colour companions and foliage with structure.  Building a garden no matter what size takes planning and preparation, but there is no check list and must do in this book, taking the pressure of planting and setting at set times.  Instead, Stop, Slow Down, Relax and Enjoy.  It is a more relaxed approach and Tovah’s approach to life seems to come through in her approach to gardening and plants.

This is a refreshing look at gardening today.  It should be a pastime or a hobby not a job.  I found that even though I am a UK gardener, mainly of vegetables, there were lots of things that were relevant and useful.  It is good to see another persons thoughts and perspectives.

This is a beautifully laid out book with stunning photographs.  I have read this on a PC, but I know if I had the physical book in my hands I would be dipping in and out of it often.  The writing is set out more as a story of a journey through the year of a garden, rather than a book about a garden.

This is a book I would definitely recommend.  I really loved it.  The photographs and words compliment each other beautifully.

About the Author & Photographer:

Tovah Martin is a fanatical and passionate organic gardener and the author of The Indestructible Houseplant, The Unexpected Houseplant, The New Terrarium, and Tasha Tudor’s Garden, as well as many other gardening books. Visit her at tovahmartin.com

Kindra Clineff specializes in location photography and regularly produces feature assignments for national magazines; her images have appeared in numerous books, including several with Tovah Martin. She lives in Essex County, Massachusetts.

Many thanks for reading my post, if you liked it please give it a share.  Better still, go and get a copy of this beautiful book xx

#BookReview : Niki Jabbour’s Garden Remix @NikiJabbour : @StoreyPub @NetGalley

yvonnembee 2 Comments

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My Thoughts:

Has this book given me so many ideas or what. I am a gardener in Cornwall UK and I think this book would be a very useful addition to my already large gardening reference collection. It is well laid out with some beautiful pictures, great advice and tips. There is a vast array of vegetables on the market but there are none that taste better than homegrown ones. This book will be invaluable to people who want to try something a little bit different, I know after reading this book, I will be one of them. I also really like the way Niki has included her own tips, from germinating, pollinating, growing and caring for this vast array of plants. Knowledge is something that is learnt or passed, so in sharing her own experiences it will help save time, extra hard work and disappointment.

I would recommend this book to people who like Gardening and want to try something different, this is a beautiful book.

I would like to express my thanks to NetGalley and to Storey Publishers for my copy of this book. My views and opinions are my own, they are honest and unbiased.

Synopsis:

Best-selling author Niki Jabbour invites you to shake up your vegetable garden with an intriguing array of 238 plants from around the world. With her lively “Like this? Then try this!” approach, Jabbour encourages you to start with what you know and expand your repertoire to try related plants, many of which are delicacies in other cultures. Jabbour presents detailed growing information for each plant, along with fun facts and plant history. Be prepared to have your mind expanded and catch Jabbour’s contagious enthusiasm for experimentation and fun in the garden.

Book Details:

  • Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Storey Publishing LLC (6 Feb. 2018)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1612126707
  • ISBN-13: 978-1612126708

About the Author:

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Niki Jabbour is the author of the best-selling & award winning book, The Year Round Vegetable Gardener (2012 American Horticultural Society Book Award). Her latest book is Groundbreaking Food Gardens, released by Storey Publishing in March 2014. Niki writes for magazines and newspapers across North America, including Fine Gardening, Horticulture, Garden Making, Gardens East and The Heirloom Gardener. She speaks widely at garden shows and events. Niki is also the host of The Weekend Gardener on News 95.7 FM (www.news957.com) that airs every Sunday from 10 to noon Atlantic time.

Author Links | Website |Twitter

To Buy : Amazon UK |

Many thanks for reading my post, if you liked it please give a share. Or grab a copy of your own 😊 xx