John Martin's Big Book 2

John Martin's Big Book 2

John Martin's Big Book 2 was published in 1934 by Collier. It is a compilation of short stories, poems, games, and coloring pages for children to enjoy. I think I picked this up at an estate sale for a dollar. It reminded me of the bookshelf of children's books in my childhood home. I spent hours reading through many of them, and this book, although I had never heard of this series before, was enjoyable to read as well. It is also full of lovely illustrations with that old fashioned look. 

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Michelangelo, by Elizabeth Elias Kaufman

 Michelangelo, by Elizabeth Elias Kaufman

This was a nice coffee table type book, all about Michelangelo the great artist. It gives a short history of his life and times, and commentary on each of his works, along with photographs of them. It also includes some of his unfinished pieces and sketches.

The Spark: A Revolutionary New Plan to Get Fit and Lose Weight, by Dr. Glenn A. Gaesser and Karla Dougherty

 The Spark, Glenn Gaesser, Karla Dougherty

I enjoy working out, and weight has always been a struggle to control since I became a mother almost 30 years ago. But I have been working out regularly, lifting weights, for close to 10 years now, I think. I have become so passionate about it that it turned into a career. I now manage a gym and am an admin for a chain of gyms in the Pacific Northwest. So I know a think or two about diet and exercise. 

This book, I have mixed feelings about. I feel this book is for those who have a hard time getting motivated to work out. That is not me, I have gotten over that hump and it's a daily routine. This book has you do just a few minutes at a time, ever so often throughout the day, to just get up and get moving. I think that's great. It gives you ideas to do at home and work, and some easy exercises that require little or no equipment. Again, that's great.

What I can't fall in line with is the ideology about eating. According to this book you should have a high carb diet, and no or low fat, because they say, fat makes you fat. I think this is outdated. The right fats can actually help you lose weight.

I follow a whole food diet. Keep the carbs complex and low. Cut out most of the grains since they are often processed. Eat protein and good fats. I have lost 20 pounds doing this. 

So if you read this, keep this in mind diet-wise, but glean the information for sneaking in mini workouts throughout the day.

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

Africa: Natural Spirit of the African Continent, Gill Davies

Africa, Gill Davies

This is a large format coffee table type book. It covers every country in Africa, giving information on history, the people, land, flora, and fauna, and includes gorgeous photography. Africa is near and dear to my heart, as I have visited Kenya twice. I have stayed in Nairobi, Masai Mara, and been near the base of Mt Kilimanjaro ( while still being in Kenya. I have slept ill on a little cot out on the country outside of Nairobi, and have braved the slums (with guides). I have waded in Lake Turkana and been a guest at a goat roast in our honor in a little Turkana village.What little I have experienced of Africa, I know that it is full of beautiful and amazing people. Yes, the animals are amazing as well, but in my opinion, it is the people that bring such beauty to the country.

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck 

 

Her Daughter's Dream, Francine Rivers

 

Her Daughter's Dream, Francine Rivers

Her Daughter's Dream is the continuing story of the lineage of Marta, Hildemara, Carolyn, and May Flower Dawn and the mistakes they made that drove wedges between them, while they all desired to be loved and understood by each other. This book takes us through Carolyn and May Flower Dawn's lives, their heartaches and their joys as they seek to build a bridge between the generations.

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Books I have read in 2023

 Another year, another tally of books! This year I am not counting books of the Bible as part of my total until I have read the Bible completely through.

JANUARY

Her Daughter's Dream, Francine Rivers

Africa: Natural Spirit of the African Continent, Gill Davies

The Spark: Get Fit and Lose Weight, Dr. Glenn Gaesser and Karla Dougherty

FEBRUARY

Michelangelo, Elizabeth Elias Kaufman

John Martin's Big Book 2, John Martin

The Millionaire Next Door, Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko

MARCH

Let's Make a Memory, Gloria Gaither and Shirley Dobson

APRIL

Swiss Family Robinson, Johann Wyss

The Road to Little Dribbling, Bill Bryson

Let's Make Some Great Art, Marion Deuchars

Painting Horses in Oil, Cindy Larimore

MAY

Legendborn, Tracy Deonn

Floor Sample, Julia Cameron

Everyday Millionaires, Chris Hogan

Imperial Woman, Pearl S. Buck

JUNE

101 Workouts for Women, by Muscle & Fitness

The New Basic Reader: The New Our New Friends

JULY

An Introduction to Oil Painting, Ray Smith

The Illustrator's Notetaking Bible

What Hollywood Believes, Ray Comfort

AUGUST

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

SEPTEMBER

Weekly Reader Collection 1953/54

Bloodmarked, Tracy Deonn

OCTOBER

The Man Who Wanted Stars, Dean McLaughlin

Fix Freeze Feast, Kati Neville, Lindsay Tkacsik

NOVEMBER

The Golden Son. Shilpi Somaya Gowda

The Book of Creation, Pierre-Marie Beaude

DECEMBER

Japanese Folktales, Yei Theodora Ozaki

On the Beach, Nevil Shute

The Memory Weaver, Jane Kirkpatrick

2023 total books read: 30

2022 total books read: 36

Would you like to buy me a book, or help keep my little free library stocked and maintained? You can donate here: paypal.me/AmyVanGaasbeck