On a Farther Shore by William Souder

Subtitle: The Life and Legacy of Rachel Carson

Since March is Women's History month I thought I would read a book about a woman that loved nature and saw how humans and science were damaging the one thing that she loved most.

This was not an easy book to read. There was a lot of back story and history of  what was happening in the world and in the world of science. I appreciate knowing these things as it helps to understand the drive of Carson, but it was a bit tedious.

She was a perfectionist. It took her a long time to write, she never made a deadline, but what she wrote awed people. I will be honest in that I have not read some of her key works (they are on my list for this year!). Her love of nature and how it all worked together. Her love that made her present an amazing case against indiscriminate use of pesticides and chemicals. She spent her life getting her thoughts and ideas out to everyone, in a way that everyone could understand.

She died at a very young age and cannot imagine what she could have done. In her short life though she accomplished much and left a huge stamp on how we can look at the world.

Souder is wordy and in the end it seemed to me that only 25% of the book or so was about Carson. Again, I can see the importance of knowing what was going on during the time that she was writing but it was a bit much at times and a slog to get through. If you have the patience to get through the nuts and bolts what was written about Carson was very informative and enlightening.

 

The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon

 

I love this saga by Gabaldon and you need to be willing to dedicate some time to get through the books. It is well worth it, but I am always glad when I get to the end. And thankfully the end of this one did not leave me hanging like some of her others.

This is the continuation of the saga with Jamie and Claire, Roger and Bree, and the life that they are leading and where it takes them. 

In this volume there are marriages, a short war, death, and near death. There are past situations that need to be dealt with and figuring out how to take care of them and still be able to live with yourself is a huge dilemma in and of itself. 

There is a little interesting twist in dealing with time travel of the past/future and I am curious how Gabaldon will incorporate this in the following books. She never disappoints and is an amazing story teller. It amazes me how she keeps it all straight and cohesive.

If you haven't read any of the saga make sure you start with Outlander and be prepared to be pulled into an amazing story that keeps you wanting more. You will spend many, many hours getting lost in this wonderful tale of love and pain, sacrifice and triumph.     

Zero Sugar Diet by David Zinczenko

Subtitle: The 14-Day Plan to Flatten Your Belly, Crush Cravings, and Help Keep You Lean for Life

I guess if you are someone who eats a lot of sugar laden foods and snacks all of the time I can see how you could lose a lot of weight in 14 days. I really enjoyed the science and learning more about how your body works and uses what you feed it. I also liked the fact that the foods and meal plans were realistic. So many times there are strange ingredients or food substitutes that always make me wonder how people could stay on the 'diet' and continue it life long. I know that some of my eating behaviors and likes need attention, but I want to feel good while I am doing it and understand the long term affects of what I do.

The thing that never ceases to amaze me is how big cooperation's continue to skew the data to work in their favor. As my husband always says, follow the money. Not everyone has their best interest out for your health, it is all about the bottom line for them.  

I definitely learned a lot and took away some really good recipes that I have already tried. I am striving to stay healthy and strong as long as possible and every bit of information can be useful. Always do what feels right for you, as we are not all made the same. I want to enjoy life and enjoy food and this book gave me some great ideas and a better understanding of how the body works. 

 

The Atomic City Girls by Janet Beard

 

I enjoy reading historic fiction. I seem to be drawn to World War 2 for some reason and have really enjoyed what I have learned over the years.

This takes place in the mid 40's when work was being done in making the atomic bomb. A town was created in Eastern Tennessee, Oak Ridge. People were displaced and a town grew up almost over night.

This book follows several different people and how they are learning and finding their way. You have June who is just from a few counties over and wanted to do something for the war effort. There is CiCi who is trying recreate herself and find a better life after the war. Joe is a black sharecropper from Alabama just wanting to make a better life for his family.

Living conditions are not always ideal, work schedules could be grueling, and it was a totally different life for everyone. People learned who were and were not to be trusted. And keeping secrets was no easy task.

The joys, sorrows, and hardships seemed worth it to all of them. I don't want to give too much away, but in the end I think they all got what was deserved and earned. It is an amazing time in history, so much was accomplished. At the same time some things that were being fought for then are still being fought for today, more than 70 years later.

If you enjoy historic fiction, especially from this era, I highly recommend this book. It was very well written, easy to read, and I fell in love with all of the characters.

The Winter House by Joan MacCracken

Subtitle: A Season of Sharing

This book had a very interesting premise. Elizabeth was recently widowed and wanted to spend her first winter in Maine, but she really did not want to do it alone. She asked Marty to join her who asked Janet who asked Catherine. They were all widows and Elizabeth thought it would be a great way for them all to have some companionship and save some money in the process.

This all worked out very well for everyone. They encouraged each other to do things, they talked about and faced things that they were struggling with, and all became stronger women for the process.

I must have picked this book up at a library book sale in Maine. Not only was it a signed copy, but it was published in Maine as well. The writing was quite simple and at times felt a little manufactured but the idea and story line was very inviting and curious. It was an interesting way to approach a difficult subject and time in peoples lives. I have a hard time thinking about being alone in the future and hope that I have a circle of friends that these ladies created to help me through. 

Glow 15 by Naomi Whittel

 Subtitle: A Science-based Plan to Lose Weight, Revitalize Your Skin, and Invigorate Your Life

A friend recommended this to me and it was an interesting read. I am always curious about the different ways people and science think that they can help you feel younger, stronger, and healthier.

This book hits on a concept called autophagy. It is something within our bodies that can turn on and off our metabolism and make our bodies use what is has more efficiently. There are also foods and exercises that can trigger autophagy to make your body more efficient as well.

There are certain foods to eat and times to eat. You intermittent fast three non consecutive days and eat normally the other four days. There is also exercising that you do on certain days, either HIIT workouts or resistance band workouts.

In the scheme of things if you are able to make these changes in your life and if looking younger is that important to you then this might work. I am more from the school of trying to work with what I have, no special diets or exercises. And on the whole I feel pretty good.

We all want to loose some weight, me included. We all would like to look younger, me included. But we have to remember that we are all different, our bodies are different, and how are bodies work individually are different. And we have earned every wrinkle and gray hair and should be proud of how far we have come.

For me I have been working on eating the same number of calories everyday, drinking enough water everyday, and doing moderate exercise everyday. Will I be disappointed if I don't loose weight, of course. Do I know that I am doing something good for my body everyday, absolutely!

This is a good book. It gives us another view of how are bodies work and how we can make them work more efficiently. It is not something that I am going to do but it may work for you.

Dewey's Nine Lives by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter

 Subtitle: The Legacy of the Small-town Library Cat Who Inspired Millions

If you have not read Dewey I highly recommend that you do. It is not necessary if you want to read this book, but it is well worth the read.

There is a wonderful partnership between Myron and Witter and when you sit down to read these books it feels like they are there tell you their stories. In this book we not only learned more about Dewey and how he touched so many lives but also about other cats that have had huge impacts on their owners.

In so many of the stories the cats are true confidants, they are there for the owner. They are there to listen and to comfort, to protect and be an ally. If you have never had a pet it may be hard to understand. But if you have been a pet owner you know what it is like to have an animal love you unconditionally. To have a live creature there to pour your heart out to and just sit there and listen. To have an animal that will just love you for who you are and help you grow into a stronger and more confidant human being.

In this book cats help fill the void of not being able to have children, of moving someplace new and knowing no one, of helping you through a tough time when you didn't even really know you needed help. Cats have always been considered stand-offish, but I think they are always there for you.

The last cat that I had was not a cuddler. She would be in the same room with you but she was very independent. She loved to bring me 'gifts' and learned to leave them at the door after I thanked her. The one thing she would do is cuddle me when I was not feeling well. She didn't leave my side, but once I was feeling better she was off.

Pets know how to take care of their owners and they are a wonderful addition to the family if is is a viable option. I am so thankful for the pets that I have had over the years and am looking forward to having one again (once I settle down, haha).