Good morning Friends!
It’s book picks time and I have humor, inspiration, help with back to school, and plenty of romance to celebrate Read a Romance Book month.
There’s so much to talk about and I put all the books’ blurbs here:
Men to Avoid in Art and Life Nicole Tersigri
Men You Should Avoid in Art and Life by Nicole Tersigni
Men to Avoid in Art and Life pairs classical fine art with modern captions that epitomize the spirit of mansplaining.
This hilarious book perfectly captures those relatable moments when a man explains to a woman a subject about which he knows considerably less than she does.
Situations include men sharing keen insight on the female anatomy, an eloquent defense of catcalling, or offering sage advice about horseback riding to the woman who owns the horse.
• These less qualified men of antiquity dish out mediocrity as if it’s pure genius
• For the women who have endured overbearing men over the centuries
• Written with hilariously painful accuracy
“Now, when you’re riding a horse, you need to make sure to keep a good grip on the reins.” “These are my horses.”
Through cringe-induced empathy, this timeless gift book of shared experiences unites women across history in one of the most powerful forms of resistance: laughter.
Driving Miss Norma by Tim Bauerschmidt and Ramie Liddle
When Miss Norma was diagnosed with uterine cancer, she was advised to undergo surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. But instead of confining herself to a hospital bed for what could be her last stay, Miss Norma—newly widowed after nearly seven decades of marriage—rose to her full height of five feet and told the doctor, “I’m ninety years old. I’m hitting the road.”
And so Miss Norma took off on an unforgettable around-the-country journey in a thirty-six-foot motor home with her retired son Tim, his wife Ramie, and their dog Ringo.
As this once timid woman says “yes” to living in the face of death, she tries regional foods for the first time, reaches for the clouds in a hot air balloon, and mounts up for a horseback ride. With each passing mile (and one educational visit to a cannabis dispensary), Miss Norma’s health improves and conversations that had once been taboo begin to unfold. Norma, Tim, and Ramie bond in ways they had never done before, and their definitions of home, family, and friendship expand. Stop by stop, state by state, they meet countless people from all walks of life—strangers who become fast friends and welcome them with kindness and open hearts.
Infused with this irrepressible nonagenarian’s wisdom, courage, and generous spirit, Driving Miss Normais the charming, infectiously joyous chronicle of their experiences on the road. It portrays a transformative journey of living life on your own terms that shows us it is never too late to begin an adventure, inspire hope, or become a trailblazer.
You can learn more at www.missnorma.com as well as get the book on AMAZON.
An Orphan No More-The True Story of a Boy: Chapter One by Jerry and Jordan Windle
Celebrates the concept that love is love. Rodney has long dreamed of being a parent. Although he is told that he cannot be a parent alone, fate has much more in store. Rodney discovers that a selfless act of protection actually becomes his first step toward fatherhood.
Authored by Jerry and Jordan Windle; Foreword by Greg Louganis.
Can be pre-ordered at The Divers Club
A Guide to Virtual Learning by Dr. Felicia Durden
Make kids’ virtual school experience fun and effective with this all-in-one primer designed to help busy parents make the most out of digital platforms, understand teaching strategies, and fully support your child’s education.
Every parent wants to help their child succeed, but it can be difficult when online platforms and teaching methods seem to be constantly changing. Now, A Parent’s Guide to Virtual Learning takes the mystery out of digital education and gives you the tools that you can immediately implement at home, no matter your district, school, or distance learning model.
Written by a fellow parent and experienced educator, Dr. Felicia Durden breaks down how virtual learning works and simple strategies for reinforcing classroom instruction, all with the busy parent in mind. In this book, parents will learn how to:
- Create an inspiring at-home workspace
- Make the most out of virtual platforms
- Understand core topics like math and reading
- Set up remote learning pods with other kids
- Support various online, hybrid, and distance learning models
- Avoid burnout (for students and parents!)
Adapting to a virtual environment will be challenging and the role that parents play is crucial in student success. This book will be a tool that you will go to again and again to stay prepared and energized each day to help your child reach their learning goals.
Homework Squad by Joshua Shifrin (author) and Tracy Bishop (illustrator)
The Homework Squad is here for kids with ADHD! This easy-to-use guide will help with key study skills to improve reading, writing, math, listening, memorization, concentration, and more! Bite-sized tips and tricks, journal prompts, and advice for challenges help kids with ADHD recognize how they learn best and act on that knowledge.
This is an accessible, straightforward, and relatable guide to key study skills for kids with ADHD that features a cast of characters with ADHD to enliven the lessons. The author covers an array of areas where kids with ADHD might struggle academically to help kids recognize how they learn best and act on that knowledge.
Chapter 1: Read Like a Champ
Chapter 2: Make Math Click
Chapter 3: Write Your Heart Out
Chapter 4: Listen Up
Chapter 5: Set Good Goals
Chapter 6: Take Note
Chapter 7: Study Like a Pro
Chapter 8: Power Up the Concentration
Chapter 9: Get It Memorized
Chapter 10: Test Better
Chapter 11: Fight Procrastination
You can also find more information about the Homework Squad online.
Now, for a bit of escapism.
One Hot Italian Summer buy Karina Halle
A writer who’s blocked–I’m a total cliche.
Lucky for me, my agent has a cure that’s an even bigger stereotype–a month at her villa in Tuscany, with nothing to do but find my muse.
When he walks right in the front door, adorable son in tow, it feels like fate has finally done for me what it does for every other cliche’d girl I’ve seen in the movies. Except that he’s completely off-limits. In this case, business and pleasure can never mix.
Because Claudio is my agent’s ex.
Still, he’s smart, charming, and wickedly sexy, plus a great father to Vanni. He’s fast becoming the cure to all my writing woes. And it’s clear he wants me as much as I want him.
As the hot Italian summer wears on, it becomes harder and harder to resist. Succumbing to the heat even just one time could ruin my career.
Or he could be exactly what I need.
A Family Reunion by Brenda Jackson
It’s been fifteen years since the Bennetts were all in one place, at one time, and now at a total blowout of a reunion four special cousins’ hidden desires and long-kept secrets will challenge their bond, test their courage, and change their hearts forever. . .
Taye is a hair stylist with big ambitions. She’s trusted the wrong men in the past and now she determined to land the right one, no matter who stands in her way.
Michael is a widowed airline pilot struggling to manage his teenage daughter, but turbulence comes when a new passion enters his life.
Alexia was the chubby little girl who has turned into a sexy superstar who seems to have it all. . .except the one thing she’s always wanted to make her life complete: a child. Now she has the perfect man in mind to be the father of her child. . .without his knowledge.
Rae’jean is the pretty young doctor engaged to be married, but happiness still eludes her because her past is shrouded in mystery. And before she can say “I do” she must come home to finally learn the truth.
If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy
If the shoe doesn’t fit, maybe it’s time to design your own.
Cindy loves shoes. A well-placed bow or a chic stacked heel is her form of self-expression. As a fashion-obsessed plus-size woman, she can never find designer clothes that work on her body, but a special pair of shoes always fits just right.
With a shiny new design degree but no job in sight, Cindy moves back in with her stepmother, Erica Tremaine, the executive producer of the world’s biggest dating reality show. When a contestant on Before Midnight bows out at the last minute, Cindy is thrust into the spotlight. Showcasing her killer shoe collection on network TV seems like a great way to jump-start her career. And, while she’s at it, why not go on a few lavish dates with an eligible suitor?
But being the first and only fat contestant on Before Midnight turns her into a viral sensation—and a body-positivity icon—overnight. Even harder to believe? She can actually see herself falling for this Prince Charming. To make it to the end, despite the fans, the haters, and a house full of fellow contestants she’s not sure she can trust, Cindy will have to take a leap of faith and hope her heels— and her heart—don’t break in the process.
Best-selling author Julie Murphy’s reimagining of a beloved fairy tale is an enchanting story of self-love and believing in the happy ending each and every one of us deserves.
The Cowboy Says I Do by Sinclair Jayne (BOOK 1 OF 3)
When professional rodeo cowboy Beck Ballantyne returns home to Marietta, Montana, nothing goes as planned. His granddad, flanked by his three determined daughters, announces his plan to sell his legacy ranch after the rodeo. Hoping he’ll reconsider, Beck and his two cousins launch the Rodeo Bride Game. Beck initially has the advantage as he has a long-time girlfriend—except she’s just called it quits.
Ashni Singh has loved Beck since high school, but she’s done living out of a suitcase on the rodeo tour. She’s ready to put down roots and build her own career. Learning she’s unexpectedly expecting makes her even more determined to make a new life. So when Beck dutifully proposes, she does what any self-respecting, career-oriented, educated woman at the end of her patience would do. She says no.
The Rodeo Bride Game may have started as a fun challenge, but Beck has never been more serious about winning Ash’s heart and her hand.
Books 2 & 3 are available for pre-order now.
AMAZON BARNES AND NOBLE APPLE KOBO
Romance
Home to the Outback by Nicole Flockton (BOOK 1 OF 3)
Three years ago, nurse Sindy Carruthers returned to Bunya Junction wounded, wary and shamed by a relationship gone wrong. Welcomed home by her family and supportive community, she now manages the local medical practice and enjoys her newfound confidence. She’s perfectly happy on her own, until a blast from the past in the form of Ryan Flanagan appears.
Dr. Ryan Flanagan—renowned plastic surgeon to the stars—heads to Bunya Junction to pay his last respects to the man who opened his heart and house to an abandoned boy. Ryan’s no fan of Bunya Junction or the harsh judgments of some of the townsfolk, so he’s stunned to discover that his old mentor has bequeathed him half a general medical practice—hoping he’ll stay on and serve the community. The other half of the practice now belongs to the beautiful Sindy Carruthers, his closest friend’s twin sister.
Sindy knows Ryan will never stay in Bunya Junction and become her business partner, and that’s a good thing. Otherwise she might just lose her heart to him.
You can pre-order books 2 and 3 now.
AMAZON BARNES AND NOBLE APPLE KOBO
(Amazon links are affiliate links.)
There you go friends!
What did you think? Do you have books I need to check out?
Drop your suggestions below and keep on reading my friends.